Mercury levels have begun to stoop this week, easing into a drizzly conditions hovering about the freezing mark. This climate conjures reluctance to head outside, and instead pairs well with indoor activities and cozy beverages. Nestled next to me, as I grudgingly undertake manual labour that ought be - and could easily be -automated, is Mr. Buttons.

The marshmallow-topped mocha in the last month has been swapped for a feel-good detox of yuzu, ginger, and lemon. Meal choices have similarly gravitated towards warm broths with subtler profiles. A bag of macaroni dating back to peak COVID grocery restocks was unveiled; the pasta was paired with kale and blanched pork shoulder strips in pleasantly tart tomato soup accented with sweet onions.

Resulting from an unfulfilled trip to Thornhill were persistent cravings and curiosity towards Filipino bakery and kakanin offerings. It was only a matter of time before this thirst for knowledge prompted my own rendition of Sapin Sapin. Without any familiarity with the authentic version, I relied heavily on YouTube sources to guide me through the process.

In the absence of ube extract, I utilized pandan. In order to minimize the number of dishes, I turned towards my toaster oven instead of setting up the steamer. In the face of a constant stream of emails, I skipped the step of sieving the mixture before steaming. Lastly, in an attempt to re-purpose the remaining quantity of coconut milk from my Pandan Honeycomb Cake experiment, I converted the measurements from US to metric and scaled the ingredient amounts accordingly, admittedly hastily while rushing through the tutorial at 2x playback speed.

One of my biggest goals was to finish the remainder of my Vancouver content, though I quickly realized the limitations of both my Premiere knowledge and index finger strength (for nonstop clicking). At the same time, it was impossible to resist some form of interaction with the outside world before the end of the year.

​I proposed hotpot, a cuisine format I rarely dabble in, for supper, then partaking in countdown festivities at Celebration Square. The sleepy polar bear welcomed the idea, though noted that family matters may impact its execution.

Surely enough, their household's sluggish departure from London delayed our plans. Reminding the sleepy polar bear that we would need to undertake four stops in addition to washing, preparing, and cleanup procedures, the amount of allocated time was insufficient to proceed with the original agenda. Doing what I do best - if I must say so myself - I called for an urgent meeting, contemplating possible solutions within the constraints and outsourcing assistance as needed.

We opted to maximize our team efforts: while the sleepy polar bear undertook the grand mission of procuring salmon, I would complete my own round of errands before venturing southeast to P.A.T. for beef and pork shabu shabu. Another member of the party would assume pickup duties for Haemul Pajeon and Kimchi Jeon from Myungdong Kalguksu; the arrival of the pancakes were scheduled to coincide with the hotpot start time, such that sogginess would be kept at minimum.

The setup process was a joint effort by the sleepy polar bear and yours truly, who had brought and donned her own for the task. Other attendees did not extend a helping hand by default and, even when asked, there was an unashamedly brazen one that simply declared, "I just came to eat!" before turning back to voice seemingly dreadful concerns of "having too much vacation" left over. That's one member that won't be invited again. House gatherings are team efforts, not maid-making opportunities.

While we commenced on washing the greens, mixing the broth, and roughly chopping half of a lavishly priced salmon fillet, the others were asked to assist with transferring ingredients to paper plates. Only one arose from the couch, first absentmindedly cutting the paper plate instead of cutting the packaging of the fish balls.

Eventually, at 7:09 PM, the food came together. We were, more or less, on schedule.

I had brought along an exclusive makgeolli purchase for sharing. Kim's Soon Makgeolli (864) had actually been the reason for jeon acquisition. Albeit lighter and less chalky than the Jinro edition, I nonetheless suffered the same slow, crippling headache as my Albion hike on the following day. Korean liquor has not been proving to sit well with my body lately.

The party ceased consumption around the 8:15 PM mark, as per my expectations. Between 8:30 - 9:00 PM, the sleepy polar bear and I engaged in cleanup measures. Some brought bowls and plates to the sink; some twiddled their thumbs and yakked away.

