Innholdsfortegnelse for TAK2514 i Take 5

We were so happy to share Ashlee’s story this week, and give a well-deserved shout out to her wonderful grandma, who stepped in to look after her when she was growing up. We especially loved the part where Ashlee called her gran a mum and a best friend, and we thought it would resonate with many of our readers. It certainly did with our team. Deputy Features Editor Theo was very close to his Nana Joan. They loved playing Scrabble together. “She was a former English teacher, and super savvy,” Theo recalled fondly. “She’d take no prisoners, even during games a few weeks before she passed in her 90s.” My nanny Jan loved a card game and had a wicked sense of humour. She’d also set up assault courses around…

When Mum failed to look after me, Grandma stepped in Ashlee McNamara, 32, Melbourne, Vic. I screamed as my mum burst through my bedroom door, terror etched across her face. “Get back here now,” a male voice bellowed behind her. He appeared in the doorway with a knife in his hand and launched himself towards us. Thankfully, Mum’s partner grabbed him in time and dragged him out. I was three years old, and this wasn’t out of the norm. My mum, Kim, was a heroin addict and had been before I was born. There were always strangers at home, particularly men, as Mum would prostitute herself out to them to make money. She’d moved us to South Australia, isolating us from her family in Melbourne. As she was incapable, I…

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A taxi crept up our driveway. “She’s coming!” I squealed. My siblings and I rushed to get a better view of our new housekeeper. It was June 1965, and I was three-and-a-half. My parents, Robert, a real estate developer and, Lillian, who helped with administration, needed help with their home and six kids. “Welcome, Ms Metoyer,” Mum said, opening the door. A short, strong-looking woman slowly walked in. “Call me Lee,” she said. Immediately, she made me feel at ease. “You’re such beautiful children,” Lee smiled. We grew to love her elegant and mysterious nature. Although she was only 43, she wore dentures. “Why don’t you have teeth?” I finally asked. “I didn’t brush enough, so make sure you do!” Lee said. She’d been with us three years when Mum…

Throughout history, there have been individuals who made grand gestures for love. For instance, King Edward VIII abdicated his throne for Wallis Simpson, Queen Victoria constructed a grand mausoleum for her husband, Albert, and she even kept a room in Windsor Palace as his shrine. Additionally, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his beloved wife after she died while giving birth to their 14th child. However, you don’t need to be royalty, and these gestures don’t have to cost the earth to be meaningful, as demonstrated by these wonderful couples. A PATIENT WAIT Karl and Donna Von Schwarz were high school sweethearts who got married in 1956. He stayed by her side for 63 years, during which they had four children, nine grandchildren, and…

Crab & sweet potato rissoles SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS + CHILLING COOK 30 MINS 3 large potatoes, peeled, chopped 1 medium sweet potato, peeled, chopped 280g cooked crab meat, drained, flaked ¼ cup mascarpone  ¼ cup chopped dill, plus sprigs, to serve  2 green onions, sliced  1 egg, whisked  1 lemon, finely grated zest, juice  Oil, for shallow frying  ½ cup mayonnaise  Chips, mixed salad leaves, lemon  cheeks, to serve 1 In a saucepan of boiling, salted water, cook potato and sweet potato 10-12 mins until just tender. Drain. Roughly mash with a fork. Chill 30 mins. 2 In a bowl, combine cooled potato mixture, crab meat, mascarpone, dill, onion, egg and zest. Season. 3L ine an oven tray with baking paper. Using ½ cupfuls of mixture, form into rounds and flatten slightly. Place…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Kim Bonett, Art Director Fiona Parsons, Picture Editor Vanessa Mckenzie ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.auWebsite www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.auPublished by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. Take5 is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.auPrinted by IVE Building…

The party was in full swing, and as everyone danced around us, the handsome stranger and I couldn’t stop talking about one thing… cricket! I was 16, Tony was 20, and there was an instant spark between us. “Can I have your number?” he asked at the end of the night. Digging a pen out of my bag, I quickly scribbled it down on a piece of paper. “I’ll call for sure,” he promised. True to his word, Tony called me on the home phone the next day, and before long, we were inseparable. Mum and Dad loved him, and he was always making me laugh. If our conversation happened to reference a song lyric, we’d both instantly break into song! Two years on, we were at the pub where…

The Bachelor made me realise I’m a lesbian! Steph Crothers, 30, Flemmington, Vic. Lazing on the couch with my friend, I sipped my wine. “Let’s make a bet,” she said, grinning. I raised my eyebrows. It was 2017, we were having a girls’ night in, watching The Bachelor, where ladies compete to win a man’s heart. “If we’re both still single when this is casting next, we have to apply,” she said. “Deal!” I laughed. Months later, I saw an ad on Instagram calling for applicants for the show. By then, my friend was loved up with a boyfriend, so I assumed she’d have forgotten our silly bet. Just then, my phone buzzed. Looks like you’re auditioning for The Bachelor! she texted me. A deal’s a deal, I guess, I…

