My 22 Goals for 2019
Goal #1 — Spend More Time Doing What I Love
This past week I puttered around the house and made garden markers and Valentine hearts. There’s still snow on the ground, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get all my ducks in a row for when the ground thaws and it’s time to run outside and get back to the business of growing food and playing in the dirt.
Goal #2 — Garden, Garden, Garden
Has anyone been to the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show? Is it any good? Is it worth the admission price? What about the big garden show in Maine? After attending the Northwest Flower and Garden show in Seattle numerous time, I must admit, the bar for gardens shows that are going to knock my socks off is pretty high. If I am going to spend an entire day driving, attending, paying for parking and eating lunch in a big city, I want to be wowed.
My buddy Heather and I attended the Boston Garden show 2 years ago and is was just okay. I wouldn’t have paid for tickets to go to it, {luckily Heather got the tickets for free} and it left us wanting more. So if you know of any SUPER awesome gardening events happening here in the Northeast, do tell!
Goal #3 — Plant an Orchard
I’m going to try and talk the HH into taking me to Snug Harbor Farm next week for a house plant and so I can ask about ordering a few espalier fruit trees. I know I could just call, but there’s something about visiting small businesses in the wintertime around here that makes the purchase all the more special. Plus, there’s a doughnut place nearby I want to check out. 😉 Research, it’s a tough gig.
Goal #4 — Gussy Up the Potting Shed
Temperatures are supposed to be in the 50’s on Monday and Tuesday before dropping down back in to the 20’s later in the week so basically we will be spending Monday and Tuesday OUTSIDE. I’m not sure what the HH has planned after he finishes working online but I plan to head out to the potting shed and get it cleaned out.
I’m also hoping to get some party lights strung up {every garden shed needs some party lights, right?} and to remove the peg board that’s nailed to one of the walls. The practical part of me wants to leave the peg board up to hang a few tools like pruning shears, and my garden trowels, but I think I’d rather have the HH build me a couple of shelves and just hammer in a few nails instead.
Goal #5 — Grow Enough Extra Vegetables, Eggs and Flowers to Earn $1500 at my little roadside vegetable stand.
I won’t be making any money and the vegetable stand until late spring but I did pick up 2 little glass milk bottles at the recycle center yesterday. They’ll be great for flower bouquets, don’t you think?
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 a boatload of hooked flowers, one rug and 1 pillow for my February Etsy Shop update.
I started the year off with:
- 71 rugs {now down to 66}
- 183 hooked flowers {finished 62, now down to 121}
- 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}
So far this year I have listed an Old Fashioned Tulip rug pattern and a “Fat Brown Hen” to my Etsy shop this year. 2 down, 10 to go.
Goal #8 — Split and Stack 2 Cords of Wood for Next Winter
Nope. Not yet. {We currently have about 4 1/2 cords of wood left. Which means we’ve gone through about 3 1/2 cords so far this winter}.
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. Currently at 3628 photos. So you know, it’s not going so well.
{Thanks Nancy D for the WinterTrax! I plan to try them out on our next winter walk.}
Goal #10 –Lose the Muffin Top
It’s still there. I’ll do a photo update the first weekend in February. March
One Hundred Dollars a Month reader LaToya mentioned last week that she has lost 13 pounds since the beginning of the year! Way to go LaToya! I haven’t even lost 13 ounces and so that’s my reason for not posting a muffin top photo this month… because NOTHING has changed.
WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!? I just hope that once spring and summer rolls around and we are outside a lot more, things will change.
Goal #11 — Run, Walk or Crawl a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon
One race down, four to go.
I need to find a Valentine’s 5k to do. Steps this week averaged 8,500 {which included one mall walking day with 15,000 steps!} Gaaa. I’m not trying hard enough and I know it.
Goal #12 — Read or Listen to 26 New Books
Currently listening to : Nothing. 🙁
I am patiently waiting my turn on the library wait list for the following books:
- Carnegie’s Maid #4 on the list
- The Four Tendencies #20 on the list
- Before We Were Yours #117 on the list
- This is the Story of a Happy Marriage #6
- The Coddling of the American Mind #16
- The Alice Network #36
- Marilla of Green Gables #4
- 12 Rules for Life #29
Books I’ve Read or Listened to So Far This Year:
Goal #13 — Try 52 New Recipes.
