Category: Friends - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #1060 | Subzero North York Roaming, Midori + Coin Karaoke

12/22/2024

Read Part 1 HERE !

Black Creek Pioneer Village would only operate between 12-4 PM. Naturally, I'd include subsequent stops after the venture.

North York was twenty minutes away during the holiday traffic lull. I'd turn into the Empress Walk lot with ease - the same one my browsing partner and I had frequented for sessions at Dal Pilates. While I had noted skates as the only special equipment for the day, I wasn't entirely convinced that Mel Lastman Square would provide an exemplary outdoor rink. For starters, it was quite small. In the late afternoon hours, it also appeared rather busy.

Holiday Fair in the Square has moved uptown since last year. Having recalled fond memories of lunchtime and post-work exploration at Nathan Phillips Square six years ago, I was curious to see its evolution since the shift. Much to my disappointment, there were not only fewer vendors, but a reduction in product assortment as well. Save a handful of food trucks and one glass art studio, Japadog was likely the only vendor of reasonable interest.

Comparatively exciting was the LEGO pop-up along Yonge Street. The colourful LEGO fireplace was absolutely adorable, while the build-your-own ornament station sparked creativity and family-friendly fun. Given the treacherous temperatures, and its intensified impact due to receding sunlight, our stopover could not exceed more than fifteen minutes.

I proposed aimless wandering as a method of - gasp! - killing time before an acceptable supper time. We strolled through OHYO (904), Dollarama, LCBO, and, finally, Loblaws, before venturing back to the car.

An eight-minute walk later, we'd arrive at Midori Ramen just before 5 PM. Admittedly, it was still too soon for dinner, but our stomachs were more than ready to stomach sustenance.

The ramen eatery had decorated their bonzai centrepiece with artificial snow, ornaments, and even cute figurines. The glittery sleigh was exceptionally charming.

Out & About #1060 | IKEA Vaughan + Black Creek Pioneer Village

12/22/2024

Household happenings have taken a noticeable toll on me as of late. In place of seasonal social outings are grocery runs, and in place of cheerful, dazzling decor clutter. There is no tree this year, nor lights, but merely a low-commitment wreath on the front of our door.

Following a thoroughly exhaustive seven-hour baking-and-clean-up session (plus two hours of cardio afterwards), I somehow managed to muster up energy for the first proper hangout of the month.

Alas, my day would commence quite early, for I had been keen to complete some chores/errands beforehand. The recycling centre was empty, making for a swift drop-off procedure. One could safely assume most residents were gearing up for holiday festivities at home.

I'd then pick up my adventuring partner for the day and set off to Vaughan. Traffic levels were, again, impressively smooth for a late Sunday morning. In just thirty minutes, we pulled into the asphalt lot of IKEA. Already evident in the surface lot volumes was the staggering difference in customer volumes compared to usual.

There hadn't been an ounce of information provided to my partner-in-crime in advance of the outing, yet I appreciated tremendously how she did not question my every move. Having only merely confirmed whether any specific gear was required, any and all happenings were welcome - even errand-running with me.

Given the outing's start time of 11 AM, lunch assumed an ambiguous slot. In consideration of relatively low hunger levels and pending schedule activities, we each settled upon a Kids' Size Strawberry Frozen Treat to tie us over until the next opportunity for sustenance. The soft serve was wonderfully fruity and refreshing, and a generous portion for its $1.50 price tag as well.

We snagged some Gingersnap samples on our way out, then zipped over to the York U grounds. Once again, there was, amazingly, no traffic whatsoever!

Black Creek Pioneer Village would assume the primary destination of the day.

Leading up to the weekend, I had reviewed two separate opportunities to visit the historic site:

1) TPL Map Pass
Through the Toronto Public Library's arts and culture program, up to four people (including the library card holder) could make a date-specific reservation. However, the pass did not cover parking fees and special event access.

2) Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Pass
Obtained through the Mississauga Library system, the CVC pass not only enabled admission to the Village grounds, but complimentary parking for one vehicle as well. Moreover, passholders were not required to make advance reservations, which provided greater flexibility in terms of holiday plans. Special event access, such as workshops or photos with Santa, were not included, but there was no explicitly stated limit on the number of attendees using one pass.

In all, being the bearer of a Mississauga Library Card was concluded to be far more powerful than a TPL card.

