
Hello and welcome to the September 2023 Edition of The Hearth and Soul Link Party! Happy September to you!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party welcomes family-friendly 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.
September is one of my favourite months. The fresh start it offers seems much more relaxed than all the pressure of a whole new year that January brings. I like to use September as a time to reset, and also to check in with how I am progressing with the aspirations I set in January. Do you feel that September brings a fresh start or are you reluctant to say goodbye to summer (or winter if you are in the southern hemisphere)? Please let me know in the comments!
The Latest
Our kitchen is not quite finished yet, but I have am able to use all the appliances again.
As you can see, I’m pretty happy about it! If all goes to plan, everything but the flooring will be finished by the end of this week, so we can move on to the utility room and the rest of the ground floor. I’ll be sharing some more photos on social media and in my newsletter soon.
We have enjoyed lots of summer socialising. One of the vintage car rallies we attended took place at beautiful Mapledurham House, an Elizabethan stately home on the banks of the Thames not far from where we live. The house is in private ownership and not currently open to the public. However the friendly, informative owner of the home allowed the members of our group to wander around unsupervised. It was an amazing experience to walk through so much history freely, at our own pace.
We have also been spending quite a lot of time in London, including a wonderful evening at The Proms at The Royal Albert Hall. The concert, which included the European premier of a new piece and some lovely Gershwin, was a birthday present from our son and his partner. I have been looking forward to it since my birthday in June!
On The Blog – September 2023 Edition
We celebrated Afternoon Tea Week a few weeks ago here in the UK. If you love Afternoon Tea too, you may enjoy my post sharing Everything You Need To Know About Afternoon Tea (some things may surprise you!).
I have also updated my list of my favourite places to have afternoon tea in London, in case you are planning a visit and would like some recommendations. Or make afternoon tea at home with my Ideas and Recipes for Afternoon Tea.
Just in time for back to school, I have a delicious Chocolate Banana Snack Cake recipe to share.
A cake/brownie hybrid, this delicious snack cake is perfect served alongside a glass of ice cold milk. The easy recipe is also a great one to make with your kids for a bit of after school fun.
There’s lots of other seasonal content as well, including Fall recipes, Beauty Tips and ideas to help you Freshen Up Your Home For Fall.
The Hearth and Soul Community
The Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook offers another opportunity to share your content. We also offer opportunities to expand your reach and connect with other community members.
You can share posts which you have shared here at the September 2023 Edition of Hearth and Soul in the group as well, to give them even greater visibility and an extra chance of being featured.
Featured Posts – September 2023 Edition
Thank you all for visiting and sharing your posts with the Hearth and Soul Link Party! Here are just some of the wonderful posts that caught my eye this month.
From The Hearth and Soul Community
Have you got a glut of courgettes/zucchini? Heather of Modern Woman Old Soul has a delicious way to use them up. Don’t miss her Crispy Courgette Bites.
If you are planning to redecorate your living room, you won’t want to miss Living Room Design Mistakes to Avoid from Carol of Comfort Spring.
From the Hearth and Soul Link Party
This pretty French Country Summer Tablescape from Thrifting Wonderland would also make a great table setting to transition from summer to fall.
As someone who sometimes takes criticism very personally, I was encouraged by Criticism Can Be a Blessing by Barbara Lee Harper on her blog Stray Thoughts.
If the fresh start September brings has you thinking about healthy eating habits, do check out Nancy at Colors 4 Health’s post on Favourite Foods for a Good Mood. What we eat can profoundly affect how we feel and Nancy offers lots of deliciously healthy suggestions to inspire you. How many of the foods Nancy has shared do you enjoy? (Apart from watercress, I like them all!)
Beth from Creatively Beth is offering a Free Back To School Notebook Cover Printable for you – or someone you know – to colour in. I used to love covering notebooks when I was in school!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party – September 2023 Edition
The Hearth and Soul Link Party is held monthly, opening on the first Sunday of every month and remaining open until the 25th of the month, or until 300 entries are reached. Please share a maximum of 8 links per month here at the party. (You can share more in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook.)
Please share the permalink to your blog post with the September 2023 edition, not a link to the home page of your blog. Please do not link to anything except blog posts.
By submitting a post to the September 2023 edition of the link party here, you assert that you own the content and photographs. You also give me permission to share them here on the blog as well as on Pinterest, Twitter, and both my own Facebook page , The Hearth and Soul Link Party page and The Hearth and Soul Community Facebook Group.
The September 2023 edition is open until 25th September so please come back as often as you like. I am excited to see what you will share this month!
Comments & Reviews
I’m so happy your kitchen reno is coming to a close, April. I didn’t renovate my kitchen but did get new appliances recently (due to old age and failure) and even being without a stove and refrigerator for a few days was a real challenge. You’re a trouper!
It’s always so much fun to get out and about, especially at festive events. Glad you’re enjoying yourselves so much!
That Chocolate Banana Snack Cake looks fabulous! There’s something about any cake that’s called Snack Cake that tells you just how good it will be. 🙂
I’ve linked up my newest recipe, Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies with Toffee Chips, which is a reader-suggested riff on an old favorite, and a fall classic, Pumpkin Bread.
