Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
I told the HH that we’ve GOT TO make more of an effort to eat more fruits and veggies! But with moving, traveling and everything still up in the air, it’s been sort of hard to make it a priority. Gaa. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. It’s an excuse, I know.
Visit 24 {new} Bakeries / Coffee Shops
Farine bakery and cafe was fantastic! I wish I could have tried everything on their menu. We are nearly halfway through the year and I still have 18 bakeries/coffee shops to visit if I am going to check this baby off my list! Gaaa.
New Bakeries / Coffee Shops I’ve Been To This Year:
- Ritual Bakehouse and Patisserie
- Caramel Patisserie
- Standard Baking Co.
- Saltwater Farm Cafe
- Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks
- Farine Bakery and Cafe
Go On An Adventure
I still have to finish the painting I started before I can take off on my next adventure. Fingers crossed they’ll have a few pastry shops I can visit {although I’m not going to hold my breath on that one}.
I think the place I’m headed is pretty much only known for one thing… And it isn’t baked goods. Ha!
Contribute to 12 Free Little Libraries. {3 town down, 9 to go}
I didn’t contribute to any free little libraries this week and I didn’t find any cool crafts books at the library sale either.
But I DID find my all time favorite cookie recipe book Martha Stewart’s Cookies. I don’t know what happened to my copy of the book, but for $3, I have it again. Yee-Haw! I wonder if there are any cookies with a broccoli base in there?
Towns I’ve donated books to:
- Gardiner, Maine
- Nobleboro, Maine
- Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
Read or Listen to 24 Books {7 down, 17 to go}
I didn’t read or listen to any new audiobooks this past week but I did buy this adorable watercolor workbook by Emily Lex. I think these would make a wonderful gift!! And there are so many to choose from too.
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
- Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Spend More Time At The Beach
Lucy is loving her daily walks on the beach! There is so much for her to smell, she can hardly stand it. All I have to do is say the word beach and she heads for the door. It’s awesome.
Paint
I found a new set of paint by number kits… But I’m doubtful these will look as cool as the other ones I’ve done. Has anyone tried one of these?
So far I’ve finished:
- Portrait of Joseph Roulin
- Red Boats at Argenteuil
- Regattas at Argenteuil
- Vase with Cornflowers and Poppies
- Sunflowers
- Garden Path with Chickens
- Goldfish
Hook 6 “Big” Rugs.
No “big rugs” for the next few months but I did finish a new {small} design and listed it in my Etsy shop.
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
Does anyone know what this plant is called? I see it popping up everywhere around here! At first I thought it might be oregano, or mint. But I don’t think it’s either one of those.
Donate to 12 Different Organizations in Maine
I’ve decided to volunteer my time this month by picking up trash/treasures while Lucy and I walk the beach each day. Some of the items make it to the trash can, and some of them come home with us.
This orange rope was a keeper. I think once we get settled I’ll make some wooden buoys with it.
So Far This Year I’ve Donated To:
- New Hope MidCoast {50 pairs of new socks}
- Humane Society {180 trays of cat food}
- Travis Mills Foundation
*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
Goals I’ve Already Completed This Year
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 15th/ March 30th Now April 15th DONE!
I finally finished up all the major wool dyeing and pattern/kit making I had hoped too. All the “extra” wool is tucked away in bins so if I run out of wool in my Etsy shop I can whip up some more bundles in a jiffy. A summer off from dyeing wool… It’s going to be pretty rad.
Tidy Up / Clean Out / Purge DONE
We cleaned the whole house, inside and out. And then we sold it. Yee-Haw!
BarnGarageClosetsDresser drawersKitchenSideboardDVD collection
Jamie says
That looks like catnip. It is in the mint family (Lamiaceae).
We have a cake club at work and I was challenged to make a broccoli dessert for my turn earlier this year. The winning recipe (sort of) I came up with was dark chocolate brownies with freeze dried broccoli mixed in. I liked them, my partner was less fond of the taste.
Cindy Brick says
I agree — that’s catmint. Spreads like crazy, and can be a terrible pest.
Mrs. C. says
If it develops purple cone-shaped flowers, it may be anise hyssop.
Holley says
The plant may be lemon balm?
Lmw says
I also think cat….
Maybe cat mint? If that’s what I’m thinking of it will usually end up with small purple flowers shooting up
Brianna says
Carrot cookies, savory fresh herb cookies, vegetable breakfast cookies, black bean brownies, pumpkin cookies….there are a few veggie cookies. I’ve made a few over the years, not bad, just different. I find some international cookie recipes have veggies in them and those work and taste best.
Susan says
Black bean brownies are the best! We have a couple gluten-free people here so I make them often.
Easy, too! 🙂
Margo says
More veggies? How about zucchini chocolate chip muffins, veggie fritters, butternut squash soup, pumpkin bread, stuffed celery with cream cheese or peanut butter….. There’s so many ways to disguise a vegetable and make it fun. I think I tried them all with some of my kids over the years.
Christine says
I just read “American Flannel: How a Band of Entrepreneurs Are Bringing the Art and Business of Making Clothes Back Home” by Steven Kurutz. It was fascinating! I learned a little about the history of shoemaking in Maine for one thing!
Heather says
As others have comment, it looks like cat mint also known as nepeta fasssenii.
Certainly not my creation, but have you ever tried broccoli salad? Cut up a head of broccoli – bite size pieces, add it to a bowl, mix in raisins, craisins, or fresh grapes (whole or halved), chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds, and some chopped red onion, mix with sweet coleslaw dressing (tons of recipes on line or by jarred). Mix it all up and let it sit in the frig. When ready to serve sprinkle with crispy cooked bacon that has been crumbled up, add salt and pepper to taste.. Keeps well in the frig, but the bacon does get a little soft, but it still tastes great.
Tiffany F says
I love broccoli salad!
Mavis Butterfield says
I love broccoli salad too. 🙂 This is the recipe I use: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/broccoli-cashew-salad/
Heather says
Yum. I have never tried it with cashews. I will definitely have to give that a go!
Paula says
My guess is cat mint. If it has beautiful purple flowers, then cat mint.
Sue says
That plant is Faassen’s catnip.
One of my favorite things to do is walk the beach and pick up junk..
JulieP says
Your pumpkin bread! Pumpkin counts.
Wendy Steele says
Thank you so much for the tip about Emily Lex’s products and website!!! This will provide a lot of gifts and I think I might even try a book myself!!!
Molly S. says
You should try Scratch Bakery in South Portland. You won’t be disappointed! Their bagels are delicious and I love their coconut cake. I’ve never gotten anything I didn’t like. The Cookie Jar has delicious donuts, make sure to get a Bismark and or Boston Cream. C Salt in Cape Elizabeth has a yummy bakery section with the best carrot cake. It’s a great spot to stop for sandwiches and sweet treats. I could go on and on with suggestions for you, but my last one for “this side of the bridge” is Night Moves on Broadway in South Portland. I like to go on Friday’s when they have their Bird Bread but everything is outstanding.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh MOLLY!!!
Kelli Ruiz says
Lemon Balm or Catnip plant
Jeri says
I always take a picture in google lens to get my plant ID questions answered!
Marcia says
I love vegetables and eat a ton – but doing it while traveling is a challenge – even if you are in an AirBNB with a full kitchen.
Gigi says
It’s catmint cat’s pajamas. The bees love it. I don’t have any issue with it spreading. It’s native and is great with droughts