Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i The Simple Things

Choose a tactile new cushion for your favourite chair for autumn Change up coffee with a friend and visit a ceramics painting café or a cat café together Visit a garden or stately home and collect fallen petals to press Buy a deliciously scented facial oil to use each night before bed Spend ten minutes properly stroking a pet (or a friend’s pet). Don’t forget behind the ears Write down ways to reconnect with friends, family or with hobbies and interests here. Our sense of touch is powerful, so when permission to physically touch friends and family is taken away, we mourn it. But the word has other connotations, too – keeping in touch has never been more important, while a nice touch, such as a jug of dahlias on…

READ... ❍ A few suggestions of back-to-school books to enjoy this month How to Grow Your Own Poem by Kate Clanchy teaches you how to write poetry of your own. Shakespearean by Robert McCrum will help you to get to know the Bard better; while Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books by Cathy Rentzenbrink is described as a love letter to stories and reading. More things I want to read this month... MAKE...  ❍ Summer stews. We’re still enjoying the fresh flavours of summer but have one eye on our autumn crock pots. How about a summer veg stew with pesto drizzle, or a quick chicken or lamb stew with summer veg thrown in ten minutes before the end? ❍ Personalised mugs. Markers at the ready, there’s a…

CRAFTY NECTAR NO.7, £17.24 for 6 Made with fresh pressed apples, this 4.5% cider is medium, with mellow tannins and a delicate sparkle to lift its appley notes. A great choice to go with roasted veg and cooked meats. ONCE UPON A TREE PERRY, £27 This medium dry, gently sparkling 5% perry is a rare pear in a world of apple ciders. It has a pale golden colour and a lovely soft rounded finish with hints of sherbert lemon, meaning it goes well with a fresh salad and cheese. PILTON FIRE CIDER, £13.50 A rich dessert cider made from fire-concentrated apple juice. Fermented and aged in Bourbon barrels for six months, this 6% cider is rich, roasted and raisiny, meaning it pairs well with a good, sticky apple tart. Ciders…

Shop of the month An independent store with good design and service at its core Harriman & Co. is a handsome shop with a welcoming pavement display that’s been providing its local community with furniture and homeware since 2014. With an emphasis on natural, well-designed, local and ethically sourced products, both needs and desires are well catered for. Highlights include a glazed clay Sekki salt jar (£9) for the home chef, a concrete wall clock (£95), made using granite aggregates from a local quarry, and small batch handmade scented candles. During lockdown, Harriman & Co. refreshed their business, including painting their Leicester shop front a new optimistic shade of mustard yellow.harrimanandco.com A toast to bread Loaf Story: A Love Letter to Bread, with Recipes by Tim Hayward Tim Hayward loves…

• Take a long shower or a bath and notice the sensation of the water against your skin. • Rub some oil into your body after your bath or shower and give yourself a face massage whilst cleansing your skin. • Do things with your hands like baking or gardening and go barefoot. • Talk to people face to face if possible, or on the phone rather than emailing or texting. • Listen to music that makes you feel uplifted or relaxed, depending on your mood. • Make sure you do something meaningful and enjoyable for yourself every day. • Make conversation with people you meet while you’re out walking or shopping.…

How long have you lived in the city? I’ve lived in Hanoi for two years, having moved here in August 2018 with my boyfriend. Where are you from originally and why this city? My partner and I are both primary school teachers from Nottinghamshire. We love to travel and fancied a change, so decided to apply to international schools in the city. Neither of us had ever been to Asia, so it was quite a leap, but we wanted somewhere different. Tell us what makes your city unique Hanoi is a city full of juxtapositions. The people are laid back and friendly, yet there’s constant hustle and bustle on every corner. It’s a city that’s developing rapidly – there’s construction everywhere – but Hanoi holds on to its roots. It…

Good style never goes out of fashion. These four women live this saying, choosing to reject contemporary fashion and to immerse themselves in the looks of the past. Together, they are a testament to the creativity and individuality of vintage styles, the variety evident from Rachel’s Hollywood apartment, to Meihui’s dress-up and play approach to Victoriana. The stories behind each vintage enthusiast are as diverse as the wearers themselves, but common threads weave their way through their stories, such as an appreciation for a low-consumption lifestyle, a feeling of being outside the mainstream, or an early interest sparked by a wonderful bygone movie or musician. While these examples may be at the more extreme end of vintage fashion, it’s a surprisingly accessible world to dip your toes into. A flick…

