Table of contents for Issue 50, 2024 in that's life!

Christmas was very much in the air in the office, as we’re just one more issue away from the festive week! It got us all chatting about our favourite Christmas memories. It’s perhaps not surprising that lots of them were from our childhoods, and the thoughtful gifts we were lucky enough to get. Mari treasured a four-poster bed for her Barbie and Tressy dolls that her nana made for her. ‘She decked it out in yellow and blue satin, and made little pillows, sheets and a quilt,’ Mari said. How beautiful! When Holly was little her parents made her fairy princess dream come true by buying her a dress and tiara. ‘I pranced about in it for about three weeks - before I ripped it!’ she laughed. Sam’s favourite…

Festive fun quickly turned deadly for Heather and her family Heather Moore, 35 As thousands of Christmas trees towered over us, the smell of fresh pine filled my nose. Holding hands with my hubby, Bobby, then 32, our twin daughters, Carmen and Cate, six, ran through the farm, in awe. ‘Mummy, Daddy, we want this one,’ they said, jumping up and down. It was an annual tradition to let the girls choose our tree, then we went to pick some new ornaments together. This time, Carmen chose a hummingbird one, while Cate picked a sparkly fish. Back at home that evening, we decorated the tree together. It was December 2021 and, with Christmas just weeks away, we couldn’t wait for the big day. Three days before Christmas, I lit a…

Terrific IDEA The average household wastes around 98 kilos of food every year – that’s up to $2500 a year. The good news is that most of that food is actually usable. So around Christmastime, where leftovers are often in abundance, it might be time to consider your options. I’ve been using a fantastic app called Saveful. It’s helped me by suggesting recipes to make use of bits and pieces left in my fridge and pantry. Saveful also has shopping and kitchen hacks to help reduce waste – such as using carrot tops to make pesto – and helps you track how the food you’re saving is also saving you money. The best part is, Saveful is free to download and use! Visit saveful.com for more. According to new Amazon…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Sarah Firth, Deputy Editor Beth Young, Art Director Darren Monaghan, Picture Editor Holly Campbell 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.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@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. that’s life! is a registered…

WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED Ruby is getting ready for Christmas! Trent Farleigh, Springfield, Qld Country folk love to recycle, even if it’s tractor and car tyres to make an impressive Christmas tree. Pamela Deckert, Nhill, Vic I love dressing up, and the kids have such a laugh at me at school! Leanne White, Canningvale, WA $50 CASH WHAT’S ODD? PUZZLE HOW TO WIN... This image has been taken from the film Blue Crush. We have tinkered with it and have added something that doesn’t appear in the original scene (6). Write which object doesn’t belong only on the entry coupon and you could be a winner. Turn to entry coupon (p50) to enter! I wonder who’s on Santa’s naughty or nice list? Zayden pouring sand, or Jett? Jess…

Amelia is imploring others to help find her missing mum Amelia Grozdanovski, 33, Newcastle, NSW I’m home!’ my mum Lorrin, then 42, smiled walking in through the door. It was February 2013 and she’d been at an evening accounting class while I looked after my four half-siblings. Though I’d moved out of home, I was more than happy to help. Mum had been through a rough patch. Sadly, she and my stepdad Teo had divorced the year before. The kids split their time between Mum and Teo, but the change hit mum hard. Plus, she’d battled endometrial and ovarian cancer for four years. Thankfully, in 2012 she got the all clear and the light had returned to her beautiful brown eyes. In addition to accounting, she’d got into photography and…

I had a husband delivered Battling a migraine, Hannah Bullerman stayed home from work and decided to order in lunch. Tracking her delivery driver on the food service’s app, Hannah waited until they were nearby before making her way down the stairs in her apartment block. Assuming the driver would just drop off her order and she could quickly grab it once they’d left, Hannah wasn’t bothered about the fact she was wearing her pyjamas. That was until the driver, Alec Hoffman, called, intent on handing over her chicken wings in person. When Hannah saw how cute Alec was, she was embarrassed. ‘I looked kind of grubby and gross,’ Hannah admitted to People. Hannah thanked Alec and made a hasty retreat, but back in her apartment she couldn’t get him…

