News from the Nest, July 8

• With that introduction, here’s Tawnie’s newest pattern for crochet slipper socks. These slipper socks are perfect for keeping your feet warm and cozy if you want a fun and practical project or gift idea.

• Both new and experienced knitters will appreciate this quick Moss Stitch washcloth pattern. Simple knit and purl stitches combine to create a lovely texture, perfect for a dishcloth or washcloth.

• If you like your washcloths larger or smaller than the 11″ square of this pattern, this post on resizing knit pieces will help you determine how many stitches to cast on for your desired size.

Speaking of bumper crops, if you have been blessed with a bounty of blueberries, make blueberry syrup or blueberry banana muffins!

• Flavored with honey-lavender tea, this blueberry syrup is delightful in drinks and over ice cream, pancakes, and waffles. Leave the tea bag out for a simple blueberry syrup. And, you can water bath can this syrup to make it shelf-stable or simply freeze or refrigerate it.

• These Blueberry Banana Muffins elevate the classic muffin with a delicious blend of flavors and a tender crumb. The recipe uses over-ripe bananas, adding natural sweetness and ensuring the muffins remain moist. Fresh blueberries bring a burst of tangy fruit, creating a well-rounded and irresistible muffin. The use of bread flour, rather than all-purpose flour, gives our muffins a uniformly light crumb that takes them to the next level. And not for nothing, this Thursday, July 11, is National Blueberry Muffin Day! It’s a sign!

• Speaking of muffins, read through these tips to prevent soggy muffins if you need to store them.

• You’ll never guess what ‘day’ today is, so I’ll go ahead and tell you. It is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY! I kid you not. Shockingly, it isn’t clear who determined this day, but we are rolling with it because I happen to LOVE chocolate-covered almonds, especially dark chocolate. And, not surprisingly, I have a recipe for you, fellow chocolate-covered nuts lovers out there.

• Impress your guests with this Shrimp Salsa recipe. It is a breeze to make, and the common ingredients combine for a delicious twist on traditional salsa.

• Accompany your shrimp salsa with my dad’s Margarita recipe; simply the best margarita you’ve ever tasted.

• Sticking with the Mexican theme, give these Air-Fryer Tacos a try! Ready in just 35 minutes, these mini tacos are easy to make and a healthier option thanks to the air-frying method, which requires minimal oil. What’s not to love?

Trust me, I’m not trying to rush the season. But if you like to give handmade gifts for Christmas, it’s probably a good time to start thinking about what you will be making. Gather your supplies and patterns, work on your projects when you can, and you’ll be sitting pretty come the busier months.

• More than thirty ideas that make lovely and appreciated handmade gifts.

• Those crocheted slipper socks, shown up there ⬆️ are always a great gift in the cooler months.
• These Tiny Knit Sweaters knit up quickly and make adorable Christmas tree ornaments. They are equally cute on a garland, a wreath, as a gift topper, or as a place setting. Use some of your yarn stash for these knit Christmas ornaments. Last year, I made eleven sweaters and added the first initial of each family member. I used them as place markers at the Christmas morning breakfast table.

• Simple sewing and embroidery skills are all you need for these Mini Felt Sweaters. You can personalize them with initials or other ornamentation. Truly the possibilities are only limited by imagination.

• If you’ve ever considered knitting some Christmas stockings, I have two patterns for you to consider. I think you’ll be surprised how easy these stockings are to knit, and the multiple videos I produced walk you through each step of the process.
  • This basic chunky Christmas Stocking Pattern uses only stockinette stitch for a simple yet lovely stocking. 

• This second Knit Christmas Stocking Pattern uses the broken-rib stitch for a little bit of a texture and Sirdar Alpine for a soft and lovely faux fur cuff.

• Both of these stocking patterns use the Magic Loop technique. If you are unfamiliar with it or need a refresher, here’s the lowdown on the Magic Loop.

• Spend a day in the kitchen and laundry with this printable checklist, and do a little decluttering. The checklist shares 38 items commonly found in these areas of the home that you could most likely discard and never miss! It’s a great way to jumpstart your decluttering.

• Once you are done decluttering, it is a great time to do a little organizing!
  • Here are a few organizing ideas for the kitchen

• This simple drawer organizer has stood the test of time.

A Few Favorites and Some Fun Finds

Some of these links may be Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from the sale of these products to help defray the costs of operating this site, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.

• I just bought four of these Rifle Paper Corkcicle Tumblers to start filling my gift stash! The only one that is 50% off is the 16-ounce, Cream Lively Floral pattern.

• SUPER CUTE sundresses, very reasonably priced. My daughter just ordered the green, which I love.
• A lovely summer straw purse, also very reasonably priced.