Hello! Welcome to this week’s Hearth and Soul Link Party! This week, I’m featuring ideas to help you take a vacation at home. It’s such a strange summer, with so many of us either unable or unwilling to travel very far. This week’s features suggest ways you can make the most of your home so you can enjoy it even more. I think it’s really important to make a space for some actual time out, whether you are able to travel or not. Are you going away on holiday this year?
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Blog posts about anything that feeds the soul are welcome here at The Hearth and Soul Link Party. 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.
Please link up blog posts only. Links directly to anything other than blog posts will be deleted. Etsy listings may be shared within a blog post, but please do not link directly to them, or to Facebook posts or pins.
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Taking a Mini Vacation at Home
My husband is still working at home, but he is taking a few days of his holiday here and there during the week. It gives us a mini vacation at home. We are really grateful for our garden.
My husband bought me a Muskoka Chair for my birthday and I am absolutely delighted with it. It was shipped all the way from Canada so has only just arrived. (I know some folks call them Adirondack Chairs, but this one is definitely a Canadian Muskoka Chair.)
We’ve had a few friends round (no more than 3 or 4 at a time) for socially distanced gatherings, and we may go away for a couple of nights at a hotel we trust in the New Forest in the next few weeks if the pandemic stays under control here. I’ll be able to share some gorgeous scenery with you if we do!
On The Blog
New recipe alert!
Tender crisp cauliflower, zucchini and red bell peppers are dressed in a spicy sweet sauce in my delicious Kung Pao Cauliflower recipe. This wholesome, satisfying dish is quick and easy to make, plus it’s vegan and has an easy gluten free option too.
And don’t miss this incredibly easy dessert that is perfect for summer!
Ever heard of mascarpone cheese? It’s the shortcut to amazing cheesecake. You can find it in the dairy section of most supermarkets. Try it in this Easy No Bake Orange Cheesecake. There’s a lime version as well!
Thank you so much for sharing your blog posts with the Hearth and Soul Link Party!
Vacation at Home Features
Be inspired to make the most of your outdoor spaces with Enjoying Nature’s Bee-uty on the Front Porch from The Little Yellow Corner Store.
Take a walk in the Mid-Summer’s Garden at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage for lots of ideas on how to make your own garden extra special.
Beth from Whispers of the Heart shares tablescape inspiration in all my favourite colours in Anchors Await on the Table
Whether it’s a socially distanced afternoon tea or a picnic on the lawn, these Individual Strawberry Shortcakes from T and M at Kiku Corner would make the perfect treat.
Okay, let’s get on with the link up!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
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Comments & Reviews
That Kung Pao looks delicious. And the strawberry desserts too! Thanks for hosting! I brought by some Curry Chicken. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Thank you, CJ! And I agree, strawberry shortcake is one of my favourite desserts. Thank you for visiting and sharing!
This is certainly an unusual summer all over the world. I am trusting that what we are experiencing together will help us to understand and have compassion for one another.
That is my prayer too, Michele. Take care.
Hope you are enjoying both your staycations and your travels and staying safe!
Thank you for your kind words concerning Tsunami.
SO appreciate your loving concern and friendship! 🙂
Thank you so much, Ramona. I am so grateful for your friendship as well. Take care, and give Tsunami a little hug for me 🙂
Hi April,
Thanks so much for featuring my Mid-Summers Garden at the party today, I really appreciate. Your back yard looks so inviting with your lights. I love a stay-cation sometimes the most restful kind! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
It’s a pleasure, Miz Helen! Thank you for the compliment on our garden. My husband put the lights up for me 🙂 I hope you have a great week too. Take care.
We just found out our oldest son IS coming in August. It was in question for months because of the pandemic. My husband takes off that week, too. We still won’t be able to do a lot of things out like we usually do when he’s here. But we can visit, play games at home, maybe have some picnics at parks. I’m excited!
I wonder what the difference is between Adirondack and Muskoka chairs. But I’m glad you got one! My d-I-l just made a chocolate cheesecake for my middle son’s birthday. So good!
Oh I’m so pleased for you Barbara, that is wonderful news! It will be so lovely to be together, whatever you do.
Apparently it’s something to do with the length of the wood pieces that creates a difference between the two types of chairs, but one of my friends said they found Adirondack Chairs in Costco in the US that were also branded as Muskoka Chairs – so it may just be a location/branding thing! It’s funny how these names/terms come about.
I’ve never tried making chocolate cheesecake but the idea really appeals! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. Take care and have a lovely week.
Hi April
I love your new outdoor chair! It looks very comfortable. A perfect way to relax enjoy your yard this summer. Everyhting your cook looks delicious!
Thank you so much, Pat! And that is such a lovely, encouraging compliment, I really do appreciate it! Have a lovely week.
Thanks for featuring my Anchors tablescape! I appreciate it. I added a link to your blog at the end of that post.
The way your backyard lights up is beautiful! Enjoy your staycation 🙂
Thank you, Alexandra! Take care and have a lovely week!
Your garden is beautiful and I hope you can get away so we can enjoy the photos. Recipes and pics of the food always cause my mouth to water. Thanks for your delightful start to the week! Hope your days ahead for blessed.
Thank you so much, Pam! I’m so glad you enjoy the party. Wishing you a blessed week as well!
April, thank you for featuring The Little Yellow Corner Store this week. I hope the bee porch brings a cheery smile to everyone. What a nice way to stay happy when sitting on the porch. All the best to you!
Thank you so much, Marsha! Take care and have a lovely week 🙂
That garden and outdoor chair look so very beautiful. Looks like a nice mini-vacation at home. Thanks for sharing it,
Thanks for sharing and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you so much, Patrick. I think I’m going to enjoy your photographs this week – I can see cars in the URL! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful week too.
That chair sounds great!
Thank you, Lauren! I haven’t had as much chance to sit in it as I would like but I am really enjoying it when I can!
Hi April,
I do think that we can enjoy a mini vacation in our homes. I bought a lot of hanging flower baskets this summer and we are really enjoying sitting on the deck or patio and enjoying the mulltitude of all kinds of flowers. My husband was saying how much we are enjoying our home this summer since we are actually at home to enjoy it. Your Kung Pao looks delicious and enjoy your new chair.
Thank you, Judee! It is very strange being at home so much, but like you, my husband and I are really staying local and enjoying our home. We rarely spend much time doing that this time of year! Your flower baskets sound lovely! Hope you are having a wonderful week.
My husband and I went away overnight last week and it was heavenly!
Oh how lovely, Joanne! I’m really happy for you!
April, your kung pao cauliflower looks wonderful! I know I’m going to love it. Your garden is so lovely. I’ve always appreciated our garden, but never more so than during these sheltering-at-home months. Thank you for hosting #HearthAndSoul.
Thank you so much, Jean! We really have been appreciating our garden even more as well. Thank you for your support of Hearth and Soul. Take care, and I hope you are having a lovely week!
April, taking down time is so important. I’ve counseled others in this area more than once. But I’m finding it extremely challenging right now as a caregiver with my 90-year-old mom. But your post is a reminder that I need to find some, even if it’s hours and not days. Blessings sweet sister!
I am so glad this resonated with you, Donna! It is so hard when you are a caregiver, but it will help you both so much if you can find a few snatched hours just to replenish you heart and soul. I hope that it will happen easily for you and that you feel refreshed. Blessing to you too, my friend!
Thank you so much for hosting the party.
Have a great weekend,
Kippi
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Kippi! I hope you have a great weekend too!