No matter what is going on around us, there are always opportunities to learn and grow. Hello and welcome to the Hearth and Soul Link Party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party welcomes 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.
NB. Please only share blog posts. I’m sorry, but links to Facebook posts etc will be deleted.
Like so many people living in lockdown across the world, I am finding that despite being busier than ever, there is a sort of ennui or boredom arising from the current situation. I’m desperate to see my family and friends in real life, but wouldn’t even consider doing it not only because it is against the rules, but also because of the health dangers breaking the rules presents. However, I have found that I am learning new things almost every day, and that this time has been one of tremendous growth both personally and professionally.
What’s Been Happening
We awoke to A Snowy Day this morning, not something we often see in the south of England. Our garden looked like a fairyland and the fields and forest we walk in were transformed.
The snow was beginning to melt on our walk (hence the water marks on my jacket from the snow melting off the trees) but we still enjoyed a lovely, snowy walk. It made me think a lot about Finding Comfort and Hope in A Snowy Day.
I’m making lots of comfort food but I often still want it to be quick and easy.
If you feel the same, don’t miss my easy to make, warming and flavourful Warm Wild Rice Salad with Sausages and Apples. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and it’s kid-friendly too!
Monday is Burns Night, an important occasion in Scotland and among Scottish people worldwide. It’s a celebration of the life of the poet Robert Burns.
A few years ago, I partnered with The Vegetarian Society and shared their recipe for a Not So Offal Haggis (or Vegetarian Haggis). This makes the Burns Night celebrations a lot more friendly for those who don’t meat – or for those, like me who really can’t handle the idea of traditional haggis. Provided you use gluten free oats and Tamari instead of soy sauce, the recipe can also be gluten free.
Learn and Grow Featured Posts
Thank you all for visiting and sharing your inspiring content!
This week’s learn and grow featured posts, from top left, clockwise:-
Grow your crafting experience and decorate your home for Valentine’s Day with this pretty Ombre Fringe Trimmed Heart from Beth at Creatively Beth
Learn how to make delicious Raisin Bread with Nora of Treat and Trick
Grow your storage space beautifully with this pretty DIY Shoe Organizer with Scallops from At Home With Ashley
Even absolute beginners can Learn How To Crochet A Dishcloth with Jennifer of The Everyday Farmhouse
On with the party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
- Please do not link to anything except blog posts. Please share the permalink to your blog post, and not to the home page of your blog.
- Linking your blog posts here means you consent to me sharing as many of them as I can on Pinterest, Twitter, and both my blog Facebook page and The Hearth and Soul Facebook Page and featuring them on my blog with photographs from the post. It’s easier for me to share if you have share buttons on your blog, and if you put links to your social media on your home page.
- Please consider sharing the party with your friends and followers. There are share buttons at the top and bottom of this post to help make it easy.
Take care and please stay safe and well, my friends! I look forward to your posts. Wishing you a week full of unexpected blessings.
Comments & Reviews
Hi April,
We are having a lazy Sunday, just watching a few games and taking naps, we are now into a full week of my husbands retirement, I like it so far. Hope you are having a fun day and thanks so much for the awesome party!
Miz Helen
Hi Miz Helen,
That sounds like such a wonderful way to spend the day! Congratulations to Leonard on his retirement. Wishing you both much happiness! I hope you are having a lovely week so far. 🙂
Thanks for hosting and surprising me by featuring my Raisin Bread, I really appreciate it. Hope you have a healthy and happy week..
It’s a pleasure, Nora! Wishing you a healthy and happy week as well. 🙂
Thanks for hosting. Happily posting.
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing, Michele!
I’ve found the same thing off and on during the pandemic. Sometimes I make good use of the time. But, even though I am usually home even without a pandemic, I’ve felt that same ennui. I like snow like that–just a dusting that makes everything pretty but doesn’t impede getting around. I love that scalloped shoe organizer.
I’m really pleased this resonated with you, Barbara. And I agree, we had the perfect amount of snow on Sunday 🙂
Thank you for another delightful party!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Sandra!
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up with TOP 10 POSTS OF 2020 AT GRAMMY’S GRID. I’m also hosting some link parties. Won’t you drop by and link up?
It’s a pleasure, Dee, and thank you for the invitation! I hope to pop by in a little bit 🙂
I know what you mean about being bored with the covid lifestyle, yet growing in other ways. I’ve done a lot of good things personally and artistically that I probably would not have done without the time given to me by covid. I think everyone has taken a closer look at their lives this year-since we abruptly stopped running around like chickens with our heads cut off.
I’m so glad this resonated with you, Kristie. I think slowing down has benefitted us all in some ways.
Wow! What an incredible collection of posts–including yours (love your snowy day!), your features from last week, and what’s been linked thus far! I keep clicking away today. 🙂 It’s so true about learning and growing so much during this time. Sometimes life pushes us; that’s for sure. It’s nice when we can take a pause and appreciate what we get from the push–despite the challenges we’re facing.
