Hi there and welcome! How is your September going? Now the month is well underway, I’m celebrating the idea that September is The New January at The Hearth and Soul Link Party.
At the Hearth and Soul Link Party, you can share blog posts old and new, about anything that feeds the soul. This includes – but is not limited to – family, home, recipes, decorating, crafts, DIY, travel, organisation, book reviews, the arts and self improvement.
The New January
Like author Gretchen Rubin and many others, I really feel like September is even more of a fresh start than that offered by the calendar New Year in January. I feel so much more energised and ready to make changes as Fall begins. In the colder, darker month of January, I’m excited for the new year, but my energy doesn’t always keep up with my enthusiasm!
Is September the new January for you too? I’d love to know your thoughts on this!
What’s Been Happening On the Blog
I had a really busy week this week, with trips to London and the Midlands in England, as well as our flight to San Francisco. I did share two recipes this week though – one to use up the best of fall’s bounty, and another that’s a decadent treat.
My Crock Pot Apple and Pear Sauce is a great way to use up the wonderful apples and pears that are just coming into season, and it works with fruit that isn’t perfect, or perfectly ripe, too. Plus, it makes the house smell absolutely amazing while it is cooking – as does the next recipe!
My Old Fashioned Applesauce Pecan Brownies are probably my favourite brownies ever. Deeply chocolate-y and super moist, they are pretty irresistible. (You can also use my Crock Pot Apple and Pear Sauce to make them if you like!)
Thank you all for visiting and sharing last week!
The New January Features
I hope you will be inspired to make fresh new beginnings by this week’s the new January features (from top left, clockwise):-
Enjoy harvest produce from your garden or the farmer’s market. Jean from Delightful Repast shared a simply delicious Fresh Tomato Pasta made with tomatoes from her garden.
Make something you need instead of buying it. Suzan of It’s My Sustainable Life has some great inspiration, as well as directions to make this Simple Quilted Pot Holder.
Keep your healthy eating resolutions with Brandie at Home Cooking Memories. She has a recipe for Easy Breakfast Roll Ups that is healthy, portable and delicious!
Decorate your home for pumpkin season! These Easy DIY Pumpkin Jars from Michele at The Scrap Shoppe Blog are a fun decoration for this time of year.
Reach out to a friend by sending a homemade card like this pretty By The Seashore Card from Linda at Paper Seedlings.
On with the party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
Share your blog posts about anything that feeds the soul. I share as many of your posts as I can on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook.
Please help me get the word out about the party on social media. There are buttons at the top and bottom of this blog post to make it easy. There is no obligation, but it helps the party and my blog when you share or provide a link back to AprilJHarris.com.
Linking your posts here means you consent to me featuring your posts and photos on my blog and social media. A link back to your blog is always included.
Thank you, April, for choosing my By the Seashore card to be one of your features this week! I am so honored. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
April, thank you so much for featuring my Fresh Tomato Pasta AND for hosting Hearth and Soul! Can’t wait to start visiting these links!
It’s a pleasure, Jean! I’m excited to visit the links this week as well 🙂
April,
Thanks for another fun party! You’re brownie recipe looks delicious and I just happen to have some applesauce on hand! thanks for hosting another great party!
– Nancy (Nancy On The Home Front )
Thank you so much, Nancy! I hope you have a lovely week!
Many thanks, April, for hosting AND for the feature of my Simple Quilted Potholder tutorial! This week I’ve brought #22, why we should DIY and the benefits we can receive from doing so as well as #23, planting garlic for next years crop. Have a beautiful week…now off to make those pecan brownies 🙂
It’s a pleasure, Suzan! I’m looking forward to reading your posts. Hope you enjoy the brownies!
Such great ideas! I love changing foods in the fall. I just read someone else who felt like their year started in September rather that January. A great idea!
Thank you, Barbara! I always look forward to fall foods as well!
April,
I can understand how September feels like the beginning of the New Year. The summer is ending and the kids and teachers start a new year at school. Interestingly, the Jewish New Year does begin in September!
Thanks for another great party and an opportunity to share our posts
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing, Judee. I had not thought about Rosh Hashanah being in the fall before, that is interesting!
Thank you for hosting! This is what was served during the week 9-2- to 9-6 in my home. On Tuesday morning was Apple and Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal. Wednesday we served a delicious Marinated Apple Pork Tenderloin. Wrapping up this first apple week in Michigan we enjoyed an Apple Streusel French Toast Bake. Enjoy!
I love apples this time of year, Marilyn. I look forward to your recipes!
Thank you for hosting a GREAT party. I hope you have a WONDERFUL week.
Thank you, Tamy. I hope your week is wonderful too!
Thank you for hosting each week.
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Anita!
Yes! I am always motivated toward good changes in September–and I love thinking of it as the New January!
I definitely find it a very energising time of year, Michele! I hope you have a lovely week 🙂
Thanks for hosting , always a pleasure to share my post with your readers,,.
Thank you so much for visiting and sharing 🙂
April, thank you for hosting this party.
It’s my pleasure! Thank you for visiting 🙂
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
I hope you have a wonderful week too, Patrick!
Thanks for hosting this party! I have linked up this week with A GATHERING OF FRIENDS, ACRYLIC PAIINT POURING WITH MATTI, AND CADDO LAKE OIL CITY, LOUISIANA
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Sylvia!
I’m liking that apple pear sauce, and those brownies look wonderful! Good thing we just got a bunch of apples and pears. 🙂 I’m stopping by with some Tater Skins. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for hosting!
Thank you, CJ! Your Tater Skins sound delicious. I look forward to your post! Thank you for visiting 🙂
Thank you for hosting April. I hope you have a wonderful week. I brought my newly discovered dessert.
I love a good dessert, Mareliz! I look forward to your post. I hope you have a wonderful week too!
I can get behind the notion of September as the new January. I don’t have children starting school, nor is it going to cool off to Fall-like temperatures where I live (Las Vegas) for another 6 – 8 weeks, but I find September for more inspiring than January.
Thanks for hosting!
I totally agree, Michelle. I don’t have children starting school either, but there’s something about September that really is more inspiring. Thank you for visiting and sharing!
Although I have never heard of the idea of making September the new january, I like it! It’s always a good time to make a new start, but with a new school year sometimes that can give us a little boost.
Thank you for hosting this party!
🍎
I love a fresh start, Laurie, and I couldn’t agree more! The new school year has always inspired me, even now my son is grown up. It’s also a fabulous excuse to treat myself to some new stationery, which always gives me a lift. 🙂 Thank you for visiting and sharing!
I agree with you completely April! Being a teacher and with school starting in September, it does feel like a new page and a fresh start, and I believe it is such for many people.
Thank you, Maya! I hope you are having a lovely week.