News from the Nest, January 6
Good Morning, and Happy New Year!
How are you? I sure hope you enjoyed your holidays. 🫶🏼I know that this time of the year can be difficult for some, for many reasons. But I hope you were able to find a little peace.
We had both of our children home, so of course, it was wonderful. Nothing was exciting or dramatic, just time spent with my family. Time passed much too quickly, but we still managed a little bit of quality time.
Elsa did get spayed last week, so we are dealing with trying to keep her ‘sedate.’ Yeah…right. The good news is she feels fine. The bad news is she feels fine.
I all-caps LOVE decorating for Christmas and spending time in my decorated home over the holidays. That said, the minute the holidays are over, my skin starts to crawl with all the clutter that comes with Christmas decorations. Once both kiddos left, I spent two days doing nothing but putting away Christmas decorations. This year, I also invested a little extra time really, thinking about and organizing my decor better. While I packed everything up, I listened to War and Peace, which made the process quite enjoyable! (I was surprised it was as good as it is given that this version required no credits on Audible. It was read by Thandiwe Newton who did a fantastic job! That Audible subscription has been the gift that keeps giving for me)
I have my decorations primarily stored by room. Still, I weeded out decorations that just hadn’t been used in years and ensured any necessary hooks, nails, etc… were included with that decoration. I corraled all the various ribbons I have accumulated over the years and have all of them in one bin. Same with all my battery-operated lights…all in one bin.
I inventoried the lights in my window candles and placed a note in my calendar to order lights in November. Same with Command Strips…I ended up running out twice this year for the correct command strip, so I’ve noted what I need for next year. I also inventoried my Christmas wrap and ribbons and noted what colors I needed for next year and noted that.
I love a good sunrise, especially when there are clouds to bounce colors off. This sunrise pic is appropriate for now…the start of a new day and new year!
Table of Contents
New On The Blog
I’m tickled to introduce our newest contributor, Dani, who designed this washcloth for you!
Dani is the proud owner of Pics and Treats Photography, where she combines her baking, crafting, and photography passions. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, she grew up in a family that cherished everything homemade. Her love of creating encouraged her to get a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a major in Cinematography and Photography. Today, she channels her expertise into capturing stunning images that tell stories and inspire fellow creatives to embrace their own artistic journeys.
- This Cable-Edged Knit Dishcloth pattern is perfect for beginners looking to practice cables or seasoned knitters seeking a quick and satisfying project. Use it as a dishcloth to brighten your kitchen or as a washcloth for a touch of handmade luxury in your bathroom. Follow the detailed instructions below, gather your materials, and enjoy creating a versatile piece that adds a touch of handmade charm to any space.
‘Tis the Season to…DECLUTTER!
It must be the combination of cold weather, the new year, and holiday clutter and chaos that urges many of us to rid our homes of the unnecessary and unwanted. I know I’ve already begun that mission this year, not only with my Christmas decor, but in my dining room and kitchen.
If you’d like to start the New Year with a cleaner, less-cluttered palate, then join our 2025 Declutter Challenge. Over seven weeks, we tackle specific areas of the home with a checklist that will prompt you to look for things that you could most likely discard and never miss. And while looking for the things on the list, you’ll probably come across other items that need to be rehomed or removed from your home.
At a minimum, the checklist gives you somewhere to start on a task that is often overwhelming. You can read more about the challenge and sign up here. Remember, you can start any time; the first email will go out on January 6 for those who have already signed up.
- Ask yourself these ten questions when decluttering to decide what stays and what needs to be rehomed. These questions came in handy when I was helping my Sister-in-law rid her home of good deal of clutter.
- It always helps me declutter when I know that my donations will be going somewhere where they can help someone or be used. Check out this list of places to donate or discard.
From the Knit Studio
Ready to do a little Valentine’s Day knitting? Worked entirely in knit and purl stitches, this heart potholder pattern is easy enough for beginners while still engaging for seasoned knitters. The design combines two colors and uses a simple stockinette center bordered by a garter stitch, with a lovely heart motif in the middle.
From the Kitchen
After a good month of excess, I want to scale back for January. I blew through both my food budget and my calorie budget! One of the ways I try to rein in both is by limiting my food purchases to only perishable food and finding creative ways to eat what we have on hand.
We always have dried beans on hand, a staple I depend upon year-round.
Here are some of our favorite bean recipes that are great for your budget and your health!
- Talk about budget- and diet-friendly! The simple ingredients in this White Bean and Cabbage soup let each flavor shine but feel free to use the recipe as a starting point to make it your own. This post discusses some ideas and suggestions for substitutions and additions.
- This Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for a cozy night or festive gathering. It starts with a base of sautéed onions and garlic, to which diced butternut squash is added, lending a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the bold heat of jalapeños and the smokiness of chipotle in adobo.
