Table of contents for March 2023 in The Simple Things

SHARING This month grudgingly begins as winter and gratefully ends as spring. As much as I welcome and celebrate each season, winter has a way of overstaying like a tricky guest I am more than ready to say goodbye to. By early March, I am willing the garden back to life, impatiently lining up seed trays on windowsills and comparing hot cross bun recipes, ready to hop, skip and jump into Easter. My honesty box has been suffering from the gardener's mournful refrain of ‘the hungry gap’, where very little comes out of the veg patch and certainly not enough for me to share. Yet deep in the woodland there are magical stirrings and the first tender shoots of an absolute foraging delight are sprouting. Wild garlic - otherwise known…

Throw it out there and see what happens “I've got friends who tend to fret so much about doing something that it dominates their life anyway. I tend to think: just get on with it, don't be a perfectionist. I've learned from my own mistakes as I've gone along, and I think that's quite liberating.” Feelings are only feelings “This is something I was only taught quite recently. If I'm feeling anxious and things are overwhelming, I say to myself, this is just a feeling. Trust that tomorrow, or in a week, you'll wake up and be feeling better.” Keep things simple “If I was to start again, I'd take things slower, do less. But I have quite a busy mind and I tend to be quite expansive, so this…

WELLBEING Let's be honest, for most of us foot care rarely extends beyond the occasional, panicked pre-holiday pedicure. It's easier to just stick on a pair of socks and forget about our poor, unlovely feet unless there's a problem. Yet while they might not be causing you pain, the signs that your feet need more attention are probably already there. Lower back problems, hip, knee and even neck pain are most often linked to the way we stand and walk. “No matter where an injury is you stand on it, and you can usually track it all the way down to the feet,” says Yamuna Zake, author of The Foot Fix (Watkins) who has developed an exercise programme to help people prevent and improve problems relating to the feet. “When…

Do these when you're sitting at your desk or watching TV Help for bunions: When sitting, cross one leg over the other. With one hand, hold your toe joint firmly just at the bunion. With the other hand, align the toe so it comes straight out from the joint and pull it straight out. Hold for 15-30 seconds then release. Do this 2-3 more times. Several times a day, rotate the big toe both ways to increase movement in the joint. Front foot stretch: the extensor muscles on the top of the feet are often tight and inflexible. When sitting with feet parallel, hip width apart, lift either or both feet and tuck the toes under, placing the top of the feet on the floor, heel pointing back. Press the…

GALLERY…

THIS MONTH, WE READ FLIP THINKING: THE LIFE-CHANGING ART OF TURNING PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES BY BERTHOLD GUNSTER In a nutshell Flip thinking is a different way of looking at problems where we don't keep trying to solve them and instead flip them into an opportunity. Author Berthold Gunster, the man behind the concept - known as Omdenken in his native Dutch - has helped to deliver over 10,000 workshops and shows on the philosophy and describes it as ‘transitioning from a ‘yes-but’ to a ‘yes-and’ way of living. Berthold wants people to understand that problems are merely ‘a frustration that hasn't found its form yet’. We learn to view problems in two parts: an idea or desire of how something should be, and our perception of reality as conflicting with…

I'd never really given silk scarves a minute's thought until, aged just 18, I started working as a sales girl at Hermés. Suddenly they were everywhere: folded neatly around the soft brioche necks of the powdered dowagers who haunted the Faubourg Saint Honoré store where I worked, worn as belts by Jane Birkin wannabes, or holding back punk hairstyles on Japanese tourists. It was the month before Christmas and Parisians of all stripes would line up 12 deep behind the well-worn wooden counter. I couldn't quite understand the fervour with which they pawed at the scarves, elbowing other customers and umm-ing and ah-ing at the rows of different designs on offer. After the worst of the stampede, I would scoop up a huge armful of the carrés (large squares of…

Yesterday I unpacked abox that had been forgotten for many years. In the last decade, we'd moved haphazardly round Asia, Africa and Europe, before finally settling in an apartment outside Lausanne, with the beautiful Swiss Alps framed in the windows. Digging through the lucky dip of bubble wrap, I carefully unpicked a package before the children came back from school, bringingtheir noisy chaos and inquisitive fingers. Inside was a clock I had last packed away ten years before, showing exactly the right time, as though the intervening years had never existed. It matched the room, in my favourite colour of duck-egg green. I happily hung it up on the wall. Later in the day, as I sat drinkingmy cup of tea, I realised that there was a new noise in…

