Thursday 11 December 2014

Recipe: Raisin Scones

Last week I thought it would be a good idea to start baking with Lyra, like actually letting her get her hands dirty instead of just sitting in the high chair listening to me pretend to have my own tv show.  A pal of mine had told me that she had baked scones with her wee girl who is not much older than Lyra so I thought it was about time we tried something like that too.  Scones seemed like a great recipe to start with since she would be able to use her hands to mix up up the dough and the recipe I normally make doesn't have any egg in it so I wouldn't have to been too worried about her taste testing the mixture. 


While she had her nap I measured out all the ingredients and put a towel down on the floorbof the kitchen and then once she was up and awake we were all ready to go.  Lyra helped me tip the flour and baking powder in the mixing bowl, and then put the butter cubes in (after tasting one thinking it was cheese).  She wasn't too keen on the texture of the flour and butter so I ended up rubbing the butter in myself.  We then, reluctantly, added the raisins...after a lengthly quality control process where I had to portion her out her own raisins to EAT.  She helped me pour the milk in and had a good try at mixing the dough with a wooden spoon.  Again...not too keen to touch the dough.  


I patted it out on a cutting board for her and then we used the cutter to cut them out.  Lyra was a big help pushing the cutter down into the dough and managed to pop a few out onto the cookie sheet without any help from me.  


Our oven door gets so so so hot so we let the scones "rest" while we tidied up the kitchen. Once that was done I ushered Lyra into the living room to play while the oven heated up...and then in the scones went.  

They were still warm for our afternoon snack...smeared with butter and some CHEESE cubes on the side! 

I just divided my usual recipe in half to make this batch of 6 scones.  I didn't want to make the whole batch incase they didn't really turn out (and use up all the butter!).  This is a recipe copied and adapted from my mum and uses a mixture of weighing ingredients and scooping cups...sorry. 

Raisin Scones 
Makes 6

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
56 grams butter, cold cut into cubes
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup milk 

PREHEAT OVEN 220C

In large mixing bowl stir together flour and baking powder
Cut in butter until it resembles bread crumbs 
Add raisins and toss to coat in flour mixture
Slowly stir in milk and mix until it forms a dough
Knead lightly a few times until smooth
Pat dough out on floured board until 2cm thick
Cut out scones

Bake on baking tray for 12-14 mins or until golden brown on bottom

Enjoy



Wednesday 10 December 2014

Staycation North Norfolk: The Grove, Cromer


One of my most favourite North Norfolk TREATS, and the one I look forward to THE MOST, is Sunday Lunch at The Grove in Cromer.  During our last three visits to North Norfolk we have been sure to book a lunch date with Nonna and Grandad there.  It is within very easy walking distance of Cromer town centre so we plop Lyra in the buggy and trundle over to enjoy a 3 course lunch in the 2 AA rosette restaurant (that sounds super pretentious...it really isn't). 


The last time we visited Lyra was only JUST 6 months old and enjoyed sampling the roast potatoes and other veg from my lunch but THIS TIME she happily devoured her own meal (posh fish fingers and chips, and fruit salad for dessert).  There were plenty of families staying at the hotel when we visited, and the dining room was full. The staff were lovely, and were extra kind to Lyra. The food is wonderful and the whole experience is relaxed, which is no surprise since The Grove is a family run hotel.  

The Sunday Lunch menu for adult appetites is pretty standard, but it is done so so so well and highlights local produce.  I loved my pickled herring starter, roast pork, and chocolate bread n butter pudding and am really looking forward to our next visit in the new year.  

Bonus points, as always, for a decent highchair and clean baby changing facilities. 


The Grove, Cromer
95 Overstrand Road 
Cromer 
NR27 0DJ

@thegrovecromer


Wednesday 26 November 2014

Recipe: Courgette and Cheddar Loaf


Every couple of weeks I like to bake a loaf cake to slice up and have in the freezer for snacks.  I usually make a banana bread, or carrot cake...something sweet, but recently I made this recipe for zucchini cheddar bread from the Weelicious website (check it out if you haven't already, it is an amazing resource for meal and snack ideas).  

