News From The Nest, November 10
Good Morning, Friends!
Last night, we hosted mom and a longtime family friend for dinner. This 94-year-young gentleman visited mom on his way to Florida for a wedding. They had such a lovely time reminiscing and telling tales. The group of friends that my parents belonged to has been with each other through thick and thin, throughout their Navy careers and after. Their friendship is a reminder of the importance of those bonds and the need to nurture them.
Remember the queen bed I refinished so my son and his girlfriend had a better place to sleep when they came home for Thanksgiving, only to find out they weren’t coming home? Well, the mattress and box springs came last week, and the nicest two young men toted them upstairs to put on the bed frame, only to find out that…it’s not a queen bed after all! I’m not going to bemoan the fact that the tag said ‘queen’ or that I actually measured the headboard to verify. What I didn’t take into account was the very cool side panels of the bed, where the mattress actually sits.
Since I’ve painted the whole shebang, it’s not going anywhere. But, the very nice young men took the mattress and box springs back, I had to reorder full-size mattresses, return the queen-size mattress pad and sheets, and reorder full-size mattress pad and sheets. I know, first-world problems.
All this to say…the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
Not to cause alarms, but after today, there are SIX more Mondays until Christmas! To that end, we are chock-full of ideas to help you get ahead of the holiday crazies. And I mean, CHOCK-FULL! There is just so much I want to share with you over the next few weeks, so these newsletters will be long ones. Settle in, my friend.
Table of Contents
New On The Blog
There’s nothing quite like settling into the evening with a Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail. This timeless drink uses demerara sugar for a subtle molasses note that plays beautifully with bourbon, while Angostura and orange bitters add depth. The technique is surprisingly simple once you get the hang of muddling that sugar cube properly, and using Luxardo cherries instead of those bright red supermarket versions really does make all the difference. It’s the perfect cocktail to master for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself at the end of a long day. This recipe has converted many to be Old Fashioned Drinkers.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
Quick crochet projects are having a moment, and these Crochet Scrunchies take only about an hour to make. Using basic stitches and cotton yarn that holds its shape beautifully, you can create three different looks from one pattern just by switching up your color placement. At under a dollar per scrunchie, especially if you’re using up leftover yarn, they’re perfect for craft fairs, gift giving, or adding a pop of handmade charm to your own hair accessories.
If you’re looking for quick knitting projects that actually get used, check out these Free Knitted Dishcloth Patterns. From beginner-friendly garter stitch to more challenging patterns like the Diagonal Basketweave and Chinese Wave, these washcloths and dishcloths are perfect for using up your yarn stash. Reader Susanne from Tasmania says she now knits them for friends after discovering how nice they are to use. Paired with a bar of good soap, they make wonderful gifts.
These Free Christmas Knitting Patterns feature twelve festive projects to keep your needles busy. From chunky Christmas stockings that knit up quickly in super bulky yarn to adorable knit gnomes that make perfect sock yarn stash busters, there’s something for every skill level. Fair Isle ornaments, white-on-white Christmas tree pillows with embroidered glitter stars, tiny sweater ornaments, and even a knit Santa hat pattern in sizes from baby to adult round out this collection of holiday cheer.
Shopping for your fellow knitters or making your own wish list has never been easier with this guide to Gifts for Knitters. From project bags and stitch markers to needle gauges and blocking mats, these practical gifts suit both beginners and experienced knitters. A knit travel kit in a macaron case, retractable scissors for snipping yarn, personalized leather labels for finished projects, and handy reference books make this list full of thoughtful options.
From the Kitchen
This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip perfectly balances tart cranberries with spicy jalapeños spread over whipped cream cheese for a festive appetizer that takes just 20 minutes of prep. The vibrant colors make it ideal for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, and you can make the cranberry mixture a day ahead to let the flavors meld beautifully. For a milder version, use just one jalapeño and remove the seeds and membranes where most of the heat lives.
These Bourbon Pecans combine sweet, spiced, and nutty flavors with a subtle hint of vanilla and bourbon for a gourmet snack that’s surprisingly easy to make. The pecans are toasted first, then coated in a rich bourbon glaze made with dark brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Package them in pretty jars, and you’ve got a homemade gift that stores at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen for 3 months.
When you want to offer everyone something they’ll love without the stress of a sit-down meal, this Brunch Charcuterie Board is the answer. Layer mini pancakes with Nutella, banana, and raspberries; arrange yogurt parfaits in small cups; add mini quiches and avocado toast; and fill in with fresh fruit for a beautiful grazing board that balances sweet and savory options. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving morning or Christmas morning when you’re opening gifts and want everyone to nibble at their own pace.