Despite the best efforts of charities large and small, among the major remaining prejudices in our society is towards those without a roof over their head. They are viewed less as people and more as a problem, seen en masse rather than as individuals. Zakia Moulaoui reminds us that each person affected by homelessness has a story. Whether they are still sleeping rough, living in a hostel or finally in permanent housing, Zakia recognises their talents and helps them become tour guides, giving them a voice and raising confidence. Zakia has worked to improve the lives of rough sleepers for nearly ten years, beginning with a job for annual football tournament, the Homeless World Cup, which she describes as life changing; while all the players felt the same sense of…

My grandad, Brian, sadly passed away in April this year. He was 91 years old and spent his last few years very well looked after in a care home just around the corner from us. He was a true gentleman and family man, always putting other people first . When he first moved into care, my parents put his bungalow up for rent and called me over to see if there was anything I’d like to keep from his house. It was a difficult day, but I chose carefully: some mugs that my grandparents brought back from a trip to Hong Kong, a grandfather clock that now stands proudly in our hall, a painting by my Grandad’s best friend, and a plant pot man with a very wide smile. Throughout…

In the sky... Comings and goings. It’s that time of year when feathery summer visitors slowly start to fly south, while others arrive from the Arctic and Iceland for the British winter. Arriving from September are Canada geese, wigeons, pintails and teals. Departing are swallows and house martins. The Wildlife Trust (wildlifetrusts.org) has lists for which migratory birds you might spot and where. In folklore... Michaelmas (29 September) is also known as ‘Goose Day’. Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth I was dining on goose when she heard of the Armada’s defeat and declared goose should be served every Michaelmas thenceforth. In other goose-related lore, after roasting, if the breastbones are brown, winter will be mild; if white, it’ll be severe. In your foraging bag... September keeps your foraging bag busy, with hips…

DOUGHNUT POPCORN Makes 150 100ml warm milk 4g fast-action dried yeast 20g sugar 150g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 80g white bread flour ½ tsp salt 1 egg, beaten 30g butter, softened 1 tsp vanilla extract Sunflower oil, for greasing and frying Caster sugar, for dusting 6 heaped tbsp seedless raspberry jam 1 Beat together the warm milk, yeast and sugar in a jug. Leave in a warm place for about 10 mins until a thick foam has formed on top of the milk. Meanwhile, sift the flours into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, egg, butter and vanilla and stir together. Pour in the yeast mixture. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the dough on a slow speed for 2 mins. Increase the…

Electric dreams The last combustion engine car rolled off the production line at Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant in Germany at the end of June. Though this isn’t sad news. Instead, the 1.8 million sqm site will now be dedicated entirely to producing electric cars, making it the largest electric car plant in Europe. Ebola end The second deadliest outbreak of Ebola in history has officially ended. You’d be forgiven for missing the announcement, but after 22 months of working to contain the disease, the Democratic Republic of Congo was finally able to declare an end to its tenth Ebola crisis. Dig for history Thanks to garden archaeologists and home detectorists with time on their hands during lockdown, the British Museum has reported the discovery of lots of ancient artefacts across Britain.…

Few things are as omnipresent and forgettable as carpet. But pilot Bill Young – used to looking at the skies – became so transfixed by the weird and wonderful floors in the hotels that he stayed in around the world that he started documenting them. “I’ve been a pilot for the last 30 years, starting out in the Navy and currently flying posh business aircraft all over the world,” explains Bill. “I often find myself in hotel lobbies looking down at my phone while waiting for fellow crew members to arrive and it was during one of these times when I realised that the carpet beneath my feet was unusually festive. I took a picture with my phone and soon after that, my Instagram account was live. It wasn’t until…

1977  Harriet and Rosie born, in Kent and the Isle of Wight respectively 1996  The duo meet at Chelsea School of Art 1999  A chance discovery of a bundle of leather sample books leads them to create leather cuffs, which they sell on a stall at Camden Market 2000  Fed up with working from their bedrooms, they get a studio in east London, including a courtyard shared with a family of tortoises. They also start their Brick Lane shop 2001  Tatty release their first collection at London Fashion Week 2003  The pair invest in their first laser cutter (Evil Edna) and create their iconic lobster necklace, which they still sell 2008  Harriet and Rosie produce a collaboration with Gilbert & George 2013  The pair collaborate with paper-cut artist Rob Ryan…

