Table of contents for March 2026 in The Simple Things

IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL INCREASINGLY UNIFORM, WE'RE CELEBRATING THOSE HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit differently. Meet the PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously PASSIONATE a bout their pastimes. PERHAPS THEY'LL PERSUADE YOU TO TRY something NEW? On paper – specifically, James 4:12 – churches are the last place in which you should expect to find judgment; who are we to second-guess Him upstairs? In actuality, every March, in a cathedral-like Leicestershire church, an honourable exception is made. Clustered around regimented columns of trestle tables, 165 judges hand down their verdicts on close to 900 cases. Delicious cases. Cases filled with lamb, fish, mushrooms, beef, apples, and sundry other elements of Earth's bounty, each constituting a far from humble pie. Thus, the British Pie Awards’ annual takeover of St Mary's, Melton Mowbray.…

A Light Exists In Spring A Light exists in SpringNot present on the YearAt any other period –When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroadOn Solitary FieldsThat Science cannot overtakeBut Human Nature feels. It waits upon the Lawn,It shows the furthest TreeUpon the furthest Slope you knowIt almost speaks to you. Then as Horizons stepOr Noons report awayWithout the Formula of soundIt passes and we stay – A quality of lossAffecting our ContentAs Trade had suddenly encroachedUpon a Sacrament. There's mystery and melancholy in this delicate, mystical poem by Emily Dickinson (1830–1886), which celebrates the arrival of early spring, when the light has its own special, but fleeting, quality. It's a moment to savour, precisely because it's so transitory. Things to ponder: How does Dickinson celebrate the first stirrings…

There's something so intimate about Caroline Walker's work that you almost feel like you should look away – you're witness to a fleeting moment in a private world. Some are seemingly inconsequential, perhaps a woman getting her nails painted; others, deeply personal, like a mother holding her newborn for the very first time. You see, Caroline's always been fascinated by women, drawn to paintings of women in museums and photos of them in magazines. When she was little, all she wanted to draw was women – “I'd draw them over and over again, just from my head,” she says. Women, it seems, were destined to become the beating heart of her work. This preoccupation – a thread that's run through her entire life – is currently on display at Pallant…

It started with a Wild Night Out. Though not the kind you'd think. In 2017, Anna McNuff, a former Olympic rower-turnedadventurer took a group of 50 women wild camping. After rowing for Team GB, she'd retired aged 23 for a career in marketing. Realising she did not want this to be how her life looked, she set off to cycle all 50 US states. That led to talks and books and as she went, she met women who wanted adventure but had no one to go on them with. That was the start of Adventure Queens, a supportive community to encourage women to do brave things in the outdoors. “Sport is fast. But what I love about adventure is that you can go at your own pace,” says Anna. “It…

Parts of every garden get beyond our control. Whether it's a corner that's been taken over by brambles, a pond that's murky and green, a slippery patio (or all of the above), outdoor spaces could do with a bit of TLC at this time of year. Wet, windy, winter weather can damage plants and fences, and early spring provides a growing boost to stubborn weeds. Giving a bit of care to neglected corners, before plants grow big and beautiful, can create areas that bloom all summer. Clearing out a half-forgotten pond, bringing a veg bed back into productive use or making space for a table and chairs in the spring sunshine, will have you enjoying your garden for the cheerier months to come. POND LIFE While ponds can look appealing…

Like most things in my home, the mirror is from a flea market. It was originally white, which just won't do in my colourful home, so I painted it red to add some drama to the staircase. It looks particularly vibrant in the early afternoon, when the sun is reflected through the skylight at the top of the stairs. Natasha Martin, Albourne, West Sussex @myhomelookbook This mirror was a $2 yard sale find – one of my favourite finds ever! I regularly change what I display next to it, but there's nearly always some sort of fresh-cut flowers, and propping the mirror up gives the space a more casual feel. Megan Brokman, Pennsylvania, USA, @farmhouse5540 The smallest room in the house, but it packs the biggest punch! I wanted a…

Fill in the gaps with letters to find the names of eight sea creatures. Only eight? Yes, two of these are red herrings and will only produce frustration. (answers on page 124) “I love the spring-time for the lengthening light” Isa Knox, in Spring Gerry Barney came up with this British Rail symbol on his commute in 1964, based on trains coming and going. Despite privatisation, it has stuck around, to be used by the planned state-owned Great British Railways.…

A bit of TLC Wax or oil your wood It will not only help the look of the wood, it'll help protect it in future. Use wood stain or a wood touch-up pen to cover any light scratches (rubbing a walnut on it can also help, thanks to the natural oil). Tighten screws and hinges You can use olive oil to lubricate hinges (just wipe it off the furniture). Got a drawer that sticks? Try rubbing on some wax or natural soap to keep things sliding smoothly. Add pads to chair and table legs to stop dragging and correct anything on the wonk. A bit of a make-over Paint Strip off existing paint and sand before applying fresh paint. Perhaps just do one shelf or the doors. Or try dipping…

