Hello and welcome to The Hearth and Soul Link Party. This week I’m reminded that with a bit of faith and hard work, you definitely can dream it possible.
The Hearth and Soul Link Party welcomes family friendly blog posts about anything to feed 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 England football team are in their first men’s final of a major tournament in 55 years (sadly this is not a typo) at the Euro championships. The final is being played in London on Sunday evening. Now I don’t normally follow the football, but this time it’s very hard to ignore. Like most countries, England is desperate for a morale boost, and there are flags and fans everywhere.
Frankly, despite our fabulous vaccination rate, I’ve got a lot of concerns about that many people in one place, as well as all the celebrating in large groups that has been going on. That said, I love this reminder that you can dream it possible for anything – even after years of waiting.
What’s Been Happening?
I’m getting ready for a brand photo shoot next week, creating some new images for the blog and social media. There’s lots of planning and preparation to do, and I’m really excited about some of the ideas photographer Terry Joshi has suggested. Stylist Sarah van Dort will also be styling the shoot (and my outfits!) and I’m looking forward working with makeup artist and hairdresser Ali Oswald.
On the blog this week, I’ve been featuring some sweet treats, including a brand new gluten free recipe.
Don’t miss this light, full of flavour Gluten Free Coffee and Walnut Cake recipe! Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make and decorate too. There’s a variation for those who don’t need the recipe to be gluten free too.
Ever have a cookie emergency?
Okay, maybe emergency is too strong a word. However, my easy recipe for Slice and Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies means you need never be more than 10 minutes away from hot, fresh cookies – and that is no bad thing! This recipe is also perfect if there are only one or two of you in the house and you don’t want to be tempted by an entire batch of hot fresh cookies. The cookie dough rolls keep really well in the fridge or freezer, so you can bake exactly the right amount of cookies at exactly the right time.
Dream It Possible Featured Posts
Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul, and for sharing your wonderful content! This week’s Dream It Possible features include:-
In this moving and heartfelt post, Lori of Dining Delight articulates the shock and regret so many Canadians are feeling on learning that the residential schools we were told were giving Indigenous children a better chance at life were actually abusing them and even taking their lives away from them. Her Every Child Matters Tablescape has meaningful elements which combine in a memorial to these lost chidren. They also remind us of the work that needs to be done to help the survivors and improve conditions for Indigenous people everywhere.
Renae of Peacock Ridge Farm shared How To Create The Perfect Beach Picnic. Some of these hints and tips could also work for picnics further inland.
Dream it possible as you work to create a healthier lifestyle Creating New Habits – 5 Top Rules for Success from Maria at Krafty Planner.
Jenna from Life of an Earth Muffin explains how even small steps towards reducing the amount of plastic we use can make a meaningful contribution to helping the environment in Why You Should Participate in Plastic Free July.
It’s time to link up!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
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Take care and have a wonderful week.
Comments & Reviews
That’s exciting about the football team! I’m the same–I don’t pay much attention to sports except during the Olympics and when there’s something special going on. I agree about being concerned with getting back into big crowds too soon.
Ooh–I am definitively looking up that gluten-free walnut cake. My daughter-in-law and grandson are gluten intolerant, so we are always on the lookout for good GF recipes.
I hope you and your family enjoy the Coffee and Walnut Cake, Barbara! We didn’t win the football, but the team played well. It was a very exciting game, that’s for sure. Have a wonderful week!
Your site always looks so professional and inviting. I am sure the photo shoot will produce more of the same.
What a lovely compliment, Michele! Thank you so much 🙂 Wishing you lots of blessings in the week ahead!
How exciting to be having a professional photoshoot! I’m sure the results will be great. As Michele said, your site always looks so attractive and inviting.
Thank you so much, Donna! I really appreciate the compliment. Wishing you lots of blessings in the week ahead!
Thank you so much April for featuring my Every Child Matters Tablescape and highlighting the tragic circumstances that befell Indigenous children at Residential Schools and the trauma that continues to this day. I appreciate the exposure you have given my post that hopefully will make others aware of the need for change. ~ Lori
It’s my pleasure, Lori. I thought your post was really wonderful and I am so glad you shared it. Take care and have a lovely week.
Oh, I hope your team does well in the men’s finals! A good morale boost is definitely in order. Praying for no covid breakouts. We had an outdoor event last week, and found out 3 days later that two people had covid at the time (they didn’t know it). Thankfully most of us have been vaccinated, and we were outside the whole time.
Oh my goodness, that is scary, Lisa! Thank goodness you were all vaccinated. I will pray all will be well. We didn’t win the football, but the team played well. It was a very exciting game, that’s for sure. Take care and have a lovely week.
Hi April
So sorry that England lost–it was such a thrilling game and very competitive. Of course, my Italian-born husband was very happy Italy won.–he watched the game.
How exciting to have a professional photo shoot! Your blog photos are always exceptional!
Hi Pat,
Thank you, we were disappointed but it was a brilliant game. I’m happy for your husband and everyone who was cheering for Italy. Italy played very well indeed!
Thank you so much for the compliment on my photos, I really appreciate it!
Take care and have a lovely week.
Looking forward to see the pics from the photo shoot. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Shiju!
Hi April! I know how exciting it is to have the home team do well! Our Phoenix Suns Basketball team is in the playoffs! Good luck to your football team!
I have been excited to “bake” stovetop bread lately, so I shared recipes for Bannobk and English Muffins this week. Do they call them English Muffins in England?
Thank you for hosting! Have a wonderful week!
Hi Helen!
Thank you for the good wishes. We didn’t win the football, but the team played well. It was a very exciting game!
Your recipes sound delicious. They just call English muffins ‘muffins’ here, which can be confusing as I also like the other kind of muffins (such as bran, oatmeal etc).
There’s also a perception here that muffins like bran or oatmeal raisin muffins (sometimes referred to as American Muffins) are all sweet or cupcake like. Some of the ‘blueberry muffins’ sold here are definitely blueberry cupcakes! I’m on a mission to prove some recipes (including lots of mine) can be healthy breakfast treats.
Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul. Have a lovely week!
It sounds like exciting things are happening for you April. Your desserts look so good and I hope you have a nice week.
Thank you so much, Julie! We didn’t win the football, but personally, yes, these are exciting times! Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Thank you so much for including my creating new habits post with this weeks awesome features! Sorry about Sunday’s Football game. I was rooting for you 🙂
It’s a pleasure, Maria, and thank you. It really was an excellent game despite the loss. I was disappointed, but happy for the Italian fans. Their team played so well!
I think a cookie emergency is a real thing! LOL. They look delicious; all your recipes do.
Thank you so much, Joanne! That’s such a lovely compliment. (And I’m glad you think a cookie emergency is as real as I do 😉 ) Have a lovely rest of the week!
I hadn’t heard of plastic free July, but what a great thing to participate in!
It’s definitely a great idea, Lauren! 🙂 Even if people only do a little bit of it, it can help.