“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
Life was so slow this week that I actually wandered into Target looking to buy some new underwear. $16.99 for 6 pairs of undies? Are you SERIOUS? And it wasn’t even super nice underwear. So I passed. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like when I go into a store these days, the prices on everything is crazy expensive. I don’t know, maybe I’ve been watching to many documentaries about the Great Depression lately.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This past week was mostly about adjusting to apartment life and getting a new {temporary} schedule down. Other than my trip to Target and to buy food, I didn’t really do any other shopping.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
Because we are staying in a furnished apartment for the next few weeks until we move, meal times are all about convenience these days and I’m not doing the whole meal prep thing right now. Soon though.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
There is nothing I can do until I am officially in my new garden space but I can sure plan for it. If you still need seeds, Botanical Interests is offering free shipping on any size order through the month of February.
A few weeks ago the HH and were over in University Village and while we were there we stopped by Ravenna Gardens and checked out their store. I spotted this gorgeous pussy willow wreath on display and I hope to re-create it this spring at the new house. The current homeowner had mentioned there is a pussy willow tree in the backyard and after seeing the wreath… I must have one!
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
I’ll be talking about Lucy’s babies this week on the blog. She is such a good chicken mama and we are very excited she will have chicks to look after this spring.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
So far this year I’ve spent just over $260 on seeds and supplies for my future veg patch. I’m hoping to keep my first year {vegetable} garden investment to around $500 and re-coup the money spent on seeds and supplies by setting up a table of our extra garden produce at the end of our driveway this summer. It seems like a simple enough idea, right? Only time will tell if my plans will work out but I am optimistic.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
21 down, 79 to go. This past week I hooked four little bird mats, but because my serger is in storage I’m not able to trim the edges of the rugs and finish them off and get them listed in my Etsy shop until we get all moved in. Which is fine, it just give me more time to work on the big bags of rugs I brought along to work on over the next few weeks and on the 3,000 mile journey across the US.
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. The way I see it, the winters in New England are long, and I’m going to need a HUGE assortment of projects to keep me busy once the temps drop.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
Well, it may not be perfect, but it’s finished. I plan to make a frame for it later this fall when I get some down time.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
I didn’t hit up any new bakeries this week {and probably won’t until our road trip} but how cool is this giant macron tower I snapped a picture of at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show a few weeks ago? I wonder how many brides are ordering a tower of goodness instead of a traditional cake these days?
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
No, I haven’t started collecting teeth… although it would probably be cheaper to make my own dentures than to keep going back to the dentist at this point. I mean really, between the dentist and the oral surgeon over the past five years, I’m pretty sure our family has shelled out enough for a very nice vehicle or a down payment on a summer home in exchange for dental work.
Dental work, appliances and car repairs…. are seriously the least satisfying things to spend money on. But then again… it’s kind of nice to be able to chew your food. So… whateva.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
Last night I downloaded The Bassoon King: Art, Idiocy, and Other Sordid Tales from the Band Room. I loved Rainn Wilson’s character Dwight from The Office and so I’m looking forward to listening to the audio book this week.
Books I’ve read or listened to so far this year:
- A Secret Gift
- Bad Days in History
- New England Farmgirl
- Founding Gardeners
- The Bookshop Around the Corner
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I am looking forward to doing a lot of canning this summer!
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
I am still in the research/planning stages for this project and have a found a class in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that will help me learn more about the craft. Plus, as an added bonus I’ll be able to hang out with my friend Zoë and her mom. But that’s all I’m going to say about it for now. And no, it’s not quilting. 😉
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Katelyn says
It might be useful or fun (maybe that’s too strong a word!) to create some mix n match menus while you aren’t meal planning. You’re really great at figuring out how to use things up, but many people aren’t – so they see that x is on sale buy a bunch, and then don’t know how to use it. You could reference recipes already on your site but also create some “templates” for folks, like general method/ratios for frittata or fried rice.
Can’t wait for you to head east. I can’t imagine you chose very expensive Vermont, but hopefully you’ll be near enough for visits!
Heidi says
Hahaha, I so agree about the price of panties. And WHY can’t I find a nice pack of all white cotton panties that aren’t up-to-the-waist grannies?
Mavis Butterfield says
SERIOUSLY, right? Where did all the white cotton underwear go?
Julie says
Amazon has a 6-pk of plain white for $6.29. (Hanes Women’s 6 Pack Core Cotton Brief Panty).
E in Upstate NY says
Love love love pussy willow. Two locations ago, specifically grew a pussy willow tree. One year it produced super long “twigs” with catkins the entire length. Most people I shared them with had to cut them in half to use them! Keep the tree well pruned, or you will be using an orchard ladder to cut any usable twigs. My tree got some virus which produced multiple “toes” on each catkin. Rather neat looking.
When we moved, it was sad to leave the tree. Had planned on coming back and asking the new owners if I could have a branch or two to start another tree, but never have and where currently living, don’t have the space for a pussy willow tree.
Mel says
Other than running (doing it) and learning to make a few specific recipes (done), I won’t get to most of my goals until later this year. So, in the meantime, I’m picking up some smaller goals along the way.
I’ve been working on my homemade cereal and cracker recipe repertoire (I’ve always made some, but I am trying to have enough options to do that routinely). I’ve also decided to work on sewing some small but useful projects that should save money and paper (cloth “paper” towels and vegetable drying mats). And, in the next few weeks, I’ll be doing some massive spring cleaning.
Nancy D says
I had a similar experience the last time I shopped for underwear. I usually score really nice high end pairs in the clearance rack, so I hadn’t paid full price for years. Determined to spend less and still get quality, and after reading a lot of reviews, I bit the bullet and ordered a set of 6 pairs off Amazon. (I’m not an online shopper!) I love them! Great quality and fit!
