photo credit: instagram.com/ouroldmanse
Here’s my big list of things I want to accomplish in 2022:
Remodel The Kitchen
See that skinny corner cabinet? The one to the left of the blue cupboard? Would you rather have it as it is, or 3 long skinny pull out drawers? We are going to have 2 {16″ wide} cabinets like that {on each side of the lower cabinets} and I’m trying to decide what to do with them.
Since the AGA stove we’re getting does not accommodate the full size cookie sheet pans we have now, I don’t know what I would store in them if they were left as cupboards. Help!
Also, how cool would it be to have a blue pantry to match the blue stove? š
Sell Enough Rugs to Buy an AGA Stove {$9,938.20 of $22,000 earned so far}
I didn’t sell any of my new hooked rug pieces this past week to add to my AGA total but I will be listing a bunch of rugs on Saturday, April 2nd so hopefully I’ll be close to the halfway point soon.
Fill the Canning Cupboard {This is where the canning cupboard will go}
My new canning cupboard finally arrived!!! Now the hard part… waiting for fresh, local produce {either store bought or home grown} to fill it.
Jams I’ve made to fill my canning cupboard so far: Ginger Pear Jam and Spiced Christmas Jam.
Earn Enough Money Selling {?????} To Pay For Our 2022 Grocery Tab By The End Of The Year.
I’ll be doing a bit of a beachy theme with my Etsy offerings next weekend and so I’ve been busy putting together a few boxes of my beach finds. š I’m excited to see if they sell.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables.
Lots of green beans this week!
Keep The Crafts… In The Craft Room.
Not a problem. š This week we’ll be removing the upper cabinets in the kitchen so I can paint the ceiling.
Tap Our 2 Maple Trees and Make Maple Syrup
We were able to collect another 1/1 gallon of sap yesterday. There are a few more “ideal” sap collecting days coming up but I think after that, we’ll have to remove the taps and gear up for a boiling session.
Make a Quilt Top
I made absoultly zero progress on my quilt top this past week. š
Be More Intentional With My Time
I make a “to-do” list every day and did a great job on staying on top of things this week.
1 Craft / Blog Free Day So far I’m 9 for 11 this year.
I was able to log off and unplug early yesterday and we even took Lucy out for a nice long walk. I have about 5 more full days of dyeing wool, but after that, I should have enough wool bundles to get my little Etsy shop though the spring which means I’ll be able to devote my days to gardening instead of wool. Wahooo!
Keep My Husband Busy
He should have been an electrician. š
Electrician #1 – Out of town until May but said it might be a bad neutral.
Electrician #2 – Been an electrician for 20 years and never heard of anything like what my husband described. Suggested we call the power company to make sure there wasn’t a problem with the lines {which we did}. The HH tried calling him back 2 more times and he never returned his calls.
Electrician #3 – Called, left message describing the problem, no call back. Called a second time the next day, talked to him briefly and the electrician said he would call him back. {The HH waited a few hours and then moved on}.
Electrician #4 – I’m in the area and I’ll be there as soon as I can. 2 hours later Electrician shows up and says yep, whoever installed the generator hooked up the neutral incorrectly {so that will need to be replaced} and 2 breakers are blown {and need to be replaced}. And yep, the garage openers {which were installed in the 80’s} are fried. You’ll need new ones.
Well then! At least we FINALLY have some answers and electrician #4 will be out Monday or Tuesday to do the repairs.
I have just added install new garage openers to the HH’s honey do list. š
The HH’s Honey Do List {so far} for 2022
- Take over cooking {I’ll still do the baking and canning}
- Cut down the cluster of trees in the backyard
- Build a new set of stairs down to the water.
- Fill the field {with soil}
- Remodel 1 bathroom
Replace fireplace tile- Build window boxes for the front of the house
- Build an arbor for the wisteria
- Order 4 cords of firewood by the end of May and stack them in an artful way {like they did in the book Norwegian Wood}.
- Install new garage door openers
My House Projects For This Year {so far}
The only thing I am focused on right now is dyeing wool. After that, I’ll work on painting and helping the HH refinish the floors {but I have to get the ceiling painted first before we can do the floors}.
