Bucket lists have never been my thing. I don’t like to think about death and dying and creating a bucket list makes me confront that. I don’t want to dwell on all the shit I’d like to do before I die and also, if I don’t accomplish them, how will that make me feel? Probably pretty crappy and if I’m on my deathbed, is that really something I need hanging over me? No. So I opt to leave bucket lists alone.
However, when it comes to this project, it has a shelf life. While the skills acquired and lessons learned will stick with me, and I don’t intend on leetting them go once I’m done with the project, the project itself will end. Die, if you will. And there are some items I’d like to accomplish before that happens. A pioneer project bucket list.
This is what it looks like:
- Sew a complete set of cloth napkins along with a matching tablecloth. I love the idea of having a tablecloth on my dining table for so many reasons, the least of which is that my table has tile and grout that are a pain the ass to clean. It’ll also make the room like so much nicer and cleaner. Plus, the cloth napkins are less wasteful.
Found this on Amazon. If sewing one doesn’t work, this is my backup plan. - Open an Etsy store. Pioneer women tended to the home but at times, they also had to help contribute financially to the family. I’m no different. I have a few ways in mind to do this and one of them is to open an Etsy store. I have the idea, the name, and the list of products to sell. Now I just have to get to work.
- Fill my freezer and shelves in my garage with food I canned. Not going to lie. Canning intimidates the hell out of me. I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m terrified that I’m going to ruin the food. This is even more daunting because I plan on canning what we grow (following in true pioneer fashion) and if I mess up, it’s gone. I can’t just instantly regrow more. Scary stuff.
For more than just crafts. - Quilt a lap blanket. I have no problem taking a shortcut and making no sew blankets (in fact, I think I prefer this. Quicker, and I can actually do it). But the pioneers used quilts. Which means I need to try to sew one. I am almost as awful with a sewing machine as I am with knitting needles which is why I’m opting for a lap quilt instead of a bed-sized one. I figure it’ll be decidedly less stressful (and more doable) if I’m focused on a smaller quilt.
Items you will not see on my list: shoot a gun. Ride a horse. Milk a cow. Raise chickens. Use an outhouse.
It’s not that I’m opposed to the concept of those things. (Well, that’s a lie. I’m opposed to outhouses and their modern brethern, the port-a-potty. Because ew. And majorly unsanitary.) It’s that I have aversions to all of them and this is honestly why I realize I’d most likely be a terrible pioneer. Then again, if I were a real pioneer, I’d have no choice but to do all of them and I’d probably get over myself. I also wouldn’t know any different. So, really, I’m thankful that I’m not living 150 years ago.
As for my bucket list, I wanted to make it projects that are achievable yet complicated enough that I’ll feel like I did something truly pioneer-esque. Because those guys did not have it easy. I want to pay homage to them as best I can without making myself uncomfortable.
Do you have a bucket list? What items are on it?
I really want to can food but am petrified of it.
I use cloth napkins, much less wasteful!
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Right now the closest I get to canning food is storing leftovers in mason jars.
Canning really fascinates me but also scares me too. There is this recipe for Watermelon jelly I want to make but haven’t yet. Excited to hear about your Etsy plans.
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I have never heard of watermelon jelly. It sounds interesting. I’m going to have to look for the recipe.
I want to learn how to can stuff too!
I should start a group canning project that way we can all learn and practice together.
Etsy? You never cease to amaze me!
I once made a sorta kind of quilt. I ran an at-risk youth program. I had each kid decorate a piece of felt to represent who they were and then I sewed, with an actual machine, them all together. It wasn’t pretty but it held together. I displayed it in our rec area and the kids loved to see their work displayed.
I would love to do of all of Mr. C’s softball shirts and eventually the kids.
Also, cloth napkins? Hmmm… maybe a family challenge in the making.
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I have a plan to take all of my sorority shirts and turn them into a quilt. I need to learn how to sew a straight line and seam first. I figure they can collect dust a few years more 🙂
I love that you did that with those kids. They probably still remember it, too.
Canning isn’t as scary as you think! The key is to start with something either fairly acidic (tomatoes) or fairly sweet (jam, peaches, etc) so you can do water-bath canning, which uses way cheaper gear (no pressure cooker) and way less chance for explosions. I did a canning post a while back (apparently I’m a pioneer and didn’t realize) — I’ll see if I can dig it up for you.
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I’m going to go through your blog until I find that post. I’m going to try some refrigerator pickles and probably a strawberry jam/jelly at first. The pressure cooking part scares me the most.
Well that’s a nice bucket list. And they look easy enough. I think.
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