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"She's my favourite superhero": Thor shares sweet snaps of daughter

<p dir="ltr">Chris Hemsworth has shared two heartwarming images of his daughter India Rose on the set of <em>Thor</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actor shared the adorable before-and-after on his Instagram calling his daughter “my favourite superhero”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Here’s two pics of me and my daughter. One was the first time she was on set 11 years ago, the other is the most recent on <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em>. She’s my favourite superhero,” the caption read. </p> <p dir="ltr">The first image shows the Aussie actor in his Thor outfit looking down at baby India who is looking up at him. </p> <p dir="ltr">The next image shows an 11-year-old India sitting in her father’s lap together on set while a director's clapperboard is seen in the foreground.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf42f-fvfTg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf42f-fvfTg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">India appears in <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em> as the daughter of Christian Bale's Gorr at the beginning of the film</p> <p dir="ltr">Chris previously said that it was great having his kids on set but he wouldn’t want them to pursue a career in acting anytime soon.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's really cool. They really wanted to be in it," he told celebrity interviewer Kevin McCarthy.. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Taika [Waititi] had his children in there. Christian Bale had his. Natalie [Portman] had her kids as well.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't want them to now go and be child stars and actors. It was just a special experience we all had, and I loved it. They had a great time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Deborah James sees the rose named after her

<p dir="ltr">Podcast host Deborah James’ visit to the annual Chelsea Flower Show was made particularly special when she was able to see a rose that has been named after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">James visited the show on Tuesday with her husband, where the couple were taken on an hour-long private tour and posed for photos alongside her namesake flower.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Flowers are a reminder of our future,” James said, per the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61587714" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. “We plant the seed not knowing what we might see grow.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Being around nature gives us a lift and it is a reminder that life continues to blossom, even in some of the hardest places, and brings a smile to all of our faces, even in the hardest of times - particularly mine.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-08540c7c-7fff-cd53-eb12-24d742270dba"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">James also shared the news with her fans on social media several days before her visit to Chelsea, admitting that she “actually cried” when Word of Roses and the Harkness Rose Company, which bred the rose, asked if they could name the flower after her.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Roses are my favourite flowers and I hope this one will brighten the smiles for all!” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">James said she hoped the flower might feature in her daughter Eloise’s wedding bouquet in the future.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What breaks my heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety will and can now be grown forever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her wedding bouquet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old journalist <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/we-have-tried-everything-tv-host-stops-cancer-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently revealed</a> that she would be receiving end-of-life care for her bowel cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7390d14b-7fff-e75f-e41c-3e2c2371b27b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Following her health update, over £3 million was raised for her campaign, the Bowelbabe Fund and James received a damehood from Prince William, who visited her home to present her with the honour.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The sale of Dame Deborah James Roses will also contribute to her cause, with £2.50 from every rose sale being paid to the Bowelbabe campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What also brings me so much joy is to know that the rose will also be incorporated into the company’s new Community Gardening Scheme which aims to get more vulnerable groups and people from underrepresented backgrounds involved in gardening,” James wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Harkness have pledged to give away 1,000 Dame Deborah James roses to community gardens across the UK this autumn time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">James described the rose variety as a “floribunda” which produces masses of white blooms with a subtle “ballet slipper pink” centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">The flowers will also be available to pre-order for delivery in Autumn 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cded974-7fff-fe43-7693-6aae9420c666"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bowelbabe (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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Man charged with inciting others to arrest WA Premier Mark McGowan

<p dir="ltr">A 74-year-old has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-11/geraldton-man-charged-with-inciting-others-to-arrest-wa-premier/100822884" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> for allegedly posting videos to social media inciting people to arrest WA Premier Mark McGowan and other government ministers.</p><p dir="ltr">Wayne Kenneth Glew, who is part of an informal “sovereign citizens” movement, was arrested by officers from the State Security Investigation Group at his property in Glenfield, in mid-west WA.</p><p dir="ltr">Mr Glew has been charged with inciting another to commit an indictable offence, after it was alleged he posted a series of videos on social media using threatening language and calling on others to arrest government and health officials.</p><p dir="ltr">He made the videos after documents claiming to be arrest warrants were handed in at Perth Police Station in January.</p><p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time Mr Glew has caused trouble, after he was declared a “vexatious litigant” (meaning he takes legal action without sufficient reason) by the WA Supreme Court.</p><p dir="ltr">In 2018, his property was seized by the local council in lieu of $300,000 in council rates and legal costs, which he refused to pay because he believed local governments were unconstitutional. At the trial, he <a href="https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/wayne-glew-v-city-of-greater-geraldton-man-ejected-from-court-gallery-ng-b881082056z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cited</a> the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights, and questioned the magistrate’s authority to hear the case.</p><p dir="ltr">Mr Glew is a member of the informal movement of “freemen” or “sovereign citizens” who believe Australian laws only apply if you consent to them.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e655a0e-7fff-c9b2-7d19-10f65f08ed4b"></span></p><p dir="ltr">The former police officer also has a significant following on social media, where he shared a document that he claims allows individuals to become “Commonwealth Public Officers” by pledging their allegiance to the Queen.</p><p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/whackjob-form.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Wayne Glew claims that one can become a “Commonwealth Public Officer” by simply completing this form and having it witness, even though impersonating a Commonwealth public official can lead to serious consequences. Image: Wayne Glew CPO (Facebook)</em></p><p dir="ltr">In a separate matter, two people were charged with falsely representing themselves as Commonwealth public officials after they served electronic arrest warrants on government officials.</p><p dir="ltr">Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Todd White, the officer in charge of the State Security Investigation Group, said the documents and those handed in to Perth Police Station were not lawful.</p><p dir="ltr">“Any person impersonating either a Commonwealth or state public official, or attempting to serve or enforce these types of documents, may commit an offence and could be subject to a police investigation,” he said.</p><p dir="ltr">Mr Glew was granted bail and is due to face Geraldton Magistrates Court in March.</p><p dir="ltr">The other two people were also granted bail and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court later this month.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-836d3946-7fff-fee3-7821-b23ead7171e9"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Wayne Glew (Facebook)</em></p>

Legal

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"As fake as they come": Oprah blasted by fellow Hollywood star

