News From The Nest, March 2

New on the Blog

When the weather is still a little grey, and you’re craving something warm and cozy, this Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry ticks every box. A few tips take this one over the top; using shredded (not cubed) chicken and that gorgeous puff pastry topping are two of them. It’s comfort food that looks like you spent all day on it, even if you didn’t. Keep this one in your back pocket for those nights when you want to feed people well without a lot of drama.

From the Knit + Crochet

Spring is basically knocking at the door, which means it’s the perfect time to whip up this adorable Crochet Easter Basket — it works up quickly and makes a sweet handmade touch for Easter morning. Nothing store-bought can compete with something you made yourself, and this little basket is proof.

This Linen Throw is exactly what you need when the heavy blankets get packed away, but you still find yourself reaching for something to drape over your legs on a cool spring evening. It’s made from actual linen fabric — not yarn — with a simple backstitch border sewn around the perimeter and a crocheted single crochet edge worked right into those stitches, giving it a beautiful finished look that feels far more elevated than the effort involved. It’s a lovely project for someone who enjoys both sewing and crochet, and it makes a truly welcome gift.

The Sunburst Crochet Dishcloth is one of those patterns that looks far more impressive than the effort it takes, with its cheerful starburst design adding a little sunshine to an everyday kitchen task. It also makes a lovely handmade gift.

If you knit and you’ve never tried a Garter Stitch Trivet, this beginner-friendly pattern is calling your name — it’s a satisfying little project that’s practical, pretty, and a great use of leftover yarn. Cathi wrote in to say, “Everyone who sees my trivets asks me to make them some!  Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas!”

From the Kitchen

Nothing says “I’ve got dinner handled” quite like a pot of Healthy White Chicken Chili simmering on the stove — it’s hearty and satisfying without feeling heavy, and it’s freezer-friendly, which means future you will be very grateful. This is a great one to make in a big batch and freeze in individual portions for those nights when cooking just isn’t going to happen.

My mom’s Curry Salad Dressing has been a family favorite since I was a little girl in Hawaii — it’s bright, punchy, and all you need to elevate a simple bowl of greens. Reader Heather commented, “I just made this dressing for the second time this month. It is that good! I love it on a simple green salad with some goat cheese. The flavors take a simple salad into something way more complex!”

These Raspberry Macarons with Chocolate Raspberry Ganache are a little project, but they are absolutely worth the effort — and the fact that they freeze beautifully means you can make them ahead for spring gatherings or Easter dessert. If macarons are something you’ve always wanted to make, but are intimidated by the process, this is the post for you. I walk you through the recipe step-by-step and share 14 tips to ensure success.

Speaking of spring gatherings, Jalapeño Pepper Wine Jelly is one of those “why haven’t I made this sooner” condiments — it’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and it’s just as wonderful spooned over cream cheese for an appetizer as it would be drizzled over a charcuterie board.

These Sourdough Discard Pancakes are my absolute favorite way to use up sourdough discard — they come together in minutes and have a slight tang that makes them taste like something from a fancy brunch spot. If you’ve got a starter going, don’t throw that discard away. Pro Tip: If you’d like to be the most popular person in your home, serve these pancakes one morning!

When you need something warming and nourishing without a lot of fuss, Italian Pastina Soup — aka Italian Penicillin — is the answer. Tiny pasta, rich broth, and a squeeze of lemon make it simple, soul-restoring, and exactly the kind of thing you want when someone in the house isn’t feeling their best, or you just need a simple, wholesome bowl of soup.

And when it’s time for a little indulgence, this Skillet Brownie Sundae with toffee bits and homemade caramel sauce is pure dessert joy. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people at your dinner table go very quiet for a few minutes while they process the joy that just landed on their tongues. The caramel sauce alone is worth the trip to the post.

From the Arts + Crafts

These Easy-to-Make Napkins are the kind of sewing project that makes you wonder why you ever bought paper napkins in the first place — they’re simple, customizable, and so much more satisfying to use at the table. Add a crochet border or not! A stack of these would also make a thoughtful and personal housewarming gift.

This Ceramic Egg Tray, made from polymer clay and a plain cardboard egg carton, is one of those projects that people will never guess you made yourself — it’s that pretty. It works equally well as a little trinket tray on a dresser or a charming way to display eggs on your counter, especially with Easter just around the corner.

If you’ve ever looked at those beautiful concrete garden spheres in upscale garden centers and thought “I could never,” think again — these Concrete Garden Balls are surprisingly doable and cost a fraction of what you’d pay in a store. They make a fun addition to any garden bed or patio, and you can even tint them to match your outdoor color scheme.

In the Garden

This time of year, the list of garden to-dos can feel a little overwhelming. Not to worry! These Garden Maintenance Tips and the Printable Schedule break everything down into manageable daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks so nothing falls through the cracks. There’s also a free printable schedule and fertilization log in the post, which is exactly the kind of thing that makes me feel like I actually have it together.

In the House + Home

Whether you have one cutting board or a whole collection, how you display them can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen — and this post is full of creative, practical ideas for making them a real design feature rather than a cluttered pile. It turns out a good-looking cutting board display is also one of the easiest ways to add character to a kitchen.

And finally, sometimes the clutter that weighs us down most isn’t in our closets — it’s in our heads. The post on decluttering mental clutter walks through practical strategies for quieting the mental noise so you can actually enjoy the beautiful home and life you’re building. Spring cleaning for the mind — it’s long overdue for most of us.