One Hundred Dollars a Month

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah Winfrey 

My goals for 2018

Goal #1 – Write Like No One is Reading.

“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~  Barbara Kingsolver

Goal #2 – Slow Down

Yesterday we lit the first fire in our new wood stove and I AM IN LOVE!!! I don’t know about you, but I adore wood burning fires {they’re so cozy!} and I’m so grateful we had one installed this summer and now we won’t have to worry about crazy high oil heating bills this winter. I am a little nervous that we might not have enough wood {4 1/2 cords} but the HH was pretty adamant that we had PLENTY OF WOOD so I guess we’ll find out.

Personally, I’d be happy with 10 cords, but wood guy and chimney guy both thought 4-5 cords would be adequate to get us through an average winter so I was totally outnumbered on the final decision. Whatever. Only time will tell.

Goal #3 – Shop Small

It was a GREAT week at the recycle center! Not only did I come home with 3 quart jars for next summer’s flower bouquets, but I also snagged a huge set of Lincoln Logs for my kiddie closet.  I LOVE classic {non commercial} toys and the Lincoln Logs will make a perfect addition to the train set, giant bin of Legos and Hot Wheels cars we have for little ones to keep themselves entertained when/if we happen to have a group event at our house.

I don’t know why, but it’s so hard to find toys and books these days without a Disney Channel, Super Hero, Barbie, or trendy million dollar movie tie in these days. I’m all for LESS plastic junkity junk {vacuum candy} and more simple, classic, use your imagination creative play type stuff. I mean c’mon, when I was a kid, I made mud pies and played in my backyard all day…. with rocks and sticks.

Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day

Ha Ha Ha. Ha Ha Ha.

Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!

I never did get around to thinning my carrots this year but hey, they’re looking pretty good! I think I am going to try and leave them in the ground until just before the first frost. Next year, I’ll be more on top of my weeding game and be able to harvest them year round. {I don’t think I’ve told the HH I want him to build me a few cold frames yet.} 😉

Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area 

The HH. He’s back at the chicken run again. We had a bit of a rainy spell and the motivation to finish the roof was running low but hopefully we can get the chicken run finished {and painted!} by next weekend and then all we’ll need to do is concentrate on fall clean up.

Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables

What a BEAUTIFUL week to be a gardener here in New England! Fall has arrived and with it cool, crisp mornings {today it was 45 degrees outside when I woke up!}. We harvested a few pumpkins, dug up the onions and set out the kale and cabbage starts. I need to update how many pounds of backyard goodness we’ve grown and the egg totals {we’ve still got only 2 out of the 7 chickens laying}. I’ll try and do that on Tuesday for you.

Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs

I wasn’t able to complete any new rugs this week or add anything to my Etsy shop because I’ve been busy working on other projects and doing things with my parents. But I did manage to dye some wool and with only 6 rugs to go I should be able to check this baby off my list soon.

Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls

I’ll work on a set this winter.

Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall Done!

 

Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries

No new bakeries this week, but I do have a new seafood {shocking!} place to tell you about.

Goal #12 – Start a Collection

I didn’t find anything new to add to my butter mold, wooden potato masher collection this past week, but I am looking forward to going antiquing this winter with the HH.

Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books

I picked up the copy of Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams from the library yesterday and started reading it last night. So far so good! It’s been a bit of a challenge to find the time to SIT DOWN and read a book this summer {audiobooks are so much easier!} but with the sun going down earlier and {hopefully} less outside work, I’ll be able to get some more reading time in.

Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes

I was planning on canning applesauce last week but we just didn’t have enough time. Market Basket has local apples on sale for $0.79 a pound so this week, I’m hoping to squeeze it in.

So far this year I’ve canned:

• Apple Cider Butter
• Tomato Sauce
• Carrot Cake Jam
• Spiced Peach {Crazy good!!!}
• Blueberry Jam {without the mint}
• Pickled Beets {without the funky spices}
• Cherry Almond Jam {freakin’ AWESOME}
• Susan’s Lilac Blossom Jelly

Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project

🙂 🙂 🙂 After 4 months of trial and error I finally have a finished product I am freaking out about. I did it! What started out as a little holiday project has sort of morphed into something else entirely, and I couldn’t be more excited. I am at my best when I am working through the creative process, and let me tell you Bob, this little project has me smiling from ear to ear.

I’m so excited to tell you all about it, and I will on October 6th. 🙂 Until then, my little elves with have to continue folding boxes.

How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?

~Mavis

Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.