Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

It may seen contradictory to ‘get ready’ as the year comes to an end. However I believe the end point of the year is often the sweetest. It’s a time to look back on your best, or biggest moments, and take a minute (or two!) to breathe. You may be holding out for a well-deserved break, or quality time with family. In my case, it’s also time to cook, indulge and catch up on all those half-finished creative tasks and to-dos. Before the weather heats up too much, why not tackle some gardening to set yourself up for long-term bloomin’ success (p100)? Or kick back and relax in a gorgeous DIY outdoor area. Find ideas for both large (p120) and small (p110). Discover renovation tips from our expert partners at…

CHOCKY- CARAMEL CHRISTMAS CRACK Customise the toppings and chocolate to your heart’s content. Recipe on page 170 SANTA HAT AND BAUBLE CUPCAKES Dress cute cupcakes in their festive best to raise a smile and charm friends and family. Recipe on page 170 CANDY CANE SHORTBREAD COOKIES Pepper those near and dear with sugary goodness. These cookie candy canes don’t fall short. Recipe on page 171 MINI FRUITCAKES Package up these adorable pint-sized fruitcakes for an impressive present. Recipe on page 172 " THESE TEENSY TREES ARE EASY TO MAKE AND LOOK SO CUTE AS A PRESENT. " COCONUT ICE CHRISTMAS TREES Create a shimmer of sweetness with this cool yule take on a favourite treat. Recipe on page 172 Photography Tim Roberts; styling Lucy Busuttil; recipes Jessica Brook and Sarah…

SCAN ME Scan this QR code to shop these items. SIT TALL Summer in Australia means endless outdoor entertaining. Get the best views by sitting up high on the Ravona Five-Piece Outdoor Rectangular Bar Setting, $2399, from Harvey Norman. You’ll love the rustic patina finish – it’s designed to age gracefully. SIP IN STYLE Drinking water from an upcycled cheese-spread jar doesn’t always cut it. Instead, try this decor-worthy Talo Carafe Set in Juniper, $59.95 , from Country Road. It even stacks together. New, flash FACADE Cladding and roofing finished with COLORBOND steel is a smart way to upgrade your home. It’s timeless, durable and suits all designs. Find the best colourway and profile for your home at colorbond.com Time to shelve it Display your most-loved literary and decorative collections…

COOK’S TIP The whipped ricotta will only be as good as the ricotta you buy. If you can’t get it over the counter at a deli, then opt for the type sold in baskets that are vac-packed, rather than ricotta sold in plastic tubs, which is not as creamy. Nagi Maehashi started out in 2014 as a humble food blogger with RecipeTin Eats. She has since risen to become one of the most-loved food influencers to households across Australia – all with trusty Dozer (her golden retriever) by her side. Nagi’s second cookbook, Tonight, published with Pan Macmillan Australia, answers the everyday dilemma of weeknight meal inspiration. We connected with the recipe maestro about her plans in the lead-up to the festive season. Plus, read on for mouth-watering recipe extracts…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 Venture deep into a rainforest and you can be overwhelmed by its magnificence. There’s an abundance of greenery with tall trees, climbers clambering up their trunks, epiphytes snuggled in their branches and carpets of groundcovers. Through the filtered light, you may spot bright pops of colour from crimson foliage or golden flowers. It’s a tranquil retreat that you can re-create in your own garden, then sit on a stump and feel grateful you no longer need to mow the lawn in the hot sun. 1 HAVE A CRIMSON CRUSH A flamingo plant (Anthurium spp) will always get your attention. But that’s not the flower you’re admiring – the large red ‘petal’ is a spathe. The flowers are the little dots on the central spear.…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 1 A MIX WITH IMPACT You don’t need to consider growing conditions with these blooms. Mix temperate-climate daisies, coneflowers and tulips with tropically inclined fan palms. 2 HEAD TO THE TOP Tripods can be used as a frame for climbing plants such as clematis, passionfruit or beans. A metal flower on top is not going to stop them. 3 GET CLUCKY! If you love chooks but don’t want them scratching up your garden beds in search of worms, this little chap is for you. 4 THERE’S A TWIST Artist Peter Gray working the wire. 5 FUNCTIONAL ART Immersing art in your garden makes it more interesting and inviting, especially in winter when some plants go dormant. Solid forms also provide a handy perch for…

