Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 51, 2025 i that's life!

WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED Bailey loves the Christmas tinsel! Jessica Harvey, Kyneton, Vic Gizmo, Timmy, Millie, Rusty and Jay love dressing up for Christmas. Sue Brown, Cranbourne, Vic How lucky was I to catch Santa setting up his grotto? He got down on his knees to say hello. Jean Hamer, Springfield ,Qld $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film West Side Story. We have tinkered with the image and added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (4,5). Write which object doesn’t belong only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner. Turn to entry coupon (p50) to enter! Our 10-month-old twin grandchildren Zara and Felix celebrating their very first Christmas. Debby Barnes, Werribee, Vic Enjoying…

Top tip Harissa spice blend can be replaced with Moroccan or Greek-style seasoning. HARISSA BARRAMUNDI WITH MINT AND POMEGRANATE SALSA SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 30 MINS 2 tbsp harissa spice blend 2 tbsp olive oil 6 x 150g barramundi fillets, skin off, trimmed 200g tub hummus dip ½ cup Greek-style yoghurt SALSA 1 cup fresh mint leaves 4 spring onions, thinly sliced 75g punnet pomegranate arils ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted 2 tsp honey 2 tsp lemon juice, plus cheeks to serve 1 SALSA Place mint, onions, pomegranate and nuts in a medium bowl. Drizzle over honey and lemon juice. Season with salt and toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, while preparing barramundi. 2 Rub combined harissa and oil all over fish. 3 Heat an oiled barbecue flat plate over…

Top tips Bombe can be made several days ahead. Keep, covered in the freezer. Remove from freezer about 10 mins before inverting onto a serving plate. CHOCOLATE RUM ‘N’ RAISIN BOMBE SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 55 MINS ¾ cup raisins (120g), roughly chopped ⅓ cup rum 700g packet square dark fruit cake 1 litre tub good quality vanilla bean ice-cream 170g block Rolo chocolate, chopped ½ cup blanched almonds, toasted, chopped ½ x 1 litre tub good quality chocolate ice-cream Warm caramel, icing sugar, fresh cherries, to decorate 1 Line base and side of a pudding basin (8-cup capacity) with plastic wrap, allowing wrap to overhang the edge by 12cm. 2 Combine the raisins and ¼ cup rum in a small bowl. Stand covered overnight. 3 Cut cake into…

Checking her bank account, Lucy, 42, gasped. I don’t have enough cash for Chrissy, she fretted. A single mum, Lucy had just lost her job. A supermarket cashier, her role had been filled by an automated checkout. Money was stretched before, but now everything seemed impossible. With two kids, Bobby, six, and Stacey, four, Lucy needed a Christmas miracle. ‘Is everything okay?’ her mum, Barbara, asked over the phone. ‘Yep!’ Lucy lied. I can fix this myself, Lucy thought, feeling determined and refusing to accept any help. Applying for job after job, she was disheartened to hear that most places weren’t hiring so close to the festive holiday, or were already over-staffed. Lucy felt so down on her luck. Then just a week before Christmas, she bumped into her friend…

Adjusting the wig on my head, I lifted the binoculars to my eyes. This could get dangerous, fast, I thought, nervous. To anyone passing by, I looked like a regular nana sitting in her car, but the truth was, I was a spy on a stakeout. And today I was serving debt collection papers, in disguise as a delivery driver. I’d spent weeks scoping out the lavish mansion, barricaded by high gates and fences that were securely bolted to the ground. My target was someone from the inner circle of Robert Trimbole known as ‘Aussie Bob’, who allegedly had ties to the Italian Mafia. Now as I pulled up to the gated driveway, I fought to stay calm. Earlier in the day, my client had given me the home phone…

