News From the Nest, February 2
Holy Bomb Cyclone, Batman!
We moved into our temporary beach house while we had some work done on our home, just in time to enjoy the Bomb Cyclone of 2026 from the luxury of our porch.
First, to our quick meteorological lesson of the day…
What is a Bomb Cyclone?
A bomb cyclone is basically a winter storm on steroids. It happens when a regular storm suddenly gets way more powerful really fast—the air pressure at the center drops dramatically in just 24 hours, which meteorologists use as the marker for calling it a “bomb.” Think of it as a storm that explodes into intensity instead of building up gradually. When this happens, you get nasty weather: winds strong enough to rival a hurricane, tons of snow or rain, coastal flooding, and blizzard conditions. These storms form when super cold air crashes into warm ocean water, creating the perfect recipe for a weather disaster. The “bomb” part sounds scary, and while it just refers to how quickly the storm strengthens, these systems can absolutely be dangerous and wreak havoc across huge areas—especially along the East Coast in winter when Arctic air meets the warm Gulf Stream waters.
It had been cold the previous week, but just gorgeous, with stunning sunrises to the east and sunsets to the west. Our friend, visiting from the UK, and I logged many miles walking along the beach with Elsa.
But that all changed Friday night when the weather shifted, the wind picked up, and the snow began. By Sunday morning, we had an unheard-of 16 inches of snow in Surf City, NC. Suffice it to say, when we packed to come to the beach a week ago, we didn’t pack snow shovels or snow boots!
Snow on the beach and rough waves! This girl LOVES an angry sea (when at a safe distance), and the Bomb Cyclone didn’t disappoint. We never lost power and were never in danger, so it was really quite lovely and awe-inspiring.
Sadly, Terry wasn’t here to enjoy it; he was in Charlotte helping our son and his girlfriend move into their new apartment, which was also adversely affected by the weather. He ended up staying an extra night, waiting for the roads to clear before he heads home today.
Table of Contents
New on The Blog
This is a good-news/bad-news post. The good news is that making your own sourdough pasta is easier than you thought and tastier than you had anticipated! So, what could possibly be the bad news? Well, once you make your own sourdough pasta, you will be spoiled and will have a really hard time ever buying dried pasta from the grocery store.
From the Kitchen
Super Bowl festivities need good dip, and this slow-cooker buffalo chicken dip brings all the heat without the fuss. Instead of bottled ranch, I use sour cream and pantry herbs to keep it fresh and budget-friendly. Toss everything in the crock pot and let it work—perfect for the Super Bowl alongside layered taco dip.
Speaking of game day, layered taco dip is another crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for the Super Bowl. Layer after layer of beans, cheese, sour cream, and all the fixings make this a table favorite.
Nothing says winter comfort quite like 15 bean soup with smoked turkey. My husband called it the best soup I’ve ever made, which is saying something after 35 years of soup-making. The smoked turkey wings add deep flavor while keeping it healthier than traditional ham hocks, and you can make it in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven—soak the beans or don’t, your choice.
Cheese puffs are one of those appetizers that disappear fast—crispy, cheesy, and perfect alongside that 15-bean soup. They’re also great for the Super Bowl spread.
For breakfast (or really any time), sourdough English muffin bread gives you all those nooks and crannies you love without the griddle work. The cornmeal crust makes it feel authentic, and a schmear of apple butter takes it to a new level. Most of the time is hands-off fermenting, so you can mix it up one day and bake it the next.
For preserving season (or just because homemade is better), sugar-free apple butter simmers down to concentrated apple goodness without any added sweetener. Spread it on that English muffin bread for breakfast perfection.
When you need chocolate, and you need it now, brownie cake delivers—rich, fudgy, and easier than actual brownies because there’s no slicing required. Just scoop and serve.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
Swap out those plastic grocery bags for this crochet market bag pattern. Made with 100% cotton yarn, it’s eco-friendly, machine-washable, and available in two sizes. The open mesh middle section shows off your farmer’s market haul while the sturdy straps handle the weight of your grocery run without digging into your shoulder.
Baby season calls for something special, and this easy knit baby blanket delivers with its tone-on-tone plaid pattern created from simple knits and purls. The Quiet Plaid design is worked up in a light worsted-weight cotton/bamboo blend, making it soft against delicate skin and machine-washable for new parents who already have enough on their plates.
Speaking of babies, another gift option would be this Baby Knitted Hat. This sweet pattern comes in three sizes, from preemie to six months, and uses the same diamond motif found in the Argyle Baby Blanket border. The hat knits up quickly in DK weight yarn—perfect for a last-minute baby shower gift when you need something handmade but don’t have weeks to spare.
When your needles are buried somewhere in a tangled mess, it’s time for circular knitting needle organization. I finally cracked the code using a magnetic board, binder clips, and strong magnet hooks to keep everything sorted by size and easy to grab. No more digging through drawers—just pull the clip, grab your needles, and get knitting.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
Valentine’s Day (or just Monday, for that matter) deserves celebration, and Galentine’s Day ideas help you gather your favorite women for food, fun, and friendship without all the romantic fuss.
Pamper yourself with a homemade sugar scrub that’s gentler and cheaper than store-bought versions. Mix it up in minutes and customize the scent to whatever makes you happy.
Soak away the winter with herbal bath salts that turn your tub into a spa. Epsom salts, essential oils, and dried herbs combine to make a simple gift or a personal indulgence.
If you’ve got an amaryllis bulb sitting around, learn how to wax it for a stunning display that needs zero watering or maintenance—just pure bloom power.
Personalize your space with a DIY monogram pillow that adds custom style without the custom price tag. It’s easily made with just a gazillion French knots, which you can do while binge-watching your favorite show.
House + Home
Vintage linens deserve gentle care and require the right approach to preserve delicate fibers while lifting decades of storage stains. Handle them with care, and they’ll last another generation. This article walks you through the process.
Well, friends, it will be a slow day here at the beach. The roads have turned to ice, so we will be staying put for a bit. Actually, we have a bit of entertainment in the offing. The numpty drivers of two cars thought it would be a good idea to drive on the beach to see the snowy wonderland, and are now sand-bound. Rescue efforts failed last night and the cars are still here today…fingers crossed the tide doesn’t come in too far!
Anywho, our excitement for the day is the anticipated removal of these two vehicles! My kind of excitement.
As it stands now, we move back home on Wednesday, and then the process of resetting the house starts. So, I’m going to soak up these last few days of relaxing, snowy beach time.
I’ll be back next Monday! Until then,
Hugs…