3 SWAP France’s Champagne region for the Tamar Valley, TAS You don’t have to travel 20-plus hours to quaff the good stuff. It turns out the conditions in the Tamar Valley, in Tasmania’s north-east corner, mirror those of the prized French appellation. It’s home to Jansz, Loira Vines, and more great wineries. Let Tripadvisor help you plan your next trip to ‘Sparkling Tasmania’. 2 SWAP the beaches of the Greek Islands for Rottnest Island, WA You’ll find breathtaking whitewashed shores and crystal-clear waters just 19km off the coast of Perth. Rottnest Island offers snorkelling spots across 63 beaches, 20 secluded bays, coral reefs and 13 shipwrecks. And you may fall in love with a brown-eyed local – the cute quokka. Get there by ferry from Fremantle, where there’s a…

FOIL STARBURST Here’s how STEP 1 Trace the template twice onto each colour of foil paper. Cut out (you should have four circles, two in each colour). On the back side of each circle, mark the fold lines where indicated on the template and score all lines with the scoring stylus. STEP 2 Cut each circle in half and group by colour. For the pink group, accordion-fold each half-circle with the first fold toward you, second fold away from you, and so on. Repeat with each gold half-circle in the opposite fashion (away, toward, away, toward). Keep the pieces folded. STEP 3 Trim 3mm off the point of each piece, then unfold. STEP 4 Foil side up, place one end flap of a pink half-circle over one…

FOIL STARBURST A mini ball ornament tops accordion-folded circles of shiny foil card. The resulting star dazzles on a wrapped box. It continues to shine once the gift has been opened and the topper is hung on the tree. Instructions on page 174 PAPER LOOPS These droplet-shaped toppers bring a happy vibe with their neon-bright hues. Each loop is made with both foil ribbon and matt card, then they’re gathered into groups. Enjoy the graceful shapes and play of light from the reflective surfaces. Instructions on page 174 RAFFIA WREATH Unfurl paper raffia ribbon in two shades of green to create wide loops and a wreath-inspired topper. Fluffy craft pompoms look like hot-pink berries when tucked into the paper folds. Instructions on page 175 RAFFIA BOW, POMPOMS AND BLOOMS You’ll…

Discover special recipes from Leila Heller’s new book with Phaidon, Persian Feasts. Dedicated to Leila’s late mother, this book features contributions from co-authors Lila Charif, Laya Khadjavi, and Bahar Tavakolian. “This cookbook is a heartfelt tribute, lovingly crafted by all of us,” the New York-based author tells us. “Even my children contributed stories and anecdotes, and many of my mother’s close friends shared their cherished memories and recipes. “One of my mother’s most cherished recipes is for Persian halva.” The striking dish (right) is used in weddings, celebrations, funerals, seasonal feasts and religious holidays. “My mother’s halva was especially fragrant due to her generous use of saffron and rose water,” Leila says. “Some of my mother’s recipes were quick to prepare, others were more complex. But in all her cooking,…

[ NEWS, PRODUCTS AND TRENDS ] CHAMELEON Roses are red and violets are blue, but Calibrachoa Chameleon is the colour of the moment. It changes through vibrant pinks, purples and yellows according to the season, day length and light levels. A winner in hanging baskets and window boxes, it has a mass of eye-catching blooms from spring through to early autumn. Grow it in sun or part shade for best results. From Sovereign Jewels, see haarsnursery.com.au for retail outlets. ON SHOW AIR SUPPLY Tillandsia, or air plants, live on the branches of trees in the wild. So how do you display them at home? Garden Up air planters are an easy option. Available in Geo (shown) and Diamond, they hang plants at eye height, letting them absorb water and nutrients…

