Monday, October 1, 2007

Ode to Fall

[I don't know why, but the fact that today is October 1st means that fall has officially begun (at least for me). Well, that and the fact that I bought my first gallon of apple cider this weekend.]

Fall, how I love you.

You bring about the changing colors in the leaves, the cool breezes, the frost on the windows in the morning. Hot, sleepless nights are no more. I open the windows and can half-snuggle in bed with my Clance without suffocating him with heat. For that, I thank you.

Pumpkin flavored foods of all kinds have begun to hit stores. This is part of the reason why you are my favorite time of year. Pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin pie blizzards from Dairy Queen, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin Little Debbie snacks. You fulfill my cravings. Pumpkin flavored food, only trumped by cheesecake, is one of my favorite things.

Pumpkin cheesecake is therefore heaven on earth.

When you visit I can wear my most favorite sweaters, blazers, trousers and boots that Summer made me hide away in the depths of closet storage. Especially my treasured cashmere sweater from the boyfriend last Christmas. I also enjoy the fact that I can wear these things and don't have to worry about them being ruined by the snow - especially the boots. Thanks for holding out until Winter with the slushy precipiation. I appreciate it.

And scarves! Scarves galore! This in itself is so exciting for me. Knit ones, fleecy ones, striped ones, oh my! Paired up with a super cute pea coat in a matching color and I'm set for the chilly temps.

So, here's to you fall. To nights in front of the fireplace (well once Clancy installs it that is), cups of warm apple cider, pumpkin pie a la mode, my love's arms wrapped around me, and the dogs snuggling close by for warmth. Thank god you're here!

So guys - what other pumpkin flavored things have you heard of that I am missing out on?! You MUST share :)

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

pumpkin spice latte!!! also, i loooove pashminas/scarves. i feel so sophisticated when i wear 'em!

Michelle and the City said...

How could I forget the pumpkin spice latte that I've seen on ... EVERYONE's ... blogs. I must have had a brain fart. I've yet to try it though. That will have to change come sometime this week! :)

Anonymous said...

you already have pumpkin ice cream listed, but my favorite treat is to buy the slow churned lite edy's pumpkin and a reduced fat graham cracker crust, and take pieces of the crust and eat it with the ice cream. it kinda makes it a lower fat version of the dairy queen blizzards (because i cant eat too many of those without gaining 40lbs). i love it.

while what you listed are my favorites, i also like pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin seeds!, pumpkin soup (it's really good), pumpkin butter (i have some in my fridge right now), pumpkin beer, pumpkin mousse... i'm sure there's more but i can't think.

mmmm pumpkin.

<3 Katyn

Anonymous said...

Now I'm jealous. We don't get fall. We only get two seasons - flood, and parching, sweltering heat.

Anonymous said...

I forgot to add that the theme of our wedding was autumn. Sigh. It was kinda lame being that we don't get that here, but ohthedetails were so lovely. We had tiny autumn leaves on our cupcakes... blahblahblah. You made me jealous (I want to wear scarves without getting heatstroke) but I still heart you. :*

Clink said...

Yes, yes the pumpkin spice latte of course.

I really like plain old pumpkin pie. It makes me so damn happy.

Anonymous said...

i love fall too! it's already getting chilly here in the mornings, but by afternoon it's back up to the 80s. i hope the fall weather sticks soon!

elysa said...

First have to say, I have 40 minutes of work left and thanks to you I am now very hungry! I am in love with Starbuck Pumpkin Spice Latte.

October 1st is definitely not the start of fall here though. Today in the great state of Texas it is 91 degrees. It usually gets cooler here about Halloween time.

Unknown said...

i bought a "frosted pumpkin" scented yankee candle today.... it smelles SO yummy. i can't wait to light them when i decorate for fall!!!

Anonymous said...

Fall is my favorite time of year, too! And, pumpkin pie is awesome. When we were in Europe, pumpkin was in season, and the pumpkin soup was incredible.

And, you have probably already heard the old wives' tale about pumpkin aroma and men, right? If not, google pumpkin aroma arousal and see what you get. ;)

~TCP

Anonymous said...

Okay.. so it's not Fall here, it's turning into Spring. And we don't have Thanksgiving, or anything pumpkin. We don't even have Halloween. *sniff* So all this talk of pumpkin tasting things is fascinating!

mcgee said...

this weekend they started setting up the pumpkin patch down the street from my apartment. that really gave me a kick in the butt that fall is indeed here.

every october we go to the half moon bay pumpkin festival. too bad you don't live out here because you'd love it. ALL of the foods have pumpkin in them. i think there's even some sort of pumpkin ale. and pumpkin chicken sausage..and a whole load of other things.

Kelli said...

Damn, someone took my answer.. pumpkin spice lattes are the BEST EVER! I love your ode to fall- it's a great time of year! Don't forget about crockpot food!

tshirtandjeans said...

it's katyn. i've made a blog and i'll do a proper post later after i'm done reading a zillion pages for class.

Unknown said...

DQ's pumpkin cheesecake ice cream is amazing. pretty much better than sex. or maybe i've just never had a good sexual partner.

anyway, i'm with you the pumpkin obsession!

Jenni said...

What about pumpkin pancakes?

Whisk:
1 1/4 c flour
2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t salt
1/8 t nutmeg
pinch of cloves

Mix:
1 egg
6 T pumpkin puree
2 T melted butter
1 c milk
Fold into dry ingredients

Heat a buttered skillet over medium heat; pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook about 3 minutes per side.

You will be in heaven! I like them best with just butter and powdered sugar...but syrup is good too. :)

Princess Pointful said...

So hungry now!
And so excited that Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend so I can indulge this pumpkin craving...

sweetanemone said...

wow, i did not know where was so many things to do with a pumpkin! we enjoy roast pumpkin and pumpkin soup and maaaayyyybe pumpkin bread (though it's hard to find, unless you want to make it yourself!). what does a pumpkin latte taste like? what a cool concept! *brain explodes*

also i just wanted to say that your blog is the most lovely happy reading thing i have the pleasure of visiting!

stilettoheights said...

pumpkin coffee....um, it's so good, I know they seve it at Gloria Jeans...not sure where else...also pumpkin cakes from little debbie...they are trashy but so good.

L Sass said...

I love pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin lattes, too... Also, pumpkin flavored beer! And pumpkin (or winter squash) soup and ravioli. YUM.

My coworker went to an apple / pumpkin farm this weekend and brought me back a little squash. I'm having it for dinner tonight!

Lisa said...

mmmmmm pumpkin cheesecake

erin said...

Last year my mom and I found a recipe for pumpkin wontons. They are not to be missed. I made them for a Christmas party and they were snatched up quickly.

If only I could retrieve the recipe for you....

erin said...

And seriously just after I posted that, I found this on Y! Food:

http://food.yahoo.com/blog/editorspicks/3751/top-10-pumpkin-recipes

k said...

i can't get enough of starbucks caramel apple cider. they sell it all year long, but it's only on the menu in fall & of course that's when it's best. a chill in the air, a scarf around my neck, and that cider in my hand.
it's also not fall around here unless i make this- sooooo yummy!