Tabla de contenidos para November 2024 en Take a Break Monthly

Hide and squeak! Here’s our pet mouse, Weeny, peeking out from behind a giant pumpkin. Now all we need is a fairy godmother and we’ve got ourselves a horse and carriage! Cathy Flemans, 45, of Nuneaton, Warwicks Big cook, little cook While my husband Alec, 73, does the cooking, our dog Jake tries his best to help! Karen Dennis, 61, of Barnstaple, Devon Baby you’re a firework Who doesn’t love a few Bonfire Night fireworks? Here I am with my partner Ryan, 34, enjoying the display in Llandudno. Donna Davies, 33, of Welshpool, Powys Happy camper Benjamin, seven, was so proud that he managed to make a fire on our camping holiday! Sarah Hutchings, 39, of Sutton, Gtr London Let’s hug it out! Here I am in my local arboretum,…

I picked up my mates in the car, but there was somewhere I wanted to go before we went out. ‘We’re going to drop in on my gran,’ I told them. No one had any objections. ‘Your gran’s the best,’ they agreed. My grandma Marie had always been a huge part of my life. Growing up, my sister Elisa and I had seen her and our grandpa Fred most weekends. Gran, my mum Karen’s mother, had a way of making me feel like I was just about the best thing that had ever happened to the world. She was smart with a wicked sense of humour too. I’d make her laugh by doing impersonations of her favourite comedians – and that laughter was like magic to me. I’d been 14…

HOW TO ENTER Solve the crossword. Then, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares to reveal the identity of the chopped-up celebrity. Enter by post, phone, text or online – see page 73. ACROSS 1 Never Tear Us - - -, INXS ballad (5)6 The Blair Witch - - -, cult horror film said to be cut together from ‘found footage’ (7)10 Lager yob? (4)11 Quick look (7)13 Scotch bonnet or Carolina Reaper, eg (6)14 Spray can (7)15 Hire cost, anagram of LEARNT (6)17 Anxious, uncomfortable (6)19 Postal location (7)20 Pal (6)22 Good long look (6)24 Seat (5)25 (Of eggs) become rotten (5)28 Sudden brief downpour (6)30 Polite word of request (6)31 Previously (7)33 Straying from the right course – like a wandering knave? (6) 35 Make…

Chilly days and darker evenings are here – but what a great excuse to splash out on some lovely things to keep you cosy all through the autumn and winter! Get puzzling and you could be doing just that this month, as we’re giving away £1000 to one lucky winner. Now imagine what you could buy with all that lovely money! How about hitting the shops and filling your wardrobe with some new knitwear to keep you warm and stylish at the same time? Or why not treat yourself to a toasty new coat and some waterproof boots for those bracing winter walks? If you prefer to stay indoors, you could snuggle up on a squishy sofa in front of a brand-new television, watching all your favourite shows… and some…

Simple fish curry Serves: 4 Takes: 50min • 1kg butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 3cm chunks• 2 onions, sliced• 1 fennel bulb, cut into 2cm wedges• 250g cherry tomatoes• 100g mild or medium Indian curry paste (see Tip)• 2tbsp olive oil• 3cm fresh ginger, finely chopped• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 1tsp mustard seeds• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• 400ml can coconut milk• 500g firm white fish fillets, cut into large chunks 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160ºC. In a large casserole dish, combine the squash, onion, fennel, tomatoes, curry paste, olive oil, ginger and garlic. Stir through the mustard seeds and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30min until the vegetables are golden and tender. 2 Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the coconut milk…

This Christmas, treat your family to a magical adventure in the heart of Somerset at Wookey Hole. We’re giving you a chance to win a four-night stay for up to six people at Mendip View Hot Tub Lodges, complete with tickets to Wookey Hole, a festive hamper of treats and £200. Your adventure includes a trip to see Santa, a free toy for every child, a 45-minute Festive Circus Show and a trip through the caves of Wookey Hole, lit up by 100,000 fairy lights. And there are lots of other activities to enjoy at Wookey Hole, including a Christmas movie in the 4-D cinema. Families will find much to see and do in this beautiful corner of Somerset, including zoos, aquariums, adventure parks, beaches and museums. Plus, Glastonbury and…

SCORPIO 23 Oct – 21 Nov Pinch, punch, the first day of the month brings a dazzling New Moon to your sign, Scorpio. While others may be winding down at this time of year, livening things up pays off for you. Your ruling planet, Pluto, changes sign, too, urging you to finalise your master plan and then share it with the world, and all before the 20th. Love and friendship are the hot topic in the second half of November. Leo makes top buddy SAGITTARIUS 22 Nov – 21 Dec Playing the waiting game is to be expected as November begins, but by Bonfire Night, when Mars moves into a fellow fire sign, you can expect some fireworks, Saggi. Going here, there and everywhere is in the stars and there’s…

