My goals for 2018
Goal #1 – Write Like No One is Reading. Done!
“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 Done!
I think both the HH and I did a marvelous job of slowing down this year, but most of all, I’m so incredibly proud of my husband for taking a chance and finally pulling the plug on his high stress job of 25 years. There was a bit of an adjustment period after he left the job that kept him away from home 70-80 hours a week, but we made it.
It’s amazing, once you’re able to really step away from something you’ve been doing for so long without really thinking about it {being on autopilot really}, you begin to see things in a different light. You begin to really experience things, go places, ENJOY them knowing you don’t have to go back to the grind in 12 hours. Everything becomes less of a countdown and you’re able to relax and enjoy things so much more.
Goal #3 – Shop Small Done!
We did a pretty good job of shopping small this year and I learned a few lessons {like where the vegetable stands with the best prices are}. I look forward to continuing to frequent small businesses more in 2019. After living in suburbia for so long and being surrounded by big box stores with low prices {and lot’s of overhead} it’s been a bit of a challenge to find smaller, local shops with the same products at comparable prices. But we’re getting there.
Grocery wise, we’ve got it down to pretty much buying our groceries at Market Basket, ALDI and in the summertime, the local vegetable stand {mostly from Clarence who’s in his mid 70’s} for the things we don’t grow in the garden.
Toiletries, well there’s Amazon subscribe and save for that. I’m also having fun finding handmade items like baskets, and candles on Etsy and checking local thrift and resell shops for furniture. We are also making a conscious effort when we go out on our date days to try local eateries instead of chain restaurants, and that’s been fun as well.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day – NOPE –
This goal never did pan out. At the beginning of the year I was trying to get all my ducks in a row, and meal planning seemed like a wise choice for a goal. It was going to be a busy year {it was!} and I thought that if I made did some sort of meal prep once a week or once a month it would cut down on my time in the kitchen and free it up for other things.
And then something funny happened…. This summer, my husband {for the first time in our married life!} started making a meal once a week. Then it was twice a week and well, now he’s the one figuring out what’s for dinner and ENJOYING his time in the kitchen immensely. Do you think I’m going to mess with that?
Ummmm No.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!
It wasn’t the garden of my dreams, but it served it’s purpose for our first year here and I am looking forward to expanding our vegetable garden in 2019. All in all, I think we did pretty good within the time frame we had to work with.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area Done!
The HH did a fantastic job and I absolutely LOVE the coop he built for Lucy’s 7 babies.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables Done!
Not only we were able to grow 521 pounds of goodness our first year here, but the HH also built a little vegetable stand so we could offer our extras to the neighbors. It was such a hit this past summer, I’m looking forward to doing it again!
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs Done!
Last night I finished rug #112 for the year which I plan to include it in my Etsy shop update on January 4th but I think my absolute favorite rug of the year was the double chicken rug I hooked this summer.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls Done!
Now I just need to name them!
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
While I don’t think I’ll ever win any awards for stitching, it was fun to make.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries Done!
I’m not sure what the total number of bakeries, cafe’s and small eateries we stopped at this year came to but I know without a doubt it was over 22! 🙂 And if you are ever in St. Regis, Montana, Huck’s Grill does in fact have the BEST HUCKLEBERRY SHAKE EVER!
Goal #12 – Start a Collection Done!
I started off the year looking for wooden spoons, butter molds and yellowware and ended up collecting baskets {and 2 butter molds} instead. Goals, they can be flexible. 😉
And then there was that random collection of treasures I found at the local recycling center this past year. You can read about all those finds HERE. {Yesterday I can home with with a snowboard for The Girl and a few other things.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books Done!
Best book of the year… Educated. You can find all the books I read in 2018 HERE.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
It was a delicious year for trying new jams! I canned 13 different recipes but if I am going to fill the hutch, I am going to have to aim much higher for next year.
12 of the 13 recipes I canned this year:
- 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 Holiday Project Done!
I’m so glad I decided to try my hand at pottery this year and for all the ornaments people purchased in my Etsy shop. Although I started out the year wanting to make a set of redware dinner plates for our table, making ornaments quickly became the focus and I just couldn’t stop!
