Potato print competition: Winner announced

Back in April, The Simple Things teamed up with Kettle Chips and Red Hen Originals to invite you to create a potato print. Were you the winner of our competition?

Congratulations to Diane Rose, who is the winner of the potato print competition. Julia Burns of Red Hen Originals said of Diane's entry:

'This is a really up-lifting painting. The composition is beautifully balanced. The complimentary use of oranges and blues, set against a shimmering yellow background gives the work a vibrant sense of warmth and joy. But perhaps most important of all given the nature of the competition, the repeat pattern- making, the over-lapping shapes and the unique textural qualities achieved are all so obviously indicative of potato printing. A lovely piece of work.'

For all the entries, view our gallery.

Diane wins an overnight hotel stay with Handpicked Hotels, a Red Hen Original (worth £250), and a year's supply of Kettle Chips.

Sponsored post: August's cut flower patch planting diary

Louise Curley, author of The Cut Flower Patch, shares this month’s planting diary.

'There are bountiful harvests of blooms at the moment and my home is chocked full of vases but it’s hard to ignore the sense that autumn is not far away. As this year’s cut flower patch slowly fades it’s time to start thinking of next year. There’s a short window of opportunity to have bigger, stronger plants which will be more floriferous next year. By sowing certain hardy annuals now they will germinate and form small plants which are able to withstand the winter weather. Then, when the ground warms up next spring, they will romp away. Don’t sow too early as they may be encouraged into flowering prematurely if we get a mild autumn but likewise don’t sow too late as they won’t form large enough plants to cope with winter. The optimum time is mid-August to mid September.

'You could sow direct into a dedicated patch of ground, moving plants in spring to their final planting place or you could sow into pots and overwinter in a greenhouse or cold frame. The best plants for autumn sowing include cornflowers, larkspur, calendula, nigella, ammi and euphorbia oblongata. Autumn sown cornflowers and larkspur on my own flower patch can be a third taller than spring sown plants and produce flowers 3 to 4 weeks earlier.

'There are a few things to bear in mind if you fancy a spot of autumn sowing. If you grow them under protection you’ll need to keep an eye out for fungal problems such as botrytis, a grey fluffy mould that thrives in moist conditions and low light levels. Keep plants slightly on the dry side and ventilate your greenhouse or cold frames on milder autumn and winter days, but remember not to leave them open at night. If you’re growing them directly in the ground and winter turns out to be very cold your little plants will benefit from the protection of fleece or cloches. And, just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you can forget about those pesky slugs. Check over your plants regularly and use organic slug pellets if necessary. It might seem like a bit of effort but when you’re picking your flowers next may it will all be worth it.'

Louise Curley is the author of The Cut Flower Patch, published by Frances Lincoln.

Recipe: Chocolate fridge cake

No need to bake in August with our indulgent chocolate fridge cake.

This cocoa-laden treat embodies indulgence, not least because you only need a fridge to make it. And it's the perfect way to celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week (11-17 August 2014).

Chocolate Fridge Cake

150g unsalted butter 100g golden syrup 200g dark chocolate, chopped 1 medium egg, lightly beaten 330g digestive biscuits (or similar) 60g walnuts 60g sultanas 100g glacé cherries 75g brazil nuts

1. Line a 23cm square tin or similar flat dish with baking parchment.

2. Melt the butter and golden syrup in a pan and bring to the boil. Add the chocolate, reduce heat to low and whisk until the chocolate has melted.

3. Gradually add the beaten egg and continue to stir with the whisk until the mixture has thickened a little and formed a shiny emulsion. The egg will cook in the heat of the mixture but don’t let it boil (it shouldn’t reach above 85C). Remove from the heat.

4. Break the biscuits into chunks (quarters are fine), put them in a bowl with the walnuts, sultanas and half the cherries. Pour the hot chocolate mix over the dry ingredients and mix gently. Decant into the prepared tin, leaving the runny chocolate on the side of the bowl for now. Press the mixture flat in the tin.

5. Put brazil nuts in the chocolatey bowl and, using a spatula, coat them in the leftover chocolate. Sprinkle in a loose pattern over the biscuit cake, then add the remaining cherries. Chill for 3 hours or until set.

Recipe taken from Konditor & Cook: Deservedly Legendary Baking by Gerhard Jenne (Ebury Press, £20)

Cake in the House - page 51 of August's The Simple Things. Buy or download now

Wordless Wednesday

  Flying boat on the water in Mortsund, Norway.

