Innehållsförteckning för 18 February 2019 från New Idea

Radio star Jackie O Henderson recently stepped out looking slimmer than ever just weeks after returning to the airwaves following her summer break. Dressed in casual and baggy attire, the newly single mother of one was all smiles as she strolled around Sydney’s affluent suburb of Double Bay solo. Last year the 43-year-old, who split from her husband Lee after 15 years of marriage, revealed she’d lost 10kg in just six months after realising she was in the worst shape of her life. “I think I was struggling with a few things at the time, so eating was a way for me to escape my problems,” Jackie told 9Honey in 2018, adding she spent 12 months “eating nothing but macaroni and cheese, sandwiches and potato chips.” “I gave up carbs…

Just days after rumours emerged that The Real Housewives of Sydney has been axed for good, New Idea can reveal that former star Lisa Oldfield has separated from her husband David Oldfield. In fact, an insider spills that the mother of two has been “kicked out of her home” she shares with her husband. “She isn’t coping very well,” the source says. “David asked her to leave and she currently has no real place to live.” Lisa shares two sons with David, 6-year-old Bert and 8-year-old Harry. “She’s currently living with her parents at the moment and is extremely fragile,” the source continues. Lisa has openly discussed her relationship issues over the years, including during her time in South Africa for I’m A Celebrity……

With the young royals racked by in-fighting, the Duchess of Cambridge is showing the strain. Leaving the palace on her way to what was meant to be a joyous family celebration to mark her mother’s birthday, Kate couldn’t hide her tears. A royal insider tells New Idea how Kate’s relationship with sister-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has broken down almost irretrievably and that Princes William and Harry are barely communicating. “Meghan and Kate’s feud has been heightened by Meghan’s consistent thinly veiled attacks on Kate’s parenting skills – drawing up her own parenting plan ahead of the birth, which is at odds with everything Kate and William do with George, Charlotte and Louis,” an insider says. While Kate and William attempt to be very involved with their children, their busy…

Steve Jacobs’ new squeeze Emma Goody could be set to announce some exciting news, as she stepped out last week with what looks to be a baby bump. The couple were spotted walking their pet dog in a Sydney park and Emma was wearing tight black jeans which showed off the visible bump. An onlooker told New Idea, “Emma was glowing and appeared to be hiding her bump on several occasions. They seemed really close and affectionate with one another.” TV presenter Steve and Emma – a florist and stylist – have known each other for quite some time. In fact, Steve describes Emma as one of his “oldest and dearest friends”, who is “amazingly talented” and has a “beautiful soul”, and the pair have started a luxury linen brand…

Christian home-schooled brothers Josh and Austin have made MKR history books for all the wrong reasons. The siblings hosted what is without doubt the worst Instant Restaurant in the 10-year history of the show. While things seemed bad on screen, New Idea can exclusively reveal what went down behind the scenes. “It was the worst day of my life. It was torture,” Andy states. “We were in a bunker, it was Armageddon. We were about to turn into cannibals, I was about to eat Amanda’s butt I was that starving.” Filming wrapped up at 5am and the guests were forced to wait hours between courses, only to be served inedible food. Andy reveals the cast were finally able to eat as the sun came up, feasting on cold takeaway food…

These days, Colin Fassnidge is known as MKR’s brash-talking but loveable Irish chef. However, the 45-year-old father of two hasn’t always had that reputation. “In the early days I was known as one of the hardest, meanest angry chefs,” he tells New Idea. “But that was all pre-kids, because I was making my name as a chef and it’s a hard industry – it’s a dog-eat-dog world. “But when no-one wants to work with you anymore, that sort of wakes you up a bit that you’ve got to do a bit of work on yourself.” Colin explains he suffered great losses during his younger years as a chef. “I lost a lot of friends to depression and suicide and drugs and stuff like that,” he reveals.…

SECURITY CALLED IN It’s no secret that brides Elizabeth and Ines have bad blood after the pair exchanged heated words at the commitment ceremony, resulting in Ines telling Lizzy to “shut up.” Now, New Idea can reveal that things got even more intense once the cameras stopped rolling. “It got so bad that producers couldn’t leave the girls alone together,” dishes our insider. “They had to be separated behind the scenes – security were fully briefed and everyone was on standby in case it kicked off.” The spy continues: “Elizabeth was absolutely raging and Ines kept egging her on. At one point it looked like one of them was going to throw a punch.” BRONSON’S INTRUDER EX She recently revealed Bronson dumped her after a whirlwind romance to be on…

