“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
There are so many places for Lucy to explore and critters to hunt that I think country life is agreeing with her. She snores like an old man when she comes in to take her afternoon nap, and then she’s ready to get out there and do it all over again. Things just seem to move at a slower pace these days… and I am soaking it up.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This week at the recycle center I snagged a sturdy basket to hold some of my wool strips. Given the choice I would have preferred not to have a pink basket, but the price was right and the basket is of good quality so really, what more do I need?
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day -FAIL
I threw in the towel early on this one. Meal prep, and cooking in mass quantities is just not for my family at this stage in our lives. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel rushed to get dinner on the table. Gone are the days of eating at 7:30 – 8 pm at night and the feelings of exhaustion at the end of the day. Well, I take that back. I am exhausted by the end of the day, but it’s because I am physically exhausted and not mentally. 😉 These days dinner is served around 5 or 5:30 and you know what? I think it suits us just fine. Although if I start serving dinner at 4 pm {like my parents} I may need to reevaluate.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
So this is my next big project {if I had to guess I’d say the area is about 100′ x 5′-20′}. The previous homeowners mentioned they had a garden patch towards the end of the lawn many years ago and that the spot was filled with raspberry canes. Well, I found it and after finally getting the small vegetable area, the potato patch and the pumpkin patch areas all cleared, this is what I’ll be working on next.
The goal is to have the overgrown area cleared by June 1st so I can plant corn {and popping corn, decorative corn and broom corn} in the spot. And maybe a few winter squash plants with rambling vines. The raspberry canes here are {insanely} thorny and while I’m happy to leave a long row of the along the fence to see what variety they are, I do plan on installing a nice long raspberry patch {throneless of course} next spring somewhere else on the property.
This garden has been A LOT of work so far, and at times I feel like I am just the full-time head groundskeeper here. But as I was telling the HH last night, this year there is a huge learning curve, and I’m sure that once I am able to get the existing plants identified and mapped out, next year everything will come a bit easier.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
Do you recognize this 4 week old chick? This little bird was labeled as a black Australorp, but clearly, it is not. It’s the largest bird in our flock by far and I seriously hope it is not a roo.
These days the chicks are getting about 6 – 8 hours of outside playtime a day {depending on weather} and they are living it up I tell you, taking dirt baths and pecking for their crumbles to their hearts content. Part of me wishes I would have doubled my chick order, but at this point, 7 birds is probably just the right number since the HH won’t be able to get a coop built until early July. I suppose I can always order more next year.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
Swiss chard {for the chickens of course!} went in this past week and I ordered a row cover so tomatoes and cucumbers aren’t far behind. My goal for this year is to grow at least 500 pounds of vegetables and enough winter squash and potatoes to get us through the winter months PLUS grow a bit extra to put out on the pop up veggie stand at the end of my driveway this summer.
Those pepper plants {at the bottom of the photo} are looking so GOOD! I only wish Mrs. HB were here so I could share some of them with her. Note to self: Start more basil. You can never have enough basil.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
Last night I added a bunch of new goodies to my Etsy shop and now I only have 57 rugs to hook until I can check this goal off my list!
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.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall DONE
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
A trip to King Arthur Flour is on the calendar for this week to stock up on specialty flours and baking supplies and to do some investigative reporting on their bake shop. 😉
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
The collection of wood furniture continues! We were able to pick up our {new to us} dining room table, chairs and hutch and you know what? I think it’s the perfect fit for this house. Used furniture is the way to go and we were able to save a ton of money!
The only problem is, I don’t have anything to display on the shelves of the hutch. Ha!
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
This past week I downloaded Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis from overdrive to listen to as I work on my hooked rugs in the evenings. I have read both these books before {several times actually} but really like author Frank McCourt’s voice and the rhythm of how he tells a story. I LOVE autobiographies, read by the author especially, and could seriously listen to them all day long.
I totally don’t even understand why anyone would pay for cable tv anymore. I can’t relate to the people on the screen, the news, the gazillion commercials, or just how polished and fake and loud or even the {overly} neutral attitudes of the people on the screen these days. I’ll stick to books, and look for the programs where I can actually learn something or that bring joy into my life. I’m not sure if that even makes sense, but it’s how I’m feeling these days.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I just discovered lilac bushes on the property and am looking forward to trying out Susan’s Lilac Jelly recipe.