Photograph: Inntravel, the Slow holiday people

Recipe: Three ways with cherries

Go cherry crazy! This year’s crop of British cherries looks like it is the longest and largest ever, mostly due to our mild winter. They’re around until September so find a ‘pick your own’ and use with gay abandon to add colour and sweetness to meals.

Here, we've picked three delicious recipes for a sweet treat this summer.

Cherry Compote

The original, simple way with cherries. We love what Rachel writes about her favourite fruit. Cherry Compote recipe by Rachel Eats.

Image above: Rachel Eats

Sour Cherry Milkshakes

These sound incredible. Although it may be a job to hunt down Montmorency or Morello cherries at a 'pick your own', we think it looks worth the effort. 

Sour Cherry Milkshakes recipe by Orangette.

Image above and at top of page: Orangette

Pluot Summer Salad

Not a fan of sweet desserts? Cherries make a surprising addition to a summer salad.

Pluot Summer Salad recipe by 101 Cookbooks.

Image above: 101 Cookbooks.

Find more seasonal recipe delights in August's The Simple Things (buy or download now).

Get creative with herbs

Copious crops? These culinary ideas will help you cope with a herb glut

Get creative with herbs

Make a vinegar Take a clean jar, fill loosely with your herb, add vinegar to the top, close tightly and leave to steep for 4–6 weeks. strain, then use in marinades or salads.
 As a rule, stronger herbs go well in red wine vinegar; if the herb will colour the liquid, opt for white.

Add to drinks Add mint with cucumber and lemon to water and infuse for 10 mins in the fridge for a great hot-weather quencher. Add handfuls of parsley, dill or basil to juices for a health and flavour boost.

Freeze them in ice cubes to add to meals when fresh supplies are low Fill ice trays about 1/4 full of filtered water, fill with your freshest leaves, then cover with water.

Want to know what to grow? Jekka McVicar’s knowhow is second to none. Here are her top tips.

• Oregano is the easiest herb to grow in poor, dry conditions. It is happy to be planted in the type of soil that other herb varieties wouldn’t put up with.

• Supermarket herbs are best on window sills. Amazing as it sounds, they’re actually raised to cope with indoor conditions. Pick leaves regularly and don’t let them dry out or, indeed, overwater them.

• Contrary to what you might think, coriander is a bit of a tricky customer. It needs shade as well as a rich, fertile soil that doesn’t dry out.

• The easiest herbs to grow from seed are rocket, purslane or dill. They will put on a good show whether sown in trays or directly into the ground.

• Mint is easy to propagate. It’s the best herb to try if you’re new to taking cuttings.

• Plant parsley this month. Sow directly into the soil by the end of August for fresh pickings through winter.

Turn to page 90 of August’s The Simple Things for more herbs. Buy or download your copy now.

Want to work for The Simple Things?

The Simple Things are recruiting!

We are now an indie mag owned by Iceberg Press (read more at www.icebergpress.co.uk) and are looking for people to join The Simple Things team. We think it makes a lot of sense to hire our readers, the people who get what Taking Time to Live Well is all about.

Our team are all freelance and part-time, giving us the flexibility to work on other projects or spend more time with family. We share a love of good food, learning new skills, enjoying the outdoors, spending wisely and the satisfaction of a job well done.

If this appeals or sounds like you and you are an experienced art editor, designer, picture editor or commissioning editor, then email lisa@icebergpress.co.uk. Tell us why you’d be a good person to come on board and send your cv too.

If you know any of the above who could be or should be a reader of The Simple Things, it might be worth telling them to get in touch too.

We know it is August but don’t delay as we want people to join us fresh from their summer holidays in September. Our office is in central London.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Simple style: Flip-flops

Read our potted history of flip-flops in August's issue of The Simple Things? Have a little look at our top flip-flop outfits.

The ancients knew all about the comfort and ease of a totally flat sole and a Y-shaped strap. The first recorded flip-flops (made from papyrus) date from 4,000BC and were worn in Egypt. The Masai of Africa created theirs from rawhide, India chose wood and China rice straw.

They gained popularity in the States at the end of the Second World War when GIs brought back the Japanese version, zori, and went on to become the footwear of choice for Californian beach bunnies in the 1960s.

Superbly suited to sunny, laidback climates, it’s little wonder that Brazilian company Havaianas took the flip-flop and ran with it, turning its manufacture into an international business that produces over 2 million pairs per year. (It is said that every Brazilian has at least three pairs.)

In August's The Simple Things we pick three flip-flops perfect for the summer, and here are some outfit picks to match.