It’s always summer in Summer Bay – and that’s the way our favourite stars like it! And now that it really is the season for long, lazy days in the sun, the talented actors who bring our beloved characters to life share how they get themselves beach ready. During New Idea’s laughter-filled tropical photoshoot, it’s easy to see that the Home and Away cast gets along like a house on fire, even when the TV cameras aren’t rolling. Brimming with positive energy, posing in swimwear on a warm Sydney day, the gang share their new year health and fitness goals, and what they do to feel their best. SARAH ROBERTS (WILLOW) Describe your typical day on a plate Breakfast may be scrambled eggs with bacon or sausages, lunch if I’m…

Iced VoVo Ice-Cream Cake Serves 8, Prep: 30 mins 210g packet Arnott’s Iced VoVo Biscuits 2 tblsps raspberry jam 250g punnet fresh strawberries, hulled 1 litre tub good-quality vanilla ice-cream ½ cup mini white marshmallows ½ cup shredded coconut 1 Grease a large, straight-sided loaf pan (15cm x 23.5cm x 9cm deep). Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 5cm above pan edges. 2 Arrange eight of the biscuits, decorated-side facing down, side-by-side over the base of prepared pan. Cut another biscuit in half to fit neatly at one end of the pan. Coarsely chop remaining biscuits. 3 Process jam with half the strawberries in a food processor until smooth. Cut remaining strawberries into quarters. Refrigerate, covered, until serving. 4 Place ice-cream in a large bowl. Stand at…

This superb mint syrup is so easy to make and a great way to use up lots of fresh mint from your garden. Add to sparkling wine or pour over ice with lemonade or soda water. It’s especially delicious blended with ice cubes, vodka, fresh pineapple or other fresh fruit for a frozen daiquiri-style cocktail. 1 Place 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Stir over a low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. 2 Stir in 2 to 3 cups fresh mint leaves. Leave to cool for about 30 minutes. 3 Pour mixture into a blender and blend until mint is finely chopped. Pour through a sieve into a large jug. Pour into clean, glass jars or bottles. Store in…

FLY TO LA WITH DELTA, ON DAILY NON-STOP FLIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, YOU’LL GET FREE MOBILE MESSAGING AND FREE IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. VISIT: DELTA.COM. TIP: BOOK IT IN ADVANCE AS THE TICKETS SELL OUT FAST! ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB AT NEUEHOUSE Look, you’re in a city that is home to some of the greatest stars to grace our screens, why not stop by to watch a film? Don’t expect just a regular movie experience, though. You’ll find comfort in the outdoor cinema by being seated on a deckchair, having access to a staffed bar and avoiding hearing the sound of crunching popcorn because each customer is given wireless headphones. Maybe you truly can have a date with the likes of Brad Pitt and John Travolta – depending on the movie that’s showing! GHOST…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 A meaningful message or exchange will be the language of love this Valentine’s week. Singles, a workplace attraction could grow. You’ll throw yourself into getting ahead financially or negotiating a special deal, but watch spontaneous spending or it will be easy to lose track. Fun outings and encounters will bring happiness, but step lightly with family issues over the weekend – there’ll be conflicting points of view to balance. LUCKY NUMBERS: 7, 20, 29 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 Exciting plans with your mate will add lustre to your relationship this Valentine’s week. For singles, there’ll be tantalising romantic options around you, so take time to tune in. You’ll need to draw on your innate practicality to handle a challenging task. A fortuitous…

TV TREAT Great viewing on Channel 7 with Manu, Pete and Colin celebrating the My Kitchen Rules 10th Anniversary Special . What a smorgasbord of past winners, best dishes, and loads of MKR secrets before the new season starts. I was pleased to see all the new Group One contestants in my New Idea (NI, Jan. 21). MAV JANETZKI, HORSHAM, VIC. SILENT KILLER Annalise Braakensiek’s struggle and pain (NI, Jan. 21) was similar to my beautiful, thoughtful, loving sister’s. Depression is a debilitating and isolating condition that affects so many people. It is important that it is spoken about and recognised so that guidance can be given to help improve people’s quality of life. Then they can cope better and hopefully prevent mental…

