“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
My goals for 2018
Goal #1 – Write Like No One is Reading.
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
Goal #2 – Slow Down
This past week? Not a chance! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This past week I spent money at a local nursery instead of a big box store and I also found out that I will be able to buy milk from a local dairy after we get settled in at the new place. How cool is that? I have no idea how much they charge for a half gallon of milk in a glass bottle, but supporting my local farmer, is something I am looking forward to doing MUCH, MUCH more of this year.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
We were able to finish all that yummy food we bought from Trader Joe’s before we checked out of our 600 square foot apartment and all I can say is…. I can’t wait to get back to using my crock pot and rice cooker again. Maybe I’m weird, but I miss my beans and rice. 😉
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
Well, there’s nothing I can do until I am officially in my new garden space NEXT WEEK {!!} but I have all my seeds ordered ordered and as soon as we get everything unpacked, I’ll be back in garden heaven.
In other news, Mrs. HB sold her kids play set last week and in it’s place installed and bunch of garden boxes. How cool is that? I’ll see if I can get her to keep us all updated on her progress. I think it would be fun to follow along, don’t you?
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
Lucy’s babies are set to arrive April 11th! I can’t believe it…. only 3 weeks to go until she gets her forever flock. We chose 7 different hens with a range in egg colors from brown to blue.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
Last week when I meet up with my old neighbor Harriet at Watson’s Greenhouse, the nursery had just set their seed potatoes out for sale and I couldn’t resist. It looks like I’ll be planting French Fingerlings, Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac and Huckleberry potatoes this year PLUS anything else I come across at the local feed store. I also have sweet potatoes on order!
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
38 down, 62 to go. This past week I hooked 6 small crow mats for my Etsy shop. As we travel across the United States I’ll be working on my giant chicken rug that I plan on putting in our new kitchen.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
I plan to make a set {or two} of primitive dolls later this year after the garden has been put to bed. At first I was thinking I’d make some funky Raggedy Ann type dolls, but know I’m not sure. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
I plan to make a frame for the sampler I finished later this fall when I get some down time. There is a small space at the bottom of the stairs at our new place {I’ll show you next week when we get moved in} that is going to be the perfect spot for two small samplers. I have a few extra pieces of linen in storage so once we get unpacked, I think I’ll draw out a different design and set it aside for winter.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
We hit up another bakery!!! I’ll tell you all about it soon.
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
Wooden butter molds, Yellowware mixing bowls {the green ones} and wooden spoons are on my list for this year. I did find a nice wooden spoon for a quarter at SVDP the other day and as I was leaving I found this old colonial type chair for $25. It’s not as nice as the first chair the HH found for me but I do like the style and after I get it fixed up I am going to experiment with a black crackle or claret finish. Ideally, I’d like to put together a nice dining set with a tavern table and 6 – 8 chairs for the new place.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
This past week I have been enjoying the How I Built This podcast series. If you haven’t listened to this series yet, CHECK IT OUT! It’s fascinating to hear how people from all walks of life started their own businesses {most of them from through trial and error}.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I am looking forward to doing a lot of canning this summer!
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
I picked up a few supplies to “practice” with this past week but forgot to take a picture before packing them up so I’ll have to tell you all about it next week. 😉
Life. It’s moving crazy fast right now… And I couldn’t be more excited!
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Mel says
I’m so excited for your move! We’re not moving, but we’re doing a bit of house updating and garden renovation, so I’m really looking forward to following along. And very jealous of your local dairy!
I did a massive spring cleaning this week to set up my goal of painting the downstairs this summer. I’ll obviously need to clean again before I paint, but having things like baseboards, vents, and windows thoroughly clean in advance should really speed that up. I’m also looking forward to being able to open windows and having our outdoor spaces ready to roll for when it finally warms up.
Em says
This week went by quickly for me! My broad fork arrives tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to having a garden again. Mrs HB’s garden boxes look great.