<p>The talk show queen has come under fire by fellow Hollywood star, Rose McGowan, who claims her “fake” persona hides the “ugly truth”.</p> <p>Oprah was well-known for her top-rating talk show but now she’s become famous for being able to get all the biggest names to talk to her about how they really feel – including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.</p> <p>But now she’s being accused of faking her support of the #<em>MeToo</em> movement by activist and actress Rose McGowan.</p> <p>Known for her roles in major movies and the TV series <em>Charmed,</em> McGowan posted a scathing tweet about the talk show queen, describing her as “as fake as they come”.</p> <p>“I am glad more are seeing the ugly truth of @Oprah,” McGowan tweeted, along with an old photo of Winfrey, now 67, virtually kissing convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.</p> <p>“I wish she were real, but she isn’t.” tweets McGowan.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I am glad more are seeing the ugly truth of <a href="https://twitter.com/Oprah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Oprah</a>. I wish she were real, but she isn’t. From being pals with Weinstein to abandoning &amp; destroying Russell Simmon’s victims, she is about supporting a sick power structure for personal gain, she is as fake as they come. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lizard?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lizard</a> <a href="https://t.co/RCuXNpWCU0">pic.twitter.com/RCuXNpWCU0</a></p> — Rose 🌊McGowan (@rosemcgowan) <a href="https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1432065449903153157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>Herself an outspoken survivor of sexual assault, McGowan continues: “From being pals with Weinstein to abandoning &amp; destroying Russell Simmon’s [sic] victims, she is about supporting a sick power structure for personal gain, she is as fake as they come. #lizard.”</p> <p>Weinstein’s long list of alleged sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s was the catalyst for the #MeToo movement in October 2017, with McGowan being one of the first of dozens of women to accuse him of rape.</p> <p>The disgraced film producer, who has denied having “any non-consensual sex,” was found guilty of two felonies in February 2020 and is currently serving time in Wende Correctional Facility.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Russell Simmons has also been accused of rape and sexual misconduct by 20 women. The music executive, 63, has denied the accusations and kept a low profile in recent years, though he resurfaced in the Hamptons earlier this month.</p> <p><strong>McGowan’s tweet refers to an earlier documentary</strong></p> <p>It appears McGowan’s tweet refers to an earlier documentary which Oprah was going to be involved with. This 2020 documentary titled <em>On The Record</em> was centred around Simmons’ alleged sexual misconduct.</p> <p>While she was originally on board to executive-produce the project, she ended up backing out, citing differences with the film’s directors.</p> <p>In a statement, Winfrey said: “I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on the untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary, and it will not air on Apple TV+,” Winfrey said in a statement to the <em>Hollywood Reporter</em> in January 2020.</p> <p>“I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”</p> <p><strong>Not the first time McGowan has accused a celebrity of ‘faking’ it</strong></p> <p>This is not the first time McGowan has publicly accused a high-profile figure of faking their support of the #MeToo movement.</p> <p>Last year, she hit out at her <em>Charmed </em>co-star Alyssa Milano, calling her a #MeToo “fraud”.</p> <p>The ugly Twitter spat occurred when Milano expressed her support for then-Presidential candidate Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.</p> <p>McGowan has long been opposed to Biden after claims he had sexually assaulted Tara Reade, leading her to label Milano a fraud and a liar.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

TV

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A beautiful new rose for Phillip

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Queen Elizabeth was overwhelmed when she was gifted a special present on what would have been Prince Philip's 100th birthday.</p> <p>Her Majesty is a Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society and was gifted a specially-bred rose that has been named in memory of her late husband.</p> <p>The flower, called the Duke of Edinburgh Rose, was gifted to the Queen on Wednesday the 2nd, but photos have only been released on what would have been the Duke's birthday, the 10th of June.</p> <p>"Whilst being very poignant, it was also a delight to give Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Duke of Edinburgh Rose to mark what would have been HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's 100th birthday and to remember his remarkable life," President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Keith Weed said in a statement from Buckingham Palace.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6rNW3HiPR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6rNW3HiPR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Harkness Roses (@harknessroses)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>&gt;</p> <p>"The Duke's devotion to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the natural world leaves a lasting legacy."</p> <p>The rose was bred by Harkness Roses and has a "deep-ink colour dappled with white lines" and are "perfect as vase flowers".</p> <p>For every rose sold, the company will donate $5 to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Living Legacy Fund.</p> <p>"We are thrilled to introduce this brand-new commemorative rose to remember the remarkable life of The Duke of Edinburgh," managing director Philip Harkness said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COh1HEsn1q5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COh1HEsn1q5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Harkness Roses (@harknessroses)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"In buying this rose you will also be giving one million more young people the opportunity to do their DofE Award, so not only is this rose spectacular to look at, but you will also be raising funds for a very worthy cause."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

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Spring has sprung for the Royal family!

<p><span>The royal family love many things, and spring is one of them.</span><br /><br /><span>Buckingham Palace took to Instagram to show off Her Majesty’s wonderful garden, and even took the time to share just how wonderful the Palace’s Rose Garden is during the spring.</span><br /><br /><span>"Sunrise over the lake in the Buckingham Palace Garden. Today marks the first official day of spring, as we all look towards brighter days ahead," the caption read.</span><br /><br /><span>"The garden at The Queen's London residence sees much change over the course of a year. Despite its urban location, the garden is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna."</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMou5gEnO1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMou5gEnO1I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>"The thought of summer. Let's hope we can try and get back to normal. Whatever, that will be!!" one user wrote in the comments. .</span><br /><br /><span>The positive Instagram post follows after it was announced that the Queen's Official Birthday Parade would not go ahead as usual.</span><br /><br /><span>In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "Following consultation with government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that The Queen's Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London."</span><br /><br /><span>"Options for an alternative Parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered."</span><br /><br /><span>Trooping the Colour was supposed to happen on June 12 to mark the monarch's 95th birthday and would have taken place two days after Prince Philip's 100th birthday.</span><br /><br /><span>It was also announced that the annual Garter Service, which is usually held around June, would not take place this year either.</span></p>

Home & Garden

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New Zealand travellers burst Australia's travel bubble

<p>Travellers arriving as part of the newly minted international arrangements with New Zealand have left state authorities scrambling after taking internal flights to jurisdictions outside of the travel bubble.</p> <p>Under the original arrangements, passengers from New Zealand were permitted to enter New South Wales and the Northern Territory.</p> <p>But on Friday night, it was revealed that a few trans-Tasman arrivals took connecting flights to Melbourne.</p> <p>Authorities in Victoria have now spoken to all 55 people who were gearing up to arrive in the state to explain local coronavirus rules.</p> <p>The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a statement saying some of the travellers were in family groups, with most of them staying in private homes.</p> <p>Three of the travellers expected to enter the state remained in NSW.</p> <p>And one who was in Victoria returned to NSW on Sunday.</p> <p>"Twenty-one of the 55 travellers arrived at Melbourne Airport … the remainder arrived using other modes of transport," the statement said.  </p> <p>"DHHS authorised officers continue to meet incoming flights at Melbourne Airport and provide information to arriving passengers."</p> <p>Authorities in West Australia have also confirmed 23 people, including a child, all from New Zealand, are currently in hotel or home quarantine after flying into Perth overnight. </p> <p>WA has a hard border and Premier Mark McGowan said the Federal Government needed to provide more support.</p> <p>"We would like further assistance from the Commonwealth, in particular, about making sure that those people who come on aircraft into WA that we get proper manifests and proper advice as to those people that are coming so we can deal with these situations," he said.</p> <p>Unlike Western Australia, Victoria does not have restrictions on incoming arrivals, but Premier Daniel Andrews has issued criticism over the way events unfolded.</p> <p>He said his government had repeatedly requested to be excluded from the arrangement.</p> <p>"We were asked, 'Do you want to be in the bubble?' and we said no," Mr Andrews told reporters on Sunday, as he announced easing of restrictions in the state.</p>

