Hello and welcome to the August 2024 edition of Hearth and Soul! I hope this finds you safe and well. I know some of you are near or in the paths of forest fires and storms – you are definitely in my prayers.
The Hearth and Soul Link Party welcomes family-friendly blog posts about anything that feeds the soul. Things that feed the soul may include (but are not limited to) recipes, decorating, crafts, family, home, DIY, organization, travel, book reviews, the arts, and self improvement.
The Latest
July was a busy month with lots of car rallies, summer events and festival. I even managed to get some writing done! In fact, I have been spending a lot of time in my library (as pictured above – photo by Terry Joshi Images) going through my collection of vintage recipes and artefacts as I research my cookbook. I am finally making concrete progress on this project, due in no small part to joining the London Writer’s Salon. Their daily online writing hours mean I have accomplished more writing in the last three weeks than I have all year so far!
On the Blog – August 2024 Edition
Lifestyle
It’s that time of year again, with kids finishing school and getting ready to head out into the world, whether to further eduction, travel or work. This can actually be a really exciting and inspiring time in your life. And also, how can the nest be empty if you are still in it? It’s time to reframe this time in so many of our lives.
If you are dealing with the idea of an empty nest, I have some great ideas to help with finding yourself again after the kids leave home and feathering an empty nest. (I have had many comments saying that my advice is relevant to a certain time in our lives even if you do not have children.)
We are really enjoying the results of our renovation project and I am happy finally be sharing more details.
Our formerly “pretty and cosy but ho-hum” bedroom now has a boutique hotel vibe, thanks to a bit of inspiration, some decorating expertise and a few chic upgrades. For before and after on Instagram please click here. And if you are thinking of elevating your space, I have some great bedroom decorating ideas to share!
Travel
Are you a fan of Jane Austen too? Then you may enjoy my article about visiting Chawton House, the home of Jane’s brother and a place where she spent many happy moments.
Recipes
My Curried Mango Chicken recipe is getting a lot of love on the blog right now. This easy dish is quick to make, full of flavour and you can adjust the spicing to suit everyone’s tastes.
I cannot help myself looking ahead to more autumnal bakes – I love the flavours from this time of year, and I’m seeing some fall produce appearing in our grocery stores even now.
Love your leftovers and delight your tastebuds with this easy to make Butternut Pecan Loaf Cake. Moist and tender, this loaf does not taste of squash, it simply tastes delicious. You could also try my Sweet Potato Quick Bread or my Apricot Pecan Loaf for those warmly spiced autumn flavours.
The Hearth and Soul Community
The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook is another benefit to being a part of our monthly link up. Share all kinds of content (unlike at the link party where we only accept blog posts, social media post shares are welcome there too), ask for advice or support for specific posts, or simply connect with other 70 other Hearth and Soul participants in a safe and welcoming space. Hope to see you there!
Featured Posts – August 2024 Edition
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful content! These are just some of the posts which caught my eye last month.
Features from the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook
Wraps are perfect for so many quick and easy dishes and these Tomato Roti from Treat & Trick sound so flavourful!
Carol of Comfort Spring shares a delicious summer dessert idea – Macerated Fruit. She includes lots of ideas and recipes for many different kinds of fruit in this post as well.
Features from the Hearth and Soul Link Party
If you are looking for ideas for books to add to your reading list, do check out the recommendations from the ladies at Three Winks Design in What 3 Winks Has Been Reading This Summer.
Be encouraged to be kinder to yourself by Wendy from the Inspired Eater’s post How To Stop Saying “I Only Have Myself To Blame”.
For fresh summer design inspiration, visit Paula at Grace Filled Moments to see how to make a beautiful Summer Lemon Tiered Tray.
Speaking of lemons, these Chilled Gluten-Free Lemon Bars from Shirley of Gluten-Free Easily and her friend Iris sound like the perfect summer treat.
I also really enjoyed Pat of Mille Fiori Favoriti’s travel article about her visit to Boston and the JFK Library. Whilst I have visited Boston many times, I have yet to visit this library, and it is definitely on my list!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party – August 2024 Edition
It’s time to share! Here are the guidelines:
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 at the party. (You can share more in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook all month long.)
