Innehållsförteckning för Issue 49, 2025 från that's life!

Well here we are, in December already! I don’t know about you, but I’ve still got plenty to tick off my to-do list before Christmas. So I wasn’t surprised to read that stress can rise by 30 per cent at this time of year (Living Well p62). That’s definitely true in the tl! team! As long-time readers may know, the office closes for two weeks at the end of the year, and the printers have a break too. This means that as early as October we’re busy pulling deadlines forward. There’s good news though, it turns out your favourite Christmas songs can help lower the stress hormone cortisol. I knew there must be a reason we liked Chrissy tunes so much! There’s a reason we like Chrissy tunes! ‘I still…

Climbing out of the choppy surf, I made my way up the sand. It was November 2023 and, together with my two mates, both 15, I’d spent the arvo riding waves at Manly Beach. But dark clouds loomed above, and the swell had grown so unpredictable it was like being thrashed around in a washing machine. So we decided to head past the next beach, Queenscliff, and over the headland to Freshwater, where the surf was more sheltered from the wind by a large rock wall. Traipsing along the sandstone ridge that separates the beaches, with my board under my arm, we stopped closer to the Queenscliff side of the cliff to get a glimpse of the conditions. As the waves crashed against the rocks around 15 metres below, I…

Gum leaves crunching under my feet, I made my way to the kangaroo pen in our yard. ‘Breakfast time!’ I called to the eastern grey joeys, as they bounded over for their bottles. My hubby Michael, 53, was already checking on our menagerie. Since 2023 we’ve been running our 346-acre property in Miles, Qld, as a hobby farm, animal rescue and camping site. Like all wildlife carers, we spend our days tending to the animals, maintaining fences, mowing lawns, and squeezing in household chores, but with one key difference – we do it all in the nude! I’ve always felt more free, self-assured and connected with nature being naked. As a kid, I hated wearing clothes. Mum was always wrestling me into an outfit, but the minute I could, I’d…

NECTARINE CHEESECAKE SLICE SERVES 15 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS 85g packet mango flavoured jelly crystals 250g packet Granita biscuits 125g butter, melted 2 medium firm nectarines, cut into quarters, thinly sliced FILLING 1 tbsp powdered gelatine 250g packet cream cheese, chopped ⅓ cup caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above pan edges. 2 Place jelly crystals and 1¼ cups boiling water in a heatproof jug and stir until dissolved. Cool slightly. 3 Process biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter and process until combined.Press mixture evenly over the base of prepared pan and refrigerate. 4 FILLING Sprinkle gelatine over ¼ cup water…

Ohhh, they’re pretty!’ I gasped, dragging my long-suffering husband, Shannon, over to a display of peacock-blue and green tree decorations at my favourite Christmas shop. Glancing at the price tag on a box of 10 baubles, I winced. Fifty dollars! I mouthed silently to Shannon before quickly moving on. I love decorating for Christmas and would leave our twinkling tree up all year if we had the space. What I don’t love is the cost of buying new decorations. I have a few favourites that I dust off every year. But to satisfy my inner-interior designer, I like getting creative when it comes to my annual display, while keeping costs low. OUTSIDE IN Look for inspiration in your garden. Small branches, cut greenery, Christmas bush and grevillea look festive in…

Do I have nits?’ I cried to my husband, George, madly scratching my head. ‘I can’t see any,’ he replied, having a look. It was November 2013 and I’d had the itching for months. I couldn’t understand it. Maybe it’s dandruff, I thought, but there was no sign of any. I also felt a sharp pain in my neck. As I rubbed in some anti-inflammatory cream, I felt a lump near my collarbone, about the size of an olive. How long has that been there? I wondered. I was 37, a mum to three boys – Jerome, then nine, Sebastian, seven, and Elijah two. The idea that this lump could be something sinister made my heart sink. Visiting the doctor that week, I had a round of tests and a…

WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED Thank you so much for the prize of a kids’ recipe book. My great-grandkids will be thrilled. Carol Stumbles, Dapto, NSW WINNERS ARE GRINNERS Ronnie, Bella, Faith and Harvey are ready for a drive. Tania Steward, Kensington Grove, Qld Our new little cheeky boy Monty loves his scratchy post. Heidi Laugesen, Geilston Bay, Tas $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film ET. We have tinkered with the image and added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (5). 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 gorgeous grandson Boston and his buddy Spud. Laurie Cook, Booragul, NSW ME…

Opening my front door, my boyfriend, Matthew, then 24, held a bunch of sunflowers out to me. ‘My favourite!’ I grinned. We’d only been dating a few months after connecting on Facebook, but I knew he was a catch. Over the next few months, he was a gentleman, taking me out for dinners and to soccer matches. ‘I can’t believe I have you,’ Matthew said constantly, cuddling me. ‘You’re just so beautiful.’ He made me feel very special. After a year together, in August 2014, Matthew proposed on a trip away for our first anniversary. ‘Yes!’ said, thrilled. The next year, he moved into my place. As money was tight, with me working at a supermarket, and Matthew in a factory, we put wedding plans on hold. But later that…

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED SEASONED PORK SERVES 4-6PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 1½ cups Stuffing Mix Seasoned (see tip) ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped 75g butter, softened 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage, plus fried leaves to garnish 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 x 400g pork fillets 12 slices prosciutto Roast potatoes, carrots and gravy, to serve 1 Place stuffing mix, cranberries, butter, sage and garlic in a large bowl. Rub butter through the mixture with your fingertips until well combined. Add 1 tbsp water, mix until mixture clumps together. 2 Using a sharp knife, cut one pork fillet lengthways down the centre, about three-quarters of the way through. Open out flat. Place a large sheet of baking paper on clean bench. Lay six prosciutto slices, side-by-side and slightly overlapping to cover…