This savoury loaf is essentially a soda bread and mixes up super quick with no added butter or oil.  The added zucchini is a great way to sneak a bit of veg into Lyra's diet.  I substituted white flour, because that is what I had in the cupboard.  So easy.  

Once completely cooled the loaf slices really easily.  I sliced it into 1cm thick slices and wrapped each one individually in cling film.  Into the freezer they went and now I can just take one out at breakfast and it is defrosted well before snack time.  


Monday 24 November 2014

Staycation North Norfolk: Kew's Pie and Mash, Cromer


We love seeing new shops and restaurants opening in Cromer. During our visit last month we checked out new comer Kew's Pie and Mash on Garden Street. This place serves up a selection of  local pie maker, Mr. Kew's AWARD WINNING pies with mash and gravy, as well as sausages from local butcher Icarus Hines.  The classic steak pie was great and Lyra really enjoyed her sausage with mash.  


There is a great seating section at the back of the restaurant, a bar area at the front and you can also order pies to take away. The staff were extra kind to Lyra, and even gave her kiddie sized cutlery! We are already looking forward to our next visit in February. 

Kew's Pie and Mash

9 Garden Street 
Cromer 

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Toddler Snacks: Rectangles


2 sizes of rectangle cookie cutters

larger rectangles of pancake
smaller rectangles of banana
spoon of peanut butter

Monday 17 November 2014

Staycation North Norfolk: Sticky Earth Cafe, Cromer


On our recent trip to North Norfolk I took Lyra along to the Sticky Earth Cafe in Cromer to get messy and creative and to make David his Christmas present.  Last year, as a family, we had made decorations for the Grandparents with Lyra's handprint but this year she and I decided it would be extra special if she did something just for her dad.  

The staff are very helpful and are used to working with small children. They suggested popping her into a high chair instead of having her on my lap (such a great idea) and provided her with a smock to cover her clothes.  

We selected a cereal bowl, a few paint colours and let her get creative.  I'll admit that I did HELP a few times, wiping her fingers, turing the bowl around, and helping her to change colour but for the most part she did it all herself with either her fingers or a paintbrush.  

I asked about putting her handprints on the outside of the bowl and the staff said that was not a problem.  They painted her hands and placed them on the bowl for me so I didn't have to worry about mucking it all up. 

A few days later it was glazed and fired and ready to collect.  Now we just have to keep it hidden until Christmas...our little secret. 


If you are in the Cromer area and looking for a fun way to spend part of your day I really recommend Sticky Earth Cafe.  At 14 months Lyra breezed in and out in about an hour, max...but she was busy busy busy that whole time.  

Sticky Earth Ceramic Cafe

15 Church Street 
Cromer 
NR27 9ES


Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Saturday 15 November 2014

Eating Out in Edinburgh: IKEA Cafe


I'm not sure what I look forward to more from a trip to IKEA...all the crap I'll buy or eating in the cafe.  Since we have had Lyra we've been to IKEA a lot...a lot, a lot.  Before Lyra I could easily make my way through the store and arrive at the end of my mission having only bought those things that were on my list...now it is a different story...and our trip always involves stopping to have something to eat. 

The children's menu is good value and there is a really good selection of hot and cold foods.  We usually share an adult portion of meatballs and mashed potatoes, though.  She can only manage about 2 meatballs at this point so it isn't like she is putting  a huge dent in my mountain.  I personally would rather fries...but...oh well.  

Breakfasts are equally as yummy and easy to share, but if we go first thing in the morning we've usually had breakfast at home so just stop for a cinnamon bun (of course) and a drink.  

Even when it is busy there is somewhere to sit, highchairs aplenty and for the most part everything is cleaned very quickly.  There is a really great station for warming baby bottles and baby food, plastic plates and cutlery are also provided...and bibs.  On a Tuesday there is a breastfeeding clinic run by local midwives.  PLUS there is a chance to load up on all that crap I just NEED for the house...gotta love IKEA.  

