My 22 Goals for 2019
Goal #1 — Spend More Time Doing What I Love
Staying home in my pajamas and drinking tea. Check.
Goal #2 — Garden, Garden, Garden
My seed order from Botanical Interests arrived last week and yesterday I attempted to map out the backyard on a giant piece of butcher paper. Which was surprisingly difficult, especially since I don’t know the exact dimensions of anything. I have a feeling this is going to take a few attempts to get it right.
I’m sure there are a gazillion free apps or websites where I could feed a bunch of numbers and plants into the computer to make the whole job of mapping out the backyard easier, {and much better looking} but the idea of doing that has zero appeal to me. The whole being glued to an electronic device thing, and constantly staring at a screen takes so much away from the process, I think. I’d rather make set aside an afternoon or two and do it myself, without the help of a computer program. Being plugged all the time, leaves so little to the imagination.
Goal #3 — Plant an Orchard
Maybe in April?
Goal #4 — Gussy Up the Potting Shed
The door to the potting shed is currently frozen shut so even if I wanted to, I couldn’t get in there to move stuff around. Word on the street is the temps will be down to THREE DEGREES again mid week so it doesn’t look like my growing list of outdoor gardening projects will be getting done anytime soon. 😉
Goal #5 — Grow Enough Extra Vegetables, Eggs and Flowers to Earn $1500 at my little roadside vegetable stand.
Currently trying to brainstorm different things I could offer at my little stand other than produce, flowers and jam. I would LOVE to keep bees and collect honey and dip candles {it’ seems so dreamy doesn’t it?} but I am allergic to bees and the HH doesn’t want to do it. 🙁
Goal #6 — Finish Every Single Unfinished Rug Hooking Project in My Pattern Bin + 10 Things from back Issues of Magazines/Books I’ve Been Meaning to Make.
This past week I finished 6 hooked flowers, two mini rugs and 1 pillow for my Etsy Shop update on February 1st. I’ve also been working on a few pottery pieces to include with my next update {which I am SUPER excited about!!}
I started the year off with:
- 73 rugs {now down to 68}
- 183 hooked flowers {finished 24, now down to 141}
- 10 “things” from back issues of magazines {finished 0}
Goal #7 — Create 12 New Rug Hooking Patterns {with at least half of them being large ones}
I listed a new rug hooking pattern “Fat Brown Hen” to my Etsy shop last night which means I have now finished 2 of the 12 new patterns I am hoping to create this year.
Last week I drew out a GORGEOUS {and rather large} fall themed pattern but it is going to take me a few months get complete the rug. I plan on taking pictures of the entire hooking process to show the people who are interested in that sort of thing how the rug came together {from drawing out the pattern, dyeing the wool, hooking and finishing the rug}. My goal is to have to rug completed by the end of April.
Goal #8 — Split and Stack 2 Cords of Wood for Next Winter
I’m thinking late April might be a good month for this.
Just because there is snow on the ground, doesn’t mean we are safe from poison ivy. Booo! I wish there was an easy solution to get rid of the awful stuff, but I guess when you live in the woods, it’s just part of the deal.
Goal #9 — Do Something with the 5,002 Photos on My Phone
Started with 5,002 photos, now down to 3,478 , 3516 , 3532, 3491. It’s a slow process.
Goal #10 –Lose the Muffin Top
It’s still there. I’ll do a photo update the first weekend in February.
Goal #11 — Run, Walk or Crawl a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon
One race down, four to go.
Staying in shape, during the winter months is actually kind of difficult. Especially when you have no desire to leave the house. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Or you know, when there is freezing rain outside and with the wind chill, it’s something like 15 below outside. It kind of makes you just want to hole up inside and eat cookies and drink hot chocolate all day.
Until of course you step on a scale and see that not only have you not lost any weight since the New Year, but you’ve actually GAINED a little more and getting that top button on your jeans to snap is getting harder and harder to do.
So what’s a girl to do?
