Promise & Possibilities It's half term, another bank holiday weekend so in this episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank are setting out to DISCOVER things new to them (and hopefully you) plus learning why stepping outside of our comfort zone is good for us. And because it is midsummer we’ll be celebrating a magical creature and finding a moment of magic to note and notice.If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. To discoverThe Tweed Run Treasure TrailsCaring for God’s Acre – Love your Burial Ground Week 7-15 June To readSnorkelling Britain: 100 Marine Adventuresby Emma and Gordon Taylor (Wild Things Publishing) On the blogMaypole cakeHow to maypole From the June issue (156)Magical creature: BeaversMy Plot: Narrowboat nursery & tow-along greenhouseWeekend away: staying in a lighthouseBuy the June issue here and on newsstands from 28 May. From our new book: The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations Whitsuntide recipesModern Eccentrics – Boss Morris, yarn bombers, mermaid, steam punks Treasure hunting In previous The Simple ThingsWhitsuntide gathering (May 2024 – 143)Nature reserves (May 2023 – 131)Churchyards for wildlife (July 2022 – 121)Narrowboat home tour (August 2021 –110) Three campervans (July 2021 – 109)Converted horsebox home (August 2024 – 146)
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Magical Midsummer - Epsiode 1 IMAGINE
Promise & Possibilities Anything seems possible at the start of summer and in this first episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank use their imagination to explore what a ‘could-do week’ looks like, find ways to make bank holiday journeys more bearable and the joy of being a regular, as well as making the most of elderflowers and roses and passing on some creative first aid. If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues hereEditing and music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blogRhubarb and rosewater tarthttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/2016/4/13/recipe-rhubarb-and-rosewater-tart-with-cardamom-and-honey-cream?rq=rose Elderflower champagne recipehttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/2014/06/06/recipe-elderflower-champagne?rq=elderflower%20 Rose petal and strawberry sandwicheshttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/silly-sandwiches?rq=rose%20petal To readExtra Mile guides to Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services, Coastal cafes and Farm shopsWild Swimming Hidden Beaches by Daniel Start (Wild Guides) Creative First Aid by Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose (Murdoch Books) In The Simple Things From the May issue (155) Respect your elders – plan an elderflower foraging session then make cake, cordial and much more… The joys of being a regular – why revisiting regular favourite places results in so many happy returnsBuy the May issue here From the June issue (156)Could-do week – shake up your week to make time for the things you enjoy every dayThe Longest Day microfiction competitionBuy the June issue at picsandink.com from 23 May and on the newsstand from 28 May. From The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of CelebrationsPushbike picnic : Vegetable crisps, three cheese & herb savoury muffins, Italian focaccia pressed sandwiches, apricot, blueberry and almond energy bars. Back garden campout featured in August 2021 issue (110) with Paprika & Parmesan Popcorn, Campfire Tacos, Frittata, Kohlrabi Slaw, Bean Salsa and Chipotle Mayo with Puffed Quinoa fridge cake. Plus Raspberry French Toasties and skillet granola for breakfast
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Return of the Light - EASTER SPECIAL
Join us for our Easter Special episode of Small Ways to Live Well, the podcast from The Simple Things magazine Released on Good Friday, Team TST are recording live from a Blackdown Shepherd Hut in Somerset where they’ll enjoy cake and decorate an Ostereierbaum (Easter tree) before trying a sauna and cold plunge and warming up with rival hot chocolate recipes. Plus the signs that spring proper is here, stories of cute spring animals and making the most of April showers. Oh and we’re learning how ducks quack in other languages. Co-hosted by The Simple Things Editor, Lisa Sykes; wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo TinsleyOur Easter Special and Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd Huts. If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. The May TEND issue is on sale at picsandink.com from 17 April, on newsstands 24 April Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. To read:Play spring bingo – signs that spring is really here Speak like a duck abroad To bake:Simnel cake recipe & historyHot cross buns recipeGugelhupf – Austrian Easter cakes To make:Ostereierbaum (Easter tree) Dyed eggs Hot chocolate Tangerine & nutmeg Sea salt Spiced With pink peppercorns Orangey tipple To buy:M&S Simnel cakeBlackdown sauna & cold plunge deck Beautiful mugs in the Blackdown hut for hot chocolate were by Florence Ceramics From The Simple Things: In the April JAUNT issue Rain gardensEaster buns of EuropeMagical Creatures – mallards In our new anthology&