Friday 14 November 2014

Recipe: The Best Chocolate Cake


This really is THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE, ever.  It is my GO TO recipe, and David's number1 request. 

The cake and "frosting" are Nigella's Devil Food Cake with Chocolate Frosting.  I normally top it with some sliced fruit (to feel more virtuous when devouring huge slabs) or just a dusting of cocoa powder. THIS TIME I wrapped the sides with a combination of plain and cookies n cream Kit Kats, and covered the top with Malteasers. THIS TIME was an extra special occasion...David's birthday. 

Sunday 9 November 2014

Meal Ideas: Homemade Hamburger Helper


The original recipe for this dish is called 5-STAR CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE because it pretty much tastes like a cheeseburger (including dill pickle topping)...awesome right? I came across it on Pinterest the other month while searching for new things to make with a package of ground beef and I immediately thought of the Hamburger Helper Man from the TV commercials of my childhood (who doesn't love a dancing glove).  I can't actually remember if I have ever had Hamburger Helper, I know that I have never made it myself and I'm pretty sure my Mum never made it for us...but I can't be sure.  Anyway, I don't imagine it tastes as good as this does and I'm pretty sure it would take just as long to make as this casserole did...but you do need to buy nice, juicy, tasty tomatoes (although I suppose a tin of chopped would work as well) which makes it more expensive than a box of Hamburger Helper I suppose.  




Saturday 8 November 2014

Staycation North Norfolk: Breakers Cafe, Cromer


Breakers Cafe on Garden Street in Cromer is THE PLACE to go for your morning fry-up, and is often our first stop the morning after our 8.5 hour drive down from Edinburgh (who wants to stock the fridge at 7pm?).  I love waking up on our first morning in Cromer, going down to check out the beach, pier and seafront and then pottering over to Breakers for a vegetarian breakfast with eggs.  Mushrooms, tomato, beans, toast and eggs...mmmm.  

The portions are generous and between the 3 adults we happily shared enough food with Lyra (who had already had breakfast and a snack by the time we got ourselves out the door).  They have an extensive breakfast menu (basically anything in any combination that you could ever want), hot hot hot milky coffee, and a really good lunch/hot meal menu.  Plenty of high chairs, lots of room for a buggy and really friendly staff.  

Breakers Cafe
28 Garden Street
Cromer

Like them on Facebook

Friday 7 November 2014

Meal Ideas: Breakfast for Dinner


Breakfast for dinner...one of the easiest, and in my opinion BEST, meals to whip up after a busy day.  I could easily eat breakfast stuff for every meal of the day (and maybe for snacks too) so this is really a no-brainer for me.  

Sometimes we have french toast, sometime eggs, sometimes pancakes...whatever takes our fancy really.  The key is, we always TREAT ourselves to BACON when we make breakfast for dinner.  If we are having eggs I'll make some oven chips or pan fry some potatoes for hash browns, or make a bubble and squeak from left over veggies.  If we are having french toast or pancakes I'll chop up from fruit for a fruit salad or make a veggie hash, I try not to have potatoes with french toast or pancakes.  

Really Simple and oh so tasty. 

Thursday 6 November 2014

Staycation North Norfolk: Huckleberries Cafe, Cromer


One of the best places for a proper latte and scone in Cromer has to be Huckleberries on Church Street.  We've been frequenting this cafe during our visits to North Norfolk for the past few years and always look forward to our hot drinks and baked goods after our morning walks along the beachfront. 

This visit our walks were slightly shorter and slower but that didn't stop us from stuffing our faces with gorgeous (and decent sized) scones and teacakes practically every morning, while enjoying GOOD fresh coffee.  

At first glance this busy cafe might seem a tad small but there is a large seating area downstairs (perfect for little ones) with comfy sofas and benches.  They also have free wifi (a total bonus in an area with very poor network coverage), newspapers and magazines to read and a coffee loyalty card. Oh and I spied at least 3 highchairs (a big plus). 