Oh well, there’s always next year, right? Having a “secret holiday project” was a total blast and I’m already looking forward to having a completely different secret holiday project to share with you next year. 🙂 🙂 🙂
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2019 is only 2 days away, can you believe it?
I’ll be posting my goals for 2019 bright and early on New Year’s Day!
Have a great Sunday everyone,
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Kathy says
Reading how your goals succeeded has inspired me to set and write down some goals of my own and maybe use a couple of yours for myself also. I’m in a rut that I need to get out of and you have inspired me. Looking forward to hear your 2019 goals. Really enjoy reading your blog.
Mel says
I was kind of thinking I hadn’t accomplished most of my goals, but I was just reviewing them, and I did better than I thought.
1. Build off last year’s goal of learning to sew to make reusable gift wrap for Christmas. (Done. I ended up making 60 bags and using up all my holiday fabric. We speak not of the 8—yes, 8—yards of candy stripe fabric I somehow missed.)
2. Build off last year’s goal of learning to sew by learning to make simple quilts. (I started this, and I have all the squares ready for a couple quilts and a Christmas tree skirt, but this needs to be bumped to 2019. Other projects came up.)
3. Learn to make yogurt. (Done, and I also found some great freezer recipes that use it. However, my yogurt maker seemed to start malfunctioning, so I need to consider an Instant Pot or something better for next year.)
4. Learn to make English muffins. (Done.)
5. Start running. (I did this, but I hit some periods where I’d have to stop due to illness or work and then start over. So, I definitely started, but I couldn’t quite sustain it. I liked it when I did it though.)
6. Paint our downstairs. (Done, and I threw in the basement.)
7. Do more canning. (I never actually got to can because our garden came in so late, but I froze lots and made refrigerator pickles.)
8. Visit the farmer’s market more. (We did this and enjoyed it, but there is no getting around the fact that our only market has awful hours.)
Christa Hayden says
I’ve always wanted to try English muffins! Did they come out well and what recipe did you use? Maybe it’s posted online?
Mel says
I think it was the King Arthur Flour recipe, which is available online here https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/english-muffins-recipe
They turned out great, and the only real tricks are that you make them on a griddle like pancakes, and you need to split them open with a fork (instead of slicing with a knife) if you want them to have those “nooks and crannies.”
Lisa says
Hey Mel ~
I love your idea of making reusable gift bags and plan to do so in 2019. What kind of fabric did you use and if you used more than one kind, which was your favorite?
Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Here is Mel’s tutorial. https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/sewing-instructions-for-reusable-fabric-gift-bags/
Mel says
I mostly looked for fabric that was machine washable and not see through. So, I used mostly quilting cotton and some flannel. Both handle easily when sewing, come in tons of holiday prints, and can be washed. I used cotton twill for the ties and sewed it into the seams instead of threading a drawstring. For the bags to line our stockings (so we wouldn’t have to wrap stocking gifts), I used stretchy interlock knit cotton, and I found that tricky to handle since I don’t have much sewing experience with knits yet, but I wanted stretchy fabric since our stockings are knit and have some give to them. They still turned out fine. I know some people like to use fleece or velvet, but we have a dog that sheds like a dandelion, so I thought fuzzy fabric would end badly for us.
I got about half my fabric off eBay as a “lot” of different sized remnants (great for making different-sized bags!) and about half on clearance. The smallest bag I made was about 4×6 inches, and I could probably fit inside the largest one.
Christa Hayden says
I look forward to this every week and have for years. I think it would be neat to have your readers join you and post/update their goals each week in the comments.
I have made my goal list for next year for the first time and am looking forward to accomplishing it since there will be a lot of changes as we move again in February to the country.
What are those three round cone things you got at the recycle center? Haven’t seen those before.
Carolyn says
You inspire all of us to set goals. I was thinking about your post this morning & decided that my fun goal will be to get together with friends I rarely see. I have a list of 8 so far…
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s a good one!
Beth says
Thank you for sharing, Mavis! What is that delicious looking green veined cheese on your picky plate?
Mavis Butterfield says
Sage cheese from ALDI. It was just okay, I wouldn’t buy it again.
