Online Things
It was another great week in the online department.
#1 I wrote my fifth tutorial of the year {and made a video} on how to make garden markers!
#2 I celebrated by going to Night Moves Bakery for one of their delicious ginger cookies!
#3 I have hit the 19,044 sales mark on Etsy. Only 956 more sales to go and I can check this goal off my list!
# I dyed some more wool {I thought I was done for the summer!}.
Online Goals for 2025
- Reach 20,000 sales in Etsy shop MavisButterfield {I’m currently at 19,044}
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 HA HA HA
House Things
I finally painted the bedroom door! I don’t know why it took so long but it looks 10x better than before and now all that’s left is to wait a few days and then add the red anchor hooks to the back of the door.
Little by little, we’re getting stuff down around here!
- Paint The Inside Of The House {including closets!}
- Paint The Interior Window Trim
- Remodel Bathroom #1 {scheduled!}
- Freshen up Bathroom #2 {Just need to install the facet and hang something on the wall}
- Put Stuff On The Walls
- Work on “new” Kitchen Game Plan
Garden Things
We only have a couple more days to enjoy the tulips before all the petals drop! 🙁 I need to pop by the nursery and see what’s in bloom right now.
Maybe I can squeeze a few more plants in?
Where I don’t know but I’d sure long to have a pop of color lined up because the hydrangea will be at least another month or so before they’re in bloom.
Also, today is June first, and that means it’s time to plant pumpkins! I’ll be planting my pumpkin seeds this afternoon. Have YOU planted your pumpkins yet?
Also, I have NO IDEA what this is! Do YOU? Normally I buy plants in groups of three and there is only one of these and I’m seriously hoping it’s not a clump of grass or something.
I really want to pull it up but the HH says LEAVE IT! Gaaa. What if it is really grass!?
Garden Goals
- Grow 365 pounds of food in my teeny tiny backyard.
Install a side yard {flower} garden{DONE!}Make a Potting Bench{decided I didn’t need one}MakeFIND a Garden Cart to sell flowers/veggies out front {DONE}
Kitchen Things
I kind of think I should feel guilty about not doing a lot of cooking this year, but I don’t. I’m happy right now just eating salad practically everyday.
I keep thinking inspiration is going to hit… But it hasn’t yet.
I am down to my last jar of jam though so I’ll be happy once strawberry season is here and I can make a batch {or two} of homemade jam.
- 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
One of us went to NYC for a few days and had the most amazing time! {More about that tomorrow.}
- Explore more of the great state of Maine
- Go on a painting holiday {currently working on WHERE to go}
- Québec City {Accommodations and 1 tour booked!}
- Travel Overseas {All accommodations and 2 events are booked!}
- Send the HH on a vacation {working on it!}
Marriage Things
Also, the HH hit a personal best in the walking department. Nearly 14 miles in 1 day! Almost 1800 calories burned.
If I walked that far everyday I’d be able to eat 2-3 pastries a day. Hmmm. That’s something to look into.
I’ve been wearing the Hoka’s a few days now and while I like how cushy they feel {and the spring in my step} I think I prefer the toebox of the Altra’s more.
Anyone know if there is a model of the Hoka’s that has a wider toebox?
- Keep my husband busy
- Date days
- Walk more
Secret Projects
I have about 15 things I need to do until I can check secret goal #2 off my list. This past week I finished item #1. Only 14 more to go!
Neither of my goals have anything to do with paint by number kits… But I did make some progress on my latest painting this past week.
I can only work on it for about 30 minutes at a time because some of the numbers are so teeny tiny it almost hurts my eyes. I think I need to get one of those magnifying visors that jewelers use. What are those called? Does anyone know?
How are YOUR 2025 goals coming along? Are you making good progress? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
- Secret Project #1 {Hoping to reveal by
AprilJuly 30th} - Secret Project #2 {Hoping to reveal towards the end of the year}
Laura Z says
Those mysterious plants look very similar to the milkweed I planted for the butterflies. 🙂
Christa H. says
That plant looks a lot like swamp milkweed for monarchs. Maybe that’s it?
