Online Things
It was another good week in the “online things” department.
I finished my pod of black whales rug, uploaded some new videos to my Etsy shop and didn’t go down any rabbit holes on the internet.
I’d say I’m also rockin’ it in the “not picking up my phone so much” category as well. These days I’m mostly using it to edit photos and to check emails throughout the day.
Online Goals for 2025
- Reach 20,000 sales in Etsy shop MavisButterfield {I’m currently at 18,721}
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 31st{DONE!}- Create 4 new patterns/kits {2 completed so far; Great Black Whale Rug and Pod of Black Whales
- Take all new pictures + videos for Etsy shop {in progress}
Get as much as humanly possible done online January – March of this year.- Stop picking up my phone so much {Doing great with this!}
- Spend less than 3 hours a day online {Yep!}
- Tidy up the back end of the blog
House Things
Yesterday I finally painted the bathroom wall with all the pipes on it not once, but twice. And let me tell you… It was NOT fun. Not fun at all.
But it’s done!! Today I’ll paint the trim and ceiling and then tomorrow the HH can hang up the mirror and framed print.
Next up in that space will be to repaint the door a blue chalk paint type color. We still have not come up with a good solution to the mechanical space.
It’s a super awkward space and the best solution may be just to leave it as it is.
Adding something else to the space {to block it off} would just make the whole area seem smaller and would only draw more attention to it. We’ll see.
- Paint The Inside Of The House {including closets!}
- Paint The Interior Window Trim
- Remodel Bathroom #1
- Freshen up Bathroom #2
- Put Stuff On The Walls
- Work on “new” Kitchen Game Plan
Garden Things
Yesterday it snowed!! Luckily it didn’t stay around for long and the bulbs didn’t seem to mind.
The good news is, gardening season {for us} will start next week! Temps will be in the 50’s and that means it will be decent enough to get going on the side yard.
I’m super excited about it. The HH, not so much. HA HA HA.
Garden Goals
- Grow 365 pounds of food in my teeny tiny backyard.
- Install a side yard {flower} garden
- Make a Potting Bench
- Make a Garden Cart to sell flowers/veggies out front
Kitchen Things
We ate food, but that’s about all we did in the kitchen this past week.
I plan on trying a recipe {or two?} from The Kitten and The Bear this week and plotting out the new jam recipes I want to try this year.
- Try 12 new recipes {3 down, 9 to go}
- Fill the canning cupboard
New Recipes I’ve Shared This Year
- Double Chocolate Rye Cookies
- Velveeta Zesty Chili Dip
- Haddock and Corn Chowder
- The Best Way To Freeze Avocados
- Freezing Refried Beans
Travel Things
Talks have begun on the HH’s vacation and so I’m pretty excited about that. 🙂
- Explore more of the great state of Maine
- Go on a painting holiday
- Québec City {Accommodations and 1 tour booked!}
- Travel Overseas {All accommodations are booked!}
- Send the HH on a vacation
Marriage Things
I wanted to go see The Ballad of Wallis Island this weekend but decided to stay home and paint the bathroom instead. Hopefully we can go see the movie this week.
We did go on a bunch of walks though and I suggested we need to go back to Becky’s Diner for breakfast again. I told the HH I need to order the fruit bowl just to see what’s in it and find out WHY it can’t be served after 2 pm.
- Keep my husband busy
- Date days
- Walk more
Secret Projects
Nothing new to report on the secret projects. But I am, for sure, like totally, going to secret project #1 though this week. I’ve got a plan in place and I’m ready to begin!
How about YOU!? How are YOUR goals coming along?
~Mavis
- Secret Project #1 {Hoping to reveal by
AprilMay 30th} - Secret Project #2 {Hoping to reveal towards the end of the year}
J in OH-IO says
Hooray, the painting behind the pipes is done! Mavis, Way to go! Yes, you should totally celebrate by going back to Becky’s Diner and find out about the fruit bowl not being served after 2! Curious minds want to know! HA!HA!
Pam says
Mavis, why not form a rod from pvc pipe hung from the ceiling to hold a curtain to hide the pipes. It could be light airy fabric, easier on the eyes.
Mavis Butterfield says
It wouldn’t work. The curtain would make the opening to the bathroom smaller and more awkward. You can see the green box {on the wall} when you are standing in front of the door. So to hide that, you would be blocking part of the entrance to the bathroom. The pipes stick out at a weird angle and run floor to ceiling, maybe it’s hard to see that in the photo.
KC says
How hot do the pipes get? Wondering if a vine (or fake vine) could work with the copper… but it’d need to not burn or melt!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hot water runs through the the pies, so they can get hot. They would kill a live vine and I don’t think plastic vines {Do I sound grumpy today? I feel grumpy}.
Claire says
What about clothes airer is some sort, or towel warmer
Annette says
If you are looking for a good movie to watch, I recommend “One Life” with Anthony Hopkins (2023). I borrowed it from my library.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Anette, I added it to my list.
Nancy says
Seeing this pic again of your mechanical area and I think it looks interesting and kind of cool! Can’t remember if leaving it open is an option. I bet that was tricky to paint around!
Vivian says
Do you have an accent color you are using in that room? Could you paint the pipes in the accent color? Since they are not going anywhere, might as well make it quirky!
Mavis Butterfield says
Nope. Just white walls. 🙂
Sue says
I wonder if the pipes could be painted to look like something humorous — an octopus? A gerbil tunnel maze? A pipe organ? Pac-Man? Just something to make you smile when you see it rather than just the industrial look.
sandy says
This may be way over the top-but is there anyway that the entrance to the bathroom can be moved? I would love to know what the previous owners were thinking-did they have a plan to move them later? Was this an afterthought bathroom? Like in knitting-an afterthought heel. Such a mystery. Lean into it-it’s a mystery for each guest to figure out…
Mavis Butterfield says
Nothing can be moved. 🙂 A teeny tiny pantry {maybe 12 inches wide? is on the other side of the water heater.} We have zero interest in moving ALL the pipes/plumbing/water heater and ripping out/redesigning the kitchen for this. From a design standpoint, if all the mechanical stuff would have been moved to the right 12″ when they built the house, this wouldn’t be an issue.
But what do I know, I’m just a girl standing in front of a bathroom door and seeing how I would have designed something.
Gigi says
The copper piping looks well done. What if you just change the tags out to something classier? Copper tags?
Mrs. M says
I like the idea of leaving it open. It’s interesting to look at… what else is there to do while on the throne!?
The copper is pretty, the tank is like an accent color abd I like the idea of making cute tags to read while visiting the room.