“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
It’s the most wonderful time of year…… Flannel shirts, slippers, wood heat and no garden chores in sight for months. Not to mention no humidity, bug bites, or weeds to pull.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
I ordered 3 handmade baskets from a local artist. They should arrive next week.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
Lucy’s favorite channel…. What’s Cookin’. 😉
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!
My favorite channel … Husbands That Do Yard Work.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area Done!
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables Done!
Pretty soon we’ll be harvesting icicles from the roof line. Weeeeee!
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
This week I was able to get some serious hooking time in thanks to a couple of John Hughes movies, a road trip to nowhere and lots of hot tea. So far this year I have finished 105 rugs and I just listed the latest ones in my Etsy shop this morning. I love hooking! 😉
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
Soon, I hope.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall Done!
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
I found a new bakery…. in a totally funky location. I’ll tell you all about it later this week.
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
So, I pretty much hit the jackpot this week at our local recycling center. A stainless steel steamer pot, a tin star, candle holders, candles, a box of DMC floss, some sort of man tool, a baking dish and a rather nice basket.
Longaberger to be exact. I think I may need to put together a post of all the free treasures I’ve found this year. Seriously, who needs a real store when you can find everything you need for free?
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
The HH and I made a library run yesterday and picked up giant stack of books. I’m most excited about The Best of America’s Test Kitchen 2018 and The Cheeses of Vermont though.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
A found a new recipe! Stay tuned.
So far this year I’ve canned:
- Spiced Christmas Jam
- Apple Cider Butter
- Tomato Sauce
- Carrot Cake Jam
- Cucumber Relish
- 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 Done!
I was able to restock my Etsy Shop this morning with a few more ornaments. A giant gingerbread girl, bluebirds and ravens. I made the most adorable hedgehog ornament but dropped it as I was taking it out of the kiln. 🙁 I have a few more in the works though so hopefully by this time next week I’ll be able to show them to you. I seriously think it’s the best ornament I’ve made to date. Oh well, stuff happens.
Well, how about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Connie says
I would love to see a post of your free treasures. I do antiquing and I have found some treasures that were very reasonable at flea markets and church bazaars, but free is always much better!
Erin says
If the Americas test kitchen book has the blueberry boy bait recipe in it you need to make it!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Erin.
Nancy D says
I’m thinking this is a picture of the HH who shaved his beard? 😉
(Oh! AND I’m so excited I just placed an order for a sweet little bluebird!)
Nancy D says
Hahaha…..so sorry! That’s you laying on the floor isn’t it!!! Well, Mrs HB will get a kick out of my previous comment anyway! (Do I need to order another bluebird to compensate for my comment?)
Mavis Butterfield says
You are so funny! Mrs HB wants a picture of his beard but he said no.
Lynn Y says
If you do put together a post on the items you’ve obtained from the ‘free’ center, I’d be very interested in learning more about the center. How do they operate? How do they fund themselves if everything is free? What are the type of items they accept?
Thanks!
Lynn Y
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s just a small out building, probably the size of my garden shed. I should do a post about it.
Em says
Lucy is watching “The Food Network.”
Great progress report, Mavis! I made the Christmas Jam (and some bread to put the jam on), and can’t wait to see what is next.
Joanna says
The “man tool” is a combination square. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks! It looked useful.
Leslie says
I just love these ornaments!
It’s so fun to see your hobby making a little money for you. And you do such good work!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you. It’s been really fun.
Laura says
I’d also love to see the free haul. You’ve really gotten some great things.
I don’t know if this has been asked but did the kiln come with the house? I think it’s a great new hobby and you’ve made some beautiful ornaments.
Mavis Butterfield says
No, I bought the kiln over the summer so I could make ornaments for our tree and dinner plates for our table.
Marybeth says
You found some great stuff at the recycling center. It amazes me what people get rid of.