Go to the mall and walk around indoors like a totally looney for 2+ hours. That is what it has come to. And just in case you were wondering, 22,259 steps equals 9.4 miles. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Goal #12 — Read or Listen to 26 New Books
Currently listening to : Nothing. 🙁
I am currently on the wait list for audiobooks. I tried listening to 3 random books last week and they were all duds and I ended up hitting the delete button at around the 10 minute mark on all of them.
I did pick up a couple of cookbooks from the library though, Icebox Pies {nothing looked appealing enough to make, but then again, maybe I needed to borrow the book in July instead of January when it’s freezing outside} and The Big Book of Home Cooking {I found 4 I’d like to try}. I also rented Light Between Oceans {I read the book last year}.
Books I’ve Read or Listened to So Far This Year:
Goal #13 — Try 52 New Recipes.
The HH baked me a cake last week {wasn’t that nice} and the cake turned out so good, we not only had it for dessert the night he made it, but we had it for breakfast the next day. It was DELICIOUS! I’ll post the recipe next week {because I’ll be sharing the turkey chowder recipe on Tuesday} 3 down, 49 recipes to go!
Goal #14 — Clean Up 52 Old Recipes.
Yesterday I made a batch of Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies took some new photos. If you are a fan of oatmeal cookies, you should try these! Five recipes down, 47 to go.
Goal #15 — Fill 100 Canning Jars
Not yet.
Goal #16 — Finish Furnishing Our House
Current state of dining room. 🙂 Note to self: If you want furniture, you will need to leave the house and GO FIND IT. So hurry up and finish dyeing the wool so you can have your dining room of empty chairs back. And that tree! Shame on you. Finish moving around the upper branches already so it looks like a proper tree. And then you know, decorate the thing with hearts so you don’t look like one of those people who hasn’t taken down their Christmas tree yet.
Furniture pieces I’d like to acquire this year:
- Coffee table for the family room
- Console, cupboard or sideboard for the one and only tv in our house which is in the family room. I could totally live without a television, but my husband says the tv stays.
- Long rectangular table for the craft room.
- Table for the formal dining room that nobody will ever sit in.
- A wing back chair for the family room.
- I’d also like to decorate the mantel in the keeping room as well as put up some sort of decoration above the other 3 fireplaces in the house. I’m not one for a lot of things on the walls, but it would be nice to throw up a little pilgrim bling on the plaster.
Goal #17 – 52 Dates with the HH {4 down, 48 to go}
Last week we went to the historic town of Exeter, NH and had lunch Ani’s Bagel Cafe. We walked around the downtown area checking out a few shops {Exeter Fine Crafts was our favorite} and basically walked around like a bunch of tourists reading all the plaques and monument markers in the downtown area. It was an insanely cold day to be walking around outside, but we had a good time.
Next up on the date day agenda is Stockbridge, Massachusetts for museums, Rockport, Maine for the scenery and lunch and Mt Washington Resort for afternoon tea service.
Goal #18 — Take One Adult Education Class
Not yet. Basket making and wooden spoon carving are high on my list though.
Goal #19 — Secret {for now} Holiday Project
Still waiting for delivery of the main components.
Goal #20 — Create 12 Wowie Zowie Party Platters
Since the only thing we are buying at the grocery store in January is milk, this goal will have to wait until February but I already put the HH on high alert for a Superbowl Sunday party platter.
Goal #21 — Visit 12 General Stores
We are 0 for 12 so far this year, how can that be? I do have a growing list of general stores I’d like to visit though so it’s just a matter of time.
Goal #22 — Compete with Carole….. Get on My Front Door Game On
Last week I put a big heart on our front door for Valentine’s day. I don’t think Carole noticed because she still has her white berry wreath up, which could technically pass for a Valentine’s decoration. Then again, maybe she takes January off from decorating her front door because it’s too cold to go outside. Hmmmm.
