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News from the Nest October 18

Good Morning, friends!

I come to you this morning as a much chastened and rather sheepish voice of decluttering.

If you were to come to my home on any given day, you would probably come away thinking, ‘this gal really practices what she preaches on the whole decluttering thing.’ The surfaces (tables, countertops, etc…) are typically clear, I don’t have piles of stuff laying about, incoming mail is processed and recycled daily, and my closest could be considered somewhat minimalist in that I have what I consider a capsule wardrobe. Over the years we have pared down our possessions, aiming to keep only what brings us joy or that we find useful.

But, chances are you would not have made it to the attic! 😱 Oh my. Suffice it to say that the skeletons in my decluttering closet have been hiding in the attic! But during our week of work last week, we banished those skeletons, which in my case are…boxes.

In the spirit of full disclosure and sharing warts and all, this is a sampling of my boxes of boxes that we cleared out of the attic last week. There are more around the corner, but I couldn’t get a good angle to show them all. Now, this is not the first time I have cleared the boxes from my attic; I do it rather regularly. So, heed this cautionary tale that things we don’t see can still pile up behind closed doors.

Stack of boxes.

And as a pat on the back, in addition to now having a rather spacious and organized attic, we successfully crossed off all of our Week of Work projects! We schedule these seasonally. Our next one will be in January or February and I’m already making the list.

  • Will you be visiting friends or family over Thanksgiving? Maybe attending a ‘Friendsgiving’ at some time? I have a great host/hostess gift idea for you. Check out these free Thanksgiving Wine Tags that you can print and attach to a bottle of wine.
  • One of our readers, Karen, started an non-profit organization called My Recovery Buddy. In Karen’s words, “My Recovery Buddy was founded as a way to help people through the rough patches they are going through – whether it’s battling addictions, disorders, trauma, or medical or mental illness.” They are a clearing house of sorts for creatives who hand craft huggable, lovable buddies that are sent to their new forever friend to remind them that they don’t have to be alone in their recovery. These cute buddies can be sewn, knit, or crocheted. If you would like to help make buddies or if you know someone who could use a buddy, make sure you go to her page. You can see and hear Karen and why she started My Recovery Buddy here.
  • If you would like to force Paperwhites this holiday season, now is a good time to start thinking about it. I just purchased my bulbs last week. They bloom about 4-6 weeks after starting them indoors, so plan accordingly.
  • I 💗 reviews like this! This Brothy Beans recipes is one of our favorite meals and one of the things I appreciate about it is just how versatile it is. I haven’t added a ham hock to mine yet, but I can see it really adding some delicous smokey flavor.

This was great! I used water and threw a couple of chicken stock cubes I had in. I also had a ham hock in the freezer (very strange for me). I saw the note about how good the garlic is so I threw in 10 cloves. This was just so good. The aroma in the kitchen was terrific as it cooked and then the finished product was just delicious. I ate 3 bowls for dinner! I ordered good-quality dried beans from Bob’s Red Mill and cut the rind off my Parmesan. I will definitely be making this again.

Heather

Yum Yum
  • I’ve mentioned Spoonful of Comfort in the past. If you want to send some support and a delicious meal to someone, but they are too far away for you to drive it over, Spoonful of Comfort is your answer. They have a variety of seasonal meals, including a fun Halloween package. All their soups are great, but the Tomato Basil is our favorite.
  • I know, it’s not even Halloween and I’m talking Christmas, but you may want to get started on this before the season gets too busy. This easy to make Wrapping Paper Organizer Cart will keep all your paper, tape, gift tags and ribbon organized and easy to access and is perfect for wrapping paper storage year-round.  What I used to make my cart and how I have organized it. If you have dreams of organized gift wrap storage dancing in your head along with sugar plums, then this wrapping paper organizer will make all your Night before Christmas dreams come true! While I am honest about my decluttering and organizing failures, I can also honestly say that this cart was a game changer for organizing my holiday wrapping.
  • For my knitting friends or friends who have knitting friends…we are running a give away! I have recently updated and added some Gift Ideas for Knitters. Pop on over there and…

1) if you are a knitter, tell me what your favorite on the list is or what I forgot to include or

2) if you are not a knitter, but would love to win this for a knitter friend/family member, tell me what you would love your knitter person to make for you!

All comments submitted today through Sunday, October 24th will be counted as entries. We will randomly choose one person to win this ‘if you knit, you know’ zippered pouch…the perfect size for all those knitting accouterments!

Zippered pouch that says \'if you knit you know.\'
Two red and white knit stockings.

Well my friends…with two birthdays and our Week of Work last week, I am woefully behind on blog work. I have so many projects in the works that I am chomping at the bit to get published for you!

So, I am signing off. I wish you a beautiful day of contentment and calm.

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!

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18 Comments

  1. 🤣🤣🤣 I love it that you have ‘fessed up’ hiding boxes in the attic. I am currently saving different sized boxes (when I’ve received an ordered item) as the boxes will be used to send some friends my handmade cards as a gift. (there are currently no church or bric a brac sales where I used to sell them & funds went to local pet charities) Also it’s another way to use up my craft supplies (something else that needs attention in organisation & disposal) !!!

    1. Hi Thea,

      Oh girl, I am so glad someone appreciates my box saving (as opposed to box hoarding). I love that you make your own cards and send them to friends. And without your box stash, you’d be up a creek! That’s what I explained to hubby.

