Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-mar-16 i Woman's Weekly

We were discussing at WW HQ that Easter seems very early this year (25-28 March, in case you didn’t know), which did make me think – just what is the correct date for it to occur? How often, if ever, have you said – ‘Ah, Easter is exactly on time this year’? Obviously I know the date is set according the March equinox of the moon (OK, so I only know that because I looked it up. But should it be of interest, I also read that the resurrection happened on the first Sunday following the Jewish feast of Passover, so the two festivals generally occur at the same time. But this year Passover isn’t until towards the end of April. Explanations for that disparity would be most welcome). All…

‘Even if you are ashamed, write it’ Marian Keyes How do you take your tea? I love peppermint. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? My mother. Our weekly cuppas are like therapy – there’s nothing we can’t talk about. Are you quite a close family? Oh my gosh, yes. Every Friday, we all descend on my parents’ house for dinner and it’s chaos. There are 17 of us, so nobody sits at the dinner table. Instead we scatter throughout the house with plates balanced on our laps and the TV blaring in the background. It’s my favourite part of the week. Tell us about your latest book, Making It Up As I Go Along . It’s a collection of stories I’ve…

Where I went Lourdas, a small, hilly resort on the south coast of this Greek Island, from where you can see nearby Zakynthos, less than 20km across the Ionian Sea. What I did Apart from unwinding on the beach, I hired a car and drove to the stunning little resort of Assos, where a paved path gives great views (above, right) and leads up to a ruined Venetian fortress. The small marina port of Fiskardo, one of the few settlements on the island not to have been flattened by a massive earthquake in 1953, is well worth a day trip, too. Where I stayed A spacious duplex in the Liocharis Apartments (liocharis. gr), with great views down over Lourdas village and out to sea. What I ate Among many terrific…

Tina Luscombe, 49, Gravesend Tell us about your look… My style is quite classic with a few trendy bits thrown in. I wear all sorts and I go shopping at least once a week. I like mixing lots of different brands together. Today I’m wearing a Sainsbury’s dress with boots from Asda and a Michael Kors bag. And the best bit of your body? My legs. Lisa Elaine Hughes, 51, Ackworth Tell us about your look… I love all the latest fashions but I know what suits me and I stick to it. I wear a lot of smart, fitted clothes and I like autumnal colours. I’m wearing M&S jeggings and a Karen Millen T-shirt with a leather jacket I bought about 10 years ago. My…

MEET OUR TUTORS Tina Egleton: Woman’s Weekly’s Technical Knitting Editor has over 40 years’ experience. She’s designed many of our knitting patterns and is an expert tutor. Freddie Patmore: Our knitting assistant has been crocheting since she was a child. She’s gone on to become a designer and loves teaching our workshops. Monika Cobel: Our newest member of the team has a calm and patient nature, making her an excellent tutor. She’s now begun designing for Woman’s Weekly. Knit & Crochet Tea Party – £69 per person Friday 24 June, 10am-4.30pm Perfect if you can already knit and/or crochet: Freddie and Monika have a choice of lovely projects for you to make. There will also be technical demos for the tricky bits, including knitting…

Easy-peasy Measurements Approximately 15cm/6in in diameter and 6cm/2½in deep. Materials 1 x 50g (85m) ball of Rico Design Creative Cotton Aran (100% cotton) in Pastel Pink (02)*. Size 5.00 crochet hook. Abbreviations Ch, chain; st, stitch; dc, double crochet; htr, half treble; slst, slip stitch; dc2tog, work 2dc together thus: [insert hook in next st, yarn round hook and pull through] twice, yarn round hook and pull through all 3 loops on hook; htr2tog, work 2htr together (yarn round hook, insert hook in front loop only of next st, yarn round hook and pull through, yarn round hook, insert hook in back loop only of next st, yarn round hook and pull through, yarn round hook and pull through all 5 loops on hook). Note Yarn amounts are based on…

Made With Love PUHVVHG flRZHUV DUH VXFK IXn WR ZRUN ZLWK! Easy-peasy You will need • Card blanks – we used 10.5 x 15cm and 7 x 10cm • Cream card • Pressed flowers – we used gypsophila, lobelia and verbena • PVA glue • Cocktail stick • Glue stick • Small piece of card • Letter stamps and ink • Scissors 1 For the large card, cut a piece of cream card to approximately 5 x 6cm and hand-stamp ‘Happy Easter’ – if you don’t have letter stamps you can neatly handwrite it instead. 2 Once dry, stick the message to the card front with a glue stick. 3 Arrange gypsophila below and above the message – it’s quite effective if the flowers overlap the card. 4 Once you…

