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Poor Fiona and Graham on our letters page this week! She shared her hubby’s DIY disaster in good humour, which got the team chatting about their own. When Deputy Editor Kim got a chipped bathroom tap, her generous dad, who used to work in construction, fitted new ones. A few days later, they stopped turning. Kim hasn’t got the heart to tell him, so she’s now brushing her teeth in the kitchen sink! Aged 19, Deputy Features Editor, Theo, was in charge of sanding a concrete floor while his family went out, ready for new floorboards, but he managed to flood the place! We love hearing from our winners and so were delighted to share Jenny’s story this week (p19), who scooped our $15,000 crossword jackpot. Her whole family will…

Jessica Alderman, 26, Perth, WA. I was hugging the guy I’d just spent a week and a half in New Zealand with, when I suddenly felt something wet drip onto my shoulder. “Are you crying?” I asked. “No,” he replied, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He was heading home, while I was staying on for a bit to work. We were sad to part ways. Jack and I were on the same netball team, and I’d had a crush on him for ages. When he got injured, I messaged him to see if he was okay. Our chats continued from there, and before long we were dating. Weeks later, I invited him to join me on my solo trip to New Zealand. He’d been complaining about not having anyone…

While I was in hospital, my hubby was tending to someone else... Sarah Baines, 55. Lifting the lasagne out of the oven, a delicious aroma filled the kitchen. Not bad, I smiled to myself. It was my first date with Gordon, after matching with him on Tinder, and I wanted to make a good impression. I was a divorcee with two grown children and had been single for a few years. With his muscular frame and bald head, Gordon was just my type. Despite his tough appearance, I discovered he was kind and caring when we started chatting. As I served up the lasagne, Gordon looked at me with admiration. “That looks as good as you,” he said with a wink. We shared a kiss at the end of the…

John Pavlic, 59, Rollingstone, Qld. Staring at the coconut shell in my hands, I wondered what to paint on its curved surface. Of course, I thought. Coconut trees! Mixing some acrylic paints, I got started on a tropical beach scene. It was 2023, and I’d just come from an art course near my place on Magnetic Island, Qld. I’d retired a couple of years earlier, after complications from Crohn’s disease, and rented a house on the island to reduce stress and focus on my art. I’d been painting for 30 years, and never tired of the sense of achievement from creating something beautiful. While popping down to the beach for lunch, I’d noticed the many coconut shells on the sand. I was always looking for new surfaces to paint on,…

Apricot pork SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 15 MINS 2 tbsp vegetable oil 750g pork neck, trimmed, 3cm cubes 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tsp five-spice powder 405ml apricot nectar 1 cup chicken stock ¼ cup chopped coriander, plus extra, to serve ¼ cup flaked almonds, toasted Steamed choy sum, steamed rice, to serve 1 In a large saucepan, heat half the oil on high. Brown pork in 2 batches 3-4mins each. Transfer to a plate. 2 In same pan, heat remaining oil. Sauté onion and garlic 3-4mins until onion is tender. Stir in spice powder. Cook 1 min until fragrant. Return pork to pan with nectar and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 40 mins. Remove lid. Simmer…

NOWTOLOVE.COM. AU/TAKESMAG TAKES PAREMEDIA. COM.AU GPO BOX 4088, SYDNEY, NSW 2001 (02) 9282 8000 FACEBOOK.COM/TAKESMAGAZINE @TAKESMAGAZINE  @NOWTOLOVEAU @TAKESMAG EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Kim Bonett, Art Director Fiona Parsons, Picture Editor Vanessa Mckenzie ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, 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.auWebsite www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.auPublished by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. Take5 is a registered…

I stepped out of the change rooms at a school swimming event wearing my favourite black bikini. Just then, some boys started pointing at me and sniggering. “Check her out,” one said, nudging a mate. It was 2001, and at 12, I was noticeably more developed than my friends. I wish they’d leave me alone, I thought hotly, swearing off bikinis for good. I’d started developing breasts at nine, and while Mum had put it down to early puberty, I worried about how big they’d grown. We didn’t have much money, so I’d been making do with cheap sports bras. Then, Mum gave me her old C-cup bras. They felt way too small but at least they offered some support. At 16, I got a part-time cleaning job and could…

Jenny Davis, 49, Cranbourne North, Vic. I won $15,000 in Take 5! Staring at the crossword before me, I furrowed my brow. “River in Egypt,” I posed to my mum, Eleanor, 71, “four letters.” “Nile,” she replied confidently. For 15 years, I’d kept my mind sharp by doing the puzzles and crosswords in Take 5 magazine. I’d left my administration job at a transport company after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006. My husband Scott, then 30, worked as a fire alarm tester and was our only source of income along with the small disability pension I received. After the arrival of our son, Jaiden, in 2008 and Tahlia in 2010, I focused on being a mum and running the home. Because of my mobility issues, my dad, Bill,…

