Our Tiny Nest

1 In food

How to make the ultimate Countertop Nachos

These countertop nachos are perfect for Taco Tuesday dinner with the family or entertaining. Cover a table with nachos and grab all the fun fixings!

This year Cinco de Mayo is on Taco Tuesday, so you know we need to go big! Now we take Taco Tuesday pretty seriously in our house. We love to do some crock pot walking tacos, Taco Pizza, quesadillas and make your own nacho night as our chosen ways to celebrate.

And when it comes to nachos, the way to do it is Countertop Nachos. This way, everyone can customize their own to their taste and it makes it a fun experience. I’m sharing how to make the ultimate countertop nachos below.

What are Countertop Nachos?

Think of countertop nachos as a giant nacho buffet. You’ll cover your table with layers of sturdy, crisp nachos, cover with cheese, meat and all of your favorite toppings.

The reason this is such a hit is that it is 100% customizable. Everyone can make their own with all their favorites. And it’s a fun activity for family Taco night or when you’re entertaining friends. And who doesn’t love a big table covered with nachos?

How to make the ultimate countertop nachos

1.) Start by covering your countertop or table with aluminum foil.

2.) Pour out your layer of tortilla chips. You will want a sturdy, thick chip that can stand the pressure of all the toppings.

3.) Add the cheese. It’s all about the cheese in my opinion. We do a layer of shredded mexican cheese and then melted queso blanco.

4.) Pack with protein. We love to do ground turkey or ground beef. But beans work too!

5.) Sprinkle on some veggies like roasted corn, shredded lettuce, and crunchy peppers.

6.) Serve with bowls of salsa, guacamole and sour cream so that everyone can add their own sauces.

Enjoy!!!

For more ideas for Cinco De Mayo or Taco Tuesday check out

These delicious margarita recipes

This spicy pineapple ranch water

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April 28, 2026 By Nicolle

4 In DIY

Teacher appreciation gift idea

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Teacher Appreciation Week is Monday May 4th- Friday May 8th, 2026. Show your teachers how grateful you are with this easy teacher appreciation gift idea.

Help your kids honor their teachers for their impact with this easy, affordable teacher gift idea. What teacher doesn’t need a little caffeine fix and love some flowers? Grab some of these to go carry containers and fill with their favorite beverage and flowers and add a touch of cuteness with these free printables.

To make this teacher appreciation gift idea you will need:

a to go container (like these)
vase (linking the one I used)
flowers
coffee or other beverage
my free printables or a card
crinkle paper
ribbon or yarn

Note – To download these free printables and get access to the free printable library you must be a blog subscriber!!!! If you are not already a subscriber, sign up below! The password to the printable library will be in your welcome email

Tips:

Add a touch of personalization. Pair with one of these free printables. Kids can write a heart felt letter to their teacher or fill out this adorable “About My Teacher” worksheet, including a handrawn picture of their teacher.

Choose some budget friendly flowers. My favorite spot is Trader Joe’s or local little farm stands.

Use a vase that can be used for cute desk decor. I loved this glittery vase!

To Re-Create This Teacher Appreciation Gift

1.) Fill the drink tray with crinkle paper.

2.) Add the beverage and a vase of flowers.

3.) Finish with a handmade card or printable letters.

4.) Tie some yarn or a ribbon on top.

For more Teacher Appreciation Gift ideas check out this list

This end of the school year class gift is also a hit

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April 21, 2026 By Nicolle

7 In food/ Recipes

Chicken Caesar crispy pasta salad

It’s pasta salad season and this Chicken Caesar Crispy Pasta salad needs to be on your menu!

The other day I was scrolling on Tik Tok looking for recipe inspiration when I came across this creator who was making a pasta salad but with crispy pasta. That’s right. She baked her pasta first! After falling in love with the crispy rice bowls, I was intrigued to give this a try.

It sounds weird but it was absolutely incredible. I gabbed a box of farfelle, boiled it and then threw it in the oven. Then I whipped up a chicken Caesar salad with some grilled chicken we had leftover from dinner. It adds a nice buttery crunch that is way better than any crouton! I’m sharing my chicken Caesar crispy pasta salad recipe below. Grab a crispy Diet Coke and enjoy!!!

And if you can’t get enough Caesar salad, check out my ultimate girl dinner, this Chicken Caesar Baked Potato.

Chicken Caesar Crispy Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 box of pasta, cooked al dente, drained
1 head of romaine
2 grilled chicken breasts
Ceasar dressing (if you’ve never made your own, you’ve got to try my recipe! You’ll never want the premade stuff!)
shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.)Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

2.) On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread out the pasta.

3.) Drizzle the pasta with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss.

4.) Bake in the oven until crispy and golden.

5.) Tear the lettuce and add to a bowl.

6.) Add the grilled chicken and crispy pasta.

7.) Drizzle with dressing and add as much parm as your heart desires.

Enjoy!!!

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For more of my favorite salad recipes check out

This hot honey pasta salad

My summer stone fruit and burrata salad

If you like things crispy, you’ll love this crispy smashed potato salad.

April 14, 2026 By Nicolle

0 In Nesting

Nesting

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Nesting in March

It has been a busy few weeks.

My sister got married two weeks ago!!! She was the most gorgeous bride ever and had the most beautiful sunny winter day. This is our traditional sister picture we have been doing since we were little.

The boys looked dapper too!

We are very much in spring mode over here and ready for March Madness and St Patrick’s Day this week.

Here are some of my favorite recipes for St. Patrick’s Day

Lucky Leprechaun Bait – Kids and adults go crazy for this snack mix. Click here for the recipe.

My homemade Irish Cream – I usually make this for friends around the holidays but didn’t have time this past year so making it this weekend for St. Patrick’s Day for all my Irish (and pretend Irish) friends 😉 You can get the recipe here.

Reuben Nachos – If you love a good reuben, then you’ve got to try these Irish nachos. Here’s the recipe.

Lucky Charms coffee – I thought this was a fun spin on your St. Patrick’s Day brew. Here’s the recipe below

Ingredients

1 cup strong brewed coffee (chilled)
½ cup milk (whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk)
1–2 tbsp vanilla syrup or simple syrup
Ice
½ cup whipped cream
2–3 tbsp Lucky Charms cereal (mostly marshmallows if possible)

Optional extras:

1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (for extra creaminess)
Crushed cereal pieces for topping

Instructions

1️⃣ Brew the coffee
Make a strong cup of coffee and let it cool (or use cold brew).

2️⃣ Fill the glass
Add ice to a tall glass.

3️⃣ Mix the drink
Pour in:

1 cup chilled coffee
½ cup milk
Vanilla syrup
Stir well.

4️⃣ Add whipped cream
Top generously with whipped cream.

5️⃣ Add the cereal topping
Sprinkle Lucky Charms marshmallows and crushed cereal on top.

What I’ve been watching

Scarpetta – This features Nicole Kidman as the lead Kay Scarpetta, a chief medical examiner who is trying to solve a serial killer case. You can watch this on Prime. Also, Jamie Lee Curtis is hysterical in this and Bobby Cannavale is some nice eye candy.

Love Story – I have always been fascinated by the Kennedys and low key had a crush on JFK Jr when I was younger. You can stream this series on Hulu or Disney Plus.