Bucket List - Doonies Farm

Sorry guys, I have been super busy the last few weeks.. change of job, family holiday, cub scout camp and the mountain of washing that comes with it all, so sorry I haven't blogged in a while.. 

Yesterday the weather in Aberdeen was surprisingly nice.. it's been horrible fog and rain for the past couple weeks. So a friend, his godson and I took the chance to tick something off my bucket list... Doonies Farm!! Doonies is one of my favourite places, it is a rare breed farm that is open to the public and I used to come as a child. They have horses, pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, geese, goats and sheep in all sorts of breeds. You can buy a bucket of cut up vegetables for 50p and feed the animals as you go around, which is perfect for little kids. They also have a cute play park in the middle complete with mini tractors for the kids to ride on. Doonies was nearly shut down because of lack of funding and increased rent but thankfully it has managed to scrap by, so it is lovely to be able to support it. Doonie's have even made a new little picnic area so you can really spend the whole day if you wanted.

It costs £4 for adults, £2.50 for children's and under 2's go free but you can get a family ticket for £10 which is for 2 adults and 3 children and even school trips get a discounted rate of £3 for adults and £2 for children. They even sell duck, goose and chicken eggs and beef steaks (but you have to be fast they sell out fast!)

Who doesn't love little lambs and calfs?!

Love M xx

Jubilee

What is everyone doing for the Queens Jubilee!? I can't be the only one who has caught Royal fever!? I must have bought hundred of meters of bunting and lets not get started on the paper plates, tea towels and party hats I seem to have slipped into my shopping basket over the past month or two.. 

I can't decide if I want to take the day off work yet or maybe have an office celebration.. the service is bound to be streamed live on youtube or the web somewhere right? If I am at work my idea was to arrange a potluck lunch and make a few royal themed desserts.. 

Here are some of my inspiration from around the web:

How about this awesome Purple Crown which was designed by the baker who made Kate and Williams 8 tier wedding cake... (instructions are in the caption).. it looks okay to make it would just be very time consuming.

Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk

Or how about something a bit simpler like a (shop bought if you are feeling lazy) tray bake decorated with fresh berries (I am thinking strawberries, blackberries/blueberries and raspberries) in the shape of the Union Jack Flag.. with added miniature bunting if you are feeling crafty..

Photo from www.goodtoknow.co.uk

Or how about some crowd pleasing cupcakes.. Something like this maybe or even just frosting with red, white and blue sprinkles and a little flag for the top:

Photo from: CakeMeCaroline

What are your plans? Will you be waving your flags on the 5th of June or slaving at a desk? Did you manage to get tickets to her concert in London!? Anyone else not at all impressed with Pippa' bottom? 

Love M Xx

Geocaching

Has anyone ever tried Geocaching it's described as "is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online." I am really tempted to try it out in Aberdeen, I think I might go for a little wonder tomorrow night to try find some, I will keep you posted if I do.

Geocaching Logo

If you fancy trying it out too have a wee look at the brochure...

Love M Xx

Bucket Lists

Do you ever feel that you don't actually know your city properly?! 

I was born in Aberdeen and then moved away when I was 9 years old only to return 2 years ago to be close to family again. Sometimes I feel like a stranger in my own city. This year my New Years resolution was to try as many new places in Aberdeen as I could... those old man pubs you are always too scared to go to.. that museum that you always pass wanting to go into for a snoop but don't have time for etc!?

So I am going to make a list on here of all the places I want to visit in Aberdeenshire so that I might actually manage to do some (everyone loves checking off from lists right!?) and I am hoping I will do little reviews along the way. Maybe it will come in handy for those of you who visit Aberdeen at some point in the future.. 

Museums/History/Learn

1. Aberdeen Maritime Museum
2. Aberdeen Art Gallery
3. Provost Skene's House
4. Cowdray Hall - for a lunchtime concert
5. The Tolbooth Museum
6. Gordon Highlanders Regimental Museum
7. Pitmedden Garden and Museum of Farming
8. Winter Gardens at Duthie Park
9. North East Falconry Centre
10. University of Aberdeen Library
11. Satrosphere
12. Castle Fraser
13. Haddo House
14. Drum Castle
15. Craigievar Castle
16. Fyvie Castle

Food

1. Silver Darling
2. The Stage Door
3. Cafe Boheme
4. Rustico
5. Cocoa
6. The Mariner Hotel
7. Ashvale Restaurant
8. Cinnamon
9. The Station Hotel
10. The George Hotel
11. Cafe 52
12. Manchuria Restaurant
13. Siagon
14. Mango Pickle
15. Blue Moon 
16. Yorokobi
17. Oryza Sushi
18. La Stella
19. Nargile 

Drink

1. Malones
2. The Abercrombie
3. The Howff
4. McGintys
5. The Albyn
6. College Bar
7. Dizzys
8. The Prince of Wales
9. The Malt Mill
10. Brewdog
11. Balmoral Lounge
12. The Shortmile 
13. Ferryhill Hotel

Outdoors/Play

1. Bennachie Hill Walk
2. Duthie Park
3. Hazelhead Park - Animal Petting and Maze etc
4. Balmedie Beach
5. Tyrebagger Wood
6. Aberdeen City Beach - Walk a giant bit of it
7. Union Terrace Gardens - before it changes
8. Aberdeen Harbour 
9. Doonies Farm
10. Codonas Pleasure Fairs
11. Storybook Glen
12. The Railway Line
13. AFC stadium
14. Footdee (Fittie)
15. River Don
16. Thainstone Car Boot Sales

When I write it out like that it seems a lot to do but I think I will be adding to the list for a while yet.. I plan to mark each off as I go along so keep track. 

Hope you have a lovely weekend and get to enjoy the weather tomorrow!!

Love M Xx

Cute baby gifts..

Am I the only person seeming to be going through the phase where all your friends/family are having babies?! Looking for the perfect baby gift this year?! I found these at a local little art and gift shop and I think they are awesome!! How about a Quine (means Girl in Doric; the language of NE scotland) / Loon (means boy) baby bibs.. They also come in children's tees too.

The bibs cost £8 and the shirts are £14 and they all come in a range of colours.

All the bibs and clothes are made in Africa and are 100% African cotton that is responsibly produced.

I got mine from Junction Arts at 282 Holburn Street Aberdeen the website is www.junctionartandgifts.co.uk but I don't think they have an ordering system on their yet. 

I think they are soo cute and totally unique from all the normal baby presents, what do you think?!

Have a fun weekend! Xx

Chicks..



Arrow (black), Sumo (top yellow) Frey (bottom right)



The weather has been so lovely this week that the chicks (Sumo, Arrow and Frey) have been outside enjoying the sun.. I am always amazed at how they know to be a chicken without seeing it before.. How do they learn to dust bath or scratch in the ground for bugs? I guess it's a nature vs nurture thing!!

Hope your enjoying the sun too!! Xx

Cub Scouts

One of my favourite things to do each week is help with Cub Scouts, knowing what to do with 18 eight to ten year old boys can sometimes be a panic.. the games have to be fun, tiring and quick to organise. We are lucky enough to have 2 large halls to plan in and an outside green for when the weather is nice. Here are three games that we plan and are a hit with the boys:

Octopus
4 Way Football
Pip, Squeak, Wilfred