Belle is laughing so hard that she completely forgets her embarrassment This one starts with a girl and a boy. The girl’s name is Belle, and the first time she sees Luke, he’s sitting at her kitchen table sharing cold pizza out of the box with her brother, Scott. Scott beckons her over and she shyly takes a slice and sits down with them, hoping her mother won’t come in and tell her off for ruining her diet. She’s 18 and Scott and Luke, who’ve just finished university, are impossibly witty and cool. Luke, especially, strikes her with all his bouncy energy and the good-natured way he takes Scott’s teasing about his obsessively groomed hair. She watches them joking with each other and blushes while eating her slice of pizza.…

1 Note the time and monit or how long the seizur e lasts. 2 Check/remove hazards to the person or yourself, for example tr affic or electricit y. 3 If the per son is unc onscious/ jerking, remove sharp, solid or hot items that c ould injure them but don't put an ything (including fingers) in their mouth. 4 Loosen tight clothing at their neck, and cushion their head, for example with a c oat. 5 When the fit s tops, if they don't come round, turn them into the recovery position ( only if you know how to do this). 6 Keep talking quietly and reassuringly , even if they don't seem t o hear. 7 If the fit las ts more than five minutes, recurs, the person is…

Living Nutrition Kef-Flamex, £24.99 for 60 capsules, from livingnutrition.co.uk , contains rosemary for a clear mind and tulsi (holy basil) to relieve stress in a helpful probiotic blend. A. Vogel Menoforce, £12.99 for 30 tablets, from health stores, is a sage remedy to reduce night sweats. The Natural Health Practice Black Cohosh Nutrition Support, £24.77 for 60 capsules, from naturalhealthpractice.com , contains a blend of herbs traditionally used to relieve menopause symptoms.…

Getting resentful won’t help anybody Q I’m 61 and probably shouldn’t let my birthday affect me so much but I’m upset at my family’s attitude. My brother-in-law says he gets mine and my brother’s birthdays mixed up and that’s why my card is always late! My husband’s sister sent a text saying, ‘Card should arrive tomorrow, sorry but you will have a birthday that’s on the first of the month so it’s not till I turn the calendar over that I find you there!’ And my brother never sends a card. I feel upset because I send everyone cards in time and I find these excuses ridiculous. I think it’s a bit hurtful, as if they can’t be bothered to make an effort. I feel like telling them that their…

Take the hard work out of cleaning floors with this amazing nine-in-one steam mop. Suitable for marble, ceramic, stone, lino, sealed wood floors and even carpets, this powerful 1500W device cleans away tough dirt and grime safely without any chemicals, saving you money and the environment. It’s simple to use – just fill the reservoir with water and switch on. With a quick swap of attachments, the mop becomes a handheld cleaner for blitzing baked-on cookware, worktops, taps, tiles, clothing and upholstery. It provides an hour of cleaning without refilling and comes with a handy 5m cable and a two-year warranty for peace of mind. To order, call 0871 911 7011 and quote 59818, or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0871 911 7011 and quote…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW12. Lines open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Use The Coupon Payment may be made by cheque and sent with the coupon to the address provided. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK, offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW12 Babies’ Knits Offer, Woman’s Weekly Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. For enquiries, please…

‘Clare’s mum wanted to know whether Ben was PG or X certificate, as we used to call it’ Let’s begin by setting the scene. We writers like to set the scene. We writers also like to get caught up in multimillion pound bidding wars between rival publishers and enjoy cosy chats with J K Rowling about finding a decent butler. For now, though, I suppose setting the scene will have to do. You join us in the charity shop, which is abuzz with activity. I’m on the counter with Clare, our youngest assistant. Ben, our other young assistant, is in the window display doing something with a 20s-style frock, a cloche hat and some beads that will apparently make us irresistible to passing customers. Mrs Beasley, our manager, is in…

