Only a few more sleeps until the big day! Welcome to the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Have you got visions of sugarplums dancing in your head? I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m definitely feeling the Christmas spirit, that is for sure.
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.
A lot of people ask me what sugarplums actually are. Until recently, I thought they were sugared dried plums, but I found out I was definitely wrong about that! They were actually hard candies – but not the sort we are used to today!
I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season so far. Whether you are celebrating Christmas or Hanukah, I hope that your preparations are going well and that you are excited for the days to come!
The Latest
I’m all about keeping things easy during the holidays.
I love having folks round for simple gatherings as we get closer to Christmas. These Easy Holiday Appetizers are perfect for entertaining anytime, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.
I’m still working on my blog post about our wonderful Christmas visit to Beaulieu Palace House. It should be live later in the week. In the meantime, I’m featuring An Evening At Highclere Castle (the Real Downton Abbey), an event my husband and I attended last year. I’ve updated the post with more photos too!
And if you are looking for an easy to make cookie that is beautiful too, you won’t want to miss this recipe from my late Mom.
Mom’s Cherry Christmas Cookies are an old fashioned slice and bake cookie recipe that I’ve loved since I was a little girl.
Thank you to you all for your support of the Hearth and Soul Link Party!
Visions of Sugarplums Features
Visions of sugarplums featured posts from top left, clockwise:-
These Peppermint Snowball Cookies are a wonderful twist on old fashioned snowball cookies from Tracey at The Kitchen is My Playground.
When I was a kid, I used to love making candy trees like the lovely examples in this Candy Tree Tutorial from Ramona at Create with Joy.
At Mrs Kringle’s Kitchen, you’ll find some really pretty Sugar Plum Linzer Cookies, sure to be the star of your holiday cookie tray.
Homemade decorations are guaranteed memory makers. Kippi at Home has some great projects to share in her Homemade Christmas Ornaments post.
It’s time for the party!
The Hearth and Soul Link Party
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Please help me get the word out about the party on social media using the buttons at the top and bottom of this blog post. There is no obligation, but it helps the party and my blog when you share or provide a link back to AprilJHarris.com.
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Please share your blog posts about anything that feeds the soul!
April,
thank you for hosting again!
Wish you a Merry Christmas.
many greetings
Uwe
Thank you, Uwe. Wishing you and your wife and very Merry Christmas too! Thank you for visiting and sharing.
Those Cherry Cookies look so festive! I’mglad you’re enjoying the holidays!
Thank you, Nancy! I hope you are enjoying the holidays too!
Can’t wait to read your blog post about your Christmas visit to Beaulieu Palace House!
Thanks for the linkup 🙂
Thank you, Cristina. I’m working on it today 🙂
I have nothing to share today but I invite you to link up at my themed party (for Christmas trees and ornaments) and my unlimited monthly party 🙂
Thank you so much, Dee!
Hi April,
I just love the social enviorment of the holidays, you look so pretty! I am sharing our Christmas Eve Tamales and some homemade gift suggestions from my kitchen and of course our meal plan with recipes for the week. Hope you have a wonderful week and thanks so much for the party!
Miz Helen
Thank you so much, Miz Helen! I love the social side of the holidays too 🙂 I look forward to your recipes! I hope you are having a wonderful week too.
Have a lovely week, April!
Thank you, Emily! You too!
Thank you for hosting! This is what I featured the week of 12-9 to 12-13 on my blog. On Tuesday morning was my Sweetheart Fantasy Fudge. Wednesday was my traditional Buckeye Candy. And wrapping up the third week of Christmas baking are Dairy and Gluten Free Sugar Cookies. Enjoy!
What lovely treats for the holidays, Marilyn! I hope you are having a lovely week!
I’ve linked up two holiday posts–a roundup of gluten-free candy cane and peppermint desserts and nutmeg shortbread. Admittedly, I’m still trying to get my groove back on weekly posting, April. Thank you for hosting every week!
You look beautiful as always but there’s something very special about getting “gussied up” for the holidays and going to an elegant event!
Merry Christmas!
Shirley
Thank you so much, Shirley. What a lovely compliment! Thank you for sharing your posts as well. It’s lovely to see you whenever you are able to visit, but please don’t feel pressured. Thinking of you this holiday season. Merry Christmas! x
Those Cherry Christmas cookies look so festive! Thanks for hosting! I brought by some Nutty Asian Chicken strips. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
Thank you, CJ! I look forward to your recipe!
April,
You look stunning! Looking forward to reading your Christmas post. Thanks for hosting and have a good week!
Thank you so much, Judee! I hope you have a lovely week too!
April I can hardly wait to try your mom’s cookie recipe! They look delicious! Have a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for all of your efforts to help us all as we blog.
Thank you, Helen! That’s such a lovely compliment – I really love to encourage others 🙂 Merry Christmas!
We’re celebrating with our oldest son and his family on Sunday–a big dinner and presents, so Christmas Day will be quiet with just the four of us and a light dinner scheduled for whenever we feel like eating…
How lovely to have two Christmas celebrations, Michele, and both so different 🙂 I hope you enjoy them both, especially the visit with your oldest son and family.
You look gorgeous at that event!
Thank you so much, Lauren!
How fun to spend an evening at “Downton!” Thanks so much for hosting.
It really was fun, Joanne!
Thank you for hosting, and have a great week!
I hope you have a lovely week as well, Cherryl!
Looking very nice there. Yep Christmas is almost here. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you so much, Patrick! I hope your Christmas is wonderful too!
Dropped by from #ChasingMYLife to bring you my BALSAMIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN, OVEN BBQ CHICKEN and EGG NOG CUPCAKES with RUM CARAMEL. Thank you for hosting such a great party. I hope you have a WONDERFUL week.
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Tamy. I hope your week is wonderful too!
April, those colorful cookies are gorgeous! Can’t wait for that Beaulieu post! Thank you for hosting.
Thank you so much, Jean! The Beaulieu post has just gone live now. I hope you enjoy it!
There are some fantastic posts here. I can’t wait to go and be inspired. Thank you for hosting!
Thank you for visiting and sharing, Andrea!