Category: - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #955 | Ube Pie, Butternut Squash Tri-Colour Pasta, Browniest Cookies + Michael Bublé at Eaton Centre

11/26/2023

More often than not, I am Team Donburi over Team Ramen or Team Yakiudon. However, it remains to be determined whether this inclination had stemmed from a shortage of short-grain rice at home, or pure affection.

For the past month and a bit, the pantry was restocked with Japanese short-grain rice instead of our go-to Thai Jasmine, making sticky rice is no longer a rarity.
Yet, in the meantime, I've been craving noodles. First came the classic comfort dish of udon, but reinvented in a broth-less, warmth-deprived manner.

1) Cold Soy Udon

The flour noodles were blanched then tossed in a mixture of dark and light soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, wasabi, a handful of toasted/burnt sesame seeds, and, of course, salt and sugar. The dish had intended on mimicking yakiudon without the need for oiling a pan. The dish emanated strong izakaya vibes, bearing a hint of fieriness and an oddly viscous sauce that clung to each strand.

To ensure a well-balanced diet, the Cold Soy Udon was paired with Steamed Minced Pork, Choy Sum and a Soft-Boiled Egg with a gooey, golden centre.

Other meals of the week comprised of: Cold Soy Udon with Choy Sum and Red Sausage, Beef Shabut with Fish Balls, Gai Lan, and Napa Cabbage.

2) Ube Pie w/ Ube Whipped Cream

I suppose the inkling of a craving had surfaced last week when I laid eyes on the violently violet spread of Purple Oven Bakeshop's pop-up at The Food District. (We all know how that investment ended though.)

Resolving to construct an ube pie myself, I combined SK's extra-flaky pie crust and adapted Sunday Baking's tried and true Pumpkin Tart. Under ideal circumstances, pumpkin purée would be substituted with ube halaya in a 1:1 ratio. Alas, my previously allocated portion comprised of 113 grams - about one quarter of the amount required. (In hindsight, I hadn't anticipated the halaya to be utilized for anything beyond crinkle cookies. But life takes interesting turns sometimes.)

In true improvisational nature, I proceeded with the proposed plan, scaling and adding ingredients as seen fit. Condensed milk was reduced significantly (since halaya is sweetened to start). Next, roughly 2/3 can of coconut milk was used to thicken the mixture, while three eggs were used for stability (as opposed to the specified two). None of these swaps were scaled for precision, for there wasn't a point of reference to start.

Out & About 954 | Eaton Pre-Black Friday Shopping + The Distillery Winter Village 2023

11/21/2023

I was originally under the impression that this year's Distillery Winter Village would be entirely ticketed. This meant that the "free slots" of the previous years had been eliminated entirely, which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest given the recent expense surge across all industries. The website steered visitors towards the admission options, though it was later discovered that off-peak periods still remained admission-free:

Monday to Thursday before December 17th
Friday to Sunday before 4 PM, until December 17th
Monday to Thursday before 4 PM, after December 17th

Actively avoiding the chaos of last year's Tree Lighting Ceremony, I proposed venturing towards the cobblestone corridors following one of my in-office days.

I slept fitfully, lying conscious in bed for at least two hours before falling and out of restless slumber and awaking nearly once every hour. A somber, all-black ensemble would depict my internal state, while a cozy Christmas vest assuaged feelings of sleep-deprived irritation.

There is also an indescribable influence induced by twinkly holiday décor. Union Station's York Concourse was embellished lavishly with sparkly LED pillars and wreaths nestled between the train departure boards. Meanwhile, Nathan Phillips Square was also observed to be testing their b̶u̶d̶g̶e̶t̶ illuminations in preparation for the Calcavade of Lights.

Upon arriving at the office, my coworker, a fellow baking enthusiast, entrusted me with a mini loaf of Pumpkin Bread. Her beaming expression told all: the exclusive portion was moist, flavourful, and bore the crunchiest turbinado topping to ever grace mankind. It was unthinkable that she had utilized the exact recipe as before, yet results proved dramatically different with just a few minor adjustments.

