Innholdsfortegnelse for 20-Dec-2022 - Double Issue i Woman's Weekly

It will come as no surprise to anyone that we at Woman’s Weekly love Christmas! To me and my family, in particular, this very special time of the year is about loved ones and friends, about carols and Christianity, about feasting and jollity to brighten up the darkest days of the year – and about remembering and honouring those we have lost. But perhaps most of all, it’s about sharing our lives with others, coming together to celebrate how lucky we are to be alive. So I do hope you all have the most wonderful festive season, and on behalf of everyone at Woman’s Weekly, I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas!…

CHRISTMAS CAPER I like a piece of cake with my cup of tea, as I settle down to watch Columbo on afternoon television. This is my time, while hubby prefers to potter around in the garden. When I went for a slice of my favourite cake, I found it had been taken and just the wrapper remained. I shouldn’t be too glum as, after all, it was ‘stollen’ cake! Using my detective skills just like Columbo, I tracked the crumbs to the garden shed and found my hubby enjoying it. Fiona Deans, Beith Last Christmas, I decided to make a kimono for my daughter. To my amusement, I had a quality-control inspection from my cat Georgie! Do any other readers get help like this, I wonder? Milly Jones, Surrey Paws…

‘Spending Christmas on the ward is a privilege’ Helen Burns, 52, a Marie Curie ward sister, lives in Liverpool with her husband Neil, 54, and their son Joshua, 23. I love working at the hospice; it’s such a privilege for me to look after my patients and their families, and to be part of their Christmas, when we sometimes know it’s going to be their last. ‘Patients have a tree or lights in their room’ Christmas is a magical time on the ward – it stays with you forever, it’s not sad. We try to make it as special as we can, and give patients and their families some normality. Before COVID hit, carol singers came onto the ward and everyone joined in, although last year we played songs on…

Enhance your shade Hair needn’t be limited to what you can achieve with styling products. The vibrant copper tones in Olivia Colman’s brunette hair are giving us plenty of inspiration to vary the shade too. Instead of committing to a long-term colour change in salon, switch things up for a few washes, thanks to a semi-permanent hint of tint. Josh Wood Colour Copper Gold Hair Gloss, £15, Boots, brings rich russet tones to light brunette tresses, but the lighter your hair, the more you can experiment with different shades. Modern crop With a mix of layers and lengths, Emma Thompson’s shag haircut gives us a modern masterclass in how to add interest and oomph to shorter hair. The cropped length not only keeps it a comfortable distance away from the…

I keep strong healthy and happy WITH SWIMMING I’ve always loved swimming. I started as a little girl and swam to a high level as a junior, but when my children came along in my 20s, I could only find time to swim once a week. But I missed it, so by my late 30s I was back swimming competitively again. Now I compete in Masters events here and around the world, which are for adults of all ages – up to 100! Most swimming clubs have a Masters or adult swimming section. Some people just train to keep fit, rather than compete, but I like to have a focus. Swimming is perfect for older people because of its very low risk of injury. The water supports you, and it’s…

MEASUREMENTS Approximately 13cm/5in high and 14cm/5in wide. MATERIALS 1 x 50g (140m) ball of Sirdar Stories DK (60% cotton, 40% acrylic) in each of Red (Date Night 808) and White (Smile 835)*. Pair of 3.75mm knitting needles; small piece of polyester wadding. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 23 stitches and 32 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 3.75mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st(s), stitch(es); tog, together (decrease, by working as many sts together as stated); inc, increase (by working into same st twice); ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side). NOTE Instructions in square brackets are worked as stated after 2nd bracket. HEART (MAKE 2) With 3.75mm needles and Red, cast on 5 sts.** P 1 row. 1st increase…

Wordwise1 You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Flowing together. Average = 15 More than 25 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. LINKWORDS 1 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…