The access point for Black Creek Pioneer Village was a tad tricky to navigate, given its usage of York University's narrow internal roads. Once on the site, however, clear signage was observed for one-way paths, drop-off loops, school bus-dedicated areas, and passenger vehicles. To enter the parking area, one would take a ticket from the Precise ParkLink machine, then validate it inside the Visitor Booth with presentation of the CVC pass.

Contrary to my burning apprehensions, the facility provided plenty of on-site indoor plumbing facilities. In fact, the locations were identified on a sturdy, colourful map for convenience of navigation. The map would also identify the various attractions within the Village by number and name.

We reviewed the list briefly, then gladly took to complimentary hot chocolate (albeit a diluted version) and gingersnap cookies before bracing ourselves for entry into the negative double-digits.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #1059 | Christmas Visuals (Pt. 1): Cookies, Orange Meringue Financier + Holiday Errands

12/21/2024

Since I'm homebound this year, the construction of Christmas Cookies were planned accordingly leading up to the statutory holiday.

1) Christmas Cookies

Having scaled the recipe years in advance, compilation was quite straightforward. That said, incorporating eight egg yolks by hand was no simple feat. An additional variance was the introduction of frozen butter. The stick had been obtained from a coworker and left to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. By the morning, it roughly matched the temperature of the fridge. Unfortunately, as with all previously frozen items, there was a distinctive increase in moisture and, consequently, tackiness.

As expected of our household go-to recipe though, the finished dough was highly pliable and grew progressively easy to work with. To ensure even thickness, I made use of two 5 mm cookie guides from OOMOMO. Then, it was time to summon all the Christmas cookie cutters of interest.
Suffice to say: there were plenty.

A friend's attempt at fixing our oven's finnicky temperature settings were in vain. Over the course of baking the five trays, the internal cavity failed to maintain heat, even reaching temperatures as low as 275 F when the preheat setting was within the range of 350-375 F. A watchful eye was critical to prevent the cookies from scorching before cooking through.

Amongst my fondest childhood memories are the creation of these cookies. A notable recollection was the inevitable burning of the small stars and arms of the angels, primarily due to their lack of uniformity. With practice, I've succeeded in rendering these figures to a golden yellow by positioning them strategically on baking tray and baking the larger cookies first to adequately ensure warmth in the oven.

Being heavily based of butter and further enriched with egg yolk, icing sugar decorations need not apply. Instead, decorating the tops with crystal sugar is a quintessential aspect of the procedure, and it pains me to see the gradual elimination and steep increase in price for crystal sprinkles in the modern world.

It's not uncommon for me to consume an obscene amount of these cookies. Amidst my trials, I deduced that:

They should never been stamped, as it compacts the cookie and causes rigidity to prevail over an airy, gratifying snap
Crystal sugar is hardly optional, and is cream of tartar. Vanilla extract, however, should excluded since it does not elevate the profile whatsoever.
Dusting the rolling pin with flour isn't necessary, but maybe a worthy step if working in a moisture-heavy environment (or with frozen butter)
Generally speaking, room temperature ingredients ensure the greatest success. In any case though, do not freeze butter.
The original recipe can be scaled up for a bigger batch; our usual household formula involves doubling the recipe from Elegant Desserts.

Out & About #1058 | Ginger Molasses Cake with Eggnog Mousse, 401 Richmond + Holiday Gifting

12/18/2024

As my coworker had declared in astonishment, it was difficult to believe that Christmas was looming. The month of December appeared to have just started when, in fact, it was nearing its third week.

Home compilations of the week comprised of: Sliced bananas and Lindt dark chocolate spread on whole wheat toast, Passionfruit Cold Brew Sparkler, and the seasonal classic of Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Mini Marshmallows.

I quickly learned that T&T's frozen BBQ Pork Buns were equally as delectable after one minute in the microwave as they were fifteen minutes in the steamer.

Chocolate-filled Biscoff rounds from Australia were declared interesting, but a tad muted in terms of complexity. Hexagonal Portuguese-style Pineapple Cakes from Macau were found extremely satiating due to the overwhelming about of stabilizer in the pastry, which was a grand disappointing in consideration of the generally palatable pineapple-wintermelon blend filling.

One of the weekend's biggest projects was a Ginger Molasses Cake with Eggnog Mousse as frosting.

