Welcome to The Hearth and Soul Hop Link Party! The Hearth and Soul Hop is the link party for all things home and family – family and comfort food recipes, healthy and sustainable living posts, homemaking, gardening, kids, crafts and DIY. We love thought-provoking, encouraging and inspiring posts too.
It was a very eventful week in the UK last week, with the general election as well as the 70th Anniversary of VE Day celebrations. It was so moving to watch the service of thanksgiving from Westminster Abbey and to see the few veterans left from World War 2 proudly parading from Westminster Abbey to Horse Guards Parade to be greeted by HRH Prince Charles and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. We were reminded of the role women played in the WW2. As well as working in factories and the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, women also saw active duty in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. One of the female veterans marching on Sunday had been a pilot flying military aircraft to various bases around the world. Women also worked in military intelligence and were part of the team at Bletchley Park – The Home of the Codebreakers.
I visited recently and thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating historic site. It is as if the codebreakers have simply stepped out and might return at any time. Their work was vital to the Allied War Effort. It is estimated that the codebreaking efforts of the 10,000 strong team there shortened the duration of World War 2 by at least two years, saving countless lives.
Last week I also shared a delicious Apricot Pecan Quick Bread. It’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, afternoon tea or dessert.
Today I’m featuring:-
A fabulous upcycling project from Jo Ann of Return to Loblolly Lane. Jo Ann repurposed a damaged patio umbrella as gorgeous indoor/outdoor pillows.
A choc-o-licious no-bake Toblerone Cheesecake with a romantic story behind it from Nicole of PicNic.
And a moving, thought-provoking and action-inspiring post from Laureen of This Fox Kitchen entitled Sharing With Our Street Friends.
Thank you so much to everyone who shared posts with us last week. I can’t wait to see what you will share this week!
The Hearth and Soul Hop Linky party is co-hosted by me, April of AprilJHarris.com and Swathi of Zesty South Indian Kitchen.
*Please share up to three posts only*
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If you have any questions please contact me at april@apriljharris.com. I’m excited to see your posts!
Ahhhhhhh! so special, thank you April for featuring my repurposed damaged umbrella. We are really enjoying as indoor/outdoor pillows on our top porch.
My pleasure, Jo! Thank you for sharing it. Your pillows look gorgeous!
April, thank you for the party! I love the wonderful variety of features- food, upcycling, social consciousness- such an interesting cross section for us to enjoy- thank you.
I love stories about code breakers, and would love to know more about England’s code breakers. Such heroes! In the U.S., Native American Indian Navajo soldiers were used as military radio operators during WWII. They spoke to each other in their native language. They were called The Navajo Code Talkers. It was the only code the Nazis were never able to break.
Thank you for the party and the opportunity to enjoy some history today! 🙂
Thank you, Joy. I was interested to read about the Navajo soldiers. How wonderful! I’ll have to read more about that 🙂
Thanks April for hosting another lovely event.
You are very welcome, Sadhna. Thank you for visiting and sharing 🙂
My pleasure, Sadhna 🙂
The women of WWII gave us all big shoes to fill. I had two Aunts that served in the Army Nurse Corp, in Europe, they have always been my Hero’s. Hope you have a lovely week and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
They really did, Miz Helen, they were so brave! How wonderful that your Aunts were in the Army Nurse Corp! I hope you have a lovely week too!
Thank you April for the party 🙂 Your apricot pecan cake looks wonderful!! I’d love a big slice 🙂
Thank you, Winnie 🙂
April, I always enjoy stopping by your party! Love all the feature including your apricot bread, looks delicious! Thanks for hosting!
– Nancy
Nancy On The Home Front
Thank you, Nancy, and thank you for visiting and sharing 🙂
What an interesting celebration. My father and all of his brothers were in WWII, one even experienced the dreaded Blitz of London. My grandmother did welding during WWII in a toy factory that was converted to make airplane parts… very fascinating. Thanks as always for the party. Enjoying your adventures.
I love hearing stories about family members who were part of the war effort, Diane. It really is fascinating. It really brings home how the war affected families with your Dad and all his brothers being in the war. It’s amazing to think of our Grandma’s generation – women who had really been very domesticated – taking on things like welding etc. It just shows how versatile we women are 🙂 Have a lovely week, Diane, and thank you for supporting the Hearth and Soul Hop.
April,
This is one of my favorite blog parties because there is always so many interesting ideas and recipes. Thanks so much for hosting. I love the look of your apricot bread with the white icing. Yum!
Thank you, Judee, and thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul hop 🙂
Hi April,
Thank you for highlighting my post on Sharing With Our Street Friends. I’m glad you liked my story and am pleased you chose to share it.
Thanks
— Laureen
My pleasure, Laureen. I’m so glad you shared it with us 🙂
Thanks so much for hosting April! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Thank you, Cindy! I hope you are having a wonderful week too!
Thanks for hosting, April! Hope you will join us this week for Funtastic Friday. Love to see you there 🙂
My pleasure, Sherry! Hope to see you Friday!
Thank you for hosting, April! Have a great week ahead!
Thank you, Hadia! I hope your week is going well too!
Thank you for hosting such a fun party April!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Diane 🙂
I love coming to your parties April! Thanks for hosting!
Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul hop, Cydnee!
Thank you, for hosting a spectacular party! Found several very delicious looking recipes to check out!
Heidy
Thank you so much, Heidy!
April, wish I’d been along on your trip to Bletchley. I loved learning about the code breakers. Am especially excited to be part of the hop today because my post (link #85) isn’t just my recipe for old-fashioned homemade banana pudding but a giveaway of my new favorite pan (Le Creuset) for cooking custards, etc.
Thank you, Jean! I’m so glad you enjoyed my Bletchley Park post! And I love Le Creuset – sounds like a great giveaway! I love homemade banana pudding too 😉
Thanks April for hosting this great party! Pinned and shared! Hope to see you on Saturday!
Thank you, Joanne and thank you for sharing!