News from the Nest, August 26

Good Morning from Cleveland, Ohio! What a great city! We spent a gorgeous Saturday at the Holden Arboretum and took the pups to swim in Lake Erie yesterday. We met up with friends, some of whom were Terry’s childhood buddies. But we are here primarily to deliver our daughter’s dog, Farrah, to her.

This weekend was a stark reminder that no matter how old your children are, ‘momming’ just never ends! Kate is here for a month-long rotation at Case Western University Hospital. She found a place to stay months ago, and last night, we helped her move her clothing and supplies in.

Right off the bat, the alarm bells started going off. We arrived shortly after dark, and the rather old house was pitch black. Kate’s room, on the ground floor, had windows that no longer had latches on them, so there was no way to secure them. There appeared to be one other room with a lock, but no signs of life.

I walked up to the second floor to check out the situation. The whole space had been gutted. A toilet and kitchen sink lay in the middle of the room, and paint cans and trash were scattered about.

The basement was below Kate’s room. It contained the ‘kitchen,’ which had a mini-fridge and a microwave.

I’m really fine with my daughter ‘roughing it’ for a month, but the thought of her staying alone in an old home with windows that didn’t latch and that looked like it might have workers coming and going didn’t sit well with me. So, we moved her stuff back out into the Airbnb we are in, and it is my job today, while she’s at the hospital, to find her a place to stay!

From the Knit Studio

• This faux fur knit blanket was relatively quick to knit. It uses the half-linen stitch and a chunky/super bulky yarn. I’ve knit several as requested gifts.

• You’ll need to know how to knit an applied i-cord to add the faux fur edge to this blanket. In truth, the applied i-cord is a handy skill to have in your toolbox to edge any blanket, washcloth, dishcloth, towel, throw, etc…

• No matter what you knit or crochet, nab these printable care tags to accompany your handmade gift. Tell the recipient how to best care for their gift so that it lasts longer.

From the Kitchen

• Yippee! It’s football season. If you need a good nosh for watching the ubiquitous fall sport, this layered taco dip is it! Made with refried beans, canned chiles, cream cheese, taco seasoning, freshly grated cheese, salsa, and fresh vegetables, this dip is always a crowd favorite. And it is easily made vegetarian by using vegetarian refried beans.

• Use an assortment of peppers to get this pepper jelly’s ‘stoplight’ effect. It is a delightful condiment that adds a sweet and spicy kick to your dishes. It’s incredibly delicious when served over cream cheese and paired with crackers for a simple yet elegant appetizer. You can water bath can, refrigerate, or freeze this pepper jelly.

• This delicious Apricot Jam Recipe gets a little earthy kick from adding fresh thyme (optional). This recipe uses homemade apple pectin stock instead of commercial pectin.

• Use your summer’s tomato bounty to make these roasted tomatoes. Fire-roasted tomatoes add richness and a touch of sweetness to any recipe. This post shares how to easily fire-roast tomatoes at home, either on the grill or in the oven.

• This easy-to-make Brothy Beans Recipe is in regular rotation at our home. Large White Beans (Cannellini Beans) are cooked in the oven until they are tender, flavorful, and brothy. Suggested variations to this original recipe and information about other types of white beans are also discussed. And not for nothing, they are beyond sublime when topped with the aforementioned roasted tomatoes.

• This simple date cake recipe creates a moist and flavorful cake. The addition of cardamom gives the cake a slightly lemony, slightly spicy flavor that perfectly complements the caramelly flavor of the dates.

• Not only is the batter for these spiced Baked Apple Donut Holes easy to make, but you can make the batter components the night before. So, in the morning, all you have to do is mix the two together and bake these easy breakfast treats.

• Why should hoomans get all the good food? Treat your four-legged friends to these cheddar cheese dog treats to further cement your place as the best pet parent on the planet.

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

• These handmade lavender sachets make a lovely gift and can be ‘personalized’ with the recipient’s hair and eye color.

In the Garden

• Have you started your fall seeds, or are you thinking about it? Companion planting is a traditional gardening technique that involves planting different species together to enhance each other’s growth or protect one another from pests. When it comes to kale, one of the most nutritious green leafy vegetables, knowing the right kale companion plants can maximize its potential, boost your garden’s overall productivity, and create a harmonious ecosystem.

• Use these five Fall Container Garden Ideas & the eight tips for planting thriving container gardens to bring some autumn charm to your landscape.

In the House + Home

• Check out these step-by-step directions on how to make a desk from an old, salvaged door.

• This printable list of 49 Quick Household Tasks That Take 15 Minutes or Less will help you stay on top of the stuff that needs staying on top of!

• These 35 tips and eco-friendly kitchen products will help you be a better environmental steward, save you money, and live a healthier life.

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 working through all the Charles Dickens books on Audible. 

Remember, the book list is always on Nourish and Nestle’s home page. It’s in the second big bluish-greenish box down from the top.

A Few Favorites and Some Fun Fall Finds

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.

• Pretty and reasonably priced fall wreath
• Faux Eucalyptus Fall Wreath
• Cement Pumpkin planters
• Is it odd to love a tea kettle?
• This darling cake stand is more than 40% off!
• If you’ve been crushing on Hunter Rain Boots, they are currently on sale.
• Speaking of rain, I’ve been looking for a small, lightweight umbrella to keep in my purse on threatening days. I ordered this one, and I’m waiting for rain to test it out!

Well friends, I need to get my momma radar honed to find a good place for Kate to live for the next month! Wish me luck! 🤞🏼

And I have a fun little fall project I’m excited to share with you next week! 🍂🥬🍁

Until then…HUGS!

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!