Innholdsfortegnelse for 31 July 2017 i New Idea

Exclusive interview There’s something very different about Sam Frost. A crackling energy snaps through the studio as she enters New Idea’s exclusive shoot, and there’s no hiding her beaming smile. The 28-year-old may have landed a dream role on Home And Away and, yes, she’s about to star in Channel Seven’s new blockbuster reality series Hell’s Kitchen, but that’s the just icing on the cake that is her new life. The reason behind her smile is navy man Dave Bashford – her best friend of more than five years turned boyfriend. ‘I’m so smiley, I’m such a loser,’ she admits, laughing. ‘He was my friend before I had a job in this industry. He’s just the best. He’s so fun and kind and we have the same sense of humour.…

Australian Ninja Warrior may be a ratings hit, but it’s copped a string of disastrous reviews and secret scandals putting the future of the show in jeopardy. Hosts Ben Fordham, Rebecca Maddern and Freddie Flintoff ’s commentary skills have been widely slammed as ‘woeful’, and sources tell New Idea that the show’s execs are now looking at luring big names from Australia and overseas to replace the line-up in the 2018 season. While fans have called on legendary commentators Roy Slaven and HG Nelson to fill the besieged hosts’ shoes, there are a raft of possible names including Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, and even Shane Warne, who fit the bill. ‘The bosses didn’t want to invest a lot of money in bigname hosts for the first season until they…

We reveal shocking secrets they didn’t want you to know about this season. NO WHITE ROSE? It caused all sorts of drama when Richie Strahan gave the highly coveted white rose to Alex Nation last season. But this year, producers decided to scrap the clear advantage in order to keep things fair for all the contestants vying for Matthew ‘Matty J’ Johnson’s heart. NO INTRUDERS Every season, just as the girls feel like they have their game plan in place, along come the intruders to mess it all up! And while it has always made for a dramatic twist, this season Matty J insisted he wanted to get to know the girls and didn’t want to spend precious time on newbies. MATTY’S IMAGE MAKEOVER This week, the Sydney hunk will…

THE BECKHAMS There have long been rumours about the Beckhams’ involvement with Kabbalah. David and Victoria have been spotted on several occasions over the years wearing the famous red thread bracelet symbolic of the religion and believed to ward off evil, while on their sixth wedding anniversary, the popular showbiz couple got matching ink from the Song Of Solomon in the Hebrew bible – the Tanakh. However, their sons Brooklyn, 18, and Romeo, 14, regularly wear their Kabbalah bracelets, but most recently it was 12-yearold Cruz who was seen sporting his at a soccer event (right). If you thought cults were just for social outcasts, think again. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood have been linked to some very strange organisations. And while some celebs are open about their…

JASON & SARAH STARTING FROM SCRATCH Victorian mum-and-dad team Jason, 46, and Sarah, 45, have had their fair share of struggles. The last few years have seen financial difficulties, health scares and more come into their lives. They’ve joined The Block with gumption, ready to start afresh and complete the home renovation they started 10 years ago. HANNAH & CLINT RENO ROOKIES They might not have renovation experience, but Queensland couple Hannah, 31, and Clint, 33, make up for it in determination. As a former professional rugby player, Clint has resilience, while aviation worker Hannah is no WAG. She gets her hands dirty just like the rest. But can they take on a heritage house? JOSH & ELYSE MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE If you’re thinking Victorian contestant Elyse, 24,…

Fresh, new recipes Italian Pork and Veal Meatballs with Risoni Serves 4-6, Prep 25 mins, Cook 25 mins ¼ cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic,crushed 2 x 410g cans Ardmona Rich and Thick Chopped Tomatoes and Paste ½ cup water 2 cups risoni (400g) ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil Finely grated parmesan, to serve MEATBALLS 750g pork and veal mince 2/3 cup packaged dried breadcrumbs ½ cup finely grated parmesan 1 small onion, coarsely grated 2 tblsps Dijon mustard 2 egg yolks 2 cloves garlic, crushed Salt and pepper, to taste 1 To make meatballs, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Roll 2 level tblsps of mixture into each ball. Makes 24. 2 Heat 2 tblsps of the oil in a large, deep, non-stick frying pan…

