Innholdsfortegnelse for 6-Dec-22 i Woman&#x27;s Weekly

‘My fall took away my CONFIDENCE’

With a successful broadcasting career that spans five decades, it’s clear to see why Gloria Hunniford describes herself as ‘an old pro’ in show business. Along with being a regular fixture on Loose Women, the Northern Irish star also presents Rip-Off Britain, which has tackled the alarming cost-of-living crisis this series – a topic she feels extremely passionate about. However, many could forgive the 82-year-old for wanting to put her career on ice after she had a nasty fall this summer, which knocked her for six. Yet Glo – as she is affectionately referred to by some of her colleagues – insists that she’s not one for sitting around, but she will be scaling back her workload ever so slightly. ‘I’m glad to be back at work, but from…

‘I’m bringing back the homemade potato print Christmas card’

I’ve always found this time of year to be all about attending parties, recycling presents and getting away with gifting homemade fudge. And there’s always a big push on new sofas. I don’t know about you, but as soon as Halloween is over, I start worrying about the state of my sofa. The anticipation of having more people over to sit on it triggers anxiety. So far, I have quelled my concern with the injection of a sparkly throw. This turned out to be perfect for covering years’ worth of chocolate marks or the odd escaped tomato stain from an emergency pizza. And then there’s the surge of seasonal canapés. Suddenly, I find myself scouring the internet for ideas, cutting up bits of bread, shaving whispers of salmon for topping.…

Missing LOVED ONES

As a time that is all about family, the festive season can also be poignant for those who have experienced loss… and that probably goes for most of us. There are reminders everywhere, with family traditions and memories bubbling to the surface, and while it can seem easier to try and keep those memories locked away inside, sharing is one of the most important ways to get through the festive season. For Lianna Champ, Christmas changed after she lost her mum Margaret, in 2011, and while it was hard on the whole family, they knew they couldn’t shy away from the grief. ‘After Mum died, we decided to create a new ritual. Sitting around the table as a family before dinner, with a glass of champagne, we took it in…

Your wellbeing

Why it’s so important to HAVE THE FLU JAB With the colder weather, it’s predicted that there will be lower levels of natural immunity to flu this year, alongside increased cases of COVID-19. Can I get the flu jab with the COVID-19 booster? Yes, it’s safe to have them at the same time. It’s strongly recommended that you get both if you’re offered them, as we know that respiratory diseases will be circulating widely within the community this winter. Is the flu jab free? It is if you’re over 50, pregnant, or have health conditions (such as asthma or diabetes), or are a frontline/care worker. You can also get the jab at your local pharmacy, such as at LloydsPharmacy, for £16.99. Can the flu jab give you flu? No,…

Sugar, spice and ALL THINGS NICE

GINGER MARMALADE MINCE PIES Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them, but who said we can’t mix it up? We love this ginger twist on the classic. MAKES 24PREP 30 MINS, PLUS CHILLING AND COOLINGCOOK 15-20 MINS ✣ 1kg shortcrust pastry ✣ 300g mincemeat ✣ 4 balls stem ginger in syrup, finely chopped ✣ 100g thin-cut marmalade ✣ 2 large eggs, beaten ✣ Icing sugar, for dusting You will need: ✣ Round cutters: one larger than the holes on the tray, and one the same size at the widest part ✣ 2 x 12-hole fairy cake trays ✣ Shaped cutters, for decorations 1 Roll out the pastry on a floured worktop, and cut out 24 circles with the larger cutter. Push them into the holes of the cake trays. 2…

GARDEN notes

PLANT POSITIVITY Need a little pick-me-up? Then get a cheese plant! Research from the RHS has found that healthy houseplants with luxuriant, rounded leaves, like weeping fig and the Swiss cheese plant, boosted people’s wellbeing at home and at work. Not surprisingly, a sad, neglected plant had the opposite effect. So, remember that when you care for your houseplants, you are also caring for yourself. As we head into winter, reduce watering, move plants to a well-lit position (not above radiators), and wipe leaves occasionally to remove dust. COLOUR THERAPY Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colour with The Gardener’s Palette (£35, Timber Press), a joyous new book by top designer Jo Thompson and the RHS. With chapter titles like ‘Boiled Sweets’, ‘Meadow White’ and ‘Strawberries and Cream with a…