Huckleberries
43 Church Street 
Cromer 

like them on Facebook





Tuesday 14 October 2014

Recipes: Lentil Bolognese


I am not sure why I have had so much trouble finding a good lentil bolognese recipe.  In the past I think the recipes I have tried have always turned out either too watery or not seasoned properly or just bleurgh.  The thing is, lentil bolognese is a CHEAP way to get loads of good STUFF since red lentils are jam packed with fibre, iron, vitamin b and protein so I would like to actually ENJOY eating it.  

I plan vegetarian dishes for about half of our dishes and something like lentil bolognese, where I can make a pretty decent sized pot for not too much money, is a great way to bulk out my Meal Plan.  I came across THIS RECIPE on the Tesco Real Food site and thought I would try it out...with a few tweaks. 

It was REALLY GOOD, it tasted like Bolognese, it had the consistency and texture of Bolognese, it stuck to and coated the pasta, I will make it again.  

Of course, it is my tweaks that have made it the way it is (yeah...right) so here's what I did: 

LENTIL BOLOGNESE 

Ingredients 
1 tin of chopped tomatoes 
1 small onion, finely chopped 
1 clove garlic, finely chopped, 
150g red lentils, rinsed 
320g jar of Dolmio Bolognese Pasta Sauce (or your favourite brand BUT it needs to be a thick sauce)
1 tsp bouillon powder (we like Marigold Swiss Bouillon) 
good handful of grated parmesan cheese

Method: 

gently fry onion and garlic in a little bit of oil until soft, add lentils and coat in the oil.  
sprinkle in bouillon powder and then add in chopped tomatoes and pasta sauce. 
bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender and falling apart, about 30-40 mins, stirring every 10 mins. 
add a splash of water if it looks dry. 
when the lentils are cooked add in the cheese and good pinch of black pepper and stir to melt the cheese into the sauce. 

serve with your favourite pasta shape. 

this sauce freezes well and also keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. 


Monday 13 October 2014

Eating Out in Edinburgh: Peter's Yard Cafe Quartermile


It is no secret that I am obsessed with everything Scandinavian. I don't know exactly what it is that attracts me to the culture, nature, style, dramas, food...but there is something so beautiful about it all. When David and I visited Edinburgh the summer after our wedding I was determined to visit Peter's Yard, a Swedish Bakery, right smack in the middle of the city's Quartermile development on the edge of the Meadows Park not far from the Royal Mile. 

That first visit was during the festival and the cafe was jam packed so we sat outside and enjoyed a slice of pizza and a coffee.  I remember it was good, but I remember how windy it was more. 

When we moved to Edinburgh and lived in Stockbridge I watched with anticipation for the 2nd (and smaller) location to open and enjoyed a relaxing flat white and cardamom bun during the first week of  trading. Shortly after that we moved to the south side of the city (so much closer to the Quartermile) and now that we have Lyra it is easy to find reasons to "just grab a coffee and bun" before hitting the swings in the park.  

You really can't go wrong at Peter's Yard with pastries, bread baskets with cheese and jam, soups, open sandwiches, salads and pizzas to choose from.  The coffee and tea are also excellent, as are the cold drinks.  

Late last week I treated Lyra and myself to a coffee and a pistachio cardamom bun (yeah I know).  We sat in the sun in the outside seating area and enjoyed the last of the summer weather.  I ate my portion of the bun too quickly to really savour it, Lyra gobbled her's up and was moaning and groaning and pointing at what was left of my plate and I just didn't want to share any more so down the hatch it went.  I can tell you that it was gloriously cardamomy and the pistachio was a nice addition to their basic cardamom bun.  I could have done with more pistachio but none the less it was deeeeeelicious.  

They also do ice cream...