One of our most basic human needs is connection. As we’ve evolved, that connection to others has helped us survive and thrive. Your relationships with others, strengthened through physical touch and friendship, contribute to your sense of wellbeing. That wellbeing can be physical as well as emotional. Research shows receiving frequent hugs can translate to lower blood pressure and heart rates in certain people, as well as faster recovery after a common cold. Several studies have also explored how skin-to-skin contact and other forms of touch improve stress coping in animals and humans. And that’s not including the better mental health outcomes associated with social positive connections. As humans, we are hardwired for social interaction. Embrace it. VALUING CONNECTION Relationships can serve all aspects of your life, whether it’s at…

RASPBERRY AND GINGER BREAD WREATH Preparation time 30 mins plus 2 hours rising and 15 mins refrigeration Cooking time 50 mins Serves 10-12 ½ cup milk, warmed ¼ cup water, warmed 7g (21/4 tsp) dried yeast 2 Tbsp honey 4 ¼ cups plain flour, sifted ⅓ cup caster sugar 1 tsp salt 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest 2 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom 2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten 125g unsalted butter, melted, cooled 2 Tbsp milk, for brushing 30g crystallised ginger, finely chopped, plus extra to serve Gold ribbon, to serve RASPBERRY GINGER JAM FILLING 1 cup caster sugar 250g raspberries, fresh or frozen, plus extra fresh raspberries to serve 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp finely grated fresh ginger 40g unsalted…

Side hustles to earn extra cash for Christmas Boost your income for the upcoming holiday season. DO ODD JOBS If you know your way around a garden or can assemble furniture, why not list your services on Airtasker? For example, IKEA joins with Airtasker to provide furniture assembly services. You can get your IKEA badge by completing more than four assembly tasks on Airtasker, have a minimum of a four-star rating, and have (or are willing to get) a Police Check Badge and an ABN. airtasker.com/au Become a mystery shopper Love shopping? Here’s a win-win. When you become a mystery shopper (also known as a secret shopper), you are employed to go undercover and report back on the customer experience. And you’re paid for it. There are various agencies you…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Freedom freedom.com.au Kmart kmart.com.au MCM House mcmhouse.com Myer myer.com.au Pillow Talk pillowtalk.com.au Provincial Home Living provincialhomeliving.com.au Spotlight spotlightstores.com The Toucan Shop thetoucanshop.com GOOD AS GOLD, PAGE 70 Project supplies Bunnings Selleys Araldite 5-minute epoxy glue, 24ml, $11.95. Spotlight Pebeo Porcelaine P150 Paint in gold, 45ml, $12.80. Safe N Sure Invisible Plate Hanger Disc in silver, 30mm, $12. HOLE IN THE WALL, PAGE 110 Shopping details Adairs Belgium vintage washed linen cushion, 50x50cm, in Gum Leaf, $79.99. Caspian long cushion, 35x55cm, in Green and White, $69.99. Malmo linen throw, 170x130cm, in Natural, $119.99, Freedom Reko lantern, 35cm, $69.95. Reko lantern, 50cm, $89.95. Kmart Beige marble serving board, $10. Plinth decor bowl, $13. Spectrum stemless glasses, set of six, $14. Myer…

RASPBERRY AND GINGER BREAD WREATH Twist your way to a new spin on traditional flavours. Recipe on page 166 FLOURLESS MACADAMIA AND CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH HONEYCOMB Shards of toffee and honeycomb lift this classic torte to next-level impressive status. Recipe on page 166 WHITE CHRISTMAS MOUSSE CAKE Re-imagine your favourite Christmas treat in this magical make-ahead dessert. Recipe on page 167 " I’M MAD FOR CHERRIES, AND THIS DELICATE SHOW STOPPER IS GOING TO BE THE HERO AT MY HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES. " SOUR CHERRY ALMOND ROULADE Roll up this glamorous dessert and enjoy. A slightly sour compote balances the sweetness of the meringue. Recipe on page 168 Photography Tim Roberts; styling Lucy Busuttil; recipes Aaron Hawton; food preparation Ismat Awan and Tamika O’Neill…

