News from the Nest, november 11

New on the Blog

As cranberries are synonymous with Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s the perfect time to prepare and serve this Jalapeño Cranberry Dip. Its vibrant colors bring a festive touch to any spread. At the same time, the combination of tart cranberries and subtle jalapeño heat makes it a unique taste that’s sure to stand out among traditional appetizers.

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

• Warm your needles up, put on your favorite Christmas carols, grab a plate of cookies, and pour yourself a cup of eggnog! You are about to get busy knitting for yourself and for gifting to others with these twelve Free Christmas Knitted Patterns.🎄

• If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give this Christmas, print off these free Christmas gift tags to accompany them.

A Few Fun Finds

Some of these links may be Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from the sale of these products to help defray the costs of operating this site, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.

• This lovely Lenox Radiant Light Tree is more than 50% off. I have two very similar trees that always adorn my mantle. If you collect Lenox, many of their Christmas-themed patterns are also on sale.
• I’m considering putting a Bissell Steam Cleaner on my Christmas wish list. Does anyone have one? Do you recommend it? If you have one, what are your favorite ways to use it?
• My candle warmer is set to turn on daily, filling our home with our favorite scents. I’ve come to appreciate not having a burning flame I need to remember to blow out!

From the Kitchen

• If you are hosting Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another event over the next two months, now is a great time to start eating down your fridge and freezer to make room for all the goodness to come! Some of these recipes will help you do just that!

• Often, the most simple ingredients combine to make the most flavorful soups. White beans, onion, garlic, celery, and carrots combine with stock, a parmesan rind, bay leaves, and tomato paste to create the Tuscan White Bean Soup alchemy. This comforting soup can be made in a slow cooker or stovetop. The results are equally delicious; it’s up to you what would make your day easier!

• Start a pot of this hearty, authentic Bolognese sauce in the afternoon and allow it to simmer slowly throughout the day. You’ll have a wonderfully satisfying bowl of Ragù alla Bolognese by dinnertime. The combination of meat and vegetables simmered with wine, broth, tomato sauce, and milk creates a depth of savory richness that is hard to match. This dish is a hearty and filling meal that goes beyond a simple meat sauce.

• Can you think of anything more perfect to serve along either one of those two entrees than just-from-the-oven focaccia? Learn the art of baking perfect focaccia right in your kitchen with our comprehensive sourdough focaccia recipe. This beloved Italian bread, known for its airy texture and rich olive oil flavor, takes on a new life with the tangy depth of sourdough.

• Serve a simple Insalata Mista with a traditional Italian vinaigrette and you have a complete meal!

• This Fromage Fort Recipe could just as easily be called a “Leftover Cheese Recipe,” as it is a great way to use up those bits and bobs of leftover cheese you have scattered throughout your refrigerator and freezer. Impress your guests with this easy appetizer.

Holidays in the Kitchen

• Get ready for the Ultimate 2024 Holiday Planner, your friendly companion for a stress-free and organized holiday season! This planner comes with a free printable holiday planning checklist and lots of helpful tips to make your Thanksgiving and Christmas truly special. With easy week-by-week suggestions on what to tackle, you’ll be all set well before the holidays arrive, giving you plenty of time to kick back and enjoy the celebrations. Happy planning!

• It’s time to gather the ingredients necessary to make this Turkey Stock. We use this flavorful turkey stock for gravy on Thanksgiving Day and for soups after Thanksgiving.

• I’m excited to share this homemade pie crust recipe with you! It’s a cherished family favorite that results in a tender, flaky, and super flavorful crust—the ultimate dream for any pastry chef. I’ll also share some handy tips, along with pictures and a video, to help you make the best flaky pie crust ever!

• These Felt Christmas Sweater Ornaments are a creative and fun project. You can personalize them with initials or other ornamentation. Truly the possibilities are only limited by imagination. String them up for a garland, use them as Christmas ornaments or package toppers.

Gift Ideas

• I like the idea of ‘experiences’ for gifts. My sister-in-law and her family recently took an incredible trip to Antarctica as their Christmas gift. But if you are looking for ‘experiences’ on a smaller budget, there are so many great kits that offer the experience of knitting, growing a bonsai tree, or making jewelry. I’ve gathered a variety of craft kits that might appeal to that creative person on your list who has everything but…still would like to learn a craft skill. Check out these 11 Gift Ideas for Creatives.

In the House + Home

• I often see folks on Facebook asking for Podcast recommendations, so I’m sharing some of my recent favorites here. Please share some of your favorites as well.  Several podcasts have few episodes, which is excellent as I always want to fill my listening queue.

• If your attic houses your holiday decorations, you might find it beneficial to get up there and do a little decluttering before you need to locate those decorations. This post and checklist help you locate items you can discard and most likely never miss.