Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Nov-2019 i Woman's Weekly

Working in publishing means one of the most festive times of the year for us is... July! This is when the high-street stores start showing us their tasty menus and gift ideas for the forthcoming Christmas season. Apart from it being very inspiring for me professionally, it also means I can be very organised personally. And yes, this does mean I‘ve already bought about half of my presents for my family and friends! If you’re still looking for more ideas for this wonderful time of year, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Our great bumper issue is guaranteed to put you in the mood for making, shopping and of course, relaxing!…

Doesn’t Buster look a handsome boy posing in front of the Christmas tree? Moshmi Patel, London This is Sugar ‘helping’ with Christmas decorations. Jackie Seaton, Newbury Barnaby, our little miniature dachshund, loves to pose for the camera. Here he is with his favourite Christmas toy. Florence Edwards, Cheshire This is my 10-year-old Jack Russell, Maisie, who is fully prepared for her cold winter walks. Alison Hoy, Northumberland This is Ed. Don’t be fooled by the look on his face because he has a Christmas outfit on. He always looks like this. I call it his ‘mardy’ face. Sandra Johnson, Kent…

After a hectic year, TV star and singer Jane McDonald can’t wait to spend quality time with her long-term partner and love of her life, Eddie Rothe, this Christmas. And the 56-year-old says being together by themselves over the festive period will be the perfect gift, especially as they have to spend large parts of the year apart, thanks to her busy schedule filming her hit Channel 5 cruising series. ‘I adore Christmas,’ confides Jane as she settles down to chat. ‘I’m having Christmas Day off and I can’t wait! This year, it’ll be Ed and me on our own at home. ‘I can’t wait! This year, it’ll be Ed and me on our own at home’ ‘We will get a little present for each other, but all I want…

1 Suet balls and other fat-based food bars are excellent winter food. Remove any netting first, as birds and other wildlife can become tangled up in it. 2 Mild grated cheese is a favourite of robins, blackbirds and song thrushes. Apples and pears, including part-rotten ones, cut up, are popular with thrushes, tits and starlings. And many birds like cooked potatoes and scraps of pastry. 3 You don’t need a pond to provide water for birds. Dig a shallow hole in the ground and put an old washing-up bowl in it. Then surround it with twigs and add a bit of water. Change the water regularly and float a small ball on it to stop ice forming. 4 A nest box is an excellent substitute for a tree hole. Many…

Becky ‘It was lovely having my hair and make-up done professionally – what a treat!’ Peggy ‘I’ve had such a wonderful day modelling with my family – it has been a joy dressing up in these gorgeous clothes’ Kathleen ‘This jumpsuit is definitely going on my Christmas wish list!’ Sally ‘I completely stepped out of my comfort zone – I would never have thought to try this style of dress and I love it!’ Marian ‘I will treasure this day forever – spending time with my family, being pampered and wearing fabulous clothes is a dream come true’…

Trophy jacket Classic and comfortable, a velvet blazer instantly smartens up your look. Control underwear Don’t breathe in all night – get nipped and tucked in all the right places with high-tech underwear. Tunic tops Longer lines are more flattering, especially for hiding tummies. Dance-all-night shoes Choose low heels or cushioned insoles especially designed for comfort. Dresses with sleeves Full arm coverage or pretty floaty sleeves – we’ve got it covered! One-stop party tops In a rush? Just add black trousers and you’re good to go!…

TURKEY WITH A BACON LATTICE Make your turkey the star of the show (after the cook, of course!) with an easy but impressive bacon-lattice topping. SERVES 6-8 ✣ 1 turkey, about 5.5kg (12lb) ✣ 1 lemon, cut in half ✣ 1 bulb of garlic, cut in half through the middle ✣ 2 bay leaves ✣ 2 large carrots, cut into chunks ✣ 2 onions, quartered ✣ 2 celery sticks, cut into chunks ✣ 50g (1½oz) butter, softened ✣ 16 rashers of streaky bacon 1 Make sure the giblets are removed from the turkey. Put the lemon, garlic and bay leaves in the cavity. 2 Put the chopped veg in a large roasting tray and arrange so the turkey can sit on top. This will ensure the bird doesn’t burn on…

