News From the Nest, July 6
How are things shaking in your world?
⚡News Flash: We are officially halfway through 2026! Boy, that happened quickly. 😯 In fact, I just ordered my 2027 planner!
It’s a great time to take a moment to reflect on what you wanted your 2026 to look like. If, like me, you wanted to focus on physical well-being but have let it slip, it’s time to get moving. If you had set a reading goal, where are you in that?
Table of Contents
Knitting and Crochet
I am excited to finally share my brand new Dandelion Baby Blanket pattern with you, knit with love for our newest family member, my great-niece Polly, who will be making her entrance this month! This blanket has a delicate, scattered stitch that looks like little dandelion puffs caught in a breeze, and it comes together in a simple 16-row repeat you’ll have memorized before you’re through the first pattern. It’s generous in size, so it’ll be useful well past the newborn stage, and there’s an optional applied i-cord edge if you want that boutique-finished look. I knit mine in the softest blush pink, but honestly, this one would be gorgeous in any color you love.
If you’re in a quick-project kind of mood, this Crochet Scrunchie Pattern is calling your name. Each one takes about an hour, uses only basic stitches, and can cost next to nothing if you’re working from stash yarn. Just switch up the color placement, and you’ll get three totally different looks from one simple design, which makes these perfect for gifting, craft fairs, or just treating yourself.
And if you’re looking for useful knit projects, I rounded up my favorite Kitchen Knit and Crochet Patterns, from dishcloths to trivets to potholders. These make wonderfully economical, practical projects using workhorse cotton yarns, and they’re the kind of handmade gift that never goes unused.
Delicious Things From The Kitchen
Need a drink for your next porch sit or backyard gathering? This Watermelon Vodka Cocktail tastes like a big gulp of sunshine. I’ll show you the easiest way to make fresh watermelon juice at home, whether you’re mixing a single glass or a whole pitcher for friends.
If you’ve got a zucchini surplus and have run out of places to give it, these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries are a healthier spin on the classic, with a crispy Parmesan and breadcrumb coating and a horseradish dipping sauce that’ll have even picky eaters reaching for more.
Nectarines and basil might sound like an unlikely pair, but trust me on this one. This Spinach and Nectarine Salad with Basil Dressing came together on a whim from a bounty of both, and the combination of sweet fruit, herby dressing, toasted walnuts, and gorgonzola is what summer tastes like.
And for an easy, make-ahead lunch, our Curried Chicken Salad is a great way to stretch leftover chicken. Crisp celery and a sprinkle of peanuts right before serving give it the perfect crunch, and it’s especially good rolled up in a spinach wrap.
Chocolate and cherries are a weakness of mine, and these Cherry Chocolate Brownies hit that fudgy, fruity note perfectly. One reader, Sandy, said they were pure chewy, fudgy goodness. They come together with simple pantry staples and a handful of cherries, whether fresh or frozen, so there’s no excuse not to make a batch this week.
Looking for a nostalgic summer treat? This Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich recipe came out of my quest to recreate a childhood favorite that I couldn’t find anywhere anymore. I’ll walk you through the trick of freezing ice cream in a clean can to get perfectly sized rounds for your cookies, so these end up looking just as good as they taste.
This is peak season for peppers, and our Red Pepper Jelly is a sweet and spicy condiment you’ll want on hand all year. It’s fantastic over cream cheese for an easy appetizer, and I’ll walk you through both the water bath canning and freezing methods so you can pick whatever works for your kitchen.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
If you love giving handmade gifts but want them to look a little more polished than “obviously homemade,” you need to checkout these 30 Gift Ideas That Don’t Scream ‘DIY!’ I’ve grouped them by category, from bath and body treats to kitchen gifts to home decor, so you can easily start building a gift basket for anyone on your list, and get a jump on holiday gifting while you’re at it.
For a bigger weekend project, take a look at how we built this Console Table from scratch, except for the legs, which we were able to purchase. If we could do it, you absolutely can too, and I’ll walk you through every step.
How’s Your Garden Growing?
If you love a planter overflowing with color but dread the cost (and weight) of filling it with soil, you’ll want to take a gander at these Tricks to Fill a Large Planter. I share all sorts of materials, many of which you probably already have around the house, that can fill the bottom of your pots for free, saving you money and your back at the same time.
And if you’re tired of tenacious weeds but don’t love reaching for harsh chemicals, our Homemade Weed Killer Recipe has been my go-to for years now. I’m honest about what it can and can’t do compared to commercial products, plus share the precautions you’ll want to take before you spray.
In the Home
Moving to a smaller space is never easy, but these Downsizing Tips come from firsthand experience helping my parents pare down 60 years of belongings into a fraction of the space. From starting early to getting creative with storage, these tips will make the process feel far less overwhelming.
And once you’ve decluttered, you’ll want a system to keep things that way. This Drawer Organization Solution uses simple, inexpensive drawer dividers that let you customize any drawer to fit exactly what you need, even those oddly narrow ones that never seem to fit a store-bought organizer.
Whatcha Reading?
Well, I should have done it last week, but nevertheless, it’s time to update my book reviews. And actually, since the end of January’s newsletter was taken over by events, I’m covering what I’ve read for the last two months.
For the past several years, I’ve joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge. I haven’t hit my goals for the past couple of years, but I’ll keep trying! If you need some book titles to add to your reading queue this year, check out my quick and dirty reviews of what I’ve read and listened to here.
I mentioned that I’ve thoroughly benefited from every penny of my Audible subscription. I also credit it with helping me stay on track with my exercise by giving me opportunities to get out and walk so I can keep up with my stories! Right now, I’m thoroughly enjoying Angela Marsons’ DI Kim Stone series.
If you like listening while you work, here’s a list of podcasts I’ve enjoyed.
Phew! We covered a LOT this morning. Thanks for staying with me and I hope you have found a few things that piqued your interest today.
Once again, I’ll be doing indoor things today, but I do need to find a way to exercise two big girls in this heat and humidity. Right now, at almost 9 a.m., we have a 98°F/37°C heat index…YUCK! I broke out in a sweat just thinking about walking outside.
Until next week…