Roast salmon with pine nut crumb Roast salmon with pine nut crumb SERVES 4-6PREP 15 MINS COOK 15 MINS 2 cups sourdough breadcrumbs 45g butter, chopped, plus 20g extra ½ cup pine nuts, plus 1 tbsp extra 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 1 tbsp leaves lemon thyme, plus extra to serve 2 lemons, cut into large wedges 1 red onion, thickly sliced 750g fillet skinless salmon, pinboned (or fillets) 2 tbsp olive oil SALAD 1 cup frozen broad beans 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup snow-pea tendrils 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. In a food processor, combine 2 crumbs, butter, pine nuts, garlic and thyme. Pulse until it begins to bind together. Arrange lemon and…

Natalie Pilato, 34, Sydney, NSW. The sun had barely risen, but walking into my living room, I had to chuckle. In the puppy pen, my newest litter of dachshunds were already running amok, bounding over each other to get my attention. “I’m coming,” I laughed, giving them all cuddles. I’d been breeding cream sausage dog puppies since 2017, and these six were particularly boisterous! I was constantly thinking of ways to stimulate and socialise them with people to ensure they were ready for their forever homes. Later that day, my best friend, Nat, phoned and invited me over. “I can’t, the dogs,” I said. “Bring them!” she replied. So I took them, along with my own sausage, Herman. When we arrived at her place, Nat was painting. She picked up…

CANCER June 22 – July 23 Just when you thought you’d met everyone you were ever going to meet, here comes some astrology which could really shake up your friendships in a good way. Or maybe it’s your actual life philosophies which are evolving. Keep an open mind and something wonderful could happen. ★ Life course changes are possible. ARIES Mar 21 -Apr 20 There could be an exciting change when it comes either to your self-esteem or your finances this week. Pro tip: believe in yourself and you will naturally attract more cash. Time to move on from fears which have been holding you back. ★ Remember to believe in your own abundance. TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21 It hasn’t been easy these past seven years, navigating the…

My kids were in serious trouble and I was helpless to protect them James McLeod, 44, Burrum Heads, Qld. The older kids giggled as they played with their Christmas presents at my mum’s place. My youngest, Wyatt, four months, was having his nails gently trimmed by my sister-in-law. “Who does she think she is?” my wife Charmaine elbowed me. “What?” I frowned. “I didn’t ask her to cut his nails,” Charmaine snapped. “I’m not spending Christmas here.” Charmaine didn’t like my sister-in-law. “C’mon love. It’s Christmas. Think of the kids,” I said, but she stormed out. Our kids, Aaleyn, two, Matilda, one, and Wyatt, would have to spend Christmas without their mum because she’d chucked another tantrum. Charmaine was real hard work. We’d met 12 years earlier and became friends…

My life-saving surgery came with a sexy perk Michelle Russell, 41, Gold Coast, Qld. I chucked in another load of laundry then raced back to the kitchen to dish up the spag bol. “Brent, dinner’s ready,” I called to my 12-year-old brother. At 14, I had the sole responsibility of looking after him, myself, and our single mum, Lisa, 40, who was in her bedroom dealing with the affects of chemo and radiation. Months earlier she’d been diagnosed with stage-3breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, she’d been doing it tough through her treatment. “I’m sorry, love,” she smiled weakly when I opened the door to check on her. “I’ll come good.” I prayed she was right. My maternal great-greataunt, Elsie, had suffered breast cancer in her 40s and had lived. But…

Golden frangipane galette SERVES 8 PREP 30 MINS + CHILLING COOK 40 MINS 2 sheets frozen butter puff pastry, thawed 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored 1 tbsp lemon juice 20g butter 1 tbsp caster sugar ½ cup blueberries 2 tbsp flaked almonds FRANGIPANE 60g butter, softened 1⁄3 cup caster sugar ½ cup almond meal 2 tbsp plain flour 1 egg 1 tbsp brandy 1 Preheat oven to 220°C. Press pastry sheets together to join, then trim to a 25 x 30cm rectangle. Place on oven tray lined with baking paper. Prick pastry with fork, leaving 2cm border. Chill. 2 Bake 12-15 mins. Cool. Press down centre of pastry (it will puff). Reduce oven to 180°C. 3 FRANGIPANE In a food processor, pulse butter and sugar until pale. Add almond meal,…

FAIRYTALE COME TRUE When then Crown Prince Frederik proposed, he presented Mary Donaldson with a diamond and ruby ring that cost $60,000. But you can get the look for a fraction of the price. The Queen Mary Replica Engagement Ring, made with genuine Moissanites and red garnets, is available for $399.95. Prince Charming not included. PERFECT PEARLS Nothing quite says classic like diamonds and pearls – no wonder Kate is a fan of the combination. Feel as elegant as the popular royal wearing these Princess of Wales Pearl Drop Earrings. Featuring 24-carat gold-plating, freshwater pearls and Moissanites for $199.95, they are inspired by a pair Kate has worn dozens of times. FIT FOR A QUEEN It is hard to choose a favourite among the pieces of jewellery Queen Elizabeth wore…