I was informed that the pumpkin purée had been cooked with crushed cardamom this time (as opposed to keeping the spices whole), that the topping eliminated cinnamon and swapped out granulated sugar for turbinado, and that the cake had rested at room temperature for one day being before wrapped and delivered to my desk in a ribbon-secured parchment package.

A few slices were devoured on the first day, with the remainder rapidly vanishing with the next thirty-six hours.

Lunchtime saw continued exploration of office buildings in the vicinity. More sparkly orbs, wreaths, and artificial pines were spotted while en route to the Eaton Centre via the PATH.

Having usually taken to outdoor navigation, there was little familiarity with navigating through Hudson Bay and Pusateri's. Nevertheless, I found my way by adhering signage and taking note of festive installations along the way.

The sighting of my colourful dog print tote bag from Thornbury had me bewildered. Staff from the BIA boutique had marketed the bag as a rare item, however the quantity and design varieties adorning the shelf before me spoke otherwise. Admittedly, I was slightly disappointed at the absence of a price tag for comparison.

Eventually, the overpass to the Eaton Centre was located on the second floor, connecting Saks Fifth Avenue and the Queen Street exit.

Out & About #953 | Holiday Smile Cookie, Festive Décor + Earl Grey Madeleines with Orange White Chocolate Coating

11/19/2023

Tim Hortons' peculiarly-timed introduction of the Smile Cookie back into its lineup caught many Canadians by surprise. Previously a September exclusive, a holiday-themed version was advertised leading up to its one-week sale period.

Source: Tim Hortons (November 2023)

The festive rendition features white chocolate chips and red and green sprinkles in a classic cookie base brimming with notes of vanilla, unlike the soft chocolate chunk cookie familiar to us. Swapped out were the pastel pink and baby blue for a sturdy, starkly white icing. Its consistency evoked the essence of gingerbread house adhesive, and was likely just as sugary. The cookie itself was also noticeably thicker, thus more gratifying.

As a consequence of the upgraded icing, runny Joker-esque smiles were kept at bay. These cookies actually smiled!

Each cookie retails at $1.50, of which all proceeds would be donated to local charities.

Following our dining experience at Gol's Lanzhou Noodle, I couldn't help but contemplate the contentment bestowed upon me by a similar noodle in broth dish.

It should come as no surprise that Pho Big Bowl has assumed position of our pho favourite as of late. Besides our go-to picks of No. 18 Well-Done Brisket Pho Noodle Soup and No. 82 Pad Thai Style Stir Fried Noodle w/ Egg, Shrimp, and Chicken, we also explored other aspects of their menu with an order of No. 43 Vermicelli with BBQ Pork.

The small Pho was requested without onions and hot sauce; the restaurant honoured the first ask, though still included a small container of hoisin-sriracha. Whether a result of the omission of onions or not, my container had been filled with a greater amount of brisket than usual.
Meanwhile, the Pad Thai was requested mild, but emerged lacking in flavour and filled with undercooked onions and red peppers rings. I was insistent in compensating for this loss with a homemade condiment: peanut butter, rice wine vinegar, mirin, turmeric, and trace amounts of salt and sugar were vigorously stirred to form a golden curry-toned paste. Despite being reminiscent of Thai flavours, the formula hadn't exactly succeeded in resembling the pad thai seasoning used.

The Vermicelli with BBQ Pork came accompanied with a handful of crunchy, pickled veggies and occupied by a generous portion of (regrettably dry) protein.

Other meals of the week included: Tomato Pork + Choy Sum over Short Grain Rice, Minced Pork, Tomato Pork + Choy Sum over Short Grain Rice, and Purple Rice Coconut Dessert Soup.

Watermain construction persists in our neighbourhood, but has now transitioned to the area immediately beyond my window. Rudely awakened by the sound of asphalt removal, I commenced my work-from-home routine slightly earlier than normal, in a noticeably irritable fashion.