The HH tried a new brown bread recipe and it was a hit. {Recipe coming soon} 4 down, 48 recipes to go!
Goal #14 — Clean Up 52 Old Recipes.
I made Brunswick Stew the other day and took some new pictures. The soup, if you haven’t tried it yet is delicious! Six recipes down, 46 to go.
Goal #15 — Fill 100 Canning Jars
Not yet.
Goal #16 — Finish Furnishing Our House
I didn’t find any furniture this week but I did stop at 3 different thrift stores but didn’t find anything. Wing back chairs are very popular in this area, but unfortunately almost all of them need to be recovered. I only WISH I had the patience to take an upholstery class {the process is too slow and I know I couldn’t handle it}. I wonder how much someone would charge to recover a chair. Anyone know what the going rate is?
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}
All we did was go to Market Basket this past week and eating pizza in the cafe doesn’t count as a date. 🙁 We are now officially one week behind on our date days.
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
What about a cooking class?
Goal #19 — Secret {for now} Holiday Project
Have the stuff. Now I just need to figure it out.
Goal #20 — Create 12 Wowie Zowie Party Platters
Super Bowl Sunday!!! 🙂
Goal #21 — Visit 12 General Stores
We are 0 for 12 so far this year but here is a lovely picture of a bench with snow. 🙂
Goal #22 — Compete with Carole….. Get on My Front Door Game On
Front Door Bling I’ve Made So Far This Year to Compete with Carole:
Late January : Valentine Heart ♥
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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! 🙂
♥ Mavis
You can read more about my 22 goals for 2019 HERE.
Tami Mitchell says
The Four Tendancies changed my life. That phrase is overused, but it is true. I spent so much of my time telling myself that, “You should be better,” and “other people can do it why can’t you?” And often uglier things.
I shamed myself all the time and got nowhere. Learning to work with my tendancies has stopped the shaming cycle and lead to far greater success in achieving my goals.
Being kind to myself has produced more results and happier quality of life than shaming myself ever did.
It is worth the wait and read. I hope you also find it so.
Kim says
My husband said to tell you “thank you” for all the good books you suggest. Your list has supplied him with his beloved non-fiction for years.
We visited “Snug Harbor” (all the way from Texas) on our 2017 trip to Maine. Their topiaries are amazing. Enjoy!
How about adding a very simple willow wreath to the door of your potting shed? Just a thought.
Carolina Cooper says
If you are possibly interested in a cooking class, check out the offerings at Stonewall Kitchens in York, Maine. I know that you know where it is! I think that you won’t be disappointed!
Mavis Butterfield says
I was looking into those classes this morning!! The baker at The 1690 House Cafe in Wells is teaching there this winter. I would LOVE to take a pastry class!
Mrs. C. says
Also, classes at King Arthur Flour. They’re fabulous.
Susan says
Yup, I came here to also recommend classes at King Arthur Flour in Norwich. My mom is an accomplished baker and has enjoyed a few classes there (she lives nearby).
Mary3M says
If the furniture – chairs, sofas, wing back chair(her most requested reupholstering task) – has good bones (quoting from my upholsterer) it’s worth reupholstering rather than buying new. Going rate here is 500-800.for labor and then the cost of the fabric. Reupholstering is very time consuming and if there is a pattern making sure it follows the pattern is most important. I know that you balk at the cost of things sometimes but given the expertise needed and the time involved it’s worth it especially if the person is good. And remember that this is their livliehood not just a hobby to bring in a little extra cash. Just my two cents!!
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s about what I was thinking. I have no problem paying someone directly for their work if it is something I know I am going to cherish. It’s the mark up stores charge that makes me roll my eyes. Knowing that I am directly paying the person who made {reupholstered} the item personally, would make a huge difference to me and I LOVE seeking out those with the talent who can earn a living doing something they enjoy.
It’s kind of like buying cheese from the guy who makes the cheese, and being able to look around his shop with his one tiny vat, knowing that he buys the milk to make his cheese from the farm down the road. He monitors the cheese, he wraps the cheese and he ships the cheese off to people who really appreciate his work. I love that. I also love that my dollars are going towards paying his light bill instead of to some giant corporation.