This Cranberry Apple and Banana Bread is a family favorite/tradition for Thanksgiving morning. The tartness of fresh cranberries balances perfectly with the sweeter banana and apple, and you can even bake it in mini-loaf pans for easy gifting. Several readers have mentioned making multiple batches because it disappears so quickly. One reviewer used leftover homemade cranberry sauce and went gluten-free, reporting it was absolutely delicious.
A friend of mine pointed out that while I mentioned this Turkey Stock last week, I failed to give you the recipe! So sorry about that! But you still have time to get a head start on Thanksgiving preparations with this Turkey Stock recipe. Making this rich, flavorful stock ahead of time using turkey wings (or legs if wings are hard to find) means you’ll have the foundation for amazing gravy without the last-minute stress on the big day. The stock can be frozen in jars or canned for shelf-stable storage, and it’s leagues better than using chicken stock for your turkey gravy.
If you’ll be baking over the next several weeks, the Holiday Baking Plan has a free printable schedule to keep all your cookie baking organized. Additionally, I share some of our favorite holiday treats, including Chocolate Cranberry Tarts, Snow-Covered Coconut Christmas Trees, and Glazed Crisp Ginger Molasses Cookies. This collection of festive recipes includes favorites that will have you reaching for your apron. The printable schedule helps you plan what to bake and when, so you’re not overwhelmed when the season gets busy.
With all the baking and cooking that’s going to be happening in your kitchen, this Measuring Equivalents Chart will surely come in handy. It’s functional art for your kitchen cabinet door, combining common measurement conversions on a watercolor lemon background. Because who says practical kitchen tools can’t be pretty?
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
If you’re tired of tangled ribbon and bent and crinkled paper every holiday season, this Wrapping Paper Organizer Cart is the solution you didn’t know you needed. Using a folding wheeled shopping cart with a fabric insert, small organizer racks for tape and tissue paper, and a retractable scissor holder that prevents the inevitable disappearing-scissors-phenomenon, this portable cart keeps everything accessible and organized year-round. No more digging through plastic boxes to find what you need. This is truly one of my favorite projects, offering long-lasting benefits with just a little effort.
These Gift Bags with Iron-On Fabric Transfers elevate simple canvas bags into personalized packaging. The iron-on transfers add a custom touch, perfect for tucking into homemade preserves, hand-knit washcloths with soap, or baked goods. The free printable designs include charming phrases like “Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle” for spa-themed gifts and “Jelly is Like Love” for preserve gifts.
When you need thoughtful presents without breaking the bank, surely some of these 30+ Handmade Gift Ideas will fit the bill. From homemade sugar scrubs and moisturizing hand balm to beeswax food wraps, loom potholders, hand-stamped napkins, and monogrammed leather cord keepers, these are gifts people actually want to receive. Handknit heart potholders, waxed amaryllis bulbs, and wildflower seed paper cards round out this collection of handcrafted (but not crafty) presents.
After you’ve been busy making handmade gifts, these Christmas Handmade Gift Tags are the perfect finishing touch. The free printable tags print on cardstock and can either be cut into simple rectangles or punched into traditional tag shapes using a paper punch. Thread them with baker’s twine and they’re ready to accompany all those hand-crafted treasures you’ve been working on.
Gift Ideas
It’s that time! If you get stumped when trying to figure out the perfect, useful gift for someone on your gift list, I hope some of these gift list ideas will help.
Some practical advice on How to Save Money Buying Christmas Gifts without looking cheap or uncaring. Smart shopping strategies and creative approaches help you give meaningful gifts while staying within budget – perfect for those of us who appreciate finding ways to be creative in saving money.
An Audible Subscription is a great gift for someone who loves books but doesn’t have the time to sit and read all day. The list of books I wanted to read kept growing faster than I could find time to sit and read. So, I treated myself to a subscription a year ago, and it has been worth every penny.
Give the gift of learning something new with these Craft Kit Gift Ideas for Creatives. From Kintsugi pottery repair (making something beautiful out of something broken) to metal stamping for garden markers, bonsai growing, felted mice, embroidery, and calligraphy, these kits offer experiences rather than just stuff.
Home cooks will love receiving Homemade Gifts for Cooks like Vanilla Fleur de Sel, Rosemary Fleur de Sel, or crushed peppermint sprinkles. These easy-to-make gourmet ingredients are perfect for finishing salts on roasted vegetables, sprinkling over chocolate-covered caramels, or adding to hot chocolate.
PHEW! Kudos for making it to the end of this tome! I warned you it was a long one. But I hope you’ve found something yummy or fun to make!
I’ll be landing back in your inbox next week with more goodness.
Until then,