COASTAL BREAK WINNER Debbie Cross, Rotherham, S Yorks. ‘Wow and thank you! My husband Mark and myself can’t wait to start looking through the Coast & Country Stays cottage options. At the age of 62, my luck may be changing. I don’t usually win anything – not even a local raffle! So, to win such a fab prize is unbelievable.’ ISLE OF WIGHT HOLIDAY (PRIZE ANSWER: GLORY) R Bates, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. DERBY BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: GRUFF) R Foster, Driffield, E Yorks. £1200 BIG BONANZA (PRIZE ANSWER: LAZE) Mrs J Parker, Greenock, Renfrews. £1000 CELEBRITY CROSSWORD (PRIZE ANSWER: HAVE NO SENSE OF SMELL) S Robertson, Enfield, Gtr London. FAMILY COUNTRYSIDE BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: SHAPE) Ms R Boulton, Grantham, Lincs. CLEANING BUNDLE (PRIZE ANSWER: GLEAMS) Mrs C Davies, Ferryside, Carms. COASTAL…

I looked up at the figure in the doorway and stifled a gasp. ‘Kylie,’ I said. ‘Come in, have a seat.’ For the last eight weeks, Kylie had been my student at the beauty school where I taught. I’d heard from the other teachers that she had been diagnosed with kidney disease but I hadn’t really registered how serious it was. Until now. As she sat down beside me, I was shocked at her appearance. She looked pale and exhausted. As if by way of explanation, she slid a newspaper clipping across my desk. ‘Just so you know what’s going on,’ she said. I started to read. The article was about Kylie’s desperate plea for a kidney donor because hers were failing. I’d had no idea things were so bad…

Winter warmers Layer lightweight basics under a sweater for an extra heat boost Pyjama party An autumnal night in requires a silky set, paired with the fluffiest footwear Lush textures Make this indoor outfit work for a trip to the shops by adding designer-inspired shearling accessories…

Skeleton PUZZLE Given the starter clue numbers and black squares, can you solve this crossword? When complete, the pattern of the black squares will be fully symmetrical (the pattern will look the same if you turn the grid sideways or upside down). So you can deduce the positions of several more squares right away. Across 4 Sydney’s country7 Period of 24 hours9 Gear, equipment11 Worries12 ‘Write’ on a keyboard14 Greek god of love16 Scotland Yard workers? 17 Motor19 Notion, mental concept21 Border, outer limit22 Leap over23 Darn, stitch25 Dragons’ - - -, TV show26 Stamina, staying power Down 1 Cove, inlet2 Light gentle wind3 Acorn tree5 Out of danger6 Fail to win, be defeated8 Sanction, give permission10 Fake, disingenuous13 Group of lions15 Stiff18 Shape of this puzzle grid! 20 Very keen21 -…

The best health advice for you and your family The GP listened intently to my chest as I took a wheezy, rattling breath. ‘I’ll give you a week of antibiotics,’ he said. ‘Let’s see if that clears it up.’ I’d started with cold symptoms, but when it had hit my chest, I’d made an appointment with my doctor. When the first week of antibiotics didn’t clear it up, I was given more. But that didn’t shift it either, so my GP sent me for an X-ray. ‘There’s something suspicious there,’ my GP explained, referring me to oncology for more tests, including a biopsy. Here we go again, I thought. In my early 20s, I had been diagnosed with a chromosome defect called Fraser syndrome. It had caused kidney problems, so…

Step 1: Prime time Create a smooth canvas for your foundation by starting your routine with a primer. Not only will this prevent products from sinking into fine lines, it will also ensure that your make-up lasts for longer. Avoid a cakey finish with Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating, from £21, which is packed with glycerin for a serious hydration hit. Meanwhile, Max Factor Facefinity Universal Primer, £10.99, will mattify skin, blur imperfections and minimise the appearance of pores, creating an airbrushed finish. Suffering from redness? Opt for a green, colour-correcting product like PUR 4-in-1 Correcting Primer, £24. Step 2: Foundation station When it comes to foundation, look for lightweight textures that won’t dry out or settle into wrinkles. Featuring glow-boosting vitamin C and skin-smoothing niacinamide, No7 Radiance+ Foundation,…

Banana & salted caramel stacks Serves: 4 Takes: 20min • 300ml double cream • 200g brown sugar • 60g butter, chopped, plus 40g extra, at room temperature • ½tsp sea salt flakes • 400g Madeira cake, cut into 8 slices• 2 bananas, sliced • 35g walnuts, chopped 1 Combine the cream, sugar, chopped butter and salt in a heavy-based saucepan. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, for 2min, or until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5min or until the caramel sauce thickens slightly. 2 Meanwhile, melt the extra butter in a large frying pan over a low to medium heat. Fry the cake slices, in batches, for 1min each side or until lightly browned and heated through. Transfer…

As I changed my baby girl’s nappy, I noticed something and frowned. My five-week-old daughter Gracie’s poo was a strange chalky colour. I told my husband Jake, ‘It’s changed compared to what it was like before.’ We felt baffled. I arranged a telephone consultation with my GP. He put it down to the change in her milk, as I’d stopped breastfeeding. But, at eight weeks old, Gracie’s poo was still the same strange colour. At a routine check-up, the doctor told us Gracie looked jaundiced, and sent us to hospital. Then, after two days of tests and scans, a doctor explained that Gracie had a liver problem called biliary atresia – a condition where a baby’s bile ducts are blocked and can’t send bile from the liver to the small…