1) Ginger Molasses Cake with Eggnog Mousse

After I had my fun with an eggnog and rum cocktail, I was left with the remnants of the 1 L carton. Truthfully, construction of the Distillery-inspired concoction had led me to realize that I did not, in fact, enjoy eggnog whatsoever. The perception of a creamy, enriched formula laced with warm spices was a positive one, yet the actual formula left much to be desired.

i) Eggnog Mousse

I'd start with an eggnog mousse, for this was the singular component that would serve to rapidly deplete the carton's contents.

Ingredients:

550 g eggnog
cinnamon
nutmeg
vanilla bean paste
4 egg yolks
211 g white chocolate couverture
2 tbsp gelatin, dissolved in water
284 g heavy cream

Directions

In a heatproof bowl, combine egg yolks and set aside.
Combine eggnog, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean paste in a saucepot. Bring to a gentle simmer over low to medium heat.
Dissolve gelatin in a small amount of water. I completed this process by sprinkling the gelatin over a few tablespoons of water in a small heatproof bowl, then microwaving in bursts of 10 seconds until the gelatin was fully dissolved.
Strain the gelatin if any lumps remain. Add gelatin and white chocolate couverture into the warmed eggnog mixture. Stir to combine, then remove from heat once all chocolate has dissolved.
Pour warmed eggnog mixture into egg yolks and whisk vigorously to prevent scrambling. Once incorporated, transfer back to the saucepot and continue cooking until thickened. Over medium-low heat, this process took about 6 minutes of constant stirring. When air bubbles no longer form with vigorous stirring and the surface is glossy, the custard base is done.
Transfer the custard to a heatproof bowl and tightly line the surface with cling film. Wrap the bowl with a second layer of cling film and set in the fridge until at least room temperature (several hours).
Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into eggnog custard.
Refrigerate until ready to use. Do not refrigerate longer than 6h as the mixture will become too stiff to spread. Should the mixture become too rigid, gently warm it - either over a water bath or in 10-second bursts in the microwave - until it yields.

Out & About #1057 | The First Snow, Braised Beef Brisket + Gardiner Museum

12/13/2024

The GTA finally witnessed its first snowfall in December.

These delicate flurries wholly embraced the holiday spirit, especially gracing the lofty coniferous trees in my backyard.

Most of the week would be spent undertaking retail-related errands. Besides the customary grocery run, many of my tasks involved post-Black Friday returns.

While I'm hardly fond of the chaotic circumstances that arise from seasonal shopping, I quite enjoy the sight of festive decor. Dazzling lights, shimmering orbs, and glittery ornaments never fail to summon sensations of whimsy and elation.

I made my rounds at Erin Mills Town Centre on a decidedly wintry day, followed by a last-minute Canadian Tire run for shower mending needs.

Over the course of the week, temperatures climbed back to the low single digits. Snow transitioned into rain, which, I suppose, is arguably better for unhurried driving.

Once back home, I commenced two dishes: Braised Beef Brisket and a Ham and Celery Omelette.

1) Braised Beef Brisket

Extenuating circumstances led to not only personal undertaking of grocery shopping, but cooking for the household as well. The act has been a rarity as of late, for extremely limited time remains after office hours, daily routines, and the ever-grueling weight on my shoulders that is my licensing application.

Previously procured beef brisket would be prepared in true Western-Chinese fusion. After perusing the web for guiding principles, I largely adhered to the Chinese method of cooking, but incorporated a number of different ingredients.

Some recipes called for blanching the meat in advance of braising, while others marinading. Many took to use of an Instant Pot, though, seeing as I haven't yet grasped knowledge of the device sufficiently to prevent mushy elements, I opted for the stovetop. Moreover, the Quick Release scares me. And I wasn't keen on disassembling the Instant Pot afterwards for cleaning.

Ingredients listed in practically all recipe variations were:

Chu Hou sauce
dark soy sauce
light soy sauce
rock sugar
star anise
cinnamon

Some paired the brisket with daikon, while other left them plain. Daikon is an almost bi-weekly component of our regular meals, thus I chose the route of mirepoix instead. Carrots, yellow onions, and celery were chopped into intentionally large pieces, as to soften gradually over the course of braising. My version did not depict a pure form of mirepoix, for the pieces veered drastically from a fine, uniform dice. Nevertheless, their application remained consistent with traditional uses of the tri-colour vegetable blend as an accompaniment to a meat-based dish.