Peter's Yard Cafe 
Quartermile
27 Simpson Loan 
Edinburgh 
EH3 9GG 

Stockbridge 
3 Deanhaugh Street 
Edinburgh 
EH4 1LU

@petersyardcafe

Sunday 12 October 2014

Day Out: Gorgie City Farm


Tucked off Gorgie Road just south west of the city centre is Gorgie City Farm.  We recently visited for the first time and I have been kicking myself for not going sooner. The farm, itself, is small enough to keep young children entertained for an hour or so.  There are chickens, goats, cows,pigs and sheep as well as guinea pigs, rats, bunnies and lizards.  In addition to the animals there is a small play park (with the tallest slide Lyra has ever seen) and a lovely cafe.  

Entry is FREE and donations are happily accepted.  

Gorgie City Farm 
51 Gorgie Rd 
Edinburgh 
EH11 2LA

@gorgiecityfarm




Friday 10 October 2014

Meal Planning: Tips


I love meal planning.  I know it is silly, and totally geeky to be obsessed with planning meals and budgeting, but I actually really enjoy it.

Here are some of my top tips, and the loose "plan" I follow when sitting down to write my shopping list.

Have a Budget and stick to it (duh...sometimes seriously hard to do)
Plan meals that use the same ingredients to limit waste and save money buying in bulk
Coupon, if you can, although hitting every shop just to get bargains does take time and energy and uses petrol if you are taking the car
Limit Meat, we spend about £10 or £15 on meat/fish for 2 weeks and I end up making 6 or 7 meat dishes over that time
Embrace vegetarian cooking
Have a repertoire of "store-cupboard" dishes that cost next to nothing to make (lentil curry, pasta bakes)
Shop with a calculator (add up your purchase as you go, and make decisions based on that)
Shop on-line if you can (this seriously helped me keep track of how much I was spending)
Sign up to Pinterest and get inspired
Try out 1 or 2 new dishes a week/fortnight to keep cooking from becoming a chore and making meal planning more interesting
Use your freezer (if you've got a big enough one) to benefit from multi-buy options or split large packs of meat/fish into meal portions

THIS IS WHAT I DO

I only MEAL PLAN dinners and top up my grocery list with lunch/breakfast staples like bread, cereal, eggs, tuna, salads, hummus.

First I look at the calendar and figure out how many DINNERS I need to plan for over a 2 week period.

Then I sit down and decide what MEAT/FISH meals I am going to make...that can be anywhere from 5-7 dishes.  I tend to buy ground beef, salmon and chicken breast every time and then sometimes some sausages.

After that I add in all the veggie meals.

As I go I write down all the ingredients I need for each meal and then after the list is complete check out what I already have in the cupboards and then take those things off the list.

And at the same time checking to see what staples might be running low like  oil, vinegar, mayonnaise etc.

I have a pretty standard list of extras that I add next: milk, bread, fruit, salad stuff, eggs, juice, treats for Dad's lunch, yogurt, cheese, crackers, rice cakes, and any staples we need.

I then can sit down and order my groceries on-line choosing when I'd like to have them delivered.  If we had a car I'd go out and actually do the shopping though.

When the groceries arrive I figure out when we will have which meals based on use-by dates and who is doing what when.  For example David plays football on a Wednesday night so I usually make soup or something that can be heated up easily and we ALWAYS have Pizza and Salad on Friday.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Toddler Snacks: In a Galaxy Far Far Away


Oat cake moon
Pancake stars
Bananas smeared with peanutbutter and topped with raisins meteors 
Raisins 

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Eating Out in Edinburgh: Burger


I love burgers. I know they are, like, super trendy right now and everything, but I have always and will always love going out for a burger.  

A couple of months ago we finally managed to visit BURGER  on Fountainbridge for lunch.  It was a pleasant accident that forced us into Burger that day (festival cues at neighbouring Loudons and the rain)...and I could not have been happier with the experience.  On that trip it was a simple burger and fries for me...so so so delicious. All through the meal we kept on saying to each other "this is so good" and "next time I'm going to try...". 