1 min

Cosy up

Knitting TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 18cm/7in wide by 191cm/75in long (after blocking). MATERIALS 3 x 100g (155m) balls of King Cole Timeless Chunky (90% acrylic; 10% alpaca) in Duck Egg (2910)*. Pair of 6mm knitting needles; cable needle. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 14 stitches and 20 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 6mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; C4B, cable 4 back (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2, then k2 from cable needle); C4F, cable 4 front (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k2, then k2 from cable needle); T3B, twist 3 back (slip next st onto cable needle…

PUZZLE TIME

LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to make a word. Clue: A highland region of the eastern US extending from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues and then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the answer. Clue: 2 visiting South Dakota river for a cocktail (11). Easy clues ACROSS 7 Each person (8)9 Playground item (6)10 Wintry weather (4)11 Circumstances (10)12 Madagascar, eg (6)14 Family member (8)15 Occurring between countries (13)17 Water feature (8)19 Fanciful (6)21 Train users, eg (10)22 Sea fish (4)23 Simply (6)24 Hurling (8) DOWN 1 Happenings (6)2 Ship’s company…

Good news, BAD NEWS

The good news is that I’m still married. And the bad news? Well, we’ll come to that in due course. It is true that a temporary frost had descended over Dear Towers, as you’ll remember if you were good enough to visit last week. This was because Mr Dear discovered a huge bunch of flowers on the kitchen table. On having a closer look, because he is a man who takes an interest in horticultural matters and can’t resist having a sniff at any blooms within a radius of 4ft, he discovered a note tucked inside, which read: ‘You are the love of my life – Mark xxx.’ ‘Who’s Mark?’ he said, frostily but understandably when I presented myself in the kitchen. ‘I can explain,’ I said. ‘Good,’ he said,…

Good to SHARE

Hare-raising conservation Restoring England’s peatlands holds the key to a brighter future for magnificent mountain hares, according to new research by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. Although only 3,500 mountain hares remain in the Peak District, these creatures are mostly found in blanket bog that has been revived by conservationists. By encouraging the natural flow of water, and planting mosses and heather, these upland landscapes thrive and become vibrant habitats for mountain hares and many other species. ADD SOME WINTER WOW Brighten up your table ready for your festive feasts. The new Christmas collection from Emma Bridgewater features charming ceramics hand-decorated with wintry motifs, including this ½pt mug with a cheerful red robin (£22). Discover the full range of plates, mugs and more at emmabridgewater.co.uk DID YOU KNOW? Brits…

Going wild in WINTER

Some of Britain’s midwinter traditions are unconventional to say the least. Pagan rituals, ancient superstitions and downright daft charity events are just some of the curious ways we celebrate the festive season. From hanging toast on tree branches to jumping into freezing water, here are just a few of the weird and wonderful festivals and parades taking place around the country to celebrate Yuletide and the darkest days of winter. Rolling out the barrels While many of us spend Boxing Day on the sofa recovering from the excesses of the day before, the good people of Grantchester, in Cambridgeshire, race around town rolling whisky barrels. The tradition is believed to have started in the 1960s, when pleasure seekers from the local pubs challenged one another to a contest. It soon…

Aisle STYLE

1 THINK PINK A fuchsia coat will transform every outfit into something special. Coat, £49, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing at Tesco 2 GOLD RUSH Fluid fabric sleeves give great arm coverage and the pretty tie hem means there’s no need to tuck in. Top, £15, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing at Tesco 3 SHIMMY & SHINE What a dazzling bargain! Snap up this sequin midi up before it’s a sell-out. Skirt, £20, sizes 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons 4 SUBTLE SPARKLE Soft metallic jersey means this all-in-one is as comfy as they come. Cover up with a luxurious velvet blazer. Jumpsuit, £22, sizes 8-22, Nutmeg at Morrisons 5 METALLIC UPGRADE The right size for all your essentials, this luxe shoulder bag will see you through the festive…

1 min

Alternative DELIGHTS

MISO, SQUASH AND LENTIL LOAF A veggie centrepiece that will make even the most diehard meat-eaters envious. SERVES 8PREP 50 MINSCOOK 35 MINS, PLUS RESTING ✣ ½ butternut squash (approx 400g), peeled, sliced lengthways and deseeded ✣ 400g tin green lentils, drained and rinsed ✣ 1½tbsp miso paste ✣ 2tsp sesame oil ✣ 3tbsp vegetable oil ✣ 2 red onions: 1 grated and 1 diced ✣ 75g breadcrumbs ✣ 50g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped, plus extra to garnish ✣ 2 large garlic cloves, chopped ✣ 125g kale, roughly chopped ✣ 1tsp soy sauce ✣ Freshly chopped parsley, to serve You will need: ✣ 1.2ltr loaf tin, the base and sides lined with baking paper 1 Slice the thin neck of the squash into semicircles 2-3mm thick; set aside. Dice the…