Bacon and Asparagus Frittata Serves 4, Prep 15 mins, Cook 25 mins 1 onion, chopped 200g bacon rashers, trimmed, cut into 2cm pieces 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed, cut into 4cm lengths 8 eggs 1 cup grated Tasty cheese Chopped fresh parsley (optional) 1 Lightly oil a 20cm round, ovenproof dish (6-cup capacity). Place on an oven tray. 2 Heat a lightly oiled, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add onion and bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Transfer to a large bowl. 3 Snap off the woody end from each asparagus spear. Cut asparagus into 4cm lengths, separating the tips. 4 Whisk eggs in a large jug until combined. Stir into bacon mix with asparagus lengths and cheese. Season with…

Spinach Cloud Eggs with Tomato Passata Serves 2, Prep 15 mins, Cook 8 mins 60g bag baby spinach leaves 4 short cut bacon rashers 2 eggs, separated Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup tomato passata sauce,warmed Toast, to serve 1 Trace 2 x 8cm circles onto a sheet of baking paper. Place on a greased oven tray, trace-side down. Grease baking paper. 2 Place spinach in a microwaveproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove and cool. Using your hand, squeeze moisture from spinach. Finely chop. 3 Cook bacon in a lightly oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat, for about 2 minutes each side, or until crisp. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper. 4 Beat egg whites in a small…

Expert tips for winter tresses Colder weather can lead to limp, lifeless hair. Celebrity hairstylist Renya Xydis shares her top tips to put life back into winter strands. TRY A TREATMENT ‘Hair oils are so important when it comes to fighting the harsh environmental elements of winter,’ Renya says. To help prevent moisture loss while adding luminosity and sheen, apply daily from mid-length to ends, avoiding the roots. WINTER SWITCH In winter, hair needs both moisture and protein to maintain its gloss. Renya recommends using a moistureenriched shampoo and conditioner for two weeks, then swapping to protein-based products for two weeks to absorb essential nutrients. MASK IT Cooler temperatures can sap moisture from the hair, leading to dull, dry tresses prone to breakage and splitting. Applying a hair mask once…

WIN! SHARE IN $1000! COMPACT STARS To win one of four prizes of $50, complete the puzzle and read the coloured squares to reveal a movie featuring Kirsten Dunst (3,8). this title on the coupon. $200 UP FOR GRABS! WORD SEARCH To win one of two prizes of $50 in our word search, find everything on the list in the grid. One of the entries can’t be found. Write this on the entry coupon. $100 UP FOR GRABS! THIS WEEK: KATE HUDSON ALMOST FAMOUS BRIDE WARS FOOL’S GOLD GOLDIE HAWN GOOD PEOPLE MOTHERS DAY RAISING HELEN THE DIVORCE THE FOUR FEATHERS THE SKELETON KEY WISH I WAS HERE YOU, ME AND DUPREE WORD MAKER How many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters on the…

BATHROOM CONFESSION Badly needing a bathroom renovation, I called an MM plumber to give me a quote. As he was taking measurements, my unusually shaped clothes basket caught his eye. ‘I love your clothes basket!’ MM remarked. ‘My brother used to make ones just like that when he was in jail!’ Alex Rodgers, St Kilda East, Vic. WORK OVERTIME At the express aisle in the supermarket, a young MM ahead of me had an overflowing trolley full of groceries. He was oblivious to the ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ coming from behind him. The checkout operator told him it was an express lane for only a few items, to which he replied: ‘So?’ After a few more words, he said: ‘I thought express meant that the operator was faster than other staff…

The rumour mill went into overdrive last week with the news that Jessica Mauboy is set to wed long-term boyfriend Themeli Magripilis in Darwin. After the Aussie singer revealed to The Daily Telegraph that the pair – who have together for more than eight years – were heading to the Northern Territory to ‘reconnect with family,’ sources started speculating about the possibility of a secret wedding. And while Jess remains tight-lipped on the matter, she did admit that the next month was going to be a very important one for her family. ‘[Themeli and I] will travel together and see his family as well. Family, that is my most important [thing] at the moment... [and] I will be thinking about doing some writing,’ The Secret Daughter star revealed. NOW THAT’S…

MODEL FRIENDS They’re two of Australia’s biggest stars who’ve shared an enduring 17-year friendship. Now, Elle Macpherson and Greg Norman are set to take their bond to a new level, with the golfing legend becoming matchmaker to the unlucky-inlove supermodel. Sources tell New Idea that since Elle split from her billionaire husband Jeffrey Soffer last month – her second high-profile divorce – Greg has offered to help the 53-year-old mum-of-two find love. The 62-year-old - who’s happily married to wife Kirsten – made the decision after Elle reached out to him on a recent social media post, which re-opened the lines of communication. ELLE’S FAMOUS EXES ‘Getting praise from Elle “The Body” Macpherson is an ego boost... and Greg’s no different’ ‘Greg can’t believe that someone as successful, gorgeous, fun…

