News From the Nest, November 2

New on the Blog

If a jar of sourdough discard is hanging out in your refrigerator, these sourdough discard soft pretzels are one of my favorite ways to use it. They are chewy inside with a deep golden crust; the discard adds a gentle tang, and they are easier to make than you might think. Step-by-step, illustrated directions promise pretzel perfection! Pair them with your favorite mustard or try a variation (cinnamon sugar, garlic parm, etc.).

This is the 2026 Holiday Planner that consumed my weekend. I noodled the most common holiday tasks for Thanksgiving and Christmas and tucked them into this 9-page planner. One page is just for you to write your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner menu, but the other 8 pages are dedicated to each of the 8 weeks between now and Christmas, with all the tasks broken down into bite-sized pieces. Do a little each week, and you’ll be sitting pretty come the holidays. I left space for you to jot down task/to-dos specific to you and your family. If you notice something I forgot, do let me know! It will help me make it better for next year.

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

If, like me, you’re starting to think about handmade gifts right about now, these free Christmas knitting patterns are a great place to begin. The collection of twelve covers Santa hats, gnomes, snowmen, stockings, mini sweaters, and gingerbread men pillows. One of the tree pillows was dreamed up on a road trip, when I made Terry swing by a yarn store so I could start designing it right there in the car!

If a cozy throw is on your list, these knit blanket patterns run from chunky throws to sweet baby blankets. This post shares all 13 of my free blanket patterns in one place! I started making blankets and washcloths after realizing you can only gift so many sweaters. Reader Cynthia says the basket weave blanket and washcloth got her knitting, and she taught herself from the patterns.

Stashing a pile of last-minute gifts is easy when you have daisy stitch washcloths on the needles, because they knit up so quickly. The post also has ideas for pairing them with homemade spa goodies, plus wraps and tags to make them gift-ready.

Stocking season will be here before we know it, and this knit Christmas stocking with a faux fur cuff is roomy and pretty to make. A broken rib stitch adds a little texture, and the free pattern comes with a full video that walks you through every step.

From the Kitchen

Nothing says fall in a glass quite like this spiked warm caramel apple cider. It is perfect for tailgating or sipping around a fire on a cool evening.

Cutting crackers with mini leaf cookie cutters makes these leaf-shaped cheddar crackers such a fun fall snack for entertaining or tailgating. They are savory and bite-size, and a sprinkle of paprika adds a touch of autumn red.

Yup, this chicken alfredo pasta bake is not a diet dinner, but every once in a while we deserve something decadent and soul-warming. The homemade sauce uses real butter, cream, garlic, and parmesan, and the cheesy top bakes up golden and a little crisp at the edges. Make the sauce and chicken ahead for an easy weeknight assembly, and know that the leftovers reheat beautifully.

If you want to be the most popular person in your zip code, I’ve got you covered. These apple puff pastry hand pies have all the flavor of classic apple pie in a flaky little package you can eat with your hands. Store-bought puff pastry keeps things easy, and a quick head start on the apples keeps the pastries from baking up hollow. They freeze and reheat well, so they work for breakfast, lunch, or dessert.

Your kitchen will smell like the best of fall when this cinnamon apple swirl bread is in the oven. Brown sugar gives it a rich color and moist texture, and the instructions for mini loaves make lovely gifts. Reader Di says her whole family loved it, and Kerry swapped in a peach when she didn’t have an apple and said it turned out fantastic!

If you’re anything like me (and a large percentage of the rest of the world), fall means bringing out all the warm, cozy flavors! So, running out of pumpkin pie spice mid-recipe could be quite the disaster. This homemade pumpkin pie spice blend comes together from spices you likely already have in the pantry, so you control the freshness. It’s great in pies, muffins, and cookies, and it’s also wonderful stirred into coffee or oatmeal.

These pumpkin pie spice cookies get all the warm flavors of a classic pumpkin pie, minus the actual pumpkin. They are soft and chewy inside with a crunchy sugar coating on the outside, and I think they were made to be enjoyed with a glass of milk. Mix up a batch and use the homemade spice blend 👆🏼 for a fall treat that starts with pantry staples.

Just in time for baking season! Ever wondered whether you can swap one for the other, or if that old box in the pantry is still any good? This baking soda and baking powder guide explains what each one does, when you can substitute, and how to test freshness at home. It’s a handy read before the holiday baking begins, and it might save you from buying a new box you don’t need.

From the Arts + Crafts Studio

I’m a traditional red-and-green gal at heart, but the camellia bush by the front door in our previous home bloomed hot pink every December, so I went with it. This ornament garland is made from plastic ornaments and coiled wire, and it adds plenty of holiday merriment to the porch. Get started now so you’re ready to decorate when the time comes.

A little fabric paint and a rubber stamp turn plain white napkins into something festive, and these stamped fabric napkins are inexpensive to make. Stamp a set for your own Christmas table and a few extras to give as gifts. You could also try the same idea on tea towels or cocktail napkins, and swap the trees for Autumn leaves, turkeys, snowflakes, candy canes, or gingerbread men! The possibilities are endless.

Cooks and foodies are the easiest people to shop for, and these made-in-your-kitchen gifts for cooks make it even easier. Vanilla fleur de sel, rosemary fleur de sel, and peppermint sprinkles are all quick to whip up.

A Few Fun Finds

We have two of these blankets (one for indoor and one for the back porch), and they are the snuggliest, warmest blankets. They just envelop you in coziness, and folks are drawn to them…as are kittens. Splurge on one for yourself or grab a few for Christmas gifts.

Need some classic, inexpensive Holiday wall art?

It’s candle-burning season; a candle warmer is a safer option.

From the Garden

Buying fresh flowers every week adds up fast, so I paired a long-blooming orchid with ferns to make this living centerpiece that lasts. The two plants have different water needs, so the post shows how to keep each one happy. This is also a great gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list!

Before the holiday rush takes over, these six November home maintenance tasks are worth a look. They cover things like checking window sealant, testing smoke detector batteries, and cleaning the chimney. Knock them out now, and you can relax with loved ones and enjoy the season.