Good to know Chicken and dressing can be prepared a day ahead. Keep covered separately in the fridge. You will need one large bunch of fresh coriander and parsley for this recipe. GREEN GODDESS CHICKEN SALAD SERVES 6 PREP & COOK: 35 MINS 1kg chicken breast fillets ¼ cup lemon juice 2 baby cos lettuce, trimmed, halved crossways 2 firm ripe avocados, sliced into half moons Pomegranate seeds, walnuts and lemon wedges, to serve GREEN GODDESS DRESSING 2 cups loosely packed fresh coriander leaves 2 cups loosely packed fresh parsley 3 green spring onions, sliced  2 tblsps Dijon mustard  2 cloves garlic  1 cup Greek yoghurt 1 To make dressing, process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. 2 Cut each chicken fillet into 1½cm-thick steaks. One…

PEACHY RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE TRIFLE SERVES 8-10 PREP: 30 MINS 500g packet frozen raspberries, thawed ½ cup icing sugar mixture 400g jam sponge roll, cut into 2cm thick slices 2 tblsps butterscotch-flavoured liqueur 4 medium ripe yellow peaches 300ml tub thickened cream FILLING 2 x 250g blocks cream cheese, chopped ⅓ cup packed brown sugar 2 tsps vanilla extract 300ml tub thickened cream 1½ cups vanilla double thick custard 1 To make filling, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl of an electric mixer until smooth. Pour in cream. Beat until thickened. Using a whisk, fold in custard. 2 Using a fork, mash the raspberries with icing sugar in a bowl. 3 Arrange some of the jam roll slices around the side of a glass trifle…

With decades between them, Cait and Bruce bonded over a cup of coffee Cait Bransgrove, 29, Melbourne, Vic Waiting in line at my favourite cafe, I spotted a familiar face sitting by the window. Though I didn’t know the older gentleman’s name, I’d seen him sitting alone a few times before. I wonder if he’s up for a chat, I thought. It was August 2023 and, working in finance, I’d recently moved into an office across the street. Like most people, I loved starting my day with a coffee, so I was already well acquainted with my new favourite coffee shop, Revival in Berwick, Vic. After placing my order with the barista, I turned my attention back to the stranger. He made me think of my gran, Anna, 82,…

Thank you Tony Davis, Charmhaven, NSW Hearing the rumble of more than 170 motorcycles, some decorated with tinsel and Santa hats, was music to my ears. It’s not just because I love motorcycles. As founder of The Bikers Hand charity, it meant a great turn out for our annual Toy Run, and more presents under the Christmas tree for kids from families doing it tough. My wife Mechelle, who rides pillion, and I had been volunteering at meal services for the homeless in Sydney since the ’90s. And we kept hearing from charities that demand was increasing, but funding and donations weren’t. There simply wasn’t enough money to cover costs, and volunteers were reaching into their own pockets to make up the shortfall. ‘What will people in need do…

Dani will never forget about Declan, her dance partner Dani Hearn, Menai, NSW 2 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS Declan was bright, happy and larger than life. Barely in his 30s, due to a debilitating, terminal condition, he was sadly in the palliative care unit, where I worked in nursing administration. Declan roamed the ward, chatting with the nurses and patients, spreading joy with his infectious smile. ‘What are you up to Dani?’ he’d ask me. ‘Any tea going?’ Declan loved everyone, and we all doted on him in turn. One morning, I found him watching an old musical on TV. His face was alight with the magic of the dancing on the screen. ‘Have you ever heard of The Jackson 5?’ I asked. ‘They had the best songs and dance moves.…

Lucas and Bailey defied the odds to make it home for Christmas James Edwards, 45, Gold Coast, Qld My eyes widened as I took in the ultrasound screen. It was September 2022 and my wife Casey, then 40, and I were expecting our first baby together. ‘Looks like it’s twins!’ the sonographer said at our 12week scan, pointing out two heartbeats on the screen. My jaw fell open. At our dating scan, there had only been one heartbeat, but there was no mistaking what was on the screen! Together, we already had six children – Casey had a boy and two girls, from her previous marriage, while I had three boys. Now we were expecting two more bundles of joy! ‘This is our miracle,’ I told Casey. Heartbreakingly, the year…