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
I only have 5 weeks to go before my “big ticket” item arrives so I can get started {practicing} on my big winter holiday project. I am so EXCITED about this!!!
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Cindi says
I’m with you on TV. We haven’t had it for five years now. We occasionally stream a movie or show, but mostly spend our evenings reading.
You could always paint that basket a color other than pink.
If that one chick does turn out to be a rooster, is that such a bad thing now that you are out in the country? One rooster can help protect your flock from predators.
chickengrandma says
The pink basket could be spray painted. I have done that a few times and it worked well.
Kara says
Me too! Spray paint that sucker.
Indio says
Chick might be barred rock or copper maran, either way she’s adorable.
You have to check out fresh eggs daily blog for the chicken love. She’s based in ME.
Mavis Butterfield says
I would love it if the Golden Cuckoo Maran and Australorp got mixed up. I keep looking at the Golden Cuckoo Maran chick online though and it’s black. Fingers crossed! https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Day-Old-Baby-Chicks/Day-Old-Chicks-Golden-Cuckoo-Marans-p1476.aspx
Indio says
There’s a straight up cuckoo maran without the golden. I have 3 of them. When the stripes fully come in you will be able to tell the difference from the BR.
Btw, if you go to any of the organic farming conferences you may run into the folks from my pet chicken. They are really nice people. I know you went to many of the tilth events, the east coast version are organic farming conferences. Not sure if you’re close enough to the one in ME but you might enjoy it. It’s called Mofga.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you!!
Tanya says
Dip that basket into one of your darker wool dyes. A deep blue would be lovely 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Great idea!!
Em says
Can you dip the basket in one of your bars of dye?
The furniture looks great!
Em says
I don’t know how “vats” got “corrected” to “bars” but there we go.
Kara says
Ps. Love that hutch. It will look lovely full of yellow ware bowls!
Sue R. says
I like the bedspread Lucy is posing on…Is it too nosey to ask where you got it? Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
At a Pottery Barn sale about 10 years ago. It was originally a pale green and I dyed it blue. It’s called a pick-stitch quilt, in cotton and I think I paid around $40 for it. Here is what it looks like in velvet: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/velvet-linen-pick-stitch-quilt-sham/
You might be able to find one on Ebay.
How I dyed my quilts – https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-dye-a-comforter-set-using-a-front-load-washing-machine-and-rit-liquid-dye/
Sue R. says
Thanks!!
Barbara says
Mavis, I love the dining set and hutch you found!! It fits your new home decor perfectly! The hanging light fixture is perfect for the room. Does your house have two fire places? I can just see you enjoying a meal in the winter with a fire burning in the fire place! I can’t get enough of your pictures! I am so happy for you!
Mavis Butterfield says
The HH insists we find a giant firescreen before we test out the giant fireplace in the kitchen, it’s HUGE!
Elise says
Ooh! That sounds like a great project! I bet you could find one if you look hard enough – put the word out, it might be the kind of thing that someone has and doesn’t have the energy to part with until they hear someone needs one.
Deb K says
My nana had a big fireplace in her kitchen…she would get a fire going early in the morning, and get a good bed of coals where she would place her pot of beans to cook for Saturday night suppah! Also she would put her bread dough up on top to rise…good times!
Alison says
I agree – the furniture is awesome!
Lynda says
A friend of mine with similar decor as yours puts some of her home-canned goods on her open hutch shelves, interspersed with favorite pottery pieces. I’d keep a hooked rug or two displayed there too!
Alison says
Great idea! We have one glass front cabinet and that’s where I display home canned stuff.
Heather says
Thank you so much for sharing about the King Arthur shop, i looked it up and they have a cooking school too. I think i will go this summer since i just moved to the east coast. So glad you mentioned it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think I am going to take a class this summer too! 🙂
Lisa says
Mavis…I don’t think you’ll have to worry about “muffin top” ever again while living at your forever home
How about a few family pictures on the hutch shelves amongst other things?
How is Mrs HB doing these days? Monkey Boy? Your parents?
Would you share the back story on “The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird” and “Monkey Boy” and how their names came about? I’ve always wondered (and very possibly missed the post if there ever was one).
Look forward to reading your blog every day!!!
Lisa says
My laughing emoji vanished (after the “muffin top” comment)!
Ann says
Yes, I’ve also been wondering about how the kids acquired their nicknames.
Christa H. says
Love all your finds! Your future yellow ware will look great in that hutch!