Unthinkable it was to experience just a mere snapshot of the lane reductions and sidewalk chaos endured by residents of the Yonge-Eg area for the past decade and more.

Seeing as LCBO permitted returns within 30 days, I set out to complete the task before the inevitable arrival of rush hour. While the liquor giant was unable to process the transaction as a refund, I was granted in-store credit for same-day usage.

Out & About #952 | North York Update Feat. Gol's Lanzhou Noodle + Don't Yell At Me

11/11/2023

A dental appointment brought me back to familiar stomping grounds of Summer 2018. Over the years, the Keele and Wilson area hasn't evolved drastically, though has also been seen sporadic surges of development in the realms of residential mid-/high-rises buildings and transit line extensions.

When the gum-scraping ordeal was done (and my dentist had walked in on my hallway practice of MANIAC), we made our way over to North York for lunch.

The partial intersection closure at Yonge and Bishop had terminated, permitting vehicular movements in all directions. A part of the commuter lot had been fenced off to allow for Black & McDonald equipment and trailer to remain, prompting me to park closer to the east limit of the Hendon Park Trail for safer pedestrian access through the parking lot.

Braving the ruthless winds and single-digit temperatures, we arrived at Gol's Lanzhou Noodle in about ten minutes. The visit had stemmed from a curiosity towards the specialized noodle cuisine and limited locations within the GTA - just three outposts existed in Markham, North York, and Waterloo (of all places).

Greeted by the cashier upon entry, our party of two was seated almost immediately. We resided in the waiting area for no more than thirty seconds, barely enough time to observe the process of noodle preparation or assess high-level functionality of the food delivery pickup area.
A single hardcover menu had already been placed on the table before we were gestured over. Drink orders were also taken in advance, allowing cups of warm water to be delivered within minutes of settling in.

The seating floor was rather compact, occupying a little less than half of their total floor space. Most diners had arrived in small groups of three or four, with even a few dining solo. Seated along the perimeter of the restaurant, we found our table cramped and chair unsuitable for hanging jackets. Any bags in tow would be placed on the windowsill, scarcely avoiding the sauce splatters on the wall, while jackets donned for the entirety of the meal, for the almost back-less chairs would cause sleeves to sweep the ground.

All the waitresses appeared to be in a hurry. At least four were spotted dashing left and right about the facility, seating customers or cleaning tables. Two of these four neared our table on three occasions to confirm our orders. Despite being first-time patrons, we weren't spared the leniency for numerous inquiries. Both of them spoke in pressing tones, with one expressing absolute exasperation towards being asked questions at all. Needless to say, the experience felt very rushed.

When we finally agreed upon sharing a Regular-sized bowl of Traditional Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Beef Noodle with a Tea Egg and side of Sweet & Sour Fries, the waitress pointed out the existence of a combo option. The signature bowl could be paired with choice of Spicy Cucumber Salad, Edamame with Preserved Vegetables, or Sweet & Sour Mini Fries plus a Tea Egg, with Regular and Large bowls priced $19.49 and $21.49 respectively. It was an excellent deal, given that the side dishes rang in at $5.99 individually.

Arriving in less than five minutes was the Sweet & Sour Mini Fries. The portion was notably smaller than we had expected, constituting a small plate of thin potato strands, red onion slivers, cilantro, and peanuts. The accompanying aromatics weren't memorable; furthermore, the peanuts should have been toasted and roughly chopped for better textural contrast instead of folded in whole. Its dressing was a light drizzle of sweet vinegar, which gave the dish its "Sweet & Sour" name. The uniform thickness and length of the stands led me to believe that the segments were obtained frozen and merely deep fried to order. They also reminded me of Hickory Sticks, except thicker, less wispy, and coated with tanginess.