I know every purchase in life can’t be like that {unless we all want to become Amish and buy from each other} but what a cool world it would be if we did.
E in Upstate NY says
And to add to your furniture decision, if the bones are good, why not a slip cover? Turn around time for making them as compared to re-upholstering, is shorter, and you can easily change the “look” of a room with them.
Had a good friend that slip covered her furniture for the summer, then took them off for the winter. She figured that she saved/preserved her furniture from the summer wear of dirt from her kids and hubby.
Like finding a good upholsterer, do your due diligence to find someone who knows what they are doing.
Jennifer says
I live in NE Ohio and it is SO HARD to get enough steps in during the winter. Especially when I don’t have to work. Going the 1 mile loop in my neighborhood is about all I can handle of the cold, snow and ice. And that doesn’t get me anywhere near the 10,000 mark that is the goal that someone made up as a way to stay healthy. I would have to drive 30 minutes to get to a mall. Some days I just run up and down the stairs. I get steps, stairs and it warms me up. Good luck at losing muffy. I have my own muffin top I am trying to get rid of. And yeah – it is no different either.
Kara says
https://www.hometalk.com/30357555/painted-wing-back-ch?expand_all_questions=1
Maybe worth a try if you can get one cheap enough!
Mel W. says
I saw someone paint a wing back chair on the Great Interior Design Challenge on Netflix, and it looked pretty cool! It looked like leather when it was done. I never thought about painting fabric, but apparently you can. Also, check out that show on Netflix, it’s British and so fun. They have amateur designers compete to see who can make and execute the best design in various kinds of homes. It’s fun to see the designs and the different kinds of houses in Britian. There is so much more historical architecture there than here in the states.
Also, I cannot wait to read that Marilla book. I love seeing what you’re reading or wanting to read, Mavis.
Rebecca in MD says
Don’t know if you would be willing to travel this far, but I highly recommend the Philadelphia Flower Show.
https://theflowershow.com/
Kate says
I’ve heard that is a great event as well. I’ve never gone, but know several people who have.
Candice says
I live in the northeast and I was really disappointed in the Philedelphia Garden Showwhen I went a few years ago. I belong to a local garden club and all the members raved about the wonderful Philadelphia Garden Show. It was overpriced and left me wanting more. There really was only one large display I liked out of the whole show. Sorry ladies-just my opinion.
Jennifer says
Carnegie’s Maid was a great read for me. Before We Were Yours will break your heart, but I loved it. I’m not sure if you read on a Kindle or other device, but I go to our online library site and go through the “new additions” or even the fiction section. I can put books that look remotely interesting on a “wish list”. Right now, I have 118 books on that list and 16 are available right now. That way, I can always have access to a book I want to read right now and when the ones that have too many people on the list aren’t available, they are on my list when it gets close.
I can only put 5 on hold on the online library, but 20 on my local library. In fact, I have 3 to pick up and still have 12 on hold. Plus, I can only read large print, so that adds another wrinkle. No worries, last year I read 124 books.
Now, if I could turn this into a side hustle, I would have it made!
Emily B. says
Carnegie’s Maid is a good listen. If you haven’t already listened I highly recommend America’s First Daughter and Last Days of Night.
Sue R. says
I recently listened to David McCullough’s “The Wright Brothers” and thoroughly enjoyed it! (My husband probably felt like he listened to it also because I told him so much about it 🙂
Nancy D says
Could having your own personal live-in chef/baker effect Muffy’s demise?
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha. Maybe. 😉
Mama Cook says
Would it lose the look your going for to make slip covers for any wingback chairs? It’s abount an 8 hour sewing project (if you’re a beginning sewer), and they can be pulled off and thrown in he wash!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. A slip cover would totally change the look.
Chris says
Consider a class at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
suzanne says
I agree with the other commenters about reupholstery or slipcovers. It’s not as hard as you would think. You can work on it for a few hours a day and be done in a week or two. Get a chair that doesn’t need new springs and pick a fabric that doesn’t need pattern matching. Look at some youtube tutes. There are some awesome ones for everything…..free. People are amazingly generous with their knowledge.
