Innholdsfortegnelse for 19-Sep-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Homemade heaven Don’t you think the pleasure in eating or drinking something you’ve created yourself is exponentially greater than the enjoyment of just the flavour alone? Around about now, where I live in Devon, people are out picking ripe wild bilberries on the high moor for jam (they call them by the rather delightful name of whortleberries here); I’ll soon be out foraging sloes for the Christmas sloe gin, and my daughter will be picking elderberries, just as she harvested wild garlic earlier in the year. So, for those who want to make jam, in particular, don’t miss our easy recipe on page 35. As I say, there’s nothing nicer than a homemade treat!…

Recently, I went to Amsterdam. Though I loved the city, I did not enjoy being a pedestrian. ‘This is for cyclists!’ a middle-aged woman with a shock of curly hair shouted as she whizzed past, narrowly missing me. A couple of days later, I received an email forwarded by my agent, from a person called Didi, asking if I remembered meeting on a train from Assisi to Florence over 40 years ago. Bear with me if these two events appear somewhat unrelated. I met Didi when I was 18 on my gap year in Italy. We had both been to see the frescoes by Giotto in the Basilica of St Francis. Didi was a 23-year-old art student who spoke English with a cool American accent. We spent the three-hour journey…

TO START… Courgette salad with olives ‘We don’t always think of eating courgettes raw, but we should. They’re delicious, particularly if you can find small ones, as they tend to be sweeter and have fewer seeds than larger, more mature produce.’ SERVES 4 READY IN 30 mins ✱ 500g mixed courgettes (baby, green, round, yellow)✱ 2 medium shallots, finely sliced✱ 1tbsp honey✱ Juice 1 lemon and zest of ½ lemon✱ 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil✱ 80g black olives, pitted and roughly chopped✱ 100g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliced✱ 1tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley✱ 1tbsp chopped chives✱ 100g rocket leaves FOR THE DEEP-FRIED COURGETTE FLOWERS, TO SERVE (OPTIONAL) ✱ 8 courgette flowers✱ 1ltr vegetable oil, for frying✱ 2tbsp cornflour 1 Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, cut the courgettes into a…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Acute confusion (delirium) is altered consciousness with reduced ability to focus, or have abnormal ideas, developing over hours to days, tending to fluctuate during the day and worsening at night. It’s commonly associated with acute medical and physical conditions, and with increasing age. Alcohol, drugs (both certain medications and drugs of abuse) and carbon monoxide poisoning can induce this state. Chronic confusion is part of many physical and mental degenerative conditions, including dementia, strokes and Parkinson’s. Symptoms of acute or chronic confusion include disorientation in time and space, inability to think or speak clearly, difficulty concentrating, seeing, or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations), having untrue beliefs (delusions) and paranoid ideas. If your loved one starts to show confusion symptoms, ask them their name,…

Raspberry jam tart This simple tart is made extra special with homemade jam, but you could use a shop-bought one. SERVES 8 PREP 25 mins COOK 25 mins ✱ 500g block shortcrust pastry✱ 250g peach and raspberry jam (see recipe, right)✱ 170g raspberries✱ Milk or beaten egg, to glaze YOU WILL NEED ✱ 20cm pie dish, greased with butter 1 Heat the oven to 170C Fan/Gas 5. Divide the pastry into 2 – 1 piece should be slightly larger than the other. Roll out the larger piece on a lightly floured surface, to a 24cm circle as thick as a pound coin. Use this to line the pie dish. Trim the excess. 2 Warm the jam on a low heat to soften. Fold in the raspberries, then spread in the…

Knitting Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82 (86) (92) (97) (102) (107) (112) (117)cm/32 (34) (36) (38) (40) (42) (44) (46)in. Actual measurements 90 (95) (101) (106) (112) (117) (123) (128)cm/35½ (37½) (39¾) (41¾) (44) (46) (48½) (50½)in. Length to back neck 58 (59) (60) (60.5) (61) (62) (62.5) (63)cm/22¾ (23¼) (23½) (23¾) (24) (24¼) (24½) (24¾)in. Sleeve length All sizes 44cm/17¼in. MATERIALS 9 (9) (10) (10) (11) (11) (12) (12) 50g (120m) balls of King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK (77% cotton, 23% silk) in English Rose (2813)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10), 3.75mm (No. 9) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; stitch holders; 6 buttons. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10x10cm, over pattern, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS Dec, decrease;…

