Innehållsförteckning för October 2024 från Pick Me Up! Special

We should all embrace our differences and this month, that’s what we’re celebrating. The tallest in her year, Lizzy (pg16) was bullied most her life. For years she tried at shy away, but at 6ft 3in, she towered over the crowd. But thanks to the power of social media, she’s finally embraced life as Lizzy Long Legs! Historical reenactments may not be everyone’s cuppa tea, but for Barbara (pg41), it led her to the love of her life – and some pet ducks! I absolutely love this heartwarming tale – I think you will, too. If you’re after a cake with a twist, you’ll certainly want to read Ashley’s inspiring story (pg62). With a unique talent and creative flare, she’s been able to bake pretty much anything. Whether it’s a…

The biggie Before the Spice Girls, X-Factor judge Mel B appeared uncredited in Coronation Street in what role? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the three-word answer. ACROSS 11 Recall, bring to mind (8) 12 Go into (5) 13 Chooses for office at the ballot box (6) 14 Magician’s stick (4) 15 Farm vehicle (7) 16 Most common gas in the air (8) 17 Ocean containing Fiji and Tahiti (7) 18 Second injection to complete immunisation (7) 19 Propels with oars (4) 21 Soft creamy sweet (5) 23 Book-lending institution (7) 24 Details on an envelope (7) 28 Large jetty (4) 29 Horse fodder (3) 30 Gambling house (6) 33 Tomato sauce (7) 35 Golfer’s expected score (3) 36…

Snuggling up in front of the TV, I couldn’t wait for the film to start. With my younger sister Millie, now 14, cuddled up beside me, we waited for our mum Gillian, now 43, to press play. With me then being 11 years old, she knew that just like any other child, I’d love Monsters, Inc. just as much as Millie. Packed full of animated characters and silly jokes, we would cackle with laughter. And we did, until a certain green-eyed monster appeared on-screen. ‘Oh look! That’s your twin!’ Millie exclaimed, pointing at the one-eyed, green alien. It was Mike Wazowski. Immediately, the three of us erupted into laughter. ‘Hey, that’s mean!’ I giggled. But I had to admit that Millie’s joke landed – it suited me perfectly. When I…

This month… FEED THE BIRDS While you may want to encourage birds into your garden, there are some things to remember. Dick Woods, of Finches Friend, has shared his top tips to help. Please visit: finchesfriend.com 1 Choosing a feeder • Typical side port bird feeders can spread disease. Damp food encourages disease due to mould spores. Make sure to change the food if it doesn’t feel dry. • If you favour a window feeder, add UV window vinyl to prevent fatal window collisions. • Avoid open feeders that allow the birds to defecate in the food. TOP TIP: Remember the mantra: food, feet, faeces. All of these should be kept separate at all costs. 2 Cleaning your feeder As a rule of thumb, I’d suggest: • Hanging feeders – wash weekly…

Flipping open the takeaway box, I flopped onto the sofa and hit play on the TV remote. The familiar intro of Desperate Housewives began – my Saturday night classic. But the only thing I was desperate for was a bite of my 16-inch Domino’s pizza. This smells delicious, I thought – before devouring the entire pizza all in one go. But that wasn’t all – I’d ordered a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food for dessert. And washing my meal down with a pint of Pepsi Max Cherry, too, I still didn’t feel satisfied. Luckily, my daughters Jessica, now 12, and Georgia, 10, weren’t there to witness my feast. I never let them eat like me! After splitting up with their dad in May 2017, I was struggling to…

Put on your fave jammies and raise money for The Children’s Trust by taking part in Pyjama Week between 7 and 13 October! • Please visit: thechildrenstrust.org.uk Who are The Children’s Trust? The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children who have a brain injury or a neurodisability. Providing education, rehabilitation and community outreach, the trust consists of skilled professionals who can support young people and their families. Around 40,000 children in the UK are left with a brain injury because of an accident or illness, according to The Children’s Trust. A brain injury can mean a child loses their mobility, ability to talk, stand and even feed themselves. The trust works to rebuild a child’s physical skills, their confidence and self-esteem. Combining plenty of fun with therapy,…

