We have started the settling in process and a large part of that has been to make the garden ready for spring, more of that to follow. However Paddy has been insisting that we ensure our home is lovely and cosy too, and we have made a lovely new/old mantelpiece from reclaimed Railway sleepers. Some of you may know that we both work in that industry so it is a little incongruous to get it into our home! However it is on Paddy’s list of priorities and I don’t think he is wrong. I am focusing on collecting plastic bottles form friends at work, as well as toilet rolls for seedlings, but I shouldn’t lose focus on the priorities.
Good Food
Good Food. Great Friends. Wonderful company have all been a theme of the festive period. Now, however the hard work starts. I have ordered all of my seeds for the new year from Suttons seeds . So now all I have to do is stare dwn at the frozen garden, willing it to become raised beds overnight!
There has also been a lot of fun working with a fab dietician on an article around Sprouting Seeds and who can grow them, and how! So please do have a read if you would like some inspiration in that area.
What are your Priorities?
Mainly though we have been setting priorities for our next 12 months in our ‘forever home’. One of us wants to get the garden producing as much as possible. The other wants to work out as many new recipes for his slow cooker as he can. So between us, I think we can keep you all interested for at least a year! I am going to keep the crafting up as well as starting to grow flowers for our cousins wedding bouquet – so much pressure!!
Managing realistic goals
Be honest with yourself, how many hours of physical activity can you handle per day? I love to use winter daylight hours in the garden, but will manage it better if I have tea and biscuit breaks. So I am going to start making healthier snacks ready for the heavy work! Also I then like to keep productive but mix it up with some crafts in the evening that don’t require sweat!
Long term plans Vs short terms steps
I know I need to have steps to achieve my priorities. One way is to start planning the garden. I hope to achieve ultimate successional planning and will share this as we go! Knowing that some goals will be for the following year, is stress-free! Organic is a priority, but we know the soil is poor quality right now. Investing in it’s future has been at the top of our minds and the compost bin is in, more to follow on that one too!
Be more like Santa – make a list and check it twice
None of us like to admit when we are wrong, but sometimes our priorities change. That is ok. Let’s create a safe space where we can make a list, but keep it realistic. Hopefully you will all enjoy reading about my SMART targets for the smallholding and follow us as we make this a reality.
Talk about your goals and priorities
So many people at work have pulled it out of the bag to help me. Be it gathering old loo rolls. Or bringing their single use plastic to me. It has all helped. Not to mention their words of encouragement. So join a facebook group. Speak to different people on twitter. Pin those ideas on Pinterest and talk to each other! Get the ball rolling today and plan for tomorrow!