Innholdsfortegnelse for 06-Aug-2019 i Woman's Weekly

Rosemary’s column on the back page always makes me laugh, but her description this week of Mr Dear walking Clare down the aisle while fighting back the tears made me smile in a different way.  Men like to pretend we’re not emotional – although we fool no-one – but there are times when that paper-thin veneer of disguise has to crack. Becoming a parent is one of them. We have two boys, but also a daughter, so some day I might, perhaps, be given the privilege of walking her down the aisle. Who knows whether she’ll ever really call upon me to link arms with her in that way… but if she does, like Thomas Dear, I just might betray quite how sentimental us lot can really be. Animal attraction…

Some time ago, one of my dearest friends announced his engagement. He and his partner had been together for well over a decade, but this was going to be a double cause for celebration – mainly because their wedding was to be one of the first to take place since same-sex civil partnerships became legal over here in the Republic of Ireland. ‘Amazing news!’ I squealed joyfully at my pal. ‘But tell me this much – what’s the actual difference between a civil partnership and… well, a normal wedding?’ Not much, it turns out. For starters, the wedding was to be held at the gorgeously posh Rathsallagh House, one of the most romantic wedding venues going. And for the women, all the usual frantic running around and tearing our hair…

See that house up there on the mountain? It’s going to be mine one day,’ Mandy said to her friends Jill and Rosie as the three of them sat on the wall at the edge of the school playground. The school was surrounded by hills and on the highest, facing west, stood a lilac house in the midst of forestry. Mandy would often gaze up at it and wonder if it would ever be possible to make a trip there. One day, she vowed, one day, it would be hers ‘No, it’s not. It’s going to be mine!’ An all-too familiar and unwelcome voice burst in and Mandy looked up to see the freckled and curly haired Alan Short. Alan Short enjoyed baiting Mandy, but what had she ever done…

Up to 18 million UK adults, that’s one in three, are thought to have the slightly higher than normal blood sugar levels of prediabetes, also called impaired glucose regulation (IGR), which will eventually lead to Type 2 diabetes itself. Each year, 5-10% of people with prediabetes go on to develop Type 2 diabetes, but it can potentially be slowed or even reversed. There are several risk factors for prediabetes, only some of which you can work on, as the increased risk as you age is impossible to alter. Family history is relevant, as some types of Type 2 diabetes are genetically linked and certain races are more prone, including South Asians, Afro-Caribbeans and Native Americans. The biggest risk factor, and one that can be altered, is being overweight or obese,…

1 Brush and floss Gum disease, causing bleeding, is due to a build up of plaque, a sticky substance from bacteria, so regular brushing and flossing helps to prevent this. 2 See your dentist… Or your dental hygienist to check your mouth and have your teeth professionally cleaned and any hardened plaque (tartar) removed. 3 Get a check-up Bleeding gums can be a sign of increased blood sugar affecting your overall gum condition, so get a doctor or nurse to check your blood sugar levels. 4 See your GP If it persists, ask your doctor to check your blood count for clotting, especially if you have noticed bruising or other bleeding such as nosebleeds.…

He’s changed his tune Q My son doesn’t believe in Mother’s Day and hasn’t done anything for it since he was 18. He now has an 18-month-old child and suddenly Mother’s Day matters. He even had the nerve to ask me to babysit while he took his wife out. Of course, I said no. Aneta, Melbourne AI wonder what that achieved? Did you explain why you said no and tell him how hurt you are about the Mother’s Days you’ve missed out on? Or did you just punish him because you’ve been hurt? There may be many reasons he’s shown an interest now. It could be his wife has shown an interest and he’s responded or that, or now he’s a parent, he appreciates in a different way the role…

A visit to the garden centre will reward with a good choice of vibrant blooms – like flamboyant dahlias and lilies that come in sizzling shades of pink, red, orange and yellow. You can buy them in pots at this time of year and use them to create a feeling of warmth around seating areas. Look out, too, for the sculptured flowers of calla lilies. These South African natives have been the focus of much recent hybridising, resulting in varieties with flowers in luscious shades of pink, purple, red, peach, yellow and gold. They’re perfect for growing in pots on the patio. Or try Lantana, with its fragrance of ripe blackcurrants, airy habit and multicoloured yellow, pink, orange and red verbena-like flowers.…