All Is Calm Christmas shopping doesn’t have to send your stress levels sky-high. Start by making a list (and stick to it), shop early to avoid the crowds, and take regular breaks. You can also try turning it into a social outing by browsing with a friend. Try a bit of deep breathing if things get chaotic, and remember – it’s the thought that counts, not how fancy the wrapping paper is. Merry and bright ’Tis the season to be happy If you feel happier around the holidays, you’re not alone. Christmas cheer is a real thing, with the festive season able to improve your mood. Here are some of the ways Christmas is bringing good tidings to you and everyone you know… BOOST IN FEEL-GOOD BRAIN CHEMICALS The sparkling…

Smart casual Yes, sequins can be chill! Pair a sparkly mini with a graphic tee and chunky sandals for effortless cool-girl vibes. Party season is in full swing, and whether you need a frock for your work Chrissy do, or something to dazzle on NYE, we’ve got you covered! A classy affair If you want to give a nod to some sparkle for a more formal event, mix tonal shades for an elegant, tied-together take. JUST A TOUCH If a sparkly outfit feels too much, adding a shiny accessory is a quick and easy way to party-fy any outfit Party hard Going all out? We have just the thing... Remember to keep your accessories simple to let the dress shine (literally!) Super SETS Whether for a friend or yourself, these…

Christmas is more than tinsel and to-do lists. It’s a time to refresh your energy, reconnect with what matters, and create a cosy, peaceful space. Whether you’re decorating a tiny apartment or preparing for a full house, a Christmas blessing ritual can set a magical tone for the season. STEP 1 Set the mood Choose a spot and give it a quick tidy if necessary. Open a window for a few minutes and let in some fresh air. Using a side table or shelf as a mini blessing altar, gather: • A candle (real or LED) • A small bowl of water • A pinch of salt • A favourite Christmas ornament Arrange these items together. This will help you focus your energy. STEP 2 Choose your symbols To make…

PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD WITH ROASTED PUMPKIN SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 1kg piece Kent pumpkin, peeled, cut into 2cm cubes 2 large red onions, cut into thin wedges 1½ cups pearl couscous ½ cup currants ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted (see tip) ½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh parsley DRESSING ⅓ cup olive oil, plus extra to serve ¼ cup red wine vinegar 1 tbsp honey 1 Line an oven tray with baking paper. Arrange pumpkin on tray with onions. Spray with cooking oil. Season with salt and pepper. 2 Cook in a 180°C preheated oven for about 40 mins, or until lightly golden and tender. Cool. 3 Cook couscous according to packet directions. Transfer to a large bowl. Allow to cool…

Sipping a cup of coffee, Chloe Bashford tucked into breakfast at a local cafe with her stepdad Derek Martin. It was June 2023 and the pair had just dropped off Chloe’s four children, then aged 15, 12, seven, and four, to school. Chloe, 30, didn’t know what she’d do without Derek, then 64 – he was such a help to her. He’d divorced Chloe’s mother, Elaine, many years earlier, but she had always seen him as a father figure. Derek told the kids their parents had argued badly Derek had his flaws, serving jail time for burglary. But over the past few years Derek and Chloe’s bond had grown. He was like a grandfather to her kids, always ready to do school pick-up or drop-off for Chloe and her husband…

The mag with heart As my son Aydin’s cries filled the operating theatre, I felt relief. ‘Hello, darling,’ I teared, during our first cuddle. My husband, Tarik, then 30, and I had been overjoyed when we learned I was pregnant, just two months after our wedding in May 2024. At each scan, our baby was doing well, and we learned we were having a boy at 10 weeks. ‘I can’t wait to meet you,’ I caressed my belly. But at our 20 week scan, my obstetrician couldn’t find our bub’s gallbladder, explaining it’s the organ that sits under the liver which helps filter the bile. I listened in shock as he said it could be a sign of biliary atresia. ‘It’s a rare condition that can block bile ducts which…

