The Simple Things

The Simple Things is a beautiful, useful, quirky and fun magazine about taking time to live well. We cover mindfulness and microadventures, eating and growing, forgotten wisdom, home life and slow moments. It's for people who love their lives but want to take the pressure off and remember what’s really important. We like tea & cake, learning stuff, being outside and the satisfaction of a job well done. Do you?

CREATE

A could-do list for October

Pumpkin party • VISIT A LOCAL PATCH TO HARVEST YOUR OWN PUMPKIN THEN HEAD HOME FOR FUN, FEASTS AND FIRES

Dark sky thinking • A TIME OF QUIET AND RESTORATION THAT GOVERNS HALF OUR LIVES, DARKNESS IS NOT ALL GLOOM, SAYS NATURALIST TIFFANY FRANCIS

CUPBOARD LOVE • A LEISURELY WEEKEND OF BOTTLING, PICKLING, FERMENTING AND MORE MEANS TREASURE ALL WINTER LONG

A WORD ABOUT STERILISING

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF SPIDERS

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE • October is the month for building log fires, celebrating the harvest and sparking your creativity

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • These indulgently rich brownies combine a double helping of chocolate with rye flour and tangy raspberries

My in day cups of tea • WE ASKED SHOPKEEPER PHILLIPPA HENLEY TO SHARE A BIT ABOUT HER DAY IN CUPPAS

A simple thing...

Take a bough • KENYAN TEA GROWERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BY PLANTING INCOME-GENERATING TREES IN THEIR SMALLHOLDINGS

WAR IS NOW ILLEGAL

SMALL CHANGE

GOOD FIGURES • Where statistics and optimism meet

FINDERS KEEPERS • LIA LEENDERTZ GATHERS SWEET CHESTNUTS AND WALNUTS AND USES THEM IN TASTY DISHES TO COSY UP WITH AS THE NIGHTS DRAW IN

WOOLUSIONS • A JUMPER THAT MATCHES THE UPHOLSTERY OF A BUS SEAT, A RAT DISGUISED AS A RUG – NO, IT’S NOT YOUR EYES DECEIVING YOU. JOSEPH FORD SHOOTS KNITWEAR CREATED TO MATCH ITS SURROUNDINGS, FUELLED BY THE KNITTING PROWESS OF NINA DODD

A POETIC PAUSE • Bus Station

About the author

“I don’t work and work to make money in the usual way. I have just enough to buy what I need” • Gardener and author Alys Fowler has cultivated a unique lifestyle, prizing growing her own, reading books and taking naps above material riches, as she tells Ruth Chandler

BREAKING NEW GROUND • The Alys Fowler CV

KRAKÓW • WHEN MARGO SMIRNOVA FOLLOWED HER HEART TO KRAKÓW SHE FOUND A CAPTIVATING BLEND OF MEDIEVAL AND MODERN

excellent women • FORMER PARALYMPIAN LIZ JOHNSON IS HELPING TO CHANGE ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT WORK

THERAPY GOES ECO • As science continues to confirm the healing power of spending time in nature, an increasing number of therapists are conducting mood-boosting therapy sessions outdoors

DIY eco therapy

Take a walk on the quiet side • INNTRAVEL HOLIDAYS OFFER THE CHANCE TO RELAX AND RECHARGE IN SERENE SNOWY LANDSCAPES AND TUCKED-AWAY MOUNTAIN HOTELS

Heart of glass • With her creative and colourful jewellery and glassware inspired by fungi and the natural world, Bristol-based Catriona MacKenzie shows the invention that can be blown into the centuries-old art of traditional glassblowing

Bristol’s glass

WHAT I TREASURE • My mum’s embroidery roll by Jane Langan

A simple thing...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • A simple recipe but with an interesting twist

LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD • IT HASN’T BEEN AN EASY WIN FOR WOMEN’S TEAM SPORTS. AS WE ENTER A NEW ERA OF SPORTSWOMENSHIP, WE CELEBRATE THOSE WHO’VE CHAMPIONED SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE GAMES

Give it a shot

BIG PANTS

DESIGN A CHRISTMAS GIFT TAG • We know it’s only October and generally at The Simple Things we don’t like to even mention Christmas until at least after...