“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
Ahhh, I love this goal. I really do. And starting this week, things should be a lot easier for me to implement this goal. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Goal #2 – Slow Down
Yesterday, I went to bed at 6:30. I’m not sure if this is a sign that I am getting old, or if my body just needed 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep. But whatever the reason, I FEEL SO ALIVE this morning. Who knew the secret to life and felling motivated was rest?
Goal #3 – Shop Small
I inquired about a handmade mug. Still waiting to hear back.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
So this week I was able to get all my meal prep done in two days. But I think that may have been because 2 of our meals were pulled out of the freezer and another was spent hanging out with my parents at their new favorite hot spot {more details on that tomorrow}. The idea of prepping a weeks worth of meals ahead of time is a good one. Executing it though, and getting a system down is another story.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
My gardening schedule this year is going to be kinda like…. Hey, I know we just got here like yesterday but WHERE IS THE BOX with all my seed starting supplies because I have to start all me seeds RIGHT NOW if I’m going to get everything in the ground on time. It’s going to be pandemonium I tell you… but not really because I am a planner and everything I need with be ready to go. It’s just going to work out that the day after we get there, I’ll need to set up my grow lights and get all the seeds planted. Whateva. We all have priorities, right?
Word on the street is New England has a shorter growing season, but with the summer humidity, don’t you think it will all {the growing times} even out? Maybe I’m delusional but I think as long as I have a solid planting schedule in place {I still need to make one} everything will work itself out.
And those Jiffy Seed Starting Trays with Peat Pellets… they’re my favorite thing to start seeds in. I picked up 3 sets from The Home Depot yesterday and they were $7.99 each {they are MUCH cheaper in-store than online}. Like Crisco, some people love them, and some people hate them, but I’ve been using them for years and have always had great success starting seeds indoors with them. In fact, I may go back for 2 more sets. If you don’t want to shell out big bucks for some easy peasy Jiffy greenhouse sets, you can always start your seeds in recycled egg cartons and yogurt cups {so start saving them now!}. For me though, this year, the convenience factor wins over cost.
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, here she is. I may not be able to start clearing land for a chicken coop right away but I can work on a chicken rug for kitchen on the way there. 😉 The goal is to get the pattern drawn out and wool strips cut and ready to go so that I can work on the rug along the way. The finished rug should be about 26″ x 30. Hopefully by the time we pull into the new place all I’ll need to do is steam the rug, and bind it.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
I STILL NEED to sit down and go through all my seeds and see what I have, what I intend to plant and what seeds I need to order. Also, even though I know my garden space will be 45′ x 15′ that still doesn’t account for the rows of grass I’ll have in between the double dug beds {which will lesson the actual growing area}. Several people mentioned that the row of grass between the rows to be the same width of the mower which totally makes sense to me.
So maybe within that 45′ x 15′ space I want each growing space to be 4’x15′ each and then a row of grass and then another growing space? Or maybe I want a few of the growing beds to be a little larger? Does that make sense? I don’t know, like I said, I need to map everything out first. I have always LOVE, LOVE, LOVED the vegetable garden layout at Monticello {above} and thought having something like that {but on a smaller scale} on the side of my potting shed, would just be so dreamy in a backyard setting.
All I know is I adore the look of double dug garden beds surrounded by grass. And that’s the look I’m after. Yes, I know there will be a lot of maintenance involved, but I think it will be worth the effort.
And then there is this garden square from Mt. Vernon. It’s pretty grand too. But instead of a well in the center I’d put a chicken coop. Decisions, decisions, they’re never easy.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
8 down, 92 to go! I am finishing up the last few Valentine’s pieces and then I’ll be starting my Easter tulips and chicken rugs I have all drawn out and ready to go.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
Although not high on my priorities right now, I am hoping to make a set later this year.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
Hey now, it may not look like much, but it’s progress! I finally caved in and took everyone’s advice and ordered a Hands-Free Magnifier {it should be here tomorrow}. Hopefully the magnifier will help me to see the teeny tiny holes better and I can get this sampler finished asap. MY EYES though…. I don’t know if I want a hobby that requires magnification to be able to do it. 😉
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
The struggle is real people. I’m planning on knocking a few out these out on our road trip.
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
Thanks to a reader’s suggestion I put Standard Deviation on hold at the library. I’m third in line but I’m hopeful I’ll get to read it soon.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
Not this 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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