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?
Editor
A little bit of sparkle • From bonfire night fireworks to party-dress sequins - a little bit of sparkle can bring an awful lot of joy. This month is everyone’s time to shine.
A could-do list for November
FINDERS KEEPERS • AS THE FORAGING SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE, ENJOY THE LAST OF THE HEDGEROW PICKINGS WITH ROSEHIPS AND SLOES, SAYS LIA LEENDERTZ
THE YARNS THAT CONNECT US • INTERWOVEN WITH BRITISH HISTORY ARE TALES OF KNITTING. ESTHER RUTTER SHARES STORIES GLEANED FROM RESEARCHING – AND RECREATING – SOME MUCH-LOVED WOOLLEN GARMENTS
Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF WEASELS
THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE • November is the month to marvel at a light or fireworks display, encourage garden wildlife and to take a bit of ‘me’ time
Feelgood feast • A WINTER CELEBRATION WITH ALL YOU NEED AND NONE OF THE WASTE
CAKE IN THE HOUSE • Celebrate St Clement’s Day on 23 November with this easy orange cake, which you can serve to any guest
My day in cups of tea • WE ASKED MANCHESTER PRINTMAKER JO WRIGHT TO TELL US ABOUT HER DAY IN CUPPAS
A simple thing...
MALARIA PROGRESS AT A GLANCE
Campaign to reduce air travel takes off • TRAVELLERS ARE BEING URGED TO QUIT PLANES IN FAVOUR OF TRAINS FOR 2020 AS SWEDEN’S ‘FLIGHT SHAME’ MOVEMENT TOUCHES DOWN IN THE UK
SMALL CHANGE
GOOD FIGURES • Where statistics and optimism meet
A delicious whodunnit… • LIGHT THE CANDLES, DRESS IN CHARACTER AND SOLVE A CRIME OVER DINNER AT A MURDER MYSTERY PARTY
Buy the book • AN HOUR OR TWO OF BROWSING IN A GOOD BOOKSHOP IS TIME WELL SPENT. MAKE YOUR OWN POCKET BOOK OF THESE FAVOURITES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SIMPLE THINGS’ READERS
HANDMADE HISTORIES • Craft inspiration – and a bit about where it came from
STRIKE A LIGHT • CREATE YOUR OWN CANDLES AND YOU CAN FILL YOUR HOME WITH YOUR FAVOURITE NATURAL SCENTS
Catch the scent • Try mixing and matching these:
A POETIC PAUSE • Digging
About the author
HAVANA • EIDI HOLLINGER HAS ALWAYS BEEN CAPTIVATED BY HE UNIQUE CHARISMA OF HAVANA AND ITS PEOPLE
HEIDI’S PERSONAL TOUR
GRIEF, LOVE, FOOD • From the humble tin of baked beans to the Sunday roast, our families shape our favourite meals. After suddenly losing her mother, Olivia Potts found a way of re-rooting herself through the solace of the kitchen
SIMPLE STYLE • THE PUFFER JACKET
CASE OF THE MISSING ENDING • We love a good murder mystery. Back in the summer we commissioned crime author Sophie Hannah to write a murder mystery short story for The Simple Things – but with no ending. Instead, we asked readers to come up with their own. Many of you did just that and we had an impressive shortlist. But the winner is Leah Holroyd, whose ending is printed over the page. For those of you curious to know how Sophie would have ended it, visit thesimplethings.com/blog/murder-mystery-ending Case solved!
THE JUDGES’ VERDICT
WHAT I TREASURE • My grey rug by Sophie Pirouet
HOUSE PARTY • WANT TO VISIT ONE OF THE BEST BIRDWATCHING HIDES IN THE LAND? THEN STAY HOME. HERE’S OUR ROOM-BY-ROOM GUIDE TO WHAT BIRDS YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOUR WINDOWS
WHO LIKES TO EAT WHAT • From mealworms to seed mix, these tasty treats will tempt feathered friends into your garden
FOOD FOR THOUGHT...