Travel Trouble

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"My little hatchling!" Nicole Kidman shares first look at daughter's Hollywood debut

<p>Nicole Kidman’s youngest children are choosing to follow in her footsteps. </p> <p>The 52-year-old actress and mother of four celebrated her eight-year-old daughter’s voice role in the new kids movie <em>Angry Birds 2</em>. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0mjbsXgPP0/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0mjbsXgPP0/" target="_blank">My little hatchling Faith in the #AngryBirds2Movie 💕</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nicolekidman/" target="_blank"> Nicole Kidman</a> (@nicolekidman) on Jul 31, 2019 at 6:09pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"My little hatchling Faith in the #AngryBirds2Movie," the <em>Big Little Lies</em> star wrote on Instagram, with a short clip from the animated movie attached alongside.</p> <p>The movie features both Faith Margaret and her big sister, Sunday Rose, 11. </p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829198/nicole-kidman.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5bd049cb97944986921ef4d52507ba5e" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Left to right: Faith Margaret, 8, Sunday Rose, 11, Nicole Kidman</em></p> <p>The two girls whose father is Keith Urban will play young hatchlings in the film alongside <em>Wonder Woman’s</em> Gal Gadot’s daughter.</p> <p>The celebrity children appearances do not end there though as Viola Davis’ seven-year-old daughter, Genesis will play a role in the film as well. </p> <p>This also isn’t the first time Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose have gotten a taste of what it's like to be on set as they intially made their acting debut earlier this year in two episodes of <em>Big Little Lies</em>. </p> <p>"They're not coddled on the set. And that's good for them,” Nicole told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.you.co.uk/nicole-kidman-interview-2019/" target="_blank"><em>You</em> </a>magazine earlier this year. </p> <p>“It's given them a stronger understanding of what I do. It's made us all closer.”</p> <p><em>Angry Birds 2</em> is Nicole’s little girls first major roles. </p> <p>Kidman met musician Keith Urban in 2005 and they married the following year. In 2008, she gave birth to Sunday Rose and later in 2010 welcomed Faith Margaret via surrogacy. </p>

Movies

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English rose! Duchess Kate's flawless style – pretty in pink

<p>The royal family hosted the second annual garden party of the season and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance alongside their grandmother, the Queen.</p> <p>Duchess Kate looked absolutely stunning in a classic and regal look for the special occasion, choosing a summer baby pink.</p> <p>The royal member paired a coat-dress from one of her favourite designers, Alexander McQueen, along with a gorgeous matching headpiece by Juliette Botterill.</p> <p>The 37-year-old also adorned a pair of delicate pearl earrings which once belonged to the late Princess Diana.</p> <p>To tie the look altogether, the royal threw on a pair of classic nude suede pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a clutch by Loeffler Randall.</p> <p>The Queen dressed in a powder blue Stuart Parvin coat with a flora silk dress in shades of pink, blue and taupe. On her head, the royal member adorned a gorgeous hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan.</p> <p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted with Jonathan Jenkins and Lindsey Dixon from London’s Air Ambulance while at the event.</p> <p>The annual Buckingham palace garden parties began in the 1860s by Queen Victoria as a way to recognise and reward the hard work of those in public service jobs.</p> <p>While discussing the Chelsea Flower Show, Ms Dixon shared a hearty congratulations while the Duchess replied: “Oh no, it was a real family affair, I couldn’t have done it without William and the children. We were all very involved.”</p> <p>Royal fans have been spoilt the last few days by the Duchess of Cambridge, who has appeared at a number of events in breathtaking looks, thanks to the Chelsea Flower Show.</p> <p>The magnificent event involved a special garden the Duchess co-designed alongside other landscape designers to create a “back to nature” theme and yesterday after months of planning it was finally unveiled.</p> <p>Every year the Queen invited over 30,000 people to attend the parties, and while men are asked to wear morning or lounge suits, women are requested to dress in a “day” dress and usually with a hat or fascinator.</p> <p>Also present at the event was the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the royal family’s gorgeous looks for the royal garden party.</p>

News

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Do it yourself: Plant bare-root roses

<p>The best time to plant roses is winter, when they are in a period of dormancy. It’s also when roses are readily available as budget-friendly bare-root plants. In this form they look just like a bunch of thorny sticks, so read the plant tag carefully. The tag gives you a good description of what the rose will look like in bloom, and the conditions in which it should be grown.</p> <p>Rose breeders are constantly coming up with beautiful new colours, scents and forms, and enthusiasts look forward to seeing what’s in store for next season. There are also trends in growing, so a type of rose that was popular decades ago can make a comeback. Think about what you want from a rose before you head to the nursery. To cover a wall or fence you should choose a climber rather than a shrub rose. But to create big blocks of colour or mass plantings, use floribunda rather than miniature varieties.  </p> <p>Before planting, cut back the stems to above a healthy bud and remove any spindly looking shoots. Cut back long shoots by a third to a half, and trim excessively long roots to about 250mm so they fit in the planting hole.</p> <p><strong>Growing guide:</strong></p> <p>Follow these simple steps on how to plant and care for roses for years of beautiful blooms.<br /> <br /><strong><u>PLANT</u></strong> in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6 and added organic material.<br /> <br /><strong><u>CHOOSE </u></strong>a sunny, sheltered position and do not underplant.<br /> <br /><strong><u>SPACE </u></strong>plants about a metre apart for good air circulation to help prevent fungal diseases.<br /> <br /><strong><u>WATER </u></strong>regularly the first year and deeply in hot, dry weather.<br /> <br /><strong><u>CHECK</u></strong> regularly for pests or diseases and treat immediately. <br /> <br /><strong><u>DEADHEAD </u></strong>flowers as they finish blooming to encourage more flowers and tear off any suckers as they appear.<br /> <br /><strong><u>PRUNE</u></strong> in winter and apply a preventative fungicide.<br /> <br /><strong><u>FERTILISE</u></strong> regularly for healthy growth and plenty of blooms.<br /> <br /><strong>TIP:</strong> Companion plant roses with chives to avoid powdery mildew.</p> <p><strong>Types of Roses:</strong></p> <p>A single rose flower is normally made up of five petals, where you can see the centre of the bloom. A double has the appearance of another flower inside the five petals. There are seven types of roses, with various sizes and habits.</p> <p><strong>1. Species rose</strong></p> <p>A single flower of five petals, some double flowered. Blooms in spring with ferny foliage. Varieties include: Moyesii, Primula and Rugosa. </p> <p><strong>2. Climbing and rambling roses</strong></p> <p>Climbing plants that can reach up to three metres in height. Climbers have a single fragrant bloom while ramblers have trusses of flowers. Flower display in spring.</p> <p>Climber varieties include, Clair Matin, Climbing Iceberg and Golden Showers. </p> <p>Rambler varieties include, Albertine, Dorothy Perkins and Excelsa. </p> <p><strong>3. Floribunda rose</strong></p> <p>Large clusters of flowers that may be single, semi-double or double. Blooms throughout the year. Varieties include, Apricot Nectar, Iceberg, Sexy Rexy and Satchmo. </p> <p><strong>4. Modern shrub rose</strong></p> <p>Bushy plant with an average height and width of two metres. Single or double flowers that repeat-bloom. Flower display in spring, summer and autumn. Varieties include, Autumn Delight, Golden Wings, Felicia, Titanic and Uncle Walter. </p> <p><strong>5. Old rose</strong></p> <p>Double flowers with strong fragrance. Blooms in late spring and early summer. Varieties inlcude, Charles de Mills, William Lobb, Celsiana Cecile and Brunner. </p> <p><strong>6. Miniature rose</strong></p> <p>Semi-double or double flowers 20 to 40mm in diameter with bushes 200 to 500mm high. Blooms in spring, summer and autumn. Varieties inlcude, Beauty Secret, Gold Coin, Rise ’n’ Shine, Starina and Love Potion. </p> <p><strong>7. Hybrid tea rose</strong></p> <p>Deeply scented double flowers that are up to 150mm across. Blooms in spring, summer and autumn. Varieties include, Double Delight, Fragrant Cloud, Mister Lincoln and Pascali. </p> <p><strong>How to plant bare root roses:</strong></p> <p>Before planting, cut back the stems to above a healthy bud and remove any spindly looking shoots. Cut back long shoots by a third to a half, and trim excessively long roots to about 250mm so they fit in the planting hole.</p> <p><strong><u>Step 1. Position the plant</u></strong></p> <p>Position in a hole that’s twice the width and the same depth as the bud join on the stem, spreading out the roots.</p> <p><strong><u>Step 2. Backfill with soil</u></strong></p> <p>Backfill a little at a time and use your fingers to gently work the soil under and around the roots to eliminate air pockets.</p> <p><strong><u>Step 3. Firm the soil</u></strong></p> <p>Firm down the soil when the hole is completely filled and water deeply to ensure there are no air pockets below the surface.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/plant-bare-root-roses">Handyman Australia</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Homemade rose fertiliser