Coping with DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticula are small bulges or pockets developing in the intestine lining as you age. Most people with diverticula don’t have symptoms, only finding out after having a scan for another reason. If there are no symptoms, it’s called diverticulosis. When diverticula cause symptoms, such as pain in the lower abdomen, it’s called diverticular disease and, once the diverticula become inflamed or infected, causing more severe symptoms, it’s called diverticulitis. It’s not known why people get diverticular disease, but it seems to be linked to age, diet, lifestyle and genetics. As you age, the large intestine walls become weaker, the pressure of hard stools passing through can cause diverticula to form. You’re more likely to get diverticular disease and diverticulitis if your diet contains insufficient fibre. Fibre helps make your stools…

5 min

A traditional CHRISTMAS

Spend Christmas with me,’ Steve said. ‘We’ll have turkey with all the trimmings. If it works out, we can move in together in the new year.’ I hadn’t experienced a traditional Christmas since I was five years old. I’d been in love before, but the way I felt about Steve was different – a richer, deeper feeling that hit me like a wave every time I saw him. So I said yes. I didn’t have to worry about Mum. She was spending Christmas in Malta with a man I hadn’t even met. ‘It’ll never work, Amy,’ she announced after first meeting Steve. ‘He’s not a free spirit like you and me. We don’t do things because other people do them.’ By ‘other people’ she meant my father. If there was…

Christmas WREATH

Tested by us so they work for you Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✣ Conifer or spruce cuttings ✣Leafy foliage – we used buxus, viburnum and ruscus ✣ Pine cones ✣ Spray roses ✣ Red hypericum ✣ Holly sprigs with berries ✣ Florist’s scissors ✣ Buckets ✣ Cut-flower food (optional) ✣Oasis wreath ring (31cm) ✣ Craft knife ✣ Green florist’s wire ✣ Wire cutters ✣Wide red velvet wired ribbon (optional) Conditioning the flowers and foliage Remove all packaging and ties from the foliage and flowers. Snip away the bottom of the stems by about 5cm and remove any outer petals that look lacklustre from the roses. Fill the buckets with water and a little cut flower food if needed. Strip any leaves from the bottom half of the stems, so…

Caribbean CHRISTMAS

THE STORY SO FAR: It was unlike chef Carrie to throw caution to the wind, but the last-minute offer of a job at Sparkle Reef, a lavish Caribbean mansion, had been too good to resist. Thankfully, the welcome from the other staff had been as warm as the weather. And while her experience of past multimillionaire employers had left her fearing it might all be too good to be true, her new boss, the elusive Mr Rock, had turned out to be both down to earth and charming when he finally flew in from the UK. Now, all eyes were on her as she faced the challenge of catering for Sparkle Reef’s Christmas party, the highlight of the glamorous Barbados winter season. As the days ticked down before the party,…

12 min

Good to SHARE

Look what I made I knitted a toy cat from Woman’s Weekly [14 June issue] and entered it in the village show at Great Hockham. To my surprise, it came second, along with ‘a great effort’ for my fruit cake! I think this will become a yearly thing for me, as I enjoyed making it. Vanessa Elvin, near Great Hockham Letter of the week REFLECTIONS ON A RECENT ISSUE Along with great recipes, the knitting pattern and the coconut water beauty article, I especially enjoyed your 13 September issue. The short story, A Gnome from Home, made me think of my much-treasured garden gnomes. They are about 50 years old and were my mum’s, but are now enjoying a new lease of life after my husband lovingly restored them during…

How to keep YOUR SMILE HEALTHY

It can’t have escaped your notice that there’s a national crisis in dental care right now. The problem – a long-term shortage of NHS dentists – has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in March 2020, dentists introduced so-called ‘fallow time’ to allow their treatment rooms to be aired out between patients. This meant, of course, that fewer patients could be seen. Now, although ‘fallow time’ is no longer needed, dentists are still playing catch-up – trying to see patients whose treatment has been postponed. Some of these patients have seen their oral health deteriorate further due to the time they’ve had to wait to see a dentist. For example, someone who’d needed a filling may have required a root filling, or even an extraction by the time they…