The lighter side DOWN TO A TEA TOWEL With big blue skies and cheerful colour, this design captures the heart-soaring delights of spring's return. Hand-sewn by a family company. too, £14. from The Village Green at notonthehlghstreet.com MATCHBOXES PUZZLE Using one circle and one square each time, put the letters together to form seven eight-letter words. The letters in each shape are in the right order, and either the square or circle can come first. When you have finished finding the words, there will be one set of letters left over. This will be the mystery keyword. © Lovatts Puzzles (answers on page 124) “To love beauty Is to see light” Victor Hugo in Les Misérables British care symbols were standardised in 1966, and made consistent with European ones in…

NO. 3, A NEW WORD “My father has a steel-trap memory and a vast vocabulary. The show-off. But even he comes across an unfamiliar word now and then. And he texts it to me, and I try to find him one in return. Words like staffage, the little figures in a landscape painting; or hispid, ‘covered in bristles’. Our goal is to use them casually in chat. I discover words new to me, but I look forward to the challenge of finding one for my father.” By Sophie Blackall, from Things to Look Forward To (Chronicle Books). Illustration by Sophie Blackall…

Wild garlic is seasonal and can be hard to find, so what better way to preserve it than as a valuable seasoning? Flavoured salts are quick and easy to make and instantly transform the most basic of dishes. All you need is 125g of good quality, flaky sea salt, 25g wild garlic and a sterilised jam jar. Wash and dry the garlic leaves and trim the stalks before blitzing them in a blender or food processor with a third of the salt. Add this paste to a mixing bowl with the rest of the salt and combine thoroughly. Spread out the salt mix on a tray covered in baking paper and leave it somewhere warm and safe to dry out for at least 12 hours. When the salt is dry…

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE Weatherlore Folklore forecasts for March “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” or so we are told. There certainly seems to be some truth in the phrase. A wet and windy start to March does, anecdotally, often end with a much more sunny and spring-like close to the month. However, apparently the old adage actually refers to the position of two well known constellations in the sky. Leo (the lion) is highest in the midnight sky at the beginning of the month and Aries (the ram) is rising at the end of March. So it could almost as easily have been “In like a crab and out like a twin”. Perhaps we're overthinking it now. Etymology Ides We all know…

Sourdough rarebit Rarebit is a souped-up cheese on toast, dating back to the 18th century. Folklore suggests it can cause particularly vivid dreams - the 1902 book Welsh Rarebit Tales contains short horror stories supposedly penned by members of a writing club who ate generous amounts of rarebit just before sleep so that it could inspire their dreams. Serves 2 200g Cheddar cheese, grated 1 tsp english mustard powder 75ml ale 1 egg, beaten A splash of Worcestershire sauce A pinch cayenne pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 200g leeks, sliced 3 sage leaves, finely chopped 4 slices sourdough bread 1 Mix the cheese, mustard powder, ale, egg, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. 2 Place a frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil and sliced leeks, gently frying them for around 5…

1 Stand with your feet parallel and hip-width apart. 2 Shift your weight into one foot. Line up the outside edge of the foot so it forms a straight line from heel to little toe - a rug or floor tile can help. If any padding from under the foot sticks out, tilt the foot onto the outside edge, bear weight into it, and press outward with your leg and foot. It should look different from the other foot and you should feel you are standing straighter. 3 Move your hip farther to the side so that your weight goes even more into that foot and all the toes except your fifth (little) toe come off the floor. 4 Keeping your weight on the outside edge of the foot, lower…

Transient Blown out of the sky as if a sleeve of wind had snagged on barbed wire or as if a pot of storm had boiled over, scattering flockfroth over fields and gardens, discohered - one redwing here, a little dazed, palpably not quite itself, its whole self being in the flock, the taut lines of connection (today, torn or tangled) that slingshot them across the sky, connect them to the old horizons (gone). This quietly powerful poem is full of wild spring weather and sharp winds, as it tracks the ragged migration of the overwintering redwings, who are leaving behind the UK's berried hedgerows for their breeding grounds in Iceland and Scandinavia, honing in on a lone bird, separated from the large, loose flock. Things to ponder: How does…

