“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
The view from my new office will be incredible, and in about ten days I hope to be settled in {if the snow has not melted yet}. I’m beyond excited. No HOA, no passersby peeking in, no landscape trucks whizzing by every five minutes—just peace and quiet. It will be refreshing and inspiring, the perfect place to write freely.
Goal #2 – Slow Down
Yesterday the HH and I took Lucy on a nice hike. That felt like a good step toward slowing down and enjoying the simple things.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This past week I spent $45 at a local independent shop picking up supplies for another goal, and it was so nice to talk with someone who actually knew their products. They answered every question, suggested the right items, and saved me time. When I visit big-box stores I often can’t find knowledgeable help. It’s frustrating as a buyer, no matter the price. Frequently I end up researching online and ordering from home instead of dealing with indifferent staff.
Small, locally owned stores with passionate, informed sellers are invaluable. Big companies can offer loyalty programs and promotions, but they rarely replicate the warm, attentive experience of a neighborhood shop.
Goal #4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
This goal is on hold until early April.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
Since the garden area at the new place will be large and I won’t be building raised beds, I’m considering a rototiller for the first time. Renting one costs about $50, but buying a Mantis 4-Cycle Tiller Cultivator would let me use it whenever I want. If I invest now, I can dig one bed and likely decide to add more—my back will thank me later.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
Lucy’s babies are expected April 11th!
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
I had all my seeds shipped to the new house and I’m eager to get started when the season arrives.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
Progress so far: 32 down, 68 to go. This past week I hooked six small penny circle rugs and a few sunflower heads for my Etsy shop. I need my serger to trim and finish the edges once we settle in. My current projects include a batch of mini crow rugs and a large chicken rug. I hope to finish the mini crows before we travel, then work on the chicken rug on the road and share photos of the progress.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
I plan to make a set or two of primitive dolls later this year after the garden is put to bed.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
I’m halfway there. The sampler is finished; I plan to make a frame this fall when I have some downtime.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
We didn’t visit any new bakeries this week and won’t until our road trip, but I’m looking forward to indulging in sweets along the way.
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
A friend and I visited a few antique stores in Sumner, Washington, and saw several nice yellowware bowls. I’m hunting for yellowware with a green glaze in a graduated set of three or five to display on open kitchen shelving. I didn’t find the right pieces yet, but I’m optimistic I’ll locate them eventually.
I’m also curious if there’s a simple way to detect lead in pottery glazes while shopping antiques. I read that yellowware in the United States generally dates from 1828 to around 1930.
Goal #13 – Read (or listen to) 26 Books
Right now I’m number ten on the waitlist for Sisters First and number one for Lab Girl. I’ve downloaded Furiously Happy and Life Itself for our road trip next weekend. Lately I haven’t been listening to audiobooks as much, opting instead for movies and mini-series, but I plan to catch up during the trip.
Books I’ve read or listened to so far this year:
- A Secret Gift
- Bad Days in History
- New England Farmgirl
- Founding Gardeners
- The Bookshop Around the Corner
- The Bassoon King
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
This summer I’ll be doing all of my canning outdoors because the new place doesn’t have air conditioning. I’m weighing options: a dedicated BBQ setup large enough for two hot water bath canning pots or a “fish fry” style arrangement. If you can comfortably can outdoors, I’d love tips on equipment, setup, and the best time of day to work—early morning, midday, or evening?
Goal #15 – Secret (for now) Holiday Project
I took the first step toward this project on Friday by buying starter supplies to experiment with. Once we’re settled on the East Coast and the seedlings are started, I’ll begin testing ideas for this secret holiday project. I’m keeping the details under wraps for now but will share more soon.
How about you? Did you set any goals for 2018, and how are they progressing?
~Mavis
Read about my 2018 goals HERE.