“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
My big activity of the week was rearranging the window spot in the family room by moving Lucy’s lounging couch out to the sun room, and replacing it with two chairs and a side table we already had in the house. I think I like this look better. It reminds me of our trip to Cogswell’s Grant. Now I just need to find a little chess board for the table.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
I only left the house once last week to buy a gallon of milk at the country store and to “shop” the recycle center. 😉 It was wonderful.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day It’s Not for Us.
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
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!
Now we just wait for the food to grow.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
The HH won’t start building the chicken mansion until early July but DANG, look at my resident weed eaters clear the the flower garden! Maybe if I had 20 more I’d never have to weed again!
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
So far this year I’ve grown 4 pounds 6 ounces of fresh vegetables and herbs. I was going to put out a little card table at the end of our road on Saturday to sell some turnips and herbs, but got distracted and didn’t think about it until later in the day. I think I’ll start next week though, and then once things really get growing maybe put out our extra produce on Wednesdays and Saturdays so they’ll be some consistency and peeps will know to look for fresh veggies on those days of the week.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
I have 48 rugs left to hook until I can check this goal off my list for the year! This month I’ve been working on a few Americana pieces for my Etsy shop, and plan to add more listings in my next shop update on June 30th.
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
Not this week. But you can see all the bakeries we’ve visited so far HERE.
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
My collection of freebies continues. 🙂 This time I picked up a small end table {which I’ve since decided I’ll return back to the recycling center} a nice Pottery Barn desk lamp and 2 packages of Wall O’ Water .
Have you tried these? I’ve always wanted to see if they actually work but never wanted to shell out the money for them. Apparently if you fill the tubes with water and then place them around your tomato plants when you set them out in the spring, the plastic wall will help protect the plants from the cool temperatures {and I would assume give the plant additional heat during the warmer weather}.
Little did I know how much these things retail for, because there was about a dozen or so packages of them sitting there in the “free shed” but I only took 2 of them in case someone else wanted a few as well. If they are still there next week though, I might grab a few more.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
On Friday I started listening to A Stranger in the Woods and by Saturday morning I had completed the entire audiobook. I found the book fascinating. “In 1986, twenty-year-old Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the woods. He would not have a conversation with another person for the next twenty-seven years.”
Can you imagine? Living in the woods, for 27 years, alone, in silence, in Maine? You would think the first winter alone in a tent would kill you. But 27 years? Holy cow it was a compelling story. I can’t recommend it enough. Especially the audio version {which I was able to download from Overdrive}.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I have a feeling my next few recipes will involve blueberries. 😉 So far I have found 10 mature blueberry bushes on the property. 7 of the bushes {which are under bird netting} have nice fat berries. The berries on the other 3 bushes are tiny and I’ll probably just leave those for the birds. I have absolutely no idea how many berries we will end up with, but I’m hoping it will be enough for a few batches of jam and enough blueberries for smoothies and pies to last an entire year. Only time will tell.
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
A Christmas Story has changed they way I say fragile forever. Does anyone else out there feel the same? “Fra-gee-lay” …it must be Italian! 😉 Anywho, a new box of supplies arrived a few days ago and I’ve been playing around with them.
I still have an enormous amount of trial and error hours ahead of me before my secret project will be good enough to share, but I’m hopeful I’ll be ready by early September. I may even have a few of you “test” my holiday surprise {if you can keep a secret that is!}. HOBBIES ARE RAD! Especially when you have 6 months of winter ahead of you. Ha!
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Lynne says
I look forward to this post each week. This one included the startling reminder that in two weeks, the year is half over. Yikes!! Your discipline in setting and tracking progress toward your goals is very inspiring and I really appreciate your willingness to share. Happy Father’s Day to the HH!
Jeanie says
Fra-gee-lay! Yes, I always say it too! That and “you’ll shoot your eye out” when anyone in my family does anything remotely dangerous.
I love your goals. It has caused me to set a few of my own.
