fixation friday: pumpkins

Happy Fall Everyone!!! Not that it actually feels like fall here in the South. Seriously, the other day it was 104 degrees outside. 

Dear Mother Nature,  Turn down the heat bitch!

Since I'm in a festive fall mood the one thing I can't get enough of this time of year, or for the next few months is PUMPKINS! So todays fixation is all about the lovely plump balls o' fun this time of year brings! I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with pumpkins but I do get a bit giddy when I see them start to pop up in stores and on shelves in the "Halloween/Fall" section. I get so anxious I always go to the stores too early for Halloween and Fall goodies. If they can put out Christmas stuff before they put out Thanksgiving things, why can't we have Halloween stuff in July? Just saying...I wouldn't mind one bit. This year I went to Target a few days too early - there were twitter reports that Target had set out their Halloween stuff and I was ready to rock. Unfortunately my little town of Alabama is a bit slow in many ways and this is one of them... Halloween candy does not mean you've started to display Halloween merchandise in my opinion. I'll probably be returning this weekend and stalking the stores much like a mom would stalk the toy store for the latest "IT" toy of the season for Christmas. If only we had an actual Halloween store, then I'd be in heaven.

This however isn't about my fixation with Halloween, it's about my insane love for pumpkins and all that entails. So here goes.. in no particular order...

What always gets me geared up for Fall in general and PumpkinFEST is usually the announcement that Starbucks has started their seasonal flavors with their Pumpkin Pie Spiced Lattes.

{crack in liquid form} via google

I am not a huge Starbucks person. *GASP* ... IIII KNOW! I'm just not. The coffee is amazing and I had my chance to sample this delicious treat last year while in New Orleans for Halloween.  Yep, that's the last time I had Starbucks, 1 year ago and I went all the way to New Orleans to get it. We don't have one here locally and the closest one we have is probably about 45 minutes away. Take it easy, we do have a couple independent coffee shops here locally and I adore them, no fuss, no corporate identity and loads of charm and delicious coffee. I'm not knocking the 'bucks it's just not my end all be all coffee joint.

That being said since I am Starbuck-challenged my only other comfort for my Pumpkin Pie Spiced Coffee craving is to A) hit up a local gas station and partake in the "instant" variety that will do in a pinch,  B) hit up the local adorbs coffee shops here in town OR C) pamper myself with my favorite Pumpkin Pie creamer...

{slurp, slurp, slurp, BURRRP, slurp} via google

I don't know when Walmart is going to get on the ball and actually start carrying this stuff. It's already September 24th and there is NO sign of it in the stores. I thought about hitting up the other local grocery stores and Target but thought that might be a slight too much like an addict and figured I could be patient and wait. I mean hell they already have egg nog in the coolers!!!

My fixation doesn't stop at coffee, it goes on and on and on - it's a thrill for my tastebuds this time of year so here's a run down of the yummies I love!

PUMPKIN PIE!

What's fall and the holidays without Pumpkin Pie? I don't want Pecan Pie, and I sure as hell don't want any other type of pie... I was raised on Pumpkin Pie and that's what I want to eat! Although I do want to try some sweet potato pie this year! I might also brave a pumpkin cheesecake recipe I found last night as well!

{Yeah I want some punch n' pie!} via google

Little Debbie Snackcakes - Pumpkin Delights

BLOW YOUR MIND GOOD! These don't really taste all that much like pumpkin to me though. Pumpkin pie barely, but mostly like some good spice cookies like my mother used to make every holiday when I was a kid. Bottom line though if you like pumpkin and you're watching your figure, don't bring these home!! Shana girl I'm warning you now - they are like the Oreos... Don't DO IT! I won't be buying these this year for that exact reason. I ate a whole box last year in one day!!!

{via google and amazon.com if you can believe that!}

Pumpkin Pasta

 I know you're thinking, EWWW GROSS! But seriously, if you like squash you will enjoy Pumpkin Pasta. Especially this Recipe from Mom Advice, it sounds SO good. I tried to make a recipe from Rachel Ray last year and Mike was not impressed, but I haven't given up hope. I'd also love to find a great Pumpkin Ravioli recipe so let me know if any of you know of one!

via The Lovely Mom Advice

PUMPKIN BREAD

Much like the pie, it just is SO yummy to me. Forget the banana bread, at least until this season is over!

{no nuts for me, thanks!} via google

PUMPKIN BEER & BEVERAGES

Sure you can eat lots of great Pumpkin things and their pretty to look at, but they are also delightful to drink! I can't wait to try the Ale below. Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale it sounds right up my alley. I've had other great Pumpkin Ales and I really love Blue Moon's Harvest Ale. 

{Liquid yummy!} via google

PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI

I wrote about these last year and still I'm coveting the flavor! I hope to enjoy more than one of these this year.... I wonder if any of my local watering holes will be on the ball with these.

{Pie in a glass - I'll take two!} via google

After all those delicious treats you're no doubt tired of hearing about pumpkin but guess what, I've got more!!! You can't just please your stomach and not your eyes or nose, right?

BATH AND BODY WORKS GOODIES!

Between all the great candles, soaps and lotions I'm set for the whole season. I actually have to talk myself out of going inside the store for fear I'll spend my entire paycheck. I do have good control in there most of the time considering *fun fact* I used to work at Bath and Body Works for years while in college and I can't bring myself to pay FULL PRICE for anything in the store. This time of year makes it difficult.

B&B HAND SOAP - I NEED THIS ASAP!

{scrub a dub dub pumpkin spice tub} via google

Bath and Body Candles - YUM!

OK so none of these are Pumpkin Scented but I assure you they have about 3-4 different flavors of pumpkin scents this year and all smell amazing. My favorite candle though has to be the Autumn one. It seriously reminds me of playing in the woods around my home as a child and I think I'll need to buy about 8 of them this season!

{I always love that these say not to eat the candles} via google

You can't have Halloween without Costumes

KITTY PUMPKIN WEAR!

{Pleased or poised to kill?} via google

My cat, Angus the Rock Kitty would murder me in my sleep if I dressed him in such craziness! I won't lie thought it's really freaking cute! I love pumpkin costumes, especially on chubby babies!

 Last but never least... the best part about Pumpkins is...

DECORATING WITH THEM!!!

{via google}

I am head over heels for white pumpkins but really any pumpkins this time of year make my heart sing. I was so disappointed that our pumpkin plant didn't last through the hot summer. Truth be told it was epic and the plant was huge, we even had 1 single pumpkin that grew, however due to planting our seeds too early in the season and some random animal in our backyard eating at it, our little Great Pumpkin didn't survive. Better luck next year!

I hope you all enjoy this time of year - I've vowed I need to make it to the pumpkin patch this year because purchasing pumpkins from Wally World just isn't as fun!

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE! And I surely hope it starts to feel like the season soon for all of us!!!

What is your favorite pumpkin item, and/or part of fall?