Paul noticed Sally the moment he climbed into the water. He hadn’t laid eyes on her for almost 20 years, since he’d been little more than a teenager, but he’d let her slip through his fingers. He hadn’t been ready to commit to the level she’d wanted. He’d had no idea she was back in Devon. He waited for her to come back towards him. ‘Hi, Sally.’ He paused as he saw a glint of recognition in her eyes. ‘Do you come here often?’ As the words left his mouth, he could have kicked himself. It was such a cliché. ‘Most days,’ she said, stopping. She scanned his features. ‘It is Paul, isn’t it? Paul Edwards? It’s good to see you again after all this time.’ He nodded, relieved, but…

Buy the exclusive yarn pack for just £17.99 at theknittingnetwork.co.uk or call 01795 570303 Part one With 4mm hook and Bright Pink, make 4ch and sl st in fourth ch from hook to form a ring. The blanket is worked in rounds, so for the first round you will be working your stitches into the ring; subsequent rounds will be worked into chain spaces (ch-sps) and between the groups of 3tr. 1st round (right side): 3ch (counts as 1tr here and throughout), 2tr into the ring (this forms your first group of 3tr), [1ch, 3tr into the ring] 3 times, 1ch, sl st in top of beginning 3ch – 4 groups of 3tr, 4 1ch-sps. Fasten off and turn work. 2nd round (wrong side): Join Lemon in any 1ch-sp, [3ch,…

Finola MacKay, 70 Tell us about your look… I love wearing linen in summer. I found this dress at Warehouse. I thought the bold stripe was rather trendy. My suede bag is from Spain, and my sandals are FitFlops. I love accessorising with silver jewellery. My favourite pieces are from India and were a gift from my son. And the best bit of your body? My hair. Sandra Bateup, 66 Tell us about your look… I spotted my jacket in Zara. I was shopping with a friend and this jacket had my name on it! It’s perfect for a casual/smart look with jeans. Today, I’m wearing it with my skinny ‘Lily’ jeans from Oasis. They’re high waisted and super stretchy. My top is also from Zara, and my silver sandals…

Remove built-up film from hard-water minerals by soaking stemware in white vinegar for five minutes. Then rinse by hand and dry with a microfibre cloth. Save a pretty container when the candle’s spent by rinsing with steaming hot water and scooping out the wax residue inside with a paper towel. Your phone might harbour more germs than a toilet seat! Zap germs by wiping with an alcohol wipe. And don’t forget the TV remote and computer mouse.…

Samantha Giles is one of the most recognisable faces on ITV soap Emmerdale , having played the hilarious Bernice Blackstock on and off since 1999. ‘I wrote down what I was after and he appeared as if by magic!’ Known for being unlucky in love, Bernice has a string of failed relationships behind her, and was most recently seen throwing a lavish Wild West-themed party (which of course ended in disaster), all in order to win back Dr Liam Cavanagh and propose to him. But while Samantha, 48, laughs about her character always getting ‘carried away with her own ideas’, she insists that this couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to her own life. When Woman’s Weekly sits down to chat to her, she tells us, ‘I…

The effortless all-in-one What’s easier than a chic jumpsuit that you can simply throw on and go? This lovely one-piece can easily be dressed up or down with the right accessories. The feel-fabulous dress This mid-length sunny design is sure to lift your mood. It’s a relaxed fit but you can add a belt if you prefer to define your waist. The brilliant Breton This wardrobe staple is a winner all year round but it really comes into its own in the summer. Tuck into an A-line skirt for a comfortable but stylish daytime look. The figure-fixing trousers Try swapping fitted trousers for a wider fit – they’re perfect for balancing your proportions and comfortable in the heat as the fabric won't cling.…

Poached pear chocolate cake This is a dessert cake with real wow factor, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. SERVES 12 For the poached pears: ✿ 4-6 large unripe pears ✿ 1 x 75cl bottle red wine ✿ 150g (5oz) sugar ✿ 2 cinnamon sticks For the cake: ✿ 150g (5oz) dark chocolate ✿ 50g (2oz) crème fraîche ✿ 125g (4oz) butter, softened ✿ 125g (4oz) caster sugar ✿ 4 eggs ✿ 80g (3oz) ground almonds ✿ 40g (1½oz) plain flour ✿ 1tbsp cocoa powder ✿ 1tbsp baking powder ✿ Clotted cream, to serve You will need: ✿ A large loaf tin, about 28-30cm (11-12in), greased and lined with a good overlap of baking parchment on all sides to help it out of the tin 1 Peel the pears then…