- Finish painting the outside of the house
- Finish painting the inside of the house
- Make something to hang above our new console table
- Make it look like people actually live here HA HA HA
- New window treatment for the kitchen window
Try 24 New Recipes {8 down, 16 to go}
I didn’t make any new recipes this past week, but I did make another loaf of Dutch oven cinnamon raisin bread.
So far this year I have shared the following recipes:
- Hash Brown Waffles with Bacon and Cheese
- Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuits
- Apple Cinnamon Granola
- Mrs. C’s Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Ginger Pear Jam
- Lentils with Carrots and Thyme
- Dutch Oven Cinnamon Raisin Bread
- Dutch Oven Olive and Rosemary Bread
Listen to 12 Audiobooks
I finished The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan last night and it was fantastic!
Audiobooks I’ve listened to this year:
- Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton 10/10
- Salt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys 10/10.
- No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality by Michael J. Fox 10/10
- Night Road by Kristen Hannah on Audiobook. 9/10.
- Mill Town by Kerri Arsenault. Interesting. 8/10.
- The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan 10/10.
Get a Fishing License and Catch a Fish
The HH is in charge of procuring all the fishing gear. So you know, there’s lot’s of research to be done first. š
I currently have onions, pink celery and artichokes in my little Jiffy greenhouse and set up in the dining room. Later this week I’ll start my peppers and few other seeds.
Also, I think I am going to get serious about growing beans this year. Dried beans that is. I just need to figure out exactly how many I should plant.
My List of Garden Projects For This Year I want to Accomplish
- Map out this year’s garden by April 1st {I better get crackin’ on this one!}
- Plant apple or pear trees
- Plant raspberry and blueberry bushes – raspberry canes have been ordered–
- Plant asparagus and rhubarb – ordered –
- Grow 500 pounds of food
- Expand the lasagna garden
- Finish clearing the front of the property
- Get some garden pots for the front an back patio/porches
Create 12 New Rug Hooking Patterns and/or Kits {10 out of 12 finished so far}
I should have 4 new designs ready for my next Etsy update on April 2nd which will bring me to a total of 14 new patterns for the year! š Plus, I have loads of other new ones I want to hook as well. Who knows… maybe I’ll be able to double, or even triple my inital goal number this year.
- Chicks and Flowers
- Scrappy Chicken
- Easter Egger Chicken
- Spring Arrives on Widsbee Farm
- Folk Art Chicken
- Valentine Kisses
- 1736 Tulips
- Large Valentine Heart Runner
- Antique Flower Basket
- Love Grows Fraktur Bird
Have All My 2022 Ornaments Finished by April 1st.
I’m still working on garden markers which means I don’t think I’ll be adding any more new ornaments to my collection this year. Which is fine by me as they are tremendously time consuming and truly, I’d rather be working on other projects this year instead.
52 Walks {We’ve gone on 4 of 52 so far}
The HH and I went on 2 walks this past week {the Rockland breakwater and with Lucy around our neighborhood}. I didn’t find any Fireball on our second walk but I did find a Menthol Mint liquor bottle. GAG!!!
So would that be like a little nip of minty Nyquil? Gross. Why can’t I ever find something good… like sealed boxes of tea!? š
Visit 12 Towns in Maine That I Haven’t Been to Before
So far we have visited the town of Hope, Maine and checked out the General Store there. š
How about YOU? How did you do with working towards your goals for 2022?
~Mavis
Jeanie says
Iām so jealous of the Ava stove! Always wanted one since using them when we were in the UK. Could the cookie sheets go in the skinny cabinet? I have one like that and keep sheet pans and cooling racks in it. If that wonāt work, I think I would prefer drawers.
Mel says
I think I would say drawers for the narrow cabinet. That would be a good place for things like plastic wrap and foil, rolling pins, dish towels, awkward items that tend to jam other drawers (like cookie cutters), etc. If you really don’t want drawers though, it might be a good place to store larger things like cutting boards and cooling racks, even if you won’t be using full-sized pans. And good grief about the electric!
