Back to work I go: Errandonée #13

After a week of gallivanting about, it was back to work for me today. I'm a little surprised that I still had some mileage to make up; I really thought this would be a bonus errand, but I'm kind of glad it turned out to be necessary after all.

After zipping around without my panier for a week, I sort of forgot how heavy the bike gets when it's carrying my tablet PC and tests, labs, and assignments. I always wonder if my tires are too low.

However, my usual spot at the bike rack was waiting for me; the spring riders aren't braving the cold yet.

It's still really cold, but they say it's going to warm up a bit later in the week. We're entering that weird grey area of temperature where I have to wear thick gloves in the morning and light gloves in the afternoon. I just hope I don't have to break out the Hot Shots again.

Errandonée tally
Work: JCI (10.4 km/6.1 mi)

Total Mileage: 56 km/35 mi
Total Categories used: 11

Boom.

There are still faint glimmers of civilization left in this barbaric slaughterhouse that was once known as humanity: Errandonées #10-12

So... the temperature shot back down to the negative double digits today. At least it didn't snow, but it meant that we had to bundle up again as we headed off for indian food at our friend C's birthday lunch at Joe's Buffet Place.

At least it was sunny, and at least there is now a tiny bit of parking on Yonge St. I kind of like these rings integrated into the lamps; I just wish there were more of them.

Pancake of the Month Extra Bonus: Cinnamon Mascarpone Pancakes with Warm Morello Cherries and Hazelnuts

This is a story of three recipes. The DC loves bread pudding, and when I saw this recipe on Smitten Kitchen, I knew I had to make it for him. It's March Break, I got nothin' but time.

Of course, after that (quite tasty) breakfast, I had a lot of mascarpone cheese left over. Going through the freezer, I also discovered a bag of frozen cherries (no doubt purchased to avoid a repeat of last year's fiasco^*). To the internet! A quick search gave me this recipe for cherries poached in wine with mascarpone topping. I replaced the wine, sugar, and orange zest with Frangelico liqueur. Highly recommended, A+++++++, would repeat.

I also came across this pancake recipe from Bobby Flay. Naturally, I had to try it. It meant I had to buy some cherry brandy, which I don't exactly have a lot of use for otherwise. And which only comes in huge bottles and tastes like cough syrup. Fortunately, it pairs well with Coke. But I was very excited to flambé something.

The result?

Sated: Errandonées #8 & 9

The DC and I have been craving bibimbap for some time, and since we live a stone bowl's throw from Koreatown it's ridiculous how long it's taken us to get some. Friday night we finally got ourselves organized enough to visit Korean Village Han Kuk Kwan Restaurant.

Nerds uNite: Errandonée #7

Today is Pi Day, if you're into that kind of thing and use the US form of dating, but whatever; it's a nice day to eat pastry and think math thoughts.

Me, I ate pastry last night, because I am contrary. I finally went to Nerd Nite at the Tranzac Club, which I've been meaning to do since I heard about it last September. Community meeting of nerdy folk. It was a tonne of fun.

In which PhysicsGirl acquires (and loses) things: Errandonées #4-6

Note: if you are uninterested in my bike "adventures" but desperately want to see the fabric I bought for #SewDollyClackett, scroll down to the bottom.

March Break is a wonderful time for getting stuff done. Or for sitting around playing this game. Same thing. However, I knew we were going to get more snow today, so I needed to get off my butt and run errands while it was still relatively nice out.

Especially after a long winter like this one, Torontonians go a little crazy when the thermometer finally creeps up above zero. Off come the heavy winter coats, scarves, hats, and boots. It doesn't matter if it's still kind of chilly outside. We're not covering up for nothin'! I saw people in cardigans. And faces! People have faces!

In which pull-backs are PhysicsGirl's kryptonite: Errandonée #3

After a too-long absence, I'm taking tap classes again. My history with tap has been spotty; despite a life-long love of the dance, I only took my first tap class in grad school. And then... my teachers kept leaving for other opportunities. And I'm really happy for them, I am, it's just that it's made for somewhat spotty instruction with gaps of several years between sessions. I've been stuck at advanced beginner or beginner intermediate for a very long time, and my goal has to get good enough to take classes at Shawn Byfield. Yay for Bees Knees for starting up lessons again. But fair warning, Kris, I might have to tie you down. Or something that won't impede the dancing. I'll have to think on that.

