Table of contents for TAK2530 in Take 5

Lady Wants A Tradie

Monique Jeremiah, 38, Gold Coast, Qld. Staring at my bare backyard, I let out a gloomy sigh. It’s so bland, I thought sadly. I’d lived at my home on the Gold Coast for 13 years, but still hadn’t done the makeovers I’d envisioned. I wanted wooden retaining walls constructed for the flower beds and a traditional Bali hut built over the pool, but I’d never been good on the tools. Plus, I had my hands full running my modelling agency. It’ll only happen if I find a good tradie, I realised. But as a single woman, I feared I’d get ripped off. I’d been burnt before. Many tradesmen had jacked up the prices when they sensed I was clueless on the going rates. One time, a gardener did a runner…

From Burnout To Balance

If you’ve been feeling tired and burnt out lately, it’s safe to say your work-life balance may be off. The reality is that we’re putting in longer hours at the office, and as companies attempt to cut costs, we may even find ourselves doing the job of two, sometimes three, people. Add in the stresses and pressures of modern-day life, and many of us don’t even have the energy to break free of the cycle. Sound familiar? Thankfully, there are some small and simple steps you can take to reclaim your life and regain some balance… 1 ENFORCE WORK HOURS Have clear boundaries about what time your workday starts and finishes, and make sure you stick to them. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues so they know not to contact…

Put It Out!

Ashlea Hodder, 34, Townsville, Qld. Hands on hips, I smiled at my girls. “Off you go you two, go and explore,” I told them. “Find me a koala.” “Okay Mum,” Coral-Lee, seven, grinned. “Come Sissy, let’s go.” She grabbed Matilda, nine, by the hand and they raced off through the tall grass. We were at Keelbottom Creek, west of Townsville, on a camping trip with my partner, Mitchell, 31, father-in-law Rod and two other families. Avid campers, we’d spent the week swimming in the creek and fishing but now it was Easter Sunday, 2025, and time to pack up. With the girls off playing, Mitchell and I set about dismantling our tent. Rod had already packed up his camping trailer. Twenty minutes passed and I was rolling up our swags…

Scamanda Faked It All

One summer’s day in 2015, investigative journalist Nancy Moscatiello opened an email that instantly caught her attention: Hi Nancy, I believe I may have a story for you. There’s a 30-year-old woman in my city claiming to have stage four blood cancer. The anonymous writer went on to list the donations and support the woman had received from her church, friends, and wider community. She’s very charming and has an adorable family. That’s why I think people are afraid to question her. Intrigued, Nancy looked into the woman – Amanda Riley – and found her blog, Lymphoma Can Suck It . Amanda lived with her husband, Cory, stepdaughter Jessa, and two sons, Carter and Connor. The blog began in 2012, around the time Amanda claimed to have been diagnosed with…

3 ways with Tray Bakes

Pork cutlets, apple & fennel in creamy cider sauce SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 40 MINS 4 pork cutlets 2 red apples 2 small fennel bulbs 1 tbsp olive oil 1 bunch kale, leaves roughly torn 2 tbsp thickened cream CREAMY CIDER SAUCE ¼ cup apple cider 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 Line a large oven tray with baking paper. Place pork onto prepared tray. 2 CIDER SAUCE In a small bowl, mix cider and mustards. Season well with salt and pepper. Spoon cider sauce over pork. 3 Cook in a 200°C preheated oven for 30 mins. 4 Cut apple and fennel into thick wedges, toss with olive oil and season before adding to the tray. 5 Cook for a further 10 mins. In the…

Grandma’s Gift

Hi Take 5ers, Two years ago, my mum knitted my daughter a jumper with her first initial on the front of it for her 16th birthday. This is something Mum did for all of her grandchildren. It was made from a beautiful yarn that she’d dyed and spun herself. This year, for my daughter’s 18th birthday, Mum’s asking to see updated photos of my daughter in the jumper. Because of this request, I asked my daughter about the whereabouts of the jumper. She then passively told me that she unravelled the jumper and knitted a beanie for herself and a scarf for a friend from the yarn. I felt heartbroken as my mum, who’s now well into her 90s, can no longer manage to knit, and now I can’t get…

Digging For Joy

Skye Parker, 33, Newport, Qld. Struggling to pull the booties over my newborn’s curled feet, I cried. My poor boy, I thought. It was February 2021, and Lawson’s feet were bent so far they nearly touched his shins. “He’ll come right,” a nurse assured me. But I was certain something was wrong. Eventually, his feet uncurled, but a few months later, he began screaming in pain whenever I placed him on his tummy. At six months old, he still wasn’t rolling over. “Something’s not right,” I pleaded with my GP, but again I was told he was fine. My husband Damian, 29, and I did our best to encourage Lawson’s development, but by the time he turned one, he still couldn’t sit, crawl, or stand. In February 2022, after taking…

‘Hello, Dishwasher!’

