Innehållsförteckning för Issue 29, 2025 från that's life!

‘Can you send me a pirate ship?’ Do you believe in signs from the other side? In this week’s Spooky story (p71), a ghostly figure kept visiting Ali Mather. It turned out, it was her husband-to-be John’s ex-fiancée Zoe, who’d tragically passed away – she was giving Ali and John her blessing. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit sceptical. Especially since, having lost my mum Dot to cancer 19 years ago, I’ve heard well… squat from the spirit realm. If it was possible to send messages from beyond the grave surely my lovely mum, who was gone way too soon at just 52, would make her presence known. Two years ago, I also lost my dad, Nick, suddenly. Reading a book about grief, in a chapter on asking…

Kelly Allen, 46 Bye darlings. Have a good night!’ I called from the front door as my sons Fletcher, then 19, and Cooper, 18, left in a taxi. It was March 2024, and my boys were off to celebrate Cooper’s 18th birthday. A single mum, I was planning to have a quiet night in, when my best friend Tracy messaged. Come for a drink at *Ally’s house, the text read, referring to a mutual friend. Ally and I both owned dachshunds, and had crossed paths on our morning walk a couple of times, but I’d never been to her house before. One drink can’t hurt, I thought. After confirming the address, I headed over there around 9.30pm. When I arrived at Ally’s house I was greeted at the door by…

KINDNESS ERA Taylor Swift made the day of some sick kids in hospital in Florida by treating them to a surprise visit. Majesty Williams, a seven-year-old heart transplant recipient was ecstatic to meet her idol. ‘She touched her hair to make sure Taylor was real,’ Majesty’s mum Shaneka told theUSA TODAY Network. ‘I didn’t know what to do. This is Taylor Swift, America’s sweetheart!’ Sweet Majesty was thrilled to spend 15 minutes chatting to Taylor. Two-year-old Aaliyah and 10-year-old Zoe, both of whom are undergoing brain cancer treatment, were also delighted to meet Taylor. And soon the army of devoted Swifties showed their love, by donating thousands to the children’s Go Fund Me fundraising pages, helping the families with their ongoing medical costs. Dr Jill Whitehouse, the chief of surgery,…

BAKED BEAN HOTPOT WITH GARLIC BREAD SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 20 MINS 450g 2-pack garlic bread 1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced 2 red capsicums, chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp mild paprika 400g can crushed tomatoes 1½ cups vegetable stock 555g can baked beans in barbecue sauce Coarsely chopped fresh parsley, to garnish 1 Place both garlic breads on a greased oven tray. 2 Cook in a 180°C preheated oven for about 15 mins, or until hot and crisp. 3 Meanwhile, heat an oiled, large saucepan over a medium heat. Add onion, capsicum and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add paprika. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. 4 Add tomatoes, stock and beans to pan. Bring to a boil. Gently boil, stirring occasionally, for about 10 mins,…

Kaylee Doss, 24 Tracing my fingers over the raised knot on my daughter, Rowan’s tiny clavicle, I frowned. ‘This doesn’t look right,’ I said, showing my husband, Landon, then 25. At just six weeks old, in June 2022, Rowan had woken in the middle of the night for a feed, and I was sure it hadn’t been there when I’d put her to bed hours earlier. After inspecting the lump, around the size of a 20 cent coin, Landon agreed it looked suspicious. Thankfully it didn’t seem to be painful. We had a history of bone issues in the family, so Landon and I rushed her to hospital. As we waited to see a doctor, I smiled at Rowan. I wonder if she’ll grow up as accident prone as me…

TAKE A STAND Standing up boasts a variety of health benefits, and it’s especially important if you spend long periods of time seated. Some benefits of standing more often include improved metabolism and heart health, improved focus, more energy, reduced back and neck pain, and improved muscle tone and joint flexibility. It’s also a great way to burn calories! Standing burns up to 50 per cent more calories than sitting, and standing for an extra two to three hours per day can help stave off weight gain. Did you know? Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. The release of this hormone is activated by darkness and suppressed by natural light. In winter, when the days are shorter and the sunlight isn’t as prominent, your brain confuses the…

STYLING TIP NO. 1 Details make a difference! Pop on a belt to add a point of interest and cinch in the waist. STYLING TIP NO. 2 Pinstripe pants aren’t just for the office. Team with a tucked white or graphic tee and pair of fresh white sneakers for chic off-duty style. STYLING TIP NO. 4 Want to wear pants with boots? Pick a wide-leg pair so you can comfortably drape the fabric over the top, letting the toe peek out. STYLING TIP NO. 3 Bright colours make a statement. Keep the rest of the palette neutral to let the show-pony piece shine – or double up on vibrant shades for maximum impact! 5 OF THE BEST Hand creams Our hands really cop it in winter, don’t they? While we…

WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED Little Cuddles loves the flowers her mum picked from the garden. Janelle Pearce, Northlakes, Qld Deb, Pam, Marilyn and me at Mount Fuji, in Japan. Judy Ridley, Warren, NSW Teddy is a 16-week-old miniature schnauzer puppy who absolutely loves watching the world go by. Cara Burgess, Maudsland, Qld $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film Grease. We have tinkered with the image and have added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (4). Write which object doesn’t belong only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner. Turn to entry coupon (p50) to enter! My son Patrick enjoyed a sunset bike ride on his grandparents’ farm in Warracknabeal. Bridget Morcom, Ocean Grove,…

Stroking her fluffy huskies, Angela Prichard smiled. Working at a dog kennel she was surrounded by puppies who needed her. A natural nurturer, when she wasn’t caring for animals, Angela, 55, loved spending time with her two sons, Joshua and CJ, and six grandchildren. In October 2022 police received an emergency call from the kennels. ‘Please get out of here,’ a woman could be heard screaming. When a gunshot rang out, a team of officers was immediately despatched. But when the police arrived, a gruesome scene confronted them. Angela was face down in the dog wash area, lying in a pool of blood. She had a single gunshot wound to her chest. The trail of blood through the kennels and out the door convinced detectives that Angela’s killer had escaped…

BURIED ALIVE A idan Croft, 22, loved hitting the snow slopes with his family and friends every year. In February 2025 the group, including Aidan’s father and brother, were on snowmobiles navigating their way up Hahns Peak in Colorado. As the most capable rider, Aidan decided to go ahead and find the best path for them to take. When Aidan reached around 3000 metres, he realised it wasn’t safe to continue. But turning around proved treacherous. ‘I feel this motion, and I’m looking to the right, and there’s just this giant rush of snow coming right at me,’ he told Fox Weather. With a GoPro camera attached to Aidan’s chest capturing footage of the terrifying avalanche, Aidan relied on his experience and wits to survive. He stayed calm and ‘swam’…

LOADED PULLED PORK FRIES SERVES 4-6 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 2 x 130g packets pulled pork ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce, plus extra to serve 900g bag frozen Straight Cut SuperFries 5 green onions, thinly sliced 1 cup grated Perfect Melt 4 Cheeses 1 Heat an oiled, large roasting pan in a 220°C preheated oven for 5 mins. 2 Meanwhile, combine pork and smoky barbecue sauce in a medium bowl. 3 Carefully add fries to the hot roasting pan. Return pan to oven. Cook, turning halfway through, for about 20 mins, or until fries are golden and crisp. 4 Remove roasting pan from oven. Spoon pork mixture over the top of the fries. Sprinkle with onions, then cheese. Return to oven. Cook for a further 10 mins, or until…

SPICED PEAR AND THYME CAKE WITH BISCOFF DRIZZLE SERVES 8 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS Melted butter, for greasing Flour, for dusting 410g can pear slices in juice 2¼ cups self-raising flour 1½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg ¾ cup caster sugar 2 tsps chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus sprigs to decorate ¾ cup buttermilk 125g butter, melted ¼ cup golden syrup 2 eggs, lightly beaten ¾ cup Smooth Biscoff spread Whipped cream, to serve 1 Brush a 22cm deep, Kugelhopf pan with butter, then dust with flour. Drain pears and chop slices in half. 2 Sift flour, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl. Stir in sugar and thyme. 3 Whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, golden syrup and eggs in a large jug until smooth. Add…

Beauty is big business. On average, we spend $431 each a month on trying to look more attractive. Though not all of us go to a lot of effort. I only wear make-up on special occasions, I haven’t had my hair cut or coloured in years, and my favourite beauty product is pawpaw ointment. I have friends who refuse to leave the house without full make-up and perfect hair, and the cost of maintaining that polished appearance is high. Here are a few ways you can look your best without breaking the bank. LASHES AND BROWS Peering at my eyebrows in the mirror, I frowned. ‘I have a grey eyebrow hair!’ I yelled to my husband, Shannon. ‘Just one? Half your luck!’ he laughed. I hadn’t had an eyebrow or…

Create a sanctuary of serenity and positive energy in your own backyard – or even indoors! By thoughtfully choosing the right plants, you can align your space with your favourite intentions, such as prosperity, love, protection, and healing. Here are seven popular, everyday plants that are known for their spiritual properties. 1 Lavender CALMING HEALER Lavender symbolises peace and relaxation. Its fragrant purple flowers are believed to clear negative energy and enhance sleep. Plant lavender in areas where you meditate or unwind. Indoors, it thrives in sunny windowsills, acting as a natural stress reliever. 2 Rosemary GUARDIAN OF THE HOME Rosemary’s needle-like leaves make it great for spiritual protection. Used to ward off negativity, rosemary is great for those seeking mental strength. Place it at the front door for positivity,…