Our bowl of Traditional Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Beef Noodle with Sanxi (三細) noodles was to be shared. Two small plastic bowls and a pair of scissors were provided to assist the consumption process.
Adorning the surface were a few thin slices of Chinese Daikon, followed by a heavy handful of chopped cilantro, scallions, and about seven pieces of beef. The addition of fresh herbs had been a well-informed decision, for they accentuated the broth in ways black pepper and copious amounts of monosodium glutamate could never. They were unmistakably fragrant, encouraging us to fold our frigid fingers along the circumference of the bowl and attempt our first bite.

The radish slices retained a faint crunch, while the beef slices were tender, adequately fatty, and delectable. Cooked beyond my liking, the Tea Egg was acceptable but otherwise bland and starchy. Being renowned for Lanzhou-style noodles, Gol's Sanxi was found to be dense and satiating, dissimilar to the springy texture of bouncy wonton mien.

Out & About #948 | Downtown Exploration + Next Stop: Japan (Day 1)

11/1/2023

My mid-week in-office day started off frigid, as if the conclusion of Halloween and entry into November signified the immediate arrival of winter. I had braced myself accordingly with a scarf and beanie, just as Mr. Buttons does year-round.

The floor was relatively peaceful for the first hour, then noise levels steadily surged, eventually to the extent where I could no longer hear my own thoughts. Shortly after 9 AM, a passive-aggressive altercation would ensue, provoked by the trivial topic of desk bookings. Wednesday was an evidently challenging day to fulfill attendance requirements.

Lunchtime would see a leisurely stroll towards Michaels - the only one in the downtown core, shockingly - for Halloween clearance items. Alas, beyond drab decorative installations, there was little else of interest.

The Christmas cookie cutters/stamps positioned by the entrance were of distinctly more intriguing, though far pricier than their eBay counterparts (with questionable durability).

At John and Adelaide, I spotted a new coffee shop by the name of Columbus Café. Its storefront had been integrated nicely into the brick exterior of the condo building, with a large grizzly affixed to each of its street-facing window panes.

Continuing southbound with vigor, I inched closer towards the West Wing of Union Station. The main attraction of the day would be Next Stop: Japan.

Despite having familiarized myself with the vendor lineup well in advance of the four-day event, I was nonetheless excited to partake personally, especially given that I had missed out on free scallops!

A number of booths had taken over the waiting area connecting 97 Front Street and the Great Hall, with a stage situated at the west end. An information desk and photobooth area could be found at the entrance, while a variety of vendors lined the perimeter:

Japan Store by Amazon and JETRO presented a range of Japanese houseware and wellness products, including a headless furry fixture
The Japanese Paper Place offered stationery, origami paper of various sizes, and crafting materials; by following the business' social media account, one would receive a free pin and card paper bearing an oriental design.

Out & About #948 | Ronin Izakaya + KAWS: FAMILY

11/1/2023

Read Part 1 HERE !

Rounding onto Baldwin Street in advance of sundown, our footsteps would pass the storefronts of Butter & Blue, Hattendo (former Kekou), and Light Café.

Ronin Izakaya had secured a spot on my to-go list from the moment I learned of their extensive Hitachino Nest lineup. Beyond the crowd favourite of White Ale, they also carried rarer varieties such as the Lager and Saison du Japon!

The sharing of sustenance and drawn-out conversations are customary of izakaya setups. That said, my dining partner asserted opposing desires when she alluded to the restaurant's ambience being unfavourable for photo-taking and resorted to ordering a single entrée without alcohol pairing. I silently argued that dim lighting was an intentional choice to create a comfortable gathering environment, while communal dining was to promote interactions within the party in a casual manner.

Ronin Izakaya had presented the noteworthy promotional offer of a one-dollar food item with purchase of two cocktails or one premium bottle drink (ABV>10%, excluding beer). There were also cocktail and Asahi deals priced at $7 and $10 respectively. Yet, in spite of these varied promotions, it was quickly deduced that the stance of my dining partner would not be altered by any form of persuasive marketing. Her earlier review of Sayuri merely "tasting like alcohol" was also coherent of this unenthusiastic response.