Front Door Bling I’ve Made So Far This Year to Compete with Carole:
Late January : Valentine Heart ♥
**************
How about YOU? What are your goals for 2019? If you told us about them HERE, check in! We want to know how you are doing. Because seriously, it’s so much easier to get those goals checked off your list when you have people rooting for you! 🙂
♥ Mavis
You can read more about my 22 goals for 2019 HERE.
Iowa Beekeeper says
I recommend you take a beekeeping class. You will learn some amazing things about honeybees. I take one every year as a refresher and to hobnob with other bee enthusiasts.
You are going to have many honeybees visit your flower and vegetable gardens so you might as well get acquainted. Classes are starting now here in Iowa so I am sure they in your area too.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Hi Mavis! I’m so excited that you’re going to do a series on step-by-step rug hooking! Many, many years ago, I bought a (cheap) hooking craft kit to do a wall hanging for a young child’s bedroom and was so disappointed in both the quality of the materials and the process that I vowed never again. But last fall my HH and I visited Williamsburg for the first time, and I was floored (pun intended!) by the beauty of the hooked rug exhibit in their museum. Now that I know how beautiful *real* hooked rugs are, I am eager to try it again. What are the chances you would consider selling small kits of materials to do one small rug, i.e. with fabric already inked, pre-dyed fabric pieces ready to cut into strips, binding of appropriate length included? Then one could try out the hobby without having to invest a lot of money in equipment & materials.
LauraArnett says
I am super excited too! Mavis is the reason I have started looking for wool to dye and cut for the day I can figure out how to do it- MAVIS!!! we want this step by step and a kit would be awesome!!!!
Teal says
I also made a few of those latch hook rugs back in the 80s. The yarn was cheap . I would love a kit by Mavis! Looking forward to your step by step tutorial!
Nora says
Hi Mavis!
Is this your German feather-like tree? Will we get a closer look?
Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I will get my act together and fix the branches and show you next goal update. 🙂
Mel says
Other ideas for the roadside stand:
-dried seasoning mixes (dried herbs with salt or sugar),
-maple syrup if you’re able to process it,
-roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds,
-dried red pepper flakes,
-poured beeswax candles with dried flowers in them (buy the wax but dry your own flowers),
-packets of vegetable or flower seeds,
-small-ish grapevine wreaths with dried flowers/wood cutouts/etc. (wrap in plastic),
-baking mixes in mason jars (maybe a biscuit mix to go with the jams and jellies?)
I finally found suitable fabric for one my sewing goals, and I lost maybe a third of it to colors running in the wash (despite taking precautions against that), so it’s still slow going on goals this year. I need to switch gears and start thinking about starting seeds soon, so I’ll have even less time. I only have three projects as official goals so far, so I will still likely get them done, but I’m not looking forward to doing winter-themed sewing projects in spring and summer.
Laura T. says
Mel, those are some good ideas for the stand! I especially like the seed packet idea! At garage sales by me, people sell pots of starter plants. They split their hostas, etc. & sell those too.
Rosaleen says
Along the line of using dried flowers and herbs-Consider making soap with your dried herbs or flowers pressed into the top. Dried flower arrangements, maybe?
A small jar of homemade jam to go with the muffin/scone mix. Bean soup mix paired with a biscuit or muffin mix. You have a treasure trove of paired meal recipes, many of which should jar well.
Kirsten G. says
Is there a community centre or a college/university in your area? They might have an indoor walking/running track. It might be nicer than going to the mall.
I hear you about gaining weight! I need to stop grabbing a snack to go with my coffee.
April says
You keep me motivated. I have such long list of goals for the year, I will need a few years to complete. We have a big commitment to grandkids right now. I was hoping to take some sewing or quilting classes but I found out that our local tech school is not doing adult evening classes anymore. I live in Wausau, Wisconsin. The only classes I have found are the expensive ones at craft/sewing stores. Any suggestions ?
Mavis, are you not using coupons anymore ? My husband and I are retired now and really need to cut our expenses. Is every coupon digital now ?? I want paper coupons again !
