Welcome to the Hearth and Soul Link Party! Being open to possibility has never been more important. This is especially true now, when it feels like things are constantly changing all around us. However, sometimes if we look at them a different way, changes – and even challenges – can become opportunities.
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.
These are still challenging times, that is for sure, but every day I feel we are a step closer to things getting better. If you are in a place where this is not yet the case, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you as we all navigate the challenges of the pandemic. Here’s to better days ahead!
What’s Been Happening?
It has been another busy week here. I am working on some exciting new developments – including big plans for more online cook-a-longs and cooking classes! I can’t wait to share more with you. Please watch this space!
On Tuesday I did an online talk to a networking group for female entrepreneurs about The Pros and Cons of Blogging For Your Business. I also had another online networking meeting on Wednesday.
After 3 long lockdowns, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to get my hair done on Thursday. My husband had over 3 inches cut off his hair! It was also lovely to be able to have a pedicure and get my eyebrows done.
On the blog, I featured one of my favourite cake recipes.
This Old Fashioned Banana Cake recipe is easy to make, a cinch to decorate and it tastes amazing.
I also featured one of my favourite spring brunch recipes.
My Baked Overnight Oatmeal with Rhubarb and Almonds is an easy, make ahead recipe the whole family – often even those who don’t like porridge – will love!
Open to Possibility Featured Posts
The Hearth and Soul Link Party always has ideas and inspiration to help you be open to possibility, expand your horizons and experience. This week’s featured posts include (from top left, clockwise):-
Spring holds so much possibility and I’m feeling really inspired by Penny’s Snowball Lemon Spring Wreath. Love the beautiful decor at Penny’s Vintage Home!
This DIY Farmhouse Inspired Herb Box from Niky at The House on Silverado is perfect for indoor or outdoor herb growing, opening you up to lots of culinary possibilities!
Ever thought about learning to crochet, or picking up your crochet hook if you haven’t used it for some time? Alexandra of Eye Love Knots has a free pattern – How to Crochet a C2C Window Pane Throw Pillow which can also be used to make a blanket.
Leslie of My Gluten Free Cucina shared a recipe to keep you open to possibility in the kitchen. Her deliciously easy but very appealing Hasselback Chicken Breast will breathe new life into your chicken recipe repertoire.
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. By sharing here, you assert that you own the content and photographs and can give me this permission.
- 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 I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
Comments & Reviews
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up with my HAPPY SPRING TRUCK PRINTABLE and OUTSTANDING BLOGGER AWARD – MY WEE ABODE. I’d like to invite you to drop by and linkup at some of my parties.
April Harris says
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Dee!
Barbara Harper says
Getting a fresh haircut can be so uplifting! Glad you were able to do that.
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Barbara! I hope you are doing well too!
Leslie says
Thanks so much for the feature April!
April Harris says
My pleasure, Leslie!
Michele Morin says
Open to possibility is such a great stance for this season of uncertainty.
April Harris says
Thank you, Michele!
Julie says
How wonderful to get out for some self care and grooming. It will be wonderful once everything gets back to somewhat normal living. I hope you have a nice week April.
April Harris says
It really is, Julie! Thank you, I hope your week is wonderful too!
Donna B Reidland says
It’s so nice that you and your husband are able to get out more. It wasn’t that long ago that I finally got a much-needed pedicure! It was so nice!
April Harris says
Thank you, Donna. I am so glad you enjoyed your pedicure. It’s amazing how great a good pedicure can make you feel. 🙂
Shirley @ gluten free easily says
Lucky you guys! You both look great! I can’t wait for my first haircut in over a year that will be coming up next week. A massage and pedicure will be soon to follow, that’s for sure! It will all feel so indulgent. 🙂
Your banana cake looks so good! I bet it could easily be made GF.
This week I’m linking up two updated gluten-free recipe roundups for today, which is National Animal Crackers Day, and Tuesday, with is National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day. I won’t turn down either. 😉
Have a happy week, April!
Shirley
April Harris says
We do feel very lucky, Shirley, and thank you for the compliment! I hope you enjoy your haircut and the massage and pedicure too!
I must try the banana cake with GF flour. Leslie of My Gluten Free Cucina mentioned a GF version too 🙂
Ooh, I love the idea of National Animal Crackers Day – and I haven’t had Pineapple Upside Down Cake in ages. I won’t turn down either, either!
