News from the Nest, March 25

Good Morning, Glories!

I’ve got to be honest, this is the time of year when my blog productivity suffers.

When it’s a gorgeous sunny spring morning, and my yard is calling me, I don’t have the strength of will to ignore it. So, this past week, David Copperfield and I spent the better part of two days mulching and planting. I have to say that David was a very helpful gardening partner, and we accomplished quite a lot!

Sadly, I finished David Copperfield during my two-day spring gardening fest, but I have enjoyed every one of his books so much that I decided to listen to all of Dickens’ books. However, instead of jumping around as I have been doing, I am going to start listening in chronological order. So, last week, I started The Pickwick Papers. I’m listening on Audible and the narrators have been outstanding!

Then, on Friday, we jaunted up the coast to spend a delightful weekend with Terry’s sister and her husband. It was a cold, rainy weekend, so it was perfect for hanging around indoors, chatting, eating, playing games, and watching college basketball.

So my goal is to be UBER PRODUCTIVE at the beginning of this week, because…Elsa comes home either Thursday or Friday. We are still waiting for the date. And then, our kiddos are also coming home this weekend, ostensibly because they want to visit their mom and dad and spend Easter with us, but I suspect a little four-legged furbaby is the real reason. And then, when the kiddos leave on Monday, I’ll do a quick housecleaning in between potty training as one of my college girlfriends/sorority sisters arrives later that day to spend a few days with us.

I have every intention of getting my newsletter out on Monday because I really do have stuff to share with you; please send me all the productive, self-discipline mojo you can spare!

Some Handy Tips

PLEASE SHARE THE TIPS YOU USE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY! I LOVE TO CROWD-SOURCE ALL OF OUR BRILLIANT IDEAS!

• I learned this tip after I decided it was a good idea to wash my son’s size-14 black canvas tennis shoes with my favorite beige linen dress Not only did I wash them together, but it was one of those times when I didn’t get the stuff out of the washer for several hours after it was done…so it sat there, just bleeding black ink all over my dress. But…the good news...and this is where you are very lucky to have me do the dumb stuff first so I can tell you how to fix it if by chance you do dumb stuff too...it can be remedied! I figured I had nothing to lose, so I bought a pack of Rit Color Remover from my grocery store. I wasn’t sure if it would take out the black and what it would do to the dress’s color, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Not only did it remove the black dye, but it left the beige of my dress untouched! Score one for Rit!

From the Kitchen

Spring-y Sweets for Your Easter Table

From the Knit Studio

• I have knitted this Argyle Baby Blanket for a few new babies, but it warms my heart to see that it is being knitted for wee babes worldwide! Don’t forget to share pictures of your handiwork!

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

• In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a heated neck wrap using buckwheat and lavender. This wrap can be microwaved for warmth or kept in the freezer for a cold neck or shoulder wrap. The lavender added to the heat pack makes it very relaxing.

• If you have a Cricut or are considering purchasing one, this post shows how to use foil to make fun pillows.

From the Garden

• Here is the second installment of Container Garden Ideas and Recipes, just in time for spring planning and planting!

• This is generally a good time to plant strawberries, but check recommendations for your specific location. But make sure to check out these recommended Strawberry Companion Plants when you plan your garden.

In the Home

• I’m always looking for ways to slow my world down, simplify my life, and make it less busy and stressful. I surely don’t have all the answers, and I don’t always do what I know I *should* do, but I do make a daily effort. It all comes down to creating healthy habits. Here are eight tips/suggestions to simplify your life to reduce stress.

Books Read and Listened to Thus Far This Year

I’ve updated my books read thus far in 2024 list. I added a ‘books listened to’ section as well, as I continue to work my way through all of the Charles Dickens books on Audible. Thus far this year, I’ve listened to Bleak House and David Copperfield.

Remember, you can easily find the book list on the home page of the website. It’s in the third section down.

Some Fun Finds and a Few Favorites

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Fun Finds

More reasonably priced artwork if you need to fill a space on your walls.

An assortment of lovely throw blankets/bedspreads, nicely priced. I’m trying to figure out how to use one in our home.

Cute woven bag.

These are nice jars that are easily accessible without having to screw anything off.

Some Garden Favorites

This is our go-to deer repellent. I know some folks find the smell a bit repellent for humans, too, but once it dries it isn’t awful to me. And I’m willing to have some minor olfactory inconvenience to keep my hydrangeas in one piece. You do need to apply it regularly, especially if it rains heavily. I aim to give my hydrangeas a good spray every other week in peak bloom season and I can tell when I miss a week.

If your garden or compost bin needs a little worm assistance, we order from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. They always arrive healthy and complete with instructions to keep them thriving.

Well, as I previously said, I need to hit the ground running this week. God willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll be back next Monday!

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!