I absolutely love crocheted and knitted dishcloths! So I will be taking a closer look at those instructions. The scalloped shoe rack is lovely. Reminds me of a dress I had long ago that has both a scalloped neckline and hemline. 🙂 That felt heart is sweet. I’m weak for all things heart-related and Valentine’s Day-related. Along those lines, I’ve linked up a single dessert and a roundup of desserts that work wonderfully for Valentine’s Day. It will be here before we know it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and positivity and hosting Hearth and Soul, April!
Shirley
Thank you so much, Shirley. I agree, there is something about scallops in decorating and fashion. I just love them! Oh, and I love Valentine’s Day as well. I like the idea of including the whole family in the celebrations when it’s possible. I am hoping to make some heart shaped cookies to share with the neighbours this year (socially distanced drop offs of course!) I look forward to your Valentine’s Day desserts 🙂 Thank you so much for your support of Hearth and Soul, Shirley. I really do appreciate it ❤️
Hi April! We’ve had rain here in the desert the last couple of days, which we are extremely thankful for! I’m glad you and your husband are staying safe.
I’ve been trying lots of new things during this pandemic, but today I shared 3 recipes. Vegan chocolate cake, Peach Melba Pie and Coconut Curry Chicken Soup.
Have a great week!
I’m so glad you have had some rain, Helen! Your recipes all sound lovely. I know my husband would be very keen on the Peach Melba Pie – he loves peach melba! I hope you have a great week too 🙂
Thank you for hosting this lovely party.
Have a lovely week.
Naush
Thank you so much, Naush. I hope you have a lovely week as well!
Good morning, April. Thank you so much for hosting another great party. Enjoy your week.
Thank you, Katie! I hope your week is going well too 🙂
Thank you for hosting, April. Your snow looks lovely, although I’m not a winter-lover in general. We are expecting a major winter storm (again) this afternoon with up to 15 inches predicted! :-0
Niky @ The House on Silveardo
I know what you mean, Niky. I grew up in Canada and I remember when snow was anything but a novelty! 🙂 I hope that you didn’t get all of those 15 inches of snow! Take care and I hope your week is going well.
Hi April, have a great week ahead! Thanks for hosting and all that you share for others to enjoy. I appreciate it.
Thank you so much, Melynda! I hope your week is lovely too!
Hi April
This is a lovely photo of you in the snow!
I know I’m looking forward to the vaccine and getting some normalcy back by the end of this year!
Thank you so much, Pat. I’m looking forward to the vaccine too. It looks like it will be around April for my husband and I if all goes well. I hope you get yours sooner than that!
Thanks for hosting the fun and have a nice week April.
I hope you have a lovely week too, Julie!
Happy Monday! It snowed almost 20cm here Friday and Saturday, so we spent the weekend shoveling the driveway haha. Thank you so much for hosting and I hope you have an amazing week!
I hope you are having a lovely week, Cindy! I remember those days of shovelling the driveway when I was growing up in Kitchener – and the snow coming down so fast you had to start over again when you finished 😂 It makes me smile how much of a novelty snow is for me now, when back in the day it was anything but!
Your corner of the world does indeed look like a fairyland! And you look lovely in it. We got a dusting of snow last week but not enough to stick around. But still it was beautiful while it lasted. Sometimes we just have to take what we can get. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lisa. That is a lovely compliment! Sadly the snow is all gone now, and today it is grey and rainy… We may get some more on the weekend, but it looks like it is going to rain until then 😳 There are some flowers blooming though, and most survived the frost, so that is nice! I hope you are having a wonderful week.
Quick and easy comfort food always wins the day over here! Thanks for hosting again. 🙂 I brought by some Hoisin BBQ Sauce. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, CJ!
This is what I featured 1-18 to 1-22-2021. On Tuesday was Chili Dog Pizza. Wednesday was a Crescent Veggie Pizza. Thursday was my Taco Pizza . And Friday was Chicken Club Pizza. Enjoy!
We must be thinking alike, Marilyn! I’m definitely craving pizza this week.
Your garden looks magical in the snow! I’m longing to have a party with friends and family. Hopefully by summers end. Thanks so much for the feature & hosting each week!
Thank you, Ashley. And me too! I’m definitely longing to get together with family and friends. I hope you are having a lovely week.
That snow pic is gorgeous. Wish we got more here in Texas too.
Thank you, Lauren! I hope your week is going well 🙂
Thank you for hosting. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Donna. I hope you are having a lovely week too.
Thank you so very much for featuring my Ombre Fringed Heart, April!
It’s a pleasure, Beth! 🙂
Wow, the food looks so good. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you are having a wonderful week.
Thank you, Patrick! I hope you enjoyed your birthday, and that you are having a wonderful week too!