I had another big week on nursery progress. I finished the bathroom (towel hooks, pictures, shelf, towel bar, wall decals, etc.). I eventually need to swap out the shower sprayer in there, but it’s otherwise done. I also cut and pinned fabric for a baby blanket (I have two super simple ones planned), and we finally got rid of the queen-sized bed that was in the nursery, so I can start assembling other furniture and decorating.
Mavis Butterfield says
Congrats on finally getting rid of that bed!!! My goodness, that took a while.
Mel says
I know! It took weeks of coordination, a two-hour round trip in the car, and a trip to the DMV. I’m so glad it’s out of my way now.
Jamie says
The blue oven is going to be lovely! The electrical stuff sounds frustrating and similar to what we have dealt with regarding contractors responding calls. It took us 5 months last years to get a quote, order, delivery, installation, and inspection completed on a new electrical box for the house because of stuff like this. The electricians (when we could get one on the phone) kept telling us they were just really busy because everyone was wanting to do home remodeling projects during the pandemic, and their just weren’t enough trades folks around to meet the demand. He told me (and we ended up doing this) that I should sign up for a basic electrical course at the community college and get trained/certified so I could do the little things around the house myself and only relay on the electricians for the big projects.
Regarding beans – I recently talked to our extension agent about yields on beans as we are growing them in our garden again this year (one whole side of our garden is dedicated to peas and beans). She said that you get 1/2 lb of beans per bush and about twice that for pole beans if trellised correctly/high enough. I am doing both this year and trying for both a spring and fall harvest.
Gigi says
I love that electrical advice of take a class.
Lynne says
When I saw that narrow cabinet, I immediately thought of cookie sheets, baking pans, and the like. What a surprise that your AGA won’t accommodate large pans! It might still make sense to keep one long narrow cabinet for serving pieces, platters or trays – anything awkwardly long, depending on what kind of space for that sort of thing you have elsewhere. Otherwise, the beauty of a custom build is you can go with drawers if that makes more sense. It all looks awesome and I can’t wait to see how it progresses.
I’m glad that your electric problem has been diagnosed and will be addressed soon. Would you please tell us what the generator is about? Are you not directly “on the grid” there?
Cindy Miller says
Finding plumbers, electricians and such can be extremely frustrating as I found out when we started thinking of building our house. They don’t return calls. Isn’t a return call just proper? Are they so jammed up they don’t want/need the work? I am glad to hear someone finally responded. I am also glad nothing caught on fire. (scary).
I finished a no sew fleece blanket for my son for Christmas last night. Today I am making strawberry rhubarb crisp. This is mind you, in between puppy watch and multiple potty trips. Enjoy the sunshine! š
Erin says
As a contractor’s wife, if we returned every call he got he would get home and be on the phone another 2 hours and no one wants to hear “no, I can’t do the job.” There are no skilled workers and government has made it harder to hire employees.
Gigi says
I agree. I teach future electricians and many people donāt think about their future in two years with an AAS or as and apprentice. They want the $18/hour the warehouse job right now. I canāt get students and I have potential employers calling all the time.
Brianna says
I have had plenty of awkward narrow cabinets over the years and if there is any type of a shelf in them, then things get really dark inside the cabinet and shoved to the back and lost. I usually use them for cutting boards and cooling racks and beverage holders (reusable water bottles, thermos, hot coffee to go cups, etc.)I use one of those wine racks on its side and they stack nicely vertically. I try not to utilize the far depths and back of those cabinets because they are so narrow and hard to get stuff out if it gets too far back.
Elle says
I suggest 1 of each. Do a stack of 3 drawers for kitchen linens, cooking utensils and any zip bags, foil or wax paper you use. BBQ utensils fit nicely in these. I would do one as a cabinet. Put a shelf in halfway for your baking stuff and you’ll nicely fit everything into the space.
I look forward to seeing your garden progress this year š
Sue R. says
A friend gave me a package of those Royal Corona beans–they were delicious!! Do you know a source for seeds? Thanks.