Wordwise 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 words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: wickedly. Average = 15 More than 35 = 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. YOU CANWORK IT OUT... 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…

FASHION GENIUS Liberty of mind and freedom of movement were vital to the work of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. A fashion icon whose style still endures, she loved sport and designed her clothes to feel unrestricted. Her work is celebrated in Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum*, from 16 September. Visit vam.ac.uk The bison of Blean It’s now over a year since three female bison were introduced to the forest of Blean, in Kent. One of them slipped away to a quiet glade and returned with a beautiful calf (inset). They’ve since been joined by a young bull, and the herd’s trampling of brambles, bracken and rhododendron has revitalised the forest, allowing in light and creating corridors for plants and new wildlife. Other grazers – free-roaming pigs,…

There’s a magical world just above our heads, and autumn and winter are the best times to see the night sky at its most magnificent. With the UK home to six of the world’s 21 dark sky reserves, where better to explore? Davagh Forest Co Tyrone Astronomy meets archaeology in Northern Ireland’s Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone. Here at Davagh Forest is the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. Already rich in earthly history with the Bronze Age Beaghmore Stone Circles, it also offers a window on the heavens above through its guided tours and projections from its state-of-the-art telescope. Night-time visitors can use the viewing platform, with its red ambient lighting, which is perfect for observing the night sky. See omdarksky.com for details of stars and stones tours. BEST…

1 If you use a panstick… swap to a serum foundation When it comes to creating a flattering base, the more your skin shines through the better, so avoid heavy, flat-looking foundations. A full-coverage panstick can sit in lines and accentuate dry patches, whereas something with a little sheen gives a smoother finish. Maybelline  Super Stay 24H Skin Tint Foundation, £12.99, has buildable coverage, with the added benefit of built-in vitamin C to brighten your skin. If you rate the twist-up format of the panstick, Flex Foundation Stick, £32, sephora.co.uk, gives great coverage with skin-soothing, glow-giving ingredients. 2 If you use matt lipstick… swap to a satin Matt lipsticks tend to be on the dry side, and their lack of shine means they’ll make lips look thinner. Creamy lipsticks combine…

I’m doubting my choices Q I’m a nurse and I think I’m having a midlife crisis. I’ve been working for 24 years and, if I keep working until I’m 70, I have another 24 to go. I just can’t contemplate that, but I feel so stuck, as I’m not qualified for anything else. Jade, Middlesbrough A I’m not surprised you’re feeling like this – the pandemic years have been very tough for your profession – although mid-career blues are not uncommon in all workplaces. If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be? What skills would you need? Write down all the skills you have and see how closely they match your ideal job. If you’re lacking some specific skills, find out…

Difficulty level Hand-poured candles Decorate with pressed flowers and leaves. YOU WILL NEED ✱ Soya wax flakes✱ Metal jug✱ Essential oils✱ Glue dot or glue gun✱ Candlewick✱ Clear glass jar with lid✱ Clothes peg✱ Pressed flowers and leaves✱ Label and twine✱ Saucepan 1 Measure the soya wax flakes in your jar (you need 2 jarfuls for each candle). 2 Put the wax flakes into a metal jug, then place the jug in a pan with 2cm water in it. Melt over a gentle heat. Cool a little, then add a few drops of essential oil. 3 Glue the wick to the base of the jar. Hold the wick upright using a clothes peg. 4 Stick pressed flowers and leaves to the inside of the jar. Pour in the wax almost…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR This week is about letting go of the past. New opportunities are waiting for you if you make the space for them to unfold. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Even amid obstacles you’re likely to spot something uplifting and nourishing to smile about. Focus on that and your world will transform. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Communication, travel, studying and learning are all under positive aspects this week. Your mental energies are ready for inspiring stimulation! CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Sometimes you hesitate to try anything new, but now is the time to take a risk and to step away from your well-worn path. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Reaching out to others is important now. A kind…