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Return of the Light Episode 6 - BLOSSOM
Feeling like spring has sprung? Join The Simple Things editor, Lisa Sykes, and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank, who are marvelling at the first signs of spring with a hot picnic to go, enjoying the blossom in our gardens and finding out how different landscapes affect our wellbeing. If you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsEditing and music by Arthur Cosslett. To read:The Walking Cure: Harness the life-changing power of landscape to heal, energise and inspire by Annabel Streets (Penguin Tonic) To follow:@wildwoodmoth – get inspired to take a photo a day on your regular routes with Alice Tatham@mirandakeeling – stopping to notice. Look out for an extract from Miranda’s new book The Place I’m In in our May issue To make:Cherry blossom origami as seen in the March MEND issue hereEaster origami including rabbit egg holders, rabbits and chickens here To buy:Lumie Sunrise alarm clock (with birdsong) From The Simple Things:In the March MEND issue Learn with mother: four women discuss the unique qualities they inherited from their mother In the April JAUNT issue (on sale at picsandink.com from 20 March, on newsstands 26 March)Walk on the wild side: gather wild garlic to enjoy with friends and find new ways to cook with this easy forage Healing landscapes: thinking about where you walk and what you need will help you choose the right route for your mind and body From our March 2023 Light Issue (129) available to buy hereFirst picnic of the year (with warming food while it’s still a bit nippy!)Plant a fruit tree in the garden (however small) for your own beautiful blossom. Find out how to plant a fruit tree
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Return of the Light Episode 5 - RENEW
If you’ve got an urge to ‘sort things out’ we’re here to help cheer up a chore. The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley tackle a bit of spring cleaning, appreciate new life and share some fresh thinking on finding the balance between the comfort of things and clearing out. Plus do you know your laundry labels (honestly more interesting than it sounds)Season 5: Return of the light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd HutsIf you are in the UK, you can choose an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here. Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. THINGS TO MAKE & DORevamp Your Woollies for Winterhttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/revamp-woollies?rq=mending Homemade Cleaning Wondershttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/129-homemade-cleaning?rq=spring%20cleaning An excellent toolboxhttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/good-tool-box?rq=spring%20cleaning Conker Laundry Soaphttps://www.thesimplethings.com/blog/conker-soap?rq=laundry ON THE BLOGIn praise of potting shedsAllotment ShedsEasy Eco Switch Ups TO READLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Grams (Doubleday Books, 2022) Rough Patch by Kathy Slack (Little Brown 2025) TO LISTENSpring cleaning songs IN THE MARCH ISSUEMy Plot: Building a recycled shedGathering: BYO project partyHome economics: Patching and stitching. How to revive jeans, shirts and other wardrobe staples Identifier: Laundry symbols IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUEAn ode to the library
About Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things
Small Ways to Live Well is a podcast from The Simple Things, a monthly magazine about slowing down, remembering what’s important and making the most of where you live. Hosted by the Editor, Lisa Sykes, in Season 5: Return of the light, she’ll be seeking out glimpses of spring, shrugging off winter and embracing some self-care, alongside wellbeing editor Becs Frank and regular contributor Jo Tinsley. The beginning of February marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, from here on in there are increasing glimpses of spring right through to the clocks going forward in late March when hopefully the proverbial lion turns into a lamb. This is an optimistic, forward-looking time, when we’re more than ready to come out of hibernation to take on new projects. And there are festivals and feasts to brighten the still grey days. February is the chilliest month but it’s all about cold hands and warm hearts.Let our podcast be your soothing companion to see out winter and welcome in spring. Six episodes released weekly from 9 February. Plus don’t miss our Easter Special on Good Friday. Season 5: Return of the Light is supported by Blackdown Shepherd Huts To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com
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