Tweet Of The Day The WW team all loved these fantastic books which not only explain all about the appearance, habitat and behaviour of garden and woodland birds respectively, but play their calls at the touch of a button on the side panels. But as they’re intended for children I thought it only right to test them out with the help of gorgeous twins, Jack and Dan. As you can see, they found them fascinating too! The Little Book Of Garden Bird Songs and The Little Book Of Woodland Bird Songs , £12.99 each (Fine Feather Press Ltd), from good bookshops and online. Layer Cake To say Lifestyle Ed Jayne and were bowled over by the cake Cookery Ed…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please do not send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves…

They cook the meals, iron the clothes and clean the house. But when young carers need TLC, who can they turn to? For a quick chat… Babble is an online community run by the Carers Trust that gives young carers a place to share their experiences. babble.carers.org For counselling… Barnardo’s runs a series of individual and group sessions for young carers, which aims to help them develop the strategies to cope. Sessions can be organised in school, or at a Barnardo’s centre. 020 8550 8822; barnados.org.uk For a weekend away… The Calvert Trust runs dedicated weekend breaks for young carers, which give children the chance to participate in activities such as go-karting and abseiling in centres in Exmoor, the Lake District and Northumbria. calvert-trust.org.uk For day-to-day help… Spurgeons…

Join felting experts Judy Balchin and Roz Dace for a day of needle-felting. These workshops are brilliant for complete beginners or for anyone keen on needle-felting, which is an easy technique to pick up. You just need a needle and a pile of fluff and, once you’ve learnt the basic method, you can make almost anything. Judy is a designer who’s written numerous craft books and articles. She attended Cardiff and then Maidstone College of Art, where she studied graphic design, before starting work as a designer at the BBC. Roz has always loved creative writing, drawing, painting and all crafts. For many years, she was Search Press’s editorial director, commissioning practical art and crafts books for international markets. Wee Woolly Mouse Monday 6 June You will be making a…

Pretty in pink Group together one of our favourite flowers, ranunculus, with astrantia and use alchemilla mollis, stock and rosemary to mingle with the shades of pink. When you are happy with your posy, tie together with string and place in a mini rustic-looking milk churn. Layer pretty plates and cover the whole display with a glass dome when your guests arrive – remembering not to keep your flowers covered for too long, as they need to breathe! Florist’s Tip Change water every other day to keep flowers fresher for longer Sunshine in a bottle Gather glass bottles, jars or small vases on a table and use them to display taller stemmed flowers, such as tulips, daffodils and craspedia. Tie bows around the necks of some of the bottles with…

Turn a simple napkin into something special A Bit More Tricky You will need • Tracing paper • A sharp HB pencil • Fawn linen or cotton napkin • Mid-green, light green and white stranded cotton embroidery thread • Crewel embroidery needle • Matching sewing thread Embroidering the napkin Use two strands of embroidery thread and a crewel needle. 1 Trace the stem and leaves on to tracing paper and mark the tips of the flowers with a dot. Redraw the design on the wrong side of the tracing with a pencil. 2 Place the template right side up on one corner of the napkin. Redraw the design to transfer it to the napkin. 3 Use stem stitch to embroider the leaf veins with mid-green embroidery thread and the stems…

Over half a million people in the UK (one in every 100) have epilepsy, a neurological condition that triggers recurrent seizures. These are caused by sudden abnormal electrical activity in brain cells, which spreads rapidly, causing part or all of the body to malfunction temporarily. It commonly starts in childhood and may affect other relatives. It can also be a feature of about 200 genetic conditions, including learning disability. But epilepsy can also start in later life, as a result of a head injury, stroke, brain tumour, meningitis or drug/ alcohol misuse – or for no obvious reason. The symptoms Seizures usually follow their own usual pattern. Simple partial or focal seizures can produce odd sensations (taste, smell, tingling) or emotions, including déjà vu (a feeling that events are repeating…

1 Which foods are better to avoid? A Spicy B Soya Answer: A Spice is a notorious stimulant and likely to trigger night sweats and hot flushes if you’re one of the 85% of menopausal women who get them. By contrast, a US study of more than 1,200 women found that two portions of soya foods daily (soya beans, soya milk, etc) could reduce hot flushes by 26%. 2 Which habit should you kick first? A Cigarettes B Alcohol Answer: A Smoking speeds up oestrogen-loss, bringing on menopause symptoms earlier, according to an American study from Pennsylvania. But that doesn’t mean alcohol is in the clear – it can increase your risk of hot flushes in the same way as spicy foods. It also speeds up the bone changes that…

