i propose a swift order-ly change

I tried to squeeze up the verrry last of this summer.
Wore my sandals, shorts, and shades til' that very first leaf fell.
Well, I still try to wear shorts if I can, but that kind of seems a bit senseless as of late. Its officially freezing.
I think its safe to say that its the farewell of Summer and arrival of Autumn.

Which I'm totally okay with, by the way! Autumn is my most favourite season. It really is. This season makes me happy! I mean, I guess summer is refreshing and hot and nice for sexy clothes and sexy tans and sexy getaways. And winter is refreshing, opposite Toronto summer humidity. Also quite pretty. After a lot of hot, you don't mind cold. And vice versa. But, there is one (or a few) things about this season that I enjoy so much: PUMPKIN. Duh. This includes anything and everything pumpkin: pie, scones, muffins, lattes, loaf, etc. The whole nine.

(Starbucks is good for (almost) all of the above, BTW)
Right. So many of you may already be well aware - I really like pumpkins. Yup. Intense. And Autumn is the time they come out! Not only do I love the taste, but hello? They're adorable. Right? (Sans tacky and scary jack-o-latern carvings. Important one there.) But on top of all of the ridiculous, yet fabulous pumpkintastic high-calorie goodies I get to indulge in this particular season, I really think Autumn is just such a beautiful time! Right?
Now, for those of you who have noticed my blog-colour changes, I'm thinking you all know why now!

Also, an additional Lindsay-insider-fact: My brother and I seem to have a particular condition where our body heat goes extremely random. Bipolar body heat. One second, normal. One second, sweating. One second, cold. Weird. I know. And Autumn is a good balance for that!

But lastly, you know that Autumn chill that somehow lurks into your home in the afternoons? Even if the heater is on, you can still feel the Autumnness. I love that. Makes me just want to curl up in my blanket, read and drink something hot. Or... perhaps make something yummy?

Right! So, I wanted to share with you guys that I did something I've always wanted to do!
MAKE MY OWN PUMPKIN PIE. Although I like baking, I've always felt like baking a pie is extra difficult. One reason: if you're a pastry-crust-lover (I definitely am), then you know that a good crust is the big deal breaker for a yummy pie. After lots of googling and lots of exploring through fabulous baking blogs (some you can find on my 'thumbs up' blog list, to your right), I finally tried it. With a mixture of a whole buncha recipes and sources. (The one I primarily followed can be found here!)

SO! It came out, surprisingly, alright! Crust, flaky. Filling, pumpkin-y & soft. Quite yummy.
For my first pie, I think I did okay. Not an A+, but now I know all the different little bits that I have to do better for next time.

For example, I found out that pie crust shrinks a lot in the oven. Therefore, either chill your shell before AND after laying it in your pie pan OR over-compensate (just in case) and remember you'll need extra dough for crust-pinching (I learned how to do so here, thanks to her) before baking! Secondly, perhaps a little less shortening? My mother almost didn't let me continue to make it when she saw the amounts I was using. She kept on saying "Isn't shortening really bad for you?" (Yes, it is!). Lastly, I ended up having to make two smaller pies as I didn't have a big enough pie pan for the intended size. But thats quite alright, because now there are more slices for people to eat!



I loved mixing all the ingredients together because the combination of colours totally reminded me of the season (image one). However, when I put the pumpkin filling in the shell, I was quite worried as it was incredibly liquidy. However, the majority of the filling is pumpkin and egg, so it baked well (image two - thats the pie unbaked!). Sorry for the bad photos! I totally wish I had a better camera.

All in all, a fun experience. So there is only one more thing to say: expect more pumpkin-baking adventures! I'm going on a pumpkin spree, kids!


Happy Autumn Everyone!

and the secret doors swing behind us

First thing is first:
I MUST apologize for my lacking in bloggifying.
There really are no excuses. Well. I guess since the big Korea trip, I have really been up to nothing.
This is my (lame) excuse. Please accept. No? Okay, don't blame you.
But don't give up on me just yet ; )

So what has been going on. Hm. I have been bumming around in my laziness and sleeping-and-wakingup-wheneverness. And oh wait, my unemployedness. *ouch*. We can't forget that one. Which explains my brokeassedness.
I guess that sums up my recent state. Lazy. Unemployed. BROKE. FUN TIMES, yes?
For the first while, it was fun and relaxing being a bum.
But now, it is not so fun, I'm afraid. Time to return to my mature and responsible self!

So. Because I lack in interesting things to update you of...
I have decided to share with you, my blogosphere buddies, two things that will now remind me of my 2009-summer (besides, of course of my amazing trip to Korea - all the people, movies, music, places that go along in that category, as well):


1. Humbug, Arctic Monkeys
Oh em gee.
So this 'suggestion' does not only apply to Humbug, but perhaps, to their two previous albums as well. The anticipation and excitement I had for their third album.... dot dot dot. Was quite intense. This album is a tad different. Right now, I think I do like their previous albums better, however that could all change in due time. Who knows. But one thing is for sure....... I love this band. I love their music. I love their style. I love the accent (obviously). I love his (swooning) voice. And most importantly, I love love LOVE their lyrics. The complex. The romance. The harsh. The dreamy. Oh and of course, the WIT. Alex Turner could probably make a girl feel about 1cm tall in one second and then make her love him with his way with words in another. Some songwriting-music-muscles, I tell ya.
"I did request the mark you cast. Didn’t heal as fast. I hear your voice in silences. Will the teasing of the fire be followed by the thud?"



2. Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
My great summer read.
I'm thinking some of you may be thinking "ugh" because of past demands to read this in English class. Luckily, I never had to. But, I do agree - being forced to read something in school kiiiinda ruins things. Just a little. Just a lot. However, I found a slight infatuation with this book. Seriously. A geisha's life? So interesting. Kind of tragic in a way, but also very fascinating. What is also intriguing is that geishas are never to reveal their feelings, experiences, memories. Its a big no-no. And that is exactly what this book is about: a geisha revealing her feelings, experiences, and memories. I love when books get so good that you cannot put it down. When you say "okay, I'll read only one chapter" before bed. But end up reading another. Reading this, kind of had that affect.
P.S Fortunately. The movie adaptation didn't ruin it for me. (You know what I mean... movies always are worse than the novel). Actually not bad.
"She paints her face to hide her face. Her eyes are deep water. It is not for geisha to want. It is not for geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist on the floating world............. The rest is shadows. The rest is secret."

++++++

P.S Gotta comment on my fav dresses from the Emmy Awards. Of course.



1. Eva Longoria in Jason Wu 2. Ginnifer Goodwin in Yves St. Laurent 3. Cat Deeley in Alberta Ferretti 4. January Jones in Versace 5. Kate Walsh in J. Mendel 6. Mila Kunis in Monique Lhuillier 7. Evangeline Lily in Versace.

(Y)
That would be a thumbs up, FYI.