Welcome to the February 2024 Edition of The Hearth and Soul Link Party! I hope February’s arrival has found you well and happy. Here in the UK, there’s a hint of spring in the air. I love the slightly longer days, the brave green shoots pushing up through the earth with their promise of flowers to come, and hearing more birds singing.
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
It was a busy January, that is for sure! I shared a reel on Instagram with some of the highlights if you fancy taking a peek. There was the Yorkshire trip I mentioned in last month’s post and we had a couple of visits to London as well. I was thrilled to see Plaza Suite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick at The Savoy Theatre. I am such a fan of both of these actors and they were brilliant. Funnily enough I never really got into Sex in the City but I loved some of SJP’s other work, including Square Pegs back in the day. Anyone else remember that show?
We are having a chandelier installed in our hallway on Monday and then that is pretty much the end of the renovation project! I’m so excited to share more of our updated home with you on the blog and social media. For now, here’s a sneak peak at the dining room from the hallway…
What do you think? I learned a lot while decorating this room – more about that in an upcoming post – but I am very pleased with how it has all turned out. The chairs are super comfy, perfect for lingering over dinner with friends.
On The Blog – February 2024 Edition
New Book Releases
I know many of you are avid readers just like me, so I am excited to announce that I going to be sharing a lot more about my reading life in these virtual pages this year. In addition to my love of bookshops and libraries, I am often offered pre-release access to new book releases or copies of new books. I have published a new compilation post called New Book Releases 2024 so you can read short reviews about up and coming books from new and established authors. I will be updating it as I read.
First up, The Household by Stacey Halls, author of The Foundling, The Familiars and Mrs England (all affiliate links). (I have yet to read The Foundling and The Familiars but I loved Mrs England, a fascinating historical mystery, which I purchased on a bookstore excursion in Ely.) Spoiler alert – I loved The Household too. You can read my review here.
Food and Recipes
This month I have been sharing Easy Ways to Eat Less Meat. I’m definitely an omnivore but I am always looking for creative ways to use plant based ingredients. There are lots of vegan and vegetarian recipes on the blog and I reference many of them in this post.
One of the things I love about this time of year is that blood oranges are in season. I featured my Blood Orange Pound Cake recently. It’s delicious with a scoop of Easy, No Churn Blood Orange Ice Cream alongside. Of course you can make both these recipes with any oranges if blood oranges are not available.)
And if you are looking for some Valentine’s Day inspiration, I have some great Ideas for Valentine’s Day as well as some delicious Valentine’s Day Dessert Ideas.
Lifestyle
Are you ready to refresh your home for spring? I recently updated a post with my top Spring Cleaning Tips to help make the task easier.
The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook
If you are not already a member, please do join us in The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook. Over sixty Hearth and Soul participants are now a part of this supportive community. Whether it’s sharing content from your blog or social media platforms, asking for advice or just connecting on a deeper level, the Hearth and Soul Community is a welcoming space for all and we would love for you to join us!
Featured Posts – February 2024 Edition
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful content. Here are some of the posts that caught my eye in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook as well as at the January edition of the party.
From The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook
Helen from Three Winks Design made some beautiful Pomegranate Jelly – the colour is absolutely stunning and I can just imagine how delicious it tastes!
Elizabeth from Pine Cones and Acorns shared some really helpful tips in her post 11 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues.
Carol from Comfort Spring Station shared a delicious Vegetarian Quinoa and Black Bean Chili that looks really delicious and comforting.
From The January 2024 Edition of Hearth and Soul
Patty from Life is Better Lakeside shared some Lunar New Year tablescape inspiration with a touch of Disney in Micky and Minnie and Their Friends Celebrate Lunar New Year.
I would find this Bourbon Pecan Pie from Estelle at Homemade On a Weeknight incredibly hard to resist!
Melynda from Scratch Made Food made Laurie Colwin’s Broccoli Sauce for Pasta and also shared a sweet story from her own childhood. Have you read any of Laurie Colwin’s books? She was a very talented writer, and it was great to see Melynda bringing one of her recipes back to life.
Steph from Steph Creates shared a pretty idea for a calendar with a DIY Dollar Tree Block Calendar Redesign. It would make a lovely gift any time of year, especially as you can use it from one year to the next.
Lisa of Lisa Notes wrote an interesting piece on positive curiosity called What Would Bewitch Benjamin Franklin Today? Practice Positive Curiosity Yourself. Do give it a read if you have not already; it is very thought-provoking!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party – February 2024 Edition
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 February 2024 edition, not a link to the home page of your blog. Please do not link to anything except blog posts.
