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12 Goals for the New Year

My 14 Goals For 2024 – Week 52

By Mavis Butterfield on - 22 Comments

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

This year I discovered the Mediterranean Crunch Salad at Costco and man oh man, was that best find!! 

I cannot get enough of that salad and now that we’re closer to Costco, I can’t wait to eat more of it in the new year. 

I could have done better in the fruit and veggies department this year, but I did better than last year. While I will be working on getting more fruit and veggies on my plate in 2025, it won’t be one of my written goals. I’m heading in the right direction though, and that’s worth something.

Visit 24 {new} Bakeries / Coffee Shops DONE

I did in fact visit more than 24 bakeries/coffee shops this past year… Probably something like 50 or so. Not all of them were noteworthy though, that’s for sure. 

I’m a pastry snob, what can I say? I won’t waste my time or yours recommending a place if it’s not up to snuff. My favorite “find” of 2024 was Standard Baking Company in Portland, Maine and Farine in Bellevue, Washington. 

Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason was up there too.

New Bakeries / Coffee Shops I’ve Been To This Year {That I liked}

Contribute to 12 Free Little Libraries. DONE

Donating to the Free Little Libraries this year was a fun challenge, I’m glad I did it. Not all goals need to be super serious.

Towns I’ve donated books to:

  • Snowshill, England
  • Gardiner, Maine
  • Nobleboro, Maine
  • Kennebunk, Maine
  • Kennebunkport, Maine
  • Cape Elizabeth, Maine
  • Raymond, Maine
  • Bellevue, Washington
  • Colorado!
  • Portland, Maine
  • Cape Porpoise, Maine
  • Freeport, Maine

Spend More Time At The Beach DONE

It was another good year for beach finds! In addition to my usual shells, heart shaped rocks and buoys that I’m always on the hunt for, I also scored several new beach towels, a beach blanket and a few books. 

Lucy found a crunchy crab on nearly every visit too. 

You just never know what you’re going to find. Especially alongside trash cans during the summer months around here. It makes our walks fun.

Read or Listen to 24 Books DONE

This past week I listened to The Closer by Mariano Rivera, Belgravia by Jullian Fellows {for the second time} The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and I just started Truman, by David Mc Cullough.

My two favorite books this year were {surprise!} The Closer by Mariano Rivera and Belgravia by Jullian Fellows. 

Mariano Rivera, what a great guy. I loved his story!

Books I’ve Read or Listened To This Year {that I liked}

Paint DONE

In addition to painting parts of the house, the fence and tons and tons of buoys this year, I also enjoyed doing a bunch of paint by number kits. 

My favorite being American Gothic by Grant Wood.I had hoped to visit the American Gothic Museum in Eldon, Iowa this summer, but with a trip overseas, both sets of parents visiting, and organizing all the decorations for the Halloween bat and Christmas lobster displays, I wasn’t able to squeeze it in. 

Maybe next year. 😉

Paintings I’ve finished this year:

Hook 6 “Big” Rugs DONE

I finished my last hooked rug of the year, Chalkware Chickens. It’s a reproduction of an antique rug I found in a book several years ago and I love how the muted colors of the chickens turned out.

I just realized that four of the six larger rugs I hooked this year had chickens in them. How did that happen?

Visit 6 Greenhouses {I visited 4} FAIL

I had high hopes of visiting 6 different greenhouses this year {I even made a list of the ones I was going to visit} but I was so busy with other things {movings, traveling, settling in, visitors} that I guess I didn’t make it a priority. 

One of the greenhouses I had wanted to visit this year was the Lyman Estate Greenhouses in Massachusetts. You’d think something that was only a few hours away would have been a piece of cake. 😉 

My friend Jen and I did go to all the greenhouses at Kew Gardens though and had a wonderful time. 

Maybe I’ll make it to the Lyman Estate in 2025. We’ll see.

Grow Baby Grow DONE

We started the year in one garden and ended in another. It kind of makes you wonder where we’ll be gardening in 2025. 😉

Although I suspect we’ll be here at the Lobster House, I guess we’ll have to wait and see how everything pans out. You never know, we could hit it big and move to Port Isaac. 

Or maybe Spain. The HH says the orange juice is really good there. You just never know, do you. Being open to possibility is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Being a little nutty helps too. 😉

Dream big. That’s all I have to say about that.

Donate to 12 Different Organizations in Maine DONE

So Far This Year I’ve Donated To:

Goals I’ve Already Completed This Year

Go On An Adventure DONE

I went to England and had a jolly good time. Then the HH and I went to Québec City and had a good time there. I love to travel. If it were up to me I would live out of a suitcase. 

Who knows where 2025 will take us… 

In Stock and Ready to Ship by April 15th DONE!

I managed to get all the wool I thought I would need dyed and bundled and tucked away for the 2024 season. So that was a HUGE time saver for me. 

I did have to dye a few more pieces of wool later in the year, but it was mostly for personal use.

Tidy Up / Clean Out / Purge DONE

We cleaned out one barn and moved into another. Some things in life you can plan, and some things just happen. 

The key is to keep moving forward, and when you have goals written down, and something on the calendar, it’s so much easier to keep going. To have something to focus on. 

You never know what twists and turns are headed your way, but if you can stay positive, you’ve won half the battle. 

