Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #667 | Week #29 Quarantine Update Feat. Autumn Attributes

10/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Fall hath befallen in the GTA with decidedly toasty temperatures last week, discouraging lunchtime walks altogether. As we inch towards Thanksgiving weekend, temperatures have plummeted, and with it came dull, grey skies and dreary rainfall.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Much to my pleasure, skies remained clear during my in-office days. Gentle breezes also yielded conditions suitable for speed walking.
From a distance, I gazed at the huddle of red-orange-tan nestled between the unkept shrugs and azure, You Are-esque skies​, anticipating the arrival of upcoming hikes.
Picture
​Combatting a global pandemic is no simple task, as it has been displayed clearly over the past twenty-eight weeks. Those that abide the law as respectful citizens carry on with their everyday business, simultaneously searching for alternatives in the face of obstacles. Unsurprising is the fact that many have engaged more frequently in indoor activities - be it cooking, cleaning, or home renovations. With the sudden increase in usage, I found my household appliances to grow weary at an unpredictable pace. The abrupt breakdown of my ice maker prompted temporary reversion to silicon trays, while kettle issues led to immediate investment of a replacement. Thankfully, online shopping exists in the age of technology and information.
Picture
Picture
One of my first purchases of the week was the Jumbo Taro Milk Shaved Ice from Meet Fresh. The fifteen-dollar dessert had consistently occupied a spot in my mind since its introduction, thus I set out for procurement of the exclusive item, along with their coveted Herbal Tea.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​While the taro balls were as chewy as any other visit, the overall composition of the dessert was disappointing. With an absence of grass jelly, ridiculously large taro chunks, and an obnoxious sweetness further heightened by melted vanilla ice cream and disintegrating ice flakes, it was a pick off the menu that I could have easily done without. My next visit, when it should happen, shall revolve around the tried-and-true duo instead.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​I then proceeded through the week with some retail therapy, first equipping oneself with glitter liquid eyeshadow for exposure to the masses.
Picture
​New beans were also made ready for rotation upon the depletion of Starbucks' Microblend No. 21 and Balzac's dependable Espresso Blend.
Picture
A vivid memory of Rocanini remained from my 2016 travels, persisting as one of great comfort and serenity. So when the opportunity to support the West Coast roastery arose, I happily took it.
Picture
Within a few days, the four pink-coral bags had traversed the nation to arrive at my doorstep:
  • Gondola Blend Espresso
  • Fifth Avenue Single Origin Espresso
  • No. 3 Blend 
  • The Twist
Picture
​The second of the week's lunchtime walk led me to Iroquois Shoreline Woods Park. Its street-side entrance and gravel lot had been spotted while trekking northbound along Joshuas Creek, and a mental note was instantly slotted for revision on the next non-work-from-home day.
Picture
​Arguably the next best discovery besides a Starbucks serving Nitro Cold Brew, the trail was a lush escape from digital devices and fatigue-inducing screens.​
Picture
Picture
Picture
The solo endeavour was utterly blissful; marinating in one's own thoughts without the fear of human contact (masks!! social distancing!!) has surfaced as a privilege amidst these times, rather than the individual right most had grown to believe.
Picture
Picture
​Crunchy fall leaves beneath one's feet is truly the epitome of autumn spirit.

​And speaking of Nitro Cold Brew, well, here's another. After all, an ideal afternoon is spent with coffee in one hand and a Chocolate Chunk Cookie in the other.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Without any intention to curb the sugar (snack?) intake, I embarked on a brisk walk to CoCo's newest location towards the latter half of the week. The forecast had predicted precipitation in the early evening hours, but going umbrella-less had been a poor decision on my part nonetheless.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​I plodded through a chilly drizzle for approximately fifteen minutes, then endured a tea preparation period that would later ensnare me in a grim shower.
Picture
​Neither service nor drink quality was subpar on its soft opening day, though I must admit that I'm not quite fond of the lack of parking.
Picture
Creations of the week include:

1) Dark Soy Milk crafted from black soy beans ​boasting flesh of a peculiar, pastel green hue
Picture
Picture
Picture
2) Roasted Chicken Thighs (again) with a thin glaze of ​Guangdong Sweet Sauce
Picture
3) Whole Wheat Chocolate Oat Cookies from none other than the great SK
​
Chewy and craggy as wheat germ- and wheat bran-containing oatmeal cookies ought to be, I found the sweetness level a tad overbearing. Simultaneously concluded was the exclusion of milk chocolate Chipits in any future batch - why had I ever thought to stray from semi-sweet couvertures in the first place?!?
Picture
Picture
4) Pecan Pie
Picture
Picture
Oh, the Thanksgiving classic! With COVID cases surging in Peel as of late, I had the initial contemplation against our annual Apple Factory run. Rooted deep in these drives to Brampton is the essence of tradition, even more so than the quintessential purchases of whole Apple Pie, whole Pecan Pie, Apple Cider, and a slice of Rhubarb-Strawberry to devour on the spot.
Picture
​With pecans on hand, and essentially every other ingredient on the list as well, I mustered up the courage to embark on a journey of pie-making. The concept of crust-crafting frightened me, yet it wasn't as if I hadn't made pies prior using similar methods. Adhering to a specific formula without deviations of any form was probably the most frazzling aspect of it.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Delving into Thanksgiving meal playlists, I began to realize that pies weren't that terrifying after all. Patience and temperature control assumed the backbone for flaky pie crusts success, much like croissants (that never materialized in my kitchen). Meanwhile, the filling was even more straightforward than a cookie compilation.
Picture
Picture
Given the hiccups experienced while blind-baking, filling-spilling, and dish-selecting, I can't bring myself to admit total triumph at this first endeavour. Along the way, a shortage of maple syrup was substituted with molasses; flour was swapped for glutinous rice flour and corn starch. The overall composition of the filling was excessively sugar, with a slightly lumpy consistency - quite the noticeable variance between the sticky, indulgent custard found in storebought renditions.
Picture
Having said that, I was mighty proud of the crust. Heck, I feel empowered enough to take on croissants one more time. (Stay tuned for that!...maybe.)
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    Jeju
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korea 2025
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    Montréal 2023
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    TFR
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022
    Vancouver 2024


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


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.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.