Congratulations to children’s entertainer Jimmy Rees and his wife Tori who welcomed their twin boys last week – brothers for their son Lenny. Jimmy, who is set to star on Dancing with the Stars this year, couldn’t help but gush over the new adorable arrivals on Instagram. “The babies are here,” he captioned a sweet snap. “Tori and I couldn’t be more proud to share the safe arrival of Mack and Vinny. Both boys are doing amazing! Tori is a total superstar, she was born to be a mummy. Our hearts have doubled in size.”…

Just days after attending the funeral of a close friend, Princess Mary was pictured looking sombre and strained. The Australian-born royal was spotted at a charity event for the Mary Foundation two days after paying her respects at the funeral of a young Danish count who died tragically in a skiing accident last month. Count Frederik Christian Adam Moltke died while holidaying in Japan on January 23. The 27-year-old was travelling with family and friends when the heartbreaking accident happened. Despite still mourning his death, the 47-year-old princess looked chic in a high-neck burgundy jumper with a blush blouse underneath. Her husband Prince Frederik was also in attendance at the charity event and is sure to have been a great support for his wife. The outing was the second…

They’re cooking together again! Following a six-month split – and some tough talking – Playing For Keeps star Madeleine West and celebrity chef Shannon Bennett have reunited. The couple, who share six children and a 14-year romance, reignited the flame after brokering a peace deal that workaholic Shannon would spend less time on his restaurant empire and more with his family. As a result, the couple have moved from their Melbourne mansion in upmarket Toorak to a palatial new home in northern NSW’s boho haven of Byron Bay, where they are living happily together. “Madeleine gave Shannon an ultimatum and he willingly agreed,” a friend told New Idea. “He made no secret of the fact that he was pretty desperate to do anything he could to…

Last week rumours surfaced that Jennifer Aniston was mortified she was alone at her age. “She never thought she would be single at 50, and even though she’s outwardly insisting she’s fine about it, deep down she’s humiliated,” a source told Radar . Yet insiders are now saying that the Friends star received the best birthday present ever, with Brad Pitt making a surprise entrance at her low-key pre-celebratory bash! An insider close to Jen revealed, “Ellen [DeGeneres] and Portia [de Rossi] arranged an intimate pre-birthday dinner for Jen at West Hollywood’s Soho House for a group of 12 close friends in a bid to get Jen excited about her big birthday and to cheer her up. “They’d just ordered some drinks when Brad walked over to…

Since her split with Steve, Rosie Jacobs has been taking time out to hone her enviable physique. Spotted spending time with her girls on a beach, Rosie wore a floral bikini which showcased her rock-hard abs and slender thighs. Rosie recently spoke to WHO about why she split with Steve. “Work was having a major impact on us as a family,” she recalls. “Steven was travelling more than 300 days each year for more than a decade, so we needed to spend more time together as a family. Plus, our lives in Sydney were very chaotic, especially with two young kids. It just felt a bit overwhelming.” “We share the girls now. Week-on, week-off. Steven moved back the day before I did because we’re so committed…

Why did you react the way you did to Josh and Austin? Having the wrong people on the show for the wrong reasons, and after doing this for 10 years I was like, “You’re stealing someone else’s dream”. I’ve seen it happen during the 10 years but that was the straw that broke the camel’s back and enough is enough. I needed to say something, I needed to express myself and how I feel. How did they react? They s--t themselves and so did everybody else around the table. I wanted to reset the button and say, “What we expect from you is cooking for us, whatever it is that you cook, whether it’s fine dining or pub food, just come in and cook your food.” And those guys didn’t…