GROUP DATES FAKE While the girls are all excited to hear they have been chosen for a group date, we can reveal that the Bachelor has no say in the invite. Only allowed to pick his single dates, the Bachelor is often disappointed when he arrives to greet the excited contestants. RECEIVING ROSES FAKE Bachelors are asked to keep certain contestants because they create drama and are good for ratings. But not everyone plays along. Remember when Keira (above) got a rose from Richie? But we never saw him hand it over. She simply arrived back at the mansion clutching the coveted flower! CHEMISTRY FAKE Even in season one with chiropractor Tim Robards and lawyer Anna Heinrich, there were behindthe- scenes ‘suggestions’ to keep storylines surprising. ‘It was obvious from…

BUMP WATCH! Is Nic set to be a nanna? Pregnancy rumours are buzzing about Nicole’s adopted daughter Isabella, who was spotted last week with a noticeable baby bump. Sources close to the 24-yearold – who married IT consultant Max Parker in 2015 behind her mother’s back – reveal that the pair have been trying for a baby in recent months, making rumours of a possible pregnancy even stronger. ‘Bella’s a homebody and loves nothing more than hanging on the couch with Max at their home in London, staying out of the limelight,’ says a source close to Bella. ‘She’d love to be a mum sooner or later, and they’ve been quietly trying in recent months. ‘There’s no word on how Nicole will feel about becoming a grandmother at 50, but…

Home And Away airs Monday to Thursday, 7pm, Channel NI Seven. Alf ’s life hangs in the balance when he is viciously knocked out by an unknown stalker. Unconscious and alone, Alf (Ray Meagher) is in a bad way. The stranger disarms him, removing his pocketknife before quickly tucking it away in a pocket. Scarlett (Tania Nolan) and Justin (James Stewart), who were previously with Alf, are frantically looking for him and decide splitting up is the best approach. After a prolonged search, Justin happens upon Alf ’s unconscious body. At the same time, Scarlett spots Alf ’s attacker and does her best to hide from him. Panicked, Justin assesses Alf. After a few attempts, he manages to wake him and tries to get information out of him about who…

The MasterChef grand final airs Monday, 7.30pm, Channel Ten. It hasn’t exactly been a year George Calombaris would care to remember. In a spectacular fall from grace, a series of setbacks and scandals over the past few months have landed the MasterChef judge in some seriously hot water. In April it was revealed the Federal Government had slammed the father of two for underpaying staff by $2.6 million. Then a month later, the 38-year-old was charged with common assault after making physical contact with a 19-year-old at Allianz Stadium during the 2017 A-League Grand Final. Leaked video footage showed George shoving the teenager, who had heckled him over the payroll scandal. George later apologised in a statement, which read: ‘I regret the way in which I reacted, I am disappointed…

Indulge in these quick and easy winter treats Chocolate Cappuccino Cakes Serves 6, Prep 8 mins, Cook 7 mins Melted unsalted butter, for greasing 100g unsalted butter, chopped 2/3 cup Dark Choc Melts 2 tblsps instant coffee granules ¼ cup boiling water 2/3 cup caster sugar 3 eggs, lightly beaten ¾ cup self-raising flour Whipped cream, to serve Drinking chocolate powder,to decorate 1 Grease six microwave-safe cups or dishes (300ml-cup capacity) with melted butter. 2 Place butter and chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium-high (70 per cent), stirring halfway through, for about 1½ minutes, or until smooth. 3 Meanwhile, dissolve coffee in water. Add to chocolate mixture with sugar. Whisk until combined. Cool for 2 minutes. 4 Whisk in eggs, then flour, until combined. Divide evenly among…

Honey and Sesame Glazed Pork Cutlets Serves 4, Prep 10 mins, Cook 10 mins 350g bag Asian-style salad kit 1 cup fresh coriander leaves ½ cup oven-roasted almonds,chopped 4 x 200g pork cutlets 1 tblsp sesame seeds 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ cup honey 2 tblsps soy sauce 1 Toss salad, dressing from kit, coriander and almonds in a large bowl. 2 Heat a large, oiled, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add pork. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking. Remove. Rest, loosely covered with foil, for 5 minutes. 3 Heat same clean, oiled pan over a medium heat. Add seeds and garlic. Cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Stir in honey and soy sauce. Bring to boil.…

