Table of contents for TAK2441 in Take 5

Muuum/Naaaan, what can we play with/do next?” If you’ve heard this phrase recently, school holidays have been costing you a fortune, or the ideas are running low for keeping little ones happy, we have you covered this week! We’ve squeezed in four pages of bonus Bluey content we know they’ll love. After the incredible response we had to our Colour In and Win comp we ran in issue 32, we made sure one of the Bluey activities was colouring, in case you wanted to keep it for yourself! We’ll publish the winners of the colouring comp here next week. Don’t miss your last chance to enter Win Groceries for the Rest of the Year (p26). And Magazine Millionaire tokens will only be appearing in two more issues after this, so…

I’m living proof a wedding doesn’t have to cost a fortune… Nikita Moody, 28, Tully, Qld. Swiping through Tinder, I let out an exasperated sigh. If I don’t see someone I like soon, I’m deleting this, I thought. It was May 2023, and I’d recently moved back to my hometown with my daughter Zelda, three, after splitting from my ex. Suddenly, a profile caught my eye. His name was Jordan, and he was 23. I sent a message, and soon we were chatting. I discovered Jordan had attended the same high school as me but had been three years below. When he asked me out on a date, I was ecstatic. Do you mind if I bring my daughter along? I don’t have any family that can look after…

I want my hubby’s memory to live on Shannen Whittington, 32, Gold Coast, Qld. With dirt flying and the hum of bike engines filling the air, I cheered as my husband Corey’s bike crossed the finish line. He was in first place again at a motocross competition. “I’m so proud of you, bro,” I said, running over and planting a kiss on his muddy face. “Thanks, broette,” he said, beaming. Growing up in New Zealand, Corey affectionately called me ‘broette’ and, in return, I called him ‘bro’. We’d met as co-workers in 2015, working in a construction company. I was the receptionist, and he was site manager in construction. With his cheeky nature and infectious smile, he instantly caught my eye. For two years, we were just friends, but taking…

Spaghetti & meatballs SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 10 MINS 1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil 400g pkt (16) ready-made beef meatballs 700g jar tomato passata Pinch of dried chilli flakes 325g spaghetti 60g baby spinach leaves ½ cup shaved parmesan Crusty bread, to serve (optional) 1 Heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add meatballs. Cook and turn 5 mins or until browned. Add passata and chilli. Bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 mins or until meatballs are cooked. 2 Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water 10 mins or until tender. Drain. Return to pan. 3 Add meatball mixture to pasta, along with spinach. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with parmesan. Serve with bread (if using). Chicken…

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, Head of Consumer Marketing Louise Cankett 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 Affiliate enquiries: affilliate@aremedia.com.au Published 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 trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited.…

Distance means so little when someone means so much Johanna Salisbury, 63, Christchurch, NZ. Grabbing an envelope, I neatly scribbled the name and address of my pen pal, Lori, on the front, before placing a stamp on the corner. The letter inside held the latest updates of my life. “Mum, I’m going to post a letter,” I called, rushing out the door. It was 1977 and, at 16 years old, I’d been feeling a little lonely at school. Though I had a number of friends, I didn’t always feel like I fit in. So, when I’d spotted an ad in the back of a teen magazine looking for readers who wanted international pen pals, I jumped at the chance. I sent in my name and address, but I didn’t think…

$2500 CASH PRIZE We’re all feeling the crunch at the checkout but imagine how helpful it would be to know your trolley full of goodies is already paid for? Well, we’re giving away a $2500 cash prize to one lucky reader, which covers the cost of groceries for the rest of the year*! Or, feel free to spend the money on whatever you’d like. HOW TO ENTER Simply go to www. nowtolove.com.au/puzzles/wingroceries2024/ and complete the online entry form. *Based on average grocery bill for four-person household in Australia. Source: Canstar Blue Conditions apply, see aremedia.com. au/competitions. Commences 26/9/24. Ends 11:59pm AEST/AEDST on 28/10/24. AU and NZ residents 18+. This is a game of chance. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street,…