Off to check out all the other links! Thanks for hosting as always!
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley! We’ve had a few delays but we are getting there slowly. We have definitely been enjoying getting out and about.
Thank you for the compliment on my Snack Cake. Your cookies and Pumpkin Bread sound lovely!
I appreciate your support of Hearth and Soul, thank you!
Thanks so much for featuring my post!
It’s so nice to be able to use kitchen appliances again. Your kitchen looks great! I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes out.
It’s a pleasure, Barbara, and thank you!
Thanks so much April for featuring my post, “Favorite Foods for a Good Mood.” I enjoyed writing it and am honored and thrilled it was selected to be a feature at your wonderful blog party.
I’m so glad you are pleased, Nancy. It’s my pleasure.
Your home is becoming lovelier with each photo. I look forward to more news in the future. Thanks so much for the feature of my post, Living Room Design Mistakes To Avoid. You made me very happy April. Thanks for being so supportive of other bloggers!
Thank you so much, Carol! I’m so glad you are pleased – it was my pleasure to feature your post 🙂
Hi April,
It has been an interesting summer with unusual high temperatures. We are so happy to be transitioning into the fall season. I have enjoyed following along with your summer activities. Have a lovely month and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
Hi Miz Helen,
Our summer has been cool and rainy but September is off to a sunny, hot start! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing. I hope you have a lovely September too!
Love the kitchen April, those splash backs look so unusual & amazing! I also love your denium outfit & love, love, love afternoon Tea & that you have a day for it! Of course my love of sharing a cup of tea with others is why I named my blog ‘Tea With Jennifer’. 😊
I’m happy to welcome Spring & say goodbye to Winter here in Australia, so much prettier & more temperate days.
Blessngs, Jennifer
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I am so taken with the splash backs. I was nervous about them, but they have turned out really well. Thank you for the compliment. I’m so glad spring is on the way in your corner of the world! Blessings to you!
I am so glad that you are enjoying your new kitchen, April! I know you will share many wonderful new recipes with us.
Thank you, Pat! I’m so excited to get back to proper recipe developing again.
Happy September & Autumn to you April! It’s so nice to see your welcoming smiling face! You sure were busy. I love going to vintage car rallies. Your afternoon teas look so relaxing.
Thank you so very much for hosting this amazing group and making a wonderful space for us to gather.
Linking up at #5&6
Thank you so much for the compliment, Paula! Happy September and Autumn to you too! Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul.
Thanks for hosting April – looks like you are having the time of your life!
Afternoon tea in London sounds divine!
Have an amazing week & I’ll see you soon! 🙂
Thank you so much, Ramona! I really am enjoying life 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful week too! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing 🙂
Good Morning, April. I have really enjoyed reading your Blogs especially on travel and events you’ve attended in England and Europe. I especially liked the recent Blog on Afternoon Tea. Thanks so much for the feature for “French Country summer Tablescape”. It was fun to put together and lovely to be able to share it with others. Have a wonderful September.
Lynne
Thank you so much, Lynne! It was a pleasure to feature your post – I found your tablescape so inspiring! Have a wonderful September!
Love reading about all the lovely places to have tea in London. I used to have tea with my Gran every afternoon when I got home from school. She was from Glasgow. Thank you, April, for including my Free Printable Notebook Cover to Color in your features from August! Have a wonderful September!
It’s a pleasure to feature your post, Beth! What a lovely memory of your Gran. I had afternoon tea after school with my Mom sometimes too! She would let me choose an antique tea cup from her collection. Then she would tell me the story of it, all while finding out about my day at school. Hope your September is wonderful too!
Thank you so much for hosting! Joining this week with entries 91 & 92. Also sharing an invitation for you and your guest to come join us at our link-up party starting every Wednesday. Looking forward to reading you there as well. https://fortheloveto.com/
Thank you so much, Iveth! Have a wonderful week!
Yes, I think September is a bit of a reset month. Here the the US Southwest we are looking forward to cooler temps, as well. While I enjoy summer, it has been a long hot one here. Thanks for hosting each month and providing us all with a window into British life.
It’s a pleasure, Donna. Thank you so much for visiting and sharing! Have a lovely month.
Looks like you are having fun. Glad that you use your kitchen again. Thanks for hosting this great party and I am at #99.
Hi April! I came back to share my latest craft. Inspirational quote coasters, #120! They make a wonderful gift! Hope you enjoy them. Thank you for hosting.
Thank you so much for sharing, Helen!
So much autumn goodness here! Thanks for providing the opportunity to share with others! Wishing you a wonderful autumn season ahead!
Thank you so much, Laura! Wishing you a wonderful autumn season too!
Thank you for your continued hospitality when so many link parties are drawing to a close. Lovely to see that support remains so strong for the Hearth and Home. Enjoying seeing your home renovations and look forward to more.
Pamela
Thank you so much for your support, Pamela! I appreciate it 🙂