Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Hearth and Soul Link Party, the place for everyone to find recipe and lifestyle inspiration and for writers, bloggers and content creators to share content from their websites.
The Hearth and Soul Link Party is a celebration of everything that nourishes the soul, a place to explore all the things that inspire and enrich in order to help us elevate the everyday and curate a life we love. This includes everything from recipes and lifestyle inspiration to home décor, personal style, crafts, family life, books, self-improvement and beyond. Join us for inspiration – and if you are a content creator or blogger, I invite you to also share family-friendly blog posts on things to inspire, uplift and delight.
The Latest
June was a month that offered some really happy moments juxtaposed with some profoundly sad ones. We said a final farewell to my beautiful sister-in-law Gail on a sunny day in early June. Her absence is felt profoundly by us all, but her love, enthusiasm and wonderful infectious laugh will be part of our memories forever. Not surprisingly for someone who loves food, one of the ways I like to remember Gail is through our shared family recipes, many of which have been here on the website for some time.
My favourites include Mixed Fruit Pavlova (Gail made the beautiful example in the photo above) and Gail’s amazing Sausage and Leek Quiche.
On a much happier note, I celebrated sixty trips around the sun in June. My husband treated me to a wonderful dinner and overnight stay at Michelin-starred restaurant, The Waterside on my birthday itself, and then managed to stretch the celebrations to fill the whole month, fitting in two visits in London alongside work commitments. We also visited Kew Gardens and Kew Palace, and participated in two car rallies, including chef James Martin’s Car Rally at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa and Cliveden House Hotel, where we are pictured above.
On The Website Now
Get the inside scoop on our family road trip to the Loire Valley, including our full itinerary, on the website now! Whether you are planning a trip of your own, or would like to enjoy a virtual visit, I’ve got you covered with beautiful châteaux, romantic gardens, vineyards, boutique hotels, and practical travel tips.
And if you feel there is a risk that summer is flying by, I have ideas and inspiration to help you Reclaim Your Summer both on the website and in my latest newsletter.
I’m also featuring a review of the final instalment in the Emmy Lake Chronicles, Dear Miss Lake by A J Pearce. And don’t forget, if you are looking for summer reading inspiration, I have a downloadable Summer Reading List containing 25 suggestions for great reads you may enjoy too!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party Featured Posts
Features From the June Hearth and Soul Link Party
Jeanne Selep shared some beautiful photographs and Reflections on Spring.
I have enjoyed strawberries and basil together before, so I was intrigued by these lovely Strawberry Oregano Shortbread cookies from Three Winks Design.
Crochet fashion is definitely in the news this season, and Within a World of My Own is sharing some great ideas on How To Wear the Summer Crochet Trend, with an emphasis on pre-loved fashion.
These Strawberry Rhubarb Scones from Milk Glass Home would be perfect this time of year, especially as both rhubarb and strawberries are in season and easily available.
Features from The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook
Carol from Comfort Spring brought back happy memories for me with this Frozen Peach Milkshake Smoothie. My late mom used to make peach milkshakes for me in the summertime. I like that this recipe can be made with frozen peaches too!
Every week Elizabeth of Pine Cones and Acorns shares Friday Favourites and Monday Musings. They both make great reads with a cup of tea! Elizabeth shared this edition of Friday Favourites featuring recipes, book reviews and more, with Hearth and Soul last month.
I have noticed a lot more bees and butterflies in my garden this year. Melynda of Scratch Made Food For Hungry People wrote about how important it is to offer wild and open areas to wildlife in our gardens.
Guidelines for The Hearth and Soul Link Party
The Hearth and Soul Link Party is held monthly, opening on the first Sunday of every month and remaining open until the 25th of the month, or until 300 entries are reached.
Please share a maximum of 8 links per month here. Please feel free to share more in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook all month long.
Please share the permalink to your blog post, not a link to the home page of your blog. Please do not link to anything except blog posts. You are very welcome to share other types of content in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook and we would love for you to join us there!
By submitting a post to the link party here, you assert that you own the content and photographs. You also grant permission for me to share them here on the blog as well as on Pinterest, my own Facebook page, The Hearth and Soul Link Party page and The Hearth and Soul Community Facebook Group.
Okay, on with the link party! I’m looking forward to reading your posts. Have a wonderful July, everyone!
Comments & Reviews
April thank you so much for highlighting my post Please Offer Up Some Open Space In Your Yard, I really appreciate it! It turns out that not working in a small spot in the year, not only give you a break but is a great help to the birds, bugs, bees and fireflies.
It’s my pleasure, Melynda! I’m so glad you shared it!
Hi April and Happy July. Wsihing you the very best 6oth birthday and many moments of joy in the coming year. Sorry for the loss of your sister-in-law and sending healing enegy to you. The July party looks fabulous with such fun features. My shares this time are #11 thru 15. Wishing you and your readers a marvelous summer.
Thank you so much for your warm wishes and the healing energy too, Nancy. That is very kind of you. I hope you have a marvelous summer too!
Thank you dear April for the great monthly party.
My entries this month #28+29
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing, Esme!
April, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. I have experienced that loss as well and it isn’t easy. Those happy memories do help so much with healing your heart.
Thank you so much for featuring our Strawberry Oregano Shortbread! I was surprised at how popular it was at our ladies activity at church!
As usual, thanks for hosting and I’ll be visiting throughout the month to see all of the fabulous ideas that will be shared.
Thank you so much, Helen. I am so sorry for your losses as well. I am very grateful for all the happy memories we have of my sister-in-law.
It’s my pleasure to feature your delicious shortbread recipe – it’s perfect for an afternoon tea! Thank you for visiting and sharing.
Happy birthday dear April, sixty is the new forty! My sincere condolences on the passing of your sister-in-law. I know these losses are not easy.
Thank you so much, Leslie, that is very kind of you.
And I definitely feel forty 😉
I find I enjoy my mom’s recipes even more now that she has passed, so I hope you have a similar feeling with Gail’s! Happy birthday–what a marvelous celebration. Thank you for hosting this wonderful linkup!
Thank you so much, Jennifer, and thank you for visiting and sharing too.
Hi April,
Sending you & your family love & hugs in the loss of your sister in law, that’s very sad.
Thank you for hosting this lovely linky. And you look very summery in your blue dress above.
And happy 60th birthday!
Blessings for July, Jennifer
Thank you so much, Jennifer! You are very kind.
Blessings to you too!
Thank you for hosting this wonderful link party and for the feature of my frozen peach milkshake smoothie. I sending you and your family prayers for your loss. My thoughts are with you. Happy Birthday, sweet lady! My wish for you is many more healthy, happy years.
Thank you so much for your very kind wishes, Carol – that is really lovely of you.
My sincere condolences for losing your sister in law Gail. I’m so sorry for your loss. I love the way you describe her with so much love and warmth.
Thank you so much, Nicole.
Happy 60th, April! Sounds like you had some joyous celebrations during the past month! At the same time, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear SIL, Gail! Losses like that are so tough and I pray that your memories will bring you and your family comfort! Thanks so much for hosting us all once again! Happy July!
Thank you so much, Laura. I hope this is a wonderful month for you and yours!
Belated happy birthday! Your birthday month sounds wonderful!
Thank you so much, Barbara! I really did have a lovely time – I’m feeling very grateful!
April, it sounds like you had a wonderful birthday. You have done some fun exciting things with your husband and it sounds like you are having a fun summer.
I really did, Julie, thank you! I hope you are having a fun summer too!