Innehållsförteckning för June 2025 från The Simple Things

Morning! What's your first cuppa of the day? It's hot water with lemon, while watching our garden, which is full of wildlife – I've even spotted a weasel. We're mid renovation while my partner, Harvey, and I turn our home, an old stable block, into somewhere that I can host workshops. Tell us a little about what you do… I hand-make life-like paper flowers and teach people how to make them. I saw an Instagram post showing paper flowers one day and devoured everything I could about them. Do you have a morning routine? Harvey and I walk first thing whatever the weather. I have two breakfasts: porridge with nuts and seeds pre-walk and, once back, toast and a cup of Earl Grey. My mornings start early but slowly. What…

There's no better way to get to the heart of a place than through the people who live there. We asked blogger Vanita Safaniuk (vanisafaniuk.com; @vanitaiuk) to take us on a tour of the Lofoten islands in northern Norway. You may feel inspired to visit one day, but for now enjoy some armchair travel. How long have you lived on the islands? It's been five years now – time flies! What brought you here and where are you from? I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but ten years ago, I decided to backpack solo around the world. Little by little, I ticked off my bucket list, and one of them was seeing the northern lights. I saw a hotel in the Lofoten Island was looking for help, so…

Why I ♥… running “Small steps lead to great big things, that's what running has taught me,” says Tasha Thompson, who stumbled upon her love for the sport as a teen. “My family's from Jamaica, and I'd always heard about relatives getting diabetes or hypertension. I thought ‘You know what, I don't want that. I'm going to be active and do something about it.’” Tasha joined a gym, and the treadmill soon became her favourite piece of equipment. Then one sunny day, she just thought why not take it outside? “Of course, I felt like I was dying,” she says, laughing. “Running outside feels so much harder than on a treadmill. But I loved it. I loved the hustle and bustle, feeling the air and just the change in scenery.”…

Growing up in Niger, West Africa, Mariam Issoufou knew what it was like to experience temperatures exceeding 45C and understood how local buildings made from earth kept people cool by day and warm at night. Her childhood love of drawing eventually led to a career as an award-winning architect, where she implements her knowledge of a place to design buildings. “I find the context, climate, culture and architectural history of a place can give clues on how that particular society has adapted to the climate over centuries,” she explains. “I see architecture as a tool for social change.” A housing project she designed in Niamey, Niger's capital, used unfired earth bricks and passive ventilation to make the building 10C cooler on the inside. It saves on expensive air conditioning –…

Just as singing in a group triggers feel-good endorphins, fires up our energy field, increases lung capacity and fosters a sense of community, so too does chanting a mantra – yet with an understated sense of spirituality. Unlike choir practice, we don't have to learn the lyrics all at once; rather we can listen in, slowly recite these ancient, revered words and relax into a state of guided relaxation. WHAT IS A MANTRA? Bringing a yoga class to close with a collective ‘Om’ is common practice across many yoga studios and church halls. For many of us, it's also a first dip into the quietly transformative power of a mantra. Whether spoken aloud as part of a group, repeated softly during individual practice or silently uttered in times of need…

The festival Many of us dream of running our own business. We ask the people who are actually doing it to share some of their insights and inspirations, the reality of the graft and their hard-won wisdom – and why they wouldn't have it any other way. The Big Retreat The story so far: Wellbeing veteran Amber Lort-Phillips co-founded The Big Retreat Festival with Diana Dredge in 2017. Taking place over four days in May/June in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it celebrates positivity, curiosity and self-care with 300 uplifting experiences, from wild swimming and yoga to talks and bushcraft. thebigretreatfestival.com I have always worked in wellbeing. I started as a swimming instructor, then I coordinated classes, worked as a personal trainer on cruise ships and as a fitness manager. I…

Fill in the gaps with letters to find eight words that are herbs or spices. Only eight? Yes, two of these are red herrings and will only produce frustration. (answers on page 124) “No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings” William Blake in The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell Though long associated with the biblical story of Noah, the dove became a popular peace symbol after an image by Picasso was used at the 1949 World Peace Council, and in subsequent Peace Congresses over the following decade.…

Skipping is a skill worth honing: it's fantastic exercise, you can do it anywhere and it looks pretty cool, especially if you can throw a move or two. The basics Get these down and it'll feel like less effort. • Jump low: jumping too high wastes energy and stresses the joints. • Keep on the balls of the feet: avoid kicking your feet back and up as you jump (bending the knees only slightly prevents this). • Keep elbows pointing back, hands close to the body, next to your hips. • Rotate the rope with your wrists not your arms. • Keep your rope shorter: it's more efficient. • Avoid the double jump if your aim is harder moves. The trickier bits Whatever feat you're tackling, practise without the rope…

