Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-Dec-2020 i Woman's Weekly

JEAN KNOTT, 1958, sent in by daughter Lesley Williams This photo of my very stylish mum was taken when we were on holiday in Butlin’s, Skegness. MARY AND DOUG KAISER, 1952, sent in by daughter Maris Morrison Mum was 22 and Dad was 24, and they had been married a year. Mum’s coat was pink and grey check, with a grey hat, bag and shoes. They look so smart, so young and so happy. JEAN AND KEITH, 1955, sent in by daughter Judith l’Anson My parents have been married for 65 years – look at her beautiful dress and bouquet, which trailed to the ground. MARGIE AND GEORGE RIDDICK, 1938, sent in by daughter Evelyn Riddick This photo of my parents was taken while on holiday in Jersey, two years…

When it comes to Christmas, some of us stick to the original script pretty closely, but a surprising amount of families have their own unique traditions Hatty Christmas On Christmas Day in our house, you’re not allowed to open presents unless you’re wearing a suitably silly hat. This includes any friends or family who happen to be staying, and babies aren’t exempt either! My dad has a yellow Ali G cap and I usually wear an elf hat I found in the school drama cupboard about 30 years ago! Monisha Rajesh, 38, London Star turns A few years back, jaded by over-consumerism, I asked everyone to start doing a ‘turn’ that cost nothing, like telling a joke, singing or reading a poem. The kids decided to humour me, and we’ve…

1 Optase Moist Heat Mask, £10.99, Boots. This reusable, microwaveable mask gives soothing relief for dry eyes and other related conditions, such as styes, blepharitis, MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) and chalazion. 2 A. Vogel Extra Moisturising Eye Drops, £12.99 for 10ml, Holland & Barrett. They’re 100% natural and contain hyaluronic acid and Euphrasia (eyebright), to help soothe and lubricate your eyes. 3 The Eye Doctor Essential Dry Eye Compress, £9.99, Superdrug. Heat in the microwave or cool in the freezer for a hot and cold treatment for MGD, blepharitis and dry eyes.…

✣ Fragrance lasts longer on moisturised skin. Use the perfume’s matching body lotion to intensify the scent. ✣ Apply perfume to pulse points, like the inner wrist, base of the throat and behind the ears. ✣ Don’t rub your wrists together after spritzing as the friction causes heat, which affects the integrity of the fragrance. Spritz each wrist, then let it sink in. ✣ Perfume bottles don’t like direct sunlight or steam. The best place to store them and protect their longevity is in the original box at room temperature. ✣ Choose your type of fragrance wisely – as a guide, eau de toilette lasts up to four hours, eau de parfum up to six, while perfume extract can last as many as eight hours.…

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK FRITTATA A delicious and inventive use for your Christmas leftovers. PER SERVING 224 cals, 8.5g fat, 3g sat fat, 25g carbs SERVES 4 ✣ 15g (½oz) unsalted butter ✣ 600g (1¼lb) leftover cooked veg such as potatoes, sprouts, parsnips and carrots, cut into bite-sized pieces ✣ 75g (2½oz) cooked whole chestnuts, crumbled ✣ ½tsp Shichimi togarashi Japanese spice mix ✣ 4 eggs, beaten 1 Melt the butter in an ovenproof frying pan. Fry the veg with the chestnuts and Shichimi togarashi. 2 Once golden, pour over the eggs and cook over a medium heat on the hob for 8 mins. 3 Heat the grill, place the pan in the middle of the oven and cook for 5 mins. TIP Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice mix containing…

MY GO-TO REMEDY Ginger beer – it’s delicious, and helps to relieve nausea and improve digestion. It’s great when you’ve got a cold, and studies suggest it may even slow the signs of ageing! A glass of ginger beer gives me the energy to keep up with my daily routine. MY FAVOURITE MEAL Indonesian-inspired chickpea curry with garlicky spinach. I recently become vegetarian and I’ve definitely seen an improvement in how I feel. And I didn’t realise how many awesome healthy veg alternatives there were! HOW I KEEP FIT AND HEALTHY I couldn’t be happier than when I’m on a spin bike for 45 minutes. I do that four days a week, as well as the odd HITT class. Exercise plays a big part in my self-care regime; it relieves…

