“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
Remember that D. R. Dimes Wallace Nutting Windsor Arm Chair my husband picked up for $100 a few weeks ago? Well the hand rests were pretty worn and so was the right side of the seat {major scratch marks from what I assume was from the previous owners keys hitting the chair every time he sat down over a period of years}. Well any who, I was planning on sanding down the chair and painting the chair with a black crackle finish {you can click on the black crackle finish I would have been going for HERE}.
Well, I changed my mind. Mostly because sanding down the chair would have taken AGES and really, what if I didn’t get the finish just the way I had wanted it? I would have been bummed that I spent all that time refinishing something that didn’t turn out right. So, in the end, I just used a stain pen to get some color back on to the raw hand rests.
And for those of you wondering how much this handmade chair goes for brand new… $1,108. Yikes! So ya, it’s probably a good thing I didn’t paint it after all. 😉
Goal #3 – Shop Small
I ordered a handmade mug from the amazing Sue Tirrell. I requested one with a chicken and some happy flowers on it and told her I didn’t want to see the finished product until it showed up on my doorstep. 😉 I am a HUGE FAN of artist freedom and I know whatever she makes is going to rock.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
Ya ya, I’ll talk about it tomorrow.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
Well, there’s nothing I can do until I’m officially in my new garden space but I can sure plan for it. I went to Home Depot to pick up some new fluorescent tubes for my grow lights and HOLY COW MAN… they are expensive! I went home empty-handed because I thought $9.47 a bulb was a crazy price.
I could buy a case of 15 bulbs for $88.97 {$5.94 each} but seriously, I think my original bulbs last me like 5 years…. So do I really want to make that kind of investment? I don’t know what to do.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
I was looking for a project to work on for the 3,000 mile drive and well, what started out as a 26″ x 30 rug for in front of my new kitchen sink has turned into a 24″ x 60″ rug. Because really, two chickens are better than one, right? The only problem is I think it will take me more than 3,000 miles to finish! Weeeee…. Hopefully can get started on it sooner than later and have it finished by this summer. Baby chicks arrive around April 9th!
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
Earlier this week I shared my plans for my 2018 vegetable garden. Now all I can do is wait until we get over there and the ground thaws to get started.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
10 down, 90 to go {I’m not counting the heart make do’s as rugs}. This past week I put the finishing touches on two more heart table runners and listed them on Etsy.
I also started 2 small flower basket rugs that I hope to have finished by next weekend. I pulled some wonderful river rock colors out of the dye pots recently and just new, they were the perfect combination for a really drab flower basket.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
Oh my word. While the Girl and I were packing up some of her old things we came across Ella and Andy… the dolls I had made her when she was about 2 years old. How funny is that? They aren’t as cute as I remember but hey, there’s always room for improvement, right? I think I am going to save the doll making goal for later this fall/winter so I have a something to work on when the weather outside is too chilly to garden.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
Well, I went ahead and ordered that Hands-Free Magnifier you all were raving about and guess what? It hurts my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take off my glasses to use it or what but man, if I have to struggle that hard to see/make something I don’t know guys….
Now technically, I did say I wanted to make a sampler…. So I drew out a modified version of the cross stitch pattern out on linen last night {same size as the original} and I am going to work on stitching it up this week. But instead of all those teeny tiny cross stitches I think I’m just going to wing it. Back when the kids were younger I made stitchery pillows and sold them in local shops… and not only do they go much faster, but I CAN SEE WHAT I’M DOING. The look won’t be exactly the same, but who knows…. I may even like the finished look even better.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
The HH are planning on checking out a new {and probably our last} bakery in Seattle in a few weeks when we head up there for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. We’ve been to Bakery Nouveau, Central Bakery, Coyle’s Bakeshop, Ines Patisserie, and then there’s that one down by Pike Place Market and The Dalia Bakery. Do you have any suggestions?
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
I still haven’t made my way to an antique store to look for wooden butter molds or spoons yet.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
I started the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on audio book via Overdrive because a few of you had recommended it. But about 10 minutes into the audio book I realized that I had tried listening to this title before and remembered not being able to follow along with the rhythm of the book. So, after about 20 minutes I decided to turn it off. I don’t know, I thought the narrators did a great job, but the book didn’t hold my interest.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
Not this past week, but I am hoping to make something special in February.
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
I’ve been wanting to do this for YEARS…. and this year, I’m going for it. 😉 The planning stages for this project has begun and around this time next month I should be ready to place an order for supplies. Yee-Haw! So many things happening at once. It’s EXCITING!
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
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