News from the Nest, October 9
Good Morning!
I sure hope you are waking up this morning after having a wonderful weekend. I hope it was filled with all the things you needed or wanted to do, or filled with doing nothing at all!
Mine was busy but in an enjoyable way. I stopped by the garden store after walking with Mom Saturday morning and filled my cart with composted manure, kale starts, romaine starts, and cauliflower starts. I added a few pansies and dianthus to round out my purchases.
Then I spent the past two mornings fiddling in the garden…taking out the flowers that filled some of my containers this summer and filling them instead with kale, romaine, and pansies. I added composted manure around the asparagus, building up the soil around them. We are anxiously anticipating fresh asparagus from the garden in the spring!
We bid adieu to the last of summer’s tomatoes (RIP) and planted cauliflower starts in that bed.
Then, I worked on a recipe to share with you. It’s not quite where I want it to be yet, but it entailed making two batches of cranberry raisin cookies, which of course we had to eat, for testing purposes only, of course.
We watched college football Saturday afternoon, Mom joined us for dinner last night and then we went to bed under a down comforter with the windows open! Truly, life doesn’t get any better!
We Have a Winner!
Ninety-one of you entered the drawing for The Brot Box giveaway! Well done! And I know several of you ordered boxes and others see it as a great Christmas gift idea. You guys, that is some seriously good bread and pretzels!
I chatted with the company and the code for 5% off of your purchase will be good through the rest of the year, so make sure to bookmark or save this link (thebrotbox.com/nourishandnestle) and this code…NOURISHANDNESTLE to take advantage of the discount on your future purchases.
O.K., the winner of the giveaway is Barbs, whose email address begins with Antiqueptd! Barbs, I will be reaching out to you to get the info needed to get your Brot Box ordered. Thanks to all who entered and Congrats Barbs!
Table of Contents
The Library
Just a reminder that subscribers to Nourish and Nestle have full access to all of our patterns and printables in the Library. At this writing, there are thirty-two mostly knit, with a few crochet patterns, that are free for you to download. Additionally, all of our Organization printables, Kitchen printables, and Decluttering Printables are there, as well as all the printables for the Knit Binder. All subscribers have access with the super secret password, which I include at the bottom of every Monday’s newsletter.
New on the Blog
These Gingerbread Scones are filled with all the warming spices that make gingerbread ‘gingerbread.’ They are just barely sweet, making them the perfect breakfast nosh as is, or with a dollop of your favorite jam. In my mind, they are natural partners with a pear jam, for which I just happen to have a really great recipe!
If I’m completely honest, which of course I am, these scones came about after I made this Spiced Pear Jam and realized that what would be perfect with it were gingerbread scones. Luckily, you don’t have to have jam to enjoy the scones, but if you are so inclined, I encourage you to try the pairing, you won’t be disappointed.
From the Kitchen
- Our temperatures plummeted over the weekend, which means…IT’S SOUP SEASON! Have you noticed that most often, the most simple ingredients combine to make the most flavorful soups? White beans, onion, garlic, celery, and carrots combine with stock, a parmesan rind, bay leaves, and tomato paste to create the alchemy known as Tuscan White Bean Soup. Finish this hearty and healthy soup with chopped kale or spinach and a sprinkling of rosemary. Make it on the stove or in the crock pot!
- Insalata Mista is simply a ‘mixed salad’ in Italian. During last year’s trip to the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany, we enjoyed an insalata mista or an insalata verde (green salad) at just about every meal. Needless to say, it’s the perfect pairing to your Tuscan Soup! In this post, I also share what I learned about Olive Oil on a trip to a vineyard and oil producer.
- For the full experience, make this Tomato Mozzarella Bruschetta to accompany your soup and salad!
- Growing up and living in the Mid-Atlantic of the U.S., Old Bay Seasoning is ubiquitous, found in every local grocery store. A girlfriend of mine who moved from North Carolina back to the U.K. stocks up on the spice when she visits or has me bring it when I visit. So, for Annie and everyone else who doesn’t have ready access to this unique seasoning, here are some substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning and my knock-off recipe for the spice blend.
