Things have been hectic round here lately, to say the least, but I am reminded that all it takes is to slow things down a little, be present, and appreciate more of the little things that make me happy. For me, the simple things are the moments when you just get a chance to stop and savour a feeling: watching friends chat and laugh over dinner, seeing the concentration on a small face and the glee when a task is achieved, a lull in the shrieks at the beach to sit quietly and watch the waves, smelling fresh linen in a hug, throwing stones at the sea, the smell of freshly cut grass, the taste of fresh bread with real butter, a quiet hour with some yarn and a crochet hook…
Sometimes, when the hustle and bustle of daily life, work, squabbles, tantrums, school runs, overflowing washing, and to-do lists are taking over, those little moments can be all to easily missed or unappreciated; the best I can manage is to be aware they are there somewhere, sometimes. But a reminder to slow down, forget about the lists and just appreciate, always seems to come just as I’m about to feel totally overwhelmed. This month, it was a magazine…

You know by now about my magazine addiction & how much I particulary love MollieMakes magazine…well, imagine my excitement to spot a new release by the same team called ‘The Simple Things ♥’.

A lifestyle magazine “celebrating the things that matter most. It’s about knowing the greatest rewards come from the simplest things, that there’s no satisfaction like that at the end of a long muddy walk, no pink so pretty as freshly-cut rhubarb, no perfume to compare with your own home~grown flowers. It’s about making warm inviting homes ~ big or small ~ sharing food with friends, growing your own vegetables. It’s about shopping for a coffee table only to find you’re happy with a tea chest. It’s keeping your dad’s old typewriter just because it’s beautiful. It’s an empty beach on a Sunday morning. It’s backpedalling.” The Simple Things

I signed up for the first three month’s subscription deal {£5!!~ever the thrifty!}, and with the official release date hailed as the 6th September, I was chuffed to bits when it plopped through my letterbox yesterday {a whole three days early!} Even more of a bonus as the Bear started her new preschool {sob-she looked far too grown up in her uniform!}, which meant I had some quiet time to relax and have a read with a cuppa and no distractions.
I like it…ALOT. The layout is similar in feel to that of MM, and there’s a good mix of articles {although I’m definitely drawn more to the foodie ones~check out the one about the Slow Food Movement~veeeery interesting. Certainly food for thought (ahem, sorry!)}.

There are some great recipes which I’m now itching to try for friends {especially the cheese based ones}, and I’m thinking the Bear would love to go apple picking, and I’d like to start a collection {but hey, I’m not going to give the whole game away~to find out more, go pick up a copy ;0).

Suffice to say, Issue One is a resounding success, both in terms of a good read, and also, as that little reminder to me to slow down and enjoy the moment. I’m off to collect Boo from school and, instead of doing the food shop, I think we might just go throw some stones at the sea…

What’s your ‘Simple Thing’?

Thanks for joining me ♥