Q Last New Year’s Day, I went round to my mother‘s to take her to my house for a family lunch and found her on the floor dead. It was such a shock. She did have a heart condition, but no one was expecting it at that point. It has been a hard year for everyone, but this has added to it for us. We’d decided that we would do the family lunch we didn’t have last year this year, but I find I can’t. I just need a way to end this period and move on. Nena, Bolton A From what you said, it sounds like you need some sort of ritual to allow you to close this chapter and start a new one. I wonder what the ritual…

Difficulty level GEOMETRIC TRIO Create this simple centrepiece to add instant wow to your table. YOU WILL NEED ✣ Pillar candles in shades of red and pink ✣ Copper-leaf sheets ✣ Soft paintbrushes ✣ Masking tape ✣ Gilding adhesive 1 Remove any labels or wrappers from the pillar candles and brush with the soft paintbrush to remove any loose wax. 2 Apply the masking tape at an angle to the top of the candle to create a geometric shape left at the base. 3 Using one of the paintbrushes, apply some gilding adhesive to the base and allow to dry for as long as the manufacturer suggests. 4 Once tacky, delicately place a sheet of the copper leaf on top of the glue and gently lift away the paper backing.…

Scarlett hadn’t gone out for New Year’s Eve, despite the best efforts of her friends to lure her. She just hadn’t felt like it. So New Year’s Day found her sitting in her flat with a tub of ice cream, scrolling through pictures on her phone of her friends pre and post New Year’s Eve knees-up. Never again, her friend Sandra had texted with a photo, showing her looking somewhat green about the gills outside a bar. Scarlett was trying to decide if she should feel jealous or relieved to have missed all the fun, when someone knocked on her front door. She could just make out through the frosted glass of the top half that it was the chap from Flat 3B. Cheerful Charlie, as she’d always thought of…

Star terns It’s been a record-breaking year for these roseate terns, with 130 breeding pairs recorded on Coquet Island, Northumberland. The rare birds faced extinction in the 19th century, as their ere used for ladies’ hats. comeback is largely thanks to the RSPB installing nest boxes and restoring lost habitats. They’re likely to be in South America now but should return in May. GET YOUR SPARKLE ON Immerse yourself in the warm glow of a million twinkling lights on an illuminated Christmas trail. There are locations across the UK to choose from, including Bedgebury in Kent, Stourhead in Wiltshire and Dunham Massey in Cheshire. Experience luminous tunnels, shimmering waterside reflections, fragrant fire gardens and trees aglow with colour, made all the more festive by a specially selected soundtrack. For dates…

WENDY YATES, 58 Tell us about your look One of my favourite looks for winter is a feminine skirt worn with boots and a soft knit. It’s relaxed yet elegant, and you can wear it anywhere – day or night. My leopard-print satin skirt, sweater and poncho are all from kololoclothing.co.uk and my boots are Nine West. I bought my hat a few years ago from Zara – it always ups the style factor. And the best bit of your body? My smile and eyes. JEAN FAIRSERVICE, 79 Tell us about your look Well it’s pretty much all M&S – just bought at different times. I’ve had my cream mac for years. It’s such a good-quality coat and still looks smart. I’ve also had the beige trousers for a while,…

Clap for Carers For 10 weeks, the nation was united at 8pm every Thursday evening in a heart-warming show of appreciation for the incredible work done by NHS staff and key workers during the pandemic. Started by Londoner Annemarie Plas, the first Clap for Carers took place on 26 March, with thousands turning out each week, until the final applause on 28 May. A farewell to Dame Vera Lynn Known as the Forces’ Sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn sadly passed away in June, aged 103. With songs such as We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover, the singer had raised morale throughout World War Two. During lockdown in April, in a special address to the nation, the Queen had echoed Dame Vera’s anthem when she said, ‘We will meet…

MIDI SKIRTS Whether you opt for pleats or all-over sequins, a mid-length skirt hides a multitude of sins. Skimming over your bum, tummy and thighs, it’s the easiest way to conceal any lumps and bumps. Keep things plain on top if you want your skirt to really shine. WIDE-FIT SHOES It’s easier than ever before to buy wide-fitting shoes without compromising on style. From classic court shoes to sparkly ballet flats with metallic ankle boots in-between, these have all been designed especially for feet that need a little extra room. nod to festivities and can be dressed up or down with ease. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS All hail these figure-fixing trousers. Cinching in at the waist, the material skims over thighs and falls effortlessly to the floor, elongating your legs at the…