Of course, my determination did not waver. Initially debating Hitachino and the extremely exclusive Kuronama Black Lager savoured at Japan Festival, I ultimately decided on the latter on the basis of - you guessed it - exclusivity.

Delicious and refreshing, just as it had been three months prior in the summer heat, it paired splendidly with my picks of the evening.

Out & About #944 | Apple Crumble Cake Again, Orange Condensed Milk Pound Cake + Halloween at Dollarama

10/21/2023

Maximizing the harvest season is admittedly exhausting as someone who endeavours to capture and document each individual experience. Three consecutive weeks of investigating the external environment later, I was overwhelmed with fatigue that, unfortunately, transitioned into my day-to-day routines, limiting my productivity as a consequence.

Yet, over-exerted as I felt, these outcomes did not diminish my spirit for all things autumn.
On a mission to prevent disappointment, a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte was crafted. While I had originally thought to test a limited-time variation from a nearby café or fast food chain, it dawned upon me that the "pumpkin spice", in reality, contained no pumpkin at all. Furthermore, espresso and milk were readily accessible components in my household. "Why not just make it myself?" so I thought. And I did.

Meals of the week comprised of: leftover Mystic North from Pie Wood, Aloha Pulled Pork over Gai Lan and Steamed Rice, Scrambled Egg w/ Pickled Turnip + Steamed Pork + Choy Sum over Steamed Rice, and Chunky Beef Stew + Shredded Romaine over Rice (to quench desires for a Mexican Steak Bowl).

Takeout from Trithis would round off the end of the week.

Three months later, I would eventually recall the existence of takeout S'mores packs from Gyu-Kaku. Torching would only succeed in charring the perimeter, while baking rendered the graham crackers sodden; toasting for about four minutes was the best alternative to mimicking grill conditions.

I also enjoyed a canned Brown Sugar Milk Tea. Proving too sugary on its own, a single stick of G7 Espresso was its ideal partner in achieving harmony.

Creations of the week included:

1) Apple Crumble Cake

My recollection of last year's Apple Mania trials are muddled, simply due to the sheer quantity of experiments. However, I did recall fondness towards an apple-containing variation of Sunday Baking's Blueberry Crumble Cake.

Having reserved three Golden Delicious for the creation, I was surprised to find just two awaiting me in the fruit basket. Only after slicing and baking was the third located, just two feet from the others. In hindsight, the error was preventable, but overlooked amidst my haste.

Out & About #943 | Tiffin Conservation Centre + Revisiting Pie Wood

10/14/2023

"Why are we going out again when you haven't recovered?"
"Because fall is very, very short - maybe two to three weeks, then it's over."

I have always been adamant about my planned activities, persevering through any unfortunately-timed hindrances that may befall, yet I was particularly determined about autumn outings. The reason was simple: Nature waits for no one.

And so even with an impossibly late, post-stretch bedtime and about six hours of mediocre sleep, the planned route would proceed, albeit later than expected (or desired).

Since the Mono Cliffs venture of the previous week, I've come to learn the benefits of being an early bird. Of course, it's not that I hadn't been aware of such benefits, just that having them depicted in a manner that reinforces early arrivals with efficiency made all the difference. I was more willing to drag myself out of bed before 9 AM on weekend, for the sheer sake of saving time overall.

Traffic along the 400 was as congestion-free as could be. I had spent this leg of the trip with my eyes closed in hopes of preserving energy for the drive back. Fatigue was a tragic monster to battle; I had begun dozing off while standing by the sink, washing dishes from breakfast. Naturally, this prompted my immediate shift towards the passenger seat for the safety of all.

Google Maps had estimated roughly 90 minutes of driving, though we exited onto Mapleview in just over an hour. The designated rest stop of McDonald's was closed upon our arrival, thus we crossed over to the east side of Barrie View Drive towards Tim Hortons.