Christmas and the school holidays can mean battling the crowds at the shopping centre feels more like running the gauntlet. Just ask my husband, Shannon, who returned from a trip to the supermarket for the forgotten Christmas crackers wide-eyed and with elevated blood pressure. ‘I’m not leaving the house again until 2026!’ he declared, collapsing on the couch. You’d be forgiven for jumping on one of the numerous delivery apps and having your mince pies, ham leg and festive bubbles delivered while you stay hunkered down at home. But research by Choice found the convenience could be costing you significantly more than shopping in person. FEES First, there’s the delivery fee, which varies between platforms. I made a few orders, for research purposes of course, and my DoorDash order from…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Sarah Firth, Deputy Editor Beth Young, Art Director Darren Monaghan, Picture Editor Holly Campbell ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. that’s life! is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au…

How will I ever repay you? I typed, hitting send on the text to my big sister. Stay alive! Alla, then 38, replied. It was November 2020, and after years of declining health, I was preparing for the surgery I hoped would save my life. I needed a kidney transplant, something I’d known for years, and my sister Alla had offered to donate hers. ‘Are you really sure about this?’ I asked her, my voice trembling when she’d told me abut her plan. ‘I’m being selfish,’ she replied with a small smile. ‘I want you around for years to come.’ Now, as they wheeled me into theatre, knowing Alla was somewhere else in the hospital undergoing her own operation, I couldn’t believe I was getting a second chance. I had…

PEACHY WHISKY ICED TEA SERVES 2 PREP 10 MINS ½ orange, sliced ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, bruised (see tip), plus extra leaves to garnish ¼ cup Scotch whisky ⅓ cup peach iced tea cordial 1½ cups ice cubes 300ml bottle dry ginger ale, chilled 1 Divide orange slices and mint leaves between two tall glass tumblers. 2 Pour whisky and cordial into a small jug and stir to combine. 3 Just before serving, place ¾ cup of the ice cubes into each tumbler. Divide whisky mixture over ice. Top with ginger ale. Stir to combine. 4 Garnish with mint sprigs. Try this To bruise mint leaves, clap them between the palms of your hand. This releases their fragrance and will impart a minty freshness to the drink. SPARKLING RASPBERRY…

Biting into a hot dog, I took in the fun vibes at my aunt Carey’s party. Aged 23, hanging out with my twin brother, David, and friend Taylor, also 23, we clinked our drinks. When it got dark, we headed out to the front street to watch fireworks. We were living in the US, so it was legal to set off fireworks at home. And being Independence Day, July 4, in 2020, lots of people were getting in on the action. Sitting on the footpath around 10 metres away from where the fireworks were being lit, we took in the pretty colours bursting in the sky. Then, a massive BANG, like a bomb, exploded. ‘What was that?’ David said, as we jumped to our feet. I felt fine, but as…

Dear that’s life! Earlier this year I moved to a small town, and was excited for my future. I’m single and in my 50s, and my only other family live overseas. I thought I’d easily make friends and feel welcomed. But my neighbours all keep to themselves and even when I try to start a conversation they quickly move on. With Christmas and New Year looming I feel a bit lonely. I had been living in the city and took a lower paying job so I could work from home here, and that makes it hard to afford to move again. Being quite shy I was looking forward to a peaceful life in the country but now I just feel isolated. What do I do? Break the ice Organise a…

My body trembling and teeth chattering uncontrollably, I writhed in pain in the hospital bed. Staring down at my newborn twins snugly tucked in their bassinets, all I could do was love them for afar. I was frozen in agony. It was 2021 and, at just a few hours old, Charlotte and Flynn had me wrapped around their tiny fingers. Charlotte was born at 1.07am and Flynn just two minutes after. As a first-time mum, everything was going well, and I thought my planned C-section birth was routine. Glancing over at my husband Steve, our eyes met and simultaneously filled with tears, overwhelmed with emotion at being parents. Steve followed our babies for a paediatrician assessment, and I was wheeled into recovery. But the moment my abdomen was stitched up,…