The perfect PALETTES

✣ PS… Untamed Eyeshadow Palette in Panther (Black), £3, Primark Bargain lovers will be swooning over this nine-shade palette of punchy shades combining greens, golds, taupes and black. Ideal for creating unusual smoky eyes, the shimmery shadows are just right for the party season. ✣ XX Revolution Hi-Glow Face Palette in Luminosity, £18, Boots During the winter months, our skin needs all the help it can take to get a glow, and this striking palette is one of our best-kept secrets. It contains three complexion-loving hues that bronze, highlight and warm the skin. Their multidimensional formulas catch the light just right, which helps to make those festive pictures more flattering. ✣ Autograph Lasting Colour Luxe Eyeshadow Palette in Almond Mix, £15, M&S A selection of 12 nude and rose-coloured shadows…

Helping you SLEEP

You’ve turned in early, made yourself a cup of warm milk, set the bedroom temperature just right… but sleep still eludes you. Sound familiar? Then one of these high-tech sleeping aids may be just what you need. On your bedside table SUNRISE/SUNSET SIMULATION As well as a ‘sunrise’ light to wake you up naturally, the Groov-e Light Curve wake-up light alarm clock and radio features sunset simulation, a gradually decreasing light to prepare your body to fall asleep, taking you through 10 stages of sundown dimming. £39.99, groov-e.co.uk RESOURCEFUL RADIO The Roberts Zen Plus is a digital clock radio that has an auto-dimming display and 13 sounds to calm you as you drop off. Simply choose your favourite noise – from the purr of a cat and a crackling fire…

Here to help

Health My ex completely flouts my rules Q My marriage split up about a year ago and, as both my children are over 16, we decided they could choose where they lived. They both decided to stay at their father’s every other weekend and to be at mine for the rest of the time. I’ve always been stricter than my ex, and now my daughter, who’s 18, wants her boyfriend to stay over. She has decided to go and live with her father, as he will let her have him in her room. I feel betrayed by her and hurt. Alexis, Middlesex A I’m not sure why you feel betrayed. You have outlined clearly why she’s made this decision. While you and their father have different rules, they’ll continue…

Sensational SOMERSET

Think of Somerset and you might associate it with farming and fabulous views, Cheddar and cider. This rural county is loved for many things, but you might be surprised to learn that it’s become the go-to place for cutting-edge restaurants, gardens and art galleries. Creative Bruton One of the county’s trendsetting towns is arty, convivial Bruton. The town itself is quaint and pretty, with a towering limestone dovecote on the outskirts. But look closer and the high street is dotted with boutiquey shops – treat yourself to a piece of Moroccan tamegroute pottery, grab some designer yoga wear (carosomerset.com), or stock up on Godminster cheese or chocolate bars infused with everything from rhubarb to black pepper. Possibly its biggest draw, though, is the Hauser & Wirth contemporary art gallery (hauserwirth.com),…

Mysteries IN WOOD

The first carving appeared outside Ralph Barter’s cottage. He was putting out the recycling when he spotted it propped against his front gate – a wooden carving, about seven inches high, of a man wearing a fedora-style hat. Ralph had a fedora somewhere, lost at the back of a wardrobe, no doubt. He didn’t tend to make a big effort with his appearance any more. He and Valerie, his wife, didn’t socialise as much these days. Ralph mentioned the carving to a few locals the next day as he pottered around the village. Some of those he told, including Beryl who ran the local mini supermarket, gave him a funny look, like she thought he might be making it up. ‘You say this little figure looked like you?’ she asked,…

8 min

Your stars

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 AprAttention to details is important this week. Anything legal or official needs your complete, undivided attention to avoid unnecessary delays. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 MayThis is a great time for finishing up projects or jobs. Completions make space for something new, and usually better, to come into your world. GEMINI 22 May – 21 JunYou may be considering moving home or making upgrades and renovations to an existing place. A change in your environment is under favourable stars. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 JulFamily and friends may be in the spotlight this week. Do whatever you can to create peace and harmony with everyone. LEO 24 Jul – 23 AugThis is the perfect time for exploring more of your creative gifts. Whatever you enjoy,…

Book club

The Dark Room by Lisa Gray (£8.99, PB, Thomas & Mercer) Leonard, a freelance crime journalist, has an unusual hobby – he buys undeveloped 35mm film spools and develops the pictures. When a negative of a blood-splattered woman materialises, he realises this is an image of a woman he recognises and believes he killed five years ago. So, how can the woman have been murdered twice? Leonard befriends Martha, an online photographer, who helps him solve the mystery and prove his innocence. A dark and twisty tale. The Twelve Dels of Christmas by David Jason (£22, HB, Cornerstone) If you’re already smiling at the title, you’ll be chuckling your Christmas socks off by the end. Who can resist the wit and wisdom of David Jason, the national treasure who brought…