CHERRY BERRY PAVLOVA WREATH WITH HIBISCUS SYRUP SERVES 10-12 PREP & COOK 3 HOURS 40 MINS 8 egg whites, at room temperature 2 cups caster sugar 3 tsp cornflour ½ tsp cream of tartar 400g fresh cherries 250g jar hibiscus flowers in syrup (see tip) 600ml tub thickened cream 250g punnet strawberries, halved Slivered pistachios, to decorate 1 Grease four, large oven trays and line them with baking paper. 2 Beat egg whites and sugar in large bowl of an electric mixer for about 10 mins, or until thick and glossy. Beat in the cornflour and cream of tartar. 3 Using a large serving spoon, place 20 spoonfuls of meringue (about ⅓ cup) on three prepared trays, about 5cm apart. Using a dessert spoon, place heaped spoonfuls of meringue on…

Puzzle pages from that’s life! or even a newspaper make great gift wrap and add some extra fun as people can solve the puzzles too. SEND US YOUR CLEVER IDEAS Have a Kris Kringle secret gift swap with neighbours or workmates. Make it a $10 limit with op-shop finds welcome! Before I go shopping I take a photo of what’s inside my fridge so I can easily check what I already have. For a cook-free Christmas, organise for everyone to bring a plate of sliced meats, salads, dips and crackers, or fruit. It’ll share the work and everyone will feel valued. To save confusion on Christmas morning, choose a different wrapping paper for each person. The gifts won’t get mixed up and kids will easily know which are theirs. If…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Sarah Firth, Deputy Editor Beth Young, Art Director Darren Monaghan, Picture Editor Holly Campbell 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.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. that’s life! is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au…

HEROIC HORSE When a kangaroo joey became separated from her mum after a suspected fox attack, an unlikely hero came to her aid. Luckily, the furry bub found her way into the paddock where a horse aptly named Gentle George was kept. When George refused to join the rest of his mates for a feed, his owner found him protecting the little roo. Tiny Judy – as the joey was named by carers – had gashes on her neck and ear, and a swollen jaw. Shane Williams, from Bridgetown Wildlife Rescue in WA, told Yahoo News, ‘At her age, when they’re just getting out of the pouch and becoming independent, they become brave and venture away from mum.’ Thankfully Judy has bounced back – thanks to her equine pal. ‘He’s…

REINDEER TARTLETS MAKES 12 PREP & COOK 30 MINS 2 x 150g packets tart shells (6) 1 cup caramel dulce de leche 180g block milk chocolate, chopped 24 candy eyes 12 red M&M’s 24 mini pretzels 1 Place tart shells on a tray. Place caramel in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium for 30 secs and stir. Spread 1 level tbsp of caramel into each tart shell to cover the base. 2 Place chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium in 30 sec bursts, stirring, until melted and smooth. Spoon over caramel. Smooth over tops. 3 Place candy eyes, M&M’s and pretzels on top, as pictured. Refrigerate until set and ready to serve. Great ideas You can replace caramel with Smooth Biscoff Spread. To serve, place tartlets…

Racing home from school, I was giddy with excitement to se e a letter on my bed. ‘It’s from my penpal!’ I smiled, ripping it open. It was 1974 and, aged 11, I’d signed up to a penpal program through Big Blue Marble – an educational TV show that shared kids’ stories from around the world. They offered viewers the chance to connect with other kids from different cultures around the globe. A few months after I’d written to the organisers telling them a bit about myself, I received a letter back with the name and address for a girl named Jane. Like me, she was 11 years old, but lived overseas in Kent, England. ‘Wow!’ I beamed, imagining what life was like for her in the UK. Scribing my…

Picking up the receiver, I took a deep breath. ‘Hello, I’m Dominique,’ I said nervously. ‘I’m Angus from the Northern Territory. I live on a cattle station and I’m terribly lonely,’ came the cheery drawl from down the line. ‘I can help,’ I replied, as I got to know the cowboy on a much deeper level. Aged 37, I was being paid to chat to strangers, but it wasn’t your normal call centre job. It was my first day working on a phone sex line. Coming from a strict Italian background, I’d never met anyone who worked in the sex industry. And I’d only ever been with one man – my husband, Clint* who I met when I was 15. Together we had four beautiful daughters, Violet*, then 15, Katya*,…

FOR HIM FOR HER FOR KIDS FOR FRIENDS For your furry friends! Stocking stuffers UNDER $10 Whether you need a Secret Santa gift or just some cute extras, these will delight – without breaking the bank. 1 $5 Kmart Wooden Tower Game kmart.com.au 2 $4 OXX Skincare Lip Balm bag charm kmart.com.au 3 $3 Brilliants Basics socks bigw.com.au 4 $9 Big W glass mug bigw.com.au 5 $4.50 Anko candle target.com.au…

WITH PSYCHIC MEDIUM 3 weeks until Christmas Y our front door is more than wood and hinges – it’s the threshold between the world and your sanctuary. Across cultures and centuries, the door has been seen as a portal, a place where energy enters and leaves. That makes it the perfect focus for magical home protection. If you’ve ever wanted to keep out negative vibes (or nosy neighbours), these charming, time-tested tricks can help you turn your doorway into a guardian of your home. Cleansing First give your door a good physical clean – top to bottom, knob and frame included. Then follow it with a magical cleanse – wipe down with water infused with lemon, rosemary or a pinch of sea salt. In folk traditions, salt water clears stagnant…