Back in 2021 we launched our The Simple Things Neighbourhood Awards. The idea was to recognise and celebrate some of the brilliant organisations, small businesses and community groups that had sprung up in recent years, and particularly during the pandemic. When our worlds grew suddenly smaller during lockdowns, there were people and groups making the very most of their tiny corner of the country and making staying local a lovely thing for us all. The first awards were so inspiring, that we decided to do it all again and, in September, we asked you to nominate the people and organisations that had gone the extra mile in your neighbourhood. We were swamped with amazing tales from all corners of the UK of generosity, innovation and support, about local businesses, charities…

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TOILET FIZZES Easy-to-make pods. Like a bath bomb for your loo. Shiny! You will need: 250g bicarbonate of soda 60g citric acid 2 tbsp liquid Castile soap 15 drops of essential oil of your choice Silicone ice-cube tray Airtight container, such as a Kilner jar 1 In a bowl, stir together the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid. Add the Castile soap and essential oil, and stir until the mixture resembles damp sand. If it's too dry, add a drop or two more of the soap. 2 Divide the mixture into a silicone ice-cube tray and leave to dry. Once dry, remove the pods from the tray and store in an airtight container. BATHROOM CLEANER With a fresh citrus scent that (almost) transports you to a lemon grove. You will need: Lemon slices Rosemary sprig Glass jar with…

“This wall is definitely a talking point for visitors. When I had my baby, the health visitor seemed very distracted as she was looking at all the artwork behind me! I love bold typography and bright colours so I've combined the two. I try to use simple frames in black, white and grey so they don't detract too much from the artwork. Some of the prints have a personal meaning such as the ‘cuddles on the sofa’ one, which is something our son used to say when he was three years old. The 1985 one is the year I was born and some of them were done by an old work colleague. I like things to have meaning behind them as well as looking good and adding colour.” Helen Sellwood, Barnard…

To see how to tie these knots (and more!), we recommend animatedknots.com.…

Purple sprouting broccoli paccheri Serves 2 60g pine nuts, plus extra to serve 3½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve 250g purple sprouting broccoli spears, trimmed 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped ½ tsp dried chilli flakes 1 small bunch of basil, plus a few extra leaves to serve 25g vegetarian pasta cheese, finely grated, plus extra to serveB 180g dried paccheri pasta 1 Begin by putting the pine nuts in a cold frying pan with ½ tbsp of olive oil, set over a medium heat. Cook for 3-4 mins, stirring often, until the nuts are golden. Tip on to a plate and set aside. 2 Blanch the broccoli spears in boiling water for 4-5 mins. They need to be softer than al dente to break down in the pesto. Drain and retain the water…

Bookshop browse STORMY SEAS Reading The Glass: A Sailor's Stories of Weather by Captain Elliot Rappaport Sea captain, Elliot Rappaport criss-crossed the oceans in sailing boats, and for him “weather is everything.” Cloud-filled skies, the movement of water, oncoming winds, squalls of rain, unforgiving fog and low-lying mist can transform a tranquil voyage into a white knuckle ride, as the waves build as high as a house and a capsizing sea churns beneath the bows. On calmer days, there's a kitchen to keep stocked up, fruit and vegetables by the hundredweight drying on the quay and maps to pore over, and trade winds to follow. Blending science, nature writing and sea-faring stories, this brilliant book is brimful of adventure and insider information. (Sceptre) Shopkeeper of the month Just a wickle…

GALATOPITA Serves 6-8 100g butter, melted and slightly cooled, plus extra for greasing 70g walnuts ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve 60g granulated sugar 7 sheets of thin filo pastry For the custard: 1ltr whole milk 1 vanilla pod or 2 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of salt 80g granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 50g icing sugar, plus extra to serve 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest 100g fine semolina 40g butter 1 Grease a round 28cm baking tin, 2-3cm deep, and set aside. 2 Make the custard first by pouring the milk into a large, heavy-based saucepan. Slit open the vanilla pod, scrape off the seeds and add them to the milk along with the pod (if using extract, simply add…

Do you have dahlias in your garden? That's probably down to Sarah Raven. It's a flower championed in her books on cutting gardens - she's written two of those, as well as books on growing veg, cooking and wildflowers - and she's imported many varieties herself, starting with Rip City, a deep chocolate-crimson dahlia, which she saw in France in Monet's Giverny garden in the 1990s and brought back to the UK. There's even a dahlia named after her. These perennials have everything she looks for in a plant: easy to care for, flower for months and the more blooms you cut for the vase, the more they grow. They also come in the rich hues that appeal to her, what Sarah calls Venetian colours: “I remember first walking through…