INSIDE-OUTSIDE WREATH Who said wreaths are just for your front door? If you’re an apartment dweller, chances are you’ll need to bring yours indoors. This circlet works wonders on a wall. Here’s how: Gather assorted shapes, sizes and colours of bleached and painted pinecones, a foam wreath form, U-shaped cable needles, and a low-temp hot-glue gun. Starting with the inner circle, arrange cones with tops facing away from the wreath form. Secure with U-shaped cable needles. Add low-temp glue to hold in place. Continue assembling rows, working from the inside out, until the design pleases you. Cover gaps with a final layer of mini cones, then coat the wreath with clear or white glitter spray. FROSTY AND FESTIVE December 25 falls in the midst of summer in our part of…

SEEN ON BHG TV FRIDAYS 7.00 Nothing stays perfect forever, but sometimes a second life can make things even more special. So, when a beloved item breaks, rather than discarding it, try the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi – literally “golden joinery”. It infuses a piece with glimmering light and creates a new – golden – keepsake. EASY STEPS TO CREATING A KINTSUGI PLATE DISPLAY Safety notes When working with sharp materials, wear safety glasses and gloves. Here’s how STEP 1 Cover bench with a drop sheet. Squeeze epoxy adhesive onto a piece of scrap timber and mix thoroughly with a craft stick. Use the craft stick to apply epoxy along the broken ceramic crack line and attach ceramic pieces together. Hold the joins together until the epoxy…

Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. This includes peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb and herbs (except garlic). You can also plant flowering shrubs, annuals, flowers (not bulbs), cactus, flax, tree ferns, passionfruit vines and kiwifruit. Plant fruit trees and trees that produce edible nuts, such as almond, macadamia, pecan and walnut. Grapes and banana can also be planted. Take cuttings from established trees and shrubs, and propagate. This is also a good time for planting trees and climbers and sowing new lawns. Best days On these days, sow seeds…

TIP 1 FINDING THE RIGHT FIT For both parties, sourcing the right building partner is crucial. As a homeowner, be sure to interview a couple of different builders or contractors before deciding on your preferred choice. HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK: × What projects have you completed that are similar to my brief, and can you show me some examples? × Do you have any client references? × What would you quote for this type of project, including contingencies? × What items would offer the most cost savings, or be the highest cost contributors? × How do you prefer to communicate? × Sense check how comfortable they are answering your queries, and if you’re happy with their responses. TIP 2 BUILDING THE BEST FOUNDATION A brief is so…

"IT WILL BE AS IF WE NEVER EXISTED IF OUR HISTORY CANNOT BE READ" The Players Minette Walters (Allen and Unwin, $34.99) Minette Walters is well known for her award-winning crime fiction, but in the past decade she’s mined English history to produce taut, thrilling tales. Her latest is set during the Bloody Assizes of 1685 – the brutal aftermath of the failed rebellion led by the Protestant Duke of Monmouth against Catholic James II. Those found guilty of high treason will be hanged, drawn and quartered. The redoubtable Lady Jayne Harrier and a small group of allies, including her son and the independent-minded daughter of a local magistrate, contrive ways to save men from the gallows. The Golden Thread Tea Cooper (HarperCollins, $34.99) This twisty, historical mystery starts in…

Animal lovers on holiday Support attractions that are kinder to creatures. Many holidaymakers don’t realise how their actions may harm animals. Taking a selfie with a quokka, riding an elephant or petting wildlife can stress the creatures. Four Paws Australia encourages travellers to choose ethical activities promoted by local animal welfare organisations. ANIMAL-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY HABITS • Do your research. Look into any animal interaction or wildlife experiences before you book. You should understand the animals’ living conditions and the potential impact of your visit. • Avoid tourist attractions with animals and dubious wildlife parks. Animals may get little rest between having to ‘perform’. • Avoid photo opportunities if the animal appears scared or stressed. • Choose animal interactions guided by expert handlers. Touching or hugging wildlife…