Margo says
I enjoy your blog and you have inspired me to write down some goals for myself for 2019. I love your dolls, they are cute! They look like an “Esmerelda” and an “Abigail” to me. 🙂
Diana says
I have the American Needlework box you got this week. It was my Mother’s and came with a large book too. It had some fun projects in it.
Beverly says
I have the book and the project sheets but don’t have the box. I dearly love the book and projects since they are all early American. Happy New Year to all.
SandyF says
Thank you for sharing your goals-it does help inspire me, my big one was to learn to knit. I accomplished that but far from graduating from beginner level. But-as long as I practice each day-I will conquer it.
Slow down-done.
Organize cabinets and rid myself of junk: getting there 80% done
Read at least 25 books-“Educated” #1
Give more: done
Now on to 2019…
thank you for your excellent blog. It is by far my favorite and your recipes are always great.
Mel says
You might like loom knitting. I was only able to do scarves with traditional needles, but I learned loom knitting in a couple evenings and was able to do hats, mittens, etc. I ultimately switched to sewing, but the looms are fun and easy.
SandyF says
YEA!! Thank you-I am soooo frustrated with knitting. BRAVO!
Mel says
I hope you enjoy it! There are lots of great YouTube tutorials, but it’s so much faster to turn out some of the same projects as you’re learning that it’s MUCH less frustrating to me. I just taught someone how to do it, and it took her a couple rows to get a feel for it and not wind too tightly (you can gradually correct on later rows), but she loves it!
Boot toppers, ear warmers, and baby hats are good first projects–just pick the right size loom and go for it! There are even sock looms!
PattiLynn says
Gladys and Matilda.
Vicki in Birmingham says
They look like a Gladys and a Matilda. I like them!
Rebecca in MD says
Congratulations on achieving your goals in 2018. I am looking forward to what you have planned for 2019.
Wendy Clark says
Love reading your updated goals each week. I think your dolls look like a Nancy and a Evie.
DebbieB says
For your doll names I like Dolly and Molly. Educated was my favorite book of the year also. Looking forward to your 2019 goals.
Lisa says
Molly & Holly!
Kim says
How about Mabel and Lucille?
Those were the names of some imaginary girls my daughters blamed some of their mischief on.
This was a fabulous year for your interesting blog. So thrilled your dream came true!
Donna says
Love your blog and goals! You truly inspired me throughout the year. Thank you Mavis! I Tracked groceries, dates, savings, workouts, and books because of your inspiration! (I’m not a gardener or canner) my HH was impressed. Can’t wait to see what you are going to shoot for in 2019! Good luck my friend!
I think the dolls should be named Mavis, Hillbilly, or Ethel.
All the best to you and this great group of encouraging people in 2019!
Rita says
Maisie and Cassie 🙂
Brianna says
Maggie and Millie
I can’t wait to see what your new goals are for 2019!
April in N Idaho says
Your dolls are lovely………..perhaps a Nellie and Melody?? Blessings for a beautiful 2019.
Torry says
My goal was to sew each week and I did that except for a week when we traveled (I bought fabric, doesn’t that count?) and a week when I was too sick to do anything except make it to the next minute. So, 50 out of 52 seems like a good amount to me. But, Mavis, without the setting of the goal, it wouldn’t have been as good. There were weeks that I sewed to meet the goal! I love to sew, but finding the time and the energy is sometimes difficult.
So, thank you. This coming year, I may have to add a health goal also. Maybe to walk X days a week? X = something doable… Maybe 4?
Gina says
Mavis-
I enjoy your blog so much! I especially have enjoyed it this year as you and your hubby evolved at your house and have left the rat race for literally a greener pasture. I love the little window into your world that you share with us. Thank you for continuing to inspire me and offering a much appreciate positive spin on life. That positive, happy spin is the very best.
About the jams. Can you share how you enjoy eating them? I bake lots of biscuits and bread, but am wondering if that is way your family enjoys jams, or if you eat certain ones with cheeses, crackers?
Thanks again for the being the best blog I know! I learn so much here!
Sara Yano says
I started reading your blog this summer so I’m a bit confused about where in New England you live and exactly why you moved there. I love the blog and look forward to reading it every day.
But what really puzzles me is where you slowed down! You do more in one day than I do in a week. Maybe it feels slower because you’re no longer surrounded by people who are still in the rat race (including HH)?