Anne says
How about selling a few of hooked flowers at your roadside stand
Hawaii Planner says
Your digital photo goal has encouraged me to start deleting as well. One of my goals in 2019 is an overall “deal with photos” & create photo books, so it’s been helpful to start by getting rid of the junk we’ll never use. That way, when I finally have a manageable amount of photos, building the books should be pretty easy. I hope. 🙂
Mim says
Mavis,
I’m going to start leeks and onions in the basement this week! So thrilled to finally be able to sorta/kinda get the gardening season started. With 3 feet of snow on the ground and temps in the single digits, it’s hard to imagine that there will one day be bare ground and green grass, but yes, it will happen. Just before the last dump of snow came, I went out and measured my expanded vegetable garden so I could get my plan together. With that and gradual seed starting, I believe I can combat this January cabin fever!
And I second the suggestion about a college track. Being in a mall would make me crazy.
PS to Mavis devotees: I bought one of her stoneware (I know that’s not the right name, but the items she makes in the kiln) pieces on Etsy and it is beautiful. If you haven’t taken a look, do so.
nancy grimsley says
We live out in the country so no malls to walk in but funny enough we have a castle in our little town. So a nice couple opens it up every weekday at 9, puts on some music and the “castle walkers” arrive. Walking is from 9-11. I would like to say I get there and do the walking but are so busy with work I’v never been able to go. One day!
Debbie says
I highly recommend a basket weaving class. Have taken a class several times and absolutely love it.
Pam says
Hey Mavis, I am just here to suggest you take that basketweaving class. You have acces to tons of natural materials on your property…white oak is a major basket making material, along with all kinds of vines, twigs, etc. that you can incorporate. I still have a few baskets that I made like 25 years ago…they are still beautful, when they start to look brittle and dusty, just soak in warm water for a few minutes, shake off and let them air dry.
KC says
I have been wondering for decades now how people dealt with baskets getting all dusty/cobwebby, and always assumed you couldn’t wash them, but apparently not??? Thank you! I’m excited to try this out (and possibly destroy a couple of grimy baskets if they are not the materials that will tolerate this, but we’ll see).
kathy hort says
KC, I wash my baskets in the dishwasher then air dry. I’m not sure I should but they don’t seem to mind.
Brianna says
You could sell seasonal centerpieces, living potted kitchen herb combos, or take up body & soap making products at you roadside stand. Dried fruits or even a dried veggie combo for soup would be good too. Just try a few things and see if there is an interest for it.
Kim says
If the idea of yoga appeals at all, the YouTube channel “Yoga With Adriene” does an annual 30 days of yoga every January. Yes, the month is almost over but all the videos are still up on the channel. It’s been great for getting back in shape post-holiday without needing to go outside.
Carrie C says
I’ve been following along with Yoga with Adriene. This is the third year I’ve done her 30 days of yoga series. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I feel stronger, more flexible and standing taller. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
I am totally not a yoga person but I might give it a try.
Jeanine says
Hi Mavis…just wondering how the firewood supply is going…how much do you have left? Also, love the idea of posting your rug hooking projects and instructions. I too am a rug hooker…it’s fun to create and hook them. I mainly make my own patterns or take some of my photos and make them into rugs. I enjoy your blog and look forward to your posts every morning. As far as the muffin top….how can you resist the goodies HH makes. No fair….just tempting you all the time!
Joanna says
For mapping out your garden, you could transfer your plat measurements to the butcher’s paper and sketch your beds from there. Your plat should be with the paperwork from buying your home.
Perhaps Carole is waiting until closer to Valentine’s Day to decorate her door for that holiday? I probably wouldn’t do it until a week before.
Heidi says
My grandfather always said to fell the tress for firewood before the sap starts to run in the spring. The wood will cure faster.
