2016 Goals

Last year, I wanted a better sense of balance in my life. I feel like I achieved that by making some big changes, such as getting a new job and being more choosy about what I do with my free time. I’ve been purposely trying to move towards quality over quantity, so this year “intention” feels like it should be the word of the year. From the ads I place for work to the garments I sew, I want everything to be well-thought out and intentional. I believe it will lead to a better end product and a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

GARDENING

With that said, I’m going to take it easy on the gardening goals this year. For the first time in years, we don’t have any plans to add anything or build anything major (even though a greenhouse would be next on my list). The garden itself I can do on autopilot these days without much variation and there’s comfort in just doing the same thing every year. I do have a couple of little things on the list though.

2016 Gardening Goals-

  • Get new chicks

Our current fab (original four) are now about 8 years old, which is getting up there for a chicken. For the last several years, their egg production has been decreasing, which is normal for chickens their age. There are many schools of thought on what to do with aging chickens, so much that I could dedicate a whole post to it. All I will say now is that I have done my research, explored all my options, thought it through and my decision is to keep my ladies and let them live out their lives as pets that no longer make food. That said, I still want eggs.

One of the many great things to come out of the chicken coop tour, was that I got advice on what we should do from several of the attendees. One lady in particular, convinced me that we could and should get fertilized eggs to sneak under one of our gals when they go broody in the Spring (which, since Buff Orpingtons are an especially broody breed, they do all the time). With the newly remodeled coop, I think we have room for a least a couple more chicks, so that’s the plan for this Spring. I still need to do some research on where to get said fertilized eggs. Anyone know?

  • Trim trees so there is less shade in the front yard

This isn’t the most exciting goal, but I have been noticing that every year my garden is less and less productive, due to the ever-increasing shade from several trees on our property. It’s so frustrating to work your butt off to have things not grow as well as they could (or at all), so this year I think we will have to finally trim several trees back. It won’t be fun, but it comes with the territory I suppose.

  • Plant more flowers

This has always been a goal, not just because they are pretty, but so we can attract more bees!

COOKING

roasted_tomato_soup-205

There are a couple of factors that have been deterring me from cooking more and sharing what I’m making with you. One reason is my new job and that I get home later in the evenings. The other reason is that my kitchen makes me want to scream when I try to photograph in it. Not only is there very little natural light, but it’s in bad need of an update (the surfaces are horrible). There is a kitchen remodel on the horizon, so I may just put some of my cooking posts on hold until I can make them prettier for you.

2016 Cooking Goals-

A couple of posts you may see-

  • Roasted Yellow Tomato Soup- I came up with this last year and it’s delicious!
  • Scalloped Quiche Shell Video Tutorial

CRAFTS

I have learned so much over the years, from experimenting, trial and error and from the 2015 Wardrobe Architect. I’m finally sewing things I will wear everyday and this is very exciting. I feel like the idea of having a capsule wardrobe is within reach, which makes me even more motivated to keep going.

2016 Crafting Goals-

Sewing Projects-

This is a pretty ambitious sewing list. If I accomplish it, it will be more than I have ever sewn in a year, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m just really excited about all of it and have fabric for most of it, so it all went on the list.

Knitting Projects-

Again, this is a super ambitious list, so I doubt I’ll finish it all. I think I’ll get through at least the first three things on the list and start the fourth.

As you can see, my biggest challenges this year are going to be my sewing goals. Outside of work, which is also an exciting challenge, it will be nice to be able to mostly focus on sewing. I’ll also be attending Camp Workroom Social again this year and have already signed up for bra-making! I’d also like to continue to blog, of course, and continue to get to know you guys. Do any of you have a word of the year? What are your plans for 2016?

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