Pick Me Up! 2-Jun-2022

Ripping open the lid to the tub of fat balls, I placed them into the metal casing. It was lockdown number one, in March 2020, and my garden had quickly become a place of retreat. With my daughter Rebecca, 23, studying from home, the grass and wildlife would be a nice break from her screen, too. ‘Look at the squirrels, Dad,’ Rebeccas hushed, pointing to the fluffy grey family that had joined forces to steal bird seed. Grabbing a basic camcorder, I started to film the bunch, seeing what they would get up to day by day. In just a week, we had over three hours of footage! And with my job as an actor put on hold due to Covid, it was nice to be behind the camera. Waking up early, Rebecca joined me to see…

WE’RE LOVING Calling all crafters! Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June with Hobbycraft. Partnering with The Big Lunch, Hobbycraft have created a selection of new products, launched online and in-store workshops and released a series of free craft projects for you to enjoy. With five jubilee-themed workshops to choose from, adults and children can get creative to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70th year on the throne. • Prices from £1.50, www.hobbycraft.co.uk Enjoy the magic of steam trains! Keep the whole family entertained this summer with East Lancashire Railway (ELR). Ramping up for the busy season, ELR are hosting a variety of exciting events. Relish in a wizarding-themed day out and take the little ones to meet Thomas the Tank Engine. For the bank holiday weekend, passengers can celebrate Her Majesty in style with a 1940s and…

STAR LETTER If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Twisting the pepper grinder, a delicious smelling meal was then placed at the dining table. ‘Sour cream and red paprika again?’ I laughed as my boyfriend Tom, then 56, dug into his Hungarian concoction. Our kitchen was always full of the most extraordinary food. Sourdough loaves baked to perfection, Hungarian meats and sausage, layered potatoes and of course lashings of paprika for flavour. And every time I watched Tom clean the mess he had created in the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel lucky. Throughout my 20s, I had practice in being a perfectly happy independent woman. ‘I don’t need a man,’ I hushed to my friends. Only, meeting Tom had changed everything. Introduced through mutual friends, at the age of 35, I liked him immediately. He was a geologist, interested in travelling, and a fantastic cook – I…

Walking into the kitchen, I felt giddy at the glorious sight in front of me. A five pack of Morrisons custard doughnuts, waiting to be torn open. Following closely with a second and third pack–15 delicious treats had been secured in the food shop. Only, it wasn’t just a yummy treat. Licking my lips, I couldn’t wait to demolish them all. Sucking the sugar from my fingers, I put the brown packaging in the bin – joining the other empty wrappers from the day before and the day before that. I didn’t know what they were putting in their recipe, but to me, the doughnuts were irresistible. From a young age, I’d always taken a great interest in food. And at just 11, after seeing a documentary all about the realities of the farming industry, I soon became…

This week, our tip of the week will receive some great products from Addis! Anti-moth, antimould, antimoisture with a lifetime guarantee on the seal, this set of two Addis Seal & Store duvet vacuum bags feature a unique patented seal technology which is 100% airtight and compressed stored items by 80%. The bags are reusable and come with a lifetime guarantee. Be a winner! Beach brain Baby powder removes stubborn sand from between your toes. Get dry, then apply it where the sand is still sticking. Sian Salsbury, Cradley Heath Tip of the week Remember, these are YOUR tips – we haven’t tried them ourselves. Tea-lightful If you’re low on tealight holders, make use of the aluminum tins from apple pies! Sara Sweeney-Lewis, Nottingham A swimming idea I take a sock hanger on holiday to hang up our swimming costumes to dry.…