Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the autumn equinox tips summer into autumn, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frankand regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley lace up their hiking boots and go exploring. From the joy of early autumn city breaks and solo travel to a walking meditation and games you can play with your dog.

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

 How to be a fearless traveller

 Songs about dogs

 Days out for You and Your Dog 

 How to trespass with good manners

TO READ

The Book of Trespass: Crossing the Lines that Divide Us, by Nick Hayes

The Slow Traveller by Jo Tinsley

School for Dogs (And Their Humans) by Sophie Collins

IN THE SIMPLE THINGS

 In October issue:

 My Living: The dog walker 

 Wellbeing: Lessons in chemistry – how hormones help

 Miscellany: Give the dog a game

 Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

IN PREVIOUS ISSUES

 Action stations: Hiking between stations or heading to the end of the line (159, Sep 2025)

Dog days out: Around the UK are people and places going the extra mile for dogs (147, Sep 2024)

Natural connection: A rope swing, a cairn and a den, these humble handmade features our landscape may just hold the key to improving our relationship with nature (147, Sep 2024)

Good well hunting: Places for refreshment, healing and worship, wells and springs are magical places (158, Aug 2025)

Buy current and back issues here

LEARN MORE 

The Outdoor Swimming Society | Is it legal?

The Outdoor Swimming Society | Right to Swim

In this third episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank turn their attention to what they have and where they live, enjoying treasures, finding fresh ideas at home and sampling a bit of Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of evening breakfast.

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

Greek Panzanella 

Journalling ideas 

Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them.

To browse
Treasure tins – #concentratesofplace @tanyashadrickwriter

Window swap

In The Simple Things

From the September issue – 159

Home Economics: Tomatoes – how to make the most of a seasonal glut of tomatoes 

Wisdom: Emma Bridgewater on 40 years of preparing pottery and the special ritual of coffee and cake

How to Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of a late night snack

My plot: Andrew Fusek Peters shares wildlife photography taken from his Shropshire garden. Fusekphotos.com @andrewfusekpeters and book Garden Safari (Graffeg)

In the October (160) issue 

My Place: The corners of our home that mean the most – Kitchen tables 

Keeping a commonplace book by Miranda Mills, author of The Country Commonplace Book (Batsford)

Sunday best – the comfort and delight of Sundays by Daniel Gray author of Sunday Best: Travels through the day of restby Daniel Gray 
(Harper North)

Bramble basket project 

Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

From earlier issues

Letting go – just like nature, we need to shed in order to grow and flourish  (136)

How to great a weekend retreat at home (142)

Back garden campout – enjoy an end of summer camping trip without going away (110)

In this second episode at the start of the new school year The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and regular contributor Jo Tinsley indulge in a bit of schooldays nostalgia but also discuss why it’s a good time to take on new projects, find new habits, make something new and learn a few skills.

 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

Things to do with Weird Veg Box Vegetables

 Parsnip panpipes (yes, really)

To read

Forecast: A diary of the Lost Seasons, by Joe Shute (Bloomsbury)

In The Simple Things

From the September TREASURE issue (159) 

The Slapdash Manifesto: General principles for good enough

Wearing Well: Wristwatches

Buy the September issue here

IN PREVIOUS ISSUES

Revisiting team sports (Issue 147, September 2024)

Veg box suppers: golden marrow marmalade, Moroccalili (Issue 111, September 2011)

Wearing Well Backpacks (Issue 111, September 2021)

Miscellany: How to win at conkers (Issue 136, October 2023)

Clapping game lyrics

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea

To see what he could see, see, see

But all that he could see, see, see

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea

A sailor went to knee, knee, knee

To see what he could knee, knee, knee

But all that he could knee, knee, knee

Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee

A sailor went to chop, chop, chop

To see what he could chop, chop, chop, 

But all that he could chop, chop, chop

Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop

Today our theme is SAVOUR and we’re advocating letting summer linger on as long as possible, savouring the tastes, fruits and flowers of the season, finding holiday habits to carry on with and appreciating things to treasure. Hosted by The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank

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. 

SHOW NOTES

On the blog

Fig and goat’s cheese bundles 

Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them.

To read

Reading Between The Lines by Emma Bache (Quercus)

In The Simple Things

From the September issue

New herbal non-alcoholic tipples series begins

Handwriting and why it is good for you

 Buy the September issue here

From the October issue

Home Economics: Koromagae and clothes care when you switch from summer to winter.

Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

In September 2024 issue – 147 Appreciating your garden at dawn, day and dusk

In August 2025 issue – 158 Kitchen therapy: figs, blackberries, plums and damsons

From The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations

Vineyard harvest supper

Dahlias