Table of contents for May 2017 - Issue 59 in The Simple Things

Forget the arrival of swallows, or the chime of the ice-cream van, you know summer has arrived the first day you put on your shorts. British shorts-wearers, victims of the vagaries of the weather, know the perils that lie therein: unappealing goosebumps when a frisky wind whips up; damp legs that need to be towel-dried; general despondency generated by a bad clothing choice. But when the sun shines, a pair of shorts is exactly what you want to wear – this is an item of clothing that offers freedom of movement, ventilation and optional sexiness (depending on how short and how tight you choose to wear yours). Also, importantly, unlike a skirt, you can climb a tree or turn cartwheels in shorts with your modesty preserved. Shorts have been worn…

We’re big fans of the real things, but a little fakery in the floral department can also go a long way – and they last a bit longer, too. So we’ve gathered together a few hints and projects for creating your own paper petals: from making basic blooms to a floral headdress as well as a giant flower, great for a decorative flourish. Erin Hung (right) is our enthusiastic guide to the basic flower-making techniques, which are used to create this Frida Kahlo-inspired paper crown. Erin’s business, BerinMade, began making illustrated wedding invites but expanded into different DIY projects for weddings. She’s distilled her knowledge into a new book, Paper Parties, and, as you might expect, is persuasive about working with paper. “It has that unique ability to be moulded…

LIA LEENDERTZ is a freelance gardening writer and the author of several books, including My Tiny Veg Plot and My Cool Allotment. Her first cookery book, Petal, Leaf, Seed: Cooking with the Garden’s Treasures is out on 28 April. lialeendertz.com With just a little unpicking of sweet cicely’s Latin name – Myrrhis odorata – you can tell that it’s going to have a gorgeous and unusual fragrance. Essentially the name translates to myrrh... smells like’, and is likely a reference to myrrh’s liquorice scent. Take hold of a creamy flower head and breathe in: sweet cicely has the same aniseed notes, though a gentler, sweeter, greener version than liquorice or myrrh. It is delicious and slightly odd, and the scent is not the only thing going for sweet cicely, which…

The name Persephone was chosen as a symbol of female creativity. In the 1980s, I wrote a book about mid-20th-century women writers and I’d suggest titles for publishers to reprint… and they didn’t want to. So I thought I’d do it myself. I bought six ‘How to Publish’ books and went from there. There were no grand plans, other than getting the first 12 Persephone books out. A lot is down to luck. At the time, none of those titles were very well received. I’d see piles of Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s The Home-Maker and think, “How are we ever going to sell it?” Funny, as it’s since reprinted twice. But Winifred Watson’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day was a bestseller and that changed a lot of things, including allowing…

FAVOURITE SHOP Belle Epoque An antique shop full of treasures. Calle Antonio López, 2 FAVOURITE GALLERY Sala Rivadavia My personal favourite is the Sala Rivadavia, where you can see artworks from contemporary artists who live in the area. Calle Presidente Rivadavia, 3 FAVOURITE BAR El Faro Fabulous for drinks and tapas, or a sit-down meal. Calle San Félix, 15 FAVOURITE RESTAURANT Parador de Cádiz hotel Smart and contemporary, with fantastic views – especially when you dine out under the stars. Av. Duque de Nájera FAVOURITE MARKET Mercado Central This food market is housed in a beautiful old building. Wander from stall to stall, trying out different foods. Especially good for fish, seafood and olives. Plaza Libertad FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND AN HOUR Walking out to the San Sebastián castle, which…

When it comes to campsites, a small one will always triumph over a large one in the same way a cosy boutique will prevail over a warehouselike chain store. It’s a matter of soul. However, there’s another reason to seek out these little places to pitch; they are everywhere. Within easy reach of every city is an oasis awaiting you and your tent. No one wants to sit in traffic for hours on a bank holiday weekend. Because they are close by, you don’t even need to wait for a long weekend to pitch for a couple of nights. Most small sites used to be basic at best but these offer so much more than a field with a view (though they tick that box too). Many have firepits and…

WHERE IT BEGAN Ayurveda is known as the ‘Mother of Medicine’, at least 5,000 years old. The ancient Indian texts call it ‘eternal’ as its principles were said to have been passed down to humankind from a chain of gods leading back to Brahma, the creator god. The name comes from two Sanskrit words – ayus, meaning life, and veda, meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is generally accepted to be the forerunner of all the great healing systems of the world and texts indicate that ayurvedic medicine practised from about 1,500 BCE to 500 CE was incredibly advanced, with detailed knowledge of paediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, geriatrics, toxicology and general medicine. Students studied six philosophical systems at universities: logic, evolution and causality, the discipline of body and spirit (yoga), moral behaviour, pure esoteric…