‘I’ve had success with EFT’ I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2006, after months of muscle pain, fatigue and migraines. It’s a long-term condition which causes pain all over the body. No one knows what triggers it and it’s difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic lots of other illnesses, such as an underactive thyroid. It’s estimated that one in 25 people may be affected, and more women are than men. Because there aren’t any specific tests that can confirm diagnosis, it’s a case of ruling out everything else. Blood tests revealed I had low levels of lymphocytes, which suggested an auto-immune issue. And a ‘tender points’ test – where at least 11 of 18 specific tender points on the body, such as the back of the neck – confirmed…

Q I want to learn something new. Can the internet help? Whether you want to change career, finish a course you started years ago or just experience the stimulating challenges of learning, there are so many ways the internet can help you get back to school. The first thing to understand is that it’s never too late – education is for life, and mature students are everywhere. The internet can help you find the right university, college or local class for you, but it also gives you opportunities to learn without leaving your home. Many courses are free, but if you need help paying for a course, there are helpful sites for that, too. A good first stop is nidirect.gov.uk – there’s a facility to chat live with a careers…

Celebrate Roald Dahl’s centenary Tatton Park in Cheshire will be hosting a variety of events and activities this year to celebrate 100 years since Roald Dahl’s birth. From 19 March, an exhibition of Roald Dahl book jackets from around the world will be on show (until 30 October). For details of other Dahl-related events, call 01625 374 400 or visit tattonpark.org.uk. See A History Of Fashion In 100 Objects The Fashion Museum in Bath mounts this major exhibition from 19 March (until the end of 2017), which showcases 100 particularly influential garments and accessories from the museum’s collection spanning 500 years. For more information, call 01225 477 789 or visit fashionmuseum.co.uk. Watch Cate Blanchett in Carol Unhappy housewife Carol is trapped in a loveless marriage when she meets Therese (Rooney…

Wow! What have I missed out on? When did Woman’s Weekly change its format? My mother used to take the magazine weekly. The familiar pink and blue cover was delivered with the papers at sixpence a copy. After I left home to be married, my mother would pass it on to me. Sadly, after Mum died, I didn’t really bother to buy it until very recently when the cover caught my eye. Such value for money, so much to read, lots of ideas, and, as it says on the cover, I’m ‘be[ing] inspired every day!’ It’s now on my weekly shopping list. It’s great to have you back – happy reading! We love to hear from you, so do get in touch if you have something to say…

WW Features Writer Sarah says, ‘When I first heard the ex-Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis had written a novel, I was dubious, but within one chapter I was hooked. Set in Georgian London, it’s the story of 19-year-old Anne Jaccob, who, through a series of awful events, is left feeling powerless. It’s a dark start, but Anne emerges like a warrior, determined to forge a happier life with her new love Fub, the butcher’s apprentice – if only her parents would let her. Anne’s solution to the problem is surprising, to say the least!’ The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis (£14.99, Two Roads).…

Only buy what you like and accept there may be little or no return if you sell. Don't be nervous of the saleroom. Attend a view day, then the sale, to get used to the terminology, auction speed and atmosphere. Use a reputable professional. Look for the NAVA (The National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers) logo when dealing with auction houses; LAPADA (The Association of Art and Antiques Dealers) when dealing with antiques dealers/trade professionals, and BADA (British Antique Dealers Association) marks, amongst others. Many people bid via live online platforms such as the-saleroom.com . To bid via phone or to leave commission bids (state your maximum purchase price against a lot with the auctioneer, who’ll act on your behalf to buy it as cheaply as possible).…

The other day, I saw a book in a shop window entitled Why Can’t I Meditate? I’ve asked myself that question a lot since a GP friend told me I need to relax more, and should try mindfulness. If you’re unfamiliar with it, mindfulness is a form of self-awareness in which you’re meant to focus on the present moment, including the sensations of your own body. You can do this on your tod, but I’ve been to a few workshops now where meditative rumination (navel-gazing, according to my cynical other half) is involved. And I can’t do it. At one session, you had to drop a pebble in a glass of water and as it sank, visualise your troubles sinking to the bottom. It was a bit like a maths…