Do research growing different corn varieties in the same garden because they will cross-pollinate and you will end up with popping corn that won’t pop, etc.
Heard you can do it if 300 feet apart and grow sunflowers or something tall between them.
Chris says
Mavis, I know you are the ultimate thrifty gal, but also into shopping local and appreciating local artisans. If you (or the HH) are feeling extra generous with your spending, check out Winnipesaukee Forge (Irontable) for a custom fireplace screen. We had David Little make one for us many years ago and it is gorgeous! We also have some of his candlesticks. Consider marking your calendar for: Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, August 4-12, 2018. I think you would love it!
http://www.irontable.com
Mable says
I have a great life and have never envied your life before, but today I am green with envy: going to the King Arthur campus is something I have wanted to do forever!!!! Please post a ton of pictures.
Nancy says
You will love King Arthur, their store is wonderful as is their cafe. We live close to King Arthur and have taken numerous classes, it would be a fun date with HH. My husband and I took their pizza class together!
Kelly F from Oregon says
Hi Mavis! I tried emailing this to you on your comment form but it wouldn’t go through, so here goes:
*******
Hi Mavis! I’ve been reading your blog for years as a fellow Pacific Northwest-er and am now LOVING reading about your new East Coast Adventures! I love all the amazing finds you snag at thrift shops and garage sales, etc, but I’m curious if you ever worry about picking up bedbugs? I used to be an avid thrifter but got spooked by a lot of the articles I was reading about bedbugs hiding out in furniture and other secondhand items. Do you have any tips for looking over items before bringing them into your home? I do love a good deal and would love to get back to feeling more comfortable with secondhand!
Sincerely,
Kelly from Oregon Duck country
Torry says
I have been enjoying your posts about making your new house your forever home. And I love sharing with you about my goals, because it makes me a little more accountable! Still, I wish that others would also post about their goals and how they are doing meeting their goals. My major goal was to sew every week and I am still managing that goal. Sometimes I sew just a little, but I do sew every week. This week I want to finish up the half done projects and start the recycled denim quilt that I plan to make for our granddaughter for her graduation gift.
Sue says
Pewter will look very nice in that hutch.
I would like you to post info on how you lost your muffin top…I’ve got one to loose and I need some tips. You look great! I’m also enjoying seeing the joy you get discovering NE things we have been brought up on.
Sue NH
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll add it the next episode of Ask Mavis {in about 2 weeks}. 🙂
Becka says
Mavis, have you ever read any books by Ralph Moody? He wrote a series of books about his life and adventures. I think you would love then. One of the books is about his time on his grandfather’s farm in Maine. I have been listening to them using Hoopla from my local library. I recently discovered his cousin John Gould wrote several books about life in Maine and I’m hoping I can find them to read as well.
Mavis Butterfield says
We don’t have Hoopla anymore but I will check Overdrive. Thanks!
Holly says
Mavis…we have that very same table in both our kitchen and dining room! Also the chairs are the same. The gentleman who originally made them just lived miles from us and I just spoke with the new owner of the company as I needed a repair on one of the chairs. I found the back spindles just a little too gentle for the antics of a lively teenager?
King Arthyr is just five minutes away from us and I could go there daily. The courses they offer and the advice they give is invaluable.
Holly says
That should be King Arthur….hmmmm….I need another cup of tea.
Diana says
Looking forward to learning more about King Arthur. I rely on their website resources regularly. I’m envious their HQ is accessible to you!
Mary Ann says
What do you use as fertilizer in your garden? Do til it into the soil before planting or is the quality of your soil good enough without fertilizer?
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t use fertilizers in the garden but we did have a few yards of compost delivered and are working on getting it tilled into the garden.
Ronda says
King Arthur is awesome – but I found that all the flours and such are cheaper at the grocery store – so unless it is something you can’t find at your grocery store don’t buy it at their market. though lots to look at and if you can take a class – do it as those are awesome. At their bakery try the kale salad as it is the best I ever had. And all of their bake goods are super delicious so you can’t go wrong there. And any baking advice you might need I found that everyone was super helpful so it is a good time to ask all your questions.
Sarah says
Looking at the chick I though it would be a Spitzhauben but now it looks like a Spangled Hamburg.
BeckyM says
Yep, the hatchery definitely messed up your order. Maybe email them a picture and tell them of the mistake. They should refund your money and maybe offer an answer to the “what breed is this?” question. I’m guessing Easter Egger with those green legs.