Moroccan beef couscous salad SERVES 4 PREP 20 MINS + RESTING COOK 15 MINS 400g lamb leg steaks 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp Moroccan seasoning 1 carrot, julienne 1 zucchini, julienne 1 cup water 1 cup wholemeal couscous ¼ cup flaked almonds, toasted ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup coriander leaves 100g marinated feta, crumbled Natural yoghurt, to serve LEMON DRESSING 1⁄3 cup currants 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest 1 Preheat a chargrill or barbecue on high. Drizzle steaks with 2 tsp oil and sprinkle with half seasoning. Chargrill, 2-3 mins each side, until cooked to taste. Rest, covered loosely with foil, 5 mins, then slice. 2 Meanwhile, in same pan, heat remaining oil on medium. Sauté carrot,…

He was on death’s door but now he’s stolen our hearts Pip Booth, 36, Cairns, Qld. As our 4WD bumped along the dirt road, we passed a poor-looking pooch. “That’s a camp dog,” I remarked. “He looks in a bad way,” my hubby, Simon, 37, said. It was June 2024, and we were on a camping trip up at Loyalty Beach, Qld, with our kids, Archie, six, and Charlotte, three. I recognised camp dogs from my time as a teacher in an Aboriginal community. They live within the communities but often don’t have specific owners responsible for them and so aren’t properly looked after. Back then, Simon and I had adopted two, Sam and Louis. But the one we were passing now didn’t look like he belonged to anybody at…

LIBRA Sept 24 –Oct 23 Your focus now is on money, wealth and abundance. So are you getting what you want right now or not? This week, try a different approach where possible ★Breakthroughs are likely in the area you’re least inclined to consider. CAPRICORN Dec 23 – Jan 20 The weight you’re carrying right now is heavier than you expected. Reason being, Pluto is back in your sign in order to strengthen you, to challenge your old ways. The tests you’re facing now won’t last forever. The lessons learned will, though. ★It doesn’t get easier, you just get stronger. ARIES Mar 21 –Apr 20 Do you let sleeping dogs lie or do you shake things up? It may be hard to make any hard and fast choices. You may…

My acting skills saved my life Brittany Morris, 31. A friend request popped up on my Facebook and I smiled seeing a familiar face in the picture. “Rondell Malveaux,” I said out loud. Rondell and I had grown up together, but I’d moved away with my family and we’d lost touch. It was now 2015 and I’d recently moved back. I accepted his request and we got talking. After a couple of months chatting, Rondell invited me over to his. When he opened the door, my heart fluttered. Gosh, he’s gotten so handsome, I thought. It soon became clear from Rondell’s flirty behaviour he fancied me, too. That night we slept together and it was amazing. But in the weeks that followed, I started to feel nauseous. Surely, I’m…

When I discovered my husband’s affair, I refused to give up easily… Charity Craig, 47. Looking into Matt’s pleading eyes, I relented. “Okay, I’ll go on a date with you,” I said. “Really?” he replied, surprised. Matt had been pursuing me for a year, but up until now, I hadn’t been interested. At 19, he was five years younger than me, but recently, I’d seen a more mature side to him. A couple of days later, we went on a walk around a nearby lake, and I couldn’t deny our connection. We soon became a couple, and two years later, we were watching the fireworks display at Disney World when Matt dropped down onto one knee. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “Yes,” I squealed. In 2004, we said “I…

Honey jumbles MAKES 40 PREP 30 MINS + SETTING COOK 15 MINS 125g butter, softened ¾ cup brown sugar ½ cup honey 1 egg 1¼ cups self-raising flour 1 cup plain flour 3 tsp ground ginger 2 tsp mixed spice ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda ICING 1 cup pure icing sugar, sifted 1 tbsp butter, melted 1-2 tbsp boiling water 2-3 drops pink food colouring Pink sprinkles, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two oven trays with baking paper. 2 In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Add honey and egg, beating until combined. 3 Sift flours, ginger, spice and soda into a large bowl. Fold into butter mixture until well combined. 4 Spoon mixture into a piping…