Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Jan-2024 i Woman's Weekly

Older and wiser? "There’s a well-known saying, ‘Youth is wasted on the young’, often attributed to George Bernard Shaw. I suppose the meaning being that in our salad days we often miss some of the opportunities and advantages of being young, which if we’d had the more worldly wise experience of an older person, we would have taken. Certainly, like most of us I’m sure, I can remember just such moments from my youth and can kick myself about them now – it’s definitely the case that with age does come a bit more wisdom! Turn to page 20 and discover what three women would have loved to have told their younger selves."…

Long live puzzles I was looking forward to opening my 3 October 2023 issue to the puzzle page first. Then I was delighted to see the Funny Old World page with Richard Osman on Spelling Bee games. My husband and I do your puzzles or make up our own, and although our sight is now a problem, we play the board game Upwords every afternoon. We are about to celebrate being married for 63 years, so I wish Richard and his wife many happy years of puzzling! Margaret Wood, Hartland GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in capitals. ✱ We do not return photos (apart from You Wore It Well) so…

‘I knew nothing about managing my finances’ Jane Hawkes, 48, is a consumer champion at ladyjaney.co.uk. She lives in Gloucester with her husband Andy, 49, and their two dogs. In my teens and 20s, I spent beyond my means. I racked up thousands of pounds in credit card debts, lived in my overdraft and used store cards to get cash. I paid for services I didn’t use, snuck new purchases into my wardrobe to hide from my husband and didn’t have the slightest clue how much was in my account. I didn’t understand the value of money or the significance of saving. I would tell my younger self she needs to be savvier with her finances – save more, spend less. There was no financial education at school. We didn’t…

3 WAYS TO... Healthier veins 1 Get walking It activates a pump effect, sending blood around your feet, calves, thighs and heart, to boost your blood flow and circulation. Avoid standing for long periods because it prevents your blood from moving as easily. 2 Try compression Designed to steadily squeeze your legs, compression stockings or socks improve circulation and encourage blood towards your heart. They’re helpful when you’ll be sitting for long periods, such as on a long-haul flight. 3 Raise your legs Sore, achy feet or legs? Ease discomfort by elevating your legs when resting, to help reduce pressure by stopping blood pooling in your legs, and use gravity to assist blood flow and help reduce any swelling. NEW READ Recipes for a Better Menopause (£25, HB, Kyle Books)…

I could not convince the girls at my new school about Granny. In the photograph I had of her in the dorm, she stands behind me and my brother George. She’s smiling, her hand on our shoulders, her expression protective and fond, her large bosom comfortable-looking. The other girls told me she looked like a darling. ‘But she’s not,’ I told them. ‘Not all grannies are cuddly!’ ‘You’re right there, Cora,’ Rose said. ‘My grandmama’s a terror, always slapping our hands if we ask Cook for anything. But mine looks like a dragon, whereas yours looks like a sweetheart.’ ‘I’ve met yours, Rose,’ Estelle agreed. ‘Her Marcel wave is so sharp it could cut you, and her knees are worse.’ There was a lot of giggling at that, and I…

Fill me in Which word can mean a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War or to show a lack of proper concern? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the answer. Circle time Which giant company began life 85 years ago selling dried fish and noodles? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles for the answer. 3 letters COSMATPOPSET 4 letters ALPSATOMEMITFLAPLUTENOELROUTSAPSSNAGTACOUSER 5 letters ICINGREIGNSPRATTORSOUPPER 6 letters SETTLE 7 letters STAINEDSTORINGTEMPEST 8 letters LEMON DABSTURGEON 10 letters CUTTLEFISH SPIRAL XWORD The first pair of what ever recorded in history was ordered for his Great Wardrobe by Henry VIII in 1526? The answer…

FRINGE BENEFITS Enjoy uplifting colour with the Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense), which blooms from February. This evergreen shrub has crinkled leaves in pink, burgundy and bronze, and scented, fringed flowers that quiver like tiny sparklers. Hardy down to -5C, it needs sheltered, partial shade. Varieties include crimson ‘Ever Red’ and pink ‘Fire Dance’ (both HxSp: 2m). White ‘Ruby Snow’ (HxSp: 80x60cm) is smaller and flowers again in late summer. SID’S ROSE New patio rose ‘Little Sid’ (HxSp: 60cm), is named after the autistic son of TV presenter Gregg Wallace. With a bushy growth habit, it makes a vibrant addition to a border or pot display, bearing pollinator-friendly, pale-red blooms with raspberry centres. Available from Harkness Roses (roses.co.uk), with £5 from every sale going to the charity Ambitious About Autism.…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 25x150cm palm-print cotton fabric✱ Tapestry wool in dark grey✱ 10cm double-sided, iron-on interfacing✱ Sewing thread in gold, ecru and beige✱ 15cm bias binding in gold✱ Stuffing✱ Carbon paper✱ Embroidery hoop✱ Embroidery needle 1 Enlarge the elephant pattern by 250%. Use carbon paper to transfer the outline, eye position and the position of the ear to the fabric for the front and back as mirror images. 2 Secure the fabric in an embroidery hoop and embroider the eye with two strands of dark grey wool. Use carbon paper to transfer the ear four times. Cut out, adding 1cm at the base. Cut out the elephant, adding a 1cm seam allowance. 3 Fuse the ears together in pairs, wrong sides facing, using the double-sided interfacing. Use…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Height: 15cm/6in. Length: 26cm/10in. MATERIALS 2 x 50g (150m) balls of Sirdar Snuggly Replay DK (50% cotton, 50% acrylic) in Blue (Sea Blue Splash 120) and 1 ball in Purple (Currant Fun 127)*. Size 3.5mm crochet hook; stitch marker; oddment of black yarn for features; pair of 5mm safety eyes (optional – if being used as a toy by a small child, consider embroidering the eyes instead as this would be more secure); washable toy stuffing. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION 20 stitches and 20 rows to 10x10cm, over double crochet, using 3.5mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMS) Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; dc2tog, double crochet 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st) thus: [insert hook into next st, yrh and pull loop through] twice, yrh and…