<p>Roses love humus, and soil rich in organic matter will result in healthy plants and generous flowers. Fork in compost, animal manure, shredded and washed seaweed, small dead animals and birds, or a bit of blood and bone – whatever you have access to.</p> <p>If you can get your hands on a bag of lucerne chaff, fork in a cupful around each rose. It works wonders.</p> <p>If you can't easily get organic matter, commercial fertilisers for roses are fine. Follow the maker's instructions and don't be tempted to overfeed. The plant can assimilate only a certain amount and there will be plenty of opportunities for additional feeding through the season. </p> <p>Or you can be adventurous and try the magic recipe given to <em>NZ Gardener's</em> long-time rose columnist Barbara Lea Taylor by an elderly rose nurseryman many years ago, and passed on from one gardener to another ever since due to its almost miraculous effect.</p> <p>You can buy these ingredients at garden centres or big department stores: </p> <ul> <li>3kg sulphate of ammonia </li> <li>1kg iron sulphate</li> <li>2.5kg potash </li> <li>1kg dried blood</li> <li>1kg Epsom salts</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Mix it all up in a wheelbarrow and give each rose about 2 tablespoons forked in and watered around the drip line. Very large bushes and climbers might need more.</li> <li>If you have some left over, it will store well if you keep it in a dry place, and you will need to feed the roses again in December.  </li> <li>If the soil is dry, don't forget to water well after applying fertilisers of any kind. No fertiliser is going to do anything for a rose if it is lying on top of the soil.</li> </ol> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Roasted rhubarb, strawberry and rose conserve

<p>Roasted rhubarb, and rose conserve, made with sweet strawberries that have been kissed by the sun is a delightful taste of summer.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Makes:</span> </strong>2 x 300g jars</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients: </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>500g strawberries, washed and leaves removed</li> <li>5-6 rhubarb stalks leaves removed, about 300g</li> <li>½ cup (100g) sugar</li> <li>Juice of ½ a lemon, about 2 tablespoons</li> <li>2-3 teaspoons rose water</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven 180 degrees Celsius.</li> <li>Cut the strawberries into halves, and rhubarb into 3cm lengths. Place on a lined baking tray and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Mix well and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes until the fruit is tender and fragrant.</li> <li>Scoop fruit and juices into a shallow saucepan, and add the remaining sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over a moderate heat.</li> <li>Cook uncovered, stirring regularly until thickened – about 20 minutes. Keep in mind the conserve will thicken some as it cools. Add the rose water to taste. Remove from the heat and cover.</li> <li>Sterilise 2 x 300g jars. Place clean jars in a 120C oven for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, boil lids for 10 minutes, drain and air dry. Carefully remove one jar from the oven, place on a wooden board and fill immediately with the hot conserve (reheated if needed). Wipe the rim and secure the hot lid. Repeat with the second jar. Cool completely, then check lids are sealed.</li> <li>Store in a cool dark pantry and use within six months. Once opened keep in the fridge and consume within four weeks.</li> </ol> <p><em>Find comprehensive home preserving guidelines in my new cookbook, </em>Homegrown Kitchen – Everyday Recipes for Eating Well<em>. For more of Nicola's recipes visit, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.homegrown-kitchen.co.nz/" target="_blank">Homegrown-Kitchen.co.nz</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em>Written by Nicola Galloway. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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How “family Christmas” has changed over the years

