News from the nest, september 9
Good Morning!
I slept with the windows open last night! That little gift from Mother Nature is truly a priceless treat. I think I’ll get one more night before it warms back up a bit, but I’m savoring the fresh, cool air refreshing every inch of our home right now.
Some emails this past week reminded me that I failed to share ‘the rest of the story’ regarding Kate’s housing saga in Cleveland. We were able to find her a place to stay; we used Furnished Finders, which caters to traveling nurses, doctors, etc… I think Furnished Finders is less expensive than Airbnb, but it is also less…I guess the word would be ‘sophisticated.’ Airbnb communication is almost immediate, while FF can take a few days. We put her and her pup, Farrah, in a Residence Inn for a few days until the other place was ready.
One morning, while we were in Cleveland, staying at a very nice Airbnb, we looked out the window to find our house and neighboring houses surrounded by Federal Fugitive Task Force Members! That was a little exciting. Ultimately, all the attention focused on a house across the street, and they left without further excitement. Terry, being the party pooper that he is, wouldn’t let me stand at the window to take pictures of all the hullabaloo!
And back to the AirBnb which we felt unsafe for Kate to stay in. It was technically a non-refundable reservation. We reached out to the landlord and told him our concerns. He, naturally, claimed it was perfectly safe but would honor our request to cancel and refund a portion of what we paid, which we felt was fair. However, he stopped replying to further communications after that initial conversation. After five days of his radio silence, we went directly to AirBnb customer service, and they refunded the total amount! Yay for them.
One of the reasons I enjoy this little blogging adventure is that it really gives you a little peek into what folks are interested in at any given moment. For instance, right now on N+N, the most searched-for post is How to Can Jalapeno Peppers. In my mind’s eye, I see all these gardeners bringing baskets of late-summer peppers into their kitchens and looking for ways to preserve them.
Table of Contents
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New on the Blog
- As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of homemade soup. This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup checks all the boxes.
- This chunky Blanket Pattern is easy to knit and uses Bernat Blanket Big yarn. The broken rib stitch creates a lovely pattern.
- This cable knit hat pattern has a delightful texture due to its twists and cables. The sewn-on pom finishes it perfectly. This hat is a quick pattern if you want to knit some handmade gifts this year.
- Knitting in the round is a technique for creating hats, socks, stockings, cowls, and other garments. There are several methods of knitting in the round. This post teaches you how to knit in the round with double-pointed needles, this post instructs you how to knit in the round with circular needles, and this tutorial teaches you the magic loop method of knitting in the round.
From the Kitchen
These recipes today will give you all the Fall Feels! 🍂🍎🍁
- It’s not that you can’t have soup year-round, but it can’t be denied that on a cool evening, a bowl of soup nourishes the soul and mind as much as it does the body. This hearty beef soup is a family favorite! The depth of flavor results from mushrooms, browned beef shanks, and stew meat. It is also chock full of veggies and beans. Although we have really reduced our meat consumption, this soup is looking darned good right now!
- Pair that ⬆️soup with this ➡️Savory Quick Bread and a salad for the perfect cool weather meal.
- The first time my husband bit into these Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers, he said, “Wow, these taste just like those Cheez-its!” But, unlike Cheez-Its, I made these at home with my sourdough discard, knew everything in them, and didn’t spend a penny!
- Substituting brown sugar for white sugar gives this classic Date Nut Bars recipe a deeper, richer flavor with just a hint of molasses.
- Bursting with the warm and comforting flavors of rum and spices, this homemade pear jam is a true treat for your taste buds. Whether slathered on toast, scones, or pastries, this jam will elevate any dish to new levels of deliciousness.
- This Apple Spice Bread is an easy-to-make quick bread that can be assembled in less than half an hour! It’s a delightful cross between moist apple bread and decadent spice cake! Bake it in mini pans to give to friends and neighbors!
- These Apple Cider Muffins with Apple Filling are reminiscent of apple-filled doughnuts and are a perfect recipe for the fall season or as a year-round treat. They will quickly become your favorite fruit muffin recipe. The apple filling takes these muffins from delicious to decadent, and the sprinkling of cinnamon sugar right out of the oven finishes them off perfectly.
From the Arts + Crafts Room
- These needle-felted acorns were the first needle-felting project I did on my own. I am always happy when I unpack the “fall” box and see these little guys. They make a great fall decoration in a bowl on their own, wired to a branch, or as lovely napkin rings for a fall table.
- This simmering fall potpourri is so easy to put together! Not only will your house smell heavenly when it is simmering, but it will also smell pretty nice when you are making it!
In the Garden
- Continue to collect your eggshells year-round to amend your soil. This post explains how and why to use eggshells in your garden.
In the House + Home
- When you spend a little time organizing table linens, you will free up space in your drawers and keep your tablecloths wrinkle-free.
- If you can sew a straight line and read a measuring stick, you can sew these Flange Edged Pillow Shams. I’ve included the fabric cuts worksheet to help you with the project.
Some Fun Finds and a Few Favorites
- What a handy sweater/cardigan at a great price.
- If you have a pup that loves bully sticks 🙋🏼♀️and you are worried that they will choke on the small end, you NEED one of these. We bought one a month ago and it is worth its weight in gold!
You’ve Got Problems, Here Are Some Solutions
- If you have a door that refuses to stay open 🙋🏼♀️, this magnetic door stop is a game changer! We tried everything to keep our bedroom door from closing and this is the only thing that has worked.
- If you need light in your room but don’t want to spend money to rewire it and don’t have the layout for lamps 🙋🏼♀️, these battery-operated sconces will do the job.
- I received these Super Sliders several years ago and they make rearranging furniture beyond easy!
- These hangers are specially designed for leggings.
- If your cable wires or power strip is an eyesore, this rattan cord box will hide the ugliness.
- If your board games are unruly, check out this bookshelf solution. I love it!
- Check out this binder if you need a central place to keep important documents. Unlimited uses.
Well friends, it is an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS morning here in SE North Carolina. I’m going to put Elsa and Gigi (my mom’s pup) in the back of the car and head over to play with a pup friend of ours.
Wishing you a most wonderful day and a fantastic week!
Until next Monday…
Hugs,
Love your blog! It’s just full of so many different ideas and suggestions. I am curious: how do you take such gorgeous photos of everything? That is a knack in itself. Keep up the good work!
Hi Paula,
First off, thanks for such kind comments. Words like yours are fuel to my fire!
As it relates to my photographs…oh, my friend. It’s been a long journey. If you go back and look at some of my earliest posts, you’ll see I’ve had quite a learning curve. To be honest, just a lot of practice. I also took several photography courses which definitely helped. I don’t have a fancy camera…I’m still using my Nikon D3300 that I have had for years and just a the standard telephoto lens it came with, as well as a 50mm fixed lens.
Again, thanks so much for taking the time to write in and give a little love!
Hugs, Lynn