Susan says
I would keep the pegboard in the potting shed. It’s super useful. I had my husband make new a nice one for my sewing room. Just paint it a pretty color and it’ll really dress up your wall when you hang all your tools.
Christa Hayden says
Love those garden markers! So cute
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you! I’m working on a few more for my garden. 🙂 They’re fun to make.
Christa Hayden says
Week 5 of 52- Feb 3rd
1. Establish our farm- just did first of final walk-through with the builder this morning, lights are done, wood floors got their final coat, faucets/sinks are in, needs paint touch-ups inside and out, the movers come on the 10th, been packing
2. Decide upon side hustles for farm money- bought canvases and ready to paint once we move; other than flowers I am thinking of what I would like to paint to sell that I would enjoy rather than thinking what do other people want to buy. I want to enjoy painting the subject matter and figure someone will end up liking it even if it takes some time.
3. Build a chicken coop- doubt this will happen this year now
4. Establish my bee/butterfly garden- thinking of how to put in walk ways and where to put bushes vs. plants
5. Plan the fruit/vegetable/herb garden- electric and water were completed this week for both gardens; don’t think there will be any money for fences at this point
6. Grow broomcorn and mammoth sunflowers- hopefully
7. Create a bee lawn on the west side of the house- 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- plastic bin order is in and needs to be picked up
17. Organize art supplies/paint glass jar lids- everything is packed and ready to 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- after we move
23. Make at least three paintings- after we move
24. Find furniture for the screened porch- after we move
25. Get my Instagram up and running again- just got a new phone battery so this will happen after we move
Pj says
How many watering cans are needed in the potting shed? I had to laugh — thought you started a new collection! Since you missed a date, maybe when the weather is better, you can plan a date someplace farther away and spend the night, accounting for two dates in one.
LaToya says
Hey Hey – thanks for the shoutout!
I made it to 15.5 pounds.
But today is the Super Bowl + I just bought bunches of Valentine candy to package up for the fam, so this week might be a challenge; those Peppermint Patties hearts are irresistible!!
Those hearts on your ETSY site and the garden markers are super cute!
Mavis Butterfield says
Those milk chocolate Dove chocolates are my weakness. And lemon tarts. 15.5! You are doing awesome LaToya!
Linda Sand says
Our daughter gave me some Yak Trax similar to your photos. They work surprisingly well.
Connie says
I love your Garden Markers. They are very nice!
Julia Park Tracey says
A couple of things —
1. You inspire me every week to try hard on my goals. So far I have visited 2 out of 12 new bakeries, and I planted one of my fruit trees that had been living in limbo all year in a pot. I look forward to Sundays when you update your goals.
2. I signed up to do a St. Patrick’s Day 5K. It was $35 to register; the funds support local kids camps. I have never run *anything* in my life so I will have to start moving my booty in the next week, at least jogging/walking to get up to 5K in six weeks! This is all your fault!! The muffin top is on a countdown now.
3. If the shape of the wing back chair is right, would you consider throwing a quilt over it? Tucking in at all the corners and pinning in place? We have a couple of varieties of that kind of “slip cover”. The other is a chair with two cushions — seat and back, and I was able to buy two vintage French grain sacks and just stuff the cushions in like a pillowcase, and voila! New chair! Especially if you can find an unfinished quilt top somewhere, without the batting and backing, you could throw it over the wingback and pin it with T-pins or tack with decorative nailheads (cheap at the hardware store and super cute for many things besides upholstery). That would get a chair into play until you find the perfect one or can afford a new piece/reupholstered piece.
4. I read Lisa Wingate’s :When We Were Yours” and it is a really good one — mystery, suspense, long-lost children….loved it.
My only negative comment is please, fewer “special buys” would be nice. A lot of the items might be cheap but they are not good for the planet (plastic tampons, individually wrapped servings, etc. are especially toxic for the environment.) Just my 2 cents.
Rebecca in MD says
I love your suggestions for covering the wing back chair without reupholstering and using T-pins. Great idea!
Lisa says
I think the Maine Flower Show in Portland is amazing. I goalmost every year, but I’ve never been to another state’s show, so not sure how it compares.