The blueberries look incredible and I can’t wait to see what you do with them.
Toni says
You might want to taste the little blueberries before you sacrifice them to the birds! Tiny “wild” blueberries are sooooo delicious. Way better then the big tame ones.
Thanks for all your stories. I love reading your blog.
KC says
This is exactly what I was about to comment! It’s possible the small ones will be crummy, but definitely taste them to see if they’re in the “tiny treasure” category… or just small.
Teri says
Love all the goodies that you score at your recycling center! Maybe paint the little table a solid color? I have tried those wall o water and they do actually help. Do you have any idea who might have donated so many packs of them? They sure are expensive. Is the area you’re in affluent? Can’t wait to find out what your secret project is. The suspense is unbearable!!
Delores says
I just finished listening to that book as well. It is was truly engaging to listen to (great reading voice), and what a great story — true, of course!
This is my favorite post each week, and so motivating. Thanks, Mavis!
Barbara says
Might want to rethink the three blueberry plants with the tinier berries. The BEST blueberries I’ve ever eaten (and blueberries are my favorite fruit) were tiny berries picked (and eaten) beside a path in Maine. Sweetest, most intense blueberry taste.
Mama Cook says
“Waiting for the food to grow”…ahhhhh waiting!!!! So far we’ve only harvested 2 ounces of Purple Snap Peas- one for each person at lunch-LOL! But boy oh boy did they gush over them!
My guess for your secret project was going to be hand woven baskets…but something you mentioned in an earlier post sent that guess out the window!!!!!
Wednesday and Saturday Veggie stand – I love your organized mind…it shows in your blogging, gardening, etsy listings, it’s like having mini deadlines to keep the bigger goals on track!
Inspired as always!!!
Michelle says
I, too, say fra-gee-lay! Love reading about your new adventures in the east! Did the kids end up moving with you into the new home? I know you’d mentioned that Monkey Boy was heading back to Washington after the move.
Leanna says
I can keep a secret.
E in Upstate NY says
Me too!
Diane says
I think the “Walls of Water” help greatly to extend your tomato growing season.
I leave them on all season, but after the plants are well established and are large (and hopefully the weather is good and hot), I empty them about 1/3-1/2 of the way and roll them down. They take some patience loading them up with water as they are quite “floppity”! Fill them in place because moving them is a royal pain. It is a bit messy getting them set up, I’m grateful I only have to do it once a year 🙂
A couple of hints that I’ve found useful:
1) Get one of those long necked automotive funnels. The ones in my area are a royal blue color. They are cheap and make filling so much easier, especially if you don’t have an extra person to help hold them while you fill. I took a magic marker and drew a tomato on mine so everyone would know it was my dedicated plant funnel.
2) I also borrow my Mom’s indoor watering can with the single fine spout. Again, makes filling easier.
3) Put them on the outside of your tomato cages, or stakes. I see some people balance them without support. This is dangerous because they can be tippy. If they fall over they will squash a young plant.
4)From time to time, you might have to top the tubes off due to evaporation. Just keep an eye on it.
Happy Father’s Day to the Dads out there, and Happy Gardening!
Mrs. C. says
Great advice. Yes, they work, Mavis. I do not leave them on all season, but they allow me to get my plants in the ground a month early.
Julie says
I too used to use wall of waters… to make it easier to fill, put a 5 gallon bucket ovet your tomato then put your empty wall of water on the outside of the bucket, then go to filling tubes….just fill opposite tubes…ie.. 12 o’ clock then 6 o’clock, then 9 then 3 then 1 then 7 etc(make sure you handle isn’t under the wall of water) then gently pull out the bucket, sgueeze out the excess water so the top closes and ta-da!! Done!!
Mel says
I don’t use “walls of water” because I don’t have the patience to fill them after planting, but we use plastic greenhouses for each plant that my husband found, and those work great. They let me plant earlier, and they can be left open or closed, so I can keep them from getting pounded in the rain.