#1 EAT MORE PROTEIN ‘To keep your energy levels boosted, you need to have protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner,’ says naturopath Catherine Pritchard. Add eggs or smoked salmon to your morning meal, have a soup that contains beans or lentils for lunch, and pair chicken, steak or fish with a sleepinducing starchy carb such as rice at dinner, and you’ve ticked all the boxes. #2 WALK AT LUNCHTIME Yes it’s cold, but giving yourself a burst of daylight can help you feel more alert. ‘Research suggests that because there’s less sunlight in winter, our melatonin levels rise when the sun goes down, which makes us feel sleepier earlier during the dark winter months,’ Catherine says. #3 SNIFF ON SOME OILS Add a few drops of a stimulating essential oil…

DRINK DANGER Drinking diet soft drinks while pregnant nearly doubles the risk of a child becoming obese, according to a new study. Researchers advise expectant mums to sip water instead of soft drinks, after finding artificially sweetened drinks were no better for the baby than sugary ones. CRAZY CRITTERS In keeping with my theme of only embarking on craft with items you already have at home, how about making one of these cute caterpillars? Paint small stones with different colours and designs, and when they’re dry, assemble the caterpillar by propping the rocks against each other or gluing them together. Paint eyes and use sticks to form antennae on one of the stones and make that the head. Remember, it doesn’t have to look perfect! ‘After you have a baby,…

Q Seventeen years ago, my second daughter passed from cancer. Now that my other three other daughters are having their babies, I am hoping she will return to us. Do you think we will be lucky enough for her to return a grandchild? Suzanne, via email. A Suzanne, I’m sorry for your loss. I have no doubt that your daughter will watch over and protect your grandchildren, but most people don’t reincarnate as long as there are living loved ones for them to watch over. Spirits know that they can intervene to help us through the peaks and valleys of life. So as long as they can be there for us, they have no reason to return. Q I have been with my second husband for eight years. Prior to…

HEXWORD Each of the clues below has a six-letter answer. Write the answer clockwise in the spaces around the appropriate clue number. Where the hexagons touch, the letters in the adjoining segments will be the same. We’ve answered one clue for you. The letters in brackets tell you the first letter of the answer. The letters in the inner coloured hexagon will spell a hidden word. CLUES 1 – Ramsay, outspoken TV chef (G) 2 Oscar’s appellation on Sesame Street (G) 3 Slight, sharp pain (T) 4 African monkey (B) 5 Medical comedy series staring Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke (S) 6 Halfling from the Shire in the works of JRR Tolkien (H) 7 Informal, relaxed (C) 8 – Wilde, actress who played ‘Thirteen’ on House (O) 9 Walking nervously or anxiously backwards and…

UNDER PRESSURE Q My husband does fly-in, fly-out work, but when he’s home for short breaks, his parents and brothers try to monopolise his time and make him feel guilty for being away so much. It really stresses him out, but if I try to talk to him about it he says it’s only adding to the pressure he feels. Faith, via email. A Your husband’s family is inconsiderate. Monopolising his time and taking him on a guilt trip needs to be sorted. Politely tell his parents and brothers to back off. You want some ‘alone’ time with your husband, as he is away so much. He will not talk about the problem, but he needs to know it’s stressful for you too. Put your foot down – his next…

LOVED UP! Just days away from her 19th birthday, Bindi Irwin appears more in love than ever! Posting a sweet throwback pic to Instagram, the Australia Zoo ambassador sent fans into meltdown at the possibility of an imminent proposal. ‘You know what Beyonce said… put a ring on it,’ teased one excited fan, while another urged: ‘When is the wedding? So glad you have found your soulmate.’ And sources reveal that it isn’t a case of whether the wakeboarding pro will propose… but when! ‘They always talk about weddings – what type of wedding they’d like, where it would be, where they’d go on their honeymoon,’ an insider spills. ‘Bindi and Chandler feel like they’re each other’s soulmates and think that they’ll never love anyone like they love each other.’…