Peach blossom moth Named for their blossom-like marking, they prefer brambles to peaches. Need to be peachy keen to spot them, as they only fly at night. Mother Shipton moth Named for the witchy style of its markings, but, unlike the real Mother Shipton, ventures beyond Yorkshire, to be found in grasslands UK-wide. Leafy spurge hawk moths Look for their pink underside. You'll be feeling in the pink if you spy one, too, as they're only occasional visitors from Southern Europe. White ermine moth It certainly isn't all white on the night: look out for the pretty black spots if you want to, erm, spot one of these. Emperor moth All eyes on the Emperor, with one on each of its wings. It's the only native moth to the UK…

The sun is shining, bees drift lazily from plant to plant, petals flutter in a gentle breeze, and the air is rich with the scent of flowers. A garden full of flowers is a beautiful thing, but fields packed with a rainbow of blooms is something very special indeed. Throughout the UK, there are flower fields where you can pick your own bouquet or simply immerse yourself in summer flora. Bring secateurs and a basket and enjoy wandering, selecting stems and listening to the hum of insects. Once your basket's full, select a shady spot to set out a picnic, be it on a table or a blanket under a tree. Edible petals – the likes of cornflowers, pansies and roses; nasturtium and honeysuckle – can be used to top…

MONDAY Fun day In research, Monday comes out as the day of the week where fatigue levels peak as our bodies recover from a change of sleep habits at the weekend and our minds fill with the anticipation/dread of what lies ahead. If you hate Mondays, try flipping the week so you've got something fun and joyful at the beginning and maybe save your quiet night for a Friday, so you wake up raring to go at the weekend. Monday is the most popular day to go to the gym but for many of us that's another chore on the to-do list. If you exercise, choose a group class with great music and energy so you get uplifted by endorphins, or download a favourite playlist and head outside for a…

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE Folklore STONEHENGE CEREMONY If you've ever wondered what actually ‘happens’ there at dawn on summer solstice, here's a quick explainer. Small circles are formed and each is ‘cast’ to declare it sacred. The druids call to the elements, then to the ‘shining ones’ (fairy folk) and ‘bright spirits’ (ancestors). They raise their hands and turn to face the spot where the sun will rise. A drum is beaten slowly, speeding up as the sun appears and a cheer goes up at the first sighting of the sun itself. Horns are sounded, before the Druids thank the spirits that have joined them and say goodbye. We hope there is then some sort of hearty Druid breakfast. Solsticing is hungry work. Field work AITS What is an…

FAVOURITE SHOP Loppis This charming antiques shop is a treasure trove. Owner Dagmar's passion for collecting is evident in everything from plates to china dolls. Sakrisøy, 8390 Reine FAVOURITE RESTAURANT Skolestua Gjestegård A local secret, this small restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat Norwegian buffet served by a lovely elderly couple. Book in advance, though. Haverringen 3, 8360 Bøstad FAVOURITE CAFÉ Laura's A lively café with an Italian barista, serving great Norwegian sweets, brunches and veggie meals. laurasbrent.no FAVOURITE BEACH Skrova beach A secluded paradise accessible by a free 20-minute ferry ride from Svolvær. FAVOURITE HOTEL Svinøya Rorbuer Cosy rorbuer and modern cabins with great views and a floating sauna. The hotel's reception also houses many historic treasures. svinoya.no FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND AN HOUR Henningsvær second-hand shop This charming market offers…

Bringing blooms indoors: it's what every home needs Foxgloves Called maneg ellyllyn (fairy's glove) in Wales, and tod's tails (fox's tails) in Scotland, foxgloves are native flowers all over the UK, growing on woodland margins, roadside verges and hedgerows. They spread seeds widely, so you may be lucky enough to have some of these purple or white towering blooms pop up in your garden. Placed in a tall vase, with plenty of water (they're heavy drinkers), they bring some of their wild magic indoors.…

Come summer, salads are a side dish or a centrepiece of many meals – and the freshest are the ones you've grown yourself. While some classic salad ingredients need planting in spring – tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans – there's still time to sow a wide variety of fast-growing edibles, and have them on the table, lightly dressed in vinaigrette, before the end of the summer. Leaves, herbs and root veg planted in the ground or in containers now will be supplying your kitchen until autumn. Here are some ideas of easy things to get growing, and ways to serve them. LEAFY THINGS To start, there are salad leaves. Choose a cut-and-come-again variety of lettuce and you'll only need to sow once, picking leaves off the plant as you want them…

Unlike our patio, which looks out over the garden, the pergola gives a different perspective, looking back towards the house. My husband built it during lockdown from an off-the-shelf kit, and we painted it in Farrow & Ball's Studio Green. It's really cosy in the evenings with the festoon lights on, candles lit, a G&T in hand, and the lovely aroma of the surrounding wild flowers. Jill Jenkinson, Altrincham, Cheshire @jill_house_home Our veranda catches the evening sun, so we spend lots of time out here with good wine and good friends. Once the sun goes down, we light a fire and continue to enjoy this spot late into the evening. Sonia Dijkstra, Sittard, the Netherlands @s.o.n.i.a.d From April to October we pretty much eat every meal out here, weather permitting.…