Here are October’s must-haves for 2024! GIVING BACK Are you on the lookout for the perfect gift? Look no further than Save The Children’s new sustainable product range. Featuring items in four key designs – Bees, Marbling, Doodles and Artivism – they’ve been crafted by children in the Solomon Islands, Sierra Leone and the UK. Each child has received support from Save the Children which has inspired their designs, including funds to supply local food pantries, set up eco-friendly businesses like beekeeping and financial aid for rebuilding schools and kitting out pupils. Perhaps the Bee range has taken your fancy, with its handmade soaps, ethically sourced honey and even a bee house? Or maybe the coastal-inspired Marbling range has caught your eye with its reed diffusers and organic cotton wash…

Feeling a rush of adrenaline on the rides at Coney Island, the beach was something a little different from the buzz of the city that never sleeps. Having been to the Big Apple before with my husband Cameron, now 42, we’d already checked out all the touristy hotspots in the past. So even though the Empire State Building and Times Square were favourites, heading to Brooklyn this time around, on 15 September last year, was our plan instead. Leaving our boys Isaac, 14, and Aaron, 12, at home in York with Cameron’s parents, Elaine and Campbell, it was a four-day trip. Plus, one of the reasons we’d actually booked the trip was to watch one of our favourite bands, Nothing But Thieves. Working as a community midwife, which was often…

Don’t forget to buy a pumpkin to carve!…

Birthday treat My hubby took me for a meal to celebrate my 50th , and this came out as a surprise dessert – I was chuffed. Melanie, Lightwater Why didn’t anyone want to go trick-or-treating with Dracula? He’s a pain in the neck! How funny! Baby love Meeting my grandson for the first time was such a special moment – he’s my first grandchild and I’m so excited to finally be a nana. Dawn, Cambridge Cell mates For Halloween last year, I joined my son and his girlfriend with their prisoner costumes – I hope we don’t really end up behind bars! Joy, Tiverton Grin and bear it There’s nothing like an evening of classic pumpkin carving to get you in the spooky spirit. I’m quite impressed with my effort! Emily, Newcastle Grub’s up…

Bellissimo basil! Chop fresh basil and freeze it in olive oil using an ice cube tray to preserve them for cooking. It’s a great hack for those hearty autumnal meals. Dawn, Salisbury Make ‘em last Store berries in a glass container lined with paper towels to extend their freshness. This hack is especially great when you’ve been foraging for blackberries. Georgia, Southampton Make do and mend Transform tin cans into stylish planters by painting them or wrapping them in spare offcuts of wallpaper. Steph, Derby A glowing goddess Use the leftovers from your pumpkin mixed with honey as a face mask. It’s rich in vitamins that will leave your skin glowing. Fran, St Albans Clear the fog Use toothpaste and a microfibre cloth to clean cloudy headlights. They come up…

Opening the front door, I dumped my school bag on the floor and kicked off my shoes. Stretching out, I rubbed my sore shoulders. It wasn’t the weight of all my books that was giving me gyp. I’d spent all day slouching, desperately trying to blend in with all my school friends. But it was pointless. There was no blending in. At 5ft11, I towered over my peers. I’d always been tall, but it was only after starting secondary school that I’d noticed how different I was. I felt like the BFG as I lumbered around the hallways. ‘Hey, Lizzy Long Legs,’ a boy taunted, joking with his mates. ‘How’s the view up there?’ ‘You look like a lanky beanpole,’ another sniggered as he walked by. Pushing past, I hoped…

Autumn is upon us and it’s time for warming soups, hearty stews and Wcosy ith pies. the We’re help of loving these yummy recipes from online supermarket LoveFreshBerries, Abel & Cole you – the can perfect grub for those chillier nights. For more, create please romantic visit: abelandcole.co.uk dishes for Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne Prep: 15 mins Cook: 6 hrs, 10 mins Serves 4 INGREDIENTS: ☐ 2 onions☐ 1 red pepper☐ 1 green pepper☐ 4 garlic cloves☐ 400g beef mince☐ 2 tsp dried chilli flakes☐ 1 tbsp ground cumin☐ ½ tbsp ground coriander☐ ½ tbsp smoked paprika☐ ½ tbsp dried oregano☐ 400g tin of red kidney beans☐ 400g tin of chopped tomatoes☐ Steamed rice, tortilla chips or crusty bread, to serve☐ Cheddar & soured cream, to serve☐ A handful…