Please share the permalink to your blog post with the August 2024 edition, not a link to the home page of your blog. Please do not link to anything except blog posts. You can share other types of content in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook.
By submitting a post to the August 2024 edition of the link party here, you assert that you own the content and photographs. You also give me permission to share them here on the blog as well as on Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and both my own Facebook page , The Hearth and Soul Link Party page and The Hearth and Soul Community Facebook Group.
The August 2024 edition is open until 25th August so please come back as often as you like.
The (oh my goodness, the year is flying by) September 2024 edition of The Hearth and Soul Link Party opens Sunday 1st September.
Have a wonderful month of August! What will you share with us this month?
Comments & Reviews
Happy August April! It’s hard to believe that summer will be winding down soon and autumn will be here before we know it. Thank You so much for hosting and warm hospitality.
I’m linked up at #10,12,14&15.
Sending have a wonderful August wishes your way.
Oh… I almost forgot. Thank you so much for featuring my summer tiered lemon tray.
It’s a pleasure, Paula! Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul. I hope you have a wonderful August too!
April! Thank you for doing this party and for featuring me! It’s always such a surprise! Butternut pecan loaf cake?! I’d sliver-eat that thing in no time! ♥
Wendy
http://www.theInspiredEater.com
It’s my pleasure, Wendy! Thank you for visiting and sharing – and for the compliment on my loaf cake. Have a wonderful week ahead!
This month I’m linking up two new recipes today (patting myself on the back–especially for baking anything in this heat! LOL).
I’m so honored that you featured Iris’s amazing chilled lemon bars and I always love seeing everything you share here!
Congrats on your writing success. I know that feels good! I enjoyed seeing your “new” bedroom. It’s always fun to see inside others’ homes, especially after a extensive re-do! Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy August, April! You’re right; the time is flying!
Shirley
Well done for posting two new recipes, Shirley! It has been challenging baking in the heat.
Thank you, it really does feel good when the writing comes together.
I’m glad you enjoyed the redecoration photos too.
Happy August to you, Shirley! Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul.
That is cool that you got to visit Jane Austin’s brother’s house. You always are doing cool stuff. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful month as I will be back.
I really enjoyed it, Patrick, thank you! I hope you have a wonderful month too!
Thank you for hosting April, your bedroom does indeed look great!
And that sweet potato quick loaf sounds intriguing.
I’m sitting at #46-49 this month.
Blessings, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer, and thank you for visiting and sharing too.
Blessings to you!
I love that thought–that the nest isn’t empty because we’re still in it! It’s a new and different phase of life, but not a lesser one.
Thank you, Barbara. This is very true!
Hello April, I always look forward to your link party! Thank you so much for hosting it. I love all of the great ideas shared and I will definitely be coming back throughout the month!
Thank you so much, Helen! I appreciate your support of Hearth and Soul!
Oh! PS, thank you for the feature!
It’s my pleasure, Helen!
Thanks so much for hosting each week and for the feature of my Macerated Fruit post. I really appreciate your support. Happy Monday!
It’s my pleasure, Carol, and thank you also for your support here and in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Your home is quite lovely! Always great features to share! Thank you for hosting, I sure appreciate it! Melynda @scratchmadefood!
Thank you so much, Melynda! I hope you are having a lovely week!
Chawton House looks amazing! Thank you for hosting this lovely linkup. Today I’m sharing 73, 74, and 75. Off now to see what others have shared. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you, Jennifer! Have a lovely week!
Your decorating ideas sound amazing, need to revamp my bedroom soon. Thanks for hosting, really appreciate that my Tomato Roti was chosen for features this month, happy dance…..
I am so glad you are pleased! Thank you for the compliment!
Great featured posts. Thanks for hosting, April and having me over monthly.
My entries this month #81+82.
Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
Thank you, Esme, and thank you for visiting and sharing! Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Happy August, April! We always love participating in the Hearth and Soul Link Up and we love seeing all you’ve been up to! Savor these last few weeks of summer!
Thank you, Laura! Happy August to you too! I am so glad you enjoy Hearth and Soul.
I appreciate the warm welcome here!
Thank you, Michele! I appreciate your support of Hearth and Soul!