Books Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney (£18.99, HB, Orion) How many times have you thought about getting in a car, driving off and not returning home? To forget the demands placed on you and make some pretty unconventional and unpopular choices? Reaching the point of no return, an ordinary, middle-class woman does just that, finding herself in a cottage in Wales facing up to what she has ignored for so long. Observant, humorous and truthful, it’s not always an easy read, but it is a masterful one that will stay with you. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (£16.99, HB, HarperCollins) Molly Gray is head maid at the esteemed Regency Grand Hotel. When a distinguished guest is murdered during a VIP appearance, the entire hotel comes under police scrutiny. Molly aims…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Life may take some twists and turns in the coming week. If you can be flexible and go with the flow, you will enjoy the process. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Don’t be afraid to start something new. It’s time to make a move on something you’ve been procrastinating about for a while. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Your social life can pick up in the coming week. Interesting, stimulating and exciting new contacts are in your stars. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Financially, this can be a very productive time for you. New opportunities are indicated and are filled with great potential. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Your mind has the power to create whatever you want. Resolve…

THE GLITZ IS BACK Strictly 2023 was a memorable series and now the stars of the show are hitting the road for a live arena tour, starting in Birmingham on 19 January. Layton Williams, Ellie Leach and Angela Rippon (above) are among the contestants who’ll dazzle on the dance floor, along with host Janette Manrara and judges Shirley, Craig and Anton. ✱ strictlycomedancinglive.com Big little owls Their mesmerising eyes, razor-sharp talons and eerily silent flight make owls fearsome hunters. These two little owl brothers were captured by photographer Lynne Overett on the Isle of Sheppey. Newly fledged, they were taking a break during hunting lessons with their parents and two other siblings. Her picture was highly commended in the ‘Wilder Kent’ photography competition, which celebrates the landscapes and wildlife of…

As a regular on Loose Women, Nadia Sawalha is funny, forthcoming and never afraid to share her views, and she’s just the same in person. She loves a bit of gossip and chatting about her family, who she clearly adores. The 59-year-old lives in north London with her film-maker husband of 21 years, Mark Adderley, 53, and daughters Maddie, 20 and Kiki-Bee, 16. As well as her TV roles, Nadia runs a YouTube cooking channel called The Curly Cooks of Croydon with her art teacher sister Dina, 60. ‘I’m a good cook but Dina’s a brilliant one. She’s a real foodie and budget queen. She’ll drive around six supermarkets to get the best deal!’ she laughs. ‘We were always playing cooking when we were younger. We’d beg my mum to…

"Before I embarked on my one-woman show, The Secret Lives of Words, a few years ago, I did some interviews with journalists in the hope of selling tickets. What I hadn’t anticipated was the same question, over and over: ‘It sounds lovely Susie, what are you actually going to do?’ Well, I’d planned to just talk about words – the wonderful, unexpected and gloriously eccentric ones at whose altar I worship every day. Suddenly, I was beset by doubt. Was that going to be enough? Did I need sequins and music? Once I’d calmed down, I decided to add a section to the running order that I thought would guarantee fun – a ‘word surgery’ where people could ask me anything they wanted. Now, 66 shows later, I’m glad I…

Sweet potato and chickpea stew Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre, while spinach helps restore energy levels. SERVES 6 PREP 20 mins COOK 35 mins ✱ 2tbsp olive oil✱ 1 onion, chopped✱ 1 garlic clove✱ 1tsp ground cumin✱ 1tsp ground coriander✱ ½tsp cinnamon✱ 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-3cm chunks✱ 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained✱ 40g soft dried apricots✱ 2tbsp rose harissa paste✱ 400g tin tomatoes✱ 500ml vegetable stock✱ 200g spinach✱ Bulgar wheat, to serve✱ Yogurt, to serve✱ Handful coriander leaves (optional) 1 Warm the oil in a large saucepan over a low heat. Add the onion and cook for 10 mins until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 2 mins, then add the spices and cook for 5 mins until fragrant. 2 Add…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Temporal arteritis commonly affects arteries in the head and neck, with pain and tenderness in the temples – the area at the side of the head between eyes and ears. It can also affect other large arteries and their branches. The cause is unknown, but it’s an autoimmune condition where your immune system, which normally fights infections, attacks healthy tissue by mistake. There is a genetic tendency, but it’s not directly inherited. If left untreated, it can be serious, causing strokes or blindness. Very rare in people under 50, it’s more common in women than men, and in people of north European descent. It’s often linked to polymyalgia rheumatica, which causes muscular pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck and thighs. Temporal arteritis symptoms…