<p><em><strong>Rose Osborne, 67, was a registered nurse for 45 years before retiring to become a personal historian, owner and creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">Write My Journey</a></span>, a life story writing service that turns memories into a beautiful hardcover book.</strong></em></p> <p>Is family Christmas what is once was, or has it changed? I guess it is different for everyone but for me there are huge differences and I get the sense that I am not the only one.</p> <p>Christmas in my youngest years was simply wonderful. They were held at my Nanna’s house and everyone I knew in my small world came for Christmas lunch. It started in Nanna’s kitchen full of the most delicious smell of turkey roasting in the wood-fired oven. Not that us kids were allowed in the kitchen, but true to our nature, we raced in on a pretend game of chase, so we could swirl our way through the mothers’ dresses and lose ourselves in the sheer heightened delight of Christmas excitement.</p> <p>How we all fitted around Nanna’s big table in that dark dining room, I have no idea. The kids sat with the adults and we all became intoxicated with the laughter and chatter that filled the room, not to mention the warm and delicious taste of Christmas foods.  </p> <p>After lunch, Nanna took the grandchildren into her parlour whilst the mothers did the washing up. Nan banged so loudly on her piano singing along to her songs, her large frame swayed from one side of the piano to the other and caused me to think ‘she will fall off that small piano stool if she is not careful’. </p> <p>Mid-afternoon saw the local priest come for a Christmas drink and everyone disappeared – except me. I sat firmly on the veranda floor and refused to move until Nanna conceded defeat and lectured me on sitting quietly - ‘it’s Father Victory you know’. Nanna had set up three outside chairs and a small table on her front veranda with a bowl of nuts, a beer for Grandad and the priest and a shandy for her. I know I was guilty of starring at Father Victory but I could not understand how a man who stood on the altar clothed in his beautiful ‘god’ gowns, drank beer and ate nuts – but his eyes never once returned my stare nor did his lips speak my name. </p> <p>After tea as the night-time darkness took possession of the expansive skies so the twinkling stars could shine as perfectly as possible, my cousins and I lay on the soft sweet-smelling grass and contemplated all the magic of the day. Why is every day not like this, I remember thinking?</p> <p>Eventually, Mum decided her family was big enough and we should have Christmas lunch at her place. I had eight siblings and we were all married with our own families and all lived out of town. Mum accommodated us all into her small 3-bedroom house for three days of celebration, food and happy events like dressing up as Santa Clause for the young children, games of darts and cards and just sitting under the coolness of the trees chatting in the close and personal scene that only a family can create. Mum cooked for a week to get it ready for us, but in the end, she had to say her pension could not cover the cost of the toilet paper that was used, let alone the food.</p> <p>So, we moved on to having Christmas with our own families in our homes. My children loved this, as secretly, they hated the six-hour drive to Nanna’s on Christmas Eve and they missed showing Santa’s loot to their friends. So, Christmas lunch became a quite affair punctuated with sharing drinks with neighbours and friends who stopped by.</p> <p>Now my children are married. One lives interstate and has married a Kiwi. They like to spend their Christmas vacation in New Zealand each year and only every so often, spend it with us. My other child, although local, shares custody of his two children and is on a rotating Christmas roster.</p> <p>So that leaves my dear old husband and I with a family Christmas every other year and the alternating year hiding either in our home or in some rented accommodation somewhere, holding our breath and hoping no-one notices we are family-less on Christmas Day – no presents, no Christmas dinner and no Christmas tree or décor. We always do however, have a drink and wish each other better luck next year.</p> <p>On reflection and in my calmer moments, I hear of other couples in the same situation. The situation may be like ours, or it could be Christmas Day must be shared with the in-laws. I hear of how young families don’t want to travel on Christmas Day as the traffic is so bad, the children want to stay at home and play with their toys, or families want a more relaxing Christmas Day and not the hustle and bustle of a huge family lunch.  ‘It’s too exhausting’ one told me.</p> <p>Whatever the story, family-less couples, like us, don’t broadcast the predicament – it’s like the elephant in the room. Our friends and other relatives know when it is our year to be family-less and no word is ever uttered – ‘the pre-Christmas celebrations are lovely, aren’t they’ they say.</p> <p>Christmas Day is changing along with society and everything else. ‘It’s ok’ my optimistic husband preaches to me constantly – but for me, I miss the big family celebrations terribly.</p> <p><em>Author note: This is the last of my articles for Over 60s. It has been a pleasure writing for Over 60s readers over the last two years. I thank you everyone for their comments and engagement, and I hope I have ignited and encouraged your love of your family history.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Why none of the women in my family go by our birth names

<p><strong><em>Rose Osborne, 67, was a registered nurse for 45 years before retiring to become a personal historian, owner and creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">Write My Journey</a></span>, a life story writing service that turns memories into a beautiful hardcover book.</em></strong></p> <p>Family history is so fascinating. The ladies in my family have a habit of changing their name several times throughout their life, and I am no exception; however, I have learnt from the masters. It was only when my Nan died I realised her name was not Pearl at all – it was Evangeline Florence.</p> <p>My birth name is Rosemary. My mother always called me <em>Rosemary</em> but other family members called me <em>Rose</em> and occasionally <em>Rosie</em> which I truly dislike. My mother called me by my full title, <em>Rosemary Jane</em>, when I was in trouble, so I associated my birth name to mean I was up for some punishment.</p> <p>When I travelled to the city to commence my nursing journey, I became <em>Rosemary</em>. In the system of trainee nursing in that era, you mostly were in trouble if someone summoned you by name – so it seemed perfectly reasonable.</p> <p>However, in my retirement phase and my emerging career as a personal historian, I have changed to <em>Rose</em> – it seems right. It’s short, rolls off the tongue in a pleasant way and I notice people’s eyes sparkle as they look at me and I repeat my name at their request. Pleasant thoughts of fragrant rose gardens and joyous times spent running and giggling around the formal garden paths are delicious childhood memories that obviously come to their mind. So, I mustn’t be in trouble with them I think. No-one bothers to go near <em>Rosie</em> these days except my annoying youngest brother who still calls me that out of his sheer delight.</p> <p>My ageing mother can’t understand it. “Rosemary is such a beautiful name,” she says to me.</p> <p>“You changed your name,” I remind her. My mum was born Gloria May and throughout her childhood was known as <em>Maisie</em>, a name she totally despised.  Mum did come from a time when people were never called by their original name. Aunt Betty was Elizabeth, Aunt Millicent was Milley, Aunt Slim came from Wendy, Aunt Acqua came from Jan and Aunt Soos came from Suzanna.</p> <p>When Mum reached middle-age, she felt she had dealt with<em> Maisie</em> long enough, so she became <em>Gloria</em>. This didn’t go down well with the family and <em>Gloria</em> seemed so formal after <em>Maisie</em>. She suffered many miserable and embarrassing explanations as to where the <em>Gloria</em> came from. So she changed once more, only this time to the more acceptable name of<em> May.</em> It suits her as she sits in her old recliner, sipping on her milky tea in her favourite dainty china tea cup and saucer covered in pink roses, her floral hand-crocheted rug drapes gently around her knees.</p> <p>She browses the multiple family albums I have made for her with people’s names printed so large underneath each photo. She shakes her head when she sees a child with a name she has never heard of, but in a true great-grandmotherly way, she moves her lips as if practising the pronunciation in case they turn up at her aged care home.</p> <p>She reflects on times gone-by but also the lives of young family members. Her aging memory encouraged me to do an album with each family having a few pages of photos showcasing their lives, their favourite activity or celebrating some recent success. It helps tease Mum’s mind to focus on that family and raise memories of the energy and joy they brought her as they chatted about their daily lives on their last visit.</p> <p>My sister’s decision was difficult for Mum to understand. It is beyond her as to why my sister moved her husband and two children to Canada in a house swap arrangement for over a year. “Why move from your beautiful house near the beach to all that cold?” she would say. “I don’t like the cold,” she adds in her feeble thready voice. Mum has never seen snow and the Canadian snow and mountainous terrain are so foreign to her.</p> <p>To increase Mum’s agitation, my sister moved away with the lovely name of <em>Therese</em>, and came back with <em>Terri</em> – a man’s name in Mum’s view. It is some years now that my sister has been called Terri and her eyes still become wet and sorrowful when unthinkingly someone calls her Therese. “My name is Terri,” she cries with a shrill in her voice ‘and don’t EVER call me <em>Trees</em> again”.</p> <p>“Well, at least they spelt your name right,” a younger sister wimps. “I only found out on my 50th birthday when I got my birth certificate to register for my adult education degree that my name is not my name. I love <em>Vivianne</em>, the name my mother gave me at birth. Who is this Vivien my father registered at the local Court House of Births Death and Marriages – <em>Vivien</em> is a boy’s name?”</p> <p>Poor Dad took to his grave guilt for not knowing how to spell a name he had never heard of. “I did my best,” he sighed as he realised he had messed up again.</p> <p>“I’m happy,” the baby of the family sits back and gloats. “I got <em>Kittie</em> from a TV show and I quite like it.”</p>

