News From The Nest, February 9
Happy Monday, my friends!
I feel as if I’ve belaboured our move-out and subsequent move-in. Suffice it to say, our home is being ‘processed,’ and our local Goodwill is benefitting greatly.
As with any project, there are always unexpected, unplanned-for expenses. For instance, I now need a new vanity in our powder room, which doesn’t hurt my feelings too badly (sorry, mom).
So, how’s your February thus far?
I’m in full decluttering mode, with no end in sight. I’ve got bags going to Goodwill, bags of electronics and power cords to recycling, boxes to our local home consignment store, and a computer to Phobio. With Phobio, you can earn money by recycling certain electronics. Definitely check it out.
After a month of dollar bills flying out of the windows of our home, February is a month of belt-tightening. I’m determined to visit the grocery store as infrequently as possible, just to buy perishables. I’ll shop my pantry and freezer first to determine the meals we will enjoy this month.
My workout with weights has fallen by the wayside lately, but I’m giving myself some grace there. Once I get our home back in place, I have every intention of picking that back up.
I’m also trying to make a point of wearing rubber gloves when doing housework; my fingers and fingernails are a hot mess.
And, I start Mah Jong class today! I played Mah Jong a hundred years ago when we lived in Guam, but haven’t played since. I’m excited to get back in it!
I feel that we’re all lighthouses, and my job is to shine my light as brightly as I can to the darkness.
Jim Carrey
Table of Contents
New on the Blog
For my knitter friends, we’ve got a brand new, relatively simple knit lace scarf pattern! This easy lace knit scarf pattern is perfect if you’ve mastered basic knit and purl stitches and want to try your first lace project. The simple four-row repeat uses yarn overs and dropped stitches to create elegant vertical ladder columns, and it works up surprisingly fast. One skein of DK-weight yarn makes a finished scarf measuring 23 inches long and 8 inches wide. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions for adding fringe and steam blocking to make the lace really shine.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
Stop guessing and start using math with this formula to resize any knit blanket, dishcloth, or towel. Multiply your gauge by your desired width to get the exact number of stitches you need. I then walk you through three detailed examples so you understand how stitch multiples work.
Make a sturdy 7.25-inch crochet potholder using the thermal stitch and cotton kitchen twine. One $6 spool makes four potholders, and there’s a video tutorial if you need extra help with the stitch pattern.
Struggling with knitting tension that’s too tight, too loose, or just plain inconsistent? This tutorial covers the most common tension problems, with illustrated photos and prevention tips to help you achieve even stitches every time.
This knit purse pattern creates a 12×12-inch lined bag using the half-linen stitch. The detachable leather straps make it washable, and the optional fabric lining finishes it perfectly.
Three-cheese mac and cheese, made with sharp cheddar, Gouda, and cream cheese, is topped with buttery panko. Use block cheese instead of pre-shredded for the creamiest sauce, and add a pinch of dry mustard to make the cheese flavor pop.
Turn your leftover cheese odds and ends into fromage fort, a French spread that’s perfect for entertaining. Blend cheese scraps with white wine, garlic, and herbs in your food processor, then freeze what you don’t use. If your freezer looks like mine, this is a great way to clean it out and put those leftovers to good use!
Sourdough flatbread made with active starter and Greek yogurt creates the most versatile bread. The Greek yogurt adds moisture and tang, making the dough easier to work with, whether you’re making naan, tortillas, or pizza crust.
This grain-free, gluten-free rosemary fig and nut bread is held together with almond butter and arrowroot powder instead of flour. Three mini-loaves freeze beautifully, and readers love serving it with goat cheese and honey for a sophisticated appetizer.
Cherry chocolate brownies loaded with fresh or frozen cherries and dark chocolate chunks bake up perfectly in a 9×13 pan. The secret to that shiny, crackly top is beating your butter and sugar thoroughly. You can use fresh or frozen cherries—just keep the frozen ones frozen until you’re ready to chop them to prevent bleeding.
Make three flavors of chocolate truffles from a single base recipe, using Chambord, espresso, Kahlua, or orange triple sec. Alton Brown’s heating-pad method keeps your chocolate coating at the perfect 90-92°F, making about 20 truffles for Valentine’s Day gifts.
These chocolate-covered Oreos take just 30 minutes and use melting wafers in milk, dark, or white chocolate. They ship cross-country without melting, and you can customize them for any holiday with different colored wafers and sprinkles.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
Make your own heated buckwheat neck wrap for about $12, instead of paying $50+ at the store. Use it in the microwave for heat therapy or in the freezer for cold relief, and the removable, washable cover lets you toss it in the laundry.
These wire macramé votive holders look store-bought fancy, but they’re made with simple 24-gauge wire and beads to create sparkly candle holders. One spool of wire makes three holders, and I include step-by-step square-knot instructions, even if you’ve never macraméed before.
This hand balm recipe is firm (not goopy) and perfect for dry knuckles and cuticles around your nails. Made with cocoa butter, beeswax, and grapeseed oil, each tin costs about $4.50, and I keep one at my desk and one in my knitted bag. Print the included labels to gift your tins of hand balm.
In the House + Home
Continue working through the declutter challenge with the den and linen closet sections. We’re settling back into the house this week after being away, so it’s the perfect time to tackle these often-overlooked storage areas.
Thanks for stopping by this morning, my friends. I hope that you have a great day and an even better week!
Until next Monday…
Hugs,