MINI CROQUE MONSIEUR SWIRLS These delightful ham and cheese swirls are always popular! PER SERVING 59 cals, 4g fat, 2g sat fat, 4g carbs MAKES 30 ✣ 15g (½oz) unsalted butter, melted ✣ 15g (½oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting ✣ 125ml (4fl oz) whole milk ✣ 1tsp Colman’s English mustard ✣ 1tbsp lemon thyme leaves ✣ 320g pack ready-rolled puff pastry ✣ 100g pack ham hock ✣ 45g (1½oz) Emmental cheese, grated 1 Make a béchamel sauce: mix the butter and flour in a pan on a gentle heat until smooth. Add the milk, a little at a time, while whisking away any lumps. Cook until thick, remove from the heat and stir in the mustard, thyme and a grind of pepper. 2 Unroll the pastry and dust…

A after I was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram in 2018, I knew instinctively what I needed to do. I wanted both breasts removed – although the cancer was in only one of them – and I didn’t want a reconstruction because I simply couldn’t face putting my body through more surgery. I wanted to live a positive life, not one overshadowed by fear of the cancer returning. I have the BRCA1 gene – my sister had breast cancer at 34 and my mum died of ovarian cancer at 71 – so there was an increased risk it might return. Having both breasts removed meant I didn’t have to endure gruelling chemo or radiotherapy. And while I was proud of my ‘double Ds’, I had no problem…

There are many types of wart virus, some affect the skin, others the genital area. Spread by close skin contact or from contaminated wet surfaces – such as at swimming pools if someone walks around with an uncovered verruca – it takes weeks for the wart to appear. The virus invades the skin, causing painless lumps singly or in groups, anywhere on the body, but usually the fingers or hands, or verrucas on the feet, which press inward, making walking painful. Other types of wart include round, flat, yellowish ‘plane warts’ and ‘mosaic warts’. A totally different group of papilloma virus causes genital warts. Usually warts look like ragged ’florets’, are 1-5mm wide, and may occur in clusters. The small black dots in the middle are blood vessels. Warts are…

1 GET VACCINATED Influenza is a viral illness that won’t respond to antibiotics or antivirals. Prevention is the best action, so get a flu jab. 2 AVOID CROWDS Stay away from anyone unwell, feverish, sneezing or coughing. Use hand sanitiser, wear a face mask to protect you from their droplets containing the virus. 3 REST If you have flu, rest, keeping away from anyone vulnerable, such as the elderly or chronically ill. Keep hydrated with clear fluids, and eat small amounts regularly. 4 TRY SYMPTOM RELIEF Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and pain, decongestants to dry nasal secretions, and soothing lozenges for your throat.…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr LOVE As you’ve been making so many personal transformations this year, your relationships will be changing during 2021. Some may take a back seat while others will be more active. This is a good time for renewing an existing relationship and taking it to a new level of intimacy. A new relationship is especially likely from March to July 2021. Boundaries may be an issue. It’s important to be clear at the outset so that misunderstandings don’t arise later. You’re stronger and better than you’ve ever been in this life area. FAMILY AND HOME This is a wonderful year for making improvements and repairs. Anything that involves enhancing your environment is under favourable stars. You may find distant family members get in touch or…

TO KNIT These dainty decs will knit up in no time and can be given as gifts to friends and neighbours Red heart  (MAKE 2) With 3¼mm needles and Red, cast on 3 sts. 1st row (wrong side): K1, p1, k1. 2nd row: K1, yf, k1, yf, k1 – 5 sts. 3rd row: K2, p1, k2. 4th row: K2, yf, k1, yf, k2 – 7 sts. 5th row: K3, p1, k3. 6th row: K3, yf, k1, yf, k3 – 9 sts. 7th row: K4, p1, k4. 8th row: K4, yf, k1, yf, k4 – 11 sts. 9th row: K5, p1, k5. 10th row: K5, yf, k1, yf, k5 – 13 sts. 11th row: K6, p1, k6. 12th row: K6, yf, k1, yf, k6 – 15 sts. 13th row: K7, p1,…