Flip-flops style - from left to right:

1. Seafolly Goddess Swimsuit, John Lewis (£85)

2. Irregular stripe flip-flops, Accessorize (£6)

3. Bandeau Red Maxi Dress, Not on the high street (£42)

4. Luna flip-flops, Havianas (£22)

5. Bistro crop trousers, Boden (£59)

6. Maddie leather sandals, Fat Face (£28)

7. Scallop vest top, Oasis (£22)

Turn to page 22 of The Simple Things August issue for more flip-flops style. Buy or download your copy now.

Recipe: Berry coconut ice lollies

Berry coconut ice lollies are perfect for hot days. The good news? You’re only two steps away from this wholesome treat on a stick...

Berry coconut ice lollies

Makes 6

300g fresh blueberries 400ml coconut milk 150g live probiotic yoghurt 1 tbsp runny honey Juice of 1/4 lime

You will need:

Ice lolly moulds Ice lolly sticks

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz to a smooth purée. 2. Pour into ice lolly moulds, add the lolly sticks and freeze overnight.

Recipe featured in August's The Simple Things. Buy or download your copy now.

(Recipe from The Medicinal Chef: Healthy Every Day by Dale Pinnock, Quadrille, £18.99)

Competition: win a memento box with Inntravel (archived)

In our new competition, Inntravel is offering one lucky ready the chance to win this elegant memento box! It’s specially designed to keep your holiday postcards, photos, souvenirs and letters safe. And to make it totally personal, you can choose an original map to cover it.

Measuring 22.5cm x 11.5 cm x 5.5cm, this delightful keepsake by Bombus is handmade to order in birch wood ply.

Not only can you use it for your own holiday mementoes but you could also use it to hold the postcards, letters and notes you receive from loved ones abroad.

‘Like’ the Inntravel Facebook page and enter your details for a chance to win this exquisite prize. Remember the Moment with Inntravel, the Slow Holiday People.

The Minack open-air theatre and its inspirational female builder, Rowena Cade

This month, The Simple Things recommends a visit to the Minack open-air theatre, Cornwall. As well as a programmed of acclaimed performances, the clifftop creation has an intriguing history, too. 

If you’re holidaying in Cornwall this month, take a trip to the Minack open-air theatre at Porthcurno. Performances for August include Oh What A Lovely War, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Monty Python and more. Or, just gasp and admire this astonishing creation, built on the cliffs at Porthcurno by Rowena Cade (1893-1983). What started as a one-off performance in the rocky gully at the end of her garden eventually spiralled into a lifelong labour of love, and left us with one of the most breathtakingly beautiful theatres in England.

In 1932, Rowena Cade and two builders carved out a stage and some basic seats in the cliffside for a production of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. Lit only by battery powered car headlights and the moon over the sea, the magic of Minack touched its first audience. Performances continued each summer until the outbreak of WW2.

Once the war was over, the theatre was in ruins, but Rowena and her builder spent 4 years restoring it before opening again in 1949. As the years went by, returning audiences grew and so did the theatre, with the addition of seats, steps, walls, arches, pillars and dressing rooms. Since she could not afford granite, the ever resourceful Rowena would carry bags of sand up from Porthcurno beach to mix into cement, drawing celtic patterns into every flat surface before it hardened. Even well into her 80s, Rowena 'The Master Builder' was still doing much of the manual labour herself, all year round, come rain or shine.

Today, the Minack Theatre seats over 700 people and plays host to a mixture of amateur and professional theatre companies, with the main season running from May to September. The tireless work and vision of one woman (and a handful of faithful assistants) has left a legacy which attracts thousands of tourists every year to settle down with a picnic and some blankets, and watch a play set against the backdrop of some of the most stunning Cornish coastline.

www.minack.com

Turn to page 18 of August's The Simple Things for more summer ideas. Not got the August issue yet? Buy or download your copy now.

Recipe: Chilled prawns with garlic mayonnaise

The finest of finger foods, especially dipped in aioli, this recipe for chilled prawns with garlic mayonnaise makes the perfect summer lunch.

Recipe: Chilled prawns with garlic mayonnaise

Makes 20

20 large whole prawns

1 fresh egg yolk at room temperature

1 tsp Dijon mustard

100ml vegetable oil

1 tsp vinegar

1 large garlic clove, peeled and mashed

1 Rinse prawns and place half of them into a steamer over a pan of boiling water. Steam, covered, for 3–4 mins or until prawns turn pink and opaque and curl.