This collection of colourful annuals will make your beds, borders, patios and baskets look amazing this season. The pack of unbelievable value includes 12 fabulous varieties (pictured), giving you all the plants you need this summer for a vibrant and long-lasting display. Height: Up to 60cm (24in). Spread: Up to 45cm (18in). Supplied as plug plants. Buy six of any variety for £5.99 Buy 72 (six of each) for £19.99 (RRP £71.88) SAVE OVER £51 To order, call 0844 573 6057 and quote WWK2075, or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0844 573 6057 and quote WWK2075. Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am-6pm. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque (with your name, address and WWK2075 on the…

When his exams were coming up at school, he’d weeded the entire garden Joyce shifted her glasses back up her nose, peering first at her son, then at her kitchen worktop strewn with the tins he’d emptied from her badly listing cupboard. “So, you say Gail wants to go to France this year, then?” she said. “Yes, to a farmhouse right in the middle of wine country,” David grumbled. “I don’t even like wine.” Silence lingered as he worked away with his screwdriver at the back of the broken unit. Joyce knew he’d prefer the Lake District and his walking boots. “Still, I bet France will be lovely. You said you enjoyed Spain, once you got there.” David grunted. He shifted a tin of chicken soup aside to make room…

LAZY DAISY STITCH Bring the needle up through the centre of where you want your flower to be, reinsert needle beside this point and pull the thread partway through. Now bring needle up through fabric where you want the petal edge to be. Using the needle, lasso the loop of thread at the centre and complete a small stitch to secure the petal in place. Continue in a circular motion until all your petals resemble a flower. STEM STITCH Working from left to right, bring the needle up at the end of the line and make a short stitch. Bringing the needle up again, adjacent to the first stitch and halfway down its length, make another short stitch. Repeat to make a line of stem stitches in this way. BACKSTITCH…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WW12. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. Prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW12 Vintage Knits Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, Room 06-C06, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Items…

Heavy Weather? Manchester researchers are trying to see whether there’s any basis for the commonly held belief that the weather can affect pain symptoms in osteoarthritis and other painful conditions. They have developed a smartphone app to ‘crowdsource’ information on symptoms until January 2017, and use GPS to link them to weather conditions at the smartphone’s UK location. If you’re aged over 17, and have arthritis or chronic pain, you can find out more and download the app from cloudywithachanceofpain.com. True Or False? Eating greens protects against glaucoma. True, according to US researchers, who say kale, lettuce and other leafy greens contain nitrates that may help prevent sight-threatening rises in eyeball pressure. Ask About ‘Talking Treatments’ A recent UK survey has suggested that if you need psychological therapy for a…

‘The tutors were excellent and engaging. I loved the feedback and practical tips’ We’re holding more of our fiction workshops at our London office. Learn how to write fiction or poetry in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. What are you waiting for? Book your place now! ABOUT OUR TUTORS Gaynor Davies is our Fiction Editor and Fiction Special Editor Della Galton is a novelist, short-story writer and journalist Suzanne Ahern writes serials for us under her own name and pseudonyms Simon Brett has written over 90 books and is an award-winning author Alison Chisholm is an expert tutor who has had hundreds of poems published Writing A Short Story With A Twist Monday 18 April, Friday 8 July and Friday 28 October With Gaynor Davies and Della Galton 10am MEET…

Switzerland – The Matterhorn & Glacier Express Selected departures May to October 2016. Price includes: Return flights, taxes and transfers Seven nights in three- and four-star hotels with half board Visit Zermatt and the Matterhorn and travel on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express Visit Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva and ride the Centovalli Railway to Locarno Visit to Lake Maggiore and Stresa and stay in Klosters Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager Stockholm & Copenhagen Selected departures from June to September 2016. Price includes: Return flights from London Heathrow or Gatwick, Manchester or Edinburgh, taxes and transfers Five nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast Tour of Stockholm, including Sweden’s Royal Palace High-speed train from Stockholm to Copenhagen Tour of Copenhagen and visit to Roskilde, home to…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Letting go of restrictive beliefs will make it easier to get along with people from all walks of life. Be willing to put your assumptions aside. You may have to cancel a trip to deal with some pressing responsibilities closer to home. Finish these tasks as quickly as possible. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May You may not be able to do as much as you usually do this week. Reduce your workload. Stop insisting you are too busy to slow down. Putting some money into savings appeals to your inner need for security. You’re not the type who can be comfortable living from hand to mouth. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21…