Hello and welcome to the Hearth and Soul Link Party! How is your summer going? Most of us are making other plans than what we are used to this summer. Have your plans changed or are you able to carry on almost as normal?
Blog posts only, please, about anything that feeds the soul are welcome here at The Hearth and Soul Link Party. 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.
I’m sorry, but links directly to Etsy listings, Facebook posts, or anything other than blog posts will be deleted.
What’s Been Happening
The UK has relaxed many of the lockdown restrictions but a lot of us are still staying very close to home. It’s lovely to see historic sites like the some of the royal palaces and Highclere Castle (The Real Downton Abbey) re-opening, as well as many National Trust sites.
That said, there are still a lot of people making other plans than they are used to. We are looking forward to seeing our son and his partner, and perhaps having some picnics or small socially distanced gatherings in our garden.
In other news, I’m delighted to report that my husband and I both were able to visit our hairdresser last week.
My husband had over 4 inches cut off his hair! As for me, I’m delighted to be blond again – and to have had all my split ends cut off. Aside from mascara, this is a bit of a no-makeup selfie for me – anyone else not do much about makeup when they are wearing a mask?
On The Blog
One of the things I’ve noticed about my husband working from home is that the days all blend together, and it’s hard to delineate weekends. So I’ve been making other plans, and a real effort to switch up our menus to reflect a more relaxed vibe on Saturdays and Sundays. Make ahead casseroles, delicious muffins or taking things really easy and enjoying brunch help make the weekend feel more like, well, the weekend! Here are a couple of the recipes we have been enjoying.
My cousin Esther shared this Brie, Basil and Tomato Strata recipe with me several years ago, and it’s been one of my go-to brunch recipes ever since.
This delicious espresso-spiked Italian Breakfast Banana Bread recipe is a real grown-up treat, perfect for breakfast or with a cup of coffee anytime.
My Baked Overnight Oatmeal with Rhubarb and Almonds is an easy, seasonal, make ahead recipe that will make you want to get out of bed early. It’s gluten free, and can be made dairy free as well.
Thank you all for visiting and sharing your blog posts last week!
Making Other Plans Featured Posts
This week’s making other plans featured posts include (from top left, clockwise):-
Beth at Condo Blues made a cute vintage 1950’s Wrap Sundress and she’s sharing hints and tips to help you if you’d like to make one too.
If, like my husband and I, you are making other plans and spending a lot more time in your garden, you will love this tutorial on How to Make a Solar Chandelier from Chas at Chas’ Crazy Creations.
Niki at The House on Silverado was making other plans for Father’s Day, so she treated her husband to a Made To Order Omelette Bar. This would be such a fun celebration idea for anyone – and would be great for entertaining when that is possible again.
In Recycling a Map 3 Ways, Beth from Creatively Beth shares some wonderful project ideas for recycling old maps into thoughtful gifts and keepsakes.
It’s time to link up your blog posts!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
Please share the permalink to your blog post, and not just to the home page of your blog. Please do not link to anything except blog posts. Links directly to Etsy listings (not within a blog post), Facebook or Pinterest will be deleted.
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Take care and have a wonderful week!
Comments & Reviews
I know what you mean about the weekends and weekdays all blending together. They seem to do that over here too, despite our efforts. I’m thinking maybe that espresso banana bread might help! Thanks for hosting! I brought by a Pineapple Orange Chia Drink. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
I find it really does, CJ 🙂 It would be lovely with your Pineapple Orange Chia Drink too! Take care and have a good week.
Anything we can do to find landmarks in time is a great help! Menus for the weekend should definitely be fun.
Thank you, Michele!
We are starting a new experience, my husband has come down with Covid 19. He is still at home and we are grateful for that. Our Granddaughter returns to London today after being home for a while. Stay healthy and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
Oh my goodness, Miz Helen, I’m so sorry to hear that Leonard has come down with Covid 19. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery at home. I hope you can manage to avoid getting it as well. Please do take care. Safe travels to your Granddaughter. You and Leonard are in my prayers. Stay healthy, Miz Helen.
Yesterday was Blueberry Muffin Day and today is Pecan Pie Day. So I’m sharing a blueberry mug muffin recipe (keto as written but any sweetener can be used) and my crustless pecan pie recipe that’s naturally gluten free plus some more great pecan pie recipes from friends.
Your Italian Banana Bread looks awesome and I love the wrap sundress. 🙂
Have a good week, April!
Shirley
What great days to celebrate, Shirley! Thank you for sharing your recipes. Take care, stay well and have a good week!
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up today with WOULD YOU? FACE COVERING, YES OR NO and I invite you to my WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT LINKUP – BALLOONS 131 WORDS – OPEN JULY 15 TO 21.
Thank you for visiting, Dee!
I love all your recipes, April, and will try these!
Thanks so much for hosting.
