Get Back To The Basics
Time. We all need more of it.
Getting back to basics and carving out more time for the simple things I love. That’s what this year is going to be about for me.
Unplug
I know we’re only on day 5 of the new year but I am already feeling much more relaxed popping online one LESS day a week.
On Sunday instead of getting up early to write, I slept in until 7am!! Normally I’m up at 5! Those extra few hours of sleep, were lovely! Fingers crossed I can keep it going.
I told the HH that if I start to slip, he needs to remind me to slow down, take it easy and close the computer. So far so good
In The Kitchen
One of my goals this year is to put my Weck jars to use. I’d like to do an inventory of them but the jars are in the barn and well, it’s 20 degrees out there so we can forget about that for a while. 😉
Even though it’s crazy cold here in Maine right now, I do love the calm that seems to wash over everything this time of year. From now until the end of March actually.
The tourists are long gone. And so are the snowbirds so it’s really quiet around town. Not so great for the local businesses, but great for those of us who need a break from all the hub bub.
Kitchen Goals For This Year
- Master the pear frangipane tart from Standard Baking Company.
- Put my Weck jars to use.
- Use two bins of beans.
Rug Hooking
I took the weekend off from drawing patterns and making kits and worked on finishing up some pillows instead. I’m hoping to have a batch of pillows and a small rug or two listed towards the end of the week.
I must have cycled through 6 audiobooks over the weekend before landing on one I finally was able to get into.
The narrator’s voice is SO important when you’re listening to an audiobook, don’t you agree?
Rug Hooking Goals For This Year
- Finish drawing out all my patterns by January 31st.
- Finish making all my kits by February 28th.
- Finish dyeing wool by March 31st.
- Release 10 new rug hooking patterns/kits.
- Hook 27 of the patterns from the “someday I’ll hook these” bin.
Go New Places – See New Things
The only place we went this weekend was to the Re-Store. The place was packed with furniture and people too but we didn’t find any deals.
Or rather, we didn’t find any deals that the HH wanted to come home with. 🙂
Travel Goals For This Year
- Travel someplace {internationally} that I’ve never been before.
- Travel somewhere in Maine {overnight} that I haven’t been before.
Walk And Stretch More
I’m on the hunt for a new pair of {fast} walking shoes. I really like Altra’s for their wide toe box and I got used to the Hoka’s but I am so tired of spending good money on shoes that wear out so quickly.
Sneakers don’t seem to last as long as they used to and it’s frustrating.
It seems like these days you can only get a few months out of any type of sneaker before the sole is so worn down, they become a slipping hazard.
Are you an avid walker? I’m looking for a walking shoe with a wide toe box that will last longer than 4 months with daily walking. Help!
Walking/Stretching Goals For This Year
- Get into some sort of stretching routine
- Fast walk a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon
Garden
While I haven’t figured out everything that I’ll be growing this year in the garden yet, I do know I want to plant lots of lavender. I love how it looks in the garden and the bees love it too. I also love how lavender looks when it’s planted in rows.
Plus it goes with my color scheme {pink, purple, white and green}. I do think I’m going to take your advice and add some zinnias this year too.
I found some pretty lime green ones called Queeny Lime Blush that I really like. While not in my normal color palette, I think they’d make a nice cutting flower.
Garden Goals For This Year
- Rework the driveway and garden areas
- Go crazy and plant a ridiculous amount of flowers
- Step out of my comfort zone and plant some flowers I’ve never planted before.
Paint
I just have a few more strokes to go on my second to last Van Gogh sunflower painting. I’ll need to find my magnifying glass first though because holy cow man, some of the numbers are teeny tiny!
Painting Goals For This Year
- The Van Gogh wall
- The gallery wall down stairs
- The captains wall in the hall
- Trim and walls
It’s been a nice slow start to the New Year. But hey, it’s monday and now it’s time to go back to work.
Market Basket has a good grocery ad this week so I’m pretty pumped about that. I’m also ready to take down the Christmas decorations and start planning Valentine’s Day.
But first… Tea. 🙂
Happy Monday everyone. I hope it’s a good one.
~Mavis
Cindy R says
I just finished listening to First Lie Wins by Ashley Easton. The book kept my attention from the minute I started listening until the end. Narration was excellent.
Also I am a walker (15,000 steps a day). I replace my sneakers every 300-500 miles. I can feel when the sneakers need to be replaced. For a long time I only wore Brooks, then I added in On. I alternated between the two brands. Then I started buying Merrill trail running/hiking shoes because they offered better fit and stability. I have two pairs of the same style, my normal size and a half size larger. Sometimes when it gets really hot, that half size up is a better fit. Lately I have been wearing Dr Scholl Be True sneakers for walking around my neighborhood or if I travel. For a reasonably priced sneaker; they fit well, are extremely comfortable, and offer good support.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Cindy, I’m going to look into those.
eliz says
Cindy R,
Which Merrill do you like?
Karen says
I like New Balance 880 V 15 fresh foam….wide toe box and they last a long time and I put on about 30,000 steps a day and wear them for Zumba classes and cardio classes
Mel says
I also do New Balance, but 990. They come in several widths, so that might help the toe box if you need even more room.
