“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 parents are in town, visiting from Washington state and last night we had dinner on the back patio. Which was kind of funny because it was the FIRST TIME since we’ve been here that we have had dinner outside. It seems the mosquitoes have packed up and gone home for the summer and being outside is beginning to be pleasurable again.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
Yesterday Mom and I went to the recycle center and I picked up 2 tin pie plates, a stoneware Pampered Chef casserole dish, 2 pumpkin spice candles, 1 clay pumpkin for the kitchen table and two books. I love the fact that I never know what I’m going to find, and I think I’ve only walked out of the little recycle area twice now over the past 5 1/2 months empty handed.
One man’s trash, is truly another’s treasure.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
So far we haven’t been able to pull this one off.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!
I think in a few weeks we’ll start cutting out part of the back lawn and expanding the bed for next years vegetable garden. I don’t want to do it too soon {weeds will pop up!} so I need to look into the average first frost dates for our area. Ideally, if we could get the all the beds prepped and ready for next Spring, I think gardening will come much, much easier next year. 😉
This summer, it’s been a bit of a whopper, that’s for sure.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
We now have 2 layers!!! Hilda, our Blue Easter Egger started laying her beautiful pale green eggs last week and now Martha, the Lavender Orpington is producing beautiful cream colored eggs {so far she’s given us 2}. Hilda LOVES the HH and anytime he goes near the ladies she rushes over and crouches down low so he will pet her. What a little love bug.
I’ll try and put together a proper “meet the chickens” post later this week and introduce you to each of them.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
I’m not sure if we’ll make it to 500 pounds of homegrown vegetables but with squash, sweet {and regular} potatoes to go I think we will at least hit 400. Only time will tell I guess.
Earlier in the spring I planted lettuce seeds in a bunch of planters around the back patio and then let it go to seed {by accident}. Well, it’s baaaaaack! 😉 The radish and {a few} of the turnip seeds I planted about 10 days ago are coming up as well.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
Last night I updated my Etsy shop with my latest creations. A small bouquet of sunflowers, some hand dyed wool and three pillows. And to be completely honest, when I looked at the items I had made over the past 3 weeks, I felt like a total slacker. Oh well, some weeks are more productive than others, right? 😉
6 rugs to go and then I’ll be able to check this goal off my list.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
I’ll work on a set this winter.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall Done!
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
We didn’t seek out a new bakery this past week but The HH and I took my parents out to linner at a new seafood place and LOVED the food.
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
Nothing new to report this week but I’ve been on the lookout for wooden butter molds, antique mashers and shaker boxes/baskets lately.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
On Friday I started listening to Educated by Tara Westover. Have you read this book? Holy canolies, what an interesting life this woman has had so far. This memoir is by far the best book I’ve read/listened to this year and is totally worth your attention.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I was planning on canning applesauce last week but we just didn’t have enough time. This week though, I think we’ll be able to squeeze it in.
So far this year I’ve canned:
- Apple Cider Butter
- Tomato Sauce
- Carrot Cake Jam
- Spiced Peach {Crazy good!!!}
- Blueberry Jam {without the mint}
- Pickled Beets {without the funky spices}
- Cherry Almond Jam {freakin’ AWESOME}
- Susan’s Lilac Blossom Jelly
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
“Can I help?”
Bahhhhhaahaha. I think my Mother regrets asking me those three little words. I think my parents been here 5 nights so far and each night {and sometimes during the day if I see her needing something to do} I’ve set my mother up with a project to work on. It sure beats Sudoku, that’s for sure.
You know what they say…. Idle hands…. 😉
Although I am a little behind schedule with my “secret holiday project” I think with my mom’s help, I’ll be able to show you what I’ve been working so hard on all these past months by the first week in October. Slow but surely, I’m getting there.
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 behind on my holiday projects (namely, sewing a tree skirt and reusable wrapping paper), but I think I’m just not in the mood for them this year. We’re planning a very laid-back holiday season, so I don’t need them for this year and might save them for next year. I do have all the squares done for a Christmas quilt, so I might finish that.
In MD, we’re still swimming in mosquitoes, and the fall lettuce I planted bolted in the heat. We’re just now getting cucumbers and some other things that were late while simultaneously fighting cabbage worms on fall kale and broccoli. I am more than ready for fall, so I just decorated for Halloween and might spend the rest of the morning making your apple cider butter.
Claudette says
I was guessing that you were working on a quilt for the secret project, but it doesn’t look like your mom is working on that. Hmmm.
Joanna says
I wonder if it’s tatting?
RebekahU says
Absolutely loved the Educated book. It is very gripping! I could not put it down!
Delores says
I finished listening to Educated yesterday. Oh my goodness!!!! I am still not sure if I liked it or not. It reminded me of Glass Castles, but somewhat more intense. I think I will be processing that book for a while.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think it was a bit more intense. Keeps you thinking though…
Carrie C says
I finished Educated last week. I liked it more than Glass Castle. Memoirs are hit or miss for me and I liked this one!
Susan says
I agree, Delores, I think because Glass Castles had a vein of humor throughout and the author was older. Tara Westover is only 33 (I think?) now, so I imagine her trauma and healing are still very fresh. While her writing and story were so incredibly compelling, her pain and confusion still seem so palpable. Sometimes reading the book felt voyeuristic, since it’s still so recent and raw.
Tracy says
Tara Westover’s brother Tyler is my neighbor. It’s been very interesting learning about his family and reading the book. It’s amazing how such wonderful people came from such a horrendous start.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I’ve been pretty amazed at that as well.
Stephanie says
Oh my goodness, Educated is FIERCE! I don’t know how far you’re into it yet, but there are two sections (and you’ll know it when you get to either of them) where I had to speed read to get through, because they made my stomach absolutely ROLL, and I was fuming with anger at her parents. She’s a remarkable woman and it’s a fantastic book, glad you’re enjoying it as much as I did! I too thought it was quite a lot like The Glass Castle, which also had me raging, but I agree that it’s even more intense.
SandyF says
Educated is so good. I admire those kids for the courage -and brains. If they can do it-anyone can. I loved the book. I think everyone should read it. I just picked it up from my son today-I told him “if you aren’t reading this-I am taking it back” It is too good to sit on the shelf. On to my sister to read!
Also-we parental units LIKE to help out when we visit…our kids no matter what the age-will always be our kids.
mary mcmahon says
HELP!! Mavis, I have made the apple pie jam twice now…the first time I only put in one packet of pectin but used both today. It is not jelling. And I was very careful about not too much water in with the apples. Any other suggestions? I love the taste but want to make the APJ bars. best, Mary in Cincinnati, who loves your blog.
Marybeth says
The eggs are so pretty. Can’t wait to meet the girls. How are you doing with the poison ivy since you have been on the meds? Are they helping? Can’t wait to hear what the secret project is.
I have been busy canning. I made horseradish pickles, sauce, pickled peppers, relish and salsa. I also signed up for several classes that will be free at the library. A few friends signed up too so we get to go out a few times and it won’t cost us anything.
Dana says
I loved Educated too! I have been homebound due to Hurricane Florence so I got to finish a book, do some canning, and start a crochet project. We kept waiting for the power to go off but we never had a flicker. Can’t wait to see your secret project reveal!!
Mrs. M. says
When I saw you were waiting to listen to Educated, I checked it out from the local library in book form… had a hard time getting anything else done until I finished this memoir. It’s gripping, courageous, scary, unbelievable, and amazingly motivational. Yes, if she can succeed despite familial challenges, most anyone can! Thanks for leading me to read it!
My guess for your top secret holiday project is a knitting machine.