Tami Mitchell says
Mavis – for your veggie stand – do you have some sort of business cards with your etsy store it? Maybe you could put up a laminated little poster with an example of your rugs / ornaments and your info so that everyone who shops at your veggie stand could then check out your store. If you bundle food, or give them baskets to take, each basket could have a card attached?
Best wishes!
Tami
PS: High of 50 degrees here in Tacoma. False spring is happening!
Debi says
1. Finished reading the 1 book for the month, and kept up with all my free magazines. I pay for 1 magazine via subscription (Countryside & small animal journal). I do pick up a magazine at the store (The New Pioneer). 2. Baked molasses cookies from scratch. 3. Continue to walk the dog, but not as far due to the extremely cold weather. 4. Was trying a no spend on nonessentials. Had to call in a furnace tech on an after hours weekend as the furnace quit. We were having -30. I ended up spending $251 ($119 after hours and mileage part). The rest was for what was repaired. So not so bad. It’s a 40 min drive to get to my place from the closest city. 5. Looking through garden catalogs. 6. Will be adding more fruit trees as well but won’t start until closer to April/May.
LaToya says
I read my one book for the month too! I love your added “and kept up with all my free magazines.” I need to do that. They are just in a pile. And they are good ones too!
Bea says
Garden stall idea:
I loved your pottery ornaments, and can see you making birds, dragonflies, ladybugs, flowers, rabbits, snails, suns, vegetables, etc.. They would be just right for hanging in trees, or on a fence, used as garden stakes, mobiles,decorations on patio walls, stakes in outdoor pots or window boxes. Ohhhh – a squirrel in the midst of flowers in a garden box.
Bet these would sell in your garden stand.
Lolly says
…goats’ll eat that poison ivy. Maybe ya’ll need some new animals!!!
Christa Hayden says
Week 4 of 42- Jan 27th
1. Establish our farm- instant hot water heater is in, had to find new quartz for all counters and ended up finding 5 slabs I like more than the quartz we had that was accidentally not held for us by the fabricator, yard graded and seeded, lights are up, heat/electric should be turned on soon once inspection happens this week, kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets are all in place, got the mail box post but need someone to dig the hole
2. Decide upon side hustles for farm money- still thinking of paintings
3. Build a chicken coop- maybe able to build in March if builders are available
4. Establish my bee/butterfly garden- found more dead bees near second hive and I hope they are ok since I recently lost my other hive
5. Plan the fruit/vegetable/herb garden- might not be able to do the fencing until fall so I’m not sure if I will be able to garden this spring
6. Grow broomcorn and mammoth sunflowers
7. Create a bee lawn on the west side of the house- area was graded and straw put down. Will seed in spring
8. Start a fruit orchard- after we move
9. Create a sitting area near the beaver dam- after we move
10. Begin a wish/prayer tree on the path to the beaver dam- after we move
11. Water bath can at least 10 items- after we move
12. Learn to use the pressure canner- after we move
13. Ferment at least 10 items- after we move
14. Try at least 10 new recipes- after we move
15. Find and make a good Vietnamese beef pho recipe- after we move
16. Get new pantry very organized- ordered 30 white plastic bins for the pantry from the Container Store that will arrive this week
17. Organize art supplies/paint glass jar lids- after we move
18. Hang art on the walls- after we move
19. Inventory all my cookbooks so I know what I have- after we move
20. Make Christmas ornaments and garland- after we move
21. Make potpourri from foraged and garden items- after we move
22. Finish at least 2 embroidery projects- taught my friend how to cross stitch so now I think I may want to pick that up again too
23. Make at least three paintings- we decided I need to make two large paintings for two walls in the house
24. Find furniture for the screened porch- after we move
25. Get my Instagram up and running again- after we move
Vicki in Birmingham says
Christa, I am curious as to what exactly a wish/prayer tree is. I like the sound of it, but would like to know what it is.
Thanks!