More women will HAVE CHILDREN LATER IN LIFE It’s a fact we have to get used to and find ways to support – women are getting increasingly older when they start having a family. They no longer want to settle down with any man they meet just for the sake of beating their biological clock. They want to be at a place where they are earning a decent living, have a house and are with someone they want to spend their lives with – and that takes time. What we’re trying to do as fertility specialists is come up with solutions and ways to support women in that choice rather than simply telling everyone that they need to go and get pregnant before they reach the age of 35.…

A See your GP as you may have hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and diagnosing and treating it at the earlier mild stage may prevent further scarring. Typically, recurrent painful, inflamed skin nodules progress to abscesses with a chronic discharge, sinuses (tunnels under the skin leaking pus) and scarring. Mostly affecting the armpit, it can also occur in the neck, waistband, groin and inner thighs. It’s more common in women in early middle age and those with a family history of the condition. There’s also a strong association with obesity, smoking, diabetes and cholesterol problems. Treatment includes antiseptics, oral antibiotics and topical antibiotics used on the affected areas. Specialist treatments include retinoids, biological immunosuppressives, the combined contraceptive pill, steroids and surgery. Stopping smoking and losing weight are essential.…

Pretty bulbs A lovely Christmas tradition is to ‘force’ outdoor bulbs into flower by bringing them indoors. Look for ready-planted bulbs, such as hyacinths and daffodils with flowers poised to open, so their scent can drift through the house. Keep them on a sunny windowsill, away from open fires or radiators, and stand pots on shallow saucers filled with moist gravel. Rotate every few days, so the plants grow nice and straight. Winter welcome Ensure your front door is as welcoming as possible with a seasonal garland pinned to the front. If you have room, a planter with elegant box or bay looks tunning, especially with LED lights woven around them. Alternatively, a traditional terracotta pot planted with a group of Christmas roses (Helleborus niger) and white-berried gaultheria is another…

Snowed in at The Practice by Penny Parkes (£7.99, PB, Simon & Schuster) For those familiar with the Larkford series, the latest novel from Penny Parkes is a welcome return. For those new to the world of Dr Holly Graham and her surgery in The Cotswolds, you’re in for a treat. Holly is on maternity leave and finding life with two sets of twins exhausting, but she’s desperate to return to work. And it seems her maternity cover, Dr Tilly Grainger, is causing chaos. In such a picture-perfect setting, surely the drama can be resolved? Full of humour, warmth and characters you care about – this is a festive read you’re sure to love. The Turning Tide by Catriona McPherson, ( £20.99, HB, Hodder) It takes a skilled writer to…

GLORIA SMEATON, 1953 This photo was taken with a Brownie box camera – I’m far right. I was 16 years old and drainpipe trousers had just come into fashion. The three of us in the photograph wearing trousers went to school together and are still good friends all these years later. SYLVIA HILTON, 1955/56 I was 18 years old in this photo, and the sign says it all. The dress I was wearing was extremely heavy, beautifully made and, although I was 5ft 7in, I had to stand on a box for the length. It was on display in the window of the store where I worked. MAY BURNS, 1930s, sent in by granddaughter Heather West Originally from Shropshire, my grandmother moved to Birmingham in the 1920s. Here she is…

Christmas wreaths Traditionally made from natural evergreens, such as pine, spruce and holly, winter wreaths have long represented the idea of nature renewing itself, as their circular form has no beginning and no end. Turkey dinner While we mostly eat turkey now, in the past, meat choices included goose, beef, rabbit, ham – or even peacock, swan or a boar’s head! That divisive element of Christmas dinner, the Brussels sprout, arrived from Europe over 400 years ago, but only became widely available in the late 19th century. Father Christmas Father Christmas is a very long-established English character, dating back to at least the 16th century. Although his appearance hasn’t changed much, in the USA in more recent times, he also became a giver of children’s presents (borrowed from the Dutch…