Rhonda says
I have a narrow cabinet like that in my kitchen. I have a drawer that is the height of spice jars. I put circle labels on the jars and it is a very efficient way to store them and it is the easiest way I have been able to access spices. Underneath the spice drawer looks like a cookie sheet storage area, but it is a rolling unit attached to the door front with two shelves that store mugs and boxes of tea. It is a very unique use of space.
Kari says
I second the spice drawer idea!!!
Diane says
If the new stove wonāt accommodate cookie sheet pans, will it be a problem cooking a large turkey in a roasting pan? Something to think about.
Margo says
We finished reworking our neglected rose garden yesterday. Or so we thought. Had to replace 5 rose bushes. That rose garden has been on my list of goals for a long time. Shortly after we thought we were done, my husband looked over the tag of the beautiful bright pink rose we planted right in front. It was a climberā¦.the trellises are on the front of the house , not near the front of the garden. . We will now be removing an old, poor performing climber and will try to move the beautiful new beauty there. Note to self: read tag first before purchasing.
Linda says
We grow Lazy Housewife pole beans each year on trellises made from cattle panels. Three bean plants are planted on each side of the trellis. We dried 1 1/2 gallons of beans from 12 plants last year after enjoying the green beans early in the season. We learned the vines are more productive when not crowded.
tia in boise says
thank goodness for electrician #4
i would use the skinny cupboard for cookie sheets/cutting boards/cooling racks—which is what i have and do. i have no idea what i would put on 3 small shelves…
i CAN’T WAIT to see your beachy goods! (i would never buy/mail order them–but i’m curious to see what you’ve got…and even more curious to see if they sell and for what purpose–if you know–and for how much!)
Linda says
I hate to be a “Debbie Downer” , but I’d sure reconsider getting that Aga stove and if you decide you can’t live without it, I’d not get a color. We bought a dark green Viking stove a number of years ago and after about 5 years we got
VERY TIRED of the color and because we paid so much for it, could not justify changing it out. I would not paint cabinets the color of the stove either for the same reason. I would also not install those 2 narrow cabinets . Add that space to those large tall cabinets. Those cabinets must come in a somewhat wider size. Those cabinets offer a whole lot more space, esp if one could be wider. We opted out of having more top or bottom cabinets in favor of having more pantry type cabinets and have not regretted that one day since we’ve had them. Kitchens are tough and expensive, don’t settled for getting a couple cabinets you have no really good use for, do a redesign so ALL cabinets have an absolute good needed use for you.
Rachael says
I’m excited to see your kitchen remodel! What is you left that cabinet as pictured, but it’s actually 1 big pull out drawer? With shelves or dowels to store baking sheets or spices?
Deb says
I had one of those narrow cabinets and replaced it with drawers. Much, much better! It was too narrow for platters without chipping them and I have another spot for my precious airbake cookie sheets (to only be used for cookies in conjunction with silpats on pain of death). I keep dry measure stacking cups and spoons, cooking utensils and spatulas, etc. in them. I donāt keep foil in them because itās such a long box to haul out of the bottom drawer. Thatās where I keep odd things that I use but not oftenā¦a julienne tool, a silicone bouquet garnie, etc.
Sue D says
I have a cabinet/drawer combo, 16 inches, and whichever you decide to go with, they donāt hold much. I keep my small cooling racks, a pizza peel, and a couple of ss platters in the cabinet, and not much in the drawer as it isnāt very deep. Personally, Iād do 1 all drawers, and one combo. On the drawer one, I would have at least 1 deep drawer.
Becky Williams says
As far as the skinny cabinet is concerned, if you are concerned about your cookie sheets (and in my world, cookie sheets take priority over anything else) then I would have one long door and a pull out rack for storing those sheets.
My two cents on color, I think having the cabinets match the stove would sort of bland everything out. I mean, you are spending $20K for a stove, you want it to show up, right? They are too pretty to hide.
Onward.
