Lower Cholesterol / Reduce Stress
It’s still a winter wonderland out there… Just as it should be for the middle of January in Maine. Snow on the ground means pajama days and lots of hot chocolate {for me anyways}. 😉
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
We are still patiently waiting for citrus season to arrive. Mainly, the Ojai Pixies to ripen in California so we can order a case. I might place an order for some Seville oranges to make marmalade.
Then again, I may just get another can of Roberston’s thin cut Seville oranges and make it that way as it’s less of a chore and tastes just as good.
Visit 24 {new} Bakeries / Coffee Shops
This past week I shared our trip to Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks and I am still thinking about their delicious breakfast sandwiches.
I’m so glad I made visiting 24 new coffee shops/bakeries a goal list for this year!
Go On An Adventure
I don’t know where or when but I do know I’d like to go somewhere exciting this year. Probably within the British Empire. Afterall, I do like my tea and crumpets.
Contribute to 12 Free Little Libraries. {1 town down, 11 to go}
So far we’ve donated to 2 free little libraries {although since they were so close to each other, I am only counting it as 1}.
- Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
Tidy Up / Clean Out / Purge
Has anyone seen the Pallisers? I spotted this series for sale at the library and I nearly bought it. But I remembered that I was supposed to be purging DVDs {and clothing and other unused or rarely used items} so I didn’t buy them. But maybe I should go back? Hmm.
- Barn
- Garage
- Closets
- Dresser drawers
- Kitchen
- Sideboard
- DVD collection
Read or Listen to 24 Books {1 down, 23 to go}
Last night I finished listening to the Doris Kearns Goodwin memoir; Wait Till Next Year. And let’s just say, there were A LOT of detailed baseball bits in the book and I found myself wanting to fast forward through many of those parts that seemed to go on and on and on. But I got through it.
I love biographies. And historical fiction. But it’s hard to find something that is not only available, but that I think I would find interesting with the free library app I am using.
- 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
Spend More Time At The Beach
I haven’t gone walking along the sandy beach I love since the big storm {really, two big storms} as the waterfront area is all torn up right now and they want people to stay away while their town crews work to clean up the mess.
Which is fine, it’s too cold to go outside anyway. This morning it was 9 degrees outside. Yikes!!
Paint
I started another paint by number kit {this is my third one this winter} Vase with Cornflowers and Poppies By Vincent Van Gogh. I am about 10% done and finding these kits very calming and a nice distraction from the rug hooking related tasks I am working on.
I was thinking this one would look nice next to the Portrait of Joseph Roulin I recently finished.
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 15th / March 30th
I was able to get another big batch of wool dyed and bundled last week. This week my plan is to dye some more earthy tones and work on drawing out {stocking up} on my spring patterns.
I have about 100 patterns in my Etsy shop right now so this goal is going to keep me busy!
Hook 6 “Big” Rugs.
I started my first big rug of the year and hope to have it finished in the next few days so I can include it with my next batch of Etsy listings {this Friday at 7 pm}. This one is a rug I’ve hooked before, but I adore it so much I just had to hook it again.
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
I did so well with my lavender starts last year that I think I am going to try and grow an entire flat of them this time around. I LOVE lavender and I think it would look absolutely amazing along our cute little white picket fence out front.
Lavender takes about 60 days to germinate though so I better hop to it!
Donate to 12 Different Organizations in Maine
I plan on donating to Camp Sunshine later this month. I’ve ordered some supplies from their wish list, and once they come in, I’ll drop off the donation.
How are YOUR goals for 2024 coming along? I’d love to hear about them.
~Mavis
Robin R says
That paint by number is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see your finished one. It’s 15 degrees this morning in the NC foothills but no snow.
Tracy says
I didn’t realize it took 60 days for Lavender to germinate. Last year I winter sowed it so it came up when it came up. I was going to try it inside this year, I guess I better get at it! Put in a huge seed order yesterday and as soon as it gets here I will be planting onions.
Jamie says
I started my vera lavender, rosemary, sage, leeks, brassicas, and onion seeds this week. Next week is hot peppers and another round of the mints. I am filling large planters with culinary mints this year – including new to me mountain mint – and I need about 15 plants. I also winter sowed about 120 perennial starts (45 varieties of flowers, herbs, or vegetables) on New Years. Very excited for the upcoming gardening seasons!
