China Trip Preview

Hey pals! How are you? It's been a long time. We've missed you!

The Quatchis and I returned to the Motherland, this time with my parents and brother. We had heaps of fun revisiting old places and exploring new ones. We also saw a lot of friends and family, and ate really, really good food.

Here's a preview of our trip.

Enjoy!

October Baking

 

The Mins and I went on a baking blitz earlier this month.

In one day, we baked pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and peach muffins.

Go team!

Bedroom Progress: Part II

Last time we provided a condo update, I bought a new duvet cover and two Euro shams. Since then, I painted my bedroom. It's a bolder colour than the ones I showed you in June. I also bought a bed skirt, two fun standard shams and a round decorative pillow to tie everything together.

I'm still on the hunt for some nice nightstands. I'm digging the Chamfered Nightstands and the Mid-Century Nightstands from West Elm. I also like the Hemnes Nightstands from Ikea. I have yet to explore the vintage shops in Toronto. Perhaps I'll find something there. Once I get the nightstand situation figured out, I'll buy some table lamps and decorate more.

On a totally unrelated note, Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! The Quatchis (and their new friend, Labbit), are eating some pumpkin pie as we speak. Even though we had a huge feast with my dad's side of the family, there's always room for dessert!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

This chocolate chip cookie recipe has a secret ingredient.

Can you guess what it is?

Ta-da! It's corn syrup.

You don't need much, but it really adds to the chewiness of the cookies.

Timing is important too.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 stick butter, softened 

1 cup brown sugar 

1 tablespoon corn syrup 

1 egg 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 cup chocolate chips 

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside. Using a stand mixer, cream the butter, and sugar together until smooth. Add the corn syrup, egg, and vanilla and continue beating until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Using a spoon, scoop out a ball of the dough, roll it for a moment in your hands and then drop it onto a lightly greased cookie tray. Slightly flatten the balls but leave lots of room in between to allow the cookies room to expand. For a soft, chewy cookie, bake for exactly 12 minutes. For a cookie with a bit of crispy crunch, bake for exactly 15 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet and then remove and cool further. Makes about 18 cookies.

Source: Chef Michael Smith

Weekend Hang Out

I'm out of town this weekend. The Quatchis decided to stay back so they can hang out in their new tent and read Proof. Our friends at QuatchiFan2010 surprised us with a quatchtastic care package.

Sophia also drew a nice Quatchi family picture for us. Many thanks for the thoughtful gifts!

Busy Day Chocolate Cake

I was looking for a very easy cake recipe to satisfy my chocolate craving last night. I was drawn to this recipe because it involves minimal clean-up and is not too sweet. It also uses oil, which worked in my favour because I only have a half stick of butter in the fridge. The Quatchis, as always, were great helpers!

 

 

Busy Day Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 cup cold water

 

Preheat oven to 350 F. In an 8-inch square baking pan, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and coarse salt.

 

 

Make a well in center of flour mixture and add the vegetable oil, pure vanilla extract, white vinegar, and cold water. Whisk until well combined. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

 

Source: Martha Stewart

 

 

Instead of frosting the cake, the Quatchis topped their slice with icing sugar. I'm going to try a slice with whip cream and berries tonight. Yay for no fuss baking!

Let's go to the Ex!

I've been going to the Ex for many years, and this year was no exception. Q liked the hustle and bustle of the midway. He hopes all the toys go to a good home.

My friend, Julia, played a darts game...

...and won! Q liked Julia's new friend from Despicable Me.

After grabbing some dinner, we visited the farm. Q had never seen an alpaca before. He thought they looked a little sleepy.

While people were lining up for deep fried butter, doughnut cheeseburgers, and chocolate covered bacon, I ordered a classic - an ice cream sandwich.

The Ex is open for a few more days. Check it out if you're in town this long weekend!

Lucky Loonie

I ordered these bad boys weeks ago. I'm glad they finally arrived for the Quatchis to enjoy during the Olympics.

The Lucky Loonie has been given to each member of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams since 2004. This year's version is available via the Royal Canadian Mint - five for five bucks, including shipping. I tried to take a photo of them but they are way too shiny!

We hope the Lucky Loonie continues to bring good luck to our Canadian athletes. Go Canada!!!

Hooray for the Olympics!

The Quatchis and I are really enjoying the Olympics so far. We've been streaming a lot because we don't have a TV. My friend, CC, kindly invited us over to his place to watch the opening ceremonies live (photo above). What sports do you enjoy watching?

Mini and the Museum

The Textile Museum of Canada is a hidden gem in Toronto! The Mins and I have been meaning to visit for a while now. Today was great because it's "pay what you can" on Wednesdays.

The first exhibit we checked out was on prayer rugs.

This one was the Mins' favourite.

Another exhibit featured fun quilts in all shapes and sizes.

This one is a "crazy quilt" (see Wiki explanation here).

This work is made up of little squares of fabric, all attached together with string. It's hard to tell but it was pretty massive. The Mins was telling me to take a closer look.

The Mins gave looming a try. Not too shabby for a little sasquatch!