We’re loving! Decorate your home to stay cosy this season!…

NAILED IT! Autumn is here but you may not be ready to let go of summer yet. Drawing inspiration from balmy destinations, Mavala’s new Terra-Topia nail range features natural tones of earth, sand, pebbles and moss. These are the perfect transitional shades. • £6.40 each, available John Lewis and Nail Polish Direct Meet the collection A BUNCH OF HOCUS POCUS Put a spell on your bedtime soak this October with Lush’s frightful line-up. Pick your fave spook and wind down – it’s the first time these monsters will relax not scare you. For the first time, Lush are releasing a countdown to Halloween gift box, costing £50 LUXE FOR LESS Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant skincare range has been hailed for its premium quality at affordable prices. And now, the range has…

Bumps and bruises Q My son is really clumsy and is always bumping into things around the house or falling over. I’m starting to think this is something more – could it be a sign of a bigger health condition? Letitia, Hull A Children do fall over as they are so active, but this sounds like it could be more than normal accidents. Does he seem unsteady on his feet, walk with a wide-based gait or seem to be dizzy? Does he have any abnormal eye movements? Does he feel sick or vomit? Does he complain of headache or loss of vision? Any seizures? Common causes of balance disorders in children include middle ear disease, hearing loss, migraine, travel sickness, and childhood infections – coughs and colds, chicken pox, mumps, measles, rubella…

Crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside!…

Laying lettuce on a plate and adding juicy pink prawns, the only thing left to do was the sauce. Mixing until I had the right shade, my prawn cocktail was then complete. Only, when taking a bite, it seemed that I had made a blunder in the recipe. As instead of the favoured savoury starter, I’d made a sweet treat instead! You see, even though my prawn cocktail may have looked like the real deal, it was in fact a miniature cake version plonked on top of a fluffy cupcake. The prawns were made from fondant icing brushed with edible paint to give them that realistic look. And that wasn’t the only meal I had recreated out of cake. From a Greggs steak bake with oozing gravy, a lush, creamy…

Give me more My pooch Wesley is such an attention seeker – he’s always rolling over for a belly rub. Kelly, Cheshire Cat nap Our kitty Cleo knows she’s not supposed to go on the bed – but who can blame her, it’s the perfect spot for a snooze! Louise, Staines Pumpkin pup Our whole household loves getting into the Halloween spirit – even our pooch Murphy. Thankfully he loves dressing up, because it means lots of treats. Ellie, Towcester Furry friend I found this little cutie exploring my garden – he was so friendly, I think he wanted me to adopt him. I’m sure his owners wouldn’t have been too impressed though. Clara, Redruth…

Can I stop her from going? This sounds awful, but I don’t want my daughter to go to university. She wasn’t too keen on the idea, and I feel like she’s just going there for the sake of it. She’s also a little wild and I’m worriedshe’ll fall into the wrong crowd. Can I stop her? Winnie, Runcorn YES Pick Me Up! reader Carol from Lincolnsays: You can stop her from going – but how much will that impact her life? As much as you may want to, you can’t wrap your daughter in cotton wool forever. University could be the making of her. It can lead to a world of opportunity afterwards and she could bag her dream job. Why would you want to stop that? I get it, you’re…

Tipping ground coffee into the cafetière, the rich scent filled the whole kitchen. As the kettle clicked, I poured the boiling hot water to the very top. I’d been gifted a cafetière back in April 2019, and I always made fresh coffee for me and my mum Jenny, 64, for our regular catch ups. Living five minutes away, Mum always came over to watch my son Arthur, then two, and daughter Polly, then five, while I cooked dinner. They were always well behaved, but Arthur had a habit of following me around constantly. Whatever Mummy was doing, he wanted to get involved, too. ‘You’re like my little shadow,’ I giggled at him, right on my heels as we walked out to the garden. While I waited for Mum to arrive,…