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 this season, May days & summer afternoons, she’ll be sampling honesty boxes, seeking our magical creatures, taking sensory walks and generally revelling in the promise of summer, alongside co-hosts wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and slow traveller Jo Tinsley . To subscribe or order a copy of The Simple Things visit thesimplethings.com A definite contender for ‘favourite time of the year’ these light-filled days of late spring and early summer are easy to love. The novelty of sustained sunshine and warmer days gladden the hearts. The countryside is at its best and cities start to go all Mediterranean, living life outside. Even the most humdrum garden looks pretty in May. And we’re as busy as the birds feeding chicks and bees gathering nectar – planting flowers, tending our veg patch and exploring our neighbourhood. It’s the end of the hungry gap with the first harvests so we enjoy eating outdoors and go on our first picnic of the year. We’re learning more about folklore and festivals, listening to birdsong and making the most of long weekends. Join us to dabble in something new and take a spontaneous day trip. Our motto for the season: ‘Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time’. There are six episodes in Season 9, released weekly from May Day and supported by Titanic Belfast
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes , Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley for the 60th episode of ‘Small Ways to Live Well’, delving into all the many ways we can dabble our way through the summer. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 10, Titanic Belfast. You can find out more at titanicbelfast.com or follow them on instagram @titanicbelfast to hear some of their stories and discover how to visit for yourself. Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. In the June issue (168) Citizen science projects to join in with Know a thing or two about… salt Tiny home Coming up… In July AMBLE issue on sale from 26 June Letterboxing Blank canvas interviews with people who create from scratch In August MAGICAL issue , on sale from 24 July Puzzle special and interviews with puzzle makers Magical creatures of the sea In previous issues, available at picsandink.com Treasure hunts ( Anthology Volume 4 ) Sneak peeks – Step behind the scenes of museums and stately homes, factories and train stations (issue 119) Open farms (issue 166) Metal detectorists (issue 166) Buy a back issue of Ernest journal On the blog How to hunt for buried treasure To do Celebrate World Ocean Day Ride the Mail Rail Open Farm Sunday National Garden Scheme
May Days - Episode 5 - SUNSHINE
Join The Simple Things’ wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they talk summer ball games and park yoga, music and memories and making the most of sunny days in the garden. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167) Balls identifier. Illustrations by Sarah Edmonds www.sarahedmondsshop.com In the June issue (168) Park yoga picnic - enjoy a sunshine stretch followed by a tasty lunch and catch up with friends Why weight? The physical and mental benefits of getting stronger My place: outdoor kitchens to swoon over In the July issue (169) available to buy from 26 June here Music and memories – how songs have the power to transport us to our most life changing moments. Read – Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams by Elizabeth Margulis (Oneworld) Listen – The Simple Things publish an original playlist every issue. Find them here My Living – Jo talks to Lois Povey of community pub Tafarn Yr Heliwr, Nefyn. On the blog Grown up lollies Cucumber mint and lemonade lollies recipe Berry coconut lollies recipe Watermelon slices on a lolly stick recipe From previous issues available to buy here Looking back – women in sport (Issue 88) The history of the pub beer garden (Issue 131) How to harness the sun in your garden (144) Picking petals and leaves for cooking (120)
May Days - Episode 4 - LARK
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they talk about sharing a fondness for camping, appreciating the joys of larking about, spontaneous adventures and magical creatures. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Recipe: Herdwick lamb curry in a hurry Camping recipe | Smoky Boston beans & armadillo potatoes In the June issue (168) on sale from 29 May and available to buy here Peaky Blinders: Ways to mark 75 years of the UK’s first National Park In the May issue (167) on sale now The joy of larking about – Swap organised fun for magical spontaneity Magical creatures – An appreciation of the sky lark In previous issues available at picsandink.com My Living – The campsite (158) Open to visit – The idea of ‘explorer days’ (157) The pursuit of pleasure – It’s time to move things up the list (122) To read The School of Life: Small Pleasures – what makes life truly valuable (2022)