Thanks for your updates, Mavis. They provide motivation for me.
Mavis Butterfield says
Let us know how you like the broad fork!
Mim says
Travel safely! Get ready for cold weather again. Zero here this morning, but looks like it will inch back up to 40 by week’s end. Brilliant sunshine on the snow — a glorious if chilly morning.
Enjoy the journey!
Andrea says
Safe travels to the Butterfield’s! Can’t wait to hear all about the journey, and this new chapter. Long time reader and I’ve enjoyed it all. Your new chapter reminds me of reading Little House on the Prairie as a child – loved the adventure of a new start.
Mandy Mascaro says
I know that you are busy right now with your move Mavis, but I was wondering if you could find out the particulars from Mrs HB about her garden boxes. Just like what kind of wood did she use, where did she get it from, and price too if you can. This will be my first year gardening and I feel a a little lost, so any help would be appreciated. I really like the look of her garden boxes. Good luck with the move Mavis and I am so happy for you to finally get your dream and forever home!
Rebecca in MD says
Wishing you safe travels as you move across the country.
I’m curious, you owned a house on the east coast and sold it, and now you have bought another. Why did you sell the first east coast house?
Inquiring minds want to know…………
Amanda S says
Yeah, I was wondering that too. Why didn’t they just move there? I’m assuming it wasn’t in the location they wanted. I think it may not have been in New England.
Lauralli says
I just knew you’d love How I Built This!! 🙂
Sue says
Mavis wrote in an either post that they sold the east coast house becuse they wanted to be in another area..
Juli says
I loved the pic of all the seed potatoes! Some of my friends make fun of me for growing my own potatoes. They say “Potatoes are so cheap to buy! Why waste time growing them?” My response is — “Potatoes may be cheap to buy but organic potatoes are not cheap at all!”
This is what happens when you’re a Chemical Engineer and you know way too much about pesticides.
Gigi says
Too true! Organic potatoes are hard to find too.
Side note. I’m an electrical and do my own wiring. Same premise. 🙂
Mama Cook says
And most people haven’t tasted a homegrown potato…SO WORTH IT!!!
Pam says
We made our “big move” last year from our Seattle home to the Leavenworth (WA) area. We’re also learning the ropes for gardening in a colder climate (zone 8) so eager to hear your new experiences growing stuff! Snow is melting fast now, so won’t be long…good luck with the move!
MeanJean says
Safe travels MB and family!
Peggy says
Hey Mavis ~ I stopped reading again when I got to Mrs. HB and decided to leave a comment before I get distracted and forget! It would be great to follow her gardening and budgeting adventures here as well as your own things going on. You could be and East-West cost team! 🙂 Honestly, I’ve learned and enjoyed reading about her budgeting and money saving ventures, she kept it nice and real, so for someone who isn’t where you are at saving and organization, it’s great to read along with how she learns and grows. And for buying local, I love it. I’m in southwest PA, and while I have no idea of what area you’re moving to, I can tell you in my area, you can find lots of small local farmers and merchants. It seems as you get into some hills, there’s lots more small scale farming going on. 🙂
suzanne says
Score on the chair! I can’t wait to see what you do to it as I have a similar chair in need of work. I Love your rugs. How do you clean them? They’re not the kind of rug you toss when they get funky. Safe travels!
Helen in Meridian says
It’s too bad that Mrs. HB couldn’t use some of the wood from your garden boxes at her property.
Carrie says
I’d love to see what Mrs. HB does with her garden. I just built a nice fence for my chickens (goodbye chain link!!!!) and plan on planting a wildflower garden along the perimeter. If it turns out well I hope to share it with you.
Valerie Barbeau says
After SO’s fracture in November 2017 and the heart attack in January 2018…we had our hands full. We are just getting back in the groove of things….
My goals for 2018? Be happy, be empowered, have the basement fixed, the back stairs sanded and painted….and maybe the bathtub re-enameled….also painting the kitchen…..I really want to make the place ours