It’s almost 2025!!! Can you believe it? Have you started thinking about YOUR goals for next year yet? I have, and I’m excited to share mine with you on January 1st. 

I hope you enjoy these last few days of 2024.

Peace Out.

~Mavis

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Comments

  1. Rosemary says

    I had 21 Things to Do on my list. I ended up crossing 4 of them off the list as they were just not possible. With 17 things left on the list, I did complete 16 of them. One more to go – it may or may not get done. 🙂 But I am quite pleased with completing the 16 items. I have no idea yet of what to plan for next year . . . but we still have 2 more days, right? Happy New Year!

    Reply

  3. Toni Wood says

    One of the things I hope to do this year is visit and read all the historical roadside markers in our county. I know where three are! I thought I would ask at the Chamber of Commerce if they have a list and they can lead me on if they don’t. Happy New Year!

    Reply

    • Ramona says

      When I lived in Idaho a few years back I bought a booklet the state put out for a few dollars. It had maps and photos of all the historic road markers. Also got one for Nevada.

      Reply

  4. Gail says

    I enjoy reading your lists at the end of each year. Very encouraging!!

    God bless you for donating and helping these groups you mentioned.

    I live in Florida and went through Hurricane Helene. We were affected, but nothing like the Appalachian states. Please consider donating to the housing needs of people in western North Carolina. After Hurricane Helene, months ago, some are still in tents – in the snow – it’s a devastating situation. People have lost their homes – and even the land their homes stood on. Cars gone. Businesses gone. Jobs gone. Hundreds died and many hundreds are still missing – most likely buried under mudslides. Chimney Rock and Saluda were hit really hard. FEMA help has been minimal, so local people and churches are giving aid.

    The Appalachian Channel on YT has been documenting the effects of the storm. He mentions many groups helping now that need donations.
    https://www.youtube.com/@theappalachianchannel

    One that is well-known is Samaritan’s Purse – they do good work to help people all year long.

    I look forward to seeing your 2025 list. Yes — Dream BIG!!

    Reply

  5. J in OH-IO says

    Orange juice in Spain- wow!? The suspense and excitement about new adventures and wishing you all the best! Thank you for taking us all along!!! Happy New Year 2025!

    Reply

  6. Mrs. C. says

    Mavis, Would you share again where you got those garden towers again? The ones behind you in the photo with all the bulbs?

    Reply

  8. Nancy says

    You got me hooked on the Mediterranean crunch salad from Costco (I love Costco). Did you ever eat a bag by yourself in one sitting?

    Reply

  9. Sue S. says

    No goals. I typically don’t set any and just let “the chips fall where they may”. Just too busy with day-to-day stuff to worry about goals. That may sound a bit odd, but I actually have never had any and it doesn’t seem to have made a difference in my success in life.
    Happy New Year everyone. May it be filled with peace, joy, and the love you deserve. Can’t wait to see what Mavis has in store for us.

    Reply

  10. Kathy says

    I had 6 goals and only accomplished 2 but they were big goals so I am OK with moving the 4 I failed onto next yrs goals. I wanted to pay down our mortgage principal by $20,000 and managed $23,000. I wanted to grow a bigger garden and buy a bigger greenhouse. Both done. The other 4 were home improvement items and its OK if we wait till next year.

    Reply

  11. JulieP says

    Spain! If we were younger we would move permanently to Spain instead of 90 days at a time. We have considered moving there but we are the wrong side of 64 and now have a grandson who we want to make memories with like my grandparents did. We are considering a visa to allow us to spend at least 6 months and we love the late autumn/winters/early spring so that would work. The oranges are awesome! I bring 3 x 5kg bags home and keep in the bottom of the fridge they are better after three months than what is sold here in the U.K. year round.
    So to goals well done on yours this year I’d say that was winning! I’m just considering mine, I don’t set too many but we have let our weight go up a bit this year and could both do with losing a stone so that’s one and quite achievable we just use smaller plates. We eat pretty healthily but just don’t need to eat as much as we did say 5 years ago so will cut back. Also spend more time together doing things is a big one for 2025. We both work part time when we come home from Spain if there’s anything going (me NHS DH truck driver) but the days not working we need to get out more.
    And finally I visited Costco over the holidays we took our son and his partner back to London. Your salad wasn’t there but they did a broccoli salad which I may try another time. House still full of food 😉
    Happy New Year one and all and especially to you and your family Mavis. Definitely keep moving forward as what is the alternative 🙂

    Reply

  12. Nicole says

    Move to Spain, it’s fantastic! The food, the lifestyle…. Nothing better!
    Also… you don’t need to buy,salads in packets, it’s really easy and much cheaper to buy the veggies and make your own salad

    Reply

  13. Wendy Steele says

    Oh Lordy, sounds like another move is in the works!!! Lolol. Make sure you get a good price for all those bats and buoy decos!!!

    Reply

  14. SueD says

    Didn’t cross off any but 1 of my goals this year, but that was the most important one, for me. I did make a good start on 2 others, and they will carry over to 2025. One goal is dependent on other people finishing a project.

    The goal I accomplished was adopting 2 Dackel puppies for my birthday. They’ll help with fulfilling 1 of my goals for 2025: walk more.

    Reply

  15. Lori says

    Mavis, you are eating more fruit and veggies then you are counting. Look at all those pastries with fruit filling! Or all those pastries with veggies in them! I would count them.

    Reply

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