May Days - Episode 3 - TONIC
Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they appreciate summer foods and sensory walks, explore the medicinal benefits of garden herbs and rediscover the pleasure of handwriting a letter. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167) available to buy here Berry Shrub and other recipes from Michelle Tansley’s cottage garden in our new series, A Good Life Switching on the senses – discover the moodboosting benefits of sensory walks Bloom scrolling – self edit your feeds for a more fulfilling online experience In the June issue (168) available to buy from 29 May here Weekend project – make your own herbal bug spray and natural after sun balm Cake in the house - Elderflower and strawberry tart Read our favourite entries from our midsummer microfiction competition. Find out more about National Flash Fiction Day on 13 June nationalflashfictionday.co.uk On the blog Spring beans on toast – broad beans and ricotta with elderflower dressing recipe Pea cheesecake recipe Rhubarb and sweet cicely shrub with Aperol recipe Natural first aid for bee, wasp and jelly fish stings taken from The Natural First Aid Handbook by Brigitte Mars (Storey Publishing) Elderflower toner Chickweed Ice cube aftersun Letters that changed the world To read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Penguin Books) From previous issues available to buy here The joy of writing a letter April (167)
May Days - Episode 2 - TEND
Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they explore ways of tending to your patch and your flock, whether that’s pottering in the garden, looking after your local bees or exploring your local neighbourhood. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the May issue (167) available to buy here A good life: On the edge of the Derbyshire Dales, Michelle Tansley grows food and flowers in her cottage garden. Pottering about: Clever ways to give old plant pots new purpose in the garden My Neighbourhood Frome Leave it and reap: Plant once and harvest for years: perennial vegetables are an easy addition to a plot Churchyard rewilding Coming up in the June issue – on sale from 29 May or try an immediate start subscription to get it earlier Simple ideas, using recycled materials, to help your garden grow and bloom. Taken from Way to Grow: Over 100 hacks for green-fingered greatness by Simon Akeroyd (DK) From back issues available to buy here Know a thing or two: bees ( Flourish Volume 3 ) DIY beeswax wraps (issue 96) Gathering: For a Sunday lunch with a difference ask friends to BYOT – bring your own trowel – and share the joy of planting and potting for the new season (issue 141) On the blog Garden hacks | Turn a shoe-hanger into a tool rack Garden hacks | Reuse cooking water on your plants Garden hacks | Make a colander hanging basket Garden hacks | DIY seed tapes Beeswax wraps Stress-busting Massage Balm
May Days - Episode 1 - FOLK
Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they dive into folk festivals, May Day customs, folklore and dancing. And to mark International Dawn Chorus Day (3 May), there’s an (amateur!) birdsong quiz… If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our supporter for this season Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett In the April issue (166) available to buy here Speak easy: how to have better conversations In the May issue (167) available to buy here Up with the lark: Have an early picnic while enjoying the birdsong before heading home for a second breakfast. We enjoy using the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify birdsong. Almanac: Embrace all things folk with the many May festivals from Jack in the Green to Garland Day and Beating the Bounds Modern Eccentrics – mods The Brighton Mod Weekender takes place from 27-30 August. Coming up in the June issue – on sale from 29 May or try an immediate start subscription to get it earlier Learn all about The Lost Giants of Lostwithiel, Cornwall, the designers and co-creators of giants and beasts of disguise. From back issues available to buy here Scene setting: look to the landscape to discover the folk tales they’ve inspired (Issue 151) Photography from the book Unseen Scotland by Bryan Millar Walker (Greenfinch) Modern Eccentrics: The Circus (Issue 118) Giffordscircus.com Modern Eccentrics: vintage car lovers (Issue 155). Women Drivers’ Social Club: facebook.com/WDSC Fairground attraction: Joby Carter of Carter’s Steam Fair on the art of signwriting (Issue 142)
Dawn - Episode 6 - RISE 'N' SHINE