Last week I began my goal of painting our downstairs. I had some issues with colors (our kitchen gets natural light from two directions), but I’m making progress. Just a few miscellaneous walls, trim, and an office left.
Chris says
Low bush blueberries are small/tiny and sweet. The bushes are quite short and scrubby. We call them wild blueberries. If you see them at a farm stand, you will be shocked at how expensive they are compared to regular blueberries. Consider yourself lucky if you have them. Enjoy!
Kim says
I hope we will eventually get the whole “trial and error” story for your secret project. I am looking forward to whatever it is!
Mavis Butterfield says
You will!
Margery says
Trying to figure out the secret project each week makes me smile. The black dresses have thrown me for a loop. Mask making, beading, um the possibilities are endless.
Brianna says
My guess for your secret project is that you purchased a hand weaving loom. I remember you had a young woman who handmade looms featured on your esty post awhile ago. You like to work with your hands and it would make sense your secret project/new hobby is something involving the use of your hands. That’s just my guess though.
Becky says
I had that exact table!!! Didn’t last long made pooly
Ranee says
Are you making garden towers or topiaries out of miscellaneous dishes and vases? The box of fragile supplies made me wonder? It would be a fine hobby and I would love to “test” one for you. 😉
Ranee says
Oh, I forgot about the black dresses. Hmmm.
Helen in Meridian says
Maybe she is making lace edged fancy french black lingerie to go under her pilgrim dress.
Marie says
Just a hint about the lamp. Check to see if the bulbs are still available to purchase. May want to return it with the table if they are no longer available. Ask me how I know….
Toni says
Get your roadside sale table out there asap!
I started extra seedlings with the intent of a table out front, and wow! I would have been happy if I just sold one plant, but I ended up making $100 in a couple of weeks. One plant = $2 or 3 for $5. I had San Marzano tomatoes (paste), jalapenos, California Wonder peppers, Thia, Lemon, and Large Leaf Italian basils, lemon balm and Sicilian eggplant. i had started them under grow lights in newspaper pots then moved them into 4-inch pots (holy cow they take off in the 4″ pots). Next year I’ll have more for sure!
I don’t know if we’ll have extra produce…….let us know how you make out with selling yours!
How is hubby’s face?
Have a great day –
Toni
Tina A. says
I would be happy to test your project. I need a new one anyway, and it would be interesting to compare what I have to what you are making. Yes…..I think I know what it is, as I have read your for blog many years. However, I live back in the Northwest, so shipping might be a challenge! 🙂
Torry says
I had a couple of weeks of work and since I’m still regaining my strength after a year off of work. (I was fighting breast cancer. ) I went to work , came home and did very little else. So no sewing. I did sew one weekend.
This week, however, I plan to sew up some more pairs of lounging pants for Christmas gifts, start the quilt for our granddaughter, and go to my mother’s house so she can teach me how to use the machine my husband bought for me from Costco, since she has the same one.
Out of the year, I have sewn all but one week. This week, I’ll get back on track! I love hearing how you are doing on your goals. I think it helps me stay on track with my goal!
Kayla says
Just a thought- could you use your awesome rug hooking skills and make a chess board rug? You could buy hand-made pieces off Etsy and complete the look. And I can keep a secret…
CT Bargain Mom says
Since I’m late to the party, I don’t have 12 goals for the year. But I have some for the summer break….
Build a fire pit in the yard (I have teens=labor)
Clean & convert playroom to family project & craft area
Reclaim sunroom
Organize all camping gear
Purge & declutter.
We did the garage this weekend…..trying to tackle an area each week
Linda says
I would keep a secret so secret that I might forget it just to keep it secret!
I have a question- are the hens ONLY pecking out weeds or are they pecking out new plant starts too?
Debra Beeuwsaert says
i can keep a secret, too. I live way out in the boonies in the U.P. of Michigan. I’m willing to test whatever. Hey working for Michigan State University (when I lived in the city), I use to be on their taste testing panels. Gave honest opinions and all.