TOAST RACK Made by a Somerset ceramicist, featuring a colourful glaze. Best for: Bigger slots so that you can go for chunkier slices. £43, peterbowenart.co.uk BREAD BAG Hand-screen printed linen to help your loaf last longer. Best for: Five colourways mean a colour for every kind of cob. £25, helenround.com BUTTER DISH Hand-painted ceramic, with egg cups, plates and more to match. Best for: Having butter to hand whenever your toast requires it. £40, nkuku.com…

Bees out of hibernation While the Queen Bumblebee emerges as the weather warms, she's in splendid isolation – the rest of the bees die off over winter. Bluebells Often called ‘witches’ thimbles’, when these start appearing in woodlands in the weeks to come, it will be undeniably magical. Lesser celandine Natural weather forecasters, they close their petals before rain. This sunny-coloured flower enjoys the damp, found by streams and ditches. Blackbirds begin singing True early birds, though younger males get going from January, it's from March on when this bird really finds its voice for the mating season. Frog spawn Found in clumps in shallow water, compared to the toad's more string-like number. However, just one in 50 make it to froglet stage – you've been spawned! Birds begin nests…

As you make the switch from winter woollies to lighter cottons, it's a good time to have a clear-out. But before you head to the charity shop, consider a clothes swap with friends, where you'll hopefully come away with something new without spending a penny. Set up a rail in your home and invite people to bring a selection of clothes they no longer want – no holey jumpers, though. A relaxed brunch mood is what you're after so get out your vintage china for a buffet of finger foods, such as mini quiches and salmon scotch eggs, plus lemon cake for something sweet, refreshing drinks and plenty of coffee to go round. New clothes, nibbles and not having to go to the shops for either? Sounds like a win-win.…

CASABLANCA TEA LOAF Serves 6-8 50g butter, plus extra for greasing the tin and piping 3 eggs 180g caster sugar 60ml black tea of your choice, cooled 200g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting the tin 1¼ tsp baking powder 50ml whipping cream 1 tsp tea leaves of choice FOR THE TEA SOAK: 2 tbsp hot black tea of choice FOR THE DECORATION: Multi-coloured edible dried petals 1 Preheat the oven to 160C/Fan 140C/Gas 3. Butter and flour your loaf tin. 2 Melt the 50g of butter and leave it to cool so that it's lukewarm. 3 Meanwhile, whisk the eggs with the sugar until thickened and fluffy, then whisk in the cold tea. Fold in the sifted flour and baking powder, followed by the melted butter and the…

What are the simple pleasures that make a good day for you? For Anna Kilpatrick they include coffee in her favourite mug, a bar of soap with a beautiful fragrance, the daffodils in the woods where she walks her dog. “When those daffodils come up and start trumpeting at me, it makes me so happy,” says the author, whose Instagram account has 95,000 followers. “These ordinary things add real joy and value to my routines. They're the things I need to make my life feel enough.” The ability to recognise and cherish ‘enough’ could be described as Anna's superpower. It helped her after her comfortable middle-class life fell apart and she struggled to make ends meet as a working single parent. And it underpins the uplifting approach to living with…

Rarely am I without a badge, and I must own hundreds of them by now. They are practically part of my personality, defining me in a similar way to a signature scent or a trademark hairstyle. When I want to show my support for a cause, to air my beliefs, signal to those around me that I'm an ally, or to simply raise a smile, I love that a badge can say so much on such a small patch of sartorial real estate. Each one is an affordable, low-commitment conversation starter and, by wearing a little piece of my heart on my lapel, they can be a quick and handy way to attract people into my gang. Next to my bed I have a towering jar filled to the brim…

PROUDLY HOMEMADE EGG TRAY Transform something functional into something beautiful by creating a clay carton with a speckled shell effect to store eggs in style. You will need: Scissors 1 egg carton (half-dozen size) 500g air-dry clay Rolling pin Craft knife or needle tool Water, for smoothing Paintbrushes, one with a flat head Sponge Acrylic paint Clear gloss varnish 1 Start by cutting off the lid and locking tab from your egg carton. Then cut the divider cones to match the height of the sides of the carton. 2 Knead and condition your clay until it's smooth and pliable. Roll it into a neat ball, then place on a flat, non-stick work surface and use a rolling pin to flatten it gently, creating a slab about 3-5mm thick. You want…

Tiny but tough Though diminutive in size and dainty in appearance, spring bulbs are remarkably strong. Their names reflect their origins in cold climes, and harsh weathers – the Russian snowdrop (Puschkinia libanotica), glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), and Siberian squill. Along with anemones, muscari and spring starflower, they unfurl their white and blue blooms with the first sunshine. They may look delicate but these hardy pioneers lead the way into the new season.…