Rib-tickler What happened to poor Billy Crystal to make him say this? ‘If it was a cartoon, my arms are flying off my body, my eyes are coming out of my head.’ A sneeze that tore his rib muscle! Which is, er, nothing to be sneezed at. Running joke ‘I’d love to do a sprint on Neighbours,’ Marcia Hines revealed. Now, we’re not sure if Marcia has her eye on an extended guest appearance on the show or if she fancies her chances against Toadie over 100 metres down Ramsay Street. On yer marks... Undie pressure Kate Ritchie was undie pressure when Karl Stefanovic’s line of questions got a bit personal. ‘I’m actually not comfortable about talking about my underwear with you, Karl!’ she blasted. And you’d better not say…

Duchess Kate has done nothing to squash persistent pregnancy rumours, after sensationally revealing that she and husband William would love a third baby. The royal mum-of-two made the startling admission during a reception in Warsaw after being given a cuddly toy designed for newborns. After offering her thanks, Kate turned to Wills and said: ‘We will just have to have more babies.’ But palace sources tell New Idea that there’s growing speculation that Kate is already pregnant with their third child, as baby rumours continue to swirl for the royal couple. ‘We all think this was a bit of an in-joke between Wills and Kate,’ says a friend of the duchess. ‘Kate is very prim and proper and would never make such a bold statement unless there was an element…

IT’S A GIRL! BREAKING NEWS Brad Pitt has been left reeling by shock claims that actress Kate Hudson is pregnant – and he could be the dad. The actor, who is rumoured to have had a brief fling with Kate earlier this year, is ‘totally in a spin’ by the surprise development, nervous that it could affect his messy divorce and custody case with estranged wife Angelina Jolie. The ugly court war has already seen disturbing allegations of alcohol addiction and child abuse made public, and Brad is worried that a shock pregnancy so soon after his marriage split could give Ange even more ammunition. ‘This is literally the last thing Brad needs at the moment,’ says a source close to the actor. ‘He’s been locked in intense negotiations with…

BRIGHT LIGHT To all who had the pleasure of knowing her, Justine Damond was a beacon of light. The Sydney therapist changed the lives of countless people, and with each day that passes, more stories emerge of her kind, caring nature, which simply knew no bounds. Her friend Jay Peterson recalled how Justine donated her eggs to a friend who was desperate for a baby. ‘That’s just the kind of person Justine was,’ he told Fox 9 last week. Justine, known as Juzzy to her friends, originally trained to be a veterinary surgeon at the University of Sydney. But losing her mother to cancer at age 22 gave her a deep-seated desire to help humankind. Combining her knowledge of neuroscience with her passion for meditation, Justine helped scores of people…

MURDER, ROMANCE AND MOVING TO AUSTRALIA Exclusive interview He was the trusted security chief in charge of keeping Princess Diana’s confidences – and now he’s revealed all her deep, dark secrets for the very first time. In an interview to mark the 20-year anniversary of the beloved royal’s death, Dai Davies – who was London Metropolitan Police’s Head of Royal Protection for three years from 1995 – has spoken about his unique and intimate relationship with Diana. Speaking exclusively to New Idea, the elite boss – who commanded 450 bodyguards assigned to the royal family during his post – has given an explosive insight into the princess’ inner world. As well as revealing her secret romance with an A-list star, Dai also tells of her claims that her former bodyguard…

Setting up his camera gear on a stretch of beautiful farmland in the South York Peninsula, amateur filmmaker Paul Day was hoping to shoot the sunrise through the enigmatic mist on a crisp winter morning. But what the married father-of-two actually captured on video on June 30 was something more spectacular. The 53-year-old teacher tells New Idea: ‘I drove to my usual spot and set everything up and I noticed the fog was moving away towards the hills.’ He followed the bank of mist and, after about 15 minutes of driving, found the perfect place. ‘It was beautiful, the air was still, the fog hadn’t moved, the sun was just about to come up. ‘I stopped there and set up the camera... then I saw this creature about 150m away.…

Moroccan Rice and Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes Serves 6-8, Prep 20 mins, Cook 15 mins 250g packet microwavable brown rice and quinoa 1/3 cup flaked almonds, toasted ½ cup finely chopped fresh coriander ¼ cup currants 3 tsps Moroccan seasoning ½ tsp grated lemon rind 8 x 120g vine-ripened tomatoes 80g firm feta, crumbled Salt and pepper, to taste Roast chicken marylands and mixed salad leaves, to serve 1 Heat rice mix according to packet directions. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool slightly. Add almonds, coriander, currants, seasoning and rind. Stir to combine. 2 Cut tops off tomatoes. Discard. Trim bases to sit flat. Scoop out flesh, leaving a ½cm-thick shell. Finely chop 1/2 cup of the flesh. 3 Add chopped tomato to rice mixture with feta. Season with salt and…