PAK CHOI This fast-growing Asian vegetable is full of vitamins, and its mild-tasting leaves and broad crunchy stems are excellent in stir-fries or noodle soups. Baby leaves can be eaten raw in salads, too. How to… Pak choi likes cooler, damp conditions otherwise the plant tends to bolt (grow flowers instead of leaves) so select a spot to plant it that's sunny but not hot. Seeds can be sown outside from late spring when the soil has warmed up, or in modules indoors. It grows well in pots, too. Water the seedlings and plants well, and don't let the soil dry out. You can pick and eat the baby leaves as they appear, or let the plant mature (which takes around two months) and harvest the whole thing. How about……

THE BARN OWL The soundless flight of the owl is ethereal when witnessed first-hand. This elegant, and often enigmatic, bird has a long and mysterious history. The first and earliest owl fossil is thought to be around 60 million years in age. Barn owls only came to nest in barns around 5,500 years ago. Before this, they were cliff dwellers. When early humans began to construct buildings to keep their crops dry, these resourceful birds saw an opportunity to live in a degree of comfort and safety. The barn owl's indomitable screech is at the root of many superstitions, particularly in Europe where it was seen as a bad weather omen. English literature – the likes of poets Robert Blair and William Wordsworth – didn't favour this owl much, citing…

Inspired by Wimbledon but rusty with a racket? The rise of more informal, (dare we say, fun) racket sports mean that if you feel like the boat has passed to better your backhand, you can still enjoy a summer racket sport. Pickle ball is easy to get the hang of and it's growing fast (pickleballengland.org). There are very few rules, the main being that the ball must bounce on either side of the court before you can volley and volleying is only allowed in the lined area either side of the net called the ‘kitchen'. The only downside seems to be that outdoor courts are proving unpopular with local residents as the hard plastic ball on paddle makes quite a racket (!). If you've got a group of willing mates,…

Thai beef and lemongrass skewers Liven up a barbecue with this Thai-style punch of citrussy, savoury goodness. Thai beef and Lemongrass skewers Makes 12 750g skirt steak, cut into 2cm pieces 2 lemongrass stalks, leaves removed, stems roughly sliced Small handful of coriander (including stalks) 1 banana shallot, quartered 4 kaffir lime leaves, stems removed 3 garlic cloves, peeled 3 tbsp fish sauce 2 tsp soft light brown sugar Juice of 1 lime 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp chopped coriander 2 red bird's eye chillies, finely sliced Lime wedges 1 Place the beef chunks in a large bowl. 2 Put the lemongrass into a food processor and add the coriander, shallot, lime leaves, garlic, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice and oil. Blend to a smooth purée. 3 Pour the puréed mixture over the beef and mix well. Leave to marinate…

Writtle Sunflowers, Essex Pick sunflowers, cornflowers and zinnia, and try to find your way through the sunflower maze writtlesunflowers.co.uk Abbey Farm Flowers, Dorset Seasonal blooms grown around a medieval abbey. Stop for a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake. abbeyfarmflowers.co.uk Howe Farm, Buckinghamshire Pick from Mother's Day until the first frost. Blooms will be wrapped to take away, too. howefarmflowers.com Rowes at Priory Gardens, Yorkshire The ruins of Gisborough Priory are a spectacular backdrop to cottage garden favourites such as cosmos, cornflowers and dahlias later in the summer. rowesatpriorygardens.co.uk The Flower Field, Aberdeenshire Grows tulips, iris and allium in spring, and dahlia, gladioli and sunflowers in summer. Prices are per stem – pay at the honesty box. theflowerfield.shop British Flowers Week takes place this month (16-22 June) – look…

BROWN BUTTER MADELEINES & POMEGRANATE GLAZE Makes 16-18 100g unsalted butter, plus extra, melted, for greasing 100g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp baking powder 2 eggs 100g caster sugar 1 tbsp clear honey 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 20ml milk, slightly warmed FOR THE POMEGRANATE GLAZE: 50g icing sugar 1 tsp pomegranate molasses TO GARNISH: Edible rose petals Pistachios, crushed 1 Place the butter in a pan over a medium heat and simmer for 4-5 mins, or until it turns golden brown. Once it starts to foam, keep your eyes on it because it can go from brown to burnt very quickly. Pour into a heatproof bowl and set aside to cool. 2 Mix the flour, baking powder and a pinch of sea salt together in a bowl. 3 In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, honey…

