“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
We got a wee bit MORE wood delivered on Friday and after taking this picture, I ran inside to do laundry and when I came back out again the HH already had about half a cord of wood stacked on a pallet.
Look at the precision! I think someone found themselves a new job! Bahahahha!
Goal #3 – Shop Small
If you are looking for a handwoven table runner or placements for your table, check out JeanElizabethStudio on Etsy, she can make practically anything and loves special orders. I was looking for something a little on the rustic/colonial side for our table and she made one for us that was SPOT ON! Handmade rocks if you ask me. 😉
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
So not going to happen this year. And you know what? I’m good with that.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!
The snow in our backyard has pretty much melted, which is a good thing because I wanted to snap a picture of this section of tiny garden beds over by the potting shed. Last spring I had high hopes of having a little herb and pea garden in this section but the weeds quickly took over and then a bunch of thorn filled raspberry plants grew in and I threw in the towel pretty early. I’m hoping next summer though will be different!
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
And now we have another layer! I think this beautifully speckled brown egg is from our golden cuckoo maran. Anyone out there have a golden cuckoo to confirm this?
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables Done!
I don’t have new poundage to report but check out the birdhouse gourd I grew this past summer. After sitting in our garage for the past 2 months it’s finally starting to dry out. To some it may look like a moldy mess, but once this baby dries out, she’ll be beautiful. I haven’t decided though if I want to turn it into a bird house or keep it as a decorative piece.
Because the backyard is a frozen tundra, I haven’t been posting many garden updates lately but you can read about the latest ones HERE.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs Done!
So far this year I have finished 109 hooked rugs and currently have a few more in the works. I’ll update my Etsy shop until January 4th with my new pieces but right now, I’m enjoying some down time and working on a few other projects.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
Naked doll bodies. I have absolutely no idea how they are going t turn out. But that’s part of the fun, right?
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall Done!
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
A new bakery post…. coming soon. 🙂
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
It was slim pickings at the recycle center this week but I did manage to come home with a pretty blue vase {that I think a bouquet of creamy white peonies would look lovely in!}. I guess nobody is purging this time of year and that’s why the “donations” are down. I have a few things I cold drop off so maybe I’ll do that. After all, if I LOVE checking the little section of discarded goodies every week, I know other people do to. 🙂
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
I just started listening to 22 Britannia Road last night and so far so good.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes Done!
I made a new jam yesterday which brings my total to 12 different jams for the year. Yee-Haw! Another goal crossed off my list. I do have one more recipe I want to try before I’m done canning for the year but wowie zowie, it’s been fun.
- Red Onion Marmalade
- Cranberry Apple Jam with a Hint of Orange {A must for leftover turkey sandwiches}
- 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 didn’t make anything new this week for my Etsy shop {other than a few custom dog bone ornaments} but I am working on something special for a friend for Christmas. 🙂 I’m so glad I decided to try my hand a pottery this year, it’s been such a fun learning experience and am already thinking about what I want to try in 2019. 🙂
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 just started a new pain prescription for migraines, so that may be it, but am I the only one that imagines painting the birdhouse gourd as a Santa or snowman decoration?
Last week was a busy week, so I didn’t do much goal-wise other than running a couple days, but I have some time set aside today to make more reusable gift wrap. And my reusable gift tags arrived as well.
Mavis Butterfield says
Hope you are feeling better soon Mel! Yes, I’ve seen those decorated as Santas and they are cute!!
Lana says
We love the visit 22 bakeries idea so we started looking around for bakeries in our are and there are two besides the grocery stores. If we wanted to drive up to Asheville, NC we could find a bunch of bakeries to visit but I guess we are out of luck on that one. Enjoy!
Jean says
Thank you so much for the link to my shop! The loom is almost dressed and ready for another set of table runners.
Mavis Butterfield says
We love your work!!! 🙂
Christa Hayden says
Can you recommend a thornless or good raspberry that the berry doesn’t fall apart when picked? I remember you having raspberries in your garden but I can’t remember what kind.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes!!! Cascade Delight. We used to buy the canes from Spooner Farms in Puyallup, WA.
Christa Hayden says
Great- I’ll try those
Martine says
I’m not sure if you can get it over there but there is a tv program here in the UK called Kirsty’s Handmade Christmas on Channel 4. On episode 5 of this years show she challenged a group of people to make the best decorations for Christmas and one lady made a fantastic lamp from a dried gourd just like yours. I’m sure you’d love the show, I hope you can get it somehow. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/kirsties-handmade-christmas/episode-guide
Martine says
I’m not sure if my comment didn’t go because I put a link on it. The link was to a show here in the UK called Kirsty’s Handmade Christmas on Channel 4 where a lady made a lovely christmas lamp from a dried gourd exactly like yours. I’m not sure if you can get the show there but thought it might be worth a mention to you. www .channel4. com/programmes/ kirsties-handmade-christmas/ episode-guide
Jennifer says
I had to laugh when I saw the picture of your yard and you mentioning the snow had melted. We woke up to 8″ of it in our yard here just north of Charlotte, NC!! Well, there has to be at least 2″ of sleet mixed in, but it’s still pretty.
Paula says
I love the table runner! Thanks for the link, I plan to order one this week! We live in the mountains near Asheville, NC. We woke up to no power and a foot of snow! We were without power for 14 hours. We just had our power restored about 30 minutes ago.
Sara says
Have you considered making a penguin ornament? I’d definitely buy one if you did.
Jane wilson says
I am looking for the title of a book you read about a lady, I think named Louise, who became involved with a man and later became friends with his wife. It was a thriller. Do you remember it?
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Jane, I don’t remember that book. It may have been something I posted in the daily deals and I post 6 of those a day. Wish I could be more help. Sorry.
Suzanne Griffin says
Where’s Lucy?
Her pictures are not the only reason I read the posts, but I love seeing her each time, since we can’t have a four-legged friend of our own! Thank you!
Linda says
Crista Hayden -I have both Latham and Heritage raspberries in my patch in southwestern Ohio. They rock! No mush.
Christa Hayden says
Thanks- I’ll check them out. Do they have big thorns?