Pick Me Up! 16-Jul-2020

Watching yet another musical, Annabelle was hooked to the TV. This time it was the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, and she loved it. But one song in particular caught her attention – Days in the Sun. ‘What is that?’ she asked me and her mum Natalie, 25, trying to figure out what instrument was being used. ‘It’s a violin,’ we told her. ‘I want one,’ she begged. Annabelle loves all things music and dancing, so we decided to buy her a little violin, all for herself. ‘You’ve got to be careful with it though,’ we told her. But it was her pride and joy. Every day she would be practicing, trying to get it to play nicely. ‘Would you like to learn properly?’ myself and Natalie asked…

Something to think about While Friends ended 16 years ago, it remains one of the most loved series of all time. Have you ever wondered where your favourite friend ended up? Experts at StandOut-CV.com made it their mission to find out, and asked 3,000 fans where they believe Joey, Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Phoebe and Ross would be now career-wise… CHANDLER Comics editor • The series ended with Chandler leaving his job to take on a new role: Junior Advertising Copywriter. Ultimately, fans believe Chandler would have taken his passion for writing further as an editor for a comics magazine. MONICA Restaurant owner and head chef • After spending a few years as a head chef at Javu, fans imagine Mon would have entered a big cooking show. This probably gave her…

Flying Flowers If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Switching on my computer, I sat on my chair, plugged in my headphones and fired up my favourite online game. ‘Time to win this,’ I giggled to myself, excited. All through my teens, I had been into video games. I loved nothing more than plugging myself into the latest hit and playing for hours. It started out as a hobby, but as I got older, I realised I could make a career out of it. In 2015, I set up my own YouTube channel and started reviewing games and getting sponsorship money. I recorded myself playing and uploading daily videos to my followers. ‘I’m excited to play this one,’ I announced, hitting ‘record’ on my webcam. I’d often get flattering emails from fans and comments from strangers – I never…

Itiptoed downstairs as my dad opened the door. ‘Hello, does Annie live here?’ a man asked, with a very strong Eastern European accent. I didn’t see him, but just hearing his voice sent shivers down my spine. I started shaking uncontrollably and had to stifle my own screams. What was Keio going to do to me? My dad very calmly told him that I didn’t live here, and Keio left. ‘I can’t believe he’s found me,’ I cried, terrified. Dad immediately grabbed the phone and called the police. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, Keio was nowhere to be seen. Police patrolled our house as I prayed he wouldn’t return. I couldn’t get that flash of green hair out of my head. The next day, an officer came to our…

Manchester-based spirits brand Didsbury Gin has partnered with the winner of MasterChef 2015, Simon Wood, to show fans just how easy it is to create this dessert at home. • Didsbury Gin is available from £14.95 online at didsburygin.com □ 120ml Didsbury Gin Original□ 30g caster sugar□ 125g Digestive biscuit crumbs□ 40g butter, melted□ 1 grapefruit□ 1 orange□ 1 lime□ 1 lemon□ 280g cream cheese□ 397g can condensed milk□ 90ml fresh lemon juice 1 Add 120ml Didsbury Gin Original to a saucepan along with 30g caster sugar and reduce by two thirds. 2 Combine the biscuit crumbs and melted butter and press into the base of your moulds. Don’t over work it as you want it to hold together but still be a crumbly, buttery biscuit base. 3 Use a…