“I’ll always be associated with Christmas, and that’s no bad thing. Music at Christmas has such a power, and I’m a massive fan of traditional songs and carols – they make you feel warm and nostalgic, and to want to be with your family. That one line, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, conjures up togetherness and harmony. ‘Russell and I sing some toe-tappers’ There’s a feeling of a ‘pause’ at Christmas. Yes, there can be pressure to make that one day perfect, but for me, it’s a magical time when you close the door, take stock of what you’ve got and appreciate family and love, building on the feeling of hope Christmas brings. I became well-known for singing Walking in the Air, from The Snowman, and even now, I…

DEFINE YOUR EYES A go-to party staple, smoky eyes will elevate your daytime make-up to something that feels really special. Instead of traditional greys and blacks, which can look a little harsh, follow reader model Kathleen’s lead with a flattering palette of warm plum tones. ✣ Using a small eyeshadow brush, apply a mid-tone shadow all across your lid. The key is to start light and build up the intensity with every shade used. ✣ Next up, choose a slightly deeper colour and blend across the crease of your eyelid, working up and out from the inner corner. ✣ Finally, add definition to your upper and lower lash lines with eyeliner. Either use a dark eyeshadow on a tapered brush or draw on with a soft, well-sharpened eyeliner pencil. And…

FOR LONGER-LOOKING LASHES Gel liner Black eyeliner can be a bold look, but used correctly, it’ll give your eyes and lashes flattering definition without looking like it’s there at all. Try a technique called ‘tightlining’, which means drawing liner in the upper waterline, then dotting it between the lashes. Gel liners are great for this, as they glide on easily, dry quickly and don’t smudge once they’ve set. Get as close to the lash line as possible and it’ll be hard to see where the liner starts and your lashes end, giving the impression of maximum flutter. Revlon So Fierce! Vinyl Eyeliner in Midnight Mystery, £6.99, Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil in Deep Onyx, £4.99 FOR A QUICK PICK-ME-UP Matte bronzer Most of us associate bronzer with summer, but your…

To serve Christmas lunch at 2pm UP TO 2 DAYS BEFORE ✣ Make the gravy ✣ Roast the ham CHRISTMAS EVE ✣ Prepare the Northern Star Wellington ✣ Lattice the top of the turkey ✣ Prepare the stuffing ✣ Chill the drinks CHRISTMAS DAY ✣ 10am Take the turkey or beef out of the fridge ✣ Heat the oven to 200C/Gas 6 ✣ Prepare the Brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots and parsnips ✣ 10.30am Put the turkey in the oven ✣ 11am Reduce the oven temperature to 160C/Gas 3 ✣ 12.30pm Assemble the prawn cocktails ✣ 12.45pm Parboil the potatoes ✣ 1pm Remove the turkey from the oven, then cover loosely with foil and leave to rest. Increase the oven to 200C/Gas 6 ✣ Roast the potatoes, carrots and parsnips ✣…

Did you know that almost 40,000 people have been medically discharged from the British Armed Forces in the last 20 years? Or that for 70% of wounded veterans surveyed by Help for Heroes adjusting to civilian life is a negative experience, filled with the struggle of not knowing where to turn for help? Thousands fall through the gaps in support and have an uncertain future income, a lack of immediate access to a GP, and difficulties navigating the NHS without medical records. ‘Volunteering is my way of giving something back. In the military, we work together and we help each other. I don’t want others to feel as alone as I did for years’ Help for Heroes wants to make sure that wounded veterans receive the treatment and access to…

✣ To ease the pain of a bunion, hold an ice pack (or frozen peas bag) to your foot for five-minute bouts, take paracetamol or ibuprofen painkillers and raise your foot when sitting. ✣ Wear round-toed, wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole with soft bunion pads in your shoes (available from pharmacies or podiatrists). ✣ Try to lose weight if you are overweight, and if you have diabetes discuss the foot problem with your nurse, as it may be more serious. ✣ Eventually you may end up needing surgery as the deformity slowly worsens, so see your doctor to discuss the options if this happens.…

We embarrass her Q I’m an older mother. I had my daughter through egg donation when I was 49. I’d wanted children all my life but, due to a number of factors, it didn’t happen. I met my second husband at 47 and we decided we wanted kids. My daughter is now 13 and doesn’t want her friends to come round as we embarrass her because of our age. She says we look like other people’s grandparents so no one believes we are her parents. I find it so hurtful. There’s nothing I can do about my age. Name and address withheld A Your daughter knows the one thing she can get at you about is your age. If you can see this as the start of her adolescent rebellion,…