Favourite shop COLLECTIVE MEMORY Full of beautiful curios from some of Hanoi’s best artists and small businesses. collectivememory.vn Favourite gallery THE CITY’S STREET ART Hanoi is home to the world’s largest ceramic mosaic wall, which runs for 6.5km from the Old Quarter to West Lake. Local artists also decorate pavement electrical boxes with beautiful floral paintings and environmental messages. Favourite café LABONTE A vegetarian café, it’s my favourite place to write, eat or to gather with friends. Instagram: @labonte.vn Favourite bar UNICORN PUB Serves cocktails with a Vietnamese twist. Award-winning mixologists have created the surprisingly delicious pho cocktail. the-unicorn-pub.business.site Favourite restaurant BAO WOW Serves fresh, delicious and creative baos in a cool, al fresco dining experience.baowowhanoi.com Favourite market QUANG BA FLOWER MARKET It’s a sensory experience with myriad colours and…

What’s even better than sipping a hot chocolate from an enamel mug, next to a campfire? Sipping it from a mug you’ve designed yourself, of course! Pretty up your enamelware with brush lettering and a simple pattern that can be created in minutes. A hand-drawn enamel mug makes a great gift, whether they’re a dedicated camper or could just do with a mug for the allotment or garden. If you think florals might be too tricky, spots, stripes, dashes or abstract shapes work just as well, and you can also try this technique on ceramic surfaces as well as enamelware. “USE A MIXTURE OF WRITING STYLES AND LETTERING TO CREATE A QUIRKY, RUSTIC EFFECT” PERSONALISED ENAMEL MUGS Super quick but satisfying for both maker and drinker YOU WILL NEED: Enamel…

The National Trust, beloved favourite for long walks, garden inspiration and, of course, scones, is 125 years old this year. But it may surprise you to know that this paragon of all things wholesome was not seeded in England’s countryside, but in city smog. Social reformist Octavia Hill spent her life working in Victorian London’s dark, industrialised streets. She was shocked by the lack nature and believed exposure to green space was essential for health – something that feels especially relevant this year. As she said, “We all want quiet. We all want beauty… We all need space. Unless we have it, we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently.” From this thought came the National Trust, founded in 1895 by…

A late-summer lasagne Serves 6 1kg heritage tomatoes, halved or quartered, depending on size 2 aubergines, cut into 2–3cm discs 1 garlic bulb, separated and peeled 2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed Pinch of chilli flakes 2–3 rosemary sprigs, leaves roughly chopped 8 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Small bunch of basil, shredded Small handful of flat-leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped 6 large courgettes, thinly sliced lengthways FOR THE WHITE SAUCE 750ml whole milk 4 bay leaves 1 onion, sliced 1 celery stick, sliced Black peppercorns 60g unsalted butter 60g plain flour 125g cheddar cheese, grated 1 Preheat the oven to 150C/Fan130C/Gas 2. Put the tomatoes, cut sides up, aubergine and garlic on a large baking tray. Sprinkle over the fennel, chilli and rosemary. Drizzle over half the oil and season. Roast…

For the general, somewhat discomforting feeling of missing someone, we need, one way or another, a reminder. At the root of the word reminder is mind. One of the barest bones of the English language, mind has been used of a person’s mental faculty or intellect since the early Old English period, when it referred specifically to memory, and the brain’s ability to recall, recollect and remember. Derived from that, a minding is an instance of recollection or a single memory; a forgotten thought cast back into your consciousness, or a memento or token, serving to remind someone of something, and keep them from forgetting it. When someone is no longer in our lives, the things that were once theirs suddenly become so much more meaningful. Everyday objects that the…

WINTER Day 45 – 25/12/2018 Breakfast: sweet potato, fish (striped mojarra), greens, and herbs Lunch: sweet potato, greens and herbs Dinner: sweet potato, greens and herbs Snacks: orange, honey, papaya, elderberry syrup, reishi mushroom tea SPRING Day 124 – 14/03/2019 Breakfast: papaya, loquats, coconut Lunch: green papaya, coconut curry with carrots, garlic, turmeric, lemongrass, serrano pepper, salt and coconut oil Dinner: green papaya, mashed sweet potato with greens and herbs Snacks: coconut, honey, greens, tomato, elderberry syrup, orange, grapefruit, lemon juice SUMMER Day 204 – 02/06/2019 Breakfast: white sapote, papaya, sapodilla, starfruit, banana, roselle, moringa, mint, holy basil smoothie Lunch: carrot, seminole pumpkin, yam soup with pigeon peas, greens and herbs Dinner: yam, green beans, greens and herbs, baked yam fries Snacks: coconut, white sapote, bananas, passion fruit, elderberry, bitter…