Gillian, 63, Sunshine Coast, Qld. Taking a bite of my toast, I picked up my phone and went on Google. I typed in Endeavour Lotteries, then looked to see where the latest prize home was. The Endeavour Foundation Lotteries sell tickets for people to win a prize package that can include multi-million-dollar homes, apartments, luxury cars, caravans and gold bullion. “Ooh, there’s one quite nearby,” I said, showing my husband Mark, 67. “Let’s go once we’ve finished brekkie,” he said. It was a tradition of ours. Every Sunday, we liked to go out for breakfast and then go for a gander around a prize home. We’d been doing it for decades. We loved having a stickybeak at how the other half live to imagine ourselves living it up in one…

One Night-Two Babies

Holly Firth, 29. As the waiters cleared our plates, warm rays finally spilled into the room. “Finally, the sun’s come out,” I said, smiling. It was 2024 and I was at the wedding of a family friend. The ceremony and speeches were done, and the party was about to start. “Shall we head to the balcony while the sun’s out?” my sister, Caitlin, said. “Sure,” I said, following her and our dad outside. We chatted for a while, and when we’d finished our drinks, I offered to get refills. But by the time I got back, Caitlin had vanished. Great, I thought, now holding two full drinks. Just as I turned to go back in, I noticed an attractive guy looking at me. I’d spotted him earlier, but we hadn’t…

Puppy Nuptials

Cheryl Terlecki, 68, Neath, NSW. Arriving at the park in my retirement village with my two dogs, I unclipped their leads. It was my six-month-old cockapoo, Duke’s, first big outing. “Go on, boy,” I said. But instead of racing off with my Shih tzu, Juliet, he nervously stuck by my side. When my friend, Wendy, arrived with Bella, her three-year-old standard poodle, Duke ducked behind my legs for cover. “Don’t be afraid,” I cooed. “Bella’s friendly.” But he stuck close to his mum. Over coming meetups, I encouraged Duke to be more social. Before long, he relaxed, and soon he and Bella were the best of friends, tearing offside-by-side whenever I threw the ball. Duke was quite the gentleman, too. If he reached the ball first, he’d drop it beside…

Cool Touch

Just like you probably wouldn’t wear shorts in July, your fragrance deserves a seasonal switch-up, too. Plus, the best bit about cold weather is that scent doesn’t evaporate as quickly – so deeper, richer perfumes can really shine. TAKE NOTE While citrus and florals float to mind for summer and spring, the cooler months call for rich, warming notes. Think amber, sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla – anything that smells like a big cosy hug in a bottle. Gourmand scents – that is, the ones that smell so delicious you could eat them – also feel right in winter, as do smoky musks, rich florals and anything a bit spicy. But remember, beauty is a space for self-expression, not rules. If you love a zingy citrus or airy floral, keep on…

1 min

Warming Mains

Coconut beef curry SERVES 6 PREP 15 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 45 MINS 1kg beef chuck steak, excess fat trimmed, cut into 4cm pieces ¼ cup Thai yellow curry paste 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger 400ml can coconut milk 2 cups beef stock 2 onions, cut into thin wedges 2 fresh kaffir lime leaves 8 fresh curry leaves 2 tbsp fish sauce 2 tbsp grated palm sugar 2 tbsp roughly chopped peanuts, roasted 1 fresh long red chilli, thinly sliced Fresh Thai basil leaves, steamed rice, lime wedges, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, large heavy-based casserole dish over a medium heat. Cook half the beef, turning, for 6 mins or until browned all over. Remove. Repeat with remaining beef. Return all beef to dish. 2 Add…

Flushed Away!

Donna Burke, 60. The happy couple twirled on the dance floor as I crooned into the microphone. It was 1996 and, aged 30, I’d moved to Tokyo, Japan, to work as an English teacher as well as a professional singer and voice artist. “We’ll be back after a brief intermission,” I softly told the guests. I’m busting for a number two, I thought, but the guests didn’t need to know that. Delicately, I exited the stage, then once I was out of sight, I made a mad dash for the toilet. To my horror, the bride was also waiting in line, and we approached adjacent stalls. What if she hears my toilet noises? I thought in a panic. But as I entered, I was delighted to discover that a device…

STARS

JULY 31-AUG 6 LEO July24 -Aug 23 It may become easier for you to figure things out this week. What you want, what you need and who you are, are all in focus. The past is the past and the future is brighter than it may appear right now. ★ The New Moon is in your sign, make a wish! VIRGO Aug 24 – Sept 23 Breaking habits isn’t always easy, but the relief you get when you do makes it worth it. Let go of what no longer serves you; including your worries and fears. Brighter days are ahead even if it doesn’t feel like it. ★ Think better thoughts, get better outcomes. LIBRA Sept 24 -Oct 23 Confusion among friendships can be upsetting. That said, you can start…