YOU WILL NEED Finished size: 30cm tall ✣ Tracing paper and HB pencil ✣ 20cm of 112cm-wide salmon-pink cotton fabric ✣ Blue and pink stranded cotton embroidery thread ✣ Brown knitting wool ✣ 40cm of 5mm-wide ribbon ✣ Sticky tape ✣ Matching sewing threads ✣ Washable toy stuffing ✣ Fabric glue ✣ Pink rouge and cotton bud Note: Take 6mm seam allowance. Join pieces with right sides together and edges level, matching dots and notches. Lay the seams open after stitching by running a moistened finger along the seam. Leave to dry before handling. MAKING PAPER PATTERNS On a photocopier, enlarge the patterns (right) to 135%. Trace the patterns onto tracing paper, placing the head, leg and body on folded tracing paper, matching the broken lines to the fold. Mark…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a great time for starting a new project. Opportunities abound. Stay alert and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Step out of your comfort zone this week. Surprise encounters and all sorts of exciting possibilities can emerge. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun This week could be very busy. Try to pace yourself and don’t be tempted to take on too many responsibilities. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Give yourself permission to change your mind if need be. Don’t let someone push you into making a quick decision. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Health and fitness are high on the agenda for you this week. Set up a regular routine to support your wellbeing. VIRGO 24…

Where I read mine I recently visited the most northerly botanic gardens in the world in Tromsø, Norway. Here I am with your magazine, which I’ve been reading since I was a child, as my grandma bought it. I’m now 75 years young! Chris Harrison, Suffolk ✣ We’d love to see where you read your copy of Woman’s Weekly. The more exotic the location, the better! Christmas beauty Isn’t New York at Christmas just incredible? Here’s the Rockefeller Center tree looking lovely on a crisp winter’s day. Caroline Smith, Cheshire A new read When I was a little girl, my mum used to read me The Robin Family’s weekly story. It was one of the highlights of the week. While there’s no longer a Robin Family story, I’m thrilled that…

SIMONE PEDERSEN, 45 Tell us about your look I’m here on business from Australia and on my way to a meeting, so I’ve teamed a favourite dress with a vintage wool coat – although I may need to buy a scarf! My green check shirt dress is by S/W/F. It’s a cool brand in Australia with a retro feel. My nude courts are Tony Bianco and my tan suede bag was bought in Italy. I’d say my style is elegant and feminine. And the best bit of your body? My height. JULIA O’SULLIVAN, 68 Tell us about your look My faux-fur gilet is M&S. I bought it a while ago but my daughter assures me it’s still on trend. My purple jumper and T-shirt are also from there. My jeans…

Wild birds bring colour and excitement to any garden, especially on dull winter days. But they need our help, especially at this time of year. If you have a garden – however small – you can do your bit to help birds survive the big chill. Waxwing These exotic-looking birds, with prominent, black bandit masks, are winter visitors to the UK, in search of their favourite food – red berries. Their visits are known as ‘irruptions’. ✣ Waxwings are such stars, they have their own twitter feed @WaxwingsUK. Follow to find out when they will arrive on their UK winter tour! Blackbird Male blackbirds live up to their name but the females are brown. Males are also easily recognised by their striking orange beaks and eye rings. ✣ They enjoy…

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s fair to say Sally Lindsay is excited, especially as she’s aware time is running out for her nine-year-old twin sons Louie and Victor when it comes to believing in the magic of it all. The 46-year-old actress, who’s starring in new Channel 5 drama Cold Call , reveals she doesn’t get to spend much time with her drummer husband Steve White throughout the year, as they’re always off working in different parts of the country. It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas when you’ve got children! In October, I got so excited because we’ve always had an open fireplace in the back room that ‘Santa comes down’. We couldn’t use it for years because of the children, so it’s just been…

