Refresh and restore at this week’s Hearth and Soul Link Party! Welcome! I hope this finds you well. With everything going on around us, it really is important to take some time out to do the things we really enjoy. I always get so much inspiration from the wonderful content you all share here!
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.
What’s Been Happening?
We are still in Lockdown 3.0 here in England, under at stay at home (or shelter in place) order. We are only allowed to leave the house for exercise once a day, essential shopping or medical appointments. I’m definitely missing our family and friends. It’s hard to refresh and restore in these circumstances, but I’m very grateful for the technology that helps us stay in touch! I am also very grateful for so many other things, including our health and the comfort that surrounds us.
The move to FaceTime and Zoom meetings is an opportunity for gratitude as well, as it has meant that I have the opportunity to do a lot more speaking to groups everywhere. This is something I really enjoy. Speaking of which, the time zone may be tricky for some of you, but if you fancy learning more about how Taking Time Out Can Benefit Body and Soul, I’m speaking at The Cancer Champions Support Network’s Coffee and Chat meeting online on Tuesday March 2nd at 11.30am GMT. If you are available to attend, you would be very welcome at this free event. The Cancer Champions Support Network offers help and encouragement to those affected by cancer including those who may be looking after and/or supporting someone who has cancer, but everyone is welcome.
I am also planning a series of Facebook Live events and I’d love your suggested topics as well as a rough idea of which time zone you are in so I can get my timing right. I want to talk about things and with people you are interested in so please feel free to share your ideas.
The latest issue of my newsletter went out today. If you are not yet a subscriber, I would love your support!
On The Blog
Last week on the blog I took a look back at a wonderful fashion event.
Refresh and restore by joining me in a virtual visit to Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams. I took lots of photographs!
I also shared one of my favourite breakfast ideas.
Perfect for using up over-ripe bananas, this recipe for Banana and Chia Seed Muffins is deliciously healthy and oh so easy to make! The muffins freeze really well too. And if you are worried about getting your kids to eat chia seeds, one reader recommends saying they are poppy seeds instead. Her little ones loved the muffins!
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful content with The Hearth and Soul Link Party.
Refresh and Restore Featured Posts
Refresh and Restore Featured Posts, from top left, clockwise:-
Take a walk down memory lane with the Valentine Vignette by My Home of All Seasons. I love great decorating ideas and sweet family stories, and this post has both!
Brighten someone’s day with this pretty Polka Dot Valentine from Linda at Paper Seedlings.
Refresh and restore by giving your surroundings a seasonal lift. There’s lots of decorating inspiration in this Valentine Family Room post from Penny of Penny’s Vintage Home.
There’s nothing like a delicious dessert to give you a lift. This Coconut Banana Pudding from MJ’s Kitchen looks absolutely like real comfort food.
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.
I look forward to your posts! Take care and have a wonderful week!
Comments & Reviews
Glad to hear you’re still finding and sharing ways to refresh and restore. 🙂 Thanks for hosting again. I brought by some BBQ Tofu Sticks to go with last week’s Hoisin BBQ Sauce. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you so much, CJ. That sounds like such a lovely combination – I love the flavours in Hoisin sauce and tofu is so healthy. We would definitely enjoy these!
I love the Valentine decorations! One of my favorite holidays.
Me too, Barbara! 🙂 Have a lovely week.
Thanks for hosting on such a cold, dreary winter’s day. It’s really appreciated!
Thank you so much, Sandra!
Congrats on the speaking opportunities!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you, Michelle!
Thanks for hosting, April. I think your FaceBook live idea is very interesting. I’m sure it will be a tremendous blessing to those who are able to attend. As a full time caregiver, I’m never quite sure when I can do those things but I will take note of the times you come up with and try to pop in.
Thank you so much, Donna. I really appreciate your support. I believe the lives are available afterwards if you are unable to watch them when they are actually live. Take care.
You do such a great job making every one welcome here!
Thank you so much, Michele. That’s a lovely compliment 🙂 I really appreciate your support!
Hi April,
Your muffins look delicious, I would enjoy one right now. We are not in lock down like you all are but my husband and I are staying real close to home and have really changed the way we interact with others. Hope you have a safe and healthy week and I will hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you, Miz Helen! I hope you have a lovely week too. Take care.
Wow, another week of so much wonderful stuff here on your site and highlighted! The designer exhibits are delightful; aren’t they? I would have loved to have seen the Christian Dior one, April. A few years ago, I went to one on Yves Saint Laurent in our state capital’s main museum. I loved every bit of it but remember being especially amazed at dozens and dozens of gorgeous sketches of his designs–before they became dresses.
The Valentine Vignette was surprising and lovely. The Polka Dot Valentine was so cute. Love her ingenuity! I never get tired of Valentine’s Day decorating as it’s always been one of my favorites and despite my changed circumstances, I don’t want that love of the special day to go away. Last, I’m all about that coconut banana pudding. Terrific ingredients!
This week I’m linking up two posts from one of my previous Suite of Sweets for Sweethearts series–Sweet Potato Biscuits (the photo alone serves as a reminder that any treat can be made for Valentine’s Day) and Chocolate Fondue. The fondue would not only be great for Valentine’s Day and can be scaled down as needed but would also work for Super Bowl coming up. Fondue is not only delicious; it’s just so much fun!
Have a fabulous week, April!
Shirley
Thank you so much, Shirley. The recipes you have shared sound lovely. I am glad that you still celebrate Valentine’s Day. I will definitely be thinking of you as I know the day must hold its challenges. ❤️ Thank you so much for your support of Hearth and Soul and for visiting so many other contributors as well. It really is wonderful having you as part of the Hearth and Soul Community!