By submitting a post to the February 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 February 2024 edition is open until 25th February so please come back as often as you like. I am excited to see what you will share this month, and look forward to seeing you for the March 2024 edition of Hearth and Soul, going live on Sunday March 3rd. Have a wonderful February!
Comments & Reviews
April, you home has turned out stunning! Calm yet inviting. Thank you for the feature of my Laurie Colwin recipe for Broccoli Sauce for Pasta, I appreciate it. Have a great week ahead, and do take care.
Thank you so much, Melynda! That is a lovely compliment. I really enjoyed your post. I hope you have a great week ahead too. Take care.
Your renovations are fabulous. I don’t have the know-how (or the motivation, honestly) to do it at my own house. lol. I’ll look forward to hearing more about your reading this year! Thanks for featuring my Benjamin Franklin post. I’m happy that you remember that episode of Bewitched too! 🙂
Thank you so much, Lisa! We did have a lot of help with the actual work that is for sure. I really enjoyed your post about positive curiosity! Have a lovely week.
Many thanks for featuring my Vegetarian Quinoa & Black Bean Chili. It’s perfect for this time of year. Have a great week!
My pleasure, Carol. I hope you have a great week too!
April, thank you so much for featuring my Pomegranate Jelly! It was truly a labor of love that was worth it. Thank you for this awesome link party. I hope that you and yours are well and happy and enjoying 2024 so far!
I can definitely imagine it being a labour of love, that is for sure! I hope you are well too and that 2024 is off to a wonderful start.
I am so glad that you made it through the Renvo process. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you, Patrick! I’m definitely glad it’s behind us and we can enjoy everything now. I hope you have a wonderful week too!
Happy February! Thanks so much for taking the time to host this fun gathering each month, April! We love participating and checking out all the creative posts!
Thank you so much, Laura!
It must be a lovely feeling having your renovations finalised April. I love the blue theme running through what you’ve shared thus far.
It sounds as though you’ve had a busy January.
I’m sitting at # 53 – 56 today. Thank you for hosting.
Blessings, Jennifer
It really is, Jennifer. Thank you for the compliment! Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you lots of blessings in the month ahead!
Thanks for hosting April – your home looks GORGEOUS!
Have a wonderful month and look forward to seeing you at CWJ!
Thank you so much, Ramona! I am on my way over to visit now!
Hi April,
We are beginning to see tiny little green buds on the plants and trees here as well, it is so exciting. I can’t wait to get back out in the garden. I always enjoy your travels and am in love with your new kitchen. Have a wonderful month and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
Hi Miz Helen,
I’m so glad spring is arriving with you too! Thank you so much for the compliments! I hope you have a wonderful month too. Thank you so much for visiting and sharing!
Your new renovations look beautiful, April! We did a lot of renovation in our NY home but this Colorado home will be staying the same except for a few needed fixes.
I look forward to seeing what you have been reading.
Your orange pound cake looks scrumptious!
Thank you so much, Pat. I hope you have a wonderful month ahead! All your snow looks amazing…what a beautiful part of the world you live in!
Happy February April! There’s so many things to check out on your blog this month. Thank you so very much for hosting us each month.
Linking up at #19,20&21
Thank you! Happy February to you too, Paula! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing.
I like most Sarah Jessica Parker movies too but I never got into Sex in the City at all. The home renovations look amazing!
Me too, Joanne. I think she is a wonderful actress but I SITC just did not resonate with me. Thank you so much for the compliment on the home renovations – that is very kind of you!
April,
Thanks for your monthly linkup. It’s nice to think about linking across the ocean!
Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul, Donna! I love idea of linking across the ocean too!
April, I enjoyed your Valentine’s Day Recipes and celebration ideas! Thanks too for hosting the Hearth and Soul link party each month! I linked up my Valentine Village Tablescape this week at # 128. Wishing you a Wonderful Valentine’s Day! – Patty
April, Wanted to say thanks so much for featuring my – “Mickey and Minnie Celebrate Lunar New Year” post this month! It is an honor to be featured on your website! It’s my understanding that the Lunar New Year runs for 15 days, so Happy Lunar New Year to you and your readers!!! Have a great holiday! – Patty
April, I bet you are so happy that all of your home renovations are done. I love the makeover and your home looks just beautiful. I hope you both enjoy it!
Thank you so much, Julie! We are really pleased 🙂