The other night when my husband and I walked into Kroger, I was overwhelmed at the display when we walked in the door. As soon as the calendar switched to October, everything pumpkin spice appeared, seemingly everywhere you turn! Now I know this topic comes to no surprise to probably anyone, but I wanted to talk about the obsession. Just look at the display in the picture! Years ago, when October came around, the only things pumpkin we talked about this much were actual pumpkins. Now it’s all about PSL’s (Pumpkin Spice Lattes if you still don’t know), pumpkin spice desserts, and even pumpkin spice waffles, cereal, chips, butter, soaps, décor, Halloween costumes, and even clothing! Change of seasons is one thing, but I can’t think of anything America obsesses over the rest of the year quite like Pumpkin Spice. What’s the big deal?
This Pumpkin Spice Latte basically says it all. Whether it’s the typical Starbucks PSL or your own homemade creation, you’ve fallen into the annual fall obsession. Are you drinking this because you truly love the taste, or are you just trying to be another person drinking that infamous drink, probably wearing boots and an oversized cardigan. Many bloggers are now even posting outfit ideas and inspiration, based on the drink. Maybe by now you’ve seen the collages of outfit ideas, coordinating with the fall colors of a PSL….which are basically just your typical fall colors, with a picture of a PSL thrown in! I know some of the pictures I see are strictly for photos and Instagram goodness. I mean, really, do you often find yourself in a pumpkin patch with a perfectly matched fall outfit, cute skinny jeans, and nice boots on a work day? If so, you should probably be somewhere else! I don’t know about you, but when I go to a pumpkin patch or apple picking, I don’t wear my best fall look. Last time I went, I came home covered in mud and freezing! Please don’t feel like you must walk around with this obsessed-over drink down a picturesque town street, with colorful leaves all around! It’s not really what fall is all about, is it?
Pumpkin Spice Cheerios….aren’t regular Cheerios good enough? Why, why’d you do it General Mills? I love Cheerios, and when I have time for breakfast, before rushing out the door, it’s usually my cereal of choice. I have not, however, caved to the trendy Pumpkin Spice Cheerios. My husband came home from the store recently excited and said, “Look what they had!” He held up this box before I had a chance to respond, quickly revealing none other than the Pumpkin Spice flavor. I’m not saying I definitely wouldn’t like them, but I have no desire to try them. He loves them and says they taste just like pumpkin spice. I think for me, because they have become part of the annual fall trend, I have almost gone out of my way NOT to try them! Cheerios were good the way they were! I don’t need to add pumpkin spice to breakfast now too. I find it almost frustrating to see so many types of products now offering pumpkin spice!
Instead….this is where we should be! The actual, real live pumpkin patch! Don’t be tempted to take that latte or put on an outfit to make you blend right in with nature. Just throw on a hoodie, grab your friends or family, and go to the pumpkin patch. Maybe you should even leave your cell phone at home! Pick out the biggest, roundest, brightest pumpkin they have. Take it home, spread out some bags or newspaper, and carve the best pumpkin ever this fall! While you’re there, take in the fact that you’re actually outside. Smell the air, look at nature, see the colors, and breathe the outdoors. The pumpkin patch is definitely where everyone should be in October. Maybe they’ll even have a corn maze, an apple orchard, or some….apple cider, not pumpkin spice lattes! If you’re local, go to Carter Mountain in Virginia, where you’ll find more apples than you can pick, a pumpkin patch, apple cider, beautiful nature, lots of families and friends spending time together, and their infamous apple cider donuts! Try something different this fall.