      Have a great day, my friend.

      Hugs,

      Lynn

    1. Oh Cindy, you would ask!?

      I guess it comes down to this, I hate buying things that I don’t need to buy…boxes being one of them. But I only need a few boxes to accomplish that.

      Have a great day,

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  2. Your gift ideas for knitters are wonderful! For me, personally, the bag that holds different types of needles is a favorite because my old bag is…well…old and worn and starting to rip in spots (pushing those needles in too hard, I guess). But the cute little needle gauges are pretty cool, and I’ve never seen them like that before. I have a ruler kind of thing that goes from tiny to huge, but I honestly only use the middle sizes (like size 4 – 10) so different discs are nice to have.

    1. Hi Liz,

      It seems I’ve been knitting forever, but there are still gadgets I would like to see under the tree. I just recently, after 35 years, purchased myself blocking squares! Not sure how I did without them! Maybe I need to add them to the list! I hope Santa brings you a needle holder and a gauge! If you need someone to put a bug in Santa’s ear, tell them to email me! 😉

      Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!

      Happy Knitting!

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  3. I, too, am a box hoarder! I thought I was alone! 🙂 My husband makes me get rid of mine every now and then because it’s a fire hazard lol. Love the blog! It just makes me happy 🙂

    1. Aw, Thanks Tammy. For making me feel like I’m not the only Box Hoarder out there and for your kind words! I do love this wee job of mine, but receiving kind words like yours makes it all the more enjoyable!

      As it relates to the box thing…I just remind my hubby ‘wouldn’t it be silly if we had to mail something, didn’t have the right size box and actually had to buy a box!!??’ I promise, I will never have to buy a box!

      Have a fantastic day, my friend.

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  4. Where did you order your paper whites from? I found a small kit from Walmart, but would like to buy in bulk to give to friends. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful ideas and stories. LovE your blog. Made your hand balm for a neighbor going through chemo. She loved it. Great recipe.

    1. Hi Connie,

      I actually purchased them at a local garden shop! I imagine most shops have them out now and they were in bulk! It was nice to be able to pick out some good looking ones.

      Thanks for the comment on the hand balm! I’m so glad you liked it. What scent did you use?

      Have a great day, my friend.

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  5. I LOVE your writings!!!! I, too, hoard boxes starting in @ August….we ship packages to family members all over the east coast and when sister, who lives across the street, always has a shortage – As to the knitting, I have been knitting for as long as I can remember. My 91 year old Mom makes mittens, hats and scarves for the elementary schools in her district every year – all year round! She started knitting when she a kid and has always had her hands busy on something or other. I’m in the process of knitting Christmas gifts…last year I made mini stockings for all the people who work at my daughter’s store…filled them with candy and hung them on a mini tree….cute. LOVE, love, love your blog…..always has great info, recipes and makes me feel like we’re having a cuppa and talking things over….thank you!Debb

    1. AW, thanks Debbie! I love this wee job of mine, but receiving comments like yours are the fuel to my fire.

      EXACTLY! What hubby doesn’t realize is that we never lack for a box when necessary. But even I can admit to having 35+ too many! 😉 They seem to multiply like rabbits.

      Wow, I love hearing about your active 91-year old mom. Good for her…all those projects keep her young and happy. I know my mom (85) needs to have projects too.

      What are you knitting this year? Love the idea of mini stockings filled with goodies! How adorable. And thanks again for your kind words! I’m smiling at the image of us having our cuppa and catching up!

      Hugs to you and your mom!

      Lynn

  6. Your list for knitting gift ideas is practically perfect, but you’re right – it needs blocking squares!! Proper ones, with measurement grids and curves and angles. It makes such a difference in your FO, and there are too many shawls being pinned to guest beds and play tiles and ironing boards… a true tragedy!
    Love your site and all you offer. I can’t wait to print out some wine tags!

    1. Hi Pam, I will go back in and add those blocking squares! 🙋🏼‍♀️ for blocking too many projects to guest beds and carpeted floors! I know…it’s embarrassing, but I’m among friends here.

      Thanks for the kind compliment…I really do love this job!

      Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!

      Happy Knitting!

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  7. I like the wooden needle gauge as a stocking stuffer. Also, purchasing a mini skein (or two!) would be a fun stuffer for both knitters and crocheters!

    1. Hi Norma,

      That wooden needle gauge would be a great stocking stuffer! Hope it finds a way into yours! 🎅🏼

      Thanks for commenting and you are entered into the drawing!

      Happy Knitting!

      Hugs,

      Lynn

  8. Could you please tell us more about the Week of Work you mentioned? Or guide me to a place where you’ve already written about it? I am intrigued.
    This week has also seen a purging of boxes at our house. I flattened them and put them along pathways in the veggie garden as weed matting. Topped with a bit of straw, nobody would know they’re down there blocking weed growth.

    1. Hi Meg,

      I haven’t really written about our Week of Work, but I have mentioned it.

      In a nutshell, we mark a week on our calendar and mostly take off from work. We work from home, so we pop in and out if necessary. We clear our calendar and just tackle home projects. We really do enjoy it! We try to do it 4 times a year, seasonally, for those seasonal tasks.

      And your box suggestion is a great one! I could have made weed blocks for our entire street! 😉

      Have a great day!

      Hugs,

      Lynn

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