Online Things
I am still laser focused on all things rug hooking and working towards having all my patterns, kits and wool in stock and ready to ship for the year by the end of March.
In my down time, if you can call it that š Iāve managed to hook a few smaller rugs that Iām working on turning into pillows. Iāve also hooked about 10% of the new pattern Iām working on {a giant whale} and Iām hoping to have that finished by the end of February.
Winter here in Maine is CRAZY cold {especially when the wind is blowing} so staying inside and getting the bulk of my wool work done so I can be outside and play the rest of the year is a pretty solid plan if you ask me.
Iāve also been really good at staying offline and not picking up my phone too much. I hope that continues!
- Reach 20,000 sales in Etsy shop MavisButterfield {Iām currently at 18,114}
- In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 31st
- Create 4 new patterns/kits
- Take all new pictures + videos for Etsy shop
- Get as much as humanly possible done online January – March of this year.
- Stop picking up my phone so much {I’m doing great with this!!}
- Spend less than 3 hours a day online {And this too!!}
- Tidy up the back end of the blog
House Things
While we still havenāt settled on a solution for the mechanical area in the downstairs half bath, the new lighting, t.p. holder, towel ring and shelf for the wall have arrived.
We are still on the hunt for a mirror but The HH took the fixtures down and prepped the walls so it looks like Iāll be painting the walls in the next few days. I LOVE PAINTING!! š
I think the theme might be light, bright and white with a sailorās theme. Hey, maybe a porthole mirror would be cool in there? Hmmm.
- 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
With snow on the ground and more on the way, not much in the way of gardening is happening around here. However, I finally got all my seed packets sorted.
My goal for this year’s gardening season is to not only get a flower garden installed on the side of the house, but also to grow 365 pounds of vegetables.
I was hoping to not have to buy any new seeds and just use the ones I have, but I think Iāll need to get one more cherry tomato variety.
In the past Iāve grown Sun Golds, but the past few years they havenāt been very good so I think Iāll pass on those this year. Do you have a favorite cherry tomato variety? Iād love to try something new.
- 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
I was hoping to try a new scone recipe this past week but was so busy with wool stuff that I didnāt get the chance. Thank goodness for frozen foods and ready made meals!!
P.S. I am still in love with that copper mixer I spotted at Fortnum and Mason. Williams Sonoma sells it, maybe it will go on sale?
- Try 12 new recipes
- Fill the canning cupboard
Travel Things
I went and got my passport photo taken and HOLY COW MAN it is the worst photo Iāve ever taken in my life. I look like Iām about 80 in it. Itās so bad, itās funny.
I asked my husband if I really looked like that and he was kind enough to say it was the lighting. Wowza. Iām still laughing about it.
- Explore more of the great state of Maine
- Go on a painting holiday
- QuƩbec City
- Travel Overseas
- Send the HH on a vacation
Marriage Things
We went out for a date day this past week and weāre planning on going for a walk down at the beach but even with the sun shining it was still too cold.
Some days with sun out going for a walk is manageable, but other days, forget about it. The HH says he now understands why people āwinterā in warmer climates. I told him I think weāre getting old.
- Keep my husband busy
- Date days
- Walk more
Secret Projects
Absolutely no movement whatsoever on my secret goals . It will happen though. I just have to get the wool and bathrooms out of the way before I can get started.
How about YOU? Did you make any progress on your goals for 2025 this past week? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
- Secret Project #1 {Hoping to reveal by April 30th}
- Secret Project #2 {Hoping to reveal towards the end of the year}
Mary says
If you plan on traveling to the UK again this year, you now have to have an ETA added to your passport. Thereās an app for that.
Teri says
Love that shelf! Where is it from? Love the kitchen aid mixer too!
Mavis Butterfield says
Pottery Barn.
Sue says
WS also separately sells just the hammered copper mixing bowl for the 5-qt Artisan. The bowl is not available on the KitchenAid site, which I find odd. Maybe F-M and WS have exclusive rights to that design? Myself, I have always wanted the quilted SS bowl that always seems to be out of stock. Sigh.