2 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS T his time next week we’ll be on the plane!’ I smiled to my boyfriend, Jonathan, 34, as we unloaded the Christmas presents we’d just bought from the car. ‘Are you nervous? My nan’s pretty scary after a few wines!’ he teased. I had a few butterflies about spending the break with Jonathan’s family, as I still hadn’t met them. Dating for 10 months, we lived interstate from his parents, his four sisters and their kids. They always got together in Melbourne for a Christmas Day feast and family time. When Jonathan had asked me to join them, I’d been thrilled, and we booked early morning flights for the Saturday before Christmas. Then an email came around about my work Christmas party. ‘That’s the night before…

CHRISTMAS HAM AND CHEESE PULL-APART SERVES 8 PREP & COOK: 35 MINS 380g 2-pack crusty baguettes (34cm long) 125g piece brie cheese ⅔ cup cranberry sauce 150g sliced leg ham, off the bone 1½ cups grated mozzarella (200g) Micro parsley, to garnish (optional) 1 Spray a 35cm round pizza tray with a perforated base with cooking oil. 2 Trim ends from baguettes and cut into 2cm slices. Place slices, cut-side up side by side on the prepared tray. Spray with oil. 3 Cook in a hot oven (200°C) for about 5 minutes, or until crisp. Remove and stand for 5 minutes. 4 Meanwhile, cut brie into ½cm-wide slices. Cut each slice in half crossways. 5 Spread cranberry sauce over toasted bread. Top with brie then…

Dave Kroupa was enjoying life. Dating again in his 30s was daunting, but he’d matched with Liz Golyar on the dating site Plenty of Fish. A 42-year-old single mum of two, she shared his love of motorbikes, heavy metal music and sci-fi movies. Having recently separated from his long-term partner and mother of his two kids, Dave, then 34, wasn’t ready for anything too serious. So when Liz agreed to keep their relationship casual, it was music to his ears. And when single mum Cari Farver, then 37, walked into Dave’s car repair shop a few months later, he was instantly attracted to her too. There was no harm in dating them both, he thought, as long as he was honest about it. The pair went out to dinner, but…

Q All through my adult life I have suffered intermittently with dermatitis. It often flares up when I’m under pressure and usually affects my hands. I think I’ve taken too much on during the run-up to Christmas, and I’ve broken out in dermatitis all over my face. I can’t get an appointment to see my GP until next week. I have some steroid cream I was prescribed for my hands a while ago – can I use that? A It’s most likely to be a strong steroid, which we wouldn’t advise using on the delicate skin on your face. You can buy a weaker steroid cream (hydrocortisone) over the counter at your pharmacy that you could try. Your GP may be able to prescribe something else, but they would…

It was a few weeks before Christmas when I took my niece to the shopping centre to see Santa Claus. Mia, who was as sweet as a candy store, asked for a toy bear, a tennis racquet, and a new boyfriend for her Aunty Phoebe. ‘Because her heart hurts,’ Mia told Santa. ‘That’s okay, Santa,’ I chimed in. ‘I know that’s outside your regular duties.’ ‘Maybe, but since it’s her wish, I’ll see what I can do,’ Santa said with a smile. Mia and I spent the next hour Christmas shopping. I bought my sister a porcelain figurine of an angel. My friend Rachel at the gift store carefully wrapped the angel and put it in a carry bag for me. But after we got off the bus, I realised…

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20 Prefer to keep things casual with someone? They might be on the same page. Committed in love? Spice things up while the kids or housemates are away. Lose any expectations about Christmas dinner at a loved one’s abode. LUCKY NUMBERS 8, 18, 20 Taurus Apr 21 – May 21 Given the time it takes to do a home project, online assessment or financial agreement, it might be wise to circle extra days for festive preparations. That ongoing rivalry comes to a happy head on Monday. LUCKY NUMBERS 3, 5, 6 Gemini May 22 – Jun 21 A new member of your social circle naturally deserves respect, Gemini, but suss out whether their intentions are genuine before committing to Chrissy plans. Your inner fitness…