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?

A could-do list Humble

Editorial

OCTOBER ALMANAC • Seasonal thoughts & things to help you enjoy the month

Trick and treat • A SPOOKY SUPPER FOR HALLOWEEN THAT’S PACKED WITH AUTUMNAL DELIGHTS – AND NOT A WITCH’S CAULDRON IN SIGHT

the simple things NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARDS

Magical creatures • AN APPRECIATION OF LEAPING SALMON

WINDFALL GAINS • THESE HEAVEN SENT GIFTS FROM NATURE ENRICH AN AUTUMN WALK. WHETHER YOU’RE SEEKING GOOD THINGS TO EAT OR SIMPLY WANT TO APPRECIATE THE SPECTACLE, STEP OUT AND ENJOY THE BOUNTY

BERRY TREASURES

Botanist Dad • Sometimes we all need a helping hand in the garden, but who do you ask for help? Our Botanist Dad knows all about plants and growing, and is here to answer your dilemmas

WHAT I TREASURE • My favourite tree

CAKE IN THE HOUSE • This traditional Austrian-style chocolate cake is delicious with or without the icing, keeps well, and is wunderbar with a coffee.

My day in cups of tea • We spoke to leatherworker Jess Laird about her day in cuppas, and how tea always tastes better in a favourite mug

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SMALL CHANGE

GOOD THINGS • POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

MY CITY* BRISBANE • CHANTELLE GRADY LOVES HER CITY, AS IT’S BLESSED WITH YEAR-ROUND SUNSHINE. NOT TO MENTION THE VIBRANT BREAKFAST CULTURE, WORLD-FAMOUS BEACHES AND RELAXED LIFESTYLE

CHANTELLE’S PERSONAL TOUR

A POETIC PAUSE Dogs and Weather

Homegrown harvest • KATHY AND TOM ENJOY THE PRODUCE FROM THEIR SMALLHOLDING IN SOMERSET WITH RECIPES THAT TRANSPORT AUTUMN FROM PLOT TO PLATE

Generation green • NO MATTER YOUR AGE, WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM IMMERSING OURSELVES IN THE WILD. THAT’S ACCORDING TO THESE YOUNG NATURALISTS – WHO ALSO HAVE AN IDEA OR TWO TO IMPART ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT IT

Notes to self • FROM DOODLING AND DIARISING, TO LISTS AND LIFE PLANS, KEEPING A JOURNAL CAN MAKE YOU FEEL CALMER AND MORE FOCUSED

Putting pen to paper • Journals come in all shapes and sizes, and what goes into them is up to you

Journalling joy • For when you can’t bear the thought of staring at a blank page

A WINDOW INTO WARTIME • THROUGH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, WE CAN SEE WHAT WARTIME WORK LOOKED LIKE FOR WOMEN – AND GET A GLIMPSE INTO THEIR LIVES

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Upside-down chicken and prune tagine • Make the most of those tins in your cupboard and create a deliciously rich tagine, all cooked in one pan. »

A YEAR OF MAGIC • EXPLORING THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR – EIGHT ANCIENT FESTIVALS, DETERMINED BY NATURE AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE SUN – GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RE-DISCOVER FORGOTTEN WISDOM AND TO EMBRACE THE WONDER OF EACH SEASON

A good fit • EXERCISE FEELS EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING TO HELP OTHERS AT THE SAME TIME, DISCOVERS LUCY ANNA SCOTT

Feelgood fitness • Joining one of the these schemes can add an extra dimension to exercise

MODERN ECENTRICS The spoon carver

BOOK SMART • BUILD YOUR OWN FREE LIBRARY TO ENCOURAGE YOUR NEIGHBOURS TO SHARE THEIR GOOD READS

WEARING WELL • Stories of the clothes we love JEANS

FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE • Bringing blooms indoors: it’s what every home needs

MILLING AROUND • A COUPLE BLEW THE COBWEBS OUT OF A FORMER...