I hope you have a happy week too, Shirley!
Pat says
Such beautiful photos, April! You both look wonderful! Thanks for hosting every week. I am hooking up an unusual “castle” in Colorado!
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Pat! I look forward to reading your post!
Miz Helen says
Hi April,
It is so exciting to be able to do simple things like getting our hair and nails done, just to be out and about. I have now had both the first and second vaccine and after two weeks I am free. I am so excited I am planning a luncheon for some of my friends. I am sharing some of our favorite Old Fashioned Banana Pudding along with a fun salad for Potato Gnocchi that I just developed, it is so good! Hope you have a good week!
Miz Helen
April Harris says
Oh, Miz Helen I am so happy for you! How wonderful to be planning a luncheon. My second vaccination is 3rd June, just before my birthday 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes. I hope you are having a good week too!
Morsels of Life | CJ Huang says
Definitely looking forward to new possibilities! Thanks for hosting. 🙂 I brought by some Pineapple Ginger Popsicles this week – fun with a bit of zing. Hope you enjoy!
April Harris says
Pineapple Ginger Popsicles sound wonderful, CJ! i look forward to your recipe!
Shiju Sugunan says
Lovely photos!
April Harris says
Thank you, Shiju!
Helen Reynolds says
It does feel so great to get to do some actual in person things! I shared my daughter’s post about planning a trip to Hawaii since she and her husband’s family were all able to go recently! What a dream as m come true!
April Harris says
Oh, how wonderful to go to Hawaii! I am so happy for your daughter, Helen, and I look forward to reading the post!
Penny Phillips says
I’m delighted to see my spring wreath included in this weeks features….thank you! I am feeling like you….happy to see things beginning to get back to a somewhat normal….hugs…
April Harris says
I’m so pleased, Penny! Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul. I’m so glad things are opening up where you are too. Hugs…
Alexandra says
So happy to hear you were able to get out, and get pampered! That’s wonderful! I really appreciate the feature on my crocheted pillow 🙂
April Harris says
Thank you so much, Alexandra, and it’s my pleasure!
Niky says
Thanks so much for featuring my herb garden, April! Love seeing all your lovely features and posts! Happy Monday!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
April Harris says
Thank you so much, NIky. I hope you are having a happy week!
Estelle Forrest says
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you. Thank you so much for hosting this link-up party!
April Harris says
I hope your week is going wonderfully too, Estelle!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I am glad you are finally getting a bit more freedom with lockdowns. Here in Ontario, we’ve entered a third lockdown, but many oppose it and there have been freedom rallies in several cities. I am just patiently waiting for my first dose of the vaccine in 2 weeks.
I am excited to hear what other cooking classes you plan to offer! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week!
April Harris says
I’m so glad you have your first vaccine booked, Cindy! I hope things will improve in Ontario soon.
I’m busily making plans for more classes and cookalongs to come and I can’t wait to share them! Thank you for your support!
I hope your week is going wonderfully too. Take care.
Lisa notes says
I agree with you, April: every day I feel we are a step closer to things getting better again. I am so thrilled about it! It’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, maybe even the end of the spring. 🙂
April Harris says
Thank you, Lisa! If things go according to plan we will be back to no restrictions on 21st June, although I believe we will still practice social distancing and wear masks. Praying we continue on track. I hope your week is going well!
Denise/My Home of All Seasons says
Thanks so much for hosting April! I am so glad for you being able to get out and about again. Things are opening up here too and I am so optimistic for the future again! Travel restrictions in the states are being lifted and although I’m not quite ready to board a plane, just knowing I will see my daughter soon is enough for now! Have a wonderful week and thanks again.
April Harris says
I am so glad you will be able to see your daughter soon, Denise! It is so hard to be separated from our loved ones. I hope you are having a wonderful week as well.
Cherryl Ehlenburg says
Thank you for hosting, and have a great week!
April Harris says
Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul, Cherryl. I hope your week is going really well too!
Lauren Renee Sparks says
As we say here in the deep south, you got all gussied up didn’t you. So glad you got to treat yourself.
April Harris says
I did, Lauren! I love that turn of phrase!! My late Mom used to use it 🙂 Thank you so much!
Patrick Weseman says
Glad, that you were able to get out and get some things done. Very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
April Harris says
Thank you, Patrick! I hope that your week is wonderful too.
Priyam says
Thank you so much for hosting!
April Harris says
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Priyam!