Join editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they embark on a dawn walk, discuss what they like to cook and eat over Easter and ways to maintain balance at this pivotal point of the year. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Easter feasting Eggs en cocotte Brioche hot cross buns Rabbit biscuits Austrian easter cakes Gugelhuph Italian Easter Pie Torta Pasqualina Hen keeping fact sheet What plants to plant in your garden for hens In the March issue (165) available to buy here Looking back: the history of the public clock In the April issue (166) available to order here Spring tartiflette That’s all yolks! From pheasant egg Yorkshire puds to easter egg tiramisu Left field farms – where to try willow weaving, goat yoga and llama trekking Small treasures – mini plants for spring and summer colour The Big Idea – Lucky People by Nobuko Nakano The wonder of whimsy Flourish (Volume four) our latest wellbeing bookazine available to buy here Homebird – our new bookazine about making the most of where you live. Available to order here
Dawn - Episode 5 - SPRING MORNINGS
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley . We’ll be capturing that feeling you get when larks and adventures (or even just the possibility of them) beckons you from your bed. We’re getting out and about, doing a spot of foraging, discussing what makes a good walk and because it’s Mothers Day, there are a few mum stories too If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Book-based trails In the March issue (165) on sale now, available to buy here Could do list Outing – follow-your-nose trails How to drink magnolia The fine art of mothering – artist Caroline Walker In the new April issue on sale from 27 March. Order at picsandink.com from 23 March Blossom foraging In previous issues available at picsandink.com . Climbing a Small Hill (Issue 67) Taking a train to the sea (Issue 61) Sketching (Issue 39) Lost gardens (Issue 153) Wisdom: daughters learning from their mothers (153) In our new Homebird bookazine Outing - Reading the landscape when you are on a walk Foraging – Hawthorn and elderflower in spring hedgerows Learn more Rivington Terraced Gardens Lost Gardens of Heligan Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire The walker’s guide to clues and signs by Tristan Gooley Britain’s Best Small Hills by Phoebe Smith The Monsal Trail, Peak District Slow ways – connecting rural and urban spaces Make ways – Places you’d like to be able to walk National Parks in 100 seconds
Dawn - Episode 4 - DAWNING
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and our regular co-host, contributor to the magazine and author of The Slow Traveller , Jo Tinsley , as they get thinking about how spring is much better time than wintry new year to take stock of you, exploring realisations and understanding about yourself and others. If you think that sounds a bit serious, do not worry, we’ll also be doing a procrastination quiz, learning life lessons from literature and highlighting a few of the great women and their stories we have featured in the magazine for International Women’s Day. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett On the blog Quiz | Which member of The Famous Five are you? In previous issues (on sale at picsandink.com ) Kitchen Therapy: Layers of onions (Issue 164 ) Life lessons from Russian Literature (issue 64). Read more in The Anna Karenina fix by Viv Groskop Lessons from The Famous Five (Issue 123) Gifts from the Goddesses – Contemporary retellings of greek myths (issue 122) Life Lessons from Alice – Be curious, eat cake and never steal jam tarts from royalty (Issue 109) Procrastination Quiz – Find it hard to Get Stuff Done, occasionally? Take our entirely scientific and extremely focused quiz and find out exactly what type of procrastinator you are and how best to overcome it (or simply live alongside it). (Issue 87) As Good As Your Word – Using more positive language can make a big difference to your life, reawakening your confidence and boosting your happiness (Issue 76) Wisdom: women doing what they love across the UK’s paths and roads, bridleways and waters (Issue 156) Wisdom: Learn with Mother – women who have each inherited unique qualities from their mothers, with childhood lessons carried into their adult lives (issue 153) Flip-thinking - turning problems into opportunities (issue 129) Future tense: why some anxiety is good for us (issue 123) In our Flourish Volume 4 Mental Notes – Life lessons from around the globe Find out more Words Can Change Your Brain by Dr Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman (Penguin) 50 Sentences That Make Life Easier : A Guide for More Self-Confidence by Kari
Dawn - Episode 3 - NEW LIFE
Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and our regular co-host, contributor to the magazine and author of The Slow Traveller , Jo Tinsley , as they talk about how these early days of spring bring about a rise in energy, an urge to sort and maybe spring clean and how to bring new life to old and get out in the garden. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett On the blog Koromagae Linen Spray In the March issue (165) on sale now, available to buy here Spruce up – As the garden springs back to life, now is the time to rejuvenate neglected corners. Magical Creatures: An appreciation of the first butterfly of the year Home Economics: Tropical Fruits. How to ensure the long journey of these drops of sunshine is worth its while. Gathering: Clothes swap brunch Wisdom: The joy of enough. A change in circumstances made Anna Kilpatrick rethink her life. In the Feb issue (164) available to buy here My Place: linen cupboards Change by numbers: Helping to make the world a better place In our Flourish Volume 4 Pleasure Garden – Spring seems to arrive sooner when you have fruit trees and blossom The First Blossom: a promise of renewal each spring. Find out more Plantlife's No Mow May Movement Not Needing New: A Practical Guide to Finding the Joy of Enough (Orion)
Dawn - Episode 2 - NEW DAWN
Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and Contributing Editor Jo Tinsley as they discuss why this is a good time of year to get started with new projects, the brain-boosting benefits of learning a new skill and the science behind creating habits. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. Thanks to our supporter for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk On the blog Match your creative itch to a new class here Projects using glass on instagram @friendsofglassuk Making a jam jar garden Ways with rosemary: Rosemary and ginger hinny herbal tipple Olive oil, rosemary and apricot cake A guide to rosemary pairings In the February issue (164) on sale now, available to buy here My Living - we chat to Catherine Mugonyi, founder of community arts space Aunty Social in Blackpool Tarot for therapy – using the cards to help unlock thoughts, feelings and emotions Tea & Tarot – an afternoon tea with a wellbeing twist In the March issue (165) available to order here (on sale in shops from 27 March) More than words – why learning a language is good for our brains and our communities. Find out more at Sign Language Week (16-22 March) My City Malaga – a local’s guide to this sunny city in spring In Flourish (Volume 4), available to buy here Growing habits – if you want to change anything, start small and let it grow Heart, body and soul – rosemary recipes and a soothing rosemary and lemon scalp rub
Dawn - Episode 1 - MAKE YOUR OWN SUNSHINE
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank as they find reasons to celebrate during February, including the returning daylight, time spent with friends and loved ones and joyful occasions from Lunar New Year to Shrove Tuesday. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Seville & blood orange marmalade Blood orange posset Blood orange Negroni Vietnamese summer rolls recipe In the February issue (164) on sale now available to buy here Foods of love – what we eat and how we eat it has long associations with romance Friends for life – the mood-boosting, life-enhancing benefits of friendship Kitchen therapy – Sensory baking (Herb and black olive fougasse and Cavolo Nero Gnochi) and simple embroidered onions My City Taipei – cherry blossom and feasting during Lunar New Year What to do with orange peel – from scented kitchen spray to joyful garlands In the January issue (163) available to buy here The Big Idea: Could you be an Otrovert? Explore the thinking behind Dr Rami Kaminski’s book The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive In A World Of Joiners (Scribe) In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology Lunar New Year gathering – recipes to share and celebrate with friends Find out more Travelling sun sculpture myhelios.org Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass , an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk
Merry Midwinter - Episode 6 - STAR
In the STAR episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley celebrate Twelfth Night and look for other reasons to cheer up what feels like the longest month of January. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Candle Holder How To Wassail Well How to hold a Wassail Buttered bourbon apple cider Tangerine and nutmeg hot chocolate Blood Orange Posset Slow Orange Poppy Seed Cake In the January issue (163) on sale now The appeal of ice skating A winter of care and repair In our In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology Gathering: Twelfth Night with the La Fête des Rois Candle holders In previous issues, available to buy at picsandink.com Life lessons from the north: the value of age-old customs and community in enduring the long, dark winters. (Issue 151) Looking back why we are fascinated by the stars (issue 152) Snow lanterns (issue 138) Learn more Candles: A modern guide to making candles by Ebi Sinter and Emmanuel Sinteh Watch out for t he Quadrantid meteor shower between 28 December-12 January, peeking around 3-4 January 2026 Slow Down And Be Here Now by Laura Brand and Freya Hartas A Winter Dictionary: A Collection of Words for the Festive Season by Paul Anthony Jones Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Merry Midwinter - Episode 5 - PAUSE
