News From the Nest, January 5
Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are settling into 2026 with renewed energy. Here in southeastern North Carolina, we’re enjoying those crisper January mornings that make you want to wrap your hands around a warm mug and plan the year ahead.
Speaking of planning, I’ve been looking back at what resonated with you in 2025, and I’m excited to share some of my most popular posts along with a few healthy recipes to help us all recover from the holiday indulgences. I’m also sharing my ‘book reviews’ from the past four years.
So, it’s been a minute since I popped in your inbox, and I appreciate those of you who have reached out, wondering where the newsletter was! As my dad would say in his military jargon, my newsletter publishing was ‘taken over by events.’ The events were the holidays and holiday travel. And to be honest, it wasn’t so much the ‘holidays’ or the ‘holiday travel’ as it was packing for and unpacking from the holiday travel!
We rented a large SUV so we could tote some basic Christmas decorations, many of my kitchen utensils/equipment, and presents to Cleveland. I was determined that we would enjoy our traditional holiday fare in our Airbnb, which meant that my roasting pan, food processor, bread-making equipment, including two cast-iron Dutch ovens, loaf pans, and bannetons, pie dishes, rolling pins, electric knife, pizzelle maker, thermometer, etc, made the trip with us. 🫣
Believe me when I say that Terry asked, “Do we really need X?” many times as he loaded, and loaded, and loaded the car.
But…I’ve got to say that our meals went off without a hitch, and everyone enjoyed their favorite Christmas treats at our home away from home. We all enjoyed Cinnamon Babka, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, and Molasses Cookies. Rob had his pizzelles, and Kate had her jam thumbprints!
Of course, Elsa joined us, so she had her space in the car as well. TBH, though Terry will probably still roll his eyes at our ‘need’ for a large SUV, we were all glad we had it!
Table of Contents
But once we returned home, it was the task of getting everything back in its rightful place, which takes a bit of time as well.
And I think I mentioned that we are now getting ready to move everything off the main floor of the house so the hardwood can be refinished, something it sorely needs. We are down to bare wood in several areas. This undertaking is not for the faint of heart! We’ve got a POD coming in two weeks, into which we will stash all our furniture for ten days. This means we need to empty drawers and shelves of everything that needs to be moved, including the fridge, washer, and dryer.
While this will not be a fun exercise, it is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DECLUTTER! One of the prompts I use when I’m trying to figure out whether something will stay in my home or needs to be rehomed is “Would I want to pack and unpack this item if I moved?” So, if you need me over the next two weeks, you’ll find me eyeing everything on the first floor of my home with a critical eye!
On top of this, one of my dearest friends is coming from the UK to stay for two weeks, right before the move-out happens! Trust me, I warned her what’s in store for her.
This is the perfect time to join me in the decluttering I’ll be tackling over the next seven weeks. I’ve spent considerable time updating our Annual Decluttering Challenge, and the 2026 checklists now contain over 253 items—more than twice as many as last year!
There are six checklists designed for specific areas or rooms in your home. These checklists contain items commonly found in those spaces that can likely be rehomed without you missing them. The theory behind the checklists is that as you look for expired makeup in your bathroom, you’ll also notice the emery boards that have lost their grit and are therefore worthless. It’s momentum-based decluttering that builds on itself.
You can read more about the 2026 Decluttering Challenge here, but if you’re already sold and want to join, you can sign up here!
Top 10 Posts of 2025
I love seeing which posts have captured your attention over the past year. Here are the top 10 from 2025:
#10: Crochet Market Bag Pattern This eco-friendly project resonates because it’s both practical and accessible. The pattern uses basic stitches, making it perfect for all skill levels. Readers love that it’s reusable, can be customized in two sizes, and when made with cotton yarn, it’s washable and durable.
#9: 3-Ingredient Dog Treats Recipe The simplicity is the winner here, and reader comments say more than I ever could. Mary captured it perfectly: “I can’t believe it’s that easy! Just 3 ingredients! My dogs loves them. so much healthier than store bought!” Renee added: “My dog loves these, especially the cronch! Sometimes I add a little cinnamon or turmeric for her joints. I’ve eaten them myself- they taste like my mom’s oat muffins!” Judi praised them as “the easiest dog biscuits I’ve every made and my dogs liked them the best of all the recipes I’ve tried! One of my little dogs won’t eat any treats and he even liked them.”
#8: Tricks to Fill a Large Planter This is all about saving money while gardening. Readers love discovering they can fill large planters with recycled materials like plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and packing materials instead of expensive potting soil. It’s practical, budget-conscious, and keeps items out of landfills.
#7: Moth Holes: How to Mend This post helps readers extend the life of beloved garments and costly items like cashmere sweaters. The illustrated, step-by-step instructions make a seemingly daunting task approachable. The before-and-after photos show that repairs can be nearly invisible when done correctly, so you don’t have to discard your favorite pieces!
#6: DIY Gift Ideas The key phrase here is “gifts that don’t scream DIY.” Everyone appreciates handmade gift ideas that look professional and polished. These budget-friendly projects let you give thoughtful, personalized presents without the “homemade” stigma.
#5: How to Make a Sourdough Starter As sourdough baking surged in popularity, this comprehensive guide filled a need. The step-by-step instructions work for both beginners and experienced bakers, making this centuries-old technique accessible to everyone. You’ll be shocked at what you can make with a simple concoction of flour and water.
#4: Pickled Jalapeño Pepper Rings Garden-to-jar recipes are always popular, and this one’s barely sweet, spicy flavor hits the mark. The jar-by-jar method makes it perfect for beginners who want to can without committing to huge batches. It’s also adaptable—you can make exactly as many jars as you have peppers.