Mazy the Movie Star by Isla Fisher, illustrated by Paula Bowles (£12.99, HB, Welbeck) Mazy isn’t your average dog. While other pups are frolicking in the park, she’s having her fur fluffed and pursuing an acting career in Hollywoof. But some bad news is about to shake everything up. It’s time for Mazy to learn to love herself just the way she is – with more than a little help from her furry friends! A fabulous read for animal-loving fans. What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Lydia Monks (£12.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Hefty Hugh, Lanky Len and the full cast of friendly farm animals are back in the fifth book in this adorable series, which all started with What The Ladybird Heard. While…

A trio of eucalyptus, clove and lavender gives off a fresh, yet festively spicy, aroma that will work all winter long. Starlit Night candle, £10, Habitat A candle that looks as beautiful as it smells, we love the LED lights within the holder, which illuminate once the wick is lit for added glow. Mandarin, Cinnamon & Clove Light-up Candle, £10, M&S A rich blend of fragrant sandalwood, frankincense and nutmeg creates the warmest atmosphere, reminiscent of snuggling up by an open fire. Cosy Nights candle, £35, Neom…

DENISE TROTMAN, 70 Tell us about your look I have a passion for coats. This one is by Max Mara. I always think that you can get away with something quite plain and simple if you top it with a fabulous coat. Underneath, I am wearing a cashmere sweater and jeans, both from M&S. My boots are Russell & Bromley and my bag is by LK Bennett – the colour goes well with my coat. And the best bit of your body? My back. LOU FISHER, 49 Tell us about your look I don’t really follow trends and tend to cherry-pick from things I like in stores or online. I suppose you could say my look is modern classic. My coat is by Zara. I’ve got on a navy polo…

Indulge in a spot of nostalgia with our round-up of festive film favourites. We’ve scored them out of 10 to help you choose the ones that will go down best with all the family. The Holiday When Amanda (Cameron Diaz) swaps homes with Iris (Kate Winslet), she finds herself in an English cottage so cosy, you long to join her. Sensational scene Amanda sprints through snow to reunite with Graham (Jude Law). Who to watch with The nearest thing to Jude Law you can find! Would-melt-ice rating Love Actually Adored by audiences for its bittersweet humour and charm – which combine to make it rather lovely, actually. With every year that passes, it seems to become more and more popular. Heart-warming hip-swayer Hugh Grant as prime minister, dancing around Number…

After first becoming known for Dragons’ Den, I had a fantastic time on Strictly last year, and was one of the lucky seven invited to take part in the tour that followed. One day, the producers of the tour drew me aside and said it was obvious to them how much I responded to a theatre audience and how I came alive on stage. When I explained my day job was in crafting, they suggested putting a show together. To be honest, my reaction was that I couldn’t see how it would work. They then gave the example of the chef James Martin, who toured his own show, which involved him cooking on stage and sharing anecdotes with the audience about his backstory. Would I like to see his show?…

Dr GillAdvice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor Hyponatraemia may be acute (levels falling over hours) or chronic (days to weeks), and associated with altered body fluid level – either low, such as in dehydration (hypovolaemia), high (hypervolaemia), such as from heart failure, or unchanged (euvolaemia). Blood sodium levels are normally tightly controlled by a complex bodily system. Levels usually range from 135-145 mmol/L. Mild hyponatraemia is under 135 mmol/L, severe hyponatraemia under 120 mmol/L. Mild hyponatraemia is very common in both men and women. Patients at higher risk include elderly people who are less likely to express thirst or may be taking medicines, which can cause hyponatraemia or have associated medical conditions, such as kidney, liver or heart disease. Urine sodium levels may suggest the cause in older people. In…

We might think of Christmas as a time when we abuse our digestive system with overindulgence, free-flowing alcohol and sweet treats. But there is plenty about festive food that is great for our wellbeing – if we know where to look. Carrots High in fibre and vitamin C, carrots are also rich in carotenoids, plant compounds that play an important role in eyesight, immune system and skin health. Roast them to maintain their carotenoid content. And remember, there are no ‘superfoods’. For a balanced healthy diet, you need a wide range of different veg – don’t just stick to meat and two veg for your Christmas lunch. ‘No single food is going to prevent a disease,’ warns nutritionist Rob Hobson. ‘It’s about your diet overall and, given that only 30%…