Vicki
Christa Hayden says
Vicki- I have seen them in various towns I have visited- tags, ribbons, etc. hanging all over the branches. Google for pictures. I plan to do that where anyone can add a prayer or a wish plus was thinking of wrapping some of the branches in colored yarns- something cool for the kids that visit. I have some markers made for the elements and won’t fade to mark on plastic tags or ribbons
Kipper says
Goats would also give you milk to make cheese to sell at the farm stand too. Have you thought of raising ducks? Duck eggs are $$ in the stores. Celia at thekitchensgarden blog sells her duck eggs to local restaurants.
Kara says
https://www.adirondackbasketry.com/
My SIL went to one of these workshops and made an incredible Adirondack pack basket. Seems right up your alley! And you’d get to explore another gorgeous part of NE!
Tracy says
I love your vlog and read every post. I like to read about people who ‘own’ their lives and take ownership of their own happiness. I also love that you like to learn stuff. It keeps one both interested and interestesting, you know? I did get a giggle from your comment that you don’t want to plan your garden online, because you don’t want to spend your life staring at a screen…and yet you must spend much more time online than most! And a final observation? I hate that you’re competing with your neighbor over something as petty as door decorations. :(. And maybe Carole hasn’t changed out her wreath because she just doesn’t care that much? (C’mon, Mavis…you’re better than that!)
Margery says
Ten Goals for the 2018-2019 school year
1. Read one non-fiction book per month :
Yep not doing so well on this, but I have one checked out from the library and time set aside this weekend to try to read it.
2. Monthly date with the husband :
No new dates this month, since the husband happens to a Federal Employee so no extra spending for the next while. But have on the list a at home date night like we used to do when we were first dating, chicken nuggets, french fry’s, onion rings and a movie at the time usually Uncle Buck or Teen Age Mutant Teenagers on VHS. Will set the at home kid up with his own tv show in a different room, so it will be a date and not a family movie night.
3. Weekly Game Night :
The youngest is loving a new game his sister bought him for Christmas, Fortnight Monopoly. With the brothers back at college we are back to two person game time.
4. Try a new recipe each week –
Planning on cooking from cookbooks that I take out of the library is working really well, we tried a pizza recipe from Cook it in Cast Iron Cookbook by Cook’s Country and we really liked it. There are a few more recipes in there I would like to try before returning it to the library.
5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden
This week we ordered our grow lights and got them hooked up, and I have placed my seed order at Rareseeds. I also spent some time making a list of planting times and reading up on Gardening in Kansas at the K- State College Website. I will have a garden this year that will grow.
6. De-clutter-
Working on this bit by bit, we have friends that have a fundraiser that collects soft goods like clothing, shoes, etc and pays them by weight. My goal is by Sat to have at least 5 bags for them to pick up.
7. Loose some weight-
It wouldn’t be a list of goals with out at least one healthy living goal.
8. Learn a new skill –
This has been on past goal lists but this year I will learn to make soap. Still working on it.
9. Reduce trash-
Increase our recycling, reusing, and composting. Doing much better and working on taking our own bags to the store.
10. A Financial goal-
I am not going to share to much on this publicly but I do have a saving goal which is on hold for now.
LaToya says
We have very similar goals … and I did the save the money one too. I chose a number that I wanted to save in cash. Anddddd … I’m pacing behind. It’s still early though, but I’m going to need to be a little more creative.
Torry says
1. Sew each week. I’ve met my goal of sewing every week. And I have made 79 Barbie gowns.
2. Use up stash. Tomorrow I will make two Christmas gifts and use up some stash on them. (Tonight I ironed the fabric.)
3. finish half done projects. (See #2 above) This is a half done project and now everything is together to finish it after I get home from work.
4. Walk each week. Still doing physical therapy.
5. Make a new recipe each week. Pulled out my recipes and made one. Yuck . Will try again.
6. Still cleaning more often.
7. Have a husband date night. Done.
8. Read more. I read 4 books this week. (I’m a very fast reader.)
9. Have decided not to retire at the end of this school year. Will give it another year.
Emily says
I have fond memories of buying a slice of cherry pie from a roadside stand near Traverse City. The seller even thought to include a fork wrapped to the slice. Maybe you could sell some baked goods at your stand.