Letter of the week Keeping in step I was interested to see your article on women’s Morris dancing [18 July 2023]. I have loved Morris dancing since I was a little girl, when my great-aunt used to take me to the now-famous Sidmouth Folk Festival in Devon. When I was 49, I had the opportunity of joining a women’s Morris group in Bury St Edmunds, and now, 30 years later, I am hanging up my bells and hankies. We have such a lovely bunch of girls in our side and have so much fun. I can recommend it for fun and fitness. Remembering the steps is good for the memory too! Sally Hinchliffe, Bury St Edmunds GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne…

3 WAYS EXERCISE... Helps with menopause 1 ELEVATES MOOD Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins – feel-good brain chemicals that work by reducing cortisol levels. Try tai chi, yoga and meditation. 2 BOOSTS BONES Strengthening exercises, such as walking, jogging and weight training, play a pivotal role in increasing bone strength, reducing the risk of falls and injury. 3 STABILISES WEIGHT A change in oestrogen levels can lead to increased hunger and fat stores, together with a drop in the metabolic rate. Increased activity will help you burn more calories. NEWSFLASH AI can help doctors spot breast cancer Artificial intelligence can spot an increased number of breast-cancer cases through analysing mammograms, according to research from Sweden*. Researchers there found that AI made screenings more accurate and efficient. Back here,…

1 MAKE THE BED One of the quickest and simplest ways to add a splash of golden colour to your bedroom is to refresh the sheets. It doesn’t cost much and will go a long way to making the space feel totally different. Yellow is such a cheerful shade and will brighten your mood in the mornings. Why not add a reed diffuser in an awakening scent to lift your spirits even more? ✱ Harrison Spinks Yorkshire 10,000 divan set, £2,649, with Willow winged headboard, £949, both Furniture Village 2 INVEST IN ACCENT PIECES Neutral furniture doesn’t necessarily mean neutral decor. A plain sofa dressed with gorgeous amber and yellow cushions and throws is an easy way to achieve a cosy, golden scheme without having to invest in new seating.…

Travel Few US cities are as lovely to visit in autumn as Louisiana’s New Orleans. The normally sultry weather starts to cool towards the end of September, but days remain warm and dry until well into early November. As trees take on a golden sheen, Halloween decorations start to appear in windows and on porches – perfect for a city whose most celebrated attractions include cemeteries and haunted houses. Too ghoulish? No matter; this hub of hedonism, affectionately known as NOLA (short for New Orleans, Louisiana), has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve. Sample a melting pot of cultures Long before the Europeans arrived in the Americas and established NOLA, the area was already a busy trading hub for Native Americas. The Choctaw Nation called this land Bulbancha, the…

Books Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (£18.99, HB, Bloomsbury) While the pandemic rages, sisters Emily, Nell and Maisie return to the haven of the family orchard in north Michigan. As they harvest cherries from laden trees, they entreat their mother Lara to relate the story of when she was a young actor in love with a now-famous film star. Switching between a seemingly idyllic past and an uncertain present, this beautifully written rich and subtle tale is infused with insight into love, loss and the power of making the right decisions in life. Reasonable People by Caroline Hulse (£18.99, HB, Orion) There are two sides to every story. When well-meaning father-in-law Roy overrides mum Janine’s decision to hold a pirate party for her daughter by organising a princess one, Janine…

Now, while you’re here,’ said Phoebe, ‘you must treat the place as your own home.’ ‘What?’ I said. ‘You want us to wash the dishes and put the duster round?’ ‘And pick up men’s underwear from the bathroom floor?’ added Wendy, sharing slightly too much information about her domestic arrangements. ‘Don’t be difficult,’ said Phoebe. If you were kind enough to drop by last week, you’ll know that Phoebe – official sister-in-law to my friend Wendy – has invited us to spend the weekend in the modest hotel that she owns. ‘She just wants you to have a nice time’ We are sitting on the back terrace, which has extensive rural views that make The Archers’ Ambridge setting look like down-town Chicago. ‘What I mean is,’ said Phoebe, ‘this is…