Surrounded by woods and parks, Chipo Chung's home in London's Crystal Palace feels both a part of its surroundings, but also a world away. Filled with colours, patterns and textures inspired by her Zimbabwean childhood, Chipo has created a sanctuary that is as calming as it is vibrant. “A friend recommended the area as we'd grown out of my tiny ex-council flat in Stockwell and I loved how green it was,” explains Chipo, an actress who lives in the house with her six-year-old son and her co-parent. “It was a total hippy house when I visited, full of musical instruments and owned by a man in a Hawaiian shirt, but I'm a bit of a hippy at heart, so it appealed. As a migrant, there's often a sense of temporariness.…

The gate was once made of wood, the type that used to adorn every farmer's field, hanging on heavy blacksmith -forged hinges that would close to the sound of a reassuring latch. The gate that was wood had now become one of galvanised steel. It was, however, this modern equivalent that became the gate to treasure, not because it was a gate but because of the strong, dependable Yorkshire Dale hill shepherd leaning on it one cold Sunday morning and the lesson he never knew that he taught me. It was in Swaledale, in the Yorkshire dales, where spring was trying to throw off the shackles of winter while watery sunlight painted a delicate palette of shadow and light. It was at this gate that I stood with this gentle…

Across the world, Magnolia's perfumed flowers, buds, barks and leaves have been used as flavourings for food and drink. Gather young leaves and bark in mid-to-late spring. Use species with proven edibility, including M. denudata, M. kobus, M. mexicana, M. x soulangeana and M. grandiflora. Something Something warming: warming: Add a spoonful of dried magnolia flowers to hot chocolate. Spiced magnolia flowers and leaves are a great addition to chai teas. Tea: Dried flowers, leaves and bark can be used in teas. Tipple: Soak magnolia flowers in a neutral spirit and sugar for 24 hours. Add a sprinkle of citric acid to prevent the liqueur from browning, strain and bottle.…

1. “Mr Watson, come here. I want you,” are the words associated with what event, which took place on 10 March 1876? 2. What are young hares called? 3. Which BBC drama, following the lives and loves of six young lawyers, first aired 30 years ago this month? 4. According to the nursery rhyme, which character marched his 10,000 men to the top of the hill (and then marched them down again)? 5. What city, outside of Ireland, is known for having the biggest (by participants and spectators) St Patrick's Day parade? (answers on page 124)…

All rise Your calves assist push-off during walking, running and jumping. They provide stability at the ankle and knee joints. It's an important, often overlooked, muscle group. Every time you go up steps, try doing five to ten calf raises. Start on the lowest step with your heels hanging over and hold the bannister lightly. Rise onto toes as high as you can then lower the back of the foot until your heels are below the level of the step. Repeat ten times slowly on both legs. Once you can do ten repetitions comfortably, try doing it on one leg and keep increasing the number as far as you can. Vary it by choosing a different step every time or try raising onto your toes every step as you climb.…

Very hard! Some say that the amount of fakes on the art market is around 50% and even experts can get fooled – like in 1937, when Han van Meegeren sold Rotterdam's Boijmans Museum his fake Vermeer. That said, if in the masterpiece market, here are a few ways to get your eye in: Signature thinking Become familiar with the artist's other works. What materials do they typically use? What kind of subjects do they depict? What kind of line or stroke do they make? Check the signature, too. One ‘Jackson Pollock’ fake sold with the misspelt ‘Pollok’. Material matters Look at the frame and its cradle. If it's passed through a number of hands, it's likely that it'll carry labels from previous sales and displays. Older works should display…

Mamma Mia Abba Mama Says The Beach Boys Mama Told Me (Not To Come) Three Dog Night You Can't Hurry Love The Supremes Mama Didn't Lie Jan Bradley The Best Day Taylor Swift My Mother & I Lucy Dacus Mother Kacey Musgraves Mother Florence + The Machine Hey, Ma Bon Iver Mama, You Been On My Mind Joan Baez Let It Be The Beatles I'll Always Love My Mama The Intruders Take Your Mama Scissor Sisters Mother's Pride The Beautiful South Child Of Mine Laura Marling Have a listen at thesimplethings.com/blog/mothersplaylist stop look listen “Maybe it's the weather or something like that But mama, you been on my mind ”…

One-pan beef, lentil & ricotta ‘lasagne’ Serves 4 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 1 large carrot, finely diced 1 celery stalk, finely diced ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste 500g beef mince (12% fat) 1 tbsp tomato purée 400g tin green lentils in water, drained and rinsed 400g tin chopped tomatoes 3 tbsp whole milk 40g parmesan, finely grated 250g ricotta 5 fresh lasagne sheets (about 125g), halved lengthways 1 Heat the oil over a medium-high heat in a large ovenproof pan or shallow casserole/Dutch oven. Fry the onion, carrot and celery with the salt for 5 mins. 2 Push the veg to one side of the pan and add the meat to the other along with another pinch of salt. Leave for 1 min, then…