We then set out for Celebration Square. In review of road closures, the old Empire Studios parking lot was selected. For the first time in seven years, I'd be embracing the new year locally.

The cookies were baked the next day. Though nicely puffed when removed from the oven, each icing sugar-topped round began to deflate within minutes. Identical circumstances had been witnessed with the Peppermint Crinkles from the Holiday Cookie Box, though I couldn't quite figure out why.
Hummingbird High's Ube Crinkles had used baking powder, but SK had taken to baking soda, likely due to recipe's quantity of brown sugar. I recalled baking soda as an ingredient conjuring an instantaneous reaction, meaning that batters and doughs should be baked immediately after construction. The chemical leavener would also require some form of acid to initiate the reaction. In this case, it would be the molasses contained within the brown (or golden) sugar. While this wouldn't have proven problematic if the cookies were shaped and baked right away, it limits storage flexibility and prohibits staggered baking.

​The holiday season is a time of intense indulgence. Beyond increased intake of chocolate truffles and rich, boozy beverages, dining out tends to take place more frequently. For the most part, I'm not very inclined to venture out into the cold, wait to be seated, wait for food, then return home two (or more) hours later. The sleepy polar bear, on the other hand, rarely adheres to a designated schedule and would much rather invest in permissiveness than active attainments.

​Travels to J-Town led to the presentation of day-old products from Bakery Nakamura: A Yakisoba Bun, Keroppi-style Matcha Melonpan, and Strawberry Shortcake. The bun was revealed fluffier than expected, though satiating in its carbs-on-carbs construction. Kewpie mayo and a squeeze of wasabi alleviated such heaviness.

The Strawberry Shortcake, from which I had requested a mere half slice, was airy and, admittedly, delicious. That said, I'm not one to enjoy copious amounts of fruit cakes with whipped cream. The 3/4 inch slice was perfectly adequate.

​I ventured towards midtown in the earlier half of the week, for schedules simply aligned better.​ The office was more or less vacant, yet I enjoyed my time nonetheless.

​A southbound sojourn led me to Kay Gardner Beltline Trail.

​A southbound sojourn led me to Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. The bridge, decorated with local art installations, overlooked Yonge at Merton Street as well as the TTC Davisville Yard and headquarters building.​

Just when I thought the sleepy polar bear's revulsion towards raisins were childish and abnormally choosy, the office crowd proved the popularity of this opinion, deserting a raisin-filled banana bread loaf in favour of the chocolate chip-containing rendition.

​Typically, my in-office days of late have been spent exploring the cardinal directions of the intersection. When the need to undertake a mid-day venture downtown emerged though, I jumped at the opportunity to extend the lunch break and explore the unknown.

​Boarding Line 1 southbound during the lunch rush made for an interesting trip. The train was noticeably less congested than the afternoon peak, yet busier than in the morning. As we pulled into Wellesley station, I caught sight of a filthy blanket entering my peripheral. Huddled underneath the grimy mess was a red paper cup and a mop of mental instability. I was fortunate enough to be far away enough to escape any potential interaction, though a girl who had found herself next to an empty seat was not so lucky.

I exited at College station, first out of intent and second out of contingency; I was not looking forward to any further happenings in that passenger car.

​The trip had been centred about Le Génie, a bakery that I learned of for nearly one year, yet never visited due to its inconvenient coordinates.

Gargantuan pastries and elaborately decorated cakes filled the display case. These specimens were larger than the typical puff pastry, yet also exponentially pricier.

​Beyond their impressive assortment of baked goods, Le Génie also served espresso-based beverages and wine, complete with a wine fridge against one wall of the asymmetric establishment.

​My first pick was the Vanilla Flan. Reminiscent of an egg tart, the $7.38 delicacy contained a semi-viscous custard speckled with vanilla within wispy thin layers of puff pastry. I had been expecting a looser consistency to fill its cavity, along with more widespread fragrance to be perceived.

The buttery, flakey shards were lovely, but the filling left a little to be desired.

