December was a busy month in Chapelton with lots of festive fun.
The switching on of the Christmas lights was great for all the family, despite the weather, and even saw a visit from Santa Claus.
Crafts were the flavour of the month with a lino printing class from Juniper Press and a wreath-making workshop hosted by This is 36 Florals both proving very popular.
As we approach Christmas we all have our own routines that help us feel festive, be that curling up with our favourite Christmas films, listening to festive Christmas music or decorating our homes to inspire festive cheer.
Another great way to get yourself in the Christmas spirit is by baking some delicious Christmas goods. These tasty sugar cookies are so simple to make and can be used as ornaments to hang on your Christmas tree, wrapped in cellophane and given as a gift or simply enjoyed with a festive hot chocolate. Take a look at the recipe below.
You Will Need
For the Biscuits
Method
For the Decorations
Method
Disclaimer: Please note the recipe for these Christmas cookies was adapted from BBC Good Food’s recipe here.
There are few things more refreshing than a crisp, cold Scottish winter morning. Aberdeenshire is rich in natural beauty as well as well as offering a host of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Chapelton and its surrounding area is no exception to the rule.
Our guide to winter in Chapelton and the local area highlights five of the community’s favourite activities and attractions.
Stroll through a natural wonder
Less than five miles away from Chapelton is the Red Moss of Netherley. Located next to the small village of Netherley, the raised bog is a varied habitat with marsh and woodland. A variety of wildlife flourishes in this environment including heather and bog-land plants including Sphagnum moss and carnivorous sundews. Perfect for kids and adults alike, visitors may spot inhabitants as diverse as the toad and dragonfly depending on when they visit.
The walk is easy going over an access path – but do ensure that you stick to it, as deep pools and ditches within the bog can be dangerous if walked upon.
Learn more about the Red Moss by visiting https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/red-moss-of-netherley/
Go winter wildlife spotting
With a favourable climate and plenty of food to enjoy, the skies above Chapelton are the perfect place to spot a diverse range of migrating birds. Recent sightings have included the Snow Goose, the diminutive Siberian Chiffchaff and distinctive American Wigeon.
Arboriculturalists will also appreciate the wide variety of tree species available throughout Chapelton and its surroundings, including Silver Birch, Gorse, various willows and the large beech hedge which can be found on the Chapelton Trail.
Learn more about wildlife in Aberdeenshire on VisitABDN (https://www.visitabdn.com/what-to-do/aberdeen/nature-and-wildlife/).
Indulge yourself at Teacake
Come in from the cold by relaxing with a hot drink or warming bowl of soup in the town’s very own café, Teacake. Located within the popular focal point of Hume Square, the family-run business uses choice ingredients from local suppliers. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to keep up with its regularly-updated menu. You can also reserve a table or request a gift voucher to share with a loved one.
Explore the market town of Stonehaven
With a fine range of independent shops to explore, Stonehaven is an alluring town less than ten miles from Chapelton. It’s also home to the acclaimed Gallery at Fifty Five, which stocks an array of artwork from up-and-coming Scottish artists and is the perfect location to obtain a stylish piece with which to personalise your new home.
The town is also home to HIP Life; an independent clothing store which stocks handmade, Fairtrade clothing from Nepal, India and Mexico.
You can learn more about Gallery at Fifty Five at http://www.galleryatfiftyfive.co.uk/.
Chapelton’s favourite café Teacake is set to reopen under new management this weekend, on Saturday 4 November at 10:00am.
Aberdeenshire locals Bob and Stephanie Miller, from Muchalls, will be putting their own stamp on the business while retaining the key features which have made Teacake a success.
The couple are excited to get underway with new opportunities for Teacake, while building upon the popular features of the current café. The business will be retaining its famous name as well as the popular range of treats on offer, with new offerings to be brought in later down the line.
Opening days will continue as usual throughout November as Wednesday to Sunday. Family meal nights will be introduced on Wednesday and Thursdays in December, with Christmas dining during the festive period on Friday and Saturday evenings.
All at Chapelton would like to thank Anita and Duncan Collin for their hard work to date in making Teacake a success and contributing to the welcoming atmosphere of the town.
Bob and Stephanie have great plans for Teacake, with Bob’s two decades of experience as a chef sure to benefit residents and visitors alike.
For those that love the colours of autumn, Hapa Zome is the perfect way to capture the season in time.
Using fallen leaves, the traditional Japanese technique involves hammering plants onto fabric or paper to create a wall hanging or pennant.
Here, local artist Rebecca Struthers, who is set to host Hapa Zome workshops in Chapelton on Saturday 14 October, provides a helpful guide on how to make the most of Hapa Zome this autumn.
Hapa Zome is a Japanese word meaning ‘leaf dye’ and is given to the process of transferring the natural pigments from leaves and flowers onto fabric or paper to create a botanical image. The activity is incredibly relaxing and very simple, making it of interest to people of all ages and abilities.
Step One
Choose your selection of leaves or flowers. The best floral to use are those with bright colours and juicy petals or leaves.
Next, lay a piece of fabric or cloth flat onto a surface and arrange your selection of plants into a design of your choice. Once you are happy with the design, cover it with paper or another piece of thin fabric.
Step Two
Using a hammer or a rounded pebble, bash where the plants lay. Keep hammering across your design in a methodical way to produce the best results.
Once you’re finished, peel off the top layer. Your leaves and flowers will resemble a bit of a mushy mess but don’t worry – once you peel off the foliage your design print will be revealed. You can keep adding new leaves or petals to your image by repeating the process.
Step Three
When you’re happy with your image you can then iron the design. The steam will help set the colours and prevent them from fading.
You can then use your fabric or paper any way you choose, either kept intact as artwork or divided to use in other craft projects.
To book your space at the Hapa Zome workshop for kids or autumnal Hapa Zome workshop, visit www.beestruthers.com