Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
The puggle princess and I did a fantastic job in the fruits and vegetables department this past week. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Visit 24 {new} Bakeries / Coffee Shops
After seeing the glowing reviews for Ritual Bakehouse and Patisserie online, the HH and I headed to Brunswick for a date day. Sadly though, the selection was super small and a bit of a disappointment and the only thing we left with was a croissant. 🙁
The staff was nice though.
New Bakeries / Coffee Shops I’ve Been To This Year:
- Ritual Bakehouse and Patisserie
- Standard Baking Co.
- Saltwater Farm Cafe
- Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks
Go On An Adventure
Sometimes just walking into a store is an adventure. LIke when I popped by Home Goods this past week. Seriously though, who in their right mind would pay $399 {that’s American dollars!} for a metal peacock?
Contribute to 12 Free Little Libraries. {3 town down, 9 to go}
I didn’t donate to any new little libraries this past week nor did I visit any library book sales to acquire craft books.
Towns I’ve donated books to:
- Gardiner, Maine
- Nobleboro, Maine
- Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
Tidy Up / Clean Out / Purge
Absolutely NO purging this past week. And mostly likely I won’t until after I get all my wool dyed. Focus. Focus. Focus. That’s the plan.
- Barn
- Garage
- Closets
- Dresser drawers
- Kitchen
- Sideboard
- DVD collection
Read or Listen to 24 Books {4 down, 20 to go}
Thanks to your recommendations, I reserved Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner to my library list. It must be super popular because the current wait time is 11 months!!
Books I’ve Read or Listened To This Year:
- Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinise. 10/10
- Elizabeth The Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith 9/10
- Wait Till Next Year by Dorris Kearns Goodwin 8/10
- George VI and Elizabet:by Sally Bedell Smith 9/10
- Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson 9/10
- These Precious Days by Ann Pachett 9.5/10
Spend More Time At The Beach
I made it to the beach this week and while I didn’t find any heart shaped rocks, driftwood or other bits, I did see a bunch of crab shells. Which I thought was sort of strange.
Paint
I started another paint by number. 🙂 This time it’s Garden Path with Hens – Gustav Klimt. This is a big one… 20” x 30” so it will be interesting to see how long it takes me to finish. I told the HH I am determined to fill an entire wall with paint by numbers. He thinks I’m nuts.
So far I’ve finished:
- Portrait of Joseph Roulin
- Red Boats at Argenteuil
- Regattas at Argenteuil
- Vase with Cornflowers and Poppies
- Sunflowers
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 15th / March 30th
I wasn’t able to get as much wool dyed this past week as I had planned, but I did get a bunch of kits made up so things are moving along. Fingers crossed I can get everything done by the end of the month.
If not, well then I’ll pray for a snow storm because I really want to get everything done before gardening season starts. Which is usually around early April.
Hook 6 “Big” Rugs.
Oh my word! if only I could put the dumb paintbrush down, I could get a rug finished!!! I didn’t make any progress this past week on my giant rugs. 🙁
Large Rugs I’ve Hooked This Year
Visit 6 Greenhouses {that I’ve never been to before}.
No visits to any greenhouses this past week, but I already know which one I want to go to first.
Grow Baby Grow
The HH bought me a pot of shamrocks… Wasn’t that sweet? I don’t know how long they’ll last but they sure do make me smile everytime I walk past them.
The weather is supposed to be really, really nice next week so I’m hoping I’ll be able to get out there and tidy up the kitchen garden and work on my tan. HA! Just to have the sun shining on my face without the bitter cold wind blowing would be so nice right about now.
I’m ready to play in the dirt! And I think Lucy is too.
Donate to 12 Different Organizations in Maine
It was a good week for donating! We dropped off 4 cases of cat food to the Humane Society and 50 pairs of new socks to the women’s shelter. Now I need to figure out where to donate for April.
Someone mentioned donating to a Senior Center and I really like that idea. But what would I donate? I need to think about that one. Do you have any ideas?
*I still need to Drop off the art supplies to Camp Sunshine
So how are YOUR goals for 2024 coming along? I’d love to hear about them.
~Mavis
Shari Harniss says
The shamrock should be with you for years! My mom has had hers for many . It dies down but quickly comes back. Just needs a rest
Wendy C says
Puzzles would be a great thing to donate to a senior center. My daughter worked at one for her internship and the attendees loved puzzles. They could work by themselves or work in a group and talk with each other. Some simple paint by numbers might also be a good idea.
Chris says
Out local senior “day care” accepted homemade treats. Every Tuesday, for years, I would drop off a Bundt cake, cookies, brownies, or a coffee cake. The local grocery stores would donate “day old” items also, but homemade is better. The clients would enjoy a treat in the morning while going over the newspaper.