✿ Stick to a well-balanced, healthy diet. If you need help consult a nutritionist or look online for The Eatwell Guide , a visual tool to the best balance of the types and amounts of food you should be having. ✿ Portion size control is the easiest way to lose weight if you need to. You can still eat what you want, but just take smaller portions. ✿ Activity helps your muscles manage blood sugars, so slightly more activity, such as walking or cycling, will gradually help. ✿ If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, your doctor should clearly set out the steps you need to lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.…

To add height, train the Chilean glory flower, Eccremocarpus scaber, over a wigwam so that can enjoy its 2.5cm long, tubular orange-scarlet flowers until the frosts come in October. Another exotic-looking plant is Spanish flag, or Ipomoea lobata. This easy-care climber produces up to 12 crimson flowers along slender spikes. The flowers change through orange and yellow to white – like the Spanish flag. Both are easy to grow from seed if you have a greenhouse.…

For an exotic-looking plant with big leaves and architectural habit, a must-have is Fatsia japonica. Bamboos are useful too. But if you’ve got a small garden, choose the dwarf, variegated variety Pleioblastus viridistriatus, which reaches a maximum height of just 90cm and forms a clump 60cm or so in diameter. The palm-like leaves of Cordyline australis also work well. Look out for ‘Purpurea’, which has bronze sword-like foliage, and ‘Torbay Dazzler’ with green leaves edged in white.…

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (£7.99, PB, Hodder) Lucy is desperate for Diana, her mother-in-law, to like her. Despite being dedicated to the vulnerable women Diana helps through her charity work, she’s distant and cold with her own children. Now something has happened... Alternating between past and present, this book shows how simple miscommunications in families can lead to underlying grumblings and rows, which fester for years. A great read that grips you from the start. The Chain  by Adrian McKinty (£12.99, HB, Orion) McKinty has pushed his conflicted characters to the dark depths of desperation to protect their loved ones. Rachel receives a phone call saying her daughter has been kidnapped. If Rachel wants her daughter released, she must provide a suitable replacement. But if everyone gives in to…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Is your glass half full or half empty? The quality of your week will depend upon your perspective. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May This is a wonderful time for writing a book, sharing some information, teaching and all kinds of learning. Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun Financially you may receive a boost. This is an excellent time for launching or developing a product. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your home and family may be in the spotlight this week. Show you appreciate the people you love. Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug Someone from the past may get in touch, or you may decide to connect with an old acquaintance. Virgo 24 Aug – 23 Sep Decluttering and recycling are under…

Seeing the old pink cover of your original Woman’s Weekly brought back so many memories of the Second World War. I was a child living in Johannesburg at the time, but my father was in the RAF. My parents were divorced and we lived with our father – we had a lovely lady called Miss Evans looking after us. My most lasting memory of this time was the magazines she received by post from the UK. One, of course, was Woman’s Weekly, with that distinctive cover. I waited every week for the postman to come, and Miss Evans let me read the next instalment. When I retired, as a result of those days, I took up creative writing. I now belong to a writing group called The Word Birds and…

I was 15 years old in this photograph. I’m on the right and was with my friend Anne. We were in Blackpool. I wore a blouse and skirt I had made at school in the sewing class. I loved those circular skirts. I continued to make all my own clothes until recently. We’d love to see how great you looked in any era up to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality photo with your name, address and daytime phone number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept, Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Photos will be returned.…

...Book Grease in Concert For the first time ever, the music from Grease will be performed live by an orchestra to accompany the film on a tour next year. Beginning in Glasgow at the Royal Concert Hall on 6 February, the tour then calls at Manchester Bridgewater Hall, Cardiff St David’s Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and London Eventim Apollo, finishing at Dublin Bord Gàis. ✿ Visit ticketmaster.co.uk ...Explore Liverpool Art Fair Back for its 8th year and being hosted at the Metquarter, this free exhibition runs until 1 September. Lots of the art is on sale, and with limited-edition prints from just £25, there’s something for everyone. ✿ Visit liverpoolartfair.com ...Enjoy School’s out for summer! Grab the kids and hold onto your sprinkles as myfabland returns! Touring the UK, you’ll…