Browning the meat was a non-negotiable step in both Instant Pot and traditional stovetop recipes. In a lightly oiled pot, the sides would be scorched until coloured, then removed and set aside. (In hindsight, I should have taken to butter for better aroma and flavour.) Next, aromatics would be sauteed in the meaty essences. After returning the meat to the pot, Shaoxing wine would be used to deglaze. In my case, I used a mixture of Shaoxing wine and umeshu brandy, hoping for sweet contributions by the latter.
The marinade would be added after, followed by the mirepoix and a handful of quartered vine tomatoes. Truthfully, not a single recipe had listed tomato as an ingredient. However, I desired the delightful tang of tomato; it is often seen in Western beef braises, complemented with bay leaf and herbs such as rosemary. Water would be used in place of stock, and foam would be skimmed from the surface where necessary (once).

As a consequence of inadequate braising time, results were hardly as tender as I envisioned. The substantial cubes of beef brisket were tough and sinewy, in spite of a luxurious braising liquid and perfectly done vegetables. Garlic cloves and tomato had disintegrated into the broth, enhancing umami. The onions were soft yet retained their shape. The carrots and celery retained toothsomeness without being undercooked

Out & About #1055 | Black Friday Shopping, stackt Holiday Hills + Wellington Market

11/29/2024

The average adulting life is brimming with stressors. Even in the absence of external interference, routine O&M procedures can span the bulk of one's day.

While countless Ontarians complain about the local healthcare system, I'm glad to declare we have not yet stooped to the level of ridiculousness in BC. Wait times of sixty minutes aren't uncommon, but, at the very least, one can aim for off-peak times and taking advantage of virtual check-in platforms.
That said, results for my pre-sunrise blood test have yet to be delivered even 1.5 weeks later.

The odd breakfast of toast would serve to break routine from Marbled Banana Bread and oatmeal, while homemade Passion Fruit Hot Chocolate (using Passion Fruit Citron Jam from T&T and Tim Hortons' Chocolate Mix) was tested as an interim curiosity quencher before Sunday Baking's Milk Chocolate & Passion Fruit Cake could be constructed.

The last week of November marked our final days in the ergonomic office. Outside the building, the tree was erected, the lights draped over the entrance, and the skating rink in the midst of being readied.

A complimentary sample of Kona Coffee hazelnut brittle sustained me throughout the morning, where I regretfully relocated not once but thrice due to desks being either double-booked or fitted with malfunctioning hardware.

Lunchtime errands primarily comprised of retail-related errands. First up was Uniqlo.

Out & About #1053 | Cycling to East Chinatown + Distillery Winter Village

11/19/2024

While seldom my customary choice, Monday coincided with my first day in the office.
Licensing requirements, or rather the uncertainty associated with satisfying such requirements, have kept me up for at least two weeks and counting. In spite of easing into the work week, these woes would not recede to make way for paid responsibilities.

I'd somehow execute the 90-minute commute with 4-5 hours of sleep. When lunchtime rolled around, I embarked on a cycling trip to East Chinatown via Gerrard.

A portion of this segment would be devoid of delineated cycle tracks/on-street pavement markings. Stopped vehicles and construction in the curb lane would force cyclists to merge with vehicular traffic, admittedly unfavourably. That said, I was thankful that plenty of empty docks were available near my desired destination.

A distant coworker had noted regular visits to a Chinese bakery by the name of Tung Hing, not on the bases of quality but rather convenience due to proximity to other POIs.
"What about (the nearby) Grand Restaurant/Phoenix Bakery?" I had posed before departed.
A hesitant and largely negative response came back, informing that the restaurant had switched owners countless times without sustaining any sort of reliability.

I forgoed a stopover and head straight to Tung Hing. The bakery revealed itself as quite dilapidated; origins were presumed to be Vietnamese-Chinese given observations of banh mi - and even Vietnamese Coffee - gracing the menu.

At slightly after noon, the shelves were relatively well stocked. However, all baking operations had ceased for the day. The kitchen area was as deserted as the PATH on a weekend. A middle-aged lady of East Asian descent handled the cashier. Meanwhile, a bulky Caucasian sat perched behind the cake counter, head down scrolling through her phone.

A few units of each bakery item were spotted. Prices ranged from sixty cents to $2.50, which promptly confirmed Tung Hing as the most budget-friendly pick of all of Toronto and beyond. Not a single GTA outpost could outdo their low prices.

