New From The Nest, December 15
It was a beautiful, cold but sunny early morning when our family of 13 trooped from our Alexandria hotel to board a metro, which took us right to Arlington National Cemetery. There, we joined over 27,000 other volunteers to lay wreaths at the base of over 265,000 headstones, including our dad, husband, and pop pop.
Even though our dad has been buried at Arlington for three years, we weren’t aware of the Wreaths Across America program until last year. WAA is a thirty-year-old organization whose mission is to place wreaths on the headstones of American servicemen and women in national cemeteries throughout the nation. This past Saturday, across the country, over 3 million wreaths were placed by over 1 million volunteers, a third of whom were children.
We saw families, Boy Scout Troops, Girl Scout Troops, ROTC units, and College Alumni groups all volunteering. All volunteers were instructed to lay a wreath at the base of the headstone and to say the name of the person buried there. The mission is: no one is forgotten. At a time in our country when it’s hard to find common cause with our fellow citizens, it was so heartening to see thousands of us all with one cause: to honor our fallen and veterans.
If you are looking for a great activity next year, the date will be December 19, 2026. Just go to the Wreaths Across America webpage to sign up and choose your location. It costs nothing but your time! Our family will be back at Arlington National Cemetery next year!
Table of Contents
New on the Blog
Loosen up your waistband, spiked eggnog coming in. This Homemade Spiked Eggnog is leagues better than anything you’ll find in a carton. This recipe combines rum and whiskey with whipped egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and warm spices for a rich, creamy holiday drink that actually improves as it sits in the refrigerator. The Angostura bitters add subtle complexity, and making it one to two weeks ahead lets the flavors meld together beautifully. Serve over ice with a dusting of cinnamon, and watch it become the most requested recipe at your holiday gatherings.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
With all that’s happening this month, you may enjoy a few quick projects to tackle. The Bridget Knit Washcloth Pattern is knit on the diagonal using only knit stitches, yarn overs, make-one increases, and knit two together—perfect for beginners learning new techniques or for experienced knitters wanting a mindless project. These washcloths work up quickly and make wonderful gifts paired with handmade soap. One reviewer mentioned this pattern is also called Nana’s Favorite Dishcloth, and after making a few, you’ll understand why.
This bear would be a fun project over your holiday downtime. The Knit Teddy Bear Pattern delivers a sweet, sturdy bear with just the right amount of personality—worked primarily in the round with straightforward shaping and minimal seaming. The pattern uses invisible increases and clever short rows to create details like the gently sloped snout, and you can personalize your bear with safety eyes and nose or embroider the features for a softer, vintage feel. The whole bear takes about 180 yards of worsted-weight yarn. While it may look intricate, it’s surprisingly approachable for confident beginners and satisfying for experienced knitters who want to create something special.
From the Kitchen
With all the holiday baking happening in your kitchen, these recipes will keep things festive and delicious. Gingerbread Scones feature the trademark molasses-and-spice combination that makes gingerbread so irresistible, with a crumb that’s tender and moist rather than dense or gummy. They’re just sweet enough to enjoy with your morning coffee or evening champagne, and they pair beautifully with Rum-Spiced Pear Jam if you’re feeling fancy. The frozen, grated butter technique creates those flaky layers everyone loves in a good scone.
And speaking of holiday touches, Sugared Cranberries are having a moment on every festive table this season. These sparkling little jewels are sweet, tart, and satisfyingly crunchy—perfect for topping desserts, garnishing cocktails, or scattering on your Christmas charcuterie board. Made with just fresh cranberries, sugar, and water, they’re simple to whip up and add that professional-looking pop of color that makes everything feel more special.
With all the sourdough baking happening this season, Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough turns your leftover starter into restaurant-quality pizza crusts with that tangy, chewy texture everyone loves. The recipe makes two 10- to 12-inch pizzas and includes flexible timing—make it the day before and refrigerate until dinner, or whip it up in the morning and bake that night. One reviewer raved about using it to make grilled flatbreads with roasted garlic and Italian seasoning. FWIW, this is hands down the most popular recipe on Nourish + Nestle!
Add seasonal warmth to your coffee bar with Gingerbread Syrup, a spicy, molasses-rich syrup perfect for lattes, tea, oatmeal, or even drizzled over ice cream. Made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, it’s an easy homemade gift that rivals anything from the coffee shop.
Cranberry Apple and Banana Bread is a super-easy, quick bread that combines seasonal cranberries and apples with overripe bananas for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. I made it for Thanksgiving and will bake another loaf with leftover cranberries this week. Just toss the cranberries and apples in the food processor, mix your wet and dry ingredients, fold everything together, and you’re done. One reviewer said they ate over half the loaf in one sitting—the ripe banana adds just enough sweetness to balance those tart cranberries.
Put your sourdough discard to good use with Sourdough Discard Crackers. These crisp, tangy crackers bake up golden and paper-thin, staying crunchy for days in an airtight container. Roll them into long strips for charcuterie boards or cut into bite-sized squares for everyday snacking—either way, they’re the perfect way to use extra starter without any waste. The dough comes together in minutes, and the crackers are endlessly adaptable with different toppings or seasonings.
Give your sourdough starter the star treatment it deserves with Sourdough Focaccia. This Italian bread bakes up with an airy texture and a crispy crust loaded with olive oil flavor, and the sourdough adds a tangy depth you won’t find anywhere else. The recipe uses a cast-iron skillet for that perfect golden bottom, and while it takes time to ferment, the hands-on work is minimal. Top it with rosemary and sun-dried tomatoes or get creative with your own favorite combinations.
Pepper Jelly combines sweet bell peppers, spicy jalapeños, and tangy vinegar for a condiment that’s perfect spread over cream cheese with crackers or used as a glaze for meats. You can water bath can it, refrigerate it, or freeze it—whatever works best for your kitchen. The recipe includes tips for adjusting the heat level and getting that perfectly balanced sweet-and-spicy flavor that makes pepper jelly so addictive. This is such a handy condiment to have on hand for last-minute guests or to give as a gift.
Treat your four-legged friends with 3-Ingredient Dog Treats made with just oats, peanut butter, and soft fruit or vegetables. These homemade treats are healthier than store-bought and use up ingredients you probably already have—overripe bananas, cooked apples, pumpkin, or carrots all work beautifully. The recipe is forgiving and freezes well, and one reviewer’s dogs loved them so much they started getting “the look” when she dared to give them store-bought treats instead.
Thinking Ahead to the New Year
I don’t know about you, but I’m itching to clear some clutter! As this year comes to an end, think about joining me in January for the Declutter Challenge 2026. This year’s version is more comprehensive than ever, with over 250 specific items across seven weekly checklists—more than double what we had before. Each week focuses on a different area of your home, from bedrooms and bathrooms to digital clutter and mental clutter. The checklists work like a scavenger hunt, prompting you to notice things you might have overlooked. You can join anytime and work at your own pace—there’s no pressure, just practical guidance to help create a home that feels lighter and more functional. Sign up now and the first checklist email will land in your inbox the first full week of January.
Last Minute Useful and Gift Ideas
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- Bake your Gingerbread Bundt Cake in this charming Gingerbread House Bundt Pan.
- If Santa doesn’t tuck one of these under the tree, I may be treating myself to one at the beginning of the year.
- The standard nightlight got a major upgrade!
- They might not be flashy, but after all the baking you’ll be doing, you’ll greatly appreciate them.
- These are going in all the stockings!
