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12 Goals for the New Year

My 22 Goals for 2019 – Week 44 of 52

By Mavis Butterfield on - 19 Comments

My 22 Goals for 2019


Goal #1 — Spend More Time Doing What I Love

We worked on Lucy’s fence all day yesterday and now all that’s left to do today is to dig 3 more post holes, add a panel and then a gate and then Miss Lucy can run around the backyard with wild abandon and chase the squirrels. Poor thing. She’s been on a leash every time we’ve gone out side since we moved here. Today is going to be a good day.

Goal #2 — Garden, Garden, Garden

Gardening this week consisted of pulling up bittersweet vines along the back of the property and moving dirt. I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the ground freezing, packing up the tools and heading inside for the winter.

But first, we need to get the fence finished {today!} and move as much of the 20 yards of compost as we can before the ground is frozen solid.

Goal #3 — Plant an Orchard {Calling it Quits on this one.}

We are almost there!!! The first harvest could be anyway now.

Goal #4 — Gussy Up the Potting Shed Done!

I gussied up the potting shed at our old house, but I would like to add some sort of “potting station” to the backyard here somewhere, but I’m not sure where I would put it yet.

Goal #5 — Grow Enough Extra Vegetables, Eggs and Flowers to Earn $1500 at my little roadside vegetable stand.

It was totally my intention to grow a ton of fruits and vegetables to sell at the farm-stand when I made my list of goals for 2019 last winter, but then we moved. So, that whole goal was sort of a bust.

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 week I finished 6 flower head make do’s as well as 3 large purple flowers. I haven’t had a chance to add them to my Etsy shop yet but I am hoping to this week. I don’t think I’ll get anything else made this week, but I do plan on cutting wool and getting it ready to dye as I badly need to re-stock my Etsy shop with more hand dyed wool.

  • 73 rugs in my pattern bin {now down to 27}
  • 183 hooked flowers {finished 150, now down to 33}
  • 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} DONE!

So far this year I’ve added 12 new rug hooking patterns and 13 beginner rug hooking kits to my Etsy shop.

New rug hooking patterns I’ve created and added to My Etsy Shop this year:

Rug Hooking Kits

Goal #8 — Split and Stack 2 Cords of Wood for Next Winter 

All that firewood! We sold it. 😉

Goal #9 — Do Something with the 5,002 Photos on My Phone

Down to 3,021.

Goal #10 –-Lose the Muffin Top Done!

I’m declaring Muffy gone. Thanks to the stress of moving and just getting outside and walking around more and working in the yard, Muffy has melted away. Not only do my pants fit better, but I feel better too. Activity + lots of water. Who knew?

Goal #11 — Run, Walk or Crawl a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon

There is a local 5k next weekend so The Girl and I are going to try and do that. Then, it’s on to the Pastry and Tea Half Marathon.

Goal #12 — Read or Listen to 26 New Books {21 down, 5 to go}

Currently listening to Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.

Books I’ve Read or Listened to So Far This Year:

Goal #13 — Try 52 New Recipes.

32 down, 20 recipes to go. Last week I shared a recipe for a Copycat Panera Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe. It’s crazy good. You need to try it.

Goal #14 — Clean Up 52 Old Recipes on the Blog

9 down, 44 to go. Once the ground freezes… I’ll do this. Even if I have to stay in my pj’s for a week to get it done. Or so I keep saying.

Goal #15 — Fill 100 Canning Jars 48 down, 52 to go.

No canning this week because there is still work to be done outside, but if you are looking for something to serve alongside your Thanksgiving turkey {or to send guest home with} you should give my recipe for Cranberry Apple Jam with a Hint of Orange a go. It goes great with leftover turkey sandwiches.

So far this year I’ve I canned:

Goal #16 — Finish Furnishing Our House

I found a beachy looking lantern for $8 at a local thrift shop and snatched it up and set it up on an old chest we are using as a side table in the family room.

I also picked up a box of sparklers, an old galvanized watering can, a wicker bike basket, a garden claw and a mini terra cotta pot {perfect for a succulent or an African violet} at a church rummage sale for a whopping $2.00!

Goal #17 – 52 Dates with the HH {36 down, 16 to go}

We went on a double date with my buddy Heather from Massachusetts and her husband to the Omelette Factory in Ogunquit. It was the only meal we ate that day. 😉 Oh my word, the omelettes were HUGE.

Goal #18 — Take One Adult Education Class Done {I’ve taken 3!}

  1. Block Printing Class with my neighbor.
  2. Spoon Carving Class with Heather.
  3. Mini pottery lesson {I loved it! and now I want to sign up for a full class}

Goal #19 — Secret Holiday Project

One of my secret holiday projects this year was block print towels. I was originally going to offer them in my Etsy shop but with everything that’s been going on the past few months, I just don’t have time and so I have decided to just make them for friends and neighbors instead.