Baked Sticky Date Cheesecake with Butterscotch Sauce Serves 12, Prep 30 mins, Cook 1 hour 1½ x 250g packets Butternut Snap Cookie 75g unsalted butter, melted FILLING 1 cup finely chopped, pitted dates ½ cup water 2 x 250g blocks cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature ¾ cup caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 3 eggs 1 cup sour cream BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 300ml carton pure cream 100g unsalted butter, chopped 1 Invert base of a 24cm round springform pan (base measures 22cm). Grease base and side. Line base with baking paper. 2 Process biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press over base and three-quarters of the way upside of pan. Refrigerate. 3 To make filling, place…

Winter weather means rugging up and hunkering down, but that doesn’t mean total skin hibernation. Fake a natural holiday glow with these easy and effective beauty tricks... GET DEWY Adding an essential oil to your foundation will provide the extra boost of hydration that winter skin craves. The oil gives foundation a lighter consistency and allows it to blend in easily, achieving a flawless, dewy complexion. Mix one to two drops of oil with your foundation in the palm of your hand and apply to skin. 1 Natio Renew Line & Wrinkle Silky Shea Miracle Face Oil, $26.95, at Priceline. GLOW ON Replace your tanning ritual with a subtle bronzer or highlighter. Apply to the T-zone and cheekbones to create a sunkissed, instant glow. Don’t be too heavy-handed – pick…

LIQUID GOLD Liquid jojoba, nature’s powerful natural moisturiser, contains all the essential nutrients and vitamins your skin cells need to regenerate and rejuvenate. It also happens to mimic the skin’s natural oils, which means your skin allows it to penetrate deeper under the surface, where this cell regeneration takes place. From here jojoba can replenish your skin’s natural resources, helping to nourish and restore damaged skin cells, to leave you with beautiful, problem-free, firmer looking skin. 85ml, 100% natural Australian jojoba RRP $29.95. Visit thejojobacompany.com.au PICK OF THE WEEK BE SURPRISED WITH EVERY BOX! Are you sick of eating the same foods every day and using the same old household products? Make some exciting new everyday discoveries with Redpawpaw! For just $20, every 2 months you’ll receive the latest hand-picked…

Choosing a doona cover that pleases both genders is a tricky business. Here are our top picks... HOT TREND! DENIM DREAMS JEANS AREN’T JUST FOR YOUR WARDROBE – ADD A SPLASH OF DENIM TO YOUR DESIGN…

My beautiful cat Freckles passed away a week ago – I miss her so much. Is she OK? Is she happy? Pam, via email. Freckles is joined by another cat from your past, so they are here together. One of these cats had a stable home life in the sense you lived mostly in one place, but your other family cat was with you during a time of upheaval – moving house, travelling and generally a busy time. Freckles could have passed earlier in her life through an accident or health issue that could have worsened, but she went on to have plenty of time here and stayed around much longer to share the journey with you. Aside from you, Freckles is also sending her love to two people who…

CHILDREN’S WORLD WASN’T ME! My 10-year-old nephew Damian is very smart. One day, he went to school unprepared for the day’s lesson. Before the class began, my nephew raised his hand and asked: ‘Miss, should someone be punished for something he hasn’t done?’ His teacher replied: ‘Of course not. Why do you ask?’ Cheeky Damian replied: ‘Because I haven’t done my homework.’ Meredith Griffiths, Christchurch, NZ. TOP PRIORITY My great-granddaughter, Miss Two, ran up to her mother and said: ‘Mummy, I need food for my belly and milk for my mouth.’ She certainly knows what she wants in life! K. Robinson, Wodonga, Vic. CULTURE SHOCK We moved to North America to live for five years. When we came home, it quickly became apparent that we’d been away too long. My…

LETTER OF THE WEEK WINS $100 SUPER COOPER! Cooper Greenwood (NI Jul 24) is an absolute inspiration. A lot of people complain about everyday aches and pains, but Cooper takes it in his stride and remains happy through it all. I want to wish his family all the best. Christine Bebb, Kenwick, WA. STASH SECRETS What a worthwhile article by Curry Glassell on how to stop impulse spending (NI Jul 24). A year ago, due to a change in our circumstances, I removed my credit card from my wallet. As my wise husband says, it is simply for emergencies. I plan trips to town and make sure I only have enough cash on me for what is really needed. Whether on a strict budget or not, this is the best…