If you’ve got some time off, now’s the chance to kick back a bit. Join Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley In Episode 5 PAUSE, as they share ideas for carving out some time to relax and reset in this in-between bit of Christmas. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog How to do a jigsaw properly In the January issue (163) on sale now Long views from tall towers Taking cues from the people, animals and nature that surround us Life lessons from David Attenborough Fish pie and cheddar mash Learn more Is a gansey a Guernsey? Mindwandering: How It Can Improve Your Mood and Boost Your Creativity , by Moshe Bar (Bloomsbury Tonic) Fish pie hash In previous issues available to buy at picsandink.com Wearing well: Mittens ( issue 127 ) Panettone French toast (Issue 138) Favourite annuals (issue 138) Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Merry Midwinter - Episode 4 - FEAST
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank as we get stuck into festive feasting. We’ll be talking turkey, side dishes, tipples and nibbles, how to explain Christmas Eve to kids with science and just why we love Boxing Day so much. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Root veg peel crisps Christmas Eve explained Cheese board pairings Brussel sprout bhajias Which Christmas character are you ? In the December issue (162) on sale now Boxing day buffet – roast cranberry and mustard gammon, winter goat’s cheese salad, meringue nests with fruit and boozy cream Grow your own Christmas Day veg Sprout slaw Homemade blinis In previous issues available at picsandink.com Kitschmas – snowball, devilled eggs, mozzarella and pineapple sticks ( Issue 150 ) Why we love Boxing Day ( Issue 150 ) In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology Side dishes as celebratory as the roast they surround Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Merry Midwinter - Episode 3 - PEACE
Join Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they help you discover ways to find your own little pockets of calm in the run up to Christmas. In this episode, we appreciate the quiet of the approaching solstice, press pause and take some time for ourselves before curling up with some winter reads. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog How to solve an Agatha Christie novel Books that Embrace the Cold Why We Love Cosy Crime In the December issue (162) on sale now Pressing pause: Whether it’s a few minutes to yourself or a day away, giving yourself time to do the things you enjoy this month will help prevent overwhelm Kitchen therapy Reading: awell-chosen book can bring moments of comfort, calm and cheer over the coming weeks. Modern eccentrics: Solstice revellers My place: Festive foliage Learn more Nature’s Calendar: The British Year In 72 Seasons by Kiera Chapman, Lulah Ellender, Rowan Jaines, Rebecca Warren (Granta) In previous issues available at picsandink.com A day in December: images that captured the magic of this month (150) How to get on with your siblings as grown-ups (and have a more harmonious yuletide). (126) A winter walk is a breath of fresh air. (150) Tuning into the month’s micro-seasons (138) Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Merry Midwinter - Episode 2 - TREASURE
The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank talk treasure, including the things we decorate our homes with, the people we treasure at Christmas and ways to treasure the season. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish and fish products. Find out more about the best fish to choose at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk On the blog Handmade gift ideas from thesimplethings.com Christmas crackers template here Bay and lemon sea salt body scrub Homemade tea bags Edible baubles Fairy cake baubles Gingerbread tree decorations In the December issue (162) on sale now Make your own advent candle Christmas playlist Mini rosemary wreath decorations Eggnog – why everyone should try it Forest needles chai Decorations from fabric scraps Weekend away – wreath making in the west country In our A Year of Celebrations Anthology Crafternoon – festive bakes and gifts Choosing the tree Edible baubles and stained-glass biscuits Handmade Christmas crackers In our wellbeing bookazine, Flourish Volume 4 Everlasting wreaths Learn more How to have an eco-friendly Christmas: advice from The Wildlife Trusts , The National Trust and WWF Fish pie recipe carrying the MSC blue label by James Strawbridge In previous issues available at picsandink.com Missing people at Christmas – Issue 150
Merry Midwinter - Episode 1 - MERRY
