The Simple Things

editor

Summer is a time for rest and recreation, when we traditionally take a break from life’s routine and slowly unwind. But when the days and weeks seem largely on repeat and there’s little new in the diary, we need to embrace creative ways to relax. We’re seeking out beauty in edgelands and walking our neighbourhoods, trying new projects and giving hula-hooping* a go. It’s these little ideas that spark bigger change and for some it’s switching on (rather than switching off) that gives them purpose. A good cry can help, too. However you unwind this summer, there’s never been a better time to find small things that make your day stand out. That’s how good memories are made. *Fancy brushing up your hula-hooping? We’ve got a refresher on our blog thesimplethings.com/blog/hulahooping.…

project

Make a summer scrapbook (like you did when you were little) It’s likely some of your plans for this summer are a little different to expectations, but a log book or scrapbook is a lovely way to record memories, no matter how grand (or not) your plans. Remember when school holidays stretched deliciously for weeks before you and you scribbled about garden days in your notebook and assiduously kept postcards from friends? You can recapture that with a grown-up summer scrapbook. One day it will be a little piece of history. YOU WILL NEED: A really nice scrapbook. Treat yourself to something you love. We like those notebooks that have pockets in and a mix of squared and plain pages A good pen Some colouring pencils or pens A selection of washi tapes or ordinary…

july

July Almanac In your foraging bag Wild strawberries are about now in hedgerows, deciduous woodlands, scrublands and even railway cuttings, and thrive particularly in chalky soil. You might even have some in your garden. They’re best eaten un-messed-aboutwith, perhaps with a dollop of cream if you want to be fancy. By the water Dragonflies and damselflies are darting about now, but can you tell one from the other? The easiest way is to look at their wings at rest. Dragonflies hold their wings out like an aeroplane; damselflies hold them up together over their backs. If you want to identify a precise species of either, visit The British Dragonfly Society’s website: british-dragonflies.org.uk. In folklore If you thought the ‘dog days of summer’ referred to dogs lying around in the sun, you were only half wrong. The…

recipe

Vegetable tempura Work through a garden glut or nub ends of the veg box in style. YOU WILL NEED: Various veg cut into bite-sized pieces. Broccoli, baby corn, courgettes and mushrooms are good.80g plain flour1 tbsp cornflourPinch of salt200ml sparkling water, ice coldA few ice cubesGroundnut or sunflower oilSauces for dipping 1 Sift flour, cornflour and salt into a large bowl. 2 Whisk in the sparkling water and add the ice cubes to keep the mix cold. 3 Fill the oil to one third full in a wok or deep pan to 190C. 4 Dip bits of veg into the batter and drop into the oil for 2 mins or until golden. 5 Remove with a slotted spoon onto a plate of kitchen towel and keep warm. 6 Serve with dips such as soy sauce and sweet chilli.…

ice, ice baby

Cucumber, mint and lemonade lollies Give the classic lemonade lolly a refreshing twist and, if you want to make them even more grown-up, you could even add a cheeky shot of gin. Makes 6 350ml traditional lemonade (use a brand that contains real lemons if possible)1 small cucumber, thinly sliced25g fresh mint leaves 1 Pour the lemonade into the moulds until they are half full. 2 Drop in 3-4 cucumber slices per lolly and some torn mint leaves 3 Top up the moulds with lemonade and freeze overnight. » Raspberry, bee pollen and honey natural yogurt lollies Not only does the bee pollen add a nice crunch to these creamy lollies, but if you use local honey and bee pollen, they can help alleviate hayfever symptoms, too. Makes 6 100g fresh raspberries10g fresh mint leaves, torn450g natural yogurt2 tbsp honey2…

chill out! how to make lovely lollies

• To release your lollies from the mould easily, gently run them under warm water first. • We used the Norpro Frozen Ice Pop Maker Lolly Mould, which comes with wooden sticks. If you don’t want to buy lolly moulds, you could try using washed out yogurt pots or paper cups instead. To keep the stick in place, cut a slit in an upturned cupcake case and put it over the top. • Give it a dip! Sprinkles don’t just have to be for ice creams – once frozen, you can dip your lollies in chocolate or yogurt and cover them in sprinkles, nuts or even granola, then pop back in the freezer to harden up. • Don’t fill lolly moulds right to the top as they will expand a little as they…