Thank you so much, Pat! That’s a really lovely compliment. Please let me know what you think when you try them 🙂 Take care and have a lovely week.
This has been a season of making other plans, especially for celebrations. We’re starting “birthday season” for our family, and with COVID-19 cases in our area rising (158% in one county in one week!), we’re redoubling our efforts to stay in as much as possible. I’m so ready for this virus to be over, but I remind myself circumstances were much worse in other pandemics in history.
It really has, Barbara. I am so sorry to hear about the rise in COVID-19 cases in your area, that is very scary. Our cases and deaths are dropping, but we are still staying in as much as we can. I hope you are able to celebrate the birthdays together safely, whether that is in person or via FaceTime or Zoom. It must have been awful during the pandemic in 1918 – and yet weirdly I don’t remember any of my Grandparents ever talking about it, even though they would have been in their teens at the time. That said, I am ready for this virus to be over too! Take care, stay well, and have a lovely week.
That is great April that you and your husband were able to go to the hairdresser. I am scheduled to go on Wednesday and I can’t wait! Thanks for hosting and enjoy the week.
Thank you, Julie! I hope you have a wonderful week as well. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday 🙂
Thanks for the feature, April! The recycled map canvas makes a great housewarming gift! 🙂
It’s a pleasure, Beth. I agree, your recycled map canvas would make a really wonderful housewarming gift! Have a lovely week.
Wow four inches off! That is a lot of hair your husband grew out. My husband is the family barber and stylist, I get my long hair trimmed every couple months and my two teen boys get their haircuts every three weeks. They are picky about their hair and they like it kept short, but not shaved. They continued to get their haircuts on schedule. I did have a couple friends visit to grill on the deck last month, and my best friend asked hubby to give her a trim on her mid back length hair, no big deal, he does that regularly for her. My other friend mentioned that she needed a haircut as it had been several months since her last one, and the bangs in her eyes and the mullet thing on her neck was bugging her. She asked if he could cut short hair as it is harder than trimming long hair. I pointed out that he gives my two teen boys their haircuts and she asked him to cut her hair, she wanted it short like my older son’s hair. He said ok, got his barber tools, caped her and put a neck strip on her as well. He did her haircut with the clippers with different attachments, and then clippers over the comb cutting on the top. It was definitely a short summer haircut as she asked. She was very pleased with the results to have all that hair gone. She posted pictures on Facebook and her stylist commented that she really loved the haircut, but felt jealous that she had cheated on her. She told her that she would be back, but she just had to get a haircut. So I definitely understand how you and your husband felt to finally get a haircut.
Your husband sounds like he has a real talent there, Carolyn! How lovely he was able to keep you all looking good throughout the lockdown – and to help out your friends as well. I trimmed my own bangs, and a few friends asked me why I didn’t try trimming my husband’s hair but I was just too scared! I’m talented at many things, but hair cutting definitely isn’t one of them! I’m glad you are all safe and well 🙂
Thank you so much for another great party!
Hav a great Time and stay well.
many greetings to you and yours
Uwe
Greetings to you and yours too, Uwe! Thank you for visiting and sharing. Take care and have a good week.
Thank you for featuring my 1950’s wrap dress!
It’s a pleasure, Lisa!
Thank you for hosting! This is what I featured the week of 7-6 to 7-10 on my blog. On Tuesday were Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Wednesday saw Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. Thursday was Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies. And winding up this Cookie Week was my post, Tip Friday Freezing Cookie Dough. Enjoy!
I do love cookies, Marilyn! Thank you for sharing your recipes – and your advice on freezing cookie dough 🙂 Take are and have a good week!
Thank you so much for the feature and for another wonderful party April. I hope you’re having a lovely week.
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Chas. I hope your week is wonderful too!
The days tend to run together these past through weeks. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
They really do, Patrick, that is for sure! Thank you for visiting and sharing, and I hope your week is wonderful too!
That italian banana bread looks good.
Thank you, Lauren! It really is delicious 🙂
I’m with ya! I have been looking at buying some new lipsticks, but then I keep talking myself out of it because who will see it behind my mask?
I’d definitely go for it 🙂 There’s nothing like how good a new lipstick can make you feel – even if no one else sees it!
April, your and your husband’s hair looks great! Glad you were able to do that. Such things give us a real lift. Yes, the days run together–I’ve been saying “Every day is Wednesday!”
Thank you so much, Jean. And I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Take care and stay well. Hope you are having a lovely week!
Your strata looks delicious. I’ve been trying out some new recipes, too. And I know what you mean about being able to go to the beauty salon. It was such a treat for me when I finally got to go! Thanks for hosting!
Thank you, Donna! I think it’s a good time to try new recipes, as it always gives me a lift. Very glad you got to the beauty salon too 🙂 I always used to take getting my hair done for granted, but not now! Take care.