Out & About #1045 | Queen West Errands + Early Halloween Assam/Matcha Finger Cookies

10/19/2024

When external conditions took a deep dive for the single digits come then persisted in the low double-digit range, I was well prepared. Come Tuesday morning, I had anticipated the seasonal temperatures, dressing accordingly with winter accessories and a windproof jacket. Unfortunately, there were few others that did the same.

Horrible hacking and sniffles were overheard on the GO train - not once, but twice. The same observations would apply for the following day, causing me to wince in the absence of a mask.

The sudden influx of baked goods in the household immediately prompted distribution. Five containers of apple pie, pecan tarts (sans shell), and apple tarts would be packed for the office. While the transport of such items can be troublesome, I'd argue that these deliveries result in a mutually beneficial relationship where excess creations can be enjoyed at peak freshness, maximizing my efforts without any additional calorie intake on my part. Of course, the unanimously successful specimens, such as the Pecan Tarts, would be frozen for later consumption. But alas, my freezer cannot fit it all! (And neither do I find contentment in sampling repetitive flavours.)

Lunchtime was spent - you guessed it! - conducting errands yet again.
A Friends & Family event led me to the Shoppers at Queen West. The item of importance was found to be in low stock, inciting the concern that the barcode discount would be a one-time offer. A staff member graciously retrieved physical copies of the coupons from the back room, enabling me up to a maximum of four transactions beyond my own digital offer

In the end, the Eaton outpost also did not carry my needed items. Before turning back, I'd make a quick dash into Bath and Body Works. The hiking venture (and port-a-potty experience) of the weekend past had utterly depleted me of sanitizer.

I'd replace my lavender-scented spray bottle with lavender-vanilla and mahogany apple aromas instead.

The next morning, I'd lug myself downtown once more.

In store for me was a rare, inter-department in-person meeting.

Accompanied by snacks of crispy egg rolls and lychee mochi, the group would collectively discuss the findings of the previous week's trek through Chinatown, then mark up the provided maps with potential opportunities for improved public realm, including park spaces and cycling infrastructure. The exercise was quite fun, yet fairly abstract and optimistic.

I later embarked on a late lunch walk with a new colleague.

Routing through Queen West once more, a fake New York subway tunnel was spotted at the northwest corner of Queen and Peter, just outside MEC. The installation was learned to be for upcoming filming in the area and, apparently, not the first of its kind according to Reddit.

Out & About #1043 | Albion Orchards, Square One Errands + Gyu-Kaku

10/12/2024

Read Part 1 HERE !

My coworker had glanced over with wonder as the topic of apple orchards was mentioned. As we pulled into Albion Orchards, she excitedly declared "Oh, so we're going to go apple picking!"
I bit my lip, reluctant to be the bearer of bad news. "Actually," I started, "We're just going to buy."
At seeing her fallen expression, I quickly added, "But we can take a look too, seeing as you've never gone."

Available varieties were posted outside the play area. The names were familiar to me, as one who frequents forums on the hunt for the best baking apple during different times of the year. For the average farm visitor, such as my suburban coworker, they retained little value.

Next to the pumpkin patch and play area entrance was a reception desk. Price lists had been tacked onto the checked tablecloth, reading:

10 lb bags for $25 (limited to 3 people)
20 lb bags for $45 (limited to 5 people)
$5 admission per person, regardless of age

Charging separately for entry and pick-your-own experiences is not uncommon, however Albion's prices were definitely exorbitant given the scale of the farm and their limited range of attractions. The costs were comparable to Applewood, Chudleigh's, and Andrew's Farm, but offered far fewer installations of interest. Thus, for two people to engage in apple picking at Albion Orchards, a minimum cost of $35 would apply. This was a premium to pay for 10 pounds of produce of questionable quality. For all I was aware, the apples could be bruised and ready for discard like Chudleigh's.

My lukewarm response towards the price list said it all. We'd head within the farm market store to peruse their selection of picked apples and bakery products instead. The latter was similarly steeply priced, though the apples were quite reasonable.