Kimmy says
I have no words about the box of teeth. Unless “yerggh” is a word.
Kristina says
MMmmm…. let’s see. $2.80 or so per pair of panties, and Target probably paid something like half that wholesale, so let’s say each pair cost $1.40 to produce/ship. How many man/woman hours go into producing a pair of pants? Plus they probably got shipped from somewhere in the far east, so that’s a significant percentage of that $1.40. Seems like a lot of someones somewhere are making hardly any money to make those pants. Sounds like a bargain to me, but now I’ve made myself feel bad about wearing cheap underpants (which I do).
Katie says
Yeah, that wasn’t reaction too. I am looking at clothing differently after watching the documentary “The True Cost.” Our cheap clothing comes at the expense of a lot of poor and powerless people. Know the source, pay a fair price and buy less. Those are my new rules for buying clothing.
Katie says
Was my reaction. Autocorrect! Grr.
Marcia says
It’s really quite depressing, isn’t it?
Pj says
Too bad it’s not quilting!
Jessica says
I used to wear those cotton Hanes panties until they got too expensive. Ross (Dress for Less) had some packs of Hanes panties, but when I was looking they didn’t have cotton ones. Ross gets new things in all the time so if you’re nearby it might be worth popping in.
I tried the Felina highcuts from Costco and they’re great! I was used to breifs and worried highcuts would be too much like the swimsuits in the movie Overboard. The Costco ones are full coverage! And they come in an 8 pack on coupon this month for $9.99 with lovely neutral colors (black, gray, white, small patterns). I did have to size up one size.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks!
Marcia says
You know the thing is, they are comfy (the Hanes), but not that high quality. I buy them, but honestly, within a few wearings I find myself having to stitch up places where the elastic separated.
Patty P says
This probably sounds totally cheapo and lame, but when my mom asks what we want for Christmas, I always ask for underwear and socks. It’s so expensive to buy underwear and socks for the family (especially with a growing kid), so I’m glad for that to be taken care of (well, at least partially).
Mavis Butterfield says
My mom buys the HH and Monkey Boy socks and white tees every year for Christmas. 🙂
Susan says
Patty..
Not cheapo or lame at all!
I have 5 Grandkids who always ask for socks and undies for Christmas 🙂
Laura Z says
This is totally off topic, but have you watched Vera yet? I just binged watched it and it’s really good. The novels on which it is based are by Ann Cleeves, the same author who wrote the novels about Jimmy Perez that were made in the show Sheffield. Thought you might have time to watch now that your house is all packed up. 🙂
Have a great week!
Laura
Laura Z says
And by Sheffield, I really meant Shetland! Good grief. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Loved Shetland! Can’t find Vera though.
Laura Z says
I have been watching it on Amazon through my Britbox subscription. They offer a one week free trial subscription still, I think.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Laura Z.
Linda Sand says
Rosemaling? That looks to me like one you would enjoy.
Torry says
Next year, try to buy your underwear during the back to school sales. I have found that is when they are the best buy. So, get enough to carry your through and then stock up during the sales.
Heather says
I was going to also suggest buying them during a sale and then I price is more reasonable
Gigi says
I know this isn’t a bakery, but as you pass through Indiana, you may want to swing off I-80 to Merriville and stop at the Albanese Candy factory on Route 30. It’s the cutest shop and the gummies are so awesome when fresh and the best of any brand I’ve tried. If you ever get a gummy bear with an “A” on the belly, that’s Albanese.
MeanJean says
The Albanese Flagship Store!!! Candy heaven!!!
Tina Zaugg says
Yes! It is fun watching them make gummy bears.
Further North, a bit off US 20, in South Bend, Indiana, South Bend Chocolate Company. Discounted, delicious chocolate, and free tours.
Meg C says
I haven’t bern watching documentaries about the Depression but every time I go to the store (or online) to replace something worn out (I, too, recently needed new underwear) I am wholly shocked at the high costs! Yikes! & the worst is when I finally caved and bought the new underwear (Sams Club, Maidenform, 9.98/5pr), I discovered I hate them! Grr!
Next up? Socks for my son…I wonder how long I can wait it out lol?
Michelle says
Last time one of us needed underwear, I got a six pack on clearance at Kohl’s for less than $2 after additional discounts! Luckily, my daughter didn’t care what it looked like. Always check the clearance and scan it, it’s not always marked right.
Peg says
I don’t shop Kohl’s regularly, but I did buy some Christmas gifts there, which resulted in Kohl’s cash. I needed socks this time so that’s what I used it for. And greeting cards. You are spot on about double checking clearance prices!
Emily E says
Love the pussy willow wreath! I have a weeping pussy willow and plan on planting several other bushes in the wetter areas of my property! They are so great for spring décor and making wreaths! As for the whole underwear thing, have you ever thought of making your own? You’re obviously quite crafty and talented and I know some of the patterns out there are pretty simple. Often you can get clearance fabric (appropriate for underwear) at Walmart or JoAnn’s. Just a thought!
Connie says
I often buy my underwear at Walmart. It is more reasonable then any other place that I’ve tried. Next time, I go to Costco, I’ll definitely check their prices out.
chickengrandma says
Many years ago I bought Victoria Secret panties. I just can’t wear them out. They last a long time. I may not like the other” items ” they sell. They have clearance sales twice an year which brings the price down. But after wearing them for over 6 years, I think the extra cost is worth it.
I agree about prices. I am starting to sew again after about 20 years. The cost of fabric floored me! I have some sewing accessories that are 80-90 % cheaper than current prices.
Melanie says
Exactly! Victoria’s secret lasts me for years also! The Hanes and Fruit of the Loom are not as soft and comfortable and they definitely don’t last. Sometimes spending more for better quality is cheaper in the long run.