Kippy says
Iāve seen slide out drawers used to store spice jars. The jars can be at a slight angle or on their side so it is easy to just look down instead of crouching to get to eye level to identify what spice or herb is in which bottle. One slide out drawer would be nice for long stuff like rolling pins,bbq tools and rasp type graters.
Dana Robinson says
You might want to keep your old stove and have the electrician run a wire for it down in the basement so you will still be able to cook turkeys and stuff when your family I’ll come home. Just ask a back up and you can do some canning in the basement in the summer when temps are hot. . as for the thin cabinet .. get one with drawers and one with out .. for cookie sheets and the miscellaneous items for the drawers..
Dianne says
Hi Lucy! Missed you yesterday! I would say; one each! You can put your cookie sheets etc in the cabinet and use the tiny drawers for either spices or small kitchen utensils.
Cari says
Use one of the skinny cabinets as a pull-out to store your baking sheets. The other can be either a pull-out for oils, vinegars etc. (divided into two shelves), or three long, thin, drawers of graduated depths, for tall utensils (bbq tongs etc.), spices, and larger things on the bottom like vinegar bottles and oil bottles.
Pam says
Just furnished our kitchen-exhausting took so long. We have 3 small & fall cabinets: one has dividers in it for sheet pans, trays cutting boards etc.. in the past Iāve even used it for extra long casserole dishes-the second is a roll out spice rack and the third is cool it has containers that you can drop knives into also a utensil holder, cutting board slots and and area to hold taller bottles-we use it for vinegar bottles
Hope that helps and thumbs up on stove & matching cabinet
Margaret says
I think you should stuff the skinny cabinet with treats for that cute little dog.
Loraine says
I would ditch the Aga (seriously, cookie sheets fitting is a must for an oven, full stop!) and spend the funds on redesigning the kitchen to eliminate the skinny cabinet and/or drawers. I love beautiful things, and the Aga is sublime, but in a kitchen functionality reigns supreme.
If you must choose between the two, a skinny drawer is almost useless, so go with the cabinet so that it doesn’t break up the visual space so much. You’ll lose storage with either option, so might as well keep it neat when it’s closed.
I’m about to call an electrician about a GFCI that keeps being triggered. Your story has prepared me for what I’m about to endure, so I’m bracing myself!
Gigi says
Seriously, replacing a gfci is a breeze. Watch you tube, and use your phone to take photos before unwiring. Itās three wires and youāll do fine. Thereās a Handy Women Facebook group that is awesome.
Mrs. M. says
I would have the skinny cabinets as one pull out drawer with 2 or three shelves. Maybe for spices, non-stick cooking spray, etc.
Patti says
You could use that skinny space as shelves for long, skinny baskets to keep onions, potatoes, etc. in or even utensils. I would not have the door or drawers as they may interfere with the cabinets on the other side and end up scratched. Otherwise, I vote drawers.
Nancy says
How about installing pull out pantry shelves in those narrow cabinets? Amazonās Rev-a-shelf page has many photos that might give you ideas.
Paris4Vr says
Hi. For the cabinet it depends on what you will use it for. I have one for cookie sheets with dividers and another one with pull out drawers. I suggest if possible to take a road trip with your husband and go to a display center where you can actually see how these cabinets look and function in real life. You will get a better appreciation of what you like and want. Also if at all possible please consider making the cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling. You gain space and do not have to tackle the dust up there. And you store stuff you donāt use often in the uppermost part. As for the AGA are you getting one that has the turn off function? Also will yours have an induction top? If you are getting a coloured AGA make that the star colour so it can shine on its own. Looking forward to the renovation.
Denise says
Someone educate me. What is so special about this stove? I had never heard of it before Mavis’ posts. For $22,000 it should run itself. I guess I just don’t get spending so much on a stove that cannot hold our conventional sized baking sheets/pans.
Randini says
we have a skinny cabinet as you described. It is on the end of the island nearest the stove. We use it for storing baking/cookie sheets and cutting boards. It is separated into thirds with thin wooden dividers which keep the pans from tipping over. Recommend.
Kristin says
Late to the party. Have them both look the same from the door front. One configured for cookie sheets one configured with shelves.