One of the most despicable acts to witness is that of someone failing to accomplish a task despite being given comprehensive direction, adequate resources (and sources for additional resources), and sufficient time for execution. The absence of independence startles me, while the absence of critical thinking frustrates me. These statements could, very well, be targeted towards a certain someone, but also extends to those in our immediate surroundings - colleagues and friends, for example.

​As someone who has accumulated both incredible mileage and an extensive mental geographic database, it may come as a surprise that I, in fact, despise driving. I'd opt out of it if public transit routes were satisfactory for my needs, but they're not - at least not at this time of writing.
When the concept of carpooling crossed my mind, I was eager to propose it to my potential co-commuter. It was received with some hesitation at first, but we discussed quickly to narrow down plausible logistics.

​The first day was met with success. Not only did I arrive earlier than if I had driven solo, I was liberated from the pressure of staying awake behind the wheel.

​Moreover, I was granted the opportunity to obtain breakfast.
Slipping by the party of eco bag-carrying street civilians, into the only McDonald's in the two-kilometre radius, a Cranberry Orange Muffin was secured.

​Lunchtime marked the proposed delivery for the Thai ahgase's Holiday Cookie Box. She would be the last donator to receive her share, namely due to the fact that our sole chance of crossover would be in the city.

​Upon completion of the mission, I speedily trekked northbound to maximize the remainder of my mid-day respite. Elaborate lattes from the Himalayan Coffee House had been on my mind, but the distinctly above-seasonal temperatures deterred me from the hot drink purchase.

​By the time I realized I had passed the establishment, the desire had receded. Continuing to march along the east side of the street, my surroundings evolved to emit a primarily residential aura.

​Without much else of interest in the area, I turned into Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, a quaint park with rustic cobblestone steps (albeit uneven ones).

"It sounds like you've just gone and made a lot of work for yourself."
Which was absolutely true.

The intent to do good often requires little to no persuasion, however fundraising is always a topic warranting thorough contemplation and strategic risk-taking. Taking preorders was the first step in ensuring a manageable amount of requests, for it allowed to allocate resources, furthermore the logistics needed to obtain those resources. Conducting test batches (858) was another worthwhile venture, though not always feasible given the constraints of time and other duties, such as full-time employment, chores, and other previously made commitments.

And the date of delivery inched closer and closer, I grew increasingly more anxious. My planned baking/test batch-making days were overruled by fatigue, work overruns, and comparatively more pressing matters. In spite of having made and frozen two out of six varieties, there was still much to do. Even Sunday Baking will admit that constructing a cookie box solo is no easy feat; it would only be fitting that a total of seventeen boxes would demand a proportional amount of effort, time, and - gosh, it pains me - wrist strength.​​

​The sleepy polar bear's stand mixer was not very useful throughout this process. The mixing compartment lacked in depth, holding even less than the standard Pyrex and Zwilling mixing bowls in our household. The compartment could not be used to melt butter, thus requiring an additional bowl for microwave use and, consequently, more dishes. The shield was absent, meaning that flour would fly upon turning on the lowest setting. I made a makeshift shield using plastic wrap, though could not deter loose bits from escaping the bowl.
Overall, the contraption was finnicky, and lacked clarity in its lock mechanisms. One wrong move could lead to damage to the digits or worse. Even my budget food processor and Bodum grinder bore a greater number safety features and symbols. Most notable of all was its weight - so hefty that the first time I attempted to lift it from the box, I nearly strained my back. I struggled to brush the dust and dried dough off the device, an act that the sleepy polar bear should have undertaken prior to sending it over for use. The fact that buttons and knobs were placed on both sides of the mixer meant more counter space would be needed for smooth operation. My working space was very limited, reducing the efficacy of the tool.

To conclude, a solid Zwilling whisk - or even a hand mixer - would have sufficed for my purposes. But my wrist was in tremendous pain, to the point of sensation loss in some fingers. I gave stand mixers a shot, however quickly determined its misalignment with my baking habits.

