One Hundred Dollars a Month

“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

My parents are in town, visiting from Washington state and last night we had dinner on the back patio. Which was kind of funny because it was the FIRST TIME since we’ve been here that we have had dinner outside. It seems the mosquitoes have packed up and gone home for the summer and being outside is beginning to be pleasurable again.

Goal #3 – Shop Small

Yesterday Mom and I went to the recycle center and I picked up 2 tin pie plates, a stoneware Pampered Chef casserole dish, 2 pumpkin spice candles, 1 clay pumpkin for the kitchen table and two books. I love the fact that I never know what I’m going to find, and I think I’ve only walked out of the little recycle area twice now over the past 5 1/2 months empty handed.

One man’s trash, is truly another’s treasure.

Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day

So far we haven’t been able to pull this one off.

Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden Done!

I think in a few weeks we’ll start cutting out part of the back lawn and expanding the bed for next years vegetable garden. I don’t want to do it too soon {weeds will pop up!} so I need to look into the average first frost dates for our area. Ideally, if we could get the all the beds prepped and ready for next Spring, I think gardening will come much, much easier next year. 😉

This summer, it’s been a bit of a whopper, that’s for sure.

Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area 

We now have 2 layers!!! Hilda, our Blue Easter Egger started laying her beautiful pale green eggs last week and now Martha, the Lavender Orpington is producing beautiful cream colored eggs {so far she’s given us 2}. Hilda LOVES the HH and anytime he goes near the ladies she rushes over and crouches down low so he will pet her. What a little love bug. 

I’ll try and put together a proper “meet the chickens” post later this week and introduce you to each of them.

Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables

I’m not sure if we’ll make it to 500 pounds of homegrown vegetables but with squash, sweet {and regular} potatoes to go I think we will at least hit 400. Only time will tell I guess.

Earlier in the spring I planted lettuce seeds in a bunch of planters around the back patio and then let it go to seed {by accident}. Well, it’s baaaaaack! 😉 The radish and {a few} of the turnip seeds I planted about 10 days ago are coming up as well.

Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs

Last night I updated my Etsy shop with my latest creations. A small bouquet of sunflowers, some hand dyed wool and three pillows. And to be completely honest, when I looked at the items I had made over the past 3 weeks, I felt like a total slacker. Oh well, some weeks are more productive than others, right? 😉

6 rugs to go and then I’ll be able to check this goal off my list.

Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls

I’ll work on a set this winter.

Goal #10 –  Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall Done!

Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries

We didn’t seek out a new bakery this past week but The HH and I took my parents out to linner at a new seafood place and LOVED the food.

Goal #12 – Start a Collection

Nothing new to report this week but I’ve been on the lookout for wooden butter molds, antique mashers and shaker boxes/baskets lately.

Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books

On Friday I started listening to Educated by Tara Westover. Have you read this book?  Holy canolies, what an interesting life this woman has had so far. This memoir is by far the best book I’ve read/listened to this year and is totally worth your attention.

Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes

I was planning on canning applesauce last week but we just didn’t have enough time. This week though, I think we’ll be able to squeeze it in.

So far this year I’ve canned:

• Apple Cider Butter
• Tomato Sauce
• Carrot Cake Jam
• Spiced Peach {Crazy good!!!}
• Blueberry Jam {without the mint}
• Pickled Beets {without the funky spices}
• Cherry Almond Jam {freakin’ AWESOME}
• Susan’s Lilac Blossom Jelly

Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project

“Can I help?”

Bahhhhhaahaha. I think my Mother regrets asking me those three little words. I think my parents been here 5 nights so far and each night {and sometimes during the day if I see her needing something to do} I’ve set my mother up with a project to work on. It sure beats Sudoku, that’s for sure.

You know what they say…. Idle hands…. 😉

Although I am a little behind schedule with my “secret holiday project” I think with my mom’s help, I’ll be able to show you what I’ve been working so hard on all these past months by the first week in October. Slow but surely, I’m getting there.

How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?

~Mavis

Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.