Peg says
I also wear Altra for a few reasons. And I’ll stick with them because of those reasons. My husband, who’s in poor health and has mobility issues, recently bought new sneakers, and I cringed when I saw he chose Hoka. They are not a good choice (too much cushion and the rocking motion only makes our feet weaker), especially not for him, but it’s his choice. Please share once you find a new brand.
Nancy says
I walk a lot also and wear down the soles quickly. I wear Kuru shoes. You can find them on line. They come in narrow and wide sizes. I wear the wide and it works for me. They also last longer than other brands I’ve used. I really like them.
lafn34 says
Hi Mavis,
Did try walking in those Hoku’s. Didn’t like them since I felt like I was walking on a rocking boat. I am disappointed because I’ve worn them a couple of times. With all the walking we do, I like using Walmart sneakers. They aren’t long- lived but are inexpensive (for now) when I go to replace them.
Do you have any secrets to share using those Weck jars? I bought a few because they look so great, but can’t say I know how to use them. lafn34
Heather says
So many shoe brands seem to be going with soles that are more of a foam vs a rubber. I’ve found the soles are are more of an actual rubber feeling vs. the foam feeling will last significantly longer.
Shana says
Check out Danner’s Trail 2650. The Vibram sole lasts a very long time. I have a couple pairs and easily have 1K miles on each pair. I trained in them for a hike. Wore them for 350 miles on the hike, and I am still wearing them on daily walks. I wear them as everyday shoes and for travel too. Good luck on the goals for 2026!
eliz says
Do they have a wide toebox?
Shana says
Antidotal – but I found them to be roomy. (I have never been able to wear narrow shoes.) Also, even as my feet swell with backpacking, the shoes remain comfortable for me.
I did a quick search; Looks like Danner offers a wide option for that trail shoe.
Elaine N says
I too HATE shoes designed to wear out quickly. I have no fashion sense so that gives me a lot of freedom in shoe choices. The longest lasting walking shoes I have had for years (I don’t run any more) that have great ankle support (good for the older walker) are L L Bean’s Trail Model X waterproof. The fact that they are heavier than foam soled shoes mean I get a little more muscle work with each step.
They always go on sale at the end of seasons so I plan carefully when I buy them. They are not sleek, colorful, or sexy. They are comfortable and protect me from falls.
Does anyone know if hiking shoes suffice for running?
Julie G. says
I wear Topo’s Ultra fly’s. They have a wide toe box and wear them for walking, Cardio Drumming and Fit camp. So far, they are my favorite shoes, and I’ve tried a bunch.
Kiln Guy says
I wear Topo as well. Wide toe box and very comfortable. I have several pair
Richelle says
I’ve been happily wearing the Brooks Ghost in a wide width (I don’t have wide feet but like extra room in running/ walking shoes) for many years, as well as Topos, wh are known for wide/high toe box.
Alecia Loveless says
I’ve recently had luck with Brooks sneakers. I bought my first pair about 27 months ago. They were so comfortable my Mom suggested I go online and order an additional identical pair before they were no longer available. The retail pair cost $169 but the second pair was only $99. I was able to wear the first pair almost daily for about 24 months before I got a hole in them.
I like to try on shoes as I’ve had bad luck with online purchases fitting. So buying the first pair in a store was helpful.
Sarah says
Have you considered winter sowing? It’s a super easy and cheap way to grow more flowers and lavender is one of the plants that does well. Perfect for long Maine winters!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, I’ve done it before. 🙂 My lavender seeds are hanging out in the fridge right now.
Kathy A says
I agree with the others who are suggesting trail runners. I wear out regular runners in 3 months. My Hoka speedgoat5 trail runners have lasted me a year. I think trail runners in any brand will last much longer.
Claudia says
I walk a ton every single day, inside and outside, and finally just went with my Keen hiking shoes after going through sneakers every few months. They are airy, keep my feet stable, have a very wide toe box, and last a long time since they aren’t foam soles. Keen Voyageur.
Linda in Florida says
Again I see nothing about vegetable gardening! Have you decided to put a hold on that & just concentrate on the flowers this year? I always loved to read your veggie garden wins (# lbs grown) & losses (the year of the big rain). The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll be planting plenty of vegetables this year. 🙂 Vegetables are easy, it’s figuring out what *new* flowers to grow that’s hard.
Richelle says
I’ve been happily wearing the Brooks Ghost in a wide width (I don’t have wide feet but like extra room in running/walking shoes) for many years, as well as Topos, wh are known for wide/high toe box.
maurren detmer says
for those hard to see spots while painting or in my case embroidery, i finally purchased regular reading glasses in different magnifications, (3, 4, 6), it takes some getting used to but makes my life easier, happy new year to miss lucy and clan
Yma P. says
I’m really hoping you make a batch of black bean brownies on your $100 challenge.
Mavis Butterfield says
I don’t have an oven. 🙁
Kathleen says
I wear Kuru brand wide width for my D width feet. During Covid my friend and I walked daily and we got up to 9-10 miles a day The Kuru brand is great
Tanya says
I’m a nurse and work in the ER. I started wearing Kuru brand shoes during Covid too. I was looking for a shoe good for plantar fascitis and loved them from the first 13 hour shift I wore them. The toe box is wide but the shoe still gives good support. I always buy 2 pairs at a time in the fall, switching between the shoes each shift. I have tried Brooks, NIkes, Hokas, Avia, Brooks, Crocs, Danskins, you name it a nurse has tried it. Kuru’s are my current favorite.