JoAnn Moran says
My husband and I went and saw The Boys in the Boat movie last week, and it’s the best movie I’ve seen in many years. I heard women taking in the bathroom afterward about how they read the book in their book club and how wonderful the book was. It’s a true story set in the 1930s. If you can get that audio book, I highly recommend it.
Richelle says
I second this! Also recommend the Tatooist of Auschwirt and Unbroken.
Richelle says
“Auschwitz”
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve read both of those… Both very well written.
Mavis Butterfield says
I was able to add it to my list. Thanks JoAnn.
Holley says
Have I got news for you! It was 8 degrees here this morning! I live in the south in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in north Georgia! On the way to my grand daughter’s basketball game yesterday morning we were behind a snow plow!!! I know that seems normal to you, but I don’t think I’ve ever SEEN a snow plow up close before in my life! About a week ago we were behind a truck that sprays brine on the roadways! I had no idea what it was! My first thought was a street sweeper! LOL The things you learn!
I’ve been keeping very busy inside as well! I’ve already made many cards for the year. I’ve crocheted three hats and am on my fourth for my grandchildren. I also made two ear warmer band things for my daughters. My favorite thing I’ve made so far is a “quilted” heart banner for our fireplace mantles for Valentine’s day. They are made with paper, not fabric, so fun and easy! This week is a big sale at a local quilt shop. We plan on going to get fabric to make table runners for Valentine’s day. I’m not very good at quilting, but I’m willing to give it a try. I’ll be watching a lot of videos this week to prepare!
Have a great week everyone!
Annette says
Holley, I would love to learn more about the heart banner.
Holley says
Annette, In this youtube video the very first card she makes is a patchwork heart. I used that idea (simplified it) and made hearts with one inch squares on craft paper card stock. I then made the hearts that you make with strips of paper or book pages and staple them. I sewed three of the patchwork hearts on to ribbon and the strips of paper ones in between (those were hung from a piece of ribbon). I hope this makes sense!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUnUjPEkwrQ&list=PLoPpe036Lv1QO24p967Op2x2T776mmjzE&index=3&t=993s
https://theshabbytree.com/diy-paper-strip-hearts/
Annette says
Very clever. Thanks 🙂
Anne says
We watched “The Pallisters” years ago, i.e. in the 70s I think, when it was on PBS and absolutely loved it. Sorry your town suffered from the storms. My family lived in York, ME for many years and some areas were really damaged.
Patty says
Did you ever reveal what the “revisit an old friend” goal was from 2023? Curious minds want to know !
Mavis Butterfield says
Nope. I might do it this year though. We’ll see.
Julie says
Does your library let you put books on hold? Mine lets you borrow from quite a few libraries around. When I see a book I’d like to read, I request it from my library. It’s not instant gratification as newer books take some time to come in.
Laura Z says
At my library you can do this with any media. Might help the audiobook situation!
Richelle says
I use Libby and get on hold lists on the regular.
There are some pretty good contemporary memoirs to consider: Andre Agassi, Barbra Streisand, John Stamos.
I’ve enjoyed many nonfiction books by Erik Larson and Walter Jacobsen.
Loved everything by Fredrik Backman.
Mavis Butterfield says
I can only “hold” 3 at a time. Even if they are 6 months out. It’s frustrating.
J in OH-IO says
Just wondering if you can use Hoopla with your library card or might you be able to get another library card in a neighboring town/in a different library system?
Hawaii Planner says
Your weekly check ins motivated me to do the same. I’m doing reasonably well with my goals. On the financial side, good progress has been made. On the family side, also good progress. (Signed teen up for SATs, did a college tour with other teen, etc.) I’m behind on my personal goals & my fitness goals. Mostly because I was sick last week, and barely moved from the sofa.
Focus for the week ahead:
-Half marathon training plan
-No S diet
-Catch up on class (The Science of Happiness)
-Strength training
-Stretching
-Learning Farsi
This will all be made more complicated, as I’m flying to NYC tomorrow for work. 😉
Melissa says
I love everything by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The only Historical writer that is better is David McCullough.
Ruth says
“The Pallisers” is wonderful! The books, as well. We’ve watched it twice. Just remember it’s from the early days of BBC dramas and may seem a little bit stagey….but stick with it and it really grows on you!
Mary3M says
The Pallisers is still my favorite of favorites for Masterpiece Theatre. Go back and get the set – you won’t regret it!
Sandie says
Love the paint by numbers art. Great idea! I’ve been looking for something that will require patience, calm and focus.