On the eve of Christmas, the world welcomed a dusting of frosty precipitation. Flurries commenced in the late evening hours, continuing throughout the night, such that the next morning we would awake to a weighty cloak of white on our porch, driveway, and backyard perimeter-lining pine trees.
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There are only green Christmases in memories of recent years, although perusing the archives revealed discrepancies. Regardless, the just-freezing temperatures were quite welcome, for the tone of the holiday had been established.
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In fact, the comparatively mild conditions even prompted the purchase of an Irish Cream Cold Brew. Advertised countless times by the Thai ahgase, the beverage was indeed as delicious as she had vouched for. It was creamier than expected, with a dash of nutmeg and hints of Irish Cream (in the absence of alcohol). Personal preference still lies with regular cold brew though, given the inhomogeneous properties of flavoured cream cap.
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Appeasing the last-minute scramble of grocery runs and pre-Christmas cooking was the timely arrival of my fangirl package. A kind soul from Korea had shipped it two weeks prior, and the delivery date happened to coincide with the season of gifting.
A gift to myself, for the skirt of our tree is relatively barren this year.
A gift to myself, for the skirt of our tree is relatively barren this year.
My status as a devoted MyDay was declared as of 2018's "Youth" tour. Further confirmed was my position as a Wonpil stan, and now I have a Pil to my name to prove it!
(The teensy feet are the best.)
I had also teetered on the decision for (yet) another lightstick. Adopted as symbols of commitment, I ultimately proceeded with the Robong order.
"It's a promise to myself that, one day, I will see them live in concert." I had stated.
"So a placeholder!"
"Yes!"
"So a placeholder!"
"Yes!"
And until that day arrives, I shall keep it handy for the next ASTRO (or ASTRO subunit) comeback.
Along with the version 2 lightstick, it was clear that the In-Out album could not be exempt. Moonbin and Sanha's impactful Bad Idea release had me in absolute awe, for it was a concept unique to them, yet embodied the essence of ASTRO. It is my hope that the six member edition of performance shall materialize with the ban removed on in-person concerts.
Each photobook was gorgeous: Fade In comprised of luminous, alluring images, while Fade Out paired intrepid poses with sharp contrasts in lighting.
Best of all: I nearly obtained all the possible variants of photocards and album benefits!
Best of all: I nearly obtained all the possible variants of photocards and album benefits!
Moonbin has held the unwavering top rank within the group for me, but Sanha is a close second. His gradual evolution throughout the years has never ceased to amaze me; his solo activities in webdramas, on Masked Singer, and for individual photoshoots are where his potential can truly be showcased.
The Last Piece of my package was none other than Breath of Love : Last Piece.
Four copies of the full-length album earned me JB, Mark, Jinyoung, and Yugyeom versions, with the other members present in the form of photocards and film strips.
Four copies of the full-length album earned me JB, Mark, Jinyoung, and Yugyeom versions, with the other members present in the form of photocards and film strips.
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With the album come mixed emotions:
The above sensations hindered not my appreciation of the items spread before me, though it summoned forth inquiries that not a single soul on this planet is capable of answering with confidence.
When can we see each other again?
- Thrill - with the receipt of my albums at long last
- Ecstasy - with the sight of my Jinyoung pulls (hehe)
- Anxiety - with the unpredictable future of fanmeetings and idol interactions
- Regret - with the review of the members' Thank You messages and realization of their respective difficulties
The above sensations hindered not my appreciation of the items spread before me, though it summoned forth inquiries that not a single soul on this planet is capable of answering with confidence.
When can we see each other again?
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Creations of the week included:
1) Bran Muffins modified from SK's blue sky bran muffins
Swapping oil for melted margarine - though cultured butter would offer even greater aroma - and buttermilk for expired plain Greek yogurt, this iteration was far more favourable than the oil-based (read: greasy!) rendition. They were less savoury in comparison to the sour cream version, with added lemon zest for zing and dried cranberries for chew.
1) Bran Muffins modified from SK's blue sky bran muffins
Swapping oil for melted margarine - though cultured butter would offer even greater aroma - and buttermilk for expired plain Greek yogurt, this iteration was far more favourable than the oil-based (read: greasy!) rendition. They were less savoury in comparison to the sour cream version, with added lemon zest for zing and dried cranberries for chew.
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2) Too Tart Braised Beef with Fusilli
The pot of slow-cooked braised beef proved tender, though a lack of tomatoes, onions, or potatoes on hand meant resorting to canned sauces, in which acidity and sulphites were injected in tremendous doses for extended shelf life. Too tart was the sauce, even with a heaping teaspoon of unpasteurized honey and generous sprinkle of sea salt.
3) Soy Braised Chicken Drumsticks with Apple
The addition of star anise lent body to the otherwise single-dimension soy braise. Slices of Honeycrisp also found their way into the pot; a bountiful amount had been procured over our St. Jacobs trip, thus lack of reason for exclusion. I had also included the additional step of pre-boiling the drumsticks with the wedges of a withering lemon - yes, the same one zested for the sake of the aforementioned bran muffins!
The end product was positively scrumptious served alongside purple multigrain rice, blanched gai lan, and fusilli.
The pot of slow-cooked braised beef proved tender, though a lack of tomatoes, onions, or potatoes on hand meant resorting to canned sauces, in which acidity and sulphites were injected in tremendous doses for extended shelf life. Too tart was the sauce, even with a heaping teaspoon of unpasteurized honey and generous sprinkle of sea salt.
3) Soy Braised Chicken Drumsticks with Apple
The addition of star anise lent body to the otherwise single-dimension soy braise. Slices of Honeycrisp also found their way into the pot; a bountiful amount had been procured over our St. Jacobs trip, thus lack of reason for exclusion. I had also included the additional step of pre-boiling the drumsticks with the wedges of a withering lemon - yes, the same one zested for the sake of the aforementioned bran muffins!
The end product was positively scrumptious served alongside purple multigrain rice, blanched gai lan, and fusilli.
4) Roasted Yukon Gold (and Potato Skins à la June)
5) Coconut Curry Basa
Softened sweet onions, pinch of dried parsley flakes, and touch of turmeric formed the basis of this recipe.
5) Coconut Curry Basa
Softened sweet onions, pinch of dried parsley flakes, and touch of turmeric formed the basis of this recipe.
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Neither a soup nor a gravy, the curry paired exceptionally well with a variety of carbohydrates, be it leftover twirly pasta, steamed white rice, or even Grainharvest Breadhouse's Marble Rye.
Our visit also entailed a bag of discount pretzels - unpictured albeit enjoyed. The Cheese Pretzel was tasty, albeit a tad dry, whereas the Original was spongy with the unexpected topping of coarse sugar for the epitome of sweet-salty contrast.
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