There are times when camping feels so easy, you wonder why you don’t live like this all summer long. But then there are also times when cooking a meal for four on a two-ring stove can make you wonder if you are actually on holiday at all. The way to ensure the first and avoid the latter, we have discovered, is to camp at a pub. That way you can still enjoy all the charms of the picnics and cooking on a barbecue, but simply wander over to the bar for a drink and a meal whenever you feel you need a night off. You should choose your pub carefully, of course. A country establishment in a quiet spot makes sense, and somewhere that has a separate field or two…

In a normal year, this would be the best part of the season, and the worst. The best because the tourists have gone home, the seafront belongs to the locals again and, as soon as I’ve shut the café up for the winter, I get to spend time with my husband and kids again. The worst… well, the same reason really. This year, though, the tourists have only just come back, and there’s no way any of us can close for the winter. Every cup of tea and every bucket and spade counts. This café was my gran’s, then my mum’s, before I took over, and I love it. It’s nothing fancy: wipe-clean tablecloths, all-day breakfasts and take-it-or-leave-it coffee. The only sign of the times is the hand sanitiser by…

If you’re feeling you’re overdue a few weekend breaks or outings, why not make them magical? Have a walk with the elves Elva Hill in Cumbria is also known as ‘Fairy Hill’ and is purported to be a bit of a gateway to fairyland. The name is derived from Old Viking, meaning ‘Place of the Elves’. Visit a giant St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall was said to be the home of Cormoran the Giant, who terrorised locals and was eventually slayed by Jack, a boy from Marazion. Take a dip with a mermaid Mermaid’s pool in Derbyshire is peculiar for being an inland saltwater pool and was popular for ancient Celtic water worship rituals. It’s also said to be home to a mermaid who may grant you immortality if you…

After months of blowing kisses and hugging thin air, I was surprised to find myself flinging my arms around a friend when I bumped into her recently. We both jumped back in surprise as I apologised profusely. In a brief moment I’d forgotten the form and gone back to a time when “social distancing” wasn’t even a phrase and I could hug, kiss and touch my family and friends to my heart’s content. It’s a natural human instinct to make physical contact with others, whether for comfort, cheer or celebration. From a soothing arm around a shoulder to a head massage at the hairdressers, a simple handshake or a teasing tickle, we touch and are touched in our daily lives more regularly than we probably realise. Even those of us…

One thing the last few months have taught us is that there’s no place like home. For clothing brand Seasalt, home is the sea-whipped cliffs and sandy dunes of Cornwall. The same dramatic scenery that inspires its practical and beautiful clothing, has inspired artists and writers for centuries. We’d like to hear a story inspired by the place you live or somewhere you love. In a maximum of 100 words, tell us a story about the unique spirit of somewhere that is meaningful to you – it could be a cosy spot in your living room, a wild coastal landscape you long to revisit or a sun-dappled lane with special memories. The writer who truly whisks us away will see their winning entry in print and receive a £250 Seasalt…

“the pussy-bow draws attention to its wearer without being shouty” Fortunately, a new wave of stylish women has rescued the pussy-bow blouse from its inglorious past. Worn by the likes of Katie Holmes and Isabelle Huppert, it’s finally shaken off the headmistressy image bestowed upon it by Margaret Thatcher. Nevertheless, you can see why she favoured it. Worn at a cabinet meeting with a skirt suit and a handbag looped over one arm, the former prime minister thought it “rather softening” and “pretty,” and so it unquestionably is. It’s also tidy and demure; qualities that make it entirely appropriate in the workplace (whether virtual or physical). Tied under the chin, the bow framing the face sweetly, it draws attention to its wearer without being shouty. Films set in offices usually…

The bracken moults fine hairs; browning with the heat, it crackles as we brush past.In the warm autumnal air we scan for wildlife: tundra hares may come this low.Picking through the undergrowth we scatter something, breaking through and out into the light we came to pause in. Too long enclosed in small rooms dusty with books and chores, we stride the layered moor on towards the Ochil Hills, which clear us of ourselves. About the author: Award-winning poet and creative writing tutor Heidi Williamson was born in Norfolk, but lived and studied in Scotland for a decade. Her third collection of poems, Return by Minor Road (Bloodaxe Books, 2020), revisits her time there, and reads like a lyrical book of remembrance, recalling the Dunblane tragedy and its aftermath, while exploring…