- Baking this moist and flavorful Cinnamon Apple Swirl Bread will make your kitchen smell like the best of Fall! Mini-loaves of this apple cinnamon bread are also perfect for gift-giving.
- These Spiced Madeleines are perfectly delicious as is, but if you are feeling ‘extra’, feel free to dip them in one of the two glazes included in the recipe.
From the Knit Studio
- The diagonal basket weave pattern is not much more complicated than your standard stocking stitch, but it is definitely more fun to knit! Even if you are a beginning knitter with a basic understanding of knit and purl, you should be able to master this stitch and make this lovely Knit Diagonal Basketweave Blanket.
- Kathy lines the knit purses she makes with fabric that has meaning for the recipient. The blue purse is lined with a hippo fabric and the dog fabric is a rare dog breed that the recipient loves! What a thoughtful gift.
- It really isn’t too soon to start thinking about your Christmas knit projects. Whether you will be one knitting for yourself or for gifts, you’ll enjoy knitting this Christmas Tree pillow. I like the white-on-white Christmas trees created by simple knit and purl stitches.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
- Twenty-two DIY Gift Ideas that you will be thrilled to give and the recipient will be thrilled to receive. These creative handmade gifts are useful, unique, and don’t scream ‘DIY!’
From the Garden
- This may indeed be the easiest DIY I’ve ever published. It seems that as soon as you start, you’re finished! This is a good and excellent thing if you are looking for some immediate gratification and instant fall home decor. And if you are looking for a fun ‘girl’s night project,’ this Pumpkin Succulent Planter would fit that bill perfectly!
The House + Home
A Few Fun Finds
Some of these links may be Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission off of 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.
You’ll find these and other products that I use and recommend over here on my shop page.
- Do you have a favorite spatula? Please say you do! Well, I do. I’m slowly switching over to all silicon spatulas, wooden handles just don’t stand up to regular dishwashing and I actually recently got a splinter from a spatula handle! No bueno! Not only is this spatula all silicone, but it is a great shape that seems to fill most of my spatula needs.
- These expandable bamboo drawer organizers are ideal for large drawers. The one we have has really helped bring order to chaos. Currently 25% off.
- Along the same lines, if your drawer is a smaller size, these individual bamboo storage cubes are handy and attractive.
- If you have a wall to fill, these sets of 3 framed prints are a great option. I’ve got my eye on this one for the wall in the guest bathroom.
- Thoughts on a Lazy Susan for the refrigerator? This one is rectangular.
- Do you have a brown sugar bear? If not, it’s the best $6 you’ll spend in a while. Great stocking stuffers or gifts for those who like to bake.
- I have a set of 6 of these bamboo mason jar lids and will most likely buy some more. They turn mason jars into attractive and easily accessible storage jars.
What I’m Working On…
Lest you think I’m noshing on bonbons behind the scenes, I want to give you a sneak peek of two little projects I will be publishing soon! I’m hoping the little knit sweater ornaments will be published next week and the felt sweater ornaments the week after. I’m starting to work on a few Christmas cookie recipes and I still have to nail down those Oatmeal Cranberry cookies.
Until next Monday, I hope your week is full of all sorts of good things!
Sending prayers for all those impacted by wars and violence throughout our world.
Mankind must remember that peace is not God’s gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.
Elie Wiesel
Hugs,
I wonder if you have a solution for my problem. I was given a counter stand rack holding spice jars. The lettering on the labels, black on foil, have rubbed out. Need to replace those label strips. I tried label stickers writing with waterproof markers but they don’t stay on. I know you are so creative.
Hi Rita,
I wonder if you could find clear labels with gold or white lettering that you could just adhere over top of the black labels. I found these labels on etsy…https://www.etsy.com/listing/1517776778/custom-text-stickers-lip-gloss-clear?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=clear+labels+with+gold+lettering+spice&ref=sr_gallery-1-12&sts=1&organic_search_click=1
Let me know what you think.
Good day! I’d like to point out that the basket-weave blanket pattern link is broken. I’d like to try this pattern. Thank you.
Thanksf for hte headup Anne-Marie. I’ve fixed it.