Family & Pets

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Maggie Beer’s chocolate cloud cake with nut cream and rose petals

<p>“As the name implies, this cake should be as light as air. It’s a total chocolate fix, having so little else to keep it afloat … unless you count the 10 eggs of course. And if the chocolate element isn’t indulgent enough, consider the filling of nut butter and whipped cream. There are many lovely nut butters out there, but my favourite for this would have to be macadamia butter, to really push us over the edge! Luckily, life always seems to offer up plenty of reasons to celebrate,” writes Maggie Beer in her new book <em>Maggie’s Recipes for Life.</em></p> <p>Based on the latest scientific research and with the help of one of the world’s leading Alzheimer’s researchers Professor Ralph Martins, Maggie has created more than 200 recipes that help provide the nutrients we need for optimum brain health. The proceeds from the cookbook will be shared between the Maggie Beer Foundation and the Lions Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves</span>:</strong> 10 – 12</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span>:</strong></p> <ul> <li>350 g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces</li> <li>50 g unsalted butter</li> <li>2 tablespoons raw honey</li> <li>10 free-range eggs, at room temperature, separated</li> <li>Pinch of sea salt flakes</li> <li>Organic fresh rose petals, to decorate (optional)</li> </ul> <p><em>For the nut cream</em></p> <ul> <li>200 ml whipping cream</li> <li>½ cup mint leaves, finely chopped</li> <li>100 g pure nut butter</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p>1. Preheat the oven to 150˚C fan-forced. Grease and line 2 x 20 cm spring form tins.</p> <p>2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of just-simmering water (don’t let the bottom of the bowl touch the water). Remove from the heat, stir in the honey and set aside.</p> <p>3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.</p> <p>4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until thick and pale. Slowly whisk in the chocolate mixture until just combined. Fold in one third of the egg whites, then ever so lightly, fold in the remaining whisked whites. (It is important to work quickly and not let the chocolate butter mixture get cold or it will set.)</p> <p>5. Divide the batter between the prepared tins. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer withdraws clean. Remove from the oven and stand on a wire rack until completely cooled.</p> <p>6. To make the nut cream, beat the cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, combine the mint, nut butter and a small amount of the whipped cream. Gently fold in the remaining cream.</p> <p>7. To assemble, place one of the cakes on a serving plate and spread half the nut cream over the top, leaving a 2cm border. Place the remaining cake on top and spread with the remaining cream. Scatter with rose petals, if using.</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong> The good news is that dark chocolate is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, particularly catechins and procyanidins, and these have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for your blood vessels. Chocolate also provides some iron, manganese and magnesium.</p> <p><img width="123" height="164" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/44276/1_123x164.jpg" alt="1 (36)" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>This is an extract from </em>Maggie’s Recipe for Life<em> by Maggie Beer with Professor Ralph Martins, published by Simon &amp; Schuster Australia, RRP $39.99. Photo credit: Dragan Radocaj</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Discovering the Renmark Rose Festival

<p>Flower lovers unite in South Australia.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>Only the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Now in its 23<sup>rd</sup> year, the Renmark Rose Festival runs for 10 days and is held in different towns all across the Riverland region along the Murray River. Its centred around the town of Renmark, which is home to 51 garden beds and more than 3,500 immaculately-tended rose bushes. And despite the name, it’s about much more than just roses – the festival is a celebration of the region’s best produce, multicultural communities and excellent hospitality.</p> <p><strong>What events are there?</strong></p> <p>Rather than a set schedule of events, many local businesses put on special programs or showings for the duration of the festival. Visit Ruston’s Roses, the largest rose garden in the country, learn about the region’s history at small museums, take a cruise along the river, enjoy a candlelight supper in the rose gardens or follow a self-guided art trail through local galleries and studios. The Renmark Rose Festival Fair is held on the first Saturday and has lots of stalls selling food, produce, arts and crafts, and plants. One of the best parts of the festival is the Riverland Open Gardens. People open their private gardens to members of the public, inviting them in to look at all their hard work for just a gold coin donation (much of which goes to charity). Participating gardens will have a special sign out the front or you can download the full list from the festival’s website.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/be3yKTZJrAY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>When is it?</strong></p> <p>The festival is held on the third weekend of October each year. This is the best time to experience the spring blooms in the region. The 2017 Renmark Rose Festival will be held from October 20 to 29.</p> <p><strong>Where is it?</strong></p> <p>The town of Renmark is in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is around 250 kilometres northeast of Adelaide and sits on the banks of the Murray River.</p> <p>Have you ever been to the festival?</p>

International Travel

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Your family photos are key to telling your story