I do have a couple more projects that would  be perfect for gift giving up my sleeve, and plan to share those on the blog soon.

Goal #20 — Create 12 Wowie Zowie Party Platters

6 down, 6 to go. I need to get my game on. I have a feeling November and December are going to be filled with lot’s of cheese.

Goal #21 — Visit 12 General Stores

9 down 3 to go. {And thank you for all your suggestions! I am looking forward to a busy November and December checking them out}.

Goal #22 — Compete with Carole….. Get on My Front Door Game On

The Halloween decorations are down and the Indian corn is back up on the front door for Thanksgiving. The corn, along with the big pumpkins on the porch will stay until the day after Thanksgiving.

Front Door Bling I’ve Made So Far This Year to Compete with Carole:

  • Late January : Valentine Heart
  • Late February : Shamrock
  • Late March : Giant Carrot
  • May: White wave petunia hanging basket
  • June/July: Tin Star and Flag Bunting
  • August : Sunflower
  • September: Indian corn and pumpkins
  • October: Pumpkins and spinner do hickeys
  • November: Indian corn and big pumpkins

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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! 🙂

Have a great day everyone,

♥ Mavis

You can read more about my 22 goals for 2019 HERE.

Have a Great Day!

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Comments

  1. chicken grandma says

    I feel the same way about winter coming. Every thing is at rest. Although I love being able to walk out to the garage
    with out shoes on, I like the cozy feeling of sitting by the window and watching the snow fall. Lighting candles, drinking hot chocolate. But by February I am wishing for an early spring !

    Reply

  2. Christa H. says

    1. Establish our farm- DONE- Bought plans and got permits for a carport away form the house for lawn equipment and our old Ford truck; extended driveway and added a carport area with crush and run to match driveway; carport will be built soon; good dirt was spread and leveled in all the holes and uneven areas in the front and backyard; bought aerator and seeded yard; scheduling fence builders for garden; screened porch deck and garage/front of house wood arbors were stained; bushes going in around the house
    2. Decide upon side hustles for farm money- Still need to bottle my honey for those who want to buy it
    3. Build a chicken coop- CANCELLED and hopefully moved to next year. HOA amendments were filed incorrectly so no one can have farm animals except horses right now. They will refile in the future, so this is on hold for now.
    4. Establish my bee/butterfly garden- Got quotes from fence companies and are ready to schedule; treating bees with varroa mite killer today
    5. Plan the fruit/vegetable/herb garden- Bought a weed dragon that hooks up to a propane tank on wheels and have been burning weeds like crazy
    6. Grow broomcorn and mammoth sunflowers- FAIL- bought seeds but will have to plant next year
    7. Create a bee lawn on the west side of the house- Planning to sow this week
    8. Start a fruit orchard- ON HOLD- will wait until spring
    9. Create a sitting area near the beaver dam- have a bench but will not go near there until it freezes here due to ticks
    10. Begin a wish/prayer tree on the path to the beaver dam- decided on the tree. Waiting for a hard freeze to kill the ticks
    11. Water bath can at least 10 items
    12. Learn to use the pressure canner
    13. Ferment at least 10 items- got two fermenting books for my birthday with interesting recipes to try
    14. Try at least 10 new recipes- 5 of 10 done. Made your meatloaf recipe and it was the best I ever had! Also made fresh salsa and jalapeno ranch dip similar to Chuy’s restaurant and smacked cucumber salad with sumac onion and radishes, and some homemade sauces. All are keepers.
    15. Find and make a good Vietnamese beef pho recipe
    16. Get new pantry very organized- DONE.
    17. Organize art supplies/paint glass jar lids- DONE.
    18. Hang art on the walls- DONE.
    19. Inventory all my cookbooks so I know what I have- Still working on it. I am using the app Libib.
    20. Make Christmas ornaments and garland- Having an ornament making party at my house in a couple weeks with 8 of my neighbors; been gathering beautiful skinny pinecones with white tips again this year and they are drying
    21. Make potpourri from foraged and garden items
    22. Finish at least 2 embroidery projects- One is half way finished. The other I have hooped and have decided on the colors. Just got my prescription eye glasses so I can see detailed stitching again; will start on this when it is cold outside
    23. Make at least three paintings- Bought some large canvases recently and have been collecting images
    24. Find furniture for the screened porch- DONE- bought the set we wanted when it went on sale. It was delivered and is perfect
    25. Get my Instagram up and running again

    Reply

      • Christa H. says

        These are my versions since they don’t give out their recipes and I like the dip to be a bit more chunky and spicy:

        Salsa= half a white onion, 1.5 serrano peppers (Food Lion has them), salt, 2 fresh limes juiced. Whirl in food processor till half way chopped up. Add 4-5 medium sized ripe cored tomatoes. Whirl till little chunky bits.