1 Tie your laces every day - if you can get your shoes on and off without undoing the laces they're not supporting your feet. 2 Make sure they fit you properly - a loose heel won't provide any ankle support. Put two fingers either side of the heel and press them towards each other. If they meet the heel isn't being supported enough. Women should avoid men's shoes as they're wider on the heel. 3 Wear shoes with a firm sole (flexibility in the ball of the foot and enough width for the toes to move). If the sole is too flimsy the foot will just sink into it. 4 Never wear children's shoes, even if they fit you, because they're not designed to support an adult weight. 5…

BEE THE CHANGE Get involved in citizen science Of all the buzzing creatures of spring and summer, bumblebees are perhaps the ones that inspire most fondness. For ten years the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has invited people to collect data on the numbers and types of bumblebees that they spot in any one place as a way of tracking the abundance and spread of the population. The 11th annual BeeWalk starts this March, inviting people to walk the same fixed route once a month until October, counting the number of bees as they go. Citizen science like this might seem like a walk in the park, but for ecologists it's vital to ensuring the ongoing survival of these fuzzy insects for plenty more summers to come. A CUT ABOVE Scientists from…

Viburnum A shrub for all seasons, viburnums are one of the few plants with varieties that are ready to flower in spring and others that blossom in summer or give bountiful berries in autumn (careful, though - while some can be turned into jam, others may be toxic). This plant also has a dangerous history with their long, straight shoots once used to make arrow shafts. On a happier note, they love a bit of light, so place your vase near a window where you and your blooms can enjoy the spring sunshine.…

GROWING The orchard is stirring from its winter slumber. The plum trees are just beginning to blossom, their decorative, almond-scented flowers attracting a humming crowd of pollinators who come to dine on the early source of nectar. The pear blooms will be next, bigger and blousier, and accompanied by young green leaves. Then swaying bunches of cherry blossom, their papery petals easily caught by the wind and turned to confetti. When April comes, so will the white and rose-pink blossom of the apple trees, which shimmers in the sunlight as if filled with microscopic glitter. We never tire of seeing the orchard gently unfurl each spring, every flower a tiny placeholder for the fruit to come. We cross our fingers and hope for a bumper crop. If you dream of…

A PLACE TO STAY Sometimes you just need a break and time to recharge. Welcome to the midweek treat where, if you pick somewhere fancier than home, with plenty of people to look after you, the benefits will be as lasting. Did you ever play truant at school? No, me neither. So, a midweek escape feels like doing that as a grown-up - slightly clandestine and a little bit rebellious. This isn't about exploring somewhere new but leaving your life down the road. Living in the Sussex Weald, this meant the South Downs for us, a brisk half hour away. Mid-office move, we stopped packing boxes and packed an overnight bag instead. Where we stayed The Pig restaurants with rooms have made a name for themselves for delicious home-grown food,…

MAKE A DIY SEED BOMB Throw together this guerilla gardening favourite You will need: Clay powder (see below) Wildflower seed mix (buy, or collect - Wiltshire Wildlife Trust recommends the likes of chamomile, common bird'sfoot-trefoil, red clover and wild thyme. Just be sure to stick to native species) Peat-free compost Water Mixing bowl 1 Prepare your clay powder (ideally it'll be the same kind of clay as found locally. Ehow.com has a tutorial). Alternatively - and much more easily - buy from pottery shops, such as bathpotters.co.uk. 2 Combine a handful of seeds with about five handfuls of compost and a couple of the clay powders in a bowl (you may have to experiment with quantities). Add water to make the mix malleable. 3 Carefully, so not to break the…

I had never understood why my mother always went on about living on the river. She'd talked about it for years and when our father died she was stubborn in the face of all our objections. “You'll be too far from us if things go wrong, Mum. What do you know about houseboats? Won't it be freezing cold in the winter?” “I'm 65, not dead - don't treat me like a child.” And then she became very ill, and I was the one that drew the short straw, having to leave my London flat to go and live on an island. We were not close my mother and I but I was the child that was still single, so I was elected by my siblings to be Florence Nightingale. It was…