<p><em><strong>Rose Osborne, 67, was a registered nurse for 45 years before retiring to become a personal historian, owner and creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">Write My Journey</a></span>, a life story writing service that turns memories into a beautiful hardcover book.</strong></em></p> <p>The elephant in the room with every single family I visit to discuss family stories is always the overstuffed box of photos shoved under the bed in the backroom. When I ask “Have you any photos to go with this story?” the answer is always the same. “Oh probably – in the box under the bed – but I can’t get it out, it’s too much. There’s torn albums and photos so old, just everything in that box”.</p> <p>“What a tragedy,” my inner voice screams out, “what morsels of memories and treasures are you missing out on.”</p> <p>“I can get it sorted for you if you like,” my calmed voice pleads with the client. “It won’t cost that much and it will be digital; we can organise them into specific albums, add stories, and it will become a family heirloom for all to share.”</p> <p>“Perhaps later”, is always the reply – but when is ‘later’ when the box has already been there a lifetime and just continues to expand on the concept of ‘overstuffed.’ The skip bin on moving out day is the most likely destination for unwanted overstuffed boxes.</p> <p>I understand the reluctance to embark on doing the job yourself, after all, it took me three years to organise my lifetime photos. These days, however, there are professional services that make it a breeze and the opportunity to unpack all those memories with a life story professional, and document stories that will be forgotten is priceless.</p> <p>When it was time to pack my mother up for the big move into the Aged Care Services, the overstuffed box of photos was recovered from under the bed. Photos that had never been shared, never been discussed and had not seen daylight for decades were exposed.</p> <p>My mother was a storyteller and had told many stories in her long life so we were amazed when she came out with this response to a mystery dark and old photo. We could put names to the people but not the context.</p> <p>“Where was this taken Mum?”</p> <p>“Oh, that was when we lived in St. Mary’s on the farm?”</p> <p>“You lived in St. Mary’s on a farm?”  We had never heard this one before. </p> <p>“Oh yes, it was when I was about five. Mum’s brothers just put us all on a truck and took us to the vegetable farm. They were farmers, you know.”</p> <p>“Yes, I knew that, but you ALL went to St. Mary’s to live on a vegetable farm.”</p> <p>“Yes, and we lived in a beautiful big farm house. I can see it with its wrap-around verandah. There were about 12 of us you know; Grandma, her boyfriend, her children and Mum and us.”</p> <p>“Where was Great Grandfather?” I quickly asked as I knew he was a favourite of Mum’s.</p> <p>“Oh, he was there.”</p> <p>The stories flowed, things we had never heard before and much more, including how they came back to the country town where they started from and remained all their lives.</p> <p>“A man came with a truck and made us all get in the back and sit on top of our belongings which were piled high. He took us back home – over 200 miles over the mountains. He had a gun in his pocket, you know.”</p> <p>The window of information was gone as quickly as it had begun. The opportunity to gain insight into my ancestors’ life journey was no more. Luckily the story came in time to make it into the family tribute album along with the photo so all generations could reflect on many more questions about the strange and secretive relocation to an outer Sydney suburb of shrubbery and market gardens. The biggest question of all about the man with the gun looms heavily and we shall never know the full explanation.</p> <p>Photos and stories are so precious and deserve a place on the coffee tables and bookshelves of all the family members. It is a journey you will never regret and if it is lost, it can’t be regained.</p> <p>If you do one thing today, make it something that counts. Go into that room with the overstuffed box of photos, pull them out and don’t put them back until they digitalised, explained and gracing your home with their magic and fullness of lives lived – your family’s life journey.  You may even want to find a better storage system for those precious photos in case a future descendant wants to do more with them.</p> <p><em>OFFER: If you would like Write My Journey to organise your photos and family stories, contact us for a FREE 15-minute review on your life story. Rose Osborne also does guest speaking to small groups on Writing your Life. If you want more information, read your way through my website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">www.writemyjourney.com</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Read Rose’s past columns on life writing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/rose-osborne-guide-to-telling-life-story/" target="_blank">here</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/02/rose-osborne-who-is-the-storyteller-in-your-family/" target="_blank">here</a></span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/03/rose-osborne-on-best-way-to-tell-your-family-history/" target="_blank">here</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/04/rose-osborne-on-creating-family-scrapbook/" target="_blank">here</a></span>.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Rose Osborne</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Create a family scrapbook with a difference

<p><em><strong>Rose Osborne, 67, was a registered nurse for 45 years before retiring to become a personal historian, owner and creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">Write My Journey</a></span>, a life story writing service that turns memories into a beautiful hardcover book.</strong></em></p> <p>A client rang recently wanting a solution to keeping their elderly grandmother, Vera, orientated with all that was going on in the extended family. Too many names, too many faces and too much activity is a challenge for anyone. The family members had no time for a big project and so needed something that was achievable with minimal effort.</p> <p>I suggested a Family Album Scrapbook. The scrapbook would target the special needs of Vera with large writing, clear themes and tagged photos.</p> <p>The client and I set about listing all family members and identified them into groups and sub-groups. It was decided that Vera’s seven children were a priority to Vera and she always sought information on what was happening with them so they became the prime groups. Their families formed sub-groups. This meant we had three generations of family to consider.</p> <p>A spokesperson for each of Vera’s seven children was chosen and contacted. My request was simple: Could you please give me a digital copy of family activities for the past 12 months?”</p> <p>Into their smart phone photo galleries they all went and the photos streamed into my inox – children’s parties, 40th birthday parties, 21st and 18th celebrations, family holidays, graduations and so on. Even ordinary events like bike riding, soccer games, cricket, dancing and picnics were included and before long, we had many photos to choose from.</p> <p>Working with my list of family members, my client and I put a name to each person in the photos until we had everyone included. Within each family group, I worked on generations and then activity themes.</p> <p>A collage of photos of a theme were put together to give dimension to the story. Any photos that needed explanation, I gave a quick phone call to the spokesperson for a more detailed account and from that, I was able to write a few sentences on each page.</p> <p>The assembly of the Family Scrapbook was a pleasure. Using good photobook software that was easily accessible online, I commenced work. I loaded a favourite family photo of Vera’s to remind her of the focus of the book on page one. Each of Vera’s siblings was allocated a few pages.  </p> <p>A family photo highlighted each sub-group with their descendants and then the relevant activities of those family members. Each photo was clearly labelled in large black regular font.</p> <p>The grandchildren and great-grandchildren were impressive and diverse in their interests and activities. Their little personalities seemed to jump off the page particularly when we created a collage of similar photos, e.g. trail bike riding or dancing.</p> <p>The Scrapbook told its own story as it unfolded. Although we clearly named each person, the only life dates included were those of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Vera was always interested in how old the children were. We did include on the back page, the list of family members and their life details as a reference for future family historians.</p> <p>Family members were invited to write a few sentences to Vera or they were able to ring me and I wrote their verbal contribution. There was only one spokesperson that was ‘too busy’ but in the end, came to the party because ‘everyone else had’.</p> <p>I decorated the book in colours and designs that I knew Vera loved and presented the album in a beautiful presentation box complete with silk lining. Vera was thrilled.</p> <p>The outcomes were amazing.</p> <p>Many of the family ordered their own book to keep as a record of the period in their lives and their extended family.</p> <p>Vera loved the book which she gazed at it daily while she sat quietly in her chair with her crochet rug over her knees. She saw patterns in people’s lives that triggered some lost or hidden memory in her mind and little snippets of stories emerged that simply delighted her. Her face became animated and her eyes danced as she chatted about people and events past and present.  </p> <p>I only hope that someone flicked on their smart phone to start recording stories that Vera offered to her lucky visitor. Hopefully, I will get a request for a follow-up book that will tell all those wonderful stories that Vera has shared.</p> <p>Our lives are like tiles forming a mosaic and together, trigger a magnificent story that is important. The stories of families are heirlooms that just need preserving and it is just the little things that create the magic. Ordinary details are the connections that future generations will crave.</p> <p>We ensure our wealth is preserved, so why not our life stories? Aren’t they more important?</p> <p><em>OFFER: If you would like Write My Journey to write your life story, contact us for a FREE 15-minute review on your life story. Rose Osborne also does guest speaking to small groups on Writing your Life. If you want more information, read your way through my website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/">www.writemyjourney.com</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Read Rose’s past columns on life writing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/rose-osborne-guide-to-telling-life-story/">here</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/02/rose-osborne-who-is-the-storyteller-in-your-family/">here</a></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/03/rose-osborne-on-best-way-to-tell-your-family-history/">here</a></span>.</strong></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Finding the best way to tell your family history