#3: Free Knitted Dishcloth Patterns Quick projects that use up yarn stash and make perfect gifts? Yes, please! Susanne commented: “Thank you for your dishcloth patterns. I was looking for easy knitting project to inspire me back to do some knitting.” They’re practical, economical (using workhorse yarns), and suitable for a range of skill levels. All my knit dishcloth and washcloth patterns in one place!
#2: Homemade Weed Killer Recipe. After four years of exclusive use in my yard, this natural weed killer recipe has proven itself effective. I think this post resonates because I’ve included detailed information about what works, what doesn’t, and realistic expectations. I love Tracey’s comment: “This stuff is bananas! I used 45% vinegar plus the recommended salt and dish soap. Within 2 hrs, the area I applied the solution to was brown! It’s absolute magic!! We have well water, I feel so much better about using this vs harsh chemicals!! Thank you so much!!”
#1: Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough The most popular post combines two trending topics: sourdough baking and zero-waste cooking. It puts that sourdough discard to delicious use, creating tangy, flavorful pizza crusts. The recipe is straightforward, stores well in the fridge, and can be made with either a pizza stone or a cast-iron skillet. It turns “waste” into a family favorite dinner. Karen’s ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review sums it up nicely, “Easy and delicious. Definitely will do this one again.”
From the Kitchen
After all the holiday treats, I’m craving lighter, healthier meals. Here are some nutritious recipes to help us ease into the new year:
My Italian Pastina Soup (also called Italian Penicillin Soup) combines tiny pasta with flavorful broth and vegetables. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s perfect for these chilly January days. The anti-inflammatory properties and easy digestibility make it an ideal comfort food, especially if someone you love gets nailed by the flu or RSV, which both seem to be making a stand right now.
For a morning health boost, try my Ginger Lemon Tea Cubes. I juice lemons, grate fresh ginger, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, and pop one into hot water each morning. The health benefits of ginger and lemon are impressive, and having them ready to go makes it easy to stick with the habit.
My Creamy Tomato Soup is dairy-free, gluten-free, and virtually fat-free, but still wonderfully creamy. The secret? Pureed white beans add a creamy texture without the fat, plus extra protein and fiber.
For a breakfast option that supports digestive health, my High Fiber Cookies are packed with oat bran, chia seeds, flaxseed, figs, and prunes. Six cookies provide about 10 grams of fiber. They’re gluten-free, low-fat, and loaded with fiber.
The Winter Fig and Butternut Squash Salad celebrates the best flavors of the season with arugula, roasted butternut squash, dried figs, toasted hazelnuts, and a maple curry dressing. Add cooked quinoa to make it a complete meal.
And finally, my Butternut Squash Chili with Black Beans is a hearty vegetarian option. The butternut squash adds a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with jalapeños, chipotle in adobo, and a hint of cocoa powder. It’s gluten-free and freezes beautifully.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
Knit Potholder Pattern Using Linen Stitch This quick-knit potholder uses 100% cotton yarn and the linen stitch for a lovely flat design. With just 33 yards of bulky cotton yarn, you can knit four potholders from one spool—making this an economical handmade gift option. The linen stitch creates the perfect texture for potholders since it lies completely flat and won’t curl. Plus, cotton yarn won’t melt when handling hot items and is washable and durable. Add an optional faux leather loop for hanging.
Dropped Stitches: Diagnose, Prevent & Fix Them Don’t panic when you spot a “ladder run” in your knitting—dropped stitches are easy to fix. This helpful post shows you how to diagnose a dropped stitch (look for those telltale ladder rungs), prevent them from happening, and most importantly, fix them using a crochet hook. The step-by-step instructions with illustrations make this common knitting problem simple to solve. Practice by intentionally dropping a stitch on a swatch so you’re comfortable with the fix when it really matters.
In the Garden
If you have a sunroom, Florida room, or lanai, my guide to 17 Plants That Thrive in Sunrooms can help you create a flourishing indoor garden. I cover everything from low-maintenance options like ZZ Plants and Spider Plants to showier choices like Hibiscus and Passion Flowers, along with tips on understanding bright versus indirect light.
What Are You Reading?
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Do you need some books to add to your queue this year? Have you joined a Reading Challenge? Here are my ‘book reviews’ for the past four years. You might find something to add to your nightstand!
Books Read in 2022 – I read 28 books (my goal was 30). My absolute favorites were Amor Towles’ novels – The Lincoln Highway earned five thumbs up, as did A Gentleman in Moscow. I also discovered Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy set in the Hebrides, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book I quit with 100 pages left? Magpie Murders.
Books Read in 2023 – I hit my goal of 30 books. This year, I gave my first “eye-roll” rating to Colleen Hoover’s Verity. I honestly did not understand the hoopla about that book! But I also discovered some absolute gems: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Hamnet and other works by Maggie O’Farrell (I read 6 of her books consecutively!), and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver all earned five thumbs.
Books Read in 2024 – I read 21 books. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge earned five thumbs, as did A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (though I had reservations about some implausible events).
Books Read in 2025 – I discovered Joyce Carol Oates this year– her writing resonates deeply with me, and I read four of her books in quick succession, including We Were the Mulvaneys and The Falls (both five thumbs). My very first Stephen King novel, 11/22/63,blew me away, as did Chris Whitaker’s All the Colors of the Dark and Robert Galbraith’s The Running Grave.
So, what are you reading? Sending me titles of some of your favs as I’m always looking to keep my queue topped up!
Well my friends, one of my college girlfriends spent the night with us and I’m hopeful we can get a nice walk in before she has to hit the road again.
I’ll be back next week with a new recipe for you!
Until then, have a great week.
