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Showing posts from November, 2019

How to make a Christmas tree card

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The stitched 3D effect of the trees give this homemade Christmas card the wow factor. Get ahead on your Christmas crafting with this handmade card. Decorated with a trio of paper Christmas trees and surrounded by flecks of white paint for the falling snow, it’s the picture of a white Christmas. Stretch your papercrafting skills by incorporating some sewing into the design. Stitched down the centre, these trees are given a cool 3D look. This simple design is easy to repeat, mixing up the colours and shapes with each Christmas card you create. Try cutting out silver snowflake shapes as an alternative design to the Christmas trees, or how about some golden stars twinkling in the night sky on black paper? Sending out a personalised card is such a touching gesture and one the recipient is sure to treasure. So gather your materials and start crafting these cards now, you don’t want to miss the last post! To make your Christmas card you will need: Star punch White card Green ...

Sally Lindsay: ‘This is probably the last year my twins are young enough to believe in Santa!’

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With Christmas just around the corner, it’s fair to say Sally Lindsay is excited, especially as she’s aware time is running out for her nine-year-old twin sons Louie and Victor when it comes to believing in the magic of it all. The 46-year-old actress, who recently starred in the hit Channel 5 drama Cold Call, reveals she doesn’t get to spend much time with her drummer husband Steve White throughout the year, as they’re always off working in different parts of the country. ‘It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas when you’ve got children!’ In October, I got so excited because we’ve always had an open fireplace in the back room that ‘Santa comes down’. We couldn’t use it for years because of the children, so it’s just been empty and we stuck a candle in it. But last month, we had it cleaned and this Christmas we’re going to have an open fire. ‘When you’re young, you’re just sort of partied out from all the drinking’ I remember spending Christmas Day hungover for mos...

'I'm addicted to saving people!' Loose Woman's Nadia Sawalha on the ups and downs of being a 'rescuer'

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Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha has revealed helping husband Mark Adderley through his alcohol addiction has given her a desire to rescue other people. Nadia, 55, made the admission during the daytime panel show where she was discussing news that Jennifer Garner was still supporting ex Ben Affleck as he combats alcoholism. Speaking about the impact of helping Mark stay teetotal for 15 years following his rehab stint, Nadia said she has been ‘diagnosed’ as being addicted to saving people. View this post on Instagram HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! My darling partner in crime . What a crazy rollercoaster our life together has been . Believe me when I say I thank the ‘power greater than ourselves ‘ on a daily basis for making sure we collided into each other ! You are my friend ,my lover ,my confidante , my champion , my hot husband and most importantly of all you are my IDIOT! I love you more than I ever tell you … ‘Fag and egg sandwich ?! #myhubby #myforeve...

The delightful squash is nomadic, prolific, adaptive and lush – and then it carks it

It’s an ancient and adaptive food, and just about every culture does delicious savoury and sweet things with squash, such as Fak Thong Sangkaya Askutasquash, askutasquash, askutasquash. I’ve been rolling this word around my tongue and repeating it under my breath like a spell, a prayer for rain, an expression of gratitude to the Earth for producing it. The word askutasquash is from Narragansett, a Native American language from which the word squash derives. It translates to “a green thing eaten raw or uncooked”. What a beautiful word it is too. This genus of cucurbita includes many domesticated, cultivated species including C. moschata (crookneck pumpkin), C. pepo (field pumpkin) and C. ficiofolia (fig leaf gourd). Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2R5wICn via IFTTT

Black Friday 2019: L.O.L. Surprise! Amazing Surprise with 14 Dolls is currenlty HALF price on Amazon

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If your children - or any kids in your family for that matter - are obessed with L.O.L. Surprise! toys, then you could save some pennies with these Black Friday deals. L.O.L. Surprise! has taken kids’ Christmas lists by storm for a few years now, and 2019 is no different. The products have been included in several top toys lists – L.O.L. Surprise. O.M.G Doll for Amazon; LOL Surprise 2-in-1 Glamper Fashion Camper with 55 Surprises for Argos and L.O.L. Surprise Chalet Dollhouse at Hamleys. But – like any other toys children get obsessed with – L.O.L. Surprise! products can get very expensive. So what better time to snap them up than Black Friday? We investigated the best deals around do you can get the best bargain… L.O.L. Surprise! toys Black Friday deals L.O.L. Surprise! Amazing Surprise with 14 Dolls & 70+ Surprises SHOP NOW:L.O.L. Surprise! Amazing Surprise with 14 Dolls & 70+ Surprises You could currently get this best seller for half price on Amazon, but there’s a c...

Have an ice Christmas: Liam Charles' recipe for Home Alone ice-cream sundae | The Sweet Spot

If you could have any Christmas movie food, what would it be? Our cook craves this cheeky mound of ice-cream, cookies, cheesecake and pretzels inspired by Home Alone 2 I don’t care what anyone says, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is the best Christmas film. Kevin eats such iconic foods throughout, so I had to come up with a recipe that epitomises his cheeky adventure and, of course, New York. Taking inspiration from that gigantic ice-cream Kevin orders in his hotel room, behold the mini-bar sundae, with chocolate chip cookies, pretzels and cheesecake marbled through. This is super-indulgent and addictive – a bit like the film. Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2qaBe7C via IFTTT

Meera Sodha's vegan recipe for nam jim aubergine salad with wild rice

Aubergines and herby wild rice, tossed in a punchy, salty-sour Thai sauce that, once tasted, you will make again and again Up and down the length and breadth of Thailand’s tables, you’ll find dipping sauces of various kinds sitting quietly yet potently to add fire and life to your meal. Nam jim is a particular favourite of mine, and, although there are many variations, loosely speaking it is always a fabulously punchy concoction usually made with chillies, sugar, garlic, lime and a salty element (such as fish sauce or soy). Here, I’ve generously doused some roast aubergines in the sauce, then tossed them with wild rice and fresh herbs to add some fire and life to your table. Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OUtVcq via IFTTT

Salad, soup and pasta: Yotam Ottolenghi’s parmesan recipes

Three different ways of bringing out the savoury charms of Italy’s favourite cheese: in a pasta classic with an off-grid, Middle Eastern twist, a punchy sprout salad and a cheery vegetable broth The making of parmesan is a strict affair, from the cows and their fodder to the whey starter and rennet, to the size of the wheel and the length of the ageing. The members of the Parmigiano Reggiano consortium, which unites all producers, believe this all adds up to making their cheese the most popular in the world. They’re probably right, too. Fortunately, when it’s time to eat, things are much more open-ended. The block of parmesan you have in your fridge can make an appearance in a host of dishes you may not have thought of (and never, ever throw away the rind , either). Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Owwu5o via IFTTT

Boxing clever: recipes for sweet Christmas gifts | Helen Goh

Following last week ’s mini-collection of edible Christmas gifts comes this assortment of sweet treats to box up for loved ones: hazelnut brittle, marmalade rugelach, lime chocolate truffles and treacle gingerbread stars Prep 10 min Cool 4 hr+ Cook 1 hr Makes About 40 Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OYtDkU via IFTTT

An alternative use for scallop roe

Diver-caught scallops are fresher, less environmentally harmful, and include the best bit many fishmongers leave out, the roe Cream-coloured scallops with their bright coral roes are an exquisite treat to be savoured in their entirety. Some fishmongers sell them shelled and without the roe, but if possible avoid buying these, because not only are they missing the best bit, they’re likely dredged, too, which ploughs up the sea bed. Diver-caught scallops may be pricey, but they are picked selectively by hand, so preserving other oceanic species and avoiding unnecessary waste. They’re usually sold live in the shell, too, so you know they’re fresh. Ignore daft recipes that call for only the meaty, white flesh and add the roe anyway – it won’t affect the dish. Even the frill is edible, incidentally, and is delicious minced and fried. If you do, however, find yourself with roes to use up, whip up this smoky tarama. Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/33yJBr9 ...

Mum-of-five Kerry Katona's money worries: ‘I can’t afford Christmas’

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As many parents know all too well, Christmas can be a very stressful time financially – and, perhaps surprisingly, Kerry Katona is no different. It’s hard to believe but, despite her life in the spotlight and lucrative photo shoots, Kerry Katona is far from flush. And, as the big day approaches, we’re told she’s started to panic. ‘I can understand how easy it is to get into debt,’ Kerry has previously admitted. ‘The world we live in today, especially with the internet and social media, it’s keeping up with the Joneses. Everyone wants you to think that their life is amazing.’ The former Atomic Kitten singer hasn’t had the easiest of years, following the death of ex-husband George Kay . And, with children Molly, 18, Lily-Sue, 16, Heidi, 12, Max, 11, and Dylan-Jorge, five, to provide for on 25 December, will Christmas be just as tough for Kerry? Given her pop star past and time as Queen of the I’m a Celebrity jungle, Kerry was once in a position to really treat her family at Christma...

How to make personalised Christmas decorations with clay

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Make these personalised Christmas decorations from air-drying clay to hang on your Christmas tree. Add a homemade touch to your Christmas tree with these easy-to-make hanging alphabet decorations. Spell out a festive word like joy, or decorate your tree with your loved ones initials or your family names? . Worked your way through the entire alphabet? Try making decorations in different festive shapes instead. A gingerbread man or star cookie cutter work really well too. READ MORE: See all of our easy Christmas crafts ideas To make your personalised Christmas decorations you will need: Alphabet cutters White air-drying clay Watercolour or acrylic paint Small paintbrush Wooden skewer Craft knife Thin ribbon or twine Rolling pin Rolling pin guide rings (to get an even thickness when rolling) Cutting mat Paper Old newspaper How to make your personalised Christmas decorations: 1. Take a small piece of clay from the block and begin rolling it out on a clean surface....

'It's my only day off!' Jane McDonald's looking ahead to Christmas with her childhood sweetheart

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After a hectic year, TV star and singer Jane McDonald can’t wait to spend quality time with her long-term partner and love of her life, Eddie Rothe, this Christmas. And the 56-year-old says being together by themselves over the festive period will be the perfect gift, especially as they have to spend large parts of the year apart, thanks to her busy schedule filming her hit Channel 5 cruising series. ‘I adore Christmas,’ confides Jane as she settles down to chat. ‘I’m having Christmas Day off and I can’t wait! This year, it’ll be Ed and me on our own at home. ‘We will get a little present for each other, but all I want for Christmas this year is some time with him. He will do the cooking, we’ll put a good box set on, and we’ll watch a bit of telly. Being at home is a special time for us. It is our private time together.’ Via Getty MORE: Jane McDonald reveals how she looks so FAB in her fifties Jane and Eddie were once childhood sweethearts and, as she reflects on why their r...

Tastes and Tales from a Distant Homeland cookbook: Recipes from shakshuka to lentil soup

Bringing together 80 recipes from the homes they were forced to leave, alongside heartfelt stories, this book was created to support people who've become displaced from The Independent - Recipes https://ift.tt/2q3p9Rs via IFTTT

Very is offering discounts on Xbox consoles and packages for Black Friday

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If your kids have asked for a game console this Christmas - you’re in luck. Very is offering discounts on Xbox One consoles. Some discounts have savings of more than £100. This is one of our Black Friday deals . Very is offering discounts across its Xbox consoles for Black Friday. The online retailer is also offering deals on a number of bundle packages – with savings of more than £100 for some. So they are well-worth checking out if you’re planning on purchasing a console as a Christmas gift. The Xbox One S All-Digital Console (1TB) – which usually sells for £199.99 – is currently on sale on the Very website for £129.99. Which is a saving of £70. BUY NOW : Xbox One S All-Digital Console (1TB), Very, £199.99 Don’t miss this (Very) good deal! There’s three great digital games included in the package – Sea of Thieves, Fortnite Battle Royale, and Minecraft. And,  if the customer reviews are anything to go by, recipients will not be left disappointed. But, when it...

Christmas events: The best family days out in the UK

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With the festive season fast approaching, keep your little ones entertained this with our pick of the best Christmas family days out the UK has to offer. 1) Garden of Lights Known as the home of 1,500 species of diverse plant life, London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is no less spectacular as the season of goodwill approaches and this year will see the light display return bigger and better than ever. With a new route, Fire Garden and a tunnel of light, alongside lasers projected on to Temperate House, there is something to entrance children and adults alike. Don’t miss out on the grand Palm House Pond finale as jets of light reflect glide across the water to as soundtrack of much-loved Christmas songs. 2) Burning the Clocks Make that special trip to the seaside this Christmas and see the Burning of the Clocks as homemade lanterns are paraded through Brighton’s picturesque streets on the winter solstice, December 21st. This community event brings people together and locals of...