Situated at the east end of the plaza, the location hadn't appeared very big from the outside. Once within, we were surprised by its spacious quarters and varied baked goods selection. The bathrooms, which comprised of two stalls, were also quite clean and well-maintained.

I acquired up a Pumpkin Spice Muffin and Old-Fashioned Glazed Donut to sustain us until lunchtime. The latter was, as expected, a specimen sweeter than spiced.

On the other hand, Timmies' Pumpkin Spice Muffin truly took me by surprise. The creation was moist, yet not overly so to the point of exuding greasy aromas. Its surface was topped with salted pumpkin seeds, which offered a savoury, crunchy contrast to the body of the muffin. At its core was a milky filling of sorts: a stable, starch-thickened component with mild notes of cream cheese. Half of the muffin was devoured with ease, the rest set aside for later enjoyment.

We then proceeded along local roads to Tiffin Centre for Conservation.

Unlike Mono Cliffs, the area was relatively developed. The neighbouring fixtures were primarily residential/institutional in nature, adopting the forms of substantially-sized houses with winding driveway accesses or schools. Needless to say, we did not suffer loss of signal at this location.

The entrance was located at the west limit of the site, off 8th Line. Within seconds of turning in, the trailhead parking came into view. Continuing inwards, we found signage for school buses and admin staff, as well as and one-way indicators.

Past the workshop and learning centre buildings, we looped into one of two gravel lots. A QR code was spotted, noting the permit details of "Tiffin - Zone 3011".
Prior to departing the GTA, I had secured a day parking permit from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority website. Payment could also be transmitted on site, like Scanlon Creek, though desktop versions remain my first choice whenever available. The day use permit was, interestingly, pricier than Mono Cliffs at $10 plus tax. That said, Mono Cliffs was largely self-guided; Tiffin, in contrast was known to host field trips and families for their various outdoor learning experiences - and Maple Syrup Festival!

Just two other vehicles were present at our time of arrival. Sauntering past one with a photo permit, the trail map came into view.

The conservation area's General Trail would lead to Papa Bear Pond and its four lookout platforms, plus one bridge. Serene was the scenery, as it should be on a brisk autumn morning.

Despite having anticipated dreariness and rainfall, the skies had gradually cleared to yield a luminous blue. Surrounding the pond's perimeter were a number of deciduous trees; some bore vivid complexions of red and orange, while others persisted with green and patches of yellow.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #942 | Roasted Kabocha Soup, Kabocha Tart + CIBC Square

10/13/2023

Ontario is home to a bounty of fresh, local produce. In the summertime, pick-your-own farms thrive on strawberry-, blueberry-, and cherry-picking excursions. Meanwhile, stone fruit and root vegetables gradually become more prominent as the harvest season wraps up in late fall.

While I'm no SK, I'd like to believe that the plethora of grocery stores in my neighbourhood offer as vast a selection as her coveted Union Square Farmer's Market.

Creations of the week included:

1) Roasted Kabocha Soup

The harvest season cannot be without butternut squash soup. Tending to kabocha in a similar fashion, chunks of the golden root vegetable were tossed with a plentiful portion of onions, garlic, and shallots in an olive oil-rosemary-sage-nutmeg marinade before being transferred to the oven. The pan's constituents would unleash wondrous aromas throughout the roasting process.
Although I cannot specify the exact period of roasting, the pan was kept at 400 F until all edges had acquired a slight char: the start of the Maillard reaction and caramelization.

The next step involved transferring the components to a large pot, which would then be filled with scarcely enough water to cover the ingredients. Kabocha puree - unseasoned but roasted - would also be spooned into the pot. Next, the pot would be brought to a simmer. A hand blender was summoned to achieve the concoction's signature luscious texture.

I had utilized a whole clove of partially dry garlic in this execution, though would endorse a reduced amount should fresher garlic be within reach as to prevent the sweet, nutty flavours of squash from being overwhelmed. Nutmeg was a barely detectable addition to the roasting mix, yet contributed mild notes of coziness. These attributes were particularly evident when pairing the soup with a sweet slice of Cinnamon Raisin toast.