Next Time came a few weeks ago.  

I was already to try a hot dog (yeah, they do hot dogs too) but then I spied the SPECIALS board, which changes weekly, and saw they had POUTINE! Poutine? You say...YES! POUTINE! As a Canadian it fills my heart with joy any time I have the chance to douse my fries in gravy and cheese curds.  It isn't quite the same with grated cheddar and gravy...it is the curds that elevates it.  In Canada you get all kinds of GOURMET poutines now (I had a particularly awesome breakfast poutine last summer with corned beef, spring onions, cheese curds, gravy and a fried egg) but the site of it here in the UK is so...rare...I couldn't resist. 

It didn't disappoint.  

There is a children's menu, but I tend to bring Lyra a small lunch whenever we go out and then offer her bits and pieces of my meal (although she didn't get any poutine...her dad kindly shared his burger and bun).  Oh and nifty high chairs too (swoon-worthy Baby Bjorn)!


BURGER 

94a Fountainbridge 
Edinburgh 
EH3 9QA 

91/93 Shandwick Place 
Edinburgh 
EH2 4SD 

@burgeredinburgh 

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Toddler Snacks: Mini Spinach Muffins and Cheese Shapes


Small shape cookie cutters

cheese slice (like Kraft or DairyLea) acorns and flowers 
raisins 

Monday 6 October 2014

Toddler Snacks: Spinach Muffins


Like most parents, I am always on the look out for new ways to incorporate veggies into Lyra's diet. For the most part she is pretty good about eating whatever I put in front of her...but OF COURSE I worry that she isn't getting enough of those important vitamins and minerals we all know we are supposed to be getting by the bushel full.  

I found this awesome recipe for Spinach Muffins while searching Pinterest for Toddler snack ideas.  They are basically banana muffins with a good hit of spinach.  They don't actually taste like spinach, so it is no surprise that Lyra has been gobbling them up.

I substituted 1cup of frozen, thawed spinach (that I had squeezed all the water out of) for the fresh spinach, and chopped it finely instead of wizzing everything in a blender since I don't have one and Lyra is terrified of the hand held one. 

The recipe made 12 mini muffins and 6 Mummy sized ones.  We put a few aside to devour within the next couple days and froze the rest.  

Give them a go...you really can't go wrong! 

Sunday 5 October 2014

Meal Planning: Basic Toddler Ideas


Lyra has been eating table food since she was about 6 months so, for the most part, she eats a smaller (sometimes slightly altered) version of what we are eating.  I don't really meal plan for breakfast and lunch, I just make sure I have enough stuff in the fridge and cupboards to be able to throw together something.

At 14 months with only 3.5 teeth she still hasn't mastered crunchy fruits (apple, pears) and raw veggies, but as she does I'll add more ideas to this list.

Here are some ideas:

***I'll add links to favourite recipes soon***

Breakfast

Eggs (scrambled, omelette, hard boiled)
Oatmeal (made with milk or water)
Cereal soaked in milk (Weetabix or Corn Flakes are our favourites)
Pancakes THIS IS OUR FAVOURITE RECIPE FROM JOY OF BAKING
French Toast
English Muffins, Toast, Crumpets (with butter and jam, or peanut butter)
Brioche Buns

***all served with 2 pieces of fruit***

Lunch

Left Overs from night before
Sandwiches (peanut butter and jam, cheese, hummus with grated apple or carrot, cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber, tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad)
Eggs (scrambled, omelette, hard boiled)
Pita or Wraps with hummus/red pepper spread
Grilled Cheese
Beans on Toast
Mac n Cheese