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley in the first episode of our Merry Midwinter season, where we are doing our best to find calm and contentment in the run up to Christmas. This episode we will be chatting about alternative approaches to advent calendars, the people working hard to preserve much-loved customs, the joy of a Christmas market and how to fill your home with festive scents. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. In the December issue (162) on sale now Weekend project advent candle Alternative advent calendar ideas Keeping up traditions On the blog Natural Advent Calendar of Promises Make your own advent calendar Living Advent Calendar Scented Pinecones Herbs & Spices playlist From A Year of Celebrations anthology Weekend project: make your own advent calendar Learn more Window Wonderland in Shepton Mallet , Somerset A Winter Dictionary: A collection of words for the festive season by Paul Anthony Jones (Elliott & Thompson) In previous issues available to buy at picsandink.com Looking back: Mid-century Christmas traditions (138) Finding the fairytale for free(ish) (138) Weekend project: Scents of the season: Use natural finds to fill your home with some favourite smells of winter (150) Christmassy Cities: Nuremberg (150) , Bruges (Issue 126), Prague (162) Easy Giving: simple ways you can help spread cheer (150) For Christmas gift wrapped subscriptions click here and use code GIFTWRAP25 Thanks to our partner for the Merry Midwinter season, the Marine Stewardship Council , which sets certification standards for sustainable fisheries and awards the blue ecolabel on fish products. Find out more at msc.org and follow them on instagram @mscintheuk
Golden Days - Episode 6 - RAMBLE
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes , Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller , Jo Tinsley as they take an early evening walk together and ponder over the joy and comfort of a familiar ramble, consider why being outdoors helps us to talk more freely, and finish with a stroll in the footsteps of Jane Austen in Bath’s very own pleasure gardens. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things get 30% off and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. In The Simple Things In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now Magical creatures – an appreciation of the tawny owl In the November SPICE issue (161) An Autumnal roast – it’s the season for roast dinners and this one is a winner Buy the November issue at picsandink.com from 16 October and on the newsstand from 22 October. From Flourish, our wellbeing bookazine (Volume 3) How to do autumn well – foraging, feasting and conker fighting Outdoor therapy – how it works and techniques to try as your walk Flourish Volume 4 is coming soon and is available to pre-order with 10% off until 29 October IN PREVIOUS ISSUES Which Jane Austen character are you? Fun quiz and events to suit your character. (Issue 154, April 2025) Moodscapes and walking routes – how different landscapes make us feel. (Issue 154, April 2025). Read more on our blog . Taken from The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets (Bloomsbury Tonic) Buy current and back issues here LEARN MORE Jane Austen 250 year anniversary events in Bath https://visitbath.co.uk/inspire-me/literary-bath/jane-austen-bath and beyond www.janeausten.co.uk The joy of a familiar walk by Alice Tatham (Issue 129) Follow Alice on Instagram @thewildwoodmoth
Golden Days - Episode 5 - HARVEST
Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank for our own mini harvest festival as they relish this time of abundance for cooking, gathering and squirreling away before the first frosts arrive. If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. On the blog Hedgrow fizz – foraged berries diluted with sparkling wine or water Crab apple whisky Crab apple and fennel seed leather In defence of the pear How to stock a store cupboard Lessons from Nigella Baked pear pies In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now Kitchen therapy – baked pear pies and a mindful drawing exercise Wine and cheese gathering – good wine and cheese pairings make for happy guests In previous issues In the September TREASURE issue (159) Plates to plot – share the harvest with friends by holding your own allotment feast with a tipple of warm apple cider and other seasonal dishes Coming up in the November issue (161) Smart ways to eat well. An extract from Shrewd Food: 60 Ways to Eat Yourself Healthy by Noonie Zand Goodarzi (Badger Books). Illustrations by Mudd Bexley November issue 161 will be available to pre-order at picsandink.com from 16 October, on sale from 22 October. Don’t give up your garden for winter: The natural world may be winding down but autumn is actually the start of the agricultural year, a time to plant and plan for the months ahead In Flourish Volume 3 Today, tomorrow to keep: pears Chocolate pear cake and preserved pears in red wine Pre-order the new Flourish Volume 4 with 10% off at www.picsandink.com until 29 October How to subscribe to The Simple Things – for an immediate start subscription with 30% go to off cover price go to http://www.icebergpress.co.uk/subscribe