Even if we know it’s not great for us, in times of stress or sadness we tend to reach for the biscuit tin or order in a pizza rather than instinctively making a healthier, well-balanced meal. While there will always be a place for biscuits, if your diet is becoming more studenty by the day and your spirits are low, it could be worth looking at what you’re putting into your body and how it might be affecting your mood. The link between food and mood, known as nutritional psychiatry, is a hot area of scientific research and, with mental health problems rising globally, it has never been more relevant. It’s all the more exciting because diet is something that most of us can change relatively easily with the right…

• The National Trust cares for 39 pubs, including London’s The George Inn, immortalised in Dickens’ Little Dorrit. • Whipsnade is home to a Tree Cathedral, a unique garden with trees planted to create the layout of a cathedral, including cloisters and chapels of flora and fauna. • The charity looks after several islands, including Farne Islands, off Northumbria, which are accessible only by boat. Puffins and seals both call this magnificent isle home. • Dolaucothi in Carmarthenshire is a former gold mine, and you can delve into its underground caverns on a specially guided tour (hard hats included). • At Lincolnshire’s Woolsthorpe Manor sits perhaps the world’s most famous apple tree, whose fruit-fall allegedly inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity.…

Dahlias By Emma Harris As the seasons change, the trusty dahlia continues to flower until the first frosts. These big, blousy blooms – in colours that range from palest cream to darkest claret – have seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years, and will brighten up the darkest of corners. If you can’t get your hands on a bunch, a single stem is just as effective at bringing a last burst of summer into your home.…

“The loft bedroom’s design was inspired by a ceramic hippo that we inherited. My dad passed away three years ago and while we were clearing his house, my partner, Liam, took a shine to a ceramic hippo. I wasn’t as taken by it initially, but before I knew it I had designed a whole room as a homage to the dark green hippo, who we call Colin, and is camouflaged in the room. A key feature for the loft was having a kettle and tea tray. It was a must! There was no way I was traipsing down two flights of stairs to make a brew on a Sunday morning. It’s like hotel living, but in your own home. I love being in the bedroom, it’s definitely an escape from…

Depending on how much you gardened earlier in the year, in late summer you might be easing in for that traditional horticultural activity: sitting back and bathing in the glory of your hard work. But if you’ve decided now’s the time to get cracking, that’s fine, too: there are plenty of things to be sown and grown. First things first, create some space. Whether you’re an indoor gardener or one overwhelmed by a plot, making room for growth is important, Tidy up flowerbeds, or sweep away the remnants of summer detritus to install a new planter or tub. Make sure it has drainage – a decent hole in the bottom – then fill with a layer of gravel before topping up with peat-free compost. Late summer is not too late…

Easy win Revive a stained teapot by sloshing around broken eggshells in water, with a squirt of washing-up liquid. Leave for several hours before rinsing. CAPTION COMPETITION OVER TO YOU… Make us giggle with a caption for this jumping caracal. Each month we pick our favourite and send a lovely book to the winner. Post your best efforts at facebook.com/thesimplethingsmag COLLECTIVE NOUNS A busi ness of ferrets VEG BOX MUSIC Ingenious ways to make those edibles audible You will need: pear, knife, spoon, straw, scissors, Make the humble pear, with its beaky stalk and plump chest, coo like a lovestruck avian. 1 Cut the top off the pear and scoop out the insides. Make a hole that fits a straw snugly. 2 Cut notches in the straw 1-2cm from one…

I Want to Hold Your Hand Al Green The Clapping Song Shirley Ellis Close To Me The Cure Make Me Feel Janelle Monáe Feel Good Inc. Gorillaz Why Can’t I Touch It? Buzzcocks Hard to be Close Here We Go Magic I Am, I Feel Alisha’s Attic Electric Feel MGMT Reach Out and Touch Diana Ross The Sun Always Shines on T V a-ha Place Your Hands Reef Cuddly Toy Roachford Hold On Wilson Phillips Don’t Talk The Beach Boys thesimplethings.com/blog/touchplaylist stop look listen  “Reach out and touch Somebody’s hand, Make this world a better place If you can”…