"I love my house; I love my nest; In all the world; My nest is best!" excerpt from The Best Nest.

Nesting (my current state): refers to an instinct or urge in expectant animals to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). It is found in a variety of animals (both mammals and birds) including humans.

Do you remember reading The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman as a child?  This Random House Young Reader book was a favorite of mine in 3rd grade.  I know, it just shouts advanced reader, doesn't it?!  Actually, the reason I loved this book had nothing to do with the context of the story, but at that stage in my childhood I was thrilled with anything that had to do with art, and I was quite obsessed with tracing.... everything... including these lovely little birds..... weird. I know.

My cookbooks. New and Old and Inspiring!

Well fast forward 20 years and you have a woman who still is pretty fond of these sweet little creatures [when they remain outdoors and away from reeking havoc on a good hair day].  But get beyond that, go deeper, and you arrive at my ever so delighted heart.  Over the past couple of weeks I have begun to embrace God's design of nesting.  Some of it relates to our preparation for our little baby, some of it is just plain simple a passion of mine of home making.  It began with working on a playroom, then grew into an early Saturday morning baking muffins (I'll share the recipes below!) for our neighbors, and has traveled into the beginning stages of creating a nursery and getting back into the kitchen to make cupcakes for Valentine's Day.  What a beautiful thing community can be.  Going door to door to get out of our hibernated state to actually SEE our neighbors and to offer a simple gift that said I'm glad it's you who lives near us was a chance for us to hopefully thaw out the chill of winter that drives us to be brief and closed up and offer an opportunity to build something more significant.