I keep hearing about Black Krim tomatoes–what’s appealing about them?
Has anyone tried to grow daylilies from collected seed? If so, any tips?
Mavis Butterfield says
WS sells a few Fortnum and Mason items so maybe so.
Nance says
Always plant Sweet 100 and Artisan Bumble Bee for Cherry Tomatoes. They both produce well and have good flavor.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love the bumble bee tomatoes. They are so pretty and tasty too.
Barbara says
We only grow sweet or super sweet (more disease resistant) 100ās. Amazing yield and a long season. They are delicious! Iām in MN where length of season matters a lot sometimes.
Mel says
It was another rough week for goals for me, so I am again trying to get back on track. I think this week might be a little calmer.
Mel says
Forgot to add that white currant from Baker Creek is our hands down favorite cherry tomato. Super sweet and produces easily 1000 tomatoes a year for us. They have delicate skin, so it’s easier to cut a whole truss than pick individually, but the plants are absolute production machines.
Mavis Butterfield says
Maybe that would be a good one for us. I am hoping to grow some extra tomatoes for the “vegetable stand”.
Andrea says
Several of the garden bloggers I follow have raved about Brad’s Atomic Grape (so cherry-ish I guess). It’s from Baker Creek. This is my first year growing tomatoes, so I’m taking any and all advice. I think I’ll be giving it a try!
Tracy says
Yessss, grape tomotoes since you’re up for a change. We grow these exclusively and skip cherry tomatoes all together. Super sweet! Not only are they wonderful by the handful & on salads, but they are amazing on presto bruchetta pizza…yum!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Andrea!
Pam says
Try growing super sweet 100s. They are delicious. We can’t grow larger tomatoes in our climate (even in a greenhouse), so having something great to eat, that is also a consistent easy grow every year is nice to look forward to. It makes it harder to go back to store bought tomatoes when the growing season is over though!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Pam I am going to check them out.
Annette says
How do you tolerate paint fumes when it’s too cold to open windows for fresh air?
Mavis Butterfield says
I still open the windows when I paint and use a fan.
suzanne says
We are “those people”. We just bought a condo on Caye Caulker Belize. It unfortunately impacts my seed sowing/gardening schedule but the HH is a very happy guy.
Paula says
I took a macrame class this week. I’m trying out various arts and crafts. It was fun. I finished my annual review of important documents. I keep everything in a binder and review once a year. Local travel: My husband and I had a 2 night stay at an inn about an hour from our house. It has been written up in many vacation articles and had great reviews on Trip Advisor. We had to leave after one night. My husband is sensitive to mold and mildew. He got very sick. They still charged us for the additional night. I was hoping that they would split the difference. But, no! I won’t book any more “cozy” inns. January is also my declutter the house month. I am still working my way through the house. I don’t have too much clutter. It’s mostly organizing and cleaning. I will need to continue into February to complete the job.
Dot says
How and where do you do all of your dying? Have you made any type of rug pattern of lobsters?
Mavis Butterfield says
I have a set up here at the house. No, no lobsters yet. Hopefully this year though.
Tonya says
Grow sun sugars, similar to sun gold, but SO PROLIFIC! They ripen early, and last late into season. I make orange sauce from them.
Laura says
The Artisan Bumble Bee Blend is a delicious and beautiful cherry tomato. My son and I love growing them and everyone that tastes them, loves to eat them. You have a picture of the packet.
Kim says
Another vote for Sweet 100’s. Great flavor, great producers, and they don’t have a delicate skin so when you pick them, they last for a while on the counter. We moved our garden area last year and these did so well, that we ended up taking buckets of them to our local food pantry.
sandy says
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/123203?page=womens-signature-cotton-fisherman-button-front-short-cardigan-sweater-fair-isle-misses-regular&bc=12-27-611&feat=611-GN3&csp=a&attrValue_0=49767&pos=22
You must have this sweater. Since you are close enough to the LL Bean outlet-you must look for this sweater on sale. It has your name written all over it
Mavis Butterfield says
Love it!!