<p><em><strong>Rose Osborne, 67, was a registered nurse for 45 years before retiring to become a personal historian, owner and creator of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/" target="_blank">Write My Journey</a></span>, a life story writing service that turns memories into a beautiful hardcover book.</strong></em></p> <p>I recently had a client who wanted his life story documented in a book. He started at the day he was born and did not stop talking until he got to the present date. It was like an avalanche of dates, events, people’s names and places all thrown into a casserole pot and it caused me to take a breath and exhale some information of my own.</p> <p>“Do you think your family and future generations will want to know the exact date you attended each and every event in your life?” “Do you think they would rather know how you felt through your experiences and what emotions they evoked in you?” I added. </p> <p>Everyone has a different perspective on how they want their life story remembered and perhaps I was a little harsh. A chronological list of life events and people that amble past us in life might seem an easy way to go, but I wonder if each of us has enjoyed a life that is more than that.</p> <p>People become daunted and overwhelmed with the thought of documenting their life story. It is a mind shift to thinking in terms of ‘memories’ or ‘anecdotes’ or even just ‘stories.' You can still add your dates and events, but the outcome will be far more interesting and real – the story of you.  Everyday joys and sorrows are the fertile ground connecting generations, and they become the gateway to the wider memory of the fullness of your life.</p> <p>Here are some ideas to get you going and keep yourself going. </p> <p><strong>Organise yourself</strong></p> <ul> <li>Find yourself a writing space – this is important. It is helpful if you can leave your materials in one place.</li> <li>Know how you will work – on computer or by hand. Think each tool through and how you will organise your work and information. If working by hand, you may find a ring binder easiest so you can add and delete information.</li> <li>Establish a writing ritual that gets your mind in the right space. Some find taking a coffee to their writing space and sitting quietly for fifteen minutes in reflection a cunning way to train their mind. Others enjoy a quiet walk in the garden to bring their mind into focus or perhaps fussing around in your work area suits you (as it does me). A ritual becomes very handy when you have those times you can’t write, sometimes called ‘writer's block’.</li> <li>Know that this is a pleasurable activity that might take a year or two or three – it can’t be rushed. Settle in and enjoy. Don’t think of it as a task as that is a negative mindset.</li> <li>Collect any materials you have available. These could include diaries, journals, letters, photos and any memorabilia and display them in your workspace.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Know some rules from the outset</strong></p> <ul> <li>Forget about the mechanics of writing. Grammar and formatting are usually last on the list – getting things on paper is the priority.</li> <li>Take time with the spelling of names and correct dates – it will be a big time saver.</li> <li>Know that your first draft is your first draft and your last draft is the final draft, and there is an ocean in between.</li> <li>Be yourself, be honest and truthful. Humour and sarcasm are best left to the experts as they can be misinterpreted if not done well.</li> <li>Know your motive. If its revenge, maybe think twice. If it's to benefit your reader by sharing your life story and life lessons, you are in a good place.</li> <li>Get a schedule for yourself. For some it will be a specific time either daily or weekly; for others, it may be a story a day or four stories a week. Make it achievable within your lifestyle.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Work in manageable bites</strong></p> <ul> <li>Some people prefer to sort their life into chapters’ right from the start – childhood, young adult, adult life, etc. Others prefer life events, houses or friends.  Others just like to amble along and sort later.</li> <li>Develop a mind map. Identify a single event, date or friend and draw a connecting line to another relationship or event. Mind maps are clever tools and can jog the memory deliciously. </li> <li>Some people like to start writing by stating their information. Clive James commenced his life story “I was born in 1939. The other big event of that year was the outbreak of the Second World War”. Linking an event or a fact to something of importance in your life is extremely effective. There are endless facts about you that could be used to begin the process of shaping your story. This is a great method to add context and interpretation throughout your story.</li> <li>Using anecdotes or stories about your family background or your life events provide great insight for readers. Perhaps a story your parents retold many times through your childhood will say far more about your life than you could describe or perhaps a short amusing story about a real incident or person will showcase difficult circumstances. Facts told from your child-self such as your seeing your father in hospital, or some other traumatic episode will be very compelling.</li> <li>Positioning a photo in front of you and allowing yourself the luxury of reflecting is extremely powerful. Allow sounds, images, smells or any other familiarity to become part of your conscience and then jot down first thoughts. Chat to someone who may have memories of this occasion to expand your memory or offer a different perspective. Different perspectives are interesting and slowly reveal rich details.</li> <li>Details are important and reflect searching in your mind. If you feel uncertain about something, didn’t enjoy something or perhaps did enjoy it, say why. It’s okay to say you are uncertain and allow your readers to reflect on your feelings.</li> <li>Don’t be afraid to use dialogue to highlight the interaction between yourself and another person. It will lift your story and provide light and shade in your text.</li> </ul> <p>Your book may have as many chapters as you like, but usually around twelve chapters is manageable. Remember, your first draft is your first draft and change will happen often.</p> <p><strong>If you get stuck</strong></p> <ul> <li> Go back to your writing ritual.</li> <li> Always sit down to write and have a ‘go’ even if you feel it is ‘not ‘good’.</li> <li>Reflect on your photos or read over your work thus far. You may be surprised.</li> <li>If you want a month off, set a date to return to your work – and keep to it. </li> </ul> <p>Allow your reader to discover the emotion and imagery of your life. Ask questions of yourself and embrace each memory as if it is the only one. Enjoy your life story and make the time.</p> <p><em>OFFER: If you would like Write My Journey to write your life story, contact us for a FREE 15-minute review on your life story. Rose Osborne also does guest speaking to small groups on Writing your Life.</em></p> <p><em>If you want more information, read your way through my website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.writemyjourney.com/">www.writemyjourney.com</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p>Read Rose’s past columns on life writing <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/rose-osborne-guide-to-telling-life-story/">here</a></strong></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/02/rose-osborne-who-is-the-storyteller-in-your-family/">here</a></strong></span>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/raising-my-grandchild-is-tough-but-amazing/%20"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Taking over raising our grandchild was tough but the most amazing thing we’ve done</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/the-new-grandparenting-handbook/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The new grandparenting handbook</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/superstar-grandmas-picture-book-defying-old-stereotypes/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>“Superstar Grandmas” children’s book defying old stereotypes</strong></em></span></a></p>

Family & Pets

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Frosé

<p>Frosé (frozen rosé) has undoubtedly been the most popular drink this summer, and once you have a sip, you’ll understand why.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 4 – 6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>750ml rosé (dry)</li> <li>2 cups strawberries</li> <li>1 tbsp. caster sugar</li> <li>¼ cup vodka</li> <li>2 tbsp. grenadine</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Pour the rosé into ice cube trays and let freeze overnight.</li> <li>Add the strawberries and sugar into the bowl of a blender, stir and let sit at room temperature until the berries start releasing juice (about 10 min.)</li> <li>Add the vodka, grenadine and frozen rosé and blend on high until smooth.</li> <li>Pour into glasses, serve and enjoy!</li> </ul> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what has been your go-to drink this summer?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/peach-and-raspberry-cordial/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Peach and raspberry cordial</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/manhattan-cocktail-recipe/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Manhattan cocktail recipe</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/daiquiri/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Daiquiri</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine