Pumpkinology

Odd that throughout this time of the year anything pumpkin spice can seem like the end of a bad joke, worthy of a suffering sigh. Its appearance in items it should never be uttered in the same breath with, a la pumpkin spice hummus or sausage or salmon create the stuff of ghoulish nightmares.  While the pumpkin parade of flavor combinations continues to surprise and revolt – I would like to take the time to point out my favorite go-to for pumpkin enhanced treats that offer no tricks, Trader Joe’s.

Once again, this strange little market offers a delectable dainty for an autumnal munchable in their Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix.  Simple one bowl mixing method gets you a lovely chewy cookie with amazing pumpkin flavor surrounding good-sized dark chocolate chunks that pair well with libation of choice; tea, coffee or milk. I also tried two variations – a quarter cup chopped walnuts which enhanced the cookie to amazing levels of yum, the addition of crunch-complemented chewiness was sublime.

My second variation was to add walnuts and flame raisins and this gave the cookie the trifecta of sweet, bitter and tang and while more interesting was almost too much of a good thing 😉 In any case, whatever variation you choose, do try these at home and tell me what you think.  October is a month-long excuse for indulging in sweets and these will see you through.

Pumpkinology

Pumpkin Pie Pop TartsOk, put down the pumpkin spice latte, back away from the pumpkin spice bagel with pumpkin spice shmear and stop reading about the rise of pumpkin spice futures from your mobile device of choice.  Stop everything, head to your local grocery and purchase these AMAZING Limited Edition Frosted Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts.  I can barely stop sampling to type this review, major YUM, major TASTINESS, right out of the box or warm from the toaster.  Those mini Halloween candies are for suckers.  Stop reading this, GO and Enjoy!!

…and it’s back…Falloween begins…

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…at last!  It’s time to drag out, dust off, plan and prep and post.  The weather may belie the Season, but for those of you tuning in you’ve been at the bit awhile now (as myself) just waiting for the calendar to flip over and for August to close on another heady Summer.  Fall is here, even if the barometer says otherwise.  In an effort to create some sort of weekly connectivity for this blog I’ve decided to go with weekly readings of some writing I’ve been working on.  If all goes as planned, they will take us all the way through October, hope you can tag along.  I’ll be signing up again with Countdown to Halloween, look for the badge and link coming soon, its a great way to visit other blogs through the season, as well as the usual miscellany to be found here, now I gotta go de-bubble wrap something…

Thirty Days Has September

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“…tell me you didn’t use pumpkin spice…”

Wow – that went fast.  Falloween has passed and we are on to the next.  I do hope October doesn’t speed by, I like to take time and savor this time of year.  Deeply Autumn, scent and sense and scintillation.  Spice and season, crackle and rustle, thrill and shiver.  Days spent in anticipation, the gradual reveal of funereal farce and festive folly.  Countdown to Halloween begins tonite, midnight, don’t forget to stop by and look over all the great Halloween themed blogs to surface this time of year, as a hand reaching through the ground that grabs for your attention.  Always so much to experience from the creators and curators of these specialized blogspots…a wonderful way to spend a little time during the coming weeks.  Check the link at right to get yourself started.  My own blog will be witch flavored this year, I will be stirring, spicing, swirling up a cauldron of tidbits about my favorite icon of the season.

 

Pumpkinology

Once again I update you on the various scrumptious offerings in pumpkin flavored treats to be had at your local Trader Joe’s.  Already gone through the seeds you roasted in October?  These bags of Pumpkin Seeds will satisfy that crunch that ice cream and pie can’t meet. Healthful and delicious and great when watching football. Good at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  An all-arounder that is too yummy to pass up! I’ve got mine.

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Pumpkinology

Paciugo Gelato is meeting the need for pumpkin flavored yumminess that drives cravings this time of the year with their offering of a Spiced Pumpkin gelato thru November 27th.  Since Dallas based Paciugo has locations across the United States, chances are you are within driving distance of this amazingly flavored treat.  The spiciness comes from copious yet restrained amounts of clove in their mixture which builds as you devour it, I ordered mine doubled with their Dark Chocolate Fondente and all I can say is its well worth the caloric investment. Although gelato has roughly 70% less fat than premium ice cream without any loss of flavor or satisfying creaminess.  So indulge if you can. Did I mention they can turn any of their gelato flavors into lattes?  They don’t use syrups either. Sooo good.

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