News from the Nest, April 29
Good Morning from Chaos Central!
I often receive emails from readers who are amazed by all I seem to accomplish and how ‘together’ I am!
While I appreciate those sweet compliments, the truth is much less impressive. At the risk of shattering the myth, here’s a snapshot of my real life. I’m sitting at my kitchen table surrounded by puppy paraphernalia. Peep, the cat, is sitting on a blanket on the table, the only respite in the room for the poor, ceaselessly assaulted gal. In my past life, there’s no way a cat would be allowed on the table! 😲The dishwasher needs to be emptied, and there are still some of the implements used to make yesterday’s lunch and last night’s dinner on the counters.
There’s dust and grass on my floors from our busy weekend working in the yard and our frequent forays in and out of the back door to ‘go potty.’
I have a pile of clean but now wrinkled laundry sitting on top of the dryer, which is drying even more clothes to add to the pile. While putting the most recently dried laundry on top of the dryer, my now washed and dried earbud fell out of one of the pockets of my shorts. So, no more Charles Dickens until I get a new earbud. I’m deaf in my left ear, so I only need and can only use the right earbud, but of course, I need to buy two! Does anyone need a perfectly good, never-used left earbud?
I have a 1 x 3-foot hole in the drywall of our guest bathroom waiting for the drywaller to come out to fix it. Oh, and there is no lighting in there. I’ve had the new light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and mirror to update the bathroom for a year and decided now, with the new puppy, was the right time to start that project. So, once the drywaller comes, I need to find the time to paint the bathroom. But the actual painting is the easy part! Now I need to pick out the right white! Ugh…the thought of making that choice puts me into paroxysms of anxiety.
But my garden looks lovely, and it will be another gorgeous Spring day! The windows are flung open, and wafts of the blooming Ligustrum drift to me from time to time. I’ve got the Sarah Vaughn station playing in the background, which is my current favorite background music.
Elsa is doing so well (other than the fact that she put a hole in the fabric of my den sofa!🤔) I would’ve bragged that we haven’t had an accident in days, but of course, while I was sitting here writing this morning, she deposited a little 💩 right in front of the door! That one is on me!
So, there you have it! A snapshot into our real life!
Table of Contents
Kentucky Derby
Just to further illustrate how ‘not together’ I am, I didn’t know that this year’s Kentucky Derby will be the 150th anniversary of the event! Not until dear Jan, from British Columbia, wrote to ask if I would be publishing any Kentucky Derby recipes or ideas this year did it even cross my horizons. Jan and her family will be celebrating the event, and so she was kind enough to share some resources with me so that I could share them with you! It is quite an extensive list, so comment on this post or email me at [email protected] and I’ll send it to you. Thanks again, Jan!
New on the Blog
Don’t ask me how, but I did manage to get a post published this week. Well, technically last night, but that still counts as last week!
If you are a sourdough baker, you know you are always looking for ways to use your sourdough discard. I hate to toss it! If my discard jar is full, I will put it in my compost bin. But, here’s a new recipe for you! Use that discard to make sourdough discard pizza dough!
From the Knit and Crochet Studio
- First off, for my crocheters, I have not forsaken you! We will publish several more crochet projects this year, including a purse/bag, socks, a washcloth, and a blanket!
- For my knitters, check out this Linen Stitch Potholder pattern! I wanted a flat stitch without much surface texture for this first knit potholder pattern, and the linen stitch was what made the most sense. Coupled with the fact that the linen stitch will always lay flat, making it an even better choice for potholders.
- This knitting journal and organizer will help you keep your knitting resources, thoughts, patterns, and yarn inventory organized and in one place. A slew of free printables makes organizing your knit hobby easy. My favorite, most used section is the yarn inventory pockets.
- Does your favorite four-legged love need a sweater? Check out this free dog sweater pattern from my new friend, Louise! It’s knit on straight needles.
From the Kitchen
This Sunday is Cinco de Mayo! Do you have plans?
- Last week, I shared two Margarita recipes and some dips. If you missed it, you can check those recipes out here.
- These delicious crock pot pinto beans, flavored with onions, jalapeños, garlic and spices are the perfect side for just about any Latin-inspired main dish recipe. They have become a staple in our home because they are effortless to make and very versatile. In addition to the pinto beans recipe, we discuss whether to soak or not soak your beans, as well as how to cook this recipe in an Instant Pot and on the stovetop.
- This recipe for Short Rib Tacos begins with a brown sugar & spice rub, followed by a sear to get ‘that crust’ and then a slow braise in a chili broth for fall-apart tender meat.
- This vibrant, sweet, spicy Mango Habanero Salsa Recipe is easy and quick to make. Its fresh and bold flavors are a refreshing change from traditional tomato salsa. Fresh lime juice and ripe mangoes tossed with spicy habanero peppers, onions, and spice are the perfect combination and make a truly refreshing but still spicy salsa.
- This easy Arepa Recipe makes 10-12 delicious and gluten-free arepas. This South American bread/thick tortilla is another great accompaniment for any Latin-inspired meal.
From the Arts and Crafts Studio
Holy Cow! April and May are busy months! We’ve gone from Easter to Earth Day and now to Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, and Mother’s Day!
If you want to give your mother or someone who is like a mother to you a handmade gift this year, you still have some time. You can make many of these bath and body treats by using the same ingredients, which makes them both useful and affordable gifts to create.
- An easy-to-make Moisturizing Heel Balm Recipe to help soothe dry heels and feet.
- This moisturizing Hand Balm Recipe is easy to make, can be scented with your favorite fragrance, and makes useful and inexpensive gifts.
- When added to your hot bath, this Herbal Bath Salt recipe offers many beneficial properties for your mind and body and is easily made in bulk for your own use or to give as gifts.