Oops, so sorry about all that bolding, April. Guess I made a mistake when I went to emphasize one word. I promise not to do that ever again!!
No worries, Shirley! 🙂
Thank you ever so much, April, for choosing to feature my Polka Dot Valentine card this week. I am honored. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
It’s my pleasure, Linda! Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul. 🙂
Hi April
I hope your lockdown eases soon. I hope to get the vaccine in February and I’ll feel a little safer that way
Congratulations on your speaking engagements. I have been a participant in a few Zoom conferences lately and I have enjoyed them very much. I am in US mountain time. It is two hours earlier than the US eastern standard time.
Thanks for hosting –happy February!
Thank you, Pat. I hope that you will get the vaccination soon. Thank you for letting me know where you are based. That will really help when I am planning FB Lives etc. Happy February, and thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul!
Hi April! I’m am going to try to “attend” the Cancer Champions event and hear you speak. I went through a bout of breast cancer in 2012 and I am so grateful to be 8 years cancer free! My husband had his own round of radiation for cancer in 2020. He is doing so well now and we are so aware of how blessed we are. It is so amazing to see the strides that are being made in finding cures for this devastating illness.
I am also hopeful that this pandemic will soon be under control and we can all move on and take what we have learned from these experiences with us. Thank you for your positivity throughout all of this.
Thank you so much, Helen! I totally understand if the time zone is too challenging though! I am so pleased you are 8 years cancer free, and that your husband is doing well too. It is wonderful to see the strides that are being made. I too hope we can soon move on from the pandemic, taking the important lessons with us. Thank you for all your support, I really appreciate it.
Gorgeous dresses! Those muffins look delicious and I’m going to check out the recipe for sure.
Thank you, Carrie!
It’s so sweet of you to feature my heart wreath at the party this week….thank you!
It’s a pleasure, Penny! I alway enjoy your posts!
Good morning April and happy to be here. Thanks for hosting. Visiting you at Refresh and Restore at the Hearth and Soul Link Party with three shares (#97,98,99). Can’t wait to see your post above.
Thank you so much, Nancy. It’s so helpful knowing which numbers your posts are at too!
Lockdown number 2 for us here in Ontario and unfortunately a mutated variant has entered one of our long term care facilities. So many seniors have passed away in the past few weeks, my heart hurts for their families. It has been challenging to stay positive while being vulnerable and trying to keep myself safe and still do what needs to be done for my family.
Thank you so much for hosting and I hope you have a great week, April!
Oh I am sorry, Cindy. That really is such sad news. Please do take care and stay safe. I hope you have a great week despite the challenges, Cindy!
It’s frustrating to be living under restrictions…agggaaaainnnn…but it is saving lives! I kind of wish we were locked down here in Pennsylvania so we wouldn’t feel so much pressure to let our teen have friends over, etc. Unbelievably, my county allowed restaurants to reopen indoor dining (at reduced capacity) when we were still seeing 1 in 2,400 residents diagnosed EACH DAY! After a surge in November, we are just now getting down to the infection rate that was our previous peak, in July. I haven’t been to a restaurant in almost 11 months. It’s weird and depressing. Thanks for hosting this sharing of good ideas for getting through this time!
Today I’m sharing my uncle’s tip for bringing home the groceries when you live alone in a third-floor apartment and are awaiting a hip replacement. It’s a useful idea for anyone who, in the short or long term, is having trouble carrying heavy things up stairs!
It is, but I agree, it is so important. How frustrating that your county are not taking things seriously enough. I am glad your cases are reducing though. I hope your uncle gets his hip replacement soon. Thank you for sharing his tip!
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up with WHY DO JEANS HAVE RIVETS? Check out my 3 current link parties if you’d like more views and shares for your posts 🙂
Thank you so much, Dee!
Thank you so much for hosting. Have a wonderful week!
I hope you have a wonderful week too, Priyam!
What would we do without our technology? It’s so hard to lockdown as it is. My daughter suspected she had covid this week and since I had spent the night with her that very night, I came home and quarantined myself until she got a negative test result (thank you, God!). We decided she and her husband had a stomach bug instead.
This is what I featured 1-25 to 1-29-2021. On Tuesday was Green Chile Mac and Cheese. Wednesday was Baked Truffle Mac and Cheese. Thursday was Chili Mac and Cheese Hot Dog Casserole. Friday was Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
Those banana muffins look so good April. Thanks for hosting and enjoy your week.
Thank you, Julie! I hope your week is going well too.
Great links to visit! Thanks for hosting, I am sharing a delicious red bean recipe, a carrot raisin banana bread treat, and Marcella Hazen’s Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter! Thanks once again for hosting. Have a safe and happy week ahead.
Thank you, Melynda! I hope your week is going well. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you again April for including me in your features! So appreciated! Have a wonderful week.
It’s a pleasure, Denise! I hope your week is wonderful too!
Oh my, those dresses are just beautiful!!
They really are, Joanne! It was such a privilege to be able to see them.
Thank you for hosting, and have a great week!
Thank you, Cherryl! I hope you have a great week too!
Your space is always so well curated. We are blessed to be able to learn from your many talents.
Lauren, that is such a lovely compliment! Thank you so much!
So they are opening up things here in the SF Bay Area. Hopefully, people will behave. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
I’m glad the Bay Area is opening up a bit, Patrick. I hope people will behave too! Take care and stay safe. Hope you have a wonderful week as well.
I see a few recipes in here that I definitely want to try! Thanks so much for featuring my pudding recipe. It’s my husband’s favorite so he wouldn’t definitely agree about it being comforting. 🙂
It’s a pleasure, MJ! I really am looking forward to giving it a try 🙂