Although staying with a partner for life is quite rare among animals, there are exceptions – and for some it’s very much ‘till death do us part’. Whether it’s a matter of survival, staying together for the kids or simply doting on their partners, these monogamous animals prove the power of love… Gibbons: All together now... Long-term relationships are rare in primates, but gibbons form a strong bond and work together to raise a family. Grooming one another, hanging out and swinging through trees, these adorable creatures are likely to pair off and stay with one partner until they die. Although they may occasionally stray to other mates, the gibbon will always come back to their partner at the end of the day. Bald Eagles: Love is in the air…

With measles rates rising and vaccination rates falling, NHS managers are watching as Italy has decided on a policy of mandatory immunisation of children before they enrol in school. They include vaccinations for chickenpox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Without proof of vaccination, children will be turned away. It’s controversial, but it’s hoped it will return vaccination rates to the WHO target of 95%.…

1 Drink more You need around eight glasses of water a day in hot weather, even if you don’t feel thirsty. 2 Apply sunscreen generously half an hour before going out. And again just before going into the sun. And don’t forget sunglasses to protect your eyes. 3 Stay indoors And keep windows and curtains closed if the temperature is cooler indoors than out. Heatwaves can happen suddenly and cause many hospital visits for dehydration and heatstroke. Listen out for Met Office warnings and get organised before the weather gets really hot.…

No cash for a holiday? Then give your patio a vacation vibe with hot-blooded tropicals. If you’re looking for inspiration, open gardens are a good place to pick up unusual plants and  ideas. For instance, in the south of England and the mild west coast of Scotland, you may find tender plants, such as ginger lilies (Hedychium), which (in good weather) produce fragrant orchid-like flowers through to September. Even when the summer weather is a bit of a flop, this plant will still pack a punch with its shiny, dark green, lance-shaped leaves.…

YOU WILL NEED ✿ 35 x 45cm cream cotton fabric ✿ 51 x 106cm ticking stripe fabric ✿ 51 x 70cm blue cotton fabric ✿ 10 x 50cm Bondaweb ✿ 50 x 55cm heat-proof batting ✿ Matching sewing thread ✿ 230cm of 25mm wide cotton binding tape ✿ Pins ✿ Scissors ✿ Quilter’s ruler ✿ Cutting mat ✿ Rotary cutter Time to make: 5 hours Stockists: Ticking stripe cotton canvas in pale blue, £10.99 per m, canvas fabric in cream, £11.99 per m, heavy woven cotton fabric in baby blue, £8.99 per m, 25mm wide cotton webbing binding tape in natural, 59p per m, all minervacrafts.com. Bondaweb, £3.50 per m, Thermolam batting, £5.50 per m, ladysewandsew.co.uk. FISH TEA TOWEL 1 From the ticking fabric, cut out a 51 x 71cm…

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (£5.99, PB, Vintage) This delightful coming-of-age story sees our heroine, teenager Cassandra Mortmain, living in genteel poverty in a crumbling castle with her rather bohemian family – two sisters, a brother, her eccentric father and glamorous stepmother. Cassandra ‘captures’ life in the castle by writing in her diary, which includes the arrival of a wealthy American family. Aside from becoming their landlords, Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the very first time... Our verdict This novel may be aimed at youngsters, but it’s just as wonderful to read as an adult. Whimsical and melancholy, Cassandra pulls you in right from her opening line: ‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.’…

Oh, don’t they make a lovely couple?’ ‘The best man absolutely must make an embarrassing speech’ It is Clare and Ben’s big day, and coming from Clare’s mother you might think that was a bit rich. It seems barely five minutes ago that she was bursting into the charity shop and accusing us – well, accusing me really as I happened to be on counter duty – of encouraging her daughter to fraternise with the wrong sort of men. As it happened, Ben turned out to be exactly the right sort of man for Clare and here we all are at the church, struggling to fight back tears. Clare’s mother is fighting back tears because, well, that is the job of the mother of the bride. I am fighting back…