June Because wild rose fills the garden to the sultry-scented brim and hawkmoths flock to fuchsia humming a wordless hymn. Because pipistrelles flicker past heartbeats on the wing and tonight's the eve of your birthday, the air warm as your skin. Because it's bright till almost midnight and the days will be short too soon, let's stay out here and listen for the wood pigeon's five-note tune. There's midsummer magic and music in this romantic poem by Jane Clarke, written for her wife on the eve of her birthday. It captures the quiet hush of a long, still summer evening in a garden full of nature. Things to ponder: What does the evening here feel and sound like in this poem? How does the abundance of nature described reflect the…

For Inez Gudem and her partner, Isabel Berg Hansen, home is about more than aesthetics, it's about creating a space that reflects their values. When the couple first set eyes on their 1910 home in Melsomvik, Norway, they fell instantly in love. The house hadn't been well maintained, but its charming original details, soaring ceilings, elegant windows, and solid granite foundation were enough to convince them. “We felt that we could make a home here,” says Inez. This home is more than a renovation project, it's a testament to the couple's creativity, resilience, and love for thoughtful living. “In Norway, we have a saying about enjoying the best parts of life and taking things slow,” reflects Inez, an environmental therapist and social worker. “It's hard to translate, but it's about…

Match the flowers in your garden with the cushions and covers for your outdoor furniture, in colours to cheer even the most overcast days. Bright, beautiful and blooming lovely. Bookshop browse THE HEIGHTS OF SUMMER Summer's Hum by Angela Harding Angela Harding's atmospheric, elegant prints (in a great, pocket-sized book) capture the changing colours of summer as spring's acid green deepens and darkens, the rose and the honeysuckle bloom and the world is full of the sound of bird song, drowsy, nectar-drunk bees and humming insects. Here are sandy paths silvered by moonlight, the skirl of sea birds taking flight, and a wild walk with orchids, rare blur butterflies, and a hovering peregrine falcon. It's a joyous journey through hot days, still nights and sudden summer rain, caught by Angela's…

Long periods of time alone, with little to do but watch the waves crash on the rocks and the birds swoop in the ragged winds, the life of a lighthouse keeper is not for everyone. However, the idea of a solitary existence and quiet contemplation, watching wildlife and staring out to sea – if only for a long weekend – sounded like bliss to me. There are numerous lighthouses across the British Isles that you can spend the night in since they were all automated in the '90s and the lighthouse keepers hung up their lamps. I wouldn't be going to Nash Point Lighthouse on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, between Cardiff and Port Talbot, totally alone, though – our family of four would see if the isolated life of a…

PARKLIFE BY BLUR As you may say, “Confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as… Parklife”. Or, more likely, “you what?!” Despite its nonsensical lyrics, Blur's Parklife became one of the defining songs of the 1990s, and an introduction to what is known as Britpop. Its route straight through to the top, however, wasn't a dead cert. At that point, the American grunge scene was dominant and Blur were keen to re-introduce some Britishness into the charts. Parklife was inspired by what frontman Damon saw walking through Hyde Park en route to the recording studio. The actor Phil Daniels had been approached about reading a poem for another track: however, he took the lyrics and made them his own. Add to that: snippets of the…

If you're put off by donning leotards and tights, the good news is it's unlikely you'll need to… unless you want to, of course. You'll likely be good in something like leggings and a gym top. You may want a ballet skirt (not a tutu!) over your leggings, and leg warmers to keep ankles warm. The main bit of kit is ballet (not pointe) shoes, in canvas, or longer lasting pink or black leather. Take a hairband to keep hair out of the way, or put it back in a ponytail or bun. And don't forget your water bottle and towel, as well.…

When choosing things for your dog to run after, bubbles may not have occurred to you, but they intrigue many dogs; bubbles can be chased but then suddenly aren't there. Using the most basic kits – a kid's bubble-blowing wand with a strong soap mixture – blow your first cloud of bubbles quite low, because most dogs don't look up as much as we do. An opening gambit could be a chain of bubbles at nose height, blown past your pet rather than at them. Once you've piqued their interest, try bubbles blown at different levels and speeds, keeping production quick so as one lot pops there's more ready to chase. Expensive bubble blasters (with the rather horrible prospect of bacon-scented bubbles) really aren't necessary – keeping it simple works…

Cécile grips Grandmére's hand as they walk the road into town. The early mist is evaporating on the sunflower fields around them and the flowers begin to lift their heads up to the sun. Cécile lifts hers, too. It makes her smile. She spots a magpie in the branches of a walnut tree. “One for sorrow,” Cécile says, remembering what her English granny has taught her. “La Pie?” Grandmére raises one neat eyebrow. Back in England, Granny and Cécile feed the birds in the garden. Granny tells her the names of the birds, the flowers and trees. Cécile remembers that magpies build their nests early, look after their babies well and that they can always find their way back home. The dusty road meanders. There is a single magpie around…