Making the Ordinary Extraordinary at The Hearth and Soul Link Party

Making the ordinary extraordinary can brighten up everyday life, and the inspiration you’ll find here at the Hearth and Soul Link Party can really help! Welcome!

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.

There are many ways to look at making the ordinary extraordinary. We may take something ordinary and add something special to make it extraordinary. Alternatively, we may simply look at something that appears ordinary in a new way. So much of what we take for granted really is extraordinary. After all, just the fact that we all survive on this tiny, spinning ball in the universe really is extraordinary in itself.

In the words of Orison Swett Marden, the inspirational author who founded Success magazine in 1897, “Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.”

What’s Been Happening

We have been having very rainy weather in the UK. Nevertheless, I’m starting to think about summer picnics and afternoon teas. Details for my vintage summer afternoon tea class will be announced late next week. Newsletter subscribers will be among the first to know the details so please do subscribe if you haven’t already.

I’ve been practicing for picnics and summer lunches by making lots of salads, despite the weather!

This Beet and Mango Salad with Walnuts was inspired by a salad at one of our favourite restaurants where they really do specialise in making the ordinary extraordinary. With a fusion of savoury and sweet flavours and a delicate dressing, it makes a delicious appetizer or light lunch.

This Healthy Chicken Salad with Salsa and Quinoa features regularly on our lunch table at the moment. It’s easy to throw together and you can even make it ahead.

And if you fancy a little treat, don’t miss these yummy brownies!

You won’t believe how rich, delicious and chocolate-y these Old Fashioned Applesauce Pecan Brownies are. They are the work of moments to make and seriously hard to resist.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful content!

Making the Ordinary Extraordinary Featured Posts

You all are experts at making the ordinary extraordinary! This week’s featured posts include (from top left, clockwise):-

Tara of Stilettos and Shiplap transformed The Ugly Duckling in Her Kitchen when she took on an ordinary and slightly awkward cabinet in her kitchen. You have to see this transformation to believe it – talk about making the ordinary extraordinary!

It’s always lovely to receive a handwritten thank you note, but even more so when it has been made especially for you. Megan of I Teach Stamping shared a video tutorial for Handmade Thank You Cards that really do make something ordinary extraordinary.

If, like me, you love Banana Bread, you may also enjoy this variation from Nancy C. As someone who loves Peanut Butter and Banana on Toast, I’m very keen to try this Peanut Butter Banana Bread Recipe.

Joanne of My Slices of Life made oatmeal cookies extraordinary with these Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies. I would definitely find these hard to resist!

It’s time to link up!

The Hearth and Soul Link Party

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I look forward to seeing what you will share this week. Wishing you a healthy, happy week!