The Great British Bake Off: Love to Bake (£19.99, HB, Little, Brown) In these uncertain times, there was nothing more comforting than hearing the familiar opening credits and welcoming brand-new contestants to the iconic white tent, in our favourite baking programme. And what better time than Christmas to catch up on all the wonderful recipes from the show? From chai crackle cookies to Paul’s rainbow-coloured bagels and a towering croquembouche, Paul and Prue help hone your baking skills, while contestants regale you with stories of why they love to bake. A delicious present for any baker or fan of the show. Dutch Girl by Robert Matzen (£25, HB, Mirror Books) Let’s be honest – we are all still a little obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, even 25 years after her passing,…

UNFORESEEN SMILES I love WW and I’m so pleased to be able to have it on subscription while l’m unable to go out to the shops. My mother used to buy it and read The Robin Family to me before l started school. l so enjoy reading Rosemary and I’m in awe of her. How does she make mundane things so funny? I actually laugh out loud at her clever writing. I’m still chuckling at one of her recent columns [27 October] when, during a chat with Mr Dear and a soon-to-be new neighbour, the neighbour informed them her husband had left her to become… a nudist! It was unforeseen and l’m still smiling. Thank you, Rosemary, for bringing a ray of sunshine to us. Lindsay Edmondson, Lancashire…

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for everyone, but for actress Jenny Agutter, there are even more reasons to celebrate this year – despite the ongoing global pandemic. The Call the Midwife actress reminisces, ‘Thirty years ago, on Christmas Eve, I went to Midnight Mass and I was in floods of tears. I couldn’t think why I was so emotional. I couldn’t sing a carol, I was crying so much. Then I woke up in labour on the 25th, and Christmas Day became my son’s birthday!’ But aside from her son Jonathan turning 30, this Christmas will be particularly special because Jenny has recently become a grandma for the first time, and – Covid permitting – is hoping to spend the festive period with her husband, Johan Tham, Jonathan,…

“What I remember about childhood Christmases is the warmth of the family around. We lived in a two-up, two-down house in Barnsley, and it always had about 48 people in it at Christmas. It seemed to last continuously as a party for about two weeks! My father loved Christmas and loved parties, and that was the best time of his life. ‘We never did find out who stole our pig ’ We used to have a collective pig at Christmas, which everyone in our street – about 20 people – would put money into a pot to buy, and it was kept in a pen in an allotment. Obviously you can get quite fond of a pig, but you can’t walk it around on a lead. So when it came…

If you like florals, try… Florals aren’t just for spring – a timeless rose or pretty peony perfume works all year round. 4711 Rose Eau de Cologne, £18, 100ml, Boots, is the sort of fragrance you could comfortably buy for a friend. It’s unmistakably rose-heavy, without being too sweet or powdery, thanks to the underlying musk and sandalwood. Lancôme L’Idole Intense EDP, £54, 25ml, Boots, is an example of how well rose plays with citrus notes. The fragrance is layered with mandarin and bitter orange, with rose at the heart, ending on a trail of comforting vanilla. If you like citrus scents, try… Zest cuts through the air like a knife. Think how the smell of a freshly peeled orange immediately permeates and lifts a room. Elizabeth Arden White Tea…

Canon ‘I’m determined to lift everyone’s spirits’ Reverend Canon Rosie Harper, 65, is the vicar of Great Missenden Church, Buckinghamshire. I’ve been a vicar for 21 years, and Christmas – while chaotic – remains my favourite time of year. On Christmas Eve, I hold three services. The first is a crib service for children that’s completely bonkers – all the kiddies dress in costumes, then there’s a local Christingle service, with more children, oranges and candles. One of my favourite services is midnight mass, when the whole church is lit only by candlelight – it’s breathtaking. I’m back at the church first thing Christmas morning. By 10am, it’s filled with families, and the children will rush to tell me about their presents. ‘While chaotic, this remains my favourite time of…