THE TELEVISION PERSONALITY TALKS LIFE WITH JACKIE AND HIS NEW SHOW INSTANT HOTEL Interior designer and new host of Instant Hotel Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife Jackie are celebrating 30 years of marriage. For the couple – who share two kids, Cecile, 23, and Hermione, 21, as well as an adorable grandson, Albie – love is certainly in the air, as they just celebrated Cecile’s marriage. “We are constantly aware of how lucky we are to be together for so long,” Laurence, 53, tells New Idea. “And I think this is one of the things with Cecile getting married at 23 – we are so happy that she has found someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with.” Of course, the couple admit that their…

Madly in love, Jasmine (Sam Frost) and Robbo (Jake Ryan) concluded the year on the most romantic of notes. After delivering a heartfelt speech to Jasmine, an emotional Robbo thanked the beautiful young nurse for “saving him” and helping him to realise that life was not only to be lived, but cherished. Declaring his undying love for Jasmine, Robbo took her completely by surprise when he then pulled out a diamond ring and asked her to be his wife. Momentarily speechless, an elated Jasmine quickly responded with a resounding “Of course!” “Jas is now planning a wedding,” says Sam. “Everything seems to have fallen into place for her. She’s moved to this beautiful new place and is now preparing to marry the love of her life. She really does feel…

Mini Pancake Puffs Makes 24, Prep and Cook: 30 mins Melted butter, for greasing 375g container original pancake shake 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 50g unsalted butter, melted 2 tsps vanilla extract Icing sugar mixture, strawberries, blueberries and maple syrup, to serve 1 Grease two 12-hole, round-based patty pans (1½ tblsps capacity) with melted butter. 2 Place pancake mix in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Add buttermilk, eggs, butter and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Spoon heaped tablespoons of batter into prepared pans. 3 Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for about 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked when tested. Remove from oven. Stand in pans for 1 to 2 minutes. 4 Using a small palette knife, loosen edges of puffs. Lift from…

MONDAY Vegetarian Sweet Chilli Ravioli Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 15 mins 630g packet roasted pumpkin and feta ravioli ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tblsps sweet chilli sauce 2 tblsps tomato paste 2 tblsps vegetable oil 1 red capsicum, chopped 200g green beans, trimmed, halved 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 bunch baby bok choy, trimmed, stems halved, leaves chopped 1 tblsp sesame seeds, toasted 1 Cook ravioli according to packet directions until tender. Drain. 2 Meanwhile, combine sauces and paste in a small jug with 2 tblsps water. 3 Heat oil in a large, non-stick wok over a high heat. Add capsicum, beans and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add bok choy stems. Stir-fry for 1 minute. 4 Add ravioli, bok choy leaves and sauce mixture. Stir-fry for a further…

Red capsicums are full of flavour so make your own delicious roast capsicums to add to hot pasta dishes and pasta salads, as well as rice salads, dips and to use on sandwiches. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. • Wash capsicums and pat dry with absorbent kitchen paper. Cut into quarters lengthways. Remove and discard stem, seeds and membranes. • Place quarters, skin-side up, on a baking paper-lined oven tray. Drizzle over a little olive oil or spray with cooking oil. Cook in a very hot oven (220C) for about 25 minutes or until skins are blackened. • Transfer capsicums to a heatproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Stand until cool. The steam will help to release their skin. • Remove skin from capsicum pieces and…

Q My partner and I were expecting our first baby in May 2019. We were so delighted and excited. On New Year’s Day, I had a pre-term labour and lost our boy at 20 weeks. I held him and kissed him on his forehead. He was perfect. The doctors were unable to find a cause for my miscarriage. My heart is broken. I feel guilty that it’s my fault. I want to let him know that I’m sorry and I love him so much. I need to know if he is in a good place. I hope that some day we’ll be able to see our baby boy. Thank you. Abby, via email. A Abby, I’m so sorry for your loss. Our bodies are complex wonders, but I know you…

PLANTING A SEED My 8-year-old granddaughter, Kate, was offered white or seed-and-grain bread for her lunch. “Fresh bread, the white one,” she replied insistently, “the seed bread is stale.” We were puzzled how she decided that, when both were very fresh. “Oh Gran,” she replied. “You know the other day you said the potatoes had gone to seed and they were past their use-by, well look at the seed-and-grain bread – it’s sure gone to seed.” TRICIA HUNT, WYNN VALE, SA. READER OF THE WEEK WINS $100 BIRDS OF A FEATHER Grandson Adam, 11, was disappointed when he sat down to watch Thunderbirds with his grandpa. He thought it was going to be like “Angry Birds”. D. BARNES, WERRIBEE, VIC. SPEED BUMPS After a stack off…