My Holiday Cookie Box comprised of five types, with flavour variations resulting in a total of seven different doughs:

• Peppermint Crinkle
• Linzer Cookies
• Snowball Cookies (Oolong, Injeolmi)
• Mini Gingerbread
• Cutout Cookies (Vanilla, Matcha)

​​Peppermint Crinkle
These were formed in the earlier half of the week - with minimal deviation  from the earlier edition beyond the swap from Piccoli Surfin to Callebaut - formed into balls, and frozen for use later. Given their extremely pliable consistency, the chill time aided in rendering them structured enough for swift coating in granulated and icing sugar before baking.

Linzer Cookies
As Sunday Baking had yet to release her own take on this recipe, I sought out Cho Hanbit and doubled his recipe for Linzer Cookies. Naturally, I would proceed to utilize my own jam recipe, incorporating frozen strawberries instead of blueberries or cherries for a smoother, tarter profile.
Cho Hanbit's formula was exceptionally soft and made several trips between the fridge and freezer before all the rounds could be cut out. Despite a far lengthier prep time than expected, the results were scrumptious: crunchy, sandy, and lightly tart from the jam. (Do be warned that these cookies are the first to succumb to sogginess, so eat them as quickly as possible!)

Between editing content from the previous week's happenings and mentally preparing for the Holiday Cookie Box (858) production line, little energy remained for further events. Ultimately, I deemed myself physically unfit for undertaking more test batches and in dire need of escaping the sporadic bursts of nonsense that would occasionally drift towards my ears.

​The answer was fresh air in the form of Light Up the Square.

​Past years evoke hazy experiences at Celebration Square, normally comprising of lights, hot beverages, and the occasional marketplace.

​Complimentary gifts from sponsors and children's games are common constituents of the event as well. Obtained from one year were touchscreen gloves and hot chocolate!

​We parked in the north garage underneath Celebration Square, and miraculously found the entrance to the elevators unlocked. Beyond the doors to P1 was tri-toned carpet bearing a pearly white City of Mississauga logo. Immediately beside the elevators were conveniently placed bathroom facilities, which we visited before heading to ground level.

​The skating rink greeted us at City Hall's south entrance. Lights, music, and more had been set up for the season's opening evening. Differing from the previous year was the overall layout: the series of benches normally finding themselves at the north end of the rink were now sectioned off with glass panels to improve flow. A food truck vendor equipped with crêpes, coffee, waffles, and ice cream had now found itself at the northeast corner. The heated patio remained, but space was exceptionally limited.

View the full album HERE!

The annual hangout with my active July baby was delayed this year. Between my post-vacay exhaustion, unpredictable work transitions, conflicting work schedules, and general life matters, the event was eventually postponed well after the conclusion of summer and fall.

With temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, there were few outdoor activities of interest to us. And no, I wasn't about to pursue snowboarding - followed by three consecutive days of pain - on a whim again.

I stole the idea of Activate from friends of the sleepy polar bear, then later realized that each booking required a minimum of three people. (Alternatively, groups of two could book as three, but the games would prove more challenging and the three-person admission rate would still apply.) Naturally, we sought the schedule availability of the sleepy polar bear and friends.

​Our booking had initially been made for the Burlington location, then modified to the Brampton outpost given the array of events taking place on the weekend. As the neighbourhood lacked restaurants of interest though, I proposed a mid-day meal at Yum's Kitchen before venturing northeast.

My first order of business was to rectify the incorrect number of points awarded to me. The lady behind the counter deferred my concerns to one of the co-owners, urging me to reach out via phone. I received a response of acknowledgement in record time, and my points were added to my account six days later.

Since my last dine-in visit, the eatery has invested in an order number calling system by the food preparation area. Ideal for periods of high visitor volume, order numbers are announced audibly throughout the dining floor and visibly by a digital display.
Our duo of Grilled Pork Steamed Baos were delivered first. Loaded generously into an unthinkably plush casing were marinaded, grilled meat, carrot slaw, and a few vibrant sprigs of cilantro. Tearing into the bao wrappers, I couldn't suppress my enthusiasm at its lush, satisfying texture.