Holley says
The shamrocks are so pretty! I can see why they would make you smile! I was told once that greeting cards are a good donation for senior centers. Also, socks. I like the idea of puzzles or paint by numbers too. Let us know what you find out about this subject, please. Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Cindy R says
A few things to thing about for the senior center donation are large print books such as word searches or Reader’s Digest, stamps and note cards, some bottles of nail polish, polish remover and emery boards (if the center has volunteers that can help polish nails), or even throw blankets for a chilly day.
Annette says
For the senior center . . . Bingo prizes such as costume jewelry, small knick knacks, playing cards, scarves. Don’t buy new, just clean some things out of your house.
Charla says
Our church collects items for a senior center and it’s mostly hygiene items, anctiv books and snacks.
Nancy T says
Large print search a word, crossword puzzles, bingo prizes, cards for all occasions. 300 piece puzzles are ideal size.
The small areas on paint by numbers are usually too small for older eyes.
Sharon says
For the senior center I would suggest some paperback fiction – preferably in large print if you can find them – and an assortment of various tea bags.
Brianna says
Senior Center: hard sole/grippy slippers (they are clearance this time of year), jigsaw puzzles (complete, not necessary new), large print crossword and Sudoku books, large print novels (latest popular releases the better), popular candy from their eras (1930/1940/1950 kids would remember fondly, but nothing to break teeth like jawbreaker or hard taffy), decks of cards and dice, cozy socks, tea assortment (beyond the standard types they have, ex. Tea Forte, yogi, etc.), adult coloring books and colored pencils (there are watercolor pencils for watercolor books too), single serve packaged snacks, yarn and basic craft supplies, dvds, catered tray like cookies or cupcakes (they put these on social table during a social event).
Call ahead and make sure they can accept items and what their wants are. Each facility is different and a senior center, retirement home, or nursing home will all have different wants and life stages of residents.
Rosemary says
Not a senior center, but many years ago my friend and I contacted a local nursing home to see if there was anyone there that didn’t get visitors. At Christmas, many of the patients get visitors and we wanted to bless someone that didn’t get any. They gave us one name and we made it a point to visit that person and bring gifts at Christmas. We found out what her favorite cookie was and brought that also. We did that for her for several years until she passed away. Don’t know if that would be an option for you or not. Just a thought.
Margo says
Check with the senior center, but large print books maybe appreciated.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
How about picking a senior center and calling to ask what they could use? It might make some difference depending on whether you want to support a residential setting or a social/educational setting. I think you would be great at teaching a short term class in one of the crafts/arts you excel at. A different kind of “gift” to donate…
ParisPastry says
For the senior centre you have some great suggestions however I would also suggest you call a senior centre where you make your donation and speak with the activity personnel and see what they would like to receive. I have donated things like holiday or birthday cards they use for the residents, movie dvds so they can plan a movie afternoon with snacks, books for the centres library, activity books like find a word or similar, yarn for their knitting club, craft supplies for the craft activities etc.
Peg says
My mom is currently a resident at a local assisted living facility. Large print books are a great idea, but hardback large print books are heavy and hard to hold for older people. Just a thought.
wendy j says
Shamrocks arent as delicate as they look. I put my two out in the breezeway in the summer with afternoon sun and they love it and grow like crazy. they usually die down some in the winter under grow lights but explode again when they go out. Weve had them for more than 20 years.
Ashley says
Your shamrock is an oxalis and it will continue to multiple and get more full every year! Sometimes it’s good to cut them back so they have a dormancy period, but you’ve got a forever plant if you want it to be!
Esther says
Maybe see if they have a Wii. Wii sports would be good to donate. Depending on their health they might enjoy wii bowling or tennis.
Tonya says
Hi
I love the painting you are doing. Have you ever seen the movie “Woman in Gold?” That same painter is the one who painted the piece “Women in Gold”. which is of the main actresses aunt. It’s a great movie.
Also a book I just finished was Vera Wong’s unsolicited advice for murderer. It’s pretty funny and a quick read. Enjoy.
Staci W says
I second the movie recommendation. We just watched that the other weekend. Excellent!
Sherry in Sumner says
Yes, plant that shamrock plant! It will make a great ground cover eventually.
Dianne says
Mavis,
Your shamrock plant will last forever. They grow like a weed. You can takes the pods and plant additional pots. They flower all year.
Paula Black says
Decks of cards and a battery operated card shuffler. It’s often hard for seniors to shuffle cards due to arthritis and stuff.
Mel says
You might also be able to donate your time. Many care facilities host lectures and demonstrations. You could do one for rug hooking or gardening.
One of my goals was to take a week off work to clean out my closet, so I did that this week. This week I need to organize baby appointments again since we have 4 new referrals to doctors.
Staci W says
My HH works at an assisted living facility, he says toiletries would be appreciated by the residents. They also enjoy assorted snacks and small items that are used as prizes for their bingo games.
Lori says
A great idea to donate to is a women’s crisis center. They help women get away from abusive situations. I have donate to our local one for years. Ours except good used clothing, dressy styles for job interviews, toiletry items, etc. I usually call a couple weeks before I go and ask what they are in need of.