This weekend we were keeping busy with the 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat in tow (Excuse the pun). Equipped with heavy duty towing power, but without the need to use its hauling or pick up capabilities; or sadly its variety of terrain modes, and drive options. Although, having said that, we did find that it served well as a daily people mover and cargo transporter.
Especially with its more luxury SUV feel with the full back row seat, upholstered in a faux beige leather. A cabin dressed up with textural suede and chrome across the dash and interior side doors. Gloss and sheen to distract from all the plastic, although designers did take the time to texturize it with satin finishes and ribbed detailing. There were also leather trays and functional slots and indents to best compartmentalize and hold your belongs and phone.
We especially enjoyed the unique elongated honey comb air vents and how quickly they cooled during this sunny weekend. Stylish and functional.
And were amazed by how the vehicle automatically shifted to park with a push of the engine to end the ride.
This weekend we had a few events, coupled with some family time, and the desire to rest a bit after returning back from our trip to Florida earlier in the week.
This Saturday was the Vancouver Police Department family day and barbecue. An annual event that I have attended for many years, seeing as my mother works for the VPD. Although this year would be my last, as is she is retiring by the end of it. We typically take the time to visit all the activations and installations, taking in arranged entertainment. Although over the years with new VPD members and younger families, this event has begun to cater more to the littlest event goer.
From balloon animals to magic shows and the ability to interact with Vancouver’s law-enforcement. Including entering the paddy wagon, sitting in the back of cop cars, dawning riot gear, taking a photo perched up on a VPD motorbike and even petting the trained VPD horses and dogs. And although I too love to engage in such activities and all the photo ops, as an adult child of a VPD member, I feel the pressure of having to let the little kids go first.
So this year we kept it more food focused, my mother and I have that in common. Each guest gets lunch and the options include pizza and hotdogs, a selection that changes year to year. However, the one constant and the one we always go for is the Triple-O cheese burger with the ability to dress it ourselves with either lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and condiments in packets.
There are also bags of chips to choose from as a side and freshly popped popcorn as a snack.
The VPD also invites and pays vendors to come in and serve their guests. New this year was Ethical Bean pouring their coffee in a medium or dark roast and adding in either oaky, soy, or regular milk and/or sugar.
And fan favourite Lee’s Donuts were back this year, handing out either rainbow sprinkle donuts, chocolate powdered rings, or my favourite: raspberry jam filled donuts with a coating of granulated sugar.
We would make our way around the arena, allowing my mother to pause and greet her coworkers and faces and she hasn’t seen in years. Then with arms full, and the thought of all the food we would eat to come, we left the premises just as it was getting busier with larger families and kids.
Saving all the above for later, my partner, and I then drove to the Fraser Sunrise area to check out Shameless Buns’ newest popup. A two weekend event where they are testing out, their new seafood and clam chowder concept at their standalone location. A decision made to help improve sales at the brick and mortar, and based on the reaction of the crowd that showed up today, something that will come to fruition for the colder months ahead.
There was a wait to order, and then to receive said order, (further speaking to their popularity). So we took the time to explore the neighbourhood, taking a walk and stopping by the dollar shop for some candies.
We would eventually enjoy your meal in the restaurant, warm. To read about that experience, check out the previous posts.
Driving to the restaurant and home was quite the adventure, as one half of Knight Street was shut down for some road construction. A large enough closure that they sought out police help to maintain order and the traffic. And one that caused major delays and a standstill. Luckily we were comfortable in our Ford Ranger perched up high with a great vantage point. Plus firm enough, electric adjustable seats that the elongated drive did not feel like it wore on more than it should.
We found our Ford truck quite zippy, despite its boxy and grounded stance. When we need to make last minute pivots and quick turns to outdrive the traffic, it kept up. As soon as we could, we drove in the opposite direction, intending to make a large enough loop so that we would not be caught in the traffic. The Ranger easily took on narrow streets, racing around roundabouts, gliding over wider speed, bumps, and whizzing under quick to change traffic lights.
We got home a little later than expected, but still enough time to put in some rest and game play for Diablo IV. All before our evening’s plans of dinner and drinks with my partner’s family.
We were sending off extended family, closing out their visit to Vancouver from the Philippines. So all the aunties, or in this case: Titas, prepared a dish to share potluck-style. To be honest I look forward to these invites for the food, everything is so always so delicious and I am not shy to pile on my plate. Today there were a lot of the usual Filipino classics coupled with some Chinese and Italian inspired options.
There were two fettuccine Alfredo pastas one with shrimp, the other chicken and vegetables. Both of which complementary to homemade garlic bread and grilled chicken. We had deep-fried salted fish, deep-fried spicy squid, and deep fried lumpia (which is Filipino style spring rolls).
There were two different types of pancit, which is Filipino-style noodles, both of which were the thicker variety mixed with meat and vegetable. Keeping warm over the stove was a cross between Japanese style oden and Chinese style hot pot with waterlogged noodles and a collection of fish balls and fish cakes. There were are two different types of cooked shrimp, both dressed similarly, and both required to use of hands to pry sweet shrimp from shell. And of course fresh steamed rice to eat it all with.
For dessert, there was coconut cassava cake, a coconut cream and pandan jelly mix, and sago with mango and more coconut milk. The latter was the most popular, and was quick to finish despite there being a 4 litre jar of this traditional Filipino dessert.
There were also fresh fruit: strawberry and grapes, and a chocolate mousse cake that we dug into later.
I took this time to sit down and enjoy my meal at the table, asking the Titas how they differentiate from one another when everyone is called “Tita”. They laughed and said it is based on the direction you look and the tone you use. And that at the end of the day, it is just easier to call a person Tita when you forget their name.
I also liked how anything that can and is related to celebration had everyone singing the happy birthday song. When I opened a bottle of soda water and it fizzed and spilled, everyone shouted “happy birthday”. When we turn on the patio lights and they had a similar glow to candles, it was “happy birthday”. And then when, a guest arrived and it was actually their birthday and we were cutting the cake there was “happy birthday” again.
Everyone predominantly spoke Tagalog, so I cannot participate in everything. I followed my partner around as he travelled between the uncles on the patio drinking and the aunties in the living room dancing to YouTube videos with the younger teenage girls. And then there were all the other small kids just running around doing their own thing between the basement and upstairs floors.
We would run the rest night mixing Smirnoff vodka with San Pellegrino juices, and taking shots of tequila with lemon and a round of cheers.
It was a good time. We enjoyed ourselves. I was not expecting to get this lit in this setting. Although it certainly helped to pass any and all of the anxieties I have coming into such gatherings; where I very much feel like the outsider. However, they do insist that I pose for the group family photos each time, so I do feel welcomed.
With bellies fed and mind and body tired from all the drink, we would head home and head straight to bed after a good scrub down. A successful Saturday.