Readiness of the Grilled Chicken Fresh Rolls was announced a few moments later, adopting a presentation akin to I Love Pho, but bearing a profile distinctly inferior. While I was appreciative of the sauce being less invasive than my go-to pho place of the year, its constituents were largely bland and the wrapper tough instead of tender.

Neither of us were satisfied with the portions, but my fellow July baby had another suggestion beyond Yum's small snack plates.

In the T&T plaza, where ShareTea and BlackBall had once occupied, a new contender for bubble tea had appeared. From Hero Tea's online platform, a White Peach Oolong Milk Tea w/ tapioca and cream-topped Mountainous White Peach Tea were ordered. Both drinks were ready for pickup at the time of arrival, but I paused to peer at the new interior.
And thankfully I did, for my White Peach Oolong Milk Tea was horrendously astringent at 0% sugar, resulting in an unpleasant aftertaste on the tongue. The beverage was gladly reconstructed with boost in sugar level. Even at 30% sugar though, the tea was still on the mild end, but tapioca compensated for sweetness.

Joined by the sleepy polar bear, we then headed towards Brampton City Hall. Much like in Mississauga, parking in the City Hall garage was free on weekends. The lot enabled easy access to the seasonal light fixtures just before the municipal building, as well as Gage Park, which had yet to be transformed into a rink.

When a self-proclaimed "casual climber" proposed the idea of Pursuit OCR, I leaped at the idea. Technically, it could have been a mention of great nonchalance, but I took it to heart and immediately began planning. Prior to their relocation from Etobicoke, I had already been interested in the entertainment facility, but not invested enough to make the trip.

The date was confirmed about two weeks in advance, with a group booking for seven at 5PM arranged after two rounds of consultation.

​Most of the stops proved speedier than expected, enabling a walk through Sandford Farm Park. Despite having driven by on a number of occasions, I hadn't exactly trekked through on foot.

With temperatures hovering about the comfortable double digits, we explored the last of fall foliage amongst lean and lofty barren trees, fenced off from the playground and paved pathway. An asphalt basketball court and spacious soccer field were found towards its west limits, in close proximity to the narrow - yet sizable - parking lot.

​We set out around the 4:15 PM mark and arrived just before our check-in time of 5PM. Having pestered other members of the group to not only arrive early in athletic gear and sign the waiver in advance, it was admittedly a tad annoying to have some reveal themselves in tardiness, for our allocated 90-minute slot would be enforced.

Zealously having picked three (or four?) times more than the rest of Chudleigh's other patrons, we took home about forty-ish apples. Amongst this assortment were:

• McIntosh
  

Stouter and wider than the Northern Spy, this white-fleshed apple is generally easy to find in grocery stores, but often retailed at a price point steeper than its worth. True to user reviews, McIntosh disintegrated quickly after coming into contact with heat, proving most suitable for applesauce (rather than apple jam). Left too long, these can also turn powdery.
​

• Mutsu

Larger than Ginger Gold and roughly two shades lighter than Granny Smith, I had expected tartness and structural integrity from this breed. Its skin was unmistakably thicker than Ginger Gold; there was also a greater quantity of discard: rotten centres, bruised surfaces, and questionably tender areas. Again, I couldn't pinpoint the reasoning behind the damages sustained, as we had obtained the apples directly from the tree and kept them secure throughout transit.
​

• Fuji

Smaller and less vibrant than its neighbours down south, Ontario Fuji tasted less floral than Washington imports. Nonetheless, they were delicious.

​After peeling, coring, and slicing upwards of nine apples the morning after, I proceeded to construct the Apple Crumble Cake I had visited just over one month ago. The base of Sunday Baking's Blueberry Crumble Cake was utilized (doubled); just as before, the formula was thick and difficult to spread throughout the base of the pan. However, I remained confident that the cake would steadily acquire volume in the oven, resisting the weight of the apple slices arranged on top.