- This easy goat milk soap recipe uses a melt-and-pour goat milk soap base, shea butter, and essential oils. It is an excellent first-time soap-making recipe.
- A video and written instructions show how to make darling Scented Sachets. These handmade sachets make a lovely gift and can be ‘personalized’ with the recipient’s hair and eye color. Use up scraps of fabric…I used an old toile bed skirt for my sachets.
In the Garden
- This is the second year with our raised bed vegetable gardens, and we couldn’t love them more than we do! In fact, we think we will add a fourth next year. This post is a deep dive into raised bed gardening, including which vegetables to grow in raised beds and tips for success.
- Some tips on how to stay healthy while gardening.
Books Read Thus Far in 2024
I’ve updated my list of books read thus far in 2024. I also added a ‘books listened to’ section as I continue to work my way through all of the Charles Dickens books on Audible.
Remember, the book list can always be found on Nourish and Nestle’s home page. It’s in the second big bluish-greenish box down from the top.
Some Fun Finds and a Few Favorites
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- Would you or someone you know and appreciate a new apron? This one is just lovely.
- I was sixty years too late in discovering sleep masks! Now that I have been enlightened, I find them to be game changers in helping me get a good night’s sleep. That said, I’m one of those sleepers who pretty much sleeps in every position possible and found that the high-end ones with the lovely scrunchy band to hold the mask on my head were just too thick. Honestly, I found the cheap airline ones more comfortable, except that the mask part was not a nice fabric. So, in my endless quest for a nice silk mask with thin straps, I’m testing out this one, and so far, so good!
- Speaking of good sleep, on those nights when my mind is busy, I put on this Boring Books for Bedtime podcast. As the name implies, the podcaster reads books that some might find…not particularly exciting. She reads in a very calm, quiet voice that inevitably distracts my brain enough to let me fall into blissful slumber. Right now, I have Emerson’s Essay on Self-Reliance on loop. It is a free podcast, but you can donate if you find it useful.
Well friends, I’m off to empty the dishwasher and fold laundry before my little fuzzy terror wakes up. Then we will hit the ground running and I couldn’t say where I day will go…just rolling with it.
Wishing you a wonderful day…until next week.
Hugs,
Thanks for all the fun info!!! I would love to have the link for Kentucky Derby party ideas! Thank you… I enjoyed your realist post of real life … thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Jennifer…it’s coming your way!
Have a great day,
Lynn
You made my Monday morning and filled it with laughter. Thank you, thank you!
The picture of Elsa is just precious and the glue you planted her in to make her sit still is not even detectable. Given that large dogs are puppies for about 3 years, we have at least another 2 years and 10 months to look forward to🤗
Hi Mari,
I’m so glad I made you smile! That’s my goal every day! And your messages back fill me with happiness too! I’m forever thankful that I started this little blog so that I could ‘meet’ wonderful people like you.
So yes, while I didn’t have to use glue, there are about 20 other pictures where she is just a blur. I figure if I snap enough pictures, I’ll get one between movements. And, like any new mom, I’m very happy to share my baby pictures! You opened that Pandora’s box and it is going to be hard to close! Wish I could also send some puppy breath your way too. I told my daughter that Bath and Body Works needs to make a Puppy Breath candle!
Have a fantastic day.
Hugs, Lynn
You’re still more put together than most people I know!😘
You’re just saying that to be nice! 😏
I just recently discovered your blog and must say I’m enjoying your content and look forward to your posts.
Being born and raised in Kentucky and having enjoyed the Ky Derby and all the festivities leading to the 1st Saturday in May for many years, I am intrigued and would love to see the recipes from your friend Jan as I am curious to hear about British Columbia celebrations. Here’s to a fabulous 150th celebration!
Thanks for sharing.
HI JoAnn,
I’m so glad you found me!
I will forward the Kentucky Derby info to your email. I believe many of the sites she found are US based sites. But it will be fun for you to browse through anyway. Do you hve anything planned?
Have a great day!
Lynn
As always I love your posts! You are still amazing even with all the ‘un-done’ chores you detailed. Your raised beds and garden are beautiful! Elsa is precious.
I would love to have the KD list that you have. Never miss the Triple Crown Races and the Derby is always special.
Thanks so much!
Thanks Sara,
I’ve sent info to your email.
Happy Derby celebrations.
I can just picture you sitting there in your kitchen, Lynn! Your poor kitty! No wonder she’s on the table! Laundry piling up, but there’s that beautiful garden to escape to outside! The laundry can wait! Thank you for your wonderful knitting patterns and recipes. Jan in MA
Hi Jan,
I do so feel for poor Peep, the kitty. Elsa is a bit relentless on her, but we are slowly learning ‘leave it!’
And I do believe, ‘to everything there is a season’ and this is the season of Elsa and gardening, clearly not the season of laundry and clean homes.
You are so welcome for the recipes and patterns. Thanks for being a reader of Nourish and Nestle and your always encouraing notes.
Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Lynn
I was amazed to read that you are deaf in your left ear. I have been deaf in my right ear since I was 7 years old. I just had a hearing test last week and my left ear is normal but the right one is what they call a “dead ear”.
Hi Karen,
I’m pretty much the same as you! In fact, I swear my one good ear can hear better than most folk’s one ear. And I’ve been deaf since a child as well, so it really doesn’t bother me at all. Except when I lose the one ear bud! 😲
And, between you and me, I wouldn’t trade my deaf ear for a working one! It’s quite the benefit when sleeping with a snorer! I simply roll over and don’t hear a thing!
Hugs…
I enjoy your posts and loved the dog sweater pattern. I don’t know how to cut and paste to cut now on the large of amount of paper it would take to print the pattern out. Can you send me the pattern to my email?
Hi Linda,
Are you specifically talking about the dog sweater pattern?