Ain't life grand? I mean, life's good - right? Oh yes, this week, I'm feeling upbeat, revived and refreshed and I have a certain bounce in my step.

WHAT would your superpower be? I’ve often fancied invisibility – purely for reasons of research, you understand – but I’d be worried it wouldn’t cover clothes, and how many really hot days do you ever get in Ireland? X-ray vision? That’s never made sense; you’d just see bones.

CALIFORNIAN Dan Toombs' introduction to British curry houses didn't come until he was 22, when he worked in a pub in Croydon while on a student visa.

AS THE school year draws to a close, thoughts are turning to getting away from it all, and wherever you're going, what better way to build excitement than some holiday-themed dishes to experiment with new tastes.

ANYONE who has ever moved house can attest to what a stressful experience it can be.

I think some people have gone mad, you know.

DOUGHNUT lovers in the north will have to wait until at least next year to get a taste of some mouth-watering Krispy Kremes the Irish News can reveal.

Drivers have been warned that alcoholic ice lollies could put them over the limit this summer.

- GOT an American Express card? Until June 21 you can get a 3 per cent statement credit (effectively a partial refund) each time you shop in a Debenhams store or at www.

I COUNT myself a very lucky woman in that my best friend lives on the Costa Blanca, making trips to the sun little more than a cheap flight away.

ONCE a post-work watering hole for dockers and riveters, dating back to the mid 19th century, The American Bar in Belfast's Sailortown is aiming to tempt a new generation of clientele with cracking beer.

THIS week we had to unfortunately come to the realisation that our summer has probably been and gone with those days of sunshine recently.

The chocolate maker said they had detected “the potential presence” of the deadly bacteria through routine testing.

It's June. The sun has made an appearance (albeit briefly), and the flags are up, so that can only mean one thing, it's time for the most uplifting and wonderful event of the year - the Clonard Novena.

- FANCY two cinema tickets for the price of one each Tuesday or Wednesday? Spend less than the price of a carton of popcorn (as little as £1.

The Food Programme Radio 4 Turmeric came into my life after a recent struggle with flu that proved long haul.

The Gate Bistro and Cocktail Bar 34 Ferryquay Street Derry Tel: 028 7136 4330 THE next sentence needs to be said out loud, for maximum comic effect.

ANYONE with small children will know that an extensive knowledge of farm animals is essential.

AS WE know and are regularly reminded by healthy-eating experts, readymade food, meals or sauces are full of preservatives and sugar in order to stay tasting fresh and it really is one of the curses of modern-day living.

There's no doubt about it - sometimes life becomes a bit much and you have to hit the pause button.