Q I’m worried about a friend who I think may have a hoarding problem. Over the years her house has become increasingly more crowded to the point where it’s hard to move around between the furniture and piles of magazines and boxes. I’ve offered to help her have a go at decluttering, but she doesn’t seem too keen. I’m worried that she’ll trip over as it’s hard to navigate around the house, or that all the magazines and newspapers could be a fire hazard. Do you think she needs professional help? PAM, VIA EMAIL. A Your friend’s house is a fire hazard. Having all that clutter around is dangerous and she could have a nasty fall with all that furniture in the way. Suggesting professional help is a bit drastic.…

WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SECRET DOMESTIC SKILL? Sophie: Richard loves to sweep the floor. It’s like therapy! Richard: Sophie’s so organised, everything’s planned almost to the minute. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN DISAGREE ON? Richard: Would you believe it’s cooking? Sophie likes to follow a recipe to the letter, whereas I’ll look at a recipe as a basic guideline. So it can lead to lively conversation. Sophie: For me, the garden is part of my household, so every now and then we have a disagreement about gardening when Richard’s decided to prune something. WHAT’S THE MOST ROMANTIC THING YOUR PARTNER HAS DONE FOR YOU? Sophie: It was before we were even married. I took a garden tour overseas for around a month – and when I got home, Richard had…

She seems happier than ever flaunting her newly toned body alongside her handsome dance partner, but there is one person who is not celebrating Cassandra Thorburn’s new lease of life. New Idea understands ex-husband Karl Stefanovic is less than impressed by the mother of his children taking on the highly coveted role on celebrity reality show Dancing with the Stars . “He basically lost his job because of their messy divorce,” says a friend. “The last thing he wants is Cass trotting out on prime time television week after week while he sits at home with no job.” According to the pal, Karl and Cass’ relationship has gone from bad to worse in recent months. “People thought it was bitter before but they have no idea how…

It’s been months since we’ve seen former Bachelor star Nick Cummins out and about in public. And it seems that could be because the 31-year-old has been spending quality time with beautiful brunette photographer Renae Saxby. In fact, Renae has been sharing the pair’s special moments and love of adventure from their recent getaway to Double Island Point in Queensland on Instagram. “The ultimate,” she captioned one snap of the duo surfing together. “When you and your buddies have paradise all to yourselves,” she added. Meanwhile, in another photo captured by Byron Bay-based Renae, Nick is seen carrying his surfboard while strolling along the beach. “This surf trip brought me back to my childhood,” Nick wrote on social media. Does this mean he’s off the market?…

He’s been tipped to win this season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and if all goes to plan, this won’t be the last we see of AFL legend Shane Crawford on national television. Prior to taking his place in the African jungle, the sports star was in the midst of negotiations to take on the sports presenter role on the Today show. “That’s why they have Tony Jones in now,” says the source. “He is just keeping Shane’s seat warm.” Having previously worked for Nine Network, the father of four was keen to get stuck into the new position, but had already signed up for Network Ten’s reality series, which meant he had to keep the news hush-hush.…

With custody arrangements between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie coming to a close, shock US reports are set to turn it all upside down. A video has emerged of footage from the 2016 flight that ended their marriage. Star magazine claims the video shows Brad drunk and disorderly “stumbling out of the jet, nearly running down multiple airline personnel”. Sources tell Star Angelina plans to use it against Brad to keep the kids, due to the judge awarding Brad joint custody. The judge also said the children “not having a relationship with their father is harmful for them”. The report claims Brad has tried to hide this evidence, but one airport staffer is willing to testify and says, “Angie sees this as…

In pain, all alone and plunged into darkness by a prolonged power cut, Denise “Ding Dong” Drysdale hit one of the lowest points of her life. For once, faced with a series of harrowing health crises, the feisty entertainment veteran lost her sense of humour. It was just after Christmas and the Studio 10 presenter actually started to question whether life was worth living any more. “I was terribly depressed, very down,” recalls the fun-loving star, who had been too sick to even celebrate turning 70 on Dec. 5 last year. “I honestly couldn’t wait to get my birthday over and done with. I reckon I’ve been very lucky, until now, but suddenly I had a lifetime of pain in four months. “I must admit I’ve had some pretty dark…

My Kitchen Rules superfans Lisa and John couldn’t believe their luck when they were picked for the 10th anniversary season of the hit cooking show. “HE’D BROKEN SOME LITTLE BONE AND IF HE DIDN’T GET A PIN PUT IN IT … IT MIGHT DIE” However, the mother-and-son team’s dreams came to a crashing halt three weeks out from filming, when John broke his arm. “It was the day after the producer came over and filmed our backstory,” Lisa, 55, tells New Idea. “He was playing his last game of football, came down on his arm, it hurt a bit but he didn’t worry about it. A week later he couldn’t move his arm properly. He went off and had an X-ray and they said he’d broken some little bone and…

His relationship with TV wife Ines is apparently over, and it seems Bronson isn’t wasting any time when it comes to getting back in the game. In images obtained by New Idea, the former Ninja Warrior competitor was recently spotted spending time with another woman. His New Zealand companion, Ashleigh Hetaraka, was seen talking and walking with Bronson, before he stopped and gave her a hug. It is understood the pair have known each other for some time and bonded over their love of fitness, with Ashleigh having posted a number of photos of the pair together on Instagram. “Holiday mode with my favourite Bron,” she captioned a series of selfie snaps of them back in 2017. In another photo, the duo is seen with their…

She didn’t find love on Married at First Sight Season 3, but fan favourite Jess Wardop couldn’t be happier with the way life mapped out. Welcoming her beautiful daughter Stevie Marianna Pappas by emergency caesarean section on New Year’s Eve, the reality star has everything she ever wanted. Having met Chris Pappas, the man of her dreams, on Tinder, Jess unexpectedly fell pregnant a few months later. While it was a shock to begin with, they were both excited about the prospect of becoming parents. However Jess, 34, admits she was probably a little naive about what having a newborn really entails. “I had no idea how to put on a nappy,” she laughs. “As a new mum you think everything you are doing is wrong, but for so long…

Devastated when he didn’t receive a medical internship at a local hospital, young doctor Mason (Orpheus Pledger) was doing all he could to find work as the year came to an end. “Mason’s life seems to have come to a halt,” says Orpheus. “The fact that he didn’t get an internship, which he was sure he would, has put him in a state of disarray and he really doesn’t know what to do. He feels he’s followed in his sister Tori’s footsteps for so long and this was meant to be his time.” Will a downcast Mason, who was anything but lucky in love or career in 2018, find himself saying goodbye to his family and friends if he is offered an interstate internship? Stay tuned!…

QUEEN ELIZABETH When it comes to the leader of the royal fashion pack, look no further than Elizabeth II. From gowns and tiaras to vibrant coats, the Queen has turned heads and influenced fashion since she was a young woman. For several years the Queen has worked with British dressmaker and milliner Angela Kelly, who curates and designs Her Majesty’s iconic wardrobe. And, when it comes to the Queen’s style, she’s famous for her matching hat and coat ensembles. She will also wear bright block colours, but there is an amazing reason behind her choice. “She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen’,” her daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex revealed in the documentary The Queen at Ninety. “When she turns up somewhere,…

Carrot Cakes with Maple Frosting Makes 12, Prep and Cook: 55 mins 3 eggs ¾ cup vegetable oil 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 2 tsps vanilla essence 1½ cups plain flour 2 tsps ground cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 cups grated carrot (230g) ½ cup pecans, coarsely chopped Extra ground cinnamon, to dust MAPLE FROSTING 125g cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature 50g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 1½ cups icing sugar mixture 1 tblsp maple syrup 1 Line a 12-hole muffin pan (¹/ ³ -cup capacity) with paper cases. 2 Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla in a small bowl of an electric mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until pale and creamy. Transfer to a large bowl.…

Orange Mousse Cake Serves 10, Prep: 20 mins 2 x 85g packets orange-flavoured jelly crystals 450g packet double unfilled rectangular sponge 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Invert the base of a 20cm round springform pan. Grease and line base and side with baking paper. 2 Dissolve jelly crystals in 1 cup boiling water in a medium heatproof jug. Stir in ¾ cup cold water. Transfer 1 cup of jelly to a shallow dish. Refrigerate until set. 3 Cut one sponge in half horizontally. Place long sides of sponge side-by-side. 4 Using the springform pan as a guide, place on top of sponge and cut around the base. 5 Fit the cut pieces into the base of pan, cutting a leftover piece of sponge to fill in the gap. Drizzle with…

Q Can I make my own sweet potato crisps, as I find that they’re quite expensive to buy? STUART, VIA EMAIL. A Yes, you can, and they taste great! Using a vegetable peeler, start by removing the skin from sweet potatoes. Then peel sweet potatoes lengthways into long, thin ribbons. Heat enough vegetable or light olive oil for deep frying, in a stockpot over a medium to high heat. Add sweet potato in small batches. Deep-fry for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Sprinkle with salt (optional). Serve immediately with aioli or your favourite sauce. PLUMS …are the last of the stonefruit in season, as the summer ends and autumn begins. Plums are delicious as a snack or in sweet…

Q I have just bought a pet rabbit. Do I need to wash him regularly? SAMANTHA PARKER, CASTLE HILL, NSW. A Rabbits rarely need washing if you keep their cage clean and they have a large living area. They can get damp, dirty fur in their hind quarters, usually because they are sitting in their own excrement. If this happens, you can try to wash with warm, soapy water. Rabbits are not fond of baths and can get cold so make sure you dry them thoroughly. Often if they get a dirty posterior, clipping the fur is more effective.…

We regrettably had to put down our little Lulu, our shadow and best friend, due to severe pain and illness on July 26 last year. She was 13 years and 2 months old. We still keep her close to our hearts and miss her terribly and wish she was still with us. We want to know if she is OK and if she forgives us. DAVID AND JENNY, VIA EMAIL. As I tune into Lulu’s energy I am immediately aware that she is completely free of the pain which moved through her precious little body towards the end. Lulu had discomfort in her back, legs and joints as her system began to shut down from the ageing process. Lulu thanks you for relieving her of prolonged pain and for helping…

YOUNG AT HEART Our teenage daughter was having a party. I was so caught up in their enthusiastic fun that I said to hubby MM, “This party makes me wish I was young and foolish again.” MM retorted, “Well, one out of two isn’t bad.” D. ROLES, DONCASTER EAST, VIC. COMING CLEAN Dad, a house-husband MM, is not a great housekeeper. Mum arrived home from work, walked into the lounge room and said, “You know dear, I can write my name in dust on the windowsill.” The MM turned to face her and quietly replied, “Well darling, that’s why I married a university graduate.” S. WILLIAMS, CROYDON HILLS, VIC. IN OVER YOUR HEAD My husband and I were discussing him getting life insurance. His argument? “What if I get decapitated…

Pack your bags, because Instant Hotel is returning to our screens to showcase some of the best holiday destinations Australia has to offer. Join four new teams as they transform their homes into holiday rentals and compete to be crowned the best Instant Hotel. Designer Juliet Ashworth will be reprising her role as a judge, but this season will also see interiors icon Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen join the show as a brand-new host and judge. DEBBIE & JUSTN BUDDINA, QLD  Debbie, 57, loves her beach penthouse on the Sunshine Coast but she admits that owning the property hasn’t always been easy. “We haven’t been that successful with renting it out, it’s vacant quite a bit, but I’m hoping we’re going to change that,” she says. Debbie decided to enter the competition…

KATE AND PETE COUPLE ALERT! Kate Beckinsale was spotted holding hands with Pete Davidson as they left Largo bar in Los Angeles in the early hours last week. And according to insiders, Pete, 25, is perfect for Kate. “Kate is into Pete and he’s exactly her type,” an insider told Us Weekly . “She likes young guys who make her laugh.” The pair were also seen flirting at the Golden Globe after party last month, leaving just enough time for the romance to blossom. “Kate and Pete were flirting at the InStyle party and she was following him around a bit and waiting for him,” a source told Us . “People approached her, and she didn’t want to…