Our Lives Arriving home, I saw a little figure bounding towards me and wagging his tail. ‘Hello, boy,’ I said. My Yorkshire terrier Katsu was a rescue pup and I adored him. But there was a snag. I was at university and I wasn’t supposed to keep pets in my room. I thought that because Katsu didn’t make much noise, no one would know he was there. But one day, I found a letter had been slipped under my door and, as I read it, my eyes filled with tears. The university had found out about Katsu and were ordering him to leave. I was devastated. My parents didn’t live far away, so I sent him to live with them while I finished my course. But by the time I…

F ancy stocking up on a free weekly shop? Enter our brilliant competition and you could win £200 in the supermarket vouchers of your choice! You can take your pick from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, M&S or Iceland. Just think of all the tantalising treats that could be in store – big juicy steaks, delicious ready meals, smoked salmon, Belgian chocs, your favourite wines and beer. And of course you could fill your store cupboard with a host of essentials, from washing powder to tea and coffee. Sounds like a tasty prize? Then grab that pen and get puzzling! 3 LETTERS Cup, Dip, Eat, Egg, Fry, Ice, New, Oat, Pan, Roe 4 LETTERS Baps, Edam, Mash, Meal, Nuts, Rind, Stir, Tofu 5 LETTERS Cumin, Melon, Pesto, Pours, Salad, Sushi, Syrup, Total,…

SHOP WATCH: Tu at Sainsbury’s Get the luxe look for less this season, thanks to the latest collection from Tu. Mix and match different textures, including floaty satin, structured faux-leather and fluffy faux-fur, for countless sophisticated looks. Finish with a classic wrap coat that’ll never date. Get them before they go Biker-style ballet flats are the must-have shoe of the moment. Step out in style in this designer-inspired pair from M&S. Metallic magic With party season just around the corner, now is the time to update your wardrobe with high-shine pieces you’ll be sure to dazzle in.…

12 ways to make quick cash Need money in a hurry? Here are some ideas to help an empty purse Our money advice expert Faith Archer is an award-winning money journalist and blogger at Much More With Less. Faith was deputy personal finance editor at The Daily Telegraph and is a regular on BBC radio. She aims to make money matters such as family budgeting, pensions and tax easier to understand. Whether cash is tight after some steep bills, or you fancy a few extra treats, follow our tips to track down extra cash from unexpected places. Here are some quick ways to put more pounds in your pocket. Track down gift cards As the name suggests, gift cards are often given as presents, but can end up stuck at…

My dad Richy pushed a brown envelope towards me, then squeezed my hand. When I opened it, there was a note from him inside that read, Hiya Queen, any information you need to find your birth family is here. Queen was the nickname Dad had given me when I was a girl. I’d been just 10 weeks old when he and my mum Joan had adopted me. They’d never hidden the fact from me, and had given me a blissfully happy childhood. At seven, they’d sat me down to explain a bit more about what it meant to be adopted. They told me I was special because I’d been chosen. Being so young, I didn’t really understand. But they were such loving, fantastic parents, I didn’t feel the need to…

Read it! This month’s Book Club read is a spine-tingling thriller set in the world of controversial wellness retreats The Ice Retreat by Ruth Kelly In this novel, Ruth has drawn inspiration from her previous work on national newspapers. The main character Hollie is a feisty investigative reporter. Acting on a mother’s plea to find her son, who has vanished after visiting a wellness retreat, Hollie takes up the case. The Ice Retreat is run by wellness guru Ariel Rose, who claims to have discovered the secret to healing pain through her ice rebirth treatment. Hollie hopes to expose her as a charlatan, but as the isolation of the Swiss mountains sets in, she finds herself in an increasingly dangerous situation. And she must confront explosive secrets from her own…

• Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast• £70 for food and drink• £200 spending money Get away for a capital adventure – on us! Crack our competition and, if you’re our winner, you and a partner will enjoy two nights as guests of Leonardo Royal Hotels at one of their London locations. Also included in the prize is £200, plus a £70 food and drink credit to be spent at the hotel’s on-site restaurant. Situated in St Paul’s, London City and Tower Bridge, Leonardo Royal Hotels’ London properties are perfectly located for exploring. And with luxurious accommodation and a warm welcome, you’ll be set for a relaxing stay too. Each bedroom comes with White Company toiletries, exclusive DREAM beds and crisp white linens. You’ll also find a Rena Spa to help…

Waiting patiently, I watched as a smiley face appeared on the ovulation test screen. ‘It’s time!’ I said to my boyfriend Jamie, pulling him into the bedroom. When we’d met in a nightclub 10 years earlier, I’d told my friend, ‘I’m going to marry him one day.’ We had become a couple and moved in together four years on. Although Jamie hadn’t popped the question yet, we had decided that now we’d hit our 30s we were ready to try for a family. But despite working out the best time in my cycle to try, nothing happened. Jamie and I were fit and healthy, didn’t smoke and rarely drank alcohol, so we couldn’t understand it. Our GP told us to try for longer, so we did, but my period kept…