Pan-fried fish with broccoli mash SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 15 MINS 750g potatoes, peeled, chopped 2 heads broccoli, chopped ⅓ cup milk 2 tbsp vegetable oil 4 x 200g fish fillets 50g butter, chopped 1 lemon, zest finely grated, juiced 125g cherry tomatoes, halved Snipped chives, to serve 1 In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook potatoes 12-15 mins until tender, adding broccoli in final 5 mins. Drain. Return to heat. Add milk, then mash until smooth. Season. 2 Meanwhile, in a large non-stick frying pan, heat oil on medium. Cook fish 2-3mins each side until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Melt butter in same pan on medium. Toss through zest, juice and tomato. 3 Serve mash…

CORPSE BRIDE Chadil Deffy, 28, and his girlfriend of 10 years, Sarinya Kamsook, 29, had their hearts set on getting married. But the pair kept putting off their nuptials as their busy schedules got in the way. Chadil wanted to finish his studies before heading down the aisle. On January 3, 2012, Sarinya was involved in a car accident and tragically passed away. Chadil was devastated, and in an act of remorse for not marrying his soul mate sooner, decided to turn Sarinya’s funeral into their wedding. He had Sarinya’s corpse dressed in a bridal gown adorned with pearls, and placed a red and white bouquet in her hands. He wore a black tuxedo, then kissed his wife’s forehead and placed a ring on her finger. Rather than a reception,…

PISCES Feb 20 – Mar 20 Your horoscope is kind of wild right now. You’re under the pump and being forced to work hard and be responsible, and now here comes eclipse energy in your Love Zone. All bets are off regarding your most important relationships. Expect the unexpected. ★ Release anyone that you know is holding you back. ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20 Your horoscope is saying; something has to give. There’s tension between what’s going on in your head versus your responsibilities. Think about what’s essential and what’s fluff, then ditch the fluff. ★ Second chances abound for you. TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21 There’s an eclipse in your Fun and Flirty Zone, as your ruling planet Venus retrogrades. It’s time to turn the corner when…

A monster was given a second chance and my sweet girl paid for it Cherie Gillatt, Otago, NZ. I plonked down on the couch and phoned my daughter for our weekly chat. “Hello, Mum!” Nicole, 25, answered cheerily. I loved gasbagging with her each Friday night. The tradition started eight years earlier, when she’d moved to Christchurch, four hours from our home in Otago, in search of more excitement. We’d talk on the phone about life, and visited each other when we could. Nicole had been working in the office of a scrap yard for two years and was studying to become a life coach and counsellor. I wasn’t surprised she’d chosen that career path. She always loved helping others. “So what else has been going on?” I asked, after…

Use a cutlery divider for family toothbrushes and toothpaste, with names underneath so no-one will use someone else’s toothbrush. Zander Green, Christchurch, NZ. To give a perfect high five, watch the person’s elbow and you’ll never miss! Sara Ali, Carseldine, Qld. Mental wellbeing in retirement is about finding purpose, social engagement and joy in every day. Try connecting with a friend over coffee, joining exercise classes such as yoga or aquarobics or learning a new skill, like pottery or gardening. Experience over-50s living at Palm Lake Resort Yamba Cove. New homes are now selling in this friendly coastal community. Contact 1800 960 946 or visit www.palmlakeresort.com.au I reheat pizza in a large frying pan with the lid on, so the base gets nice and crispy. Gabby Russo, Southport, Qld. I…

A tragic accident took both my girls from me Chloe Rodgers-Falk, 27, Brisbane, Qld. Hearing a loud thud against the glass patio doors, I turned to see my two-year-old daughter, Raven, lying on the floor. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, Raven,” I sighed, rushing to pick her up. No matter how often she walked into them, she just couldn’t grasp the concept of glass doors. Her stepdad, Matt, had nicknamed her ‘Turtle’ because she was small and clumsy, always bumping into things. I couldn’t turn my back on her for a second without her getting into some sort of mischief. She would climb out of her high chair immediately after I placed her in it, or escape from her crib at night when she woke up. It had been endless drama…

Choc brownie bites MAKES 36 PREP 25 MINS + COOLING COOK 30 MINS 125g butter, chopped 200g milk chocolate, chopped ½ cup caster sugar 1¼ cups plain flour, sifted 150g white chocolate, chopped 100g dark chocolate, chopped 2 eggs, lightly beaten ¼ cup toasted hazelnuts, halved CARAMEL GANACHE 200g white chocolate, chopped ¼ cup cream ½ cup caramel top’n’fill 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Lightly grease a 20cm square cake pan. Line base and sides with baking paper. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and milk chocolate together on low, stirring. Stir in sugar. Cool 10 mins. 2 Lightly fold in flour, remaining chocolate and eggs. Spread mixture into pan, smoothing top. Bake 25-30 mins until firm to touch. 3 Cool in pan. Trim edges and cut into 3cm squares.…

Shane Hryhorec, 40, Richmond, Vic. As I opened my eyes, I felt confused and disoriented. Immediately, I panicked as I couldn’t move my arms or legs. I looked around. A hospital room… wires hooked up to me… a breathing tube down my throat. There were doctors and nurses everywhere and I had a feeling my body was very, very broken. “Shane, you’ve had an accident,” someone said. “You’ve been in a medically induced coma for five days.” My mum, Luanne, and dad, Alex, had rushed home from their holiday, not knowing if I’d survive. Now I was awake, I slowly learnt what had happened… My friend and I had returned to my apartment complex after a few drinks, and I decided to go for a dip. As I moved from…