- This White Bean Soup with Ham and Vegetables is a lighter, brothier version of traditional bean soup recipes. I’ve grown up eating thick and hearty bean soups, which I’ve always enjoyed. Terry ordered ham and bean soup in a local restaurant that was more brothy than it was thick. The broth in the soup was ham-based and was delightfully smoky. This white bean and ham soup is my attempt to replicate that delicious soup.
- This 15 Bean Soup Recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker and can be made healthier by substituting Smoked Turkey Wings and/or Legs instead of Smoked Ham Hocks. Instructions for making this soup in the slow cooker, stovetop, or oven are included. Additionally, adjustments for soaking or not soaking your dried beans are discussed.
- I made this hummus last week, and we made a dinner out of it, a slew of vegetable dippers, and a little cheese. I need to amend the recipe as I didn’t even soak the beans this time. It was so delicious and effortless that we will enjoy it again this week. This flavorful and creamy hummus recipe can be made in the instant pot or on the stovetop. A Smoky and spicy walnut topping makes this hummus appetizer even more delicious!
- No list of bean recipes would be complete without these Brothy Beans, which are in regular rotation at our home. Large White Beans (Cannellini Beans) are cooked in the oven until tender, flavorful, and brothy. Suggested variations to this original recipe and information about other types of white beans are also discussed. Roast tomatoes that need to be used up as an extra flavor boost to a bowl of these beans.
Canned tomatoes and pasta are other pantry staples that we can easily use to make healthy meals without trips to the grocery store
- This post discussed what you can substitute for tomato sauce.
- Make this easy, Healthy Homemade Tomato Soup from start to finish in under an hour. Suggestions for substitutions are included as well. This delicious, creamy soup is Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, and Low-Fat.
- This authentic Marinara Sauce is not only the best Marinara sauce recipe you’ll probably enjoy, but it is also incredibly easy and quick to make! San Marzano tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, and a healthy glug of good olive oil are the central ingredients of this flavorful sauce. Salt helps balance all the ingredients, and a few red pepper flakes add a touch of interest. And it is so easy to make in large quantities. Enjoy it with these meatballs and fresh pasta! *Chef’s kiss!*
- Spaghetti Arrabiata is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the essence of Italian cooking. The sauce has a pleasant sweetness from San Marzano tomatoes, balancing the spicy kick of the red pepper flakes.
- What if you need to or want to avoid nightshades, such as tomatoes? This recipe for Nomato Sauce comes close to the color, texture, and taste of tomato sauce but without tomatoes.
In the (Indoor) Garden
- A sunroom is a perfect cross between an extra room and a porch. It lets the sun in on the best days and provides a warm, welcoming space for everyone to hang out on cooler days. Adding indoor plants to a sunroom is a perfect way to grow an indoor garden and reap the benefits that plants provide, both aesthetically and for your health. And whether you have a three- or four-season sunroom, it’s perfect for growing plants all year. Let’s look at seventeen plants for sunrooms and what they need to thrive.
- A terrarium is a great way to nourish that green thumb during those winter months. You can get a little dirt under your nails and revel in the satisfaction of watching something grow under your care. Instructions on how to make a terrarium, plus material and recommended plants. Also, tips for terrarium maintenance.
Whatcha Reading or Listening to?
- For the past several years, I’ve joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I didn’t meet my goal, again! But, in my defense, I read some BIG BOOKS! If you need some book titles to add to your reading queue this year, you can check out my quick and dirty reveiws here.
- If you like to listen while you work (declutter 😉), here’s a list of podcasts I’ve enjoyed.
- And I mentioned that I’ve throughly got the benefit of every penny of my Audible Subscription. Last year I listened to all of Charles Dickens’ books while I went about my daily chores and projects. I’ve decided 2025 will be my year of the Russian authors.
Random Tidbits
- I’m not much on resolutions, but I do try to improve myself and make myself a better person daily. I recently heard an ad which referenced that we are the author of our own story. That we determine what will be written in each chapter. Really made me ponder; what do I want the story of my 2025 to be?
- Need Christmas tree storage? It’s currently on sale.
- Need to work on your posture? Imagine that there is a light shining from your breast bone. If you hunch over, that light will shine at the ground. However, if you stand straight, that light will shine your way forward.
- Over our 40 years together, my husband has given me a new Waterford Crystal ornament every Christmas. For those quick at math, that’s 40 ornaments, some of which are pretty heavy. I’ve struggled with appropriately displaying them; I want to showcase them on their own tree, but the tree needs to have sturdy enough branches for ornaments that weigh up to three-quarters of a pound. It’s become a running joke in our family that “Mom just bought a new tree for her Waterford ornaments” because I haven’t had success yet! This year, I actually chatted with a lovely lady at Balsam Hill who directed me to several trees that would fit the bill and I ordered the 6.5′ Alpine Balsam Fir. Right now, they are up to 60% off; I saved 46%!
Well my friends, I’ve got loads of blog work to do today. I actually want to write up a couple posts for you for next Christmas. I made some recipes and did some projects I want to share and want to get them on paper before I forget!
Have a Remarkable Day!
Hugs,