***all served with cubes of cheese and 1-2 pieces of fruit***

Snacks

Mini Muffins (sweet or savoury) TRY THIS BANANA MUFFIN RECIPE and add in berries. THIS SPINACH MUFFIN recipe is great too and we THESE CARROT "CUPCAKES" as a treat!
Lentil or Sausage Sausage Rolls I MAKE THESE LENTIL ROLLS (minus the mint and lemon)
Pin Wheels
Pancakes (plain, fruit, cheese, carrot, spinach, cinnamon) THE JOY OF BAKING ONES FREEZE REALLY WELL SO MAKE A BUNCH AND JUST DEFROST AS NEEDED
Loaf Cake (banana, courgette, sweet potato, lemon blueberry)
Oatmeal Cookies
Carrot Cookies
Cheese and Oat Cakes (cheese and crackers)
Peanut Butter and Banana on Toast

Dinner 

Whatever the adults are having AND a serving of plain greek yogurt

Saturday 4 October 2014

Eating Out in Edinburgh: Bon Papillon


One of our hands down favourite places in Edinburgh for a decaf latte and slice of cake (or scone or bacon roll) is Bon Papillon on Howe Street. Run by Ingrid (the artist) and Stuart (the Sconemeister/framer extraordinaire) this gallery cafe is our go to place for a wee break when we are in the city centre.  Snuggled in surrounded by an ever changing array of paintings you can enjoy both sweet and savoury treats and good, GOOD, coffee (and tea, and hot chocolate, and cold drinks).  

Try out the scones (rated amongst the best in Edinburgh...if not THE BEST), have a goats cheese salad, enjoy a latte and relax.  

Bon Papillon 
15 Howe Street
Edinburgh
EH3 6TE

www.bonpapillon.com
@bonpapillon

(Closed Monday and Tuesday)...I know...how dare they!

Friday 3 October 2014

Toddler Snacks: It's hip to be square


3 sizes of square cookie cutters. 

Big squares of bread with almond butter.
Medium squares of cheddar cheese. 
Small squares of banana. 

Thursday 2 October 2014

Day Out: National Museum of Scotland



When we first moved to Edinburgh 3 and a half years ago the National Museum of Scotland was undergoing a major revamp.  I can't speak for what it was like before the renovations and new galleries (although I have heard that there used to be a fish pond in the vaults) but it is a great place to spend the day, or even an hour.

There are loads of interactive displays and hands-on learning areas throughout the whole of the museum.  For little little ones (0-2) the best place is the Imagine Gallery on the first floor. It is a great interactive space dedicated to world cultures.  There are instruments to play, costumes to try on and artefacts to handle.  The gallery opened in 2011 so some of it is showing signs of wear and tear already.  This is a shame but, positively, an indication of its popularity.  

On the 5th floor is another hands-on area with loads of fun stuff to get engaged with about the natural world, dinosaurs, rocks and minerals and life cycles.  This area is good for older children, but there really isn't much to hold the attention of a toddler, other than the Dino dig (which Lyra couldn't reach into). 

Both the cafe and the brasserie are nice and are very accommodating to those with small children in tow.  We often wander over for a play in the Imagine Gallery and then a treat in the cafe, especially on dreary, wet days. 

10 new galleries are due to open in 2016 and I hope that the museum continues to offer high quality hands-on learning experiences, including some geared towards younger children and toddlers.


National Museum of Scotland
Chamber Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1JF

www.nms.ac.uk

Open daily 10-5

Thursday 18 September 2014

Somewhere New



In the autumn before I got married I started my blog 21st Century Urban Housewife. It was a creative outlet at a time when I wasn't working, had just moved into our first shared home, and needed something to fill my time.  Over the past 5 years my little blog has been my way to record special events, places I've visited, food I've made but recently it has been neglected...I don't feel like it is ME anymore.  In stead of spending time overhauling it and changing things I've just decided to let it go and start fresh.  I still need a creative outlet, I still want somewhere to record all those special things, I just need somewhere new.  

This is going to be a space for photos and words, thoughts and wishes. Be prepared for mummy stuff, family stuff, baby stuff and, of course, FOOD...there will always be food.  

Mum
Wife
Home Cook
Scandiphile
Edinburgher
Iphone Photographer
Instagrammer
Tweeter 
Blogger
ME