Helen’s grip on her mobile tightened as her friend’s phone rang out yet again. She became aware of her quickened heartbeat. ‘This is ridiculous,’ she chided herself. ‘I don’t know why I’m getting worked up.’ Eventually, Helen placed her phone down on the kitchen table, but a niggling thought persisted… ‘We did agree I’d ring this time every week, and Laura’s always picked up.’ Sighing, Helen turned her attention to the baby monitor. She could hear her little boy Charlie murmuring as he slumbered in his cot. ‘One thing’s for sure,’ Helen mused. ‘He’s well on the road to recovery.’ Cradling her mug, she looked out over her garden and reflected on the past few weeks. Even though she worked from home, it had been tough juggling her part-time job…

Nursing a gin and trying not to be noticed, Jane Prentice sat in the darkest corner of the noisy candle-lit inn. She picked up a newspaper and glanced at the date – 20 January 1778. A black hat rested neatly on top of the large cloth bag next to her on the bench. Her dark green cloak hid a vibrant yellow dress and loose white bodice that wrapped her slender body. Jane had never been to this part of south London before. When she had entered the King George earlier it had been quiet. However, as night had fallen, the straw-covered floorboards had been increasingly shaken by the boots of the regular locals. Outside, the rain had turned to sleet. Now, every time the alehouse door opened, an icy blast…

1 Who was the Roaring Twenties’ original ‘It girl’, after the 1927 silent film It brought her global fame? A Mary PickfordB Lillian GishC Clara Bow 2 International star and fashion icon Anna May Wong was considered the first Chinese-American film actor in Hollywood. In which 1924 film did she play alongside Douglas Fairbanks? A Girl ShyB The Thief of BagdadC Triumph 3 Which controversial 1930s star is associated with the line ‘Come up and see me sometime’ – an adaptation of her character Lady Lou’s words in She Done Him Wrong? A Mae WestB Marlene DietrichC Greta Garbo 4 Dorothy Gale was the lead character in the 1939 musical fantasy film The Wizard of Oz. Who played her? A Judy GarlandB Maureen O’HaraC Katharine Hepburn 5 The Swedish star…

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 or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: burnt. Average = 15 More than 35 = well done 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: TV presenter Holly. SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and…

"When I got back home from walking the dog, Mr Dear was washing the windows and singing a merry window cleaner’s song: ‘The blushing bride she looks divine, the bridegroom he is doing fine I’d rather have his job than mine, when I’m cleaning windows.’ It could almost have been George Formby himself. This is one of Mr D’s little foibles. I have noticed down the years that he matches his songs to the task in hand. At the first drop of rain, he is Gene Kelly dancing in a puddle. It’s quite annoying, to be honest. ‘What are you doing?’ I asked. ‘I’m cleaning the windows,’ he said. ‘I can see that, but why? I only did those a couple of weeks ago.’ ‘Ah well,’ he said cheerily. ‘When…

With less vegetation around, British birds have fewer places to conceal themselves in winter and are therefore more visible. The plummeting night-time temperatures ensure they are endlessly active during daylight hours, spending the majority of their time foraging for food to help them lay down insulating fat reserves to stave off the cold. Goldfinches The unmistakable bright red faces and gold wing bars of goldfinches make them easily identifiable from other finch species. They are highly sociable birds, and during winter, they flock together as they travel through our gardens and around the countryside in search of food – a group of the birds is delightfully referred to as a ‘charm’. If you want to attract them on to your plot, grow plants that produce tasty seeds such as teasel,…

I can’t stand his dogs Q I’ve met a new man I really like and want to spend more time with him. The problem is he’s a dog person – and I’m terrified of dogs. He has three and they’re like his children. I went round once, and ended up saying I was feeling unwell and going home. I don’t want to tell him that’s why I can’t see him, as it seems stupid, but I know I can’t spend time with his dogs. Name and address withheld A If a relationship is going to be successful, it must be based on trust and honesty. You may wish you weren’t uncomfortable around dogs, but you are so you have to tell him – only then can you and your partner…

Lilly put down her shears and smiled at her daughter Anna as she came down the lawn towards her holding two mugs of tea. She couldn’t help feeling apprehensive. She knew what Anna would want to talk about. We won’t argue this time, Lilly promised herself as she took the tea from her daughter and kissed her on the forehead. ‘How are you, Mum?’ Anna asked as they sat down on a bench with their teas. ‘As you can see, I’m very well.’ Lilly spread her arms and gave herself a quick affirmative once-over. Anna had to admit, her mother did look well. Her face had a healthy glow and the pink highlights in her thick, white hair caught in the light of the mid-morning sunshine. It was hard to…