2 Prepare a large bowl filled with icy water. Remove prawns from heat and pour them into the icy water to stop cooking. Steam the second batch of prawns in the same way.

3 To make the garlic mayo: in a bowl mix together egg yolk and mustard. Measure oil into a jug. With an electric hand mixer, whisk egg yolk and, very slowly, pour a trickle of oil into the egg as you whisk. Whisk until all the oil is used and the mayonnaise firm.

4 Mix in vinegar and season with salt. Add garlic and stir. Serve with the iced prawns and a bowl for discarded prawn shells and heads.

For more summery seafood recipes, turn to page 24 of August's The Simple Things.

Not got August's The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.

WIN £50 worth of Dragonfly tea (archived)

WIN £50 worth of Dragonfly tea We love a cuppa here at The Simple Things and so are pleased to tell you about a competition to win £50 worth of organic Dragonfly tea. Five winners will receive a mahogany tea chest filled with all 15 speciality teas (96 sachets in total). For your chance to win, click here 

August issue cover reveal!

Psst! Have a look at the cover of the August issue of The Simple Things.

Out on 30 July 2014, The Simple Things August issue is available from all good newsagents and supermarkets, or you can buy online or download an issue now.

Slowing down for the summer

Photographer and stylist, Emily Quinton, and her tips on slowing down this summer. "If I could have one wish for this Summer it would be for life to slow down a little. This week I am working in Portland, Oregon and if there is one thing that stands out as soon as you arrive here, it’s that it’s ok to go a little slower. That’s not to say that people here don’t work hard, they certainly do but there is a beautiful, calmer vibe that goes with it, which I am breathing in and soaking up in the hope that I can slow down a little for the Summer when I return home.

"When I’m away from home I always plan how to do something differently when I go back home. I’ve always been like this and can remember redesigning my bedroom in my holiday notebooks as a child. As an adult I’ve made plans to be more organized, to take up a new hobby, to exercise more, and the list goes on. But this time, it’s definitely about slowing down for the Summer - while working out how to write my book and look after four children during the school holidays - so this isn’t a ‘take a long break’ kind of slowing down but a more of a realistic goal of slowing down a little bit each day. It’s about allowing myself time to go slowly each day, whether that is for five minutes or for a couple of hours.

"Making time to sit down with a favourite magazine, to potter in the garden in the early evening, to go for a walk when I don’t have anywhere to rush to, to share a meal with friends, to play a game with my children, to make things, to bake a cake, to watch a film, to write a letter, and sometimes to just simply potter, are all things I plan to do this Summer. And, most importantly, I want to do these things at a slow pace, embracing being in the moment and not while simultaneously trying to tweet, Instagram and answer five emails. I want to create moments of slowness every day. To make time to be in the moment and to slow down time. To breathe, to stop and look around, to stretch, to feel free, alive and calm.

"The Summer feels like the perfect time to build moments of slowness into my every day in the hope I can carry it on into the Autumn and beyond. I hope this inspires you to slow down a little too."

Emily Quinton is a photographer, maker, blogger and mother of four. Find out about all her activities on her blog, Makelight. For The Simple Things this month, she shot the jug of hybrid tea roses on page 83 of the July issue.

Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.

Recipe: Garlic potato salad with lemon creme fraiche

Reinvent the picnic for the modern world with made-to-be-mobile dishes, such as this potato salad recipe. A garlicky mustard kick rescue potatoes from potential blandness.

Recipe: Garlic potato salad with lemon crème fraiche

Serves 6

1.5kg mixed potatoes, cubed

3 tbsp olive oil

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

175ml crème fraîche

1 tbsp maille mustard

2 garlic cloves, minced

to serve:


4 tbsp fresh chives, finely snipped

Fresh dill

Red onion pickle (for recipe, see page 29 of July’s The Simple Things for the perfect potato salad recipe accompaniment)

1. Preheat oven to 190c/fan 170c/ 350f. Toss the potato cubes in olive oil, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 45 mins–1 hour or until golden and crisped. Set aside to cool.

2. In a large bowl, place the lemon juice and zest, crème fraîche, mustard and garlic. Whisk together, then toss with potatoes, making sure to coat everything well. Top with fresh chives, dill and onion pickle.

Turn to page 26 of July’s The Simple Things for more al fresco picnic recipes.

Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.

Competition: Win £150 worth of Earthborn Claypaint (closed 29 August 2014)

Earthborn is giving away £150 worth of lovely Claypaint to one lucky reader of The Simple Things. This fabulous prize includes two 750ml tins of Earthborn’s new Claypaint - designed especially for furniture and smaller painting projects - and a tin of Furniture Wax, plus some other Earthborn goodies.