2) Kabocha Tart

Adapted from the almighty Sunday Baking, this tart was truly a labour of love. A decently-sized kabocha squash was secured just before the Thanksgiving statutory holiday. Once home, it was washed, lightly patted dry, then subject to baking at 350 F for about 35-40 minutes. Baking time would obviously differ depending on the size of squash, though I found this duration sufficient enough to soften the skin for easy chopping and peeling.

The remainder of the steps were comparatively straightforward: further baking at 350 F ensued, until a soft, mash-able consistency was achieved. The help of a mini food processor was enlisted, though, in hindsight, I likely could have resorted to my potato masher to complete the task.

Out & About #941 | Pt. 2: Orangeville + The Apple Factory

10/7/2023

Read Part 1 HERE !

Departing the provincial park, the single most critical next order of business was to locate the nearest washroom facilities. I was interested in neither visiting the flush-less stalls nor taking to the great outdoors as the uncivilized users of the trail had done.

Similar to the winter hike of 2022, navigating away from the site involved resorting to the in-vehicle GPS system. While subzero temperatures were not an issue this time around, the utter absence of cellular signal proved problematic. "You are offline." Google Maps had declared unapologetically.

An attempt was made to navigate to the closest McDonald's, though we arrived at the designated to find none. My assumption was that the building had been transformed into a different property, for the in-vehicle GPS had not been updated since its original installation.

By this time, cellular signal had returned; we were able to determine all McDonald's in the vicinity. Familiar streets would soon float into view: Never had I considered annual visits to the Downtown Orangeville BIA district.

At seeing the Farmer's Market still ongoing, I pulled into the closest street parking space in hopes of catching a glimpse of this year's offerings. Alas, only after securing parking did it occur to me that McDonald's was two blocks further.

Spotted along the perimeter of the municipal lot was an eatery. Anxiously scurrying towards the entrance, we stepped over a fallen potted plant and found the double-door entrance at the rear of the facility.

Tap water was served in stout, cylindrical glasses. On the other hand, hot water would be served in ceramic cups decorated with various Canadian landmarks.

At long last, washrooms were within reach!! At the base of a red, carpeted stairwell were kegs of beer and gender-separated stalls. The descent was a much-appreciated change from rocky gravel, though nonetheless perceived as following the long hike. The facilities featured dilapidated doors, but was well-stocked with toiletries and mostly clean - save a long strand of hair on the toilet seat. Though, I wasn't about to complain about stress-free access to indoor plumbing.

Shortly after being provided with menus and water, we posed our burning inquiry to the hostess: "We see that there's a Farmer's Market taking place - would you happen to know when it closes?"
"I think 1 o'clock" came back as the response.
Glancing down at my watch frantically, my heart sank a little. It was 12:38 PM.
"Did you want to go check it out first?" The hostess asked considerately.
"Yes!" We jumped at her suggestion. "Can we check it out and come back?"
"Of course you can." came her pleasant reply.

And so we left our water cups and dashed across the street towards the tents.

Vendors had varied minimally from the previous year's sighting, with the assortment comprising of handmade soaps and beauty products, cured meats, produce, and odd knickknacks. Moreover, my Bath & Body Works sheep remained dangling in the wind, a hook pierced through the upper section of its back.

We slipped through towards the residential portion of 2nd Street and First Avenue. Impressive colour change had been witnessed last year, but the same could not be said about the scenery one year later. As with other parts of the GTA, colour change was stunted, with the trees either attaining partial redness or suffering leaf fall prior to a complete chroma transformation.

In just ten minutes, we found ourselves back at Barley Vine Rail Co., expecting the same degree of amicability as we had received prior to the intermission. While the hostess earlier had graced us with trivia - in that the building was, in fact, an old train station revamped into a restaurant - and enthusiastically explained the daily specials, the waitress that appeared afterwards was comparatively discourteous and reluctant to release information.

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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