Get Back To The Basics + Learning to Unplug
One of these days I’m going to live on a tiny island with no internet and no cell service. Just a dinghy and a year’s supply of food and craft projects.
And a woodstove.
That being said… I stayed unplugged from early Friday morning to just a few minutes ago and it was really, really nice. We watched the bird channel from the kitchen.
I moved an exhausted little birdy that was sitting in our driveway Saturday morning to a safer spot so she could regain her strength. A few hours later she flew away and the next day I found her napping in one of the birdfeeders.
It was the cutest thing ever.
In The Kitchen
More peaches!!
The HH received his third delivery of peaches. This time around they were the Sunland variety. The day after the peaches arrived he received a box of pineapple!!!
Someone is seriously wanting to make sure this guy is getting his vitamin C. If we get any more fruit deliveries, we’ll have to open a smoothie stand!
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 {working on it}
Rug Hooking
Last week I finished my Star Spangled Whale rug {it was huge!} and so I decided to hook something small from my “someday I’ll hook these bin” before I start another big rug.
Rug Hooking Goals For This Year
Finish drawing out all my patterns, making kits, dyeing wool by March 31st.- Release 10 new rug hooking patterns/kits. {4 down 6 to go}
- Hook 27 of the patterns from the “someday I’ll hook these” bin. {6 down 21 to go}
Go New Places – See New Things
All travel plans are currently on hold but The HH mentioned possibly going to Montreal in the fall. It’s within driving distance, so maybe? I don’t know. I think it would be pretty hard to beat Quebec City.
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.
Places I’ve Been So Far This Year
- Boston {Birthday getaway}
- NYC {Girls getaway}
Walk And Stretch More
I will say that I am a bit relieved that I won’t be hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up again {sleeping on the dirt and not showering for 3 days}.
We went on a few walks and went out for ice cream once. It’s been pretty warm around here the past week or so and we’ve mostly been staying close to home and working on home and garden projects.
Walking/Stretching Goals For This Year
- Get into some sort of stretching routine
- Fast walk a 5K, 10K, and
Half Marathon
Garden
The raised beds are doing great! And so is the lawn. It’s hard to believe it’s only been about 7 weeks since we hydroseeded.
We’ve got a proper backyard now and we are loving it. It might take me all summer to get the back fence painted {2 coats!} but it will sure look nice when it’s finished.
Garden Goals For This Year
Rework the driveway and garden areas{DONE!}- Go crazy and plant a ridiculous amount of flowers {working on it}
Step out of my comfort zone and plant some flowers I’ve never planted before{DONE!}
Paint
And last but not least, I finally got the wooden beams painted white. We put the room back together and the floors look so much better than before it’s crazy.
We’ll remove the track lighting and put up something else in the fall but for now, we’re done in there. And that feels sooo good.
I hope you have a great Monday,
~ Mavis
Painting Goals For This Year
- The Van Gogh wall
- The gallery wall down stairs
- The captains wall in the hall
- Trim and walls
Nancy Settel says
Oh my everything looks so lovely! Sure hope you are proud of yourselves. You deserve a standing ovation.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Nancy, I love that space!
JulieP says
Good morning from sunny England. So jealous of the peaches and pineapples they look fabulous! The sitting room looks a calm cool place and you’ve really cracked on with your goals, me not so much but there’s another day tomorrow! We have unusual high temperatures, 11am here and officially too hot to be outside. Have a great day 🙂
Tanya says
Maui Gold pineapples are the Rolls Royce of pineapples!! Enjoy that fresh fruit. The yard/lawn/fencing looks so nice and orderly. Can’t hardly wait to see with all the flowers in bloom.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m still trying to figure out where to plant my row of rhubarb. I am amazed at how well it’s doing in pots.
Julia says
Last year I bought pineapples at Christmas when they were 99 cents each, and I canned them. They were the best-tasting canned pineapple ever. Don’t make a smoothie — can them for later!! Yum.
Lesley Parent says
The studio looks like a perfect Airbnb! I thought it was a magazine photo. Please tell more about those chairs … did you cover them with the sheep-like fabric! So fabulous next to the smooth brown leather couch.
Sandy says
same! Love those chairs! Where did you get them?
Mavis Butterfield says
Sheepskin chairs heavily reduced from Restoration Hardware.
debbie in alaska says
Careful what you put out into the universe 😉 — from the age of 20 to about 35, I often commented to friends that I was going to leave my high responsibility jobs and move to Alaska, live in a cabin, with my dogs. Very northern exposure and Men in Trees. I lived in Connecticut my whole life and had never lived anywhere else. A few years later, that’s exactly where my life took me. And now nearly 17 years alter, there is no where else I’d rather be. The universe was listening 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
🙂
Sue S. says
Mavis, could you tell us where you got your folding clothesline again. I remember you shared it when you first moved into this current house. I need one! Too many matured shrubs in the way of my old one now and I’m loathe to cut them just for a clothesline. Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Sunshine clothesline. Still going strong! https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/get-the-clothesline-installed-check/
Deb says
Montreal is a lovely city and if you’ve not been before, you could also tick off your international travel box as well. The Old City (la vieille port) has similarities to Quebec City. Lots of cobble stone streets and great places to dine. Also a very nice Fairmont Hotel downtown (same perks as the Chateau Frontenac).
Mavis Butterfield says
We’ve never been to Montreal, thanks for the tips!!
Judi Y. says
Your room is gorgeous!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Judy. 🙂
Carrie V says
Your whale rug is amazing!!! Someone will buy a wonderful salute to our 250th birthday when they purchase this!!