A brace of easy to play card games that the whole family can enjoy – perfect for after lunch or dinner, and before the New Year's Eve celebrations begin...
Read MoreTwo Thirsty Gardeners: An easy guide to planting soft fruits...
Whether you're talking blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries or more exotic varieties, now is the time to think about planting out soft fruit bushes – it's easier than you think and the results are SO delicious!
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Illustration: Kavel Rafferty
Stir-Up Sunday: Mixing bowl ready, Christmas is on its way!
Making a Christmas pudding today is great traditional way to get the whole family together, so grab your mixing bowl, spoon, sixpence and brandy, and get ready to make a wish and sing a traditional rhyme while you're stirring...
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Recipe: Baked thyme chips
It's National Chip Week and we're celebrating with a batch of these delicious baked thyme chips. Pass the ketchup...
Oh, Ladycakes'baked thyme chips have been a bit of a labour of love. Blogger Ashlae has been baking versions of these since she got together with her boyf Thom five whole years ago.
Much to-ing and fro-ing over email (the chips / fries / crisps language barrier proved confusing all round - note to US readers, we're talking about baked thyme fries here!) and Ashlae agreed to share the result of all her years of testing and tweaking with The Simple Things readers.
And we have to say we're very pleased that she has, because because these look close to perfect. We're also promised that these baked chips are '100 billion times' better for you than the regular, deep-fried version. That makes them pretty much a health food, right? Yum...
Image: Plain Pictures
Winter activities: Build the perfect snowman!
It's snowing, so we thought you'd like to see the simple, foolproof steps to making a top notch snowman that originally appeared in Issue 4!
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Christmas recipe: Bubble & squeak – a British classic that's got relatives around the world...
A recipe that's thrifty, tasty and over two hundred years old, which is enjoyed in various forms around the globe? Ooh, yes please, save those leftovers and turn them into a culinary treat!
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Christmas project: Homemade party bags
A terrific festive papercrafting project by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson that's sure to make an impression on your party guests – why not fill them with homemade treats?
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Winter activities: Ice skating
The light on the ice, the music, the hot chocolate – we love ice skating! here's our lowdown on how to get the most out of it and find your local venue...
Read MoreWordless Wednesdays: Dancing in the Winter sky...
When it's hazy and blue, you just want to move!
Read MoreUpcycling project: How to make yourself a fab ebook reader case using an old hardback book!
We love books, print and digital, so what better than recycling an old hardback to keep your ebook reader safe and sound? Read on to find out how!
Read MoreWinter activities: When things are too good to recycle, pass them on!
A great idea for when you're having a declutter or Spring clean and find things that are just too good to throw away or if the local charity / thrift shop is closed...
Read MoreThe Saturday Q&A: Timourous Beasties – extraordinary wallpapers, fabric & more...
Glasgow-based design duo Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons, whose "London Toile" wallpaper we used as the endpapers in Issue 6, talk about their surreal take on traditional patterns, design versus art and the freedom that controlling the entire creative process brings...
Read MorePallet furniture – upcyling at its best! Download two free DIY projects by Studiomama...
Wooden pallets are everywhere, and there's a growing movement to recycle them into pallet furniture – it's green, easy and here are two projects that you can make yourself. Click on for amazing facts, fun and inspiration!
Read MoreWordless Wednesdays: The beauty of Winter...
No matter how cold it gets, nature is still amazing!
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Recipe: Hanne Risgaard's sourdough bread
Amazing bread and pastry recipes for keen home bakers and new starters alike! Find out how to get a discount on the Danish master baker's inspiring new book – and check out a sample recipe for Classic Sourdough...
Read MoreShop Love: Veg box schemes – local, green, organic, tastier & cheaper than the supermarket
Give your cooking and tastebuds a seasonal makeover by signing up to your local vegetable box scheme – here's a rundown of how to find them in your area and some inspiration for head and heart!
Read MoreWinter activities: A Welsh beachcombing adventure...
Our Blowy Walks on Winter Beaches feature in Issue 6 gives you lots of ideas about what to look for by the surf, even in the coldest weather – take a sneaky peek at it here, and enjoy this special photo story from our friend Lizzie Spikes...
Read MoreArt from the sea: a Q&A with Lizzie of Driftwood Designs...
The art of Lizzie Spikes is inspired by the coast near her home in Ceredigion, Wales and uses the flotsam and jetsam that the sea rejects – you can almost smell the tang of the sand-filled air!
Read MoreTwo Thirsty Gardeners: Roots manoeuvres – five ways with parsnips plus growing tips...
Growing, cooking and even brewing tips for your surplus vegetables – not to mention Sunday lunch "parsnip roulette"! – from our regular guest bloggers, Nick and Rich.
Read MoreThe Simple Things Issue 6 is here, full of inspiration and ideas!
The February edition is now out, featuring a whole heap of amazing recipes, interiors, ideas for sharing quality time with friends, craft projects, enjoying the wildlife and seashores of Britain, and romantic Valentine ideas...
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