SALTED CARAMEL PRETZEL BROWNIE BITES We’re besotted with these gorgeously gooey treats. PER SERVING 150 cals, 8g fat, 5g sat fat, 17g carbs MAKES 28 ✣ 150g (5oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing ✣ 250g (9oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces ✣ 1tsp instant coffee ✣ 1tsp sea salt flakes ✣ 3 eggs ✣ 250g (9oz) golden caster sugar ✣ 60g (2oz) plain flour ✣ 1tbsp cocoa powder ✣ 3tbsp salted caramel spread ✣ 26 (around 45g/1½oz) salted pretzels You will need: ✣ 33x18cm (13x7in) tin, lined with parchment 1 Heat the oven to 180C/ Gas 4. Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the coffee and ½tsp sea salt. 2 Whisk the eggs and sugar together until thick and…

✢ Wash your hands after touching warts. Don’t share towels or flannels, socks or shoes. Don’t walk barefoot in public areas, and change socks daily. ✢ Cover warts and verrucas with a plaster when swimming or using shared facilities. Don’t bite, scratch, pick at or suck on warty fingers. ✢ Ask your pharmacist about treatments. If these fail, see your GP about stronger topical medication, or referral for specialist treatments for multiple or facial warts. ✢ Genital warts need specialist care. Look online for your nearest sexual health clinic, where they can offer confidential treatments, including creams, freezing or surgery.…

What is there to celebrate? Q A friend of mine has asked me to celebrate New Year at her house, lockdown restrictions permitting. But when it looks like next year is going to be as bad as this, I feel like hiding away, as I have nothing to celebrate. Karen, Greater Manchester A I’d question that you have nothing to celebrate. I agree the situation with COVID-19 is very difficult and worrying, but there’s more to life. I suggest you start a gratitude diary. Write down 10 things you’re grateful for. For example, the food on your table, the heating in your home, having a friend who wants to celebrate with you. I would invite you to do this every day for the rest of this month until New Year,…

In this strange year, most of us have spent more time in our homes than ever before. The ‘new nor mal’ has often been challenging, but still we’ve found ways to keep busy and buoy up our spirits. Check how much you know about some of the nation’s favourite lockdown activities with our fun quiz. Round 1: Screen time OK, let’s admit it, the lure of TV and screens has been high this year. We’ve relied on them for news, movies and entertainment, so this round should be easy, right? 1 Lately, many of us have learnt to communicate through screens. Can you name a prominent video software program that begins with a ‘Z’? 2 What is the name of the 2020 spy film starring John David Washington as a…

MATERIALS 1 x 100g (212m) ball of Sirdar Cotton DK (100% cotton) in White (Island White 501). 2.5mm crochet hook; approximately 45 large-holed clear plastic craft beads (5 beads per motif) approximately 10mm hole (see Notes); tin of spray starch; fine florist’s wire. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk. MEASUREMENTS Heart approximately 6cm across; rose approximately 6cm across; snowflake approximately 8.5cm across. TENSION Is not critical for this project. ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble crochet; dtr, double treble crochet; dtr cl, double treble cluster thus: *[yrh] twice, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull loop through, [yrh pull through two loops] twice, repeat from * in each of next 2 sts, yrh and pull through all 4 loops on hook; htr, half treble crochet; slst,…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr You may need to make some important decisions now. Take your time and don’t allow yourself to be rushed. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May A new relationship is in your stars, or the renewal of an existing relationship. Things are about to improve. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Staying calm and centred is your challenge. You’re going to be busy and it’s important to pace yourself. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Freedom is your keyword right now. Whatever is suffocating and restricting you must go. It’s time to be honest and speak the truth. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Take time out to be alone and find somewhere peaceful to relax. This is a good time for you to reassess…

“The scene I am about to describe is one of such domestic bliss that we could have been advertising Oxo cubes, or one of those useful gadgets that beats as it sweeps as it cleans (or possibly kills 99% of household germs, I forget which). Picture me in the kitchen, where I am making apple crumble. To help fill in the details, I am wearing a rather floury pinny that features a Labrador dog underneath the slogan: ‘Every meal you make, Every bite you take, I’ll be watching you.’ About two feet away sits an elderly black Labrador, gazing up in the hope of convincing me that apple crumble is absolutely what Labradors enjoy most of all in the world, even better than those meatballs that accidentally fell on the…