Claypaint - a clay-based emulsion that has a distinctive, ultra matt finish that softens and enhances the light in your room - is available in 60 luxurious shades.

Not only beautiful and a pleasure to use, Earthborn paints are also designed to be healthier to live with. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing making eco claims, but there’s no need for dressing up here – Earthborn Claypaint contains no oils or acrylics and are VOC free, which means no nasty emissions and high breathability. Add to that they are licensed to carry the EU Ecolabel, you are reassured the paints are better for you, your home and the environment.

Even if you don’t win, you can still finds lots of information, browse colours and buy Sample Pots at www.earthbornpaints.co.uk.

And for even more inspiration and to keep in touch, say hello via twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Enter the competition to win Earthborn Claypaint:

Visit www.futurecompetitions.com/earthborn before 29 August 2014.

Terms and conditions apply. See www.futuretcs.com For more information visit www.earthbornpaints.co.uk

Take your life outside

Go barefoot, try rockpooling, and catch an al fresco film - no better season to take your life outside.

"What? This is England!" we hear you cry. That's right and, as we like to say at The Simple Things, rain will never stop play...

This month, join us in celebrating all that's wonderful about summer and the great outdoors. Whether you're in the garden, park or on the beach, remove your shoes and embrace the pleasures of going barefoot.

When you walk without shoes you awaken and massage the many nerve endings in your feet. Godolphin House in Cornwall has a dedicated barefoot trail where you can reintroduce your toes to exciting different textures you probably haven't felt underfoot since you were a child.

While your shoes are off, why not go rockpooling? The Wildlife Trusts have a list of the UK's best spots from the Isle of Mull to the Isle of Wight.

When it's time to eat, try to enjoy as much fresh-air food as possible. As well as barbecueing, try cooking a one-pot wonder like a fish stew or some breakfast pancakes over a campfire. If you're going out in the evening, do something you can only do in summer, such as catch an al fresco film or theatre production. The Picnic Cinema is screening classic and cult films in locations across the country from castles to forests where you have the chance to camp overnight after the film.

Leeds Castle is hosting the largest open-air classical concert this month and theatre company, The Pantaloons, will be putting their unique twist on The Tempest. If you'd rather escape the crowds, try wild camping on beautiful Dartmoor or Brecon Beacons. The National Trust have details of where wild camping is permitted. Just you, your tent, your choice of company and the great outdoors. Heaven.

Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.

Competition: Win a Feather Down Farm Days holiday! (closed 15 September 2014)

Feather Down Farm Days and Brittany Ferries bring you this month’s fab prize – an outdoorsy holiday in France.

There’s more than a hint of nostalgia about this month’s brilliant competition. The family glamping experts at Feather Down Farm Days are offering to whisk you and your family and friends to their luxury campsite on an idylllic farm in Brittany. And slow-travel fans Brittany Ferries will pop you across the Channel in style.

Great Breton

La Ferme de Penquelen Huella is an organic dairy farm situated between Lorient and Quimper, just 30km from the coast. It’s utterly rural there, surrounded by 600 acres of forest, criss-crossed with walking trails. On the farm itself there are cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens, and Feather Down’s luxury tents of course. Each is equipped with a separate double bedroom, a canopy bed and bunk beds. The style is wonderfully old fashioned – no WiFi or TV – just a wood-burning stove, oil lamps and candles, plus the great outdoors on your doorstep. www.featherdown.co.uk

Channel hopping

Why not make the journey part of the holiday? Brittany Ferries will float you across the Channel to your luxury camping stay. Their smart and modern cruise-ferries take you in as little as three hours – or overnight – to western France from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth, saving you a longer drive on the continent. www.brittanyferries.com

What you could win

•  A three-night weekend or four-night midweek stay in a luxury tent at La Ferme de Penquelen Huella for up to six (maximum five adults).
•  Return ferry crossings for one car and up to six people either daytime or overnight with a cabin (sleeps four, plus two reclining seats).
•  Go in September or October this year, or 10th April–30th June 2015.

How to enter

Visit www.futurecompetitions.com/brittany to enter and for full terms and conditions. Closing date: 15th September 2014.

Remembering the moment: Download and send a Lazygram

This month, in our campaign to savour holiday memories, we consider the postcard – the perfect snapshot.

Can't quite drag yourself away from that beach lounger? Send a Lazygram instead.

Download the PDF now.