Every corner of our house is a still life,” says Evert Brouwers, of the colourful and idiosyncratic house he shares with partner Sigrid Kalk outside Amsterdam. Take a look around and you can see what he means. Shelves, windowsills and cupboards brim with an eclectic assortment of ornaments, ranging from gnomes, to neon-green rabbits, to a plaster Madonna; a quilted pig stands between an armchair and a pink poodle; and an eye-popping collection of My Little Ponies is lined up in the bathroom. Their friends have been known to describe the house as ‘a candy store for grown-ups’, which, Evert admits, is “sort of accurate”. Sometimes, though, they give the couple a gift they think they will like because it is unusual or wacky. This doesn’t always work. “If it…

SKEWED SENSE OF TOUCH This feat will come in handy when someone presses you to perform a stunt or two at a party. EFFECT: The magician alters a spectator’s sense of touch, so what was once hot feels cold and vice versa. Required: Three glasses of water, one hot, one cold, and one at room temperature. PERFORMANCE: Comment on the water in each glass: “The one on the left is hot, but not scalding hot. The one on the right is cold, but not ice cold. And the centre glass is full of tepid water.” Invite a spectator to assist. Have her dip her left index finger into the cold water and her right index finger into the hot water at the same time. Tell her to hold her fingers there…

LOUISE GORROD Our Wishlist Editor blogs, bakes and photographs at Buttercup Days: buttercupdays.com. On Instagram: louise_buttercupdays MAKER OF THE MONTH Sevak Zargarian's speckled ceramics will cheer up any home London-based ceramicist Sevak Zargarian describes his latest collection, Unearthed, above, as a ‘happy accident’ that came from experimenting with processes. Shards of coloured Parian, a type of porcelain, are incorporated into the clay then disperse during casting. Each object is fired and sanded to reveal a random pattern and a final firing creates a marble-like surface. Includes bowls, vases and cheese boards and ranges from £45–£160. A gorgeous way to inject some colour and pattern into the home. sevakzargarian.com REAL MEAL DEALS Victoria Glass cooks the lot in Too Good To Waste, How To Eat Everything Cook and recipe developer Victoria…

The Orange Wendy Cope At lunchtime I bought a huge orange — The size of it made us all laugh. I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave — They got quarters and I had a half. And that orange, it made me so happy, As ordinary things often do Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park. This is peace and contentment. It’s new. The rest of the day was quite easy. I did all the jobs on my list And enjoyed them and had some time over. I love you. I’m glad I exist. Wendy Cope Serious Cornerns About the author Poet Wendy Cope is admired for her pitch-perfect parodies and her wryly humorous take on modern life and contemporary relationships. Here, though, her customary…

Diet Food is medicine in Ayurveda and specific foods are recommended to treat imbalances. Food is mostly taken warm and eating leftovers is strictly forbidden! Herbal remedies Herbs and spices are prescribed according to which doshas are disordered. These can be taken as teas, in home-cooked meals or as pills. Breathwork (pranayama) Ayurveda teaches the better you the more effectively you nourish your body and clear of ama (toxins). k a) hes that breathe, ively ur it Yoga Ayurveda recommends different forms of exercise for your prakruti. However yoga is believed to balance all the doshas. Marma therapy If the marmas (energy ‘junction boxes’) are clear and uncongested, good health follows. Marma therapy involves physically stimulating the points with direct pressure. Sensory therapy teaches that all senses have an impact…

We’ve all been there; you get lots of seeds you fancy but are not sure when, where or how to plant them, so you just stick them in soil, water, and hope for the best. If you don’t succeed, it can be hard to work out why. Some plants grow well together, others don’t. Some crops will need other plants to give them shelter and support to grow to their best, others prefer open space and to be left alone to get on with it. With natural planting, you create a diverse pocket of wildlife in an urban space and one that will provide rich tastes, colours and textures. If you follow these simple planting plans*, you’ll realise how easy growing your own food can be. They are designed for…

Black-headed gull Contrary to the name, its head is more chocolatethan black and, for most of the year, white. Often found inland, they’re partial to noisy gatherings. Great black-backed gull Large and armed with a powerful beak. A bit of a bruiser, it’ll chase other gulls to snatch food, enjoying a shellfish, birds and carrion diet. Kittiwake Their wings look like they’ve been dipped in ink, but their numbers are also dipping, maybe due to sand eel shortages. On British shores in spring /summer. Mediterranean gull Why spend winter in the Mediterranean? These black-headed gulls – rare in here until the 1950s – opt to winter on Norfolk and Kent beaches instead. Common gull Despite its name, not at all common in some inland areas, though often abundant on the…

Pierre Borie Côtes de Thongue Rosé 2015, £10.50 Because it is nearly sandal weather after all… This flip-flopfronted pink wine from the Languedoc is pretty, pale, dry and fresh, with delicate red fruit and pink grapefruit notes. Plumpton Estate Cloudy Ridge 2013, £11 Crafted by students on the BSc Viticulture & Oenology degree courses at Plumpton College, East Sussex, this fantastic, English-made white is crisp and refreshing, with delicate gooseberry and green apple notes. Superb spring drinking. Domaine Rotier Esquisse Gaillac 2015, £14 A fresh and fruity wine from South West France. Ruby red, with purplish-blue notes, try this vibrant and easy-drinking red, lightly chilled alongside cold starters or picnic fare. Wines recommended by Borough Wines & Beers (boroughwines.co.uk), which works with small producers worldwide to offer a unique selection…

BEING IMPERFECTLY PERFECT If we don’t embrace our so-called imperfections then how can we expect anyone else to? • If you feel yourself becoming afraid that you’re not measuring up to contemporary notions of what women are expected to be, remind yourself that they are unrealistic so instead of trying harder, do the opposite. • If you’re ashamed of your singing voice, sing out loud. If you worry about your weight, wear something tight. If you wear foundation because you fear your skin tone is too uneven, try not wearing it at all. • Do whatever it takes to remind yourself and those around you that you are real. You’re not a cut-out from a magazine, so don’t erase those parts of yourself that don’t fit the image. Show the…

LEMON OLIVE OIL CAKE 2 large lemons 125g plain flour, sifted 5 egg yolks and 4 egg whites 220g caster sugar 180ml olive oil ½ tsp salt DECORATION 250g icing sugar, sifted 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice Grated zest of 1 lemon YOU WILL NEED 23cm round loose-bottom or springform cake tin, greased and lined with baking parchment 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/350F. Finely grate the zest from both lemons and mix together with the flour. Halve one of the lemons and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. 2 Place the egg yolks and 150g of the sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand-held electric whisk and large mixing bowl) and beat on high speed until thick…

I’d been ill for some time and during my recovery it helped me to imagine being as strong as an oak. When I felt well enough, I collected acorns from areas that would have been mown. I pledged three of them to a tree-planting scheme, reforesting areas that had been cleared by the mining industry.…

CHRISTIAN WATSON From scenes of the American frontier drawn on leaves to intricate illustrations of leaping foxes, Christian creates beautiful hand-drawn images inspired by, and sometimes directly using, the natural world. The beautiful landscapes that influence his work are on his Instagram @1924.us ISAIAH RYAN AND TAYLOR CATHERINE Modern hobos, the Ryans are photographers who live on the road, travelling where their work takes them. They embrace the opportunity to explore the vast natural environments of the United States – such as Arches National Park, Utah (above). “Instead of just being something fun to visit,” says Taylor, “nature has become our home – every morning to night.” BRUNO AUGSBURGER Bruno has spent 15 years exploring and photographing the landscapes and people of the Canadian Yukon Territory. Using bushcraft skills, he…

VATA Ether and air Characteristics: Slim, light bones, prominent joints and tendons. Rarely gains weight. Skin dry and easily affected by weather. Hands are cold with little perspiration. Nails are brittle, appetite irregular. Walks quickly, always in a hurry. Emotions: Enthusiastic, outgoing and talkative, with changeable moods. Creative. Quickly bored with routine. Easily stressed. Dreams often but can’t remember them on waking. When vata is unbalanced: Can cause constipation, bloating and wind, aching joints, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, headaches, sharp pains, eczema or dry rashes, nervous disorders, failing memory, confusion. Diet: Soothe vata with warm comfort food – pasta, porridge, fruit puddings. Natural sweetness and oiliness (sweet fruit, butter, oil, maple syrup) is good for vata. Avoid cold, dry or frozen foods and leftovers. Raw food and juices…

“Many a sponge has collapsed due to slapdash measuring” Your first kitchen scales purchase is a rite of passage, marking the transition from slap-it-all-in-and-seehow- it turns-out cooking to actually following a recipe. Suddenly a world of accuracy looms. Whereas measurements stated in tablespoons and cups can be fudged with existing homeware, you can’t dodge grams and millilitres – these are units that need to be weighed. You can get away with guessing amounts by eye if you are a Michelin-starred chef but probably not if you’re rustling up your first Yorkshire pudding. This is especially true, of course, when it comes to baking. Many a sponge has collapsed due to slapdash measuring, and many a loaf lain heavily in the tin, the result of casual dispensing. The moment that you…

The picture pops up in the early afternoon. The ping from her cellphone tells Sarah it’s from Millie – each of the kids has their own ringtone. She eagerly grabs the phone; it’s been days since she last heard from her youngest daughter. The challenge is not to whine, Sarah thinks. Not to be the clingy mother who can’t let go. Her youngest is at university, that’s how it’s supposed to be. Circle of life. Don’t text or call her about the hazy loss that shrouds the days since she left. At first she doesn’t understand what she’s looking at. Two red snakes on a table. A mirror, a brush. The snakes are red ropes of thick, soft, shiny hair. Then it occurs to Sarah that they are plaits: what’s…