FAVOURITE CAFÉ Ana La Fantástica Serves delicious baked goods for a tasty breakfast or lunch and has a genuine local atmosphere – you feel part of the city's community here. analafantastica.com FAVOURITE RESTAURANT Dynamit A cosy, Scandinavian-inspired restaurant run by friendly Swedish owners. The menu blends Nordic and international influences with fresh, seasonal Mediterranean ingredients. rdynamit.com FAVOURITE GALLERY Centre Pompidou The first branch of the Paris museum outside of France focuses on contemporary art, and is housed in a striking, colourful glass cube at Muelle Uno by the harbour centrepompidou-malaga.eu FAVOURITE MARKET Atarazanas market Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century building with a lively atmosphere and stalls overflowing with fresh seafood, local produce, olives, cheeses, and Iberian ham. You'll also find small bars serving traditional tapas. FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND…

Even if you don't jump out of bed every morning, full of the joys of spring, creating a calming and relaxing room will at least help you get out on the right side each day. Bookshop browse KITCHEN ESSENTIALS Dinner At Mine? by Kate Young ➛ Kate Young's prose is as mouthwatering as her recipes. Using easy-to-find supplies, she creates delicious, generous meals, which include solo suppers and intimate food for two, to weekend meals, when there's ample time to make more of a feast. There are 90 recipes, using the 15 flexible ingredients most commonly found in her kitchen, and she transforms them into a gently made Courgette Soufflé ‘burnished brown around the edges and a gorgeous shade of green when you dig in,’ good things on toast, and…

Spring is a time for awakening the senses and there can't be many better ways to emerge from dormancy than with a visit to Glebe House. With the green, rolling hills of east Devon laid out before you and the southwest coastal path down the road, you don't need to worry about leaving any cobwebs unblown. And it doesn't matter if the weather hasn't quite caught up with the calendar yet, because there's plenty to keep you entertained and inspired within the bright and beautiful walls of this old Georgian vicarage on top of the hill. Where we stayed Arriving at Glebe House feels more like arriving at the home of a very stylish friend than a hotel. Instead of a reception desk, your first impression is a light-filled garden…

VOGUE BY MADONNA Amazingly, Vogue was originally intended as a B-side for another song, quickly written and recorded by Madonna and producer Shep Pettibone. Both Madonna and Pettibone were immersed in New York's dance scene, where ‘voguing’ had emerged on the Queer, predominantly Black and Latino, ballroom scene in the late 80s. Participants would ‘walk’ and compete in different categories – ‘voguing’, a dance inspired by model poses ‘on the cover of a magazine’, being one. (Watch the film Paris Is Burning for a look inside the scene). Madonna tells of “walking into a nightclub and seeing a group of dancers voguing and I was like ‘woah, what the hell is that?’” The video, shot in black and white by David Fincher, was choreographed by Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza and Luis…

Binoculars will help you spot your wildlife, then the main thing is good lenses for your camera: zoom lenses may be better bets than telephoto lenses, as they're less pricey and more versatile, while a teleconverter extends the reach of your shot – though the shot quality won't be as good (try secondhand sites to buy). Bring enough memory cards, batteries and chargers so you're always ready. A tripod may be useful, too. For comfort, think all-weather gear, a seat pad and also food and drink to keep you going.…

Canis Minor Canis Minor is often associated with the two hunting dogs of Orion, but it can also be traced back to the mythology of Boötes. Canis Minor was the dog of Icarius, killed by shepherds who thought he gave them poisoned wine. In Ancient Egypt, this area of the sky was said to represent Anubis, the Jackal God. How to see it First, locate the bright red supergiant Betelgeuse and the brightest star in the sky, Sirius. Procyon is nearby and forms a triangle with these two stars. The dog shape can be made with Procyon and the next brightest star, Gomeisa. Brightest star Procyon is the eighth-brightest star in the night sky. The two stars of Procyon are interesting. The first is a main sequence star burning hydrogen…

Wonder knickers they might be, but she was never going to be able to sit down. Sara Harper studied her reflection. Although she couldn't breathe, her waist now rivalled Dolly Parton's. She turned sideways. Oh no! Dolly's bust was not the look she was aiming for. “John, darling, your eyes would've been popping tonight.” She blew a kiss heavenward, then cursed her best friend Anna, who had sworn the pricey outfit was in keeping with The Lane, her son's new affluent neighbourhood. “Mother? You ready?” I am, Son, but you might not be. She opened the door, ignoring Ben's shocked face as she passed him and descended the stairs. A hot flush hit her half-way down; skin on fire, sweat curling her hair. Blasted menopause. In the sitting room Ben…