        I like the restaurant tortilla strips from Aldis to dip in

        Dip=1c Dukes mayo, 1/3 c sour cream, 1/3c+ whole buttermilk, 1 pkt HVR dry ranch dressing mix, 3 Tbsp tomatillo sauce, salt, 1 Tbsp lime juice, handful cilantro, 12oz jar pickled jalapeños drained, half a Serrano. Whirl in food processor. Thin with buttermilk

        Reply

  3. Mel says

    I used my extra hour today to finish up the simpler Christmas tree skirt to go with our little LED tree. I still need to finish the more complicated one for years when we get real trees, but I’m pretty pleased with how the first one worked out.

    Reply

  5. Torry says

    1. &2. I have been sewing and using up bits and pieces of my stash.
    3. Find and finish half done projects. Done.
    4. Walk every day. Knee surgery in the new year.
    5. I have given up on new recipes for this year.
    6. Clean more often. I have been surprised at how well I’m doing with this one. Once clean, it is just easier to keep it that way!
    7. Husband date night. This week was our anniversary, so we went out to dinner. We had Thai food and both enjoyed our meals. 48 years.
    8.Read more. I am doing very well on this one and am making inroads on the many, many stacks!

    Reply

  7. Sherry in Sumner says

    I just have to say, Mavis, that your chicken and rice soup is a real winner! One of the best soups I’ve had in a long time and it was easy to make. Thanks.

    Reply

  9. Shelle says

    I need to try that soup! My family loves soups and stews, especially in the winter, so I’m always looking for proven recipes.
    I see you’re listening to ‘Maine’ and I wanted to share that I enjoyed listening to that one too. This past summer we took a family vacation to Maine (we’re in WA state, so it was quite a trip for us) and I set a goal to read/listen to books set in Maine. My favorites were the one you’re currently on, ‘Navigating Early’ by Clare Vanderpool (the narration on this book was perfect) and Evvie Drake Starts Over. Maybe add one of those to your list!

    Reply

  10. E in Upstate NY says

    Promised my two adult kids that there were only two major goals this year.
    One: trade in hubby’s car to one that I wanted. Last spring bought MY CAR. Haven’t purchased a new-new car in years, and it felt good.
    Two: sell our house. This took quite a while as it’s required repairs scared off many. Finally someone bought it. Twas a painful and emotional process getting the rest of my contents out, but turned over the keys over a week early. Now I’ve got, count ’em, 3 storage lockers to unload. The moving process did not go the way I planned [do they ever?] Given myself til spring to get down to one locker.
    Along the way, ended up in the hospital 6 days with surgery and a huge mouth infection. This slowed down my house clean-out progress significantly.
    Smaller goals: 1) my younger son’s wedding, which was held on the coast of Maine. It was gorgeous weather and a fantastic location on the Penobscot River.
    2) Decide where I want to live. Currently living with older son. Love Maine, and need to see if I can handle a Maine winter again. Had hoped to do that earlier, but the infection and surgery got into the way. Used to live in Bangor Maine.
    3) Restart my business of knitting and sewing children’s clothes. This is on hold til some other decisions are made. In the meantime, have been building up knitted stock. My sewing patterns and fabric stock are located in the above mentioned lockers.
    4) Lose weight. Am down to my final 15 pounds, and I’m not going to work hard at it until the new year. With the upcoming holidays and its luscious food, am going to enjoy myself. Have lost over 40 pounds, so am really enjoying “shopping” in my bin stored grown out of clothes. Besides, somehow I can’t stuff myself anymore, so not really worried about gaining much..

    Mavis, have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog this year. And I agree with others, its nice to read the joy in your life in your Maine location.

    Reply

      • E in Upstate NY says

        Thanx Mavis.
        The evening after my family had left following my husband’s memorial party, a tooth ache started. Talk about mind over body… Ultimately had 5 teeth pulled, 2 with abscesses which were in the bone. Now chewing with help from man-made teeth. Not the same but far better than blender food! Now dealing with other medial issues. Life is full of highs and lows for sure.

        Reply

  11. Rhonda Relyea says

    Oh, Mavis! I almost cried when I read you were pulling up bittersweet vines! I bought 6 female and 1 male plant about 15 years ago because I love bittersweet so much. The annual Johnny Appleseed Festival here in Ft. Wayne, IN, sells very small bundles (like 3, 7inch pcs) bundled for $7.00. I use mine in arrangements, wreaths, table décor, etc. With your veggie stand at your old place you could have earned a bunch.

    I love Lucy and hope she gets off leash soon. She will love running wild and free in her new fenced in back yard.

    Reply

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