Nearby posters tabulated apple varieties and suitable applications, advising visitors of the supposed prime pick for their objective. In reviewing the chart, I deduced a bias against Ginger Gold. My go-to baking species was depicted as "Not Recommended" for pie, sauce, nor baking. Meanwhile, red-skinned Cortland and sunny Golden Delicious were classified as "Excellent". I was in disagreement with these claims. Perhaps this stark difference is marked by my disgust towards overly cloying, mushy apples and others' acceptance of sodden pie crust.

Housed at the back of farm market were chips, sparkling (non-alcoholic) cider, souvenir gifts, and apples by the bushel. Neither prices nor weights had been clearly labelled, prompting me to return to the front section of the market to purchase apples by the pound. Grocery-style plastic bags were available in rolls; plastic bags can be shunned in favour of the orchard's own logo-sporting tote bags - at extra charge, of course. Naturally, I'd return to the car to retrieve my own reusable totes before purchasing.

I'd join the checkout queue with a 4L jug of cider, 2.5 lbs of Mutsu, and 1.6 lbs of Idared in tow. While the apple picking crowds were scanty, the farm market was bustling with a lengthy lineup for the cashier. Ten minutes later, we'd return to the car and sample our first sip of Albion Orchards' Sweet Apple Cider. Admittedly, the concoction was tastier than expected: tart, refreshing, and embracing a respectable consistency. It didn't come close to The Apple Factory, but surely wasn't bad either. We ranked Albion Orchards second to our now-shuttered favourite.

A follow-up visit to Downey's was proposed for the procurement of spiked Apple Cider. I resolved the trip would be quick, for the farm would be slated to close in less than one hour. Oh, how wrong I was.

We arrived at a chaotic scene with parking lots packed to the brim and visitors jay-walking from the farm to the apple picking fields. Miraculously, I had managed a spot decently close to the farm store entrance, but a ceaseless, winding queue to enter the farm market prompted us to invest our efforts elsewhere.

Even departing the area proved tragic, as streams of visitors would appear left and right, blocking turns and, consequently, obstructing traffic. Twenty minutes would pass before reaching the next intersection. I then sped my way to Tim Hortons for a much-warranted bathroom break.

Out & About #1043 | Glen Haffy Conservation Area + Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Area

10/12/2024

Thanksgiving hikes are essentially mandatory at this point. Leading up to the long weekend, I had prepared accordingly by securing a CVC pass for access to TRCA destinations. In addition, my coworker that would be joining me for the first time would be readied through our lunchtime trip to Decathlon.

But, of course, maintaining punctuality is not my forte. Despite having announced a departure time of 7:30 AM, I ultimately departed twenty minutes late, then required at least ten minutes more to detour for gas. My weekend morning sluggishness and overall tardiness averaged a total delay of thirty minutes, though my hiking partner of the day was, shockingly, more than forgiving.

I had hurriedly tossed three footwear candidates into the back seat and slipped into my Birks out of haste; my Marauder socks would be on full display until we arrived at our first stop - which would be none other than indoor plumbing facilities. A McDonald's gas station accompaniment in Caledon had selected over the grimy, rundown Tims across the intersection. Much to my surprise, the two unisex stalls were spacious and quite clean. No missing mirrors or empty plastic water bottles would be found here.

Continuing northbound, we'd pull into Glen Haffy Conservation Area around 9:30 AM. A staff member greeted us at the toll gate. I presented the package I had obtained from the library in its entirety, then inquired whether additional proof was necessary for admission. She shook her head with a smile, silently confirming that the pass satisfied admission requirements, and simply asked if we'd be fishing today. I answered in the negative. "Well then you guys have a lovely day!" she responded, and waved us off.

Admittedly, there were some difficulties experienced in locating the trail head. Downloading the trail map for offline use the evening prior had been a well-informed decision, for the signal was weak on site. (That said, nowhere can beat Mono Cliffs as a dead zone.)

We eventually settled to park near the fishing pond, as it provided somewhat of a connection to the main trail. Spaces were identified with the presence of concrete wheel stops and provided on freshly mowed turf as opposed to gravel or asphalt. Instead, the latter materials were used to distinguish drive-able paths and interior (local) access routes.

Descending down to the fishing pond, we found a handful of early birds with their rods casted, waiting patiently for a catch.

View the full album HERE !

The scenery was worth marvelling at, for early fall hues would be reflected in the clear, shimmering waters of the pond. Lofty, leafy structures lined the perimeter of the body of water, separated only by a narrow trail and a marsh at its northeast corner.

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky = a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things

Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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