SET & MATCH Invest in a classic velvet trouser suit. They are great for special occasions and will also look good worn as separates. If you are busty, go for a single-breasted style and add a long pendant necklace for added glamour. NOT-SO-HIGH HEELS Forget sky-high stilettos or painful platforms, these mid-heel party shoes will give you all the elegance you need, and will ensure you can dance the night away and still be able to walk in the morning! HIGH-NECK BLOUSES If plunging necklines aren’t your thing, you’ll love these demure blouses that cover the décolletage. Made from lightweight chiffon fabric, they will add a feminine touch to a pair of jeans. DRESSES WITH SLEEVES It’s time to go full party mode and get glitzy in a sequinned frock.…

Our family is divided over this Q My brother has been accused by two teenage girls, who he coached in ice skating, for sexually abusing them. One is now 18 and the other is 22. My brother is the gentlest soul I know and I’m sure he would never do this. The rest of the family have turned against him while this is being investigated. My husband has said he forbids my daughters aged 12 and 14 to see him. He has not been found guilty, yet everyone is behaving as if he is. Name and address withheld A This is a horrible situation to be in. Everyone in the family needs to decide what they think is the right way for them to respond. There are a number of…

Aries LOVE You’ve grown so much in recent years; you are now ready for deeper and more loving relationships. The more you can love yourself, the wider your heart opens for others. If you want a new relationship, you’ll need to be proactive and put yourself out there more. You will have an opportunity to upgrade all existing love relationships this year. Stay positive and watch the magic happen! Especially good months are February, May and October. FAMILY AND HOME You may be considering a move of home or making some changes to your existing environment. Despite rising prices, there are still bargains to be had if you take the time to look for them. You may be taking on some new commitments regarding your family or a close friend.…

TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level Finished size: 30 x 24cm Note: Omit the bells if making the toy for a small child. YOU WILL NEED ✣ Access to a photocopier ✣ Tracing paper and pencil ✣ 50 x 50cm square of caramel 3mm-long pile smooth cuddle fabric ✣ 25cm square of white 3mm long pile smooth cuddle fabric ✣ 10cm of 90cm wide beige cotton fabric ✣ 5cm square of red cotton fabric ✣ Two 9mm black toy safety eyes ✣ Red stranded cotton embroidery thread ✣ 1m of 10mm-wide red grosgrain ribbon ✣ Five 12mm gold bells ✣ Matching sewing threads ✣ Toy filling Supplier: 3mm-long pile smooth cuddle fabric, £4.35 for 50 x 50cm, 9mm black toy safety eyes, £1.40 for 8, 10mm-wide…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Positive affirmations said regularly and with passion do work. Choose one that resonates with you, practise it and your world will light up. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Do your best to drop all your expectations of others. That way, all your relationships will instantly improve. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Health and wellbeing is in focus for you over the next couple of weeks. Create new and healthier daily habits. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Are you focusing on what’s most important to you? If not, this is the perfect time to start realigning your values. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug Let go of the past! It’s dead and gone. Look forward with a positive attitude, as this fortnight,…

You’re… a lady!’ said the outraged little boy. You can say what you like, you can’t fool the younger generation. ‘Yes,’ I confirmed. ‘I am a lady.’ Was it the awkward long white beard which gave me away? Or the rather unconvincing way that I said, ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’ Between ourselves, it wasn’t exactly Brian Blessed. ‘Santa isn’t a lady,’ continued my unhappy customer. ‘Where’s Santa?’ The trouble with dressing up as Santa isn’t the costume, although it itches something rotten: more like a luxury development for fleas than a fancy dress costume. No, it’s the troubling questions of philosophy, theology, and indeed diplomacy that are constantly cropping up. How old is a child before his or her illusions about Santa can be shattered without causing lasting damage? How many…