News From the Nest, December 16
Well, for those of us celebrating Christmas, we are coming down to the wire! Kate came home last week, and we had a ball decorating the house for the holidays. This week, I’m preparing for my children’s coming home, a gathering at our home this weekend, and Christmas next week! I need to take inventory of my gifts…I think I’m in good shape. But in truth, I feel very ‘out of control’ this Christmas; I got a late start and have been hustling to catch up, which is never a good thing.
I’m sure I’m not alone, so may we find strength in numbers!
Table of Contents
New on the Blog
- I have made several batches of these Bourbon Pecans to hone the recipe and take pictures. Suffice it to say, I have also enjoyed several batches of these Bourbon Pecans. 😁They are a bit addicting. If you’d like to take a homemade yummy to a party or give it to friends and neighbors, give these scrumptious nuts a look! Very little hands-on time is required, but do set aside a little time for them to sit in a low temp oven or dehydrator to fully dry out.
- As promised, I spent a little time yesterday taking photos of this year’s Christmas decorations.
From the Knit and Crochet Studio
- If you need a project to start over the holidays or at the beginning of the year, consider this Diagonal Basketweave Stitch Blanket. This blanket is a relatively quick knit due to the chunky yarn and large knitting needles.
- Start the new year with an organized knitting hobby! Print off the pages of this Knit Organizer to keep your projects and yarn organized. Without a doubt, the yarn inventory section is my most referred to.
- And while you are at it, corral and organize those circular needles! 😵💫 I regularly pat myself on the back now when I need to find a specific size, which was not the case for many years!
From the Kitchen
- If you are baking over the holidays, save your eggshells for your garden and/or the birds! I will have to process my eggshells before I do much more baking; it is overflowing!
- Entertaining over the holidays? Pomegranate juice, spiced with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, is paired with vodka and herby/citrusy B & B in this festive Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail.
- Sure, you could make this salad to serve just about any time of the year, but it is particularly festive over the holidays. This salad is made festive with the addition of seasonal produce like fresh, juicy pears, bright red pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios and sunflower seeds, salty and earthy gorgonzola cheese, and chewy dried cranberries. This combination of colorful ingredients creates a Festive Christmas Salad in red, green, and white.
- These Gingerbread Scones feature the trademark molasses/spice combination that makes gingerbread so irresistible. They are just sweet enough without being too sweet. In addition to the recipe, this article discusses several tips for making perfect scones with a tender and moist crumb.
- In search of the best pie crust? Looking for tips on how to make a flaky pie crust for your favorite pie recipes? This homemade pie crust recipe is a tried and true family favorite and makes a Tender, Flaky, and Flavorful Pie Crust – the holy grail of pastry chefs. Sharing tips, pictures, and a video on How to Make the Best Flaky Pie Crust.
- Need a simple but filling meal for these busy days? Rigatoni al Forno, literally ‘Rigatoni from the oven,’ is Italian comfort food at its best. Pasta baked in a flavorful tomato sauce with oodles of delicious mozzarella cheese. It is virtually impossible to mess up this simple recipe.
A Few Fun Finds For Last-Minute Gifts
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.
Sometimes, it pays to be a procrastinator! Check out these items currently on sale.
- Ring Doorbells are currently 40% off!
- Beats Noise Cancelling Earbuds are 47% off.
- If you are one of those who will purchase holiday decorations now for next year 🙋🏼♀️, Pottery Barn has their Holiday Decorations up to 50% off.
- If you or someone you know plans to ‘get organized’ in the new year, this mini-label maker is 50% off.
- Lange Ceramic Hair Straightener is 60% off.
- Not a huge discount, but this bird feeder is a fantastic gift for the bird lover in your world.
All of My Gift Posts
I’ve been sharing these over the weeks, but here they are, all in one place!
Printable Gift Tags
Make sure you print off these free, printable gift tags!
- Handmade Gift Tags
- Gifts from the Kitchen Gift Tags
- Gifts for Dogs Gift Tags
- Handmade Knit Gift Tags
Join the 2025 Declutter Challenge
Over the seven weeks of the 2025 Declutter Challenge, we will dive into each area of our home and life to thoroughly declutter that space. When you join the challenge, each week for seven weeks, you will receive an email with a decluttering checklist for specific areas of your home.
Additionally, you will receive a link to a post with tips for clearing the clutter, again specific to those areas of your home. You can join the challenge any time of the year and do it when best for you.
You can read more about what to expect during the 2025 Declutter Challenge here. I find myself repeating the challenge from time to time because, well…clutter happens!
Click here to get in on the Decluttering Challenge Fun. The first email will be sent in the second week of January.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I’ll be taking the next two weeks off, but before I head out, I wish every one of you a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate this time of year.
As you are reading this in Cincinnati or Iowa, someone else may be reading it simultaneously in Israel or South Africa. And that’s a really cool thing about this blog world…the interconnectedness of us all.
In the words of some of my favorite little mechanical people, ‘it’s a small world after all,’ and our digital devices have made it even smaller. So, I send special greetings to all my friends around the globe at this time of year.
As much as I cherish this season for the religious significance it holds for me, I also treasure it for the time we set aside to be with those we love, to relish in our traditions, to reflect on our blessings, and to welcome in a new year…oh, and let’s not forget…to consume all sorts of home-baked goodies with abandon. So, I wish you to soak in whatever this time of year makes unique to you and your family.
Hugs,
Hi Lynn
I have enjoyed your newsletter for quite awhile. You have become like an old friend that moved away!
Love the gift ideas. When I saw the movie passes, I thought I would give my two cents’ worth.
My husband and I usually give our grown kids a dare night. Costco movie passes for two, a dining gift card for dinner and a $25 gas card to even pay for the gas. The kids appreciate it.
Love your decorations.
Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.
Tanya Thompson
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
I love that date night idea! Think I’ll do that for my son and his girlfriend!
Thanks so much Tanya!
Merry Christmas.
Lynn