One cold Sunday morning in January 2013, Mary Jane Grant was curled up in a big chair in the beautiful home in a small town in Canada she shared with her husband of 25 years, Stuart, then 59. A cheerful fire burned, classical music played, the dog was at his feet and the cat was curled up beside her. Sipping coffee, puzzling over the crossword, she felt warm and content. ‘With our son, Ryan, then 23, living and working in London, I thought Stuart and I were dealing well with the “empty nest”,’ Mary Jane says. ‘As it turns out, I was very wrong – because that’s when Stuart leaned forward and said he didn’t want to be married any more.’ Months of anguished talks didn’t clarify anything, and they…

With the high streets all aglimmer with festive goodies, some of us are looking forward to voting for our favourite Christmas advert while others are checking their bank accounts to see how much they have to spend. Every year shoppers splash out billions in the holiday period. According to Deloitte, each person spends an average of £567, with gifts costing £299, food and drink £151, socialising £66, and travel £51. So here’s how to keep the Christmas magic alive and save some cash without turning into Scrooge. Make a list and stick to a budget Having a list – and a budget – will help you avoid impulse buys. You can save money by buying on Black Friday (29 November), looking for 3-for-2 gifts at shops such as Boots and…

Paula Knott’s career in the RAF came to an abrupt end in 1989 following a leg injury. The pain and the loss of her job took its toll on her mental health. ‘I felt so alone and considered taking my own life,’ she recalls. Paula received counselling and joined the Invictus programme, the Help For Heroes’ Band of Brothers fellowship. ‘Through the Band of Brothers and Invictus I’ve made friends who understand what I’ve been through,’ explains Paula, who now volunteers to help other wounded veterans. ‘Volunteering is my way of giving something back,’ she says. ‘I don’t want others to feel as alone as I did for years. There was a point in time I didn’t think I’d be here, but with support, I’m finally planning a future.’…

A bunion, medically called hallux valgus, is caused by the bone of the big toe starting to move on the first, inner bone (metatarsal) of the foot. The tendency runs in families but the cause is years of abnormal motion and pressure on the joint as it forces the big toe to bend outward, towards the second toe, and the metatarsal begins to point inward, creating a painful lump on the inside of the foot. Then hard, callused, red skin develops over the lump and also where the big toe starts to rub or cross over the second toe. Eventually finding shoes that fit comfortably is difficult and walking itself is painful. The causes It’s more common if you are overweight or have worn tight, pointed shoes and high heels,…

1 WALK MORE When driving, park further from the shops or work so you walk some distance. If you take the bus, get off one stop early. 2 FIDGET When standing doing cooking or washing-up, sway or jiggle about. Even watching TV can be done standing and moving. 3 FIND AN ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY Walking, dancing, cycling, swimming or active sports such as badminton are all great for your health. 4 EXERCISE WITH FRIENDS It’s always easier and more fun in a social group with people of your activity level. Chatting while you move passes the time.…

Festive jacket Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit ages 6-9 (9-12) (12-18) (18-24) months. Actual chest 61 (64.5) (68) (72) cm/24 (25¼) (26¾) (28¼) in. Length to shoulder 36 (39) (43) (50) cm/14¼ (15½) (17) (19¾) in. Side seam 25 (28) (31) (37) cm/9¾ (11) (12¼) (14½) in. Sleeve seam 16 (18) (20) (23) cm/6¼ (7) (8) (9) in. MATERIALS 3 (3) (4) (4) 50g (165m) balls of Sirdar Snuggly DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic) in Red (Flamenco 242) and 1 (1) (2) (2) balls in Cream (303)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; 2 buttons; stitch holders; safety pins or contrast thread. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. TENSION 22 stitches and 30 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS…

“The trap was set with well-planned precision. Wait, that doesn’t sound right – far too much like the opening sentence of an Agatha Christie novel. If you were hoping for a dead body in the library, you will be sorely disappointed. Nor is this a case in which Hercule Poirot’s little grey cells will be on parade. Now I come to think of it, this wasn’t really much of a trap at all. Only a man with the brains of a flea combined with self-regard the size of Cornwall would have fallen for it. Luckily, this was exactly the sort of man we had in mind. Roger, you might remember, is a new member of our charity shop committee. In the past, the committee hasn’t really bothered our little branch,…