New from the Nest, March 4

Good Morning, Friends!

And welcome to March!

March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes and a laugh in her voice.

Hal Borland

Last week, I closed the newsletter by saying, “Well friends, I am mostly back in the saddle for the rest of this week and I have several projects that I’m so close to having ready to share with you.” I had the week to catch up and get stuff published as we had very little on our schedule.

Well, that was ‘before.’ It was before I realized that the Library that I add all of my printables and patterns for your use was 🤏🏼this close to crashing! I noticed it had been ‘glitchy’ for the past week or so as I tried to add the updated knit patterns I’ve been working on. So I reached out to my tech guy who sent back an urgent message that the little glitch I had been experiencing was the least of my troubles. That in fact, that one Library page was entirely too big and was liable to crash my entire site. Oh great.

So, everything was put on hold as I immediately switched gears and began to work on the Library. Such is the life of a small blogger! Not only am I the project do-er, photographer, and writer; but I mostly maintain the site and work on the back end to keep everything running. While I do have a tech guy, this wasn’t so much of a tech issue as it was an organizational issue and I’m the only one who knows how I want my stuff organized.

In a nutshell, I had to move everything related to knit and crochet to a new page. And because there was some ‘bad code’ I couldn’t just cut and paste, I recreated these pages from scratch. Which, at the end of the day, wasn’t a bad thing…it was time for a refresher and some better organization.

So, let me give you a brief explanation of the New and Improved Subscriber Library and I hope you’ll pop over there, if not to see what printables and patterns you just can’t live without, then to ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ over all my hard work for the past five days! 😊

No matter what you are looking for, you’ll still go to the main Subscriber Library page, the beginning of which looks mostly unchanged. If you’ve forgotten your password, it is at the bottom of the email I sent you this morning! 😉 But if you still can’t find the password, just email me and I’ll whisper it in your ear.

On this main page, you’ll find more than thirty printables, mostly decluttering and organization, but with a few gift tags, gift labels, and garden-related and sewing patterns thrown in for good measure.

You’ll also access the Knit + Crochet Library from this main page, by clicking on any one of the three Knit + Crochet-related category buttons at the top of the Main Library page. In the Knit + Crochet Library, you’ll find more than forty patterns, knit organization printables, and knit + crochet gift tags. While I was at it, I organized the knit patterns into alphabetized groups, so that you can find what you are looking for a bit easier.

So, once again, pop on over and browse around. You may find something you just can’t live without! Some of my favorites are the Measuring Equivalents Chart (in the Kitchen printables section), the Travel checklist which we use for just about every trip (in the Organization and Efficiency printables section) and the Garden Maintenance Chart (in the…you guessed it…Garden printables section!)

And please, if you think the organization or logistics can be improved, I’m all 👂🏼👂🏼👂🏼. Share your input!

New on the Blog

Before all the library stuff happened, I published one post and was very close on another.

My dad’s Margarita recipe is hands down, one of the most popular recipes on this site. So, we decided to try a little ‘variation on a theme’ and the result is this slightly spicy, but still tart and just sweet enough Jalapeño Margarita. I think you’ll love it!

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

This Crochet Washcloth Pattern is suitable for beginner or experienced crocheters. For those new to crochet, a video shows step-by-step how to crochet this Lemon Peel Stitch Dishcloth with a Crocheted Scalloped Edge.

From the Kitchen

• This Red Pepper Jelly recipe is having a moment! There’s a whole bunch of folks making this delightful and multi-purpose jelly, either for themselves or to give as gifts.

• This authentic marinara sauce is not only the best Marinara sauce recipe you’ll probably enjoy, but it is also incredibly easy and quick to make!

• Are you ready for Spring? This Lemon Icebox cookie recipe is just the perfect Spring Cookie! It starts with the best icebox cookie recipe and adds a touch of both lemon zest and lemon juice. Then, for those who love their icebox cookies with icing, an easy lemon glaze provides some added zing. Add a fresh pansy to the cookie and you have a lovely lemon dessert for a special occasion or just an ‘everyday’ occasion. 

• If winter is holding on a little too tightly in your neck of the woods, this Peanut Butter soup is all you need to fill you with warmth! The combination of peanut butter with onions, tomato paste, garlic, and ginger transforms this dish into a comforting and hearty soup with a unique fusion of flavors. Just ask Chris…

Some Observations about Food Bank Donations

While we are on the subject of food, I read these insights on Facebook and wanted to share them here.

• Everyone donates Mac and Cheese in the box. But, it can rarely be used because it needs milk and butter, which are hard to get from regular food banks.
• Boxed milk is a treasure, as it is also needed for cereal which is frequently donated.
• Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
• All the awesome canned veggies and soup can’t be consumed unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.
• Oil is a luxury but it is needed for Rice a-Roni which is often donated.
• Spices, salt, and pepper are a real treat
• Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
• Sugar and flour are treats.
• Fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores is a luxury.
• Seeds are cool in spring and summer as growing can be easy for some.
• Fresh meat is hard to come by.
• Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
• Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
• Lots of peanut butter and jelly are donated, but usually not sandwich bread.
• Butter or margarine are nice.
• Eggs are a real commodity.
• Cake mix and frosting make it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
• Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
• Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
• Everyone loves StoveTop Stuffing.

From the Garden

• Regardless of where you live, do the bees a favor and incorporate plants in your garden to attract and nourish them. I ❤ 🐝 and want to do everything possible to help and assist these wonderful little workhorses. This post has a good bit of information and a link to a printable that will help you find plants specific to your zip code to help the bees.
• If you can’t get out in the garden yet, you can start planning. Review the basics of Container Gardening and start putting together some recipes for your loveliest container gardens yet!

Do You Have a Need for Spring?

• Toss some grass seed over some soil in your favorite pots or teacups and you’ll have some lovely green grass to decorate your Easter table or to just tie you over until Spring arrives outdoors, too.

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

• So, I think the official definition of a ‘crafter’ or ‘DIY-er’ must somewhere contain a reference to the fact that we are prone to see something somewhere and say to ourselves, “Hey, I bet I can do that! I will teach myself how to tie a Turk’s Head Knot!” In any event, that’s how these Flat Turk’s Head Knot Trivets came into being. A printable chart and video will help you make them too!

• You can personalize these Decorative Tassels to fit any decor style or room style. I especially love the large wood bead tassels that I’ve seen and was tickled to discover just how easy it is to make these Decorative Tassels. You can either buy large wooden beads or drill holes in wooden balls, Now I just need more pieces of ‘tassel-able’ furniture!

Around the Home

• When you spend a little time organizing your table linens, you will free up space in your drawers, keep your tablecloths free of wrinkles, and be able to find exactly what you need when you need it.

• Harness the natural moth-repelling qualities of cedar shavings, fresh eucalyptus, dried orange peel, lavender, bay leaves, mint, and cinnamon for a fresh and natural moth-repellent potpourri. This woodsy potpourri not only repels moths but also leaves a pleasant scent throughout your entire home.

Some Fun Finds and a Few Favorites

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.

I had been looking for a couple of springs/summers for a nice, lightweight cotton sweater and finally found this one! It’s just a simple, cotton/blend cardigan that will go with everything.

Moss-covered bunnies…just because!💗🐇

Where have these been all my life? Wall-mounted sconces that don’t need wiring!

Cool candle warmer with a timer.

Affordable artwork!

O.K. This week I am REALLY GOING TO GET STUFF DONE! Next week, you’ll be blown away by the new projects I will share! 🤞🏼

Until then, wishing you a fantastic week!

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!