Diane says
I love that idea, especially including a fork! I always wonder… Do you have to get a license or some kind of permit to approve your kitchen to sell baked goods or catering out of your home? Does anyone know?
E in Upstate NY says
Totally depends on where you live, state, county, local govt. I’m in New York, zero selling any canned goods, period, zip, nada. If caught, the health department around here really takes it seriously and can throw the book at you. They nailed some Amish around here a while ago.
Baking, requires a kitchen inspection and permits, depending on kinds of things you want to sell.
So research, and don’t depend upon someone’s opinion.
Mary Pearce says
I looked at the class offerings at Exeter Fine Crafts, and I have to say the prices are so low, and the materials costs so modest, that I wish I didn’t live in Tacoma! There is a place I would be at every week for one thing or another!
Theresa says
I am very interested in your process for making rugs. Inspired by you, I have begun rug hooking, slowly, but surely. Also, how about pickles for your stand? They are easy to do and have a long shelf life. I really enjoy your blog and your sense of humor. Thank you!
Mavis Butterfield says
Pickles! Yes, those would be a great addition to the jams. 🙂
Amanda says
I did not make a lot of progress on my goals last week, it was vacation, both from work and goals. The old barn on my property we use as a storage shed partially collapsed in a storm a few weeks ago. My goal was to clean it out, but the weather was so bad we couldn’t get either a dumpster or the new storage container up the drive!
I have seen lots of good ideas in the comments for ideas for your roadside stand. You could always try homemade soaps or lotions, or pressed flower displays. I have a book from the very early 90s somewhere that is nothing but how to design pressed flower designs and then frame them. I would also suggest when you start seeds, start a few extra and see if the seedlings will sell.
Also goats are the answer to your poison ivy problem. They absolutely love browse; I have a poison ivy-infected hedge of lilacs I would love to turn a couple of goats loose in for a week, but I have no goats and the hedge is right next to a very busy road.
Beekeeping is a fun hobby…I did not find out I was allergic until I’d had my first hives for four months, and then I got put in doctor’s office or the ER three times six weeks. Now I have a very expensive full body bee suit and a very thorough safety protocol for working my hives. I am lucky my allergy is not quite deadly; the funny thing is that I never get stung while I was working the hives, it was always when I was walking across the yard and one would get tangled up in my hair or clothes. I have moved the bees to the far corner of my property and now I don’t have any trouble with them.
Thank you for sharing your goals!
LaToya says
NINE MILES. Holy Hat! – – that should help the muffin top, shouldn’t it?
My easily trackable BIG goal for the year is the weight. I’m down 13.5 pounds since January 2. I still have BOATLOADS to go before reaching this goal. But it’s a good start.
Lisa MTB says
If you don’t think you’ll use the formal dining room as a dining room, would it be a good space for something else?
Mavis Butterfield says
I think my husband would freak out if I had another room filled with my crafts.
Kathryn says
I second or third to sell potted plants. If I stopped at a roadside stand potted herb plants are what I’d buy. If you live anywhere near a campground bundles of wood will sell well too. In regards to photographing and explaining the rug making process wouldn’t that make a very good magazine article? Perhaps you could sell it.
Jennifer says
Sell your extra vegetable starts!
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
Hey Mavis,
I don’t know how far away from you this would be, but this looks like it would be right up your alley!! It’s a workshop for making Ash baskets in Fletcher, Vermont.
https://benhewitt.net/workshops-2/
They have done spoon carving workshops in the past, but it doesn’t look they have one planned for this year, so far.
jam says
you should sell dried herbs at your roadside stand, and dried apples from your orchard in little bags. dried apples are the best snack. There was a roadside stand on the way home from my grandma’s house and they sold home made fruit leather. she would always stop to get us some on her way home when we visited her.