Your letters

Paws to puzzle This is my ‘grandpup’ Pip napping on my lap while I try to do my Take 5 puzzles. Pip visits for play dates with my two dachshunds Duke and Dash. Leanne Aarts, South Nowra, NSW. WE PAY $100 FOR EACH LETTER PRINTED Groovy gran My 17-year-old grandson, Liam, came to stay with me for a few days while his parents went to a wedding interstate. He was annoyed at not being allowed to stay home alone and spent half of the first day with his headphones on, brooding. “What are you listening to?” I asked, handing him a sandwich for lunch. “You wouldn’t know them, they’re called Alice in Chains,” Liam mumbled. “They were fantastic when I saw them live in Texas back in 1991,” I said…

Murdered And Mocked

Kim Devins, 39. Gliding across the ice, my daughter Bianca whizzed past me. “Watch this, Mum!” she called, twirling effortlessly. “You look amazing,” I smiled. Like me, Bianca, nine, loved figure-skating. She was my firstborn and my best friend. I’d been just 18 when I had her, and her sister Olivia came along a year later. Their dad and I had recently split, and the girls were really struggling – especially Bianca. She developed anxiety and every school morning became a battle. “I don’t want to go,” she’d cry. I assumed she was missing her dad and booked her in for counselling. After six months, she was enjoying school and making friends again. But as Bianca grew into her teens, her confidence began to crumble. Most of her friendships were…

Do Not Disturb

As kids, naps are something we do begrudgingly. As adults, however, naps seem to be one of those sweet luxuries we rarely have the time for (remember sleep?!). Yet, clearing your schedule for some shut-eye can do you a world of good. A 2019 Harvard study found regular 20-minute naps can cut the chance of a heart attack by 34 per cent. According to A.H. Beard sleep wellness expert Rachel Beard, naps can “improve mood, increase alertness and improve our physical and cognitive performance”. But not all naps are the same, and whether you reap the full benefits of a daytime siesta comes down to time, duration and place. WHEN SHOULD YOU NAP? If you’ve ever eaten lunch and wanted to pull your pillow out at your desk at around…

Your tips

Try using creamed corn in mashed potatoes. It is so tasty and a really delicious topping for shepherd’s pie. Michelle Wurfel, Golden Grove, SA. If gravy is too lumpy, blitz it in the blender to make it smooth. Heather Carpenter, Rockingham, WA. The pantry in my new house has deep shelves so I put lazy Susan turntables on each shelf so I can always reach what I need. Kim Devi, Albury, NSW. Throw a bay leaf in with your flour to stop pantry moths from breeding. Rhonda Plum, Watanobbi, NSW. I save bread bags to use for picking up dog waste. Faye Brewer, Beenleigh, Qld. Add a spoonful of peanut butter to your ramen. Thank me later. Kelly Reid, Chermside, Qld. I created a folder in my email called ‘tax’.…

I’m Rare Down There

Annie Charlotte, 26. I lay on the examination table with my legs in stirrups, as the nurse examined below. How hard can it be to find a cervix? I thought. I was 16 and had come to the local sexual health clinic to get an IUD fitted. Since starting puberty, I’d struggled to insert tampons properly and would often still bleed with one in. After a few attempts, the nurse said she couldn’t insert the coil. “There’s something hard in the way,” she frowned. “It might be mucus.” Does my vagina have a cold? I wondered, squashing a giggle. She suggested it might be something that could affect my fertility. Oh God, I shuddered. What if it’s really bad? Over the next couple of months, I went for many MRIs…

Sweet Symphony

Tiramisu brownie SERVES 16 PREP 25 MINS COOK 55 MINS 300g dark chocolate, chopped 150g butter ½ cup Kahlua, plus extra ½ tbsp instant coffee 2 eggs, lightly beaten ¼ cup sour cream 1½ cups plain flour, sifted 2⁄3 cup caster sugar ½ cup chopped roasted hazelnuts 250g cream cheese, chopped 250g mascarpone, softened 4 egg whites ¼ cup caster sugar ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste 12 lady finger biscuits Cocoa, to dust 1 Grease and line base and sides of a 20cm square cake pan with baking paper, leaving edges overhanging. 2 In a small saucepan over a low heat, melt chocolate, butter, 2 tbsp Kahlua and instant coffee until smooth. Cool 10 mins. In a small bowl, combine eggs and sour cream. Add to chocolate mixture with flour…

1 min

Hidden gems

With overtourism still a problem affecting travel in 2025, you’d be forgiven for wanting to avoid the crowds on your next holiday. Luckily, there are spots that are cheaper, more scenic, and less crowded than the well-trodden tourist playgrounds. If you’re in search of your next holiday destination, get off the beaten track and check out one of these places instead… GJIROKASTËR, ALBANIA Most people don’t think of Albania as a holiday destination, which is part of what makes it so perfect. Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed city nestled in the mountains. You’ll find Ottoman architecture, castles and great food. Cobblestone streets wind their way past charming buildings, with a majestic natural landscape as the backdrop. It’s historic, affordable, and the locals are warm and welcoming. KARPATHOS, GREECE If it’s azure…

Masthead

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