News From The Nest, August 4
Good Morning!
If you are in the US, I hope that you are enjoying this lovely respite from July’s ‘Heat Dome!’ I’m sitting in the kitchen with the windows open, enjoying the refreshing 69°F air. I know it’s only temporary, but man, is it wonderful!
I visited my ENT on Monday, who was beyond thrilled with my hearing recovery. He used the word, ‘miraculous.’ The combination of quick diagnosis and the start of steroids, with hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and all the prayers sent my way seems to have worked wonders. I did share the difficulty with getting past his schedulers and nurses. Not only was he disappointed and angry, but he also gave me his personal phone number in case I ever have that problem again. I do have an appointment with a specialist at Duke in about a month for further guidance.
Today is the first day of our Week of Work. Terry and I try to set aside 2-3 weeks a year when we pause our typical daily work schedule, clear the calendar, and focus on our household to-do list. So, this week we’ll be priming and painting our newly built brick generator surround, fixing a hole made by some critter into our crawlspace, a ton of plant trimming and moving, and other sundry tasks. I’m so thankful that we have this cooler weather for much of the week.
Table of Contents
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
- If you’ve ever found a knit pattern you love but wish it were a little bigger—or smaller—this guide on how to resize a knit blanket, dishcloth, or towel walks you through the math and planning so you can confidently adjust the dimensions without guesswork. Perfect for customizing seasonal throws or tailoring dishcloths for gift sets.
- Add cozy texture to your home with this diagonal basketweave blanket pattern. The stitch pattern creates a beautiful, dimensional fabric that looks intricate, but you’ll enjoy knitting, making it a rewarding project for cool summer evenings or to gift during the holidays.
- This knit purse pattern blends practical design with handmade charm, featuring a fully lined interior for structure and sturdy handles for everyday use. It’s just the right size for summer market strolls or as a thoughtful handmade gift. Erica shared, “! It came out great! I love this pattern and I can’t wait to complete the bag. I’m sewing on wooden rings to knot fabric handles onto. Thank you for your generosity and fabulous website.”
- Bring a pop of handmade charm to everyday accessories with this crochet strawberry pot keychain, purse charm, or mirror hanger. It’s a quick, cheerful project that’s perfect for using up yarn scraps and makes a sweet seasonal gift. With school starting just around the corner, this little strawberry pot would be a darling backpack charm.
From the Kitchen
- Crisp, golden, and
just a littleaddictive, these air fryer zucchini fries are a lighter take on a favorite snack. They’re ready in minutes, making them an ideal recipe for your burgeoning summer garden zucchini harvest and as a quick side for grilled mains. IMHO, horseradish sauce is the perfect accompaniment for these zucchini fries.
- Bright and zesty, this lemon pepper seasoning is a fresh, homemade alternative to store-bought blends. Sprinkle it over fish, chicken, or roasted veggies—it’s especially good with summer corn or grilled zucchini.
- Sweet, savory, and gently smoky, this smoky spiced tomato jam is as versatile as it is delicious—perfect on burgers, paired with cheese, or spread on sandwiches. Harrison raves, “Absolutely awesome, have made it 3 times for sale in my florist shop and sold out every time. Love the idea of pairing it with a cutting board and spreader. THANKS. I have women giving this as party favors for showers and parties. They love it.”
- This sourdough discard pizza dough turns out thin, crisp crust with just the right chew, making it a fantastic way to put sourdough starter discard to use. Top it with fresh seasonal produce for a summer pizza night, or keep it simple with marinara and mozzarella. Laura says, “This recipe is amazing—this is the 4th time I’ll be making this!” It’s quick to pull together and works beautifully with all kinds of seasonal toppings.
- Light, fluffy, and lightly tangy, these sourdough discard waffles are perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast. They freeze beautifully, so make a double-batch and reheat them for a quick weekday breakfast treat.
- Tender, savory, and fall-apart delicious, this slow cooker pulled beef is a set-it-and-forget-it dinner option. Pair it with the homemade barbecue sauce for a sandwich that feels like summer cookout comfort without the work.
- Sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of smoky, this homemade barbecue sauce is a versatile condiment for burgers, ribs, pulled meats, and even grilled vegetables. Make a double batch to keep summer meals simple.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
- Bring sustainability to your crafting with this seed paper tutorial. Embedded with wildflower seeds, this eco-friendly paper can be planted to grow wildflowers—ideal for spring and summer projects.
- For a seasonal twist, these wildflower seed paper cards make thoughtful, plantable greetings. They’re perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or summer garden parties, and are an excellent use for the seed paper.
In the House + Home
- Small shifts can make a big impact, and these tips to reduce and stop food waste are practical and doable. From smarter storage to creative recipe ideas, you’ll find easy ways to stretch your groceries and lighten your environmental footprint.
A Few Favs
- Do you have a kitchen scale? I use mine multiple times a week, if not numerous times a day.
- I keep my bleach use to a minimum, but when I do need bleach, I’ve found that bleach granules are much easier to use. This brand is more economical than the Clorox brand.
Well, my friends. I’m off to get some primer so we can get busy painting the brick surround this morning. I hope you have a great week; relaxing if that’s what you need or productive if that’s what you need!
I’ll ‘see’ you next week.