Thank you for taking the time to do the tutorials. Much appreciated!
christina says
On the Hoka’s just order the wide. I have the Arahai (sp) in wide and the toe box is penty big.
Shelly says
I have the HOKA Clifton’s in wide
Paula says
Agreed on the milkweed. Butterflies love them.
Brianna says
Looking at your hubby’s fitness tracker, the timing and duration of multiple naps is unusual. If it is a one time oddity, no need to worry. If it is typical for him, it should be brought to the attention of a physician.
I think your mystery plant looks like tiger lilies. Your tulips are beautiful! My bearded iris’s have faded and I hate just looking at the green stalks and leaves, it looks so bare without a pop of color.
Mavis Butterfield says
Not tiger lilies. Never in a million years would I plant tiger lilies.
Jamie says
I was going to guess a kind of milkweed too….. if so leave it!!!
Karin says
No idea about the plant but the jeweler’s magnifiers are called Optivisors.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Karin!
suzanne says
The plant could be a garden phlox (paniculata) if not the already mentioned milkweed. There are about 4 varieties of native milkweed that bloom at different times depending on your location. It’s a very pretty plant.
I ordered a wide in Hoka’s as well as regular. I honestly don’t feel much of a difference but maybe they’re mislabeled. Either way the footbed is basically the same traditional sneaker style. Altra’s have that spoon shaped toe box for glorious toe freedom. My podiatrist wears them and said the zero drop footbed is better for your feet. Their waterproof sneaks are still leak free after their 3rd year of daily trail walks here in PNW.
Diana says
My plant identification app says it is a white aster also called a narrow-leaf Michaelmas daisy.
Mavis Butterfield says
That is it!!! I remember planting aster and mums in the fall. I thought I had pulled them all out when we planted the bulbs. I would have never bought just one. Thank you Diana and everyone else who helped troubleshoot. Well done team!
Sue in SoCal says
According to my Picture This app your mystery plant is a White-panicle Aster aka Micaelmas Daisy and various other names. And it says it looks healthy! A great free app.
Katie M says
PSA to anyone with an iPhone: if you take a photo of the plant, you can go to the photo info (the little i icon) and it will identify the plant for you. Works for animals and cars too. I use it all the time when I’m wondering what a plant is!
Judi Y. says
Thank you Katie! That is awesome and incredibly fun!!!
Carrie V says
I believe the jewelers tool is a loupe. Thank you for the inspiration your gardens have given me over the years and I cannot wait to try my hand at rug hooking next Fall I to winter!!
Kippy says
The numbers are too small in the small areas of paint by numbers! I bought a magnifier that hangs off a cord. Every time I look at the areas with tiny numbers and then look up, I lose my place
Lucy from SC says
That’s incredible that your HH walker that much in one day! About the most I’ve done is 6 miles.
Beryl says
Mystery plant…I used google lens and it said tarragon, or 3 others…did you plant tarragon?
Mavis Butterfield says
Nope. I did not plant tarragon. 🙂
Cyndi Parido says
The plant looks like tarragon to me. Yum!
maureen detmer says
all hail, princess puggle buttercup
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s right. 🙂
Joanna says
Mavis,
Semi gloss is for your closet doors? I need to pain ours but don’t know what is best .
Thank You!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, I used semi gloss for trim and doors.
Linda Sand says
We bought an Optivisor. Fits on your head like a visor but has a magnifying lens you pull down when you want to use it and push it up when done. Great for hobby work.
Diane says
Is it cold enough in Maine that the tulips will come back next year or do you have to pull them up and re-plant every fall? I love tulips for the variety of colors but we have to pull ours up every year in Georgia. I love the daffodils too, which come back each year, but they have a more limited color palette.
Mavis Butterfield says
They’ll come back!