News From The Nest, September 29

New on the Blog

It’s apple season, so of course, we need a new apple recipe to celebrate! You’ll need to make this Apple Puff Pastry Hand Pies recipe as soon as possible, just to satisfy those apple-pie-loving taste buds that won’t be quiet until they get what they want. I have quite a few of those demanding taste buds, so I know what I speak of. Start to finish, you’ll have crispy, delicious apple hand pies in less than an hour. This post is packed with tips to make your apple hand pie baking journey successful and tasty.

Would you just look at those flaky layers and all that apple goodness!? Don’t even try to tell me you don’t need to make these …like, yesterday!

From the Knit + Crochet Studio

Perfect for creating a practical gift while tackling your holiday list, this Crochet Market Bag Pattern offers both small and large sizing options that work up quickly in cotton yarn. Reader Cheryl was thrilled with how functional and sturdy her finished bag turned out. With basic stitches and clear instructions, it’s an ideal project for carrying fresh finds from winter farmers markets or as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags year-round.

For those welcoming a new baby this season, the Argyle + Diamonds Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern creates an heirloom-quality gift with its reversible argyle pattern and diamond seed stitch borders. The 40″ x 43″ blanket is made from a cotton-viscose blend yarn for easy care. It pairs beautifully with the coordinating baby hat pattern, which echoes the same diamond motifs in its delicate texture.

Speaking of that perfect pairing, the Baby’s Knitted Hat Pattern – Little Diamonds coordinates beautifully with the argyle and diamonds blanket, featuring the same diamond pattern replicated in the border design. This speedy knit works up in just 2-5 hours, depending on size, uses minimal yarn, and creates a gift-ready hat that’s perfect for tucking into new-parent care packages.

Don’t skip the finishing touches on your knitted projects this winter – the comprehensive guide on How to Block Knitting Projects covers wet blocking, steam blocking, and spray blocking techniques that make your handmade items look professional and polished. As reader Jacqueline noted, the clear instructions gave her confidence to finally tackle blocking for the first time with excellent results.

From the Kitchen

When you need dinner ready quickly but want maximum flavor, this Curry Chicken Marinade delivers restaurant-quality results with just 5-6 hours of marinating time. The recipe works perfectly for meal prep too – double the batch and freeze half for an effortless weeknight dinner later. Then, use any leftover grilled chicken in wraps or salads for easy lunches.

For an elegant treat worthy of any special occasion, these Spiced Madeleines, with optional Maple Glaze, bring a touch of French sophistication to your dessert table with warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. While they require a bit more precision than typical baking projects, the detailed instructions and helpful tips ensure success, and these shell-shaped delicacies are absolutely sublime served warm from the oven with your afternoon tea or coffee.

Don’t forget your four-legged family members this pumpkin season with these Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats that dehydrate in your regular oven to prevent molding. Reader Jane discovered that rolling them super thin, like pizza crust, and cutting them into small squares works perfectly, and mentioned that humans enjoy them too. 😉 The recipe includes helpful flour substitution options and safety tips for keeping your pups healthy.

This vibrant Winter Fig and Butternut Squash Salad celebrates the best flavors of the season with arugula, roasted butternut squash, dried figs, and toasted hazelnuts. The maple curry dressing adds just the right amount of warmth and sweetness. You can easily turn this colorful side into a complete meal by adding cooked quinoa or meat for extra protein and fiber.

Perfect for those chilly winter evenings when you want something hearty and warming, this 15 Bean Soup Recipe with Smoked Turkey earned the ultimate compliment – my husband declared it “the best soup you have ever made” after 35 years of marriage. The healthier twist uses smoked turkey instead of ham to reduce fat and sodium by more than 50%. Multiple cooking methods allow you to use your slow cooker, stovetop, or Dutch oven, depending on what works best for your schedule.

When you have apples that are past their prime or simply want a healthy snack for traveling, learn How to Dehydrate Apples Without a Dehydrator using just your regular oven. The simple technique requires nothing more than thin slicing with a mandoline and a low oven temperature, resulting in potato chip-crisp apple slices that last up to six months in an airtight container and make the perfect guilt-free snack.

For special occasions that call for something truly spectacular, The Best Ever Carrot Cake Recipe has been the most requested dessert in my baking repertoire for over 15 years. The secret is the buttermilk glaze poured over the warm layers, creating an impossibly moist cake that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant, as reader Colleen discovered when she made it for her husband’s 65th birthday.

Arts + Crafts

Transform your bedroom into a welcoming retreat with this pillow sham pattern featuring a flange edge that requires only basic sewing skills, such as running straight seams and hems. The tutorial includes a helpful fabric cutting chart, and the optional fusible fleece backing prevents those floppy flanges while giving your finished shams a professional, structured look that elevates any bedding ensemble.

Suppose you’re ready to tackle a project that delivers serious wow factor. In that case, this DIY Faux Marble Console Table combines an elegant faux marbling technique with acrylic legs to achieve a high-end look that’s surprisingly attainable. The feather-and-glaze method creates realistic marble veining without requiring artistic expertise, and reader Terry felt inspired enough to tackle marbling her kitchen counters after seeing how beautifully this project turned out.

For the easiest fall decor project you’ll ever complete, this Pumpkin Succulents Planter with Moss & Twigs comes together so quickly, you might want to make several for a girls’ night craft party. Using foraged materials like moss, twigs, and berries along with a few small succulents, you’ll create a living centerpiece that requires just a weekly spritz of water and makes a stunning addition to your Fall and Thanksgiving table.