Anyway, you're not here to read me dither on about cramp rolls and time steps; you want to know about the biking stuff.

The temperature is still veering on spring-like, although I needed my gloves on the way over and added my earband on the way home. For the first time in forever^*, the bike lanes are mostly clear. I say mostly because, while they aren't covered with snow, there is still a lot of debris -- huge pebbles, probably from road deterioration, and small branches and so forth. Oh, and cars. Naturally. The thaw isn't extending to the curbsicles, and cars are still parking a foot or two from the curb. Yay.

Continuation: Errandonnées #1 & 2

The 2014 edition of the Errandonnée is off to a... not terribly exciting start. I ran errands. Woo. Today, I went to the library! Then to the pet food store! Then I saved the world from an apocalypse! Well, I read about it. I assume.

Ahem.

Having been "gifted" with an extra day off by the government, I got to enjoy the fact that, for one brief moment, spring might actually happen this year. I was beginning to think nature had forgotten how to do it, but I was presented with the first evidence that it might be on the horizon as soon as I walked out the door:

I know you're saying "What? What am I looking at?" Exactly. Until yesterday, you would have seen snow and ice. The end of the driveway was impassable by bike and I had to walk the Opus out into the street before I could start riding her. Today? The windrow, it is gone! Huzzah!

It's the small victories.

Pancake of the Month Bonus: Carrot Cake

I don't know if you realize this, but I am rather fond of pancakes. Which makes this the best day of the year: Pancake Tuesday. I don't do Lent, but any day dedicated solely to the eating of pancakes is one that I will celebrate.

I could have made Harvest Corn pancakes, because those are amazing and I always try to have those ingredients to hand (I've been substituting provolone because asiago or fontina is too fancy for my local No Frills), but I wanted to try something new. I was looking around for a recipe that would be suitable for dinner when I came across this one from Smitten Kitchen^*. Carrots? Vegetable. Dinner. Perfect.

The sweet cream cheese frosting sauce? Er... early dessert.

The result?

It's here! It's here!

I have been waiting on tenterhooks for the 2014 version of the Errandonnée challenge to begin, and it's here! Hosted by the fabulous MG at chasing mailboxes (who just finished a great series on heretofore unknown to me bike bloggers). I'm quite excited. Because you know how I love a scorecard.

12 errands in 12 13 days. Naturally, 10 of those days fall during March Break, a time I had planned to spend mostly in my pyjamas. I guess I have to go out sometimes, right?


Not if it looks like that, I don't.

Pancake of the Month: Brown Butter Winter Citrus Pancakes

Yeah, it's still winter. I'm a little grumpy about it, especially since the bike lanes are getting that special "drive over the snow and compact it so the bikes can't use it" treatment that I still don't understand.

Anyway, I came across this recipe from Joy the Baker^* and had one of those can't-beat-'em'-join-'em moments. Plus? Browned butter.

It was the blood oranges that sealed the deal. I love blood oranges, although I'm not really sure I notice the difference from regular oranges, so I always buy them when they're in season. Which is now. I guess you could say somebody wanted me to embrace winter just long enough yesterday to make these pancakes.

The result?

In which PhysicsGirl declutters: Sew For a Change #1

The first month of Sew For a Change is over, and I've more than met the decluttering challenge. At first I thought I would have a hard time finding 28 more items to get rid of; I'd just gotten rid of a bunch of stuff which I could have counted toward the challenge, but I wanted to see if I had more. So I started to make a list, as I do...

Turns out, it's addictive. There is stuff on this list that I've been meaning to get rid of for years. It feels very good.

Here's the thing: if Goodwill or Value Village can't sell it, they throw it out. Sad, but true. Since the purpose of the challenge was to avoid things ending up in the landfill, I thought I'd list where I sent everything in case somebody wants to do the same.