You are so inspiring!
linda says
I was going to suggest a slipcover, too. I had someone make a slipcover for an old couch years ago, and the washability was wonderful! I’m not talking one of those you buy at the store- this was custom fitted, using Waverly fabric, and looked like upholstery. Plus for some strange reason, it was less expensive than upholstering.
I’ve used those slip-on tracks for walking across icy parking lots, etc. I have serious back issues and a fall would NOT be a minor thing. I keep mine in the glove compartment of my car. I have a pair in the house, too, just in case.
Love the pink “sunflowers.”
Andrea says
I have not lost any weight either. This past week was so cold I spent my energy taking care of my animals after work and then eating supper and going to bed. I usually walk more at work but didn’t because it was so cold. I didn’t even use the eliptical in my living room. That should change this week. It’s supposed to be nice here in Ohio and I spent most of today outside working in the yard so hopefully it will spur me on for the rest of the week.
Torry says
1. Sew: met this goal again this week. I have made 85 Barbie gown, out of the 100 that is my goal.
2. Use up my fabric stash, I’ve pulled some more fabric to make gifts for Christmas. Also, I’ve cut out bibs for shower gifts. (A friend is expecting a girl, so I can use up some more flannel!)
3. Find and finish half done projects: located the aprons I cut out before I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I am not working this week, so I will get them sewn this week.
4. Walk every day: I have either walked or done my physical therapy exercises every day this week.
5. Make 52 new recipes this year. Nope, again this week. Sigh.
6. Clean more often. I am keeping this goal!
7. Husband date night. Done this week!
8. Read more: I read 3 books this week, one non-fiction and 2 fiction. Also went through 1 cookbook and several magazines.
9. Think about retiring. I have decided to work one more year.
Christa Hayden says
High Five Torry! Wow- 85 barbie gowns!! Awesome. Sorry to hear about your cancer. Hope you are ok and healing.
Melissa says
I’m guessing close to $1,000 on the reupholstering of the chair. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, so I think it can be worth the cost. I had a pair of chairs recovered that were in the family for about 50 yrs. They are still my favorite chairs to sit in. Unfortunately, I chose an fabric that was graded “outdoor” & it hasn’t worn as well as I expected it would. So choose your fabric carefully.
Candie C says
You can find lovely slipcovers at reasonable prices in practically any pattern or solid colour you fancy. Bonus, they can be taken off and put in washer or switch out for a quick update or seasonal change. I have two wing chairs and do this…unless you Want to spend an arm and leg having them reupholstered. .
Mrs. C. says
I have a lot of goals that fall under one, overarching master goal: PUT MY LIFE IN ORDER.
This includes things like exercise, use up what is in my pantry and freezers, prune all trees and shrubs, clean out every closet, etc. a lot of stuff to do.
Deb Todi says
Mavis, If you find aa chair in the shape you want, grab it and upholster it yourself, it is sew simple to do. and takes no time at all. And quite cheap to do yourself. So far I haven’t seen anything you can’t do when you put your mind to it. The whole process is you take the pieces off cut generously using the old piece as a pattern and staple back on in reverse, checking the stuffing to see if replacing or usable very simple. I have done a couch , and 4 living room chairs, plus dining room chair seats. I have no formal training except a few YT videos some are great others to complicated by pro to make it look harder than it is, so girl get out there and grab a chair and learn something new. The hardest part is picking fabric.. The only sewing you will need to do is the seat cover. A wing back takes 2 days at the most, most of that is getting the fabric off. Plus we would love to see you doing it, here y encouraging us to try new things. Your great and I always look forward to you in my inbox. Deb
D.G. Reid says
The CT Flower show isn’t bad but I’m not sure if it’s worth traveling from out of state. There are usually about a half dozen landscape displays, lots of lectures and a whole lot of vendors for shopping opportunities. It’s only 45 minutes away from me so it’s good to go after a long winter and smell fresh dirt.
Jennifer says
I had two overstuffed “club chairs” reupholstered and I got three estimates. Bottom line: it costs as much/more to reupholster as it does to buy new. It was over $800 a chair for some decent/not special fabric (included new bottom cushions with piping, and the whole chair is fabric. Lots). That said, i can afford it and was happy to extend the life of our chairs instead of sending perfectly useable chairs to the dump or Craig’s list. All for our daughter when she got her first place.