So it’s almost fall ya’ll and although this Texas heat does not have me jumping up for joy, the small guilty pleasure at Starbucks does. I am 100% going to admit to you that I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I’m pretty much a fan of pumpkin anything, but this is that small guilty pleasure that kind of makes a bad day a good day? Holding that oddly orange coffee in my hand never got me so excited… perhaps it’s the idea of cold weather, or the carving of pumpkins, or the messy wheat wreaths I get to hang on my door. The raking of leaves, the turtlenecks, the new apple crisp recipes, or the cozy fireplaces that I cannot get enough of. But as a mother of two crazy babes, that keep me up a lot of nights, that one “Grande Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk Latte” ordered through the convenient drive through is complete bliss.
And with that I would like to share with you my very own log cabin special, Pumpkin Spice Latte… homemade. If only I had the time to do this all the time…
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
By. Me inspired by minimalistbaker.com
3/4 cup Almond Milk (Coconut Milk is delicious too)
2-3 Tbsp pumpkin purée
1/2 heaping tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground allspice
1 pinch ground clove
1 pinch ground cardamom
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ - 2 tsp maple syrup
1 shot espresso
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
If you have a latte machine or steamer, this works best by combining all ingredients and using the steamer… sprinkle a little cinnamon on top or add your best homemade whip cream if you’re into that. Otherwise, stirring on the stovetop works great as well.
For my husband’s birthday this year, I wanted to give him something that he would keep forever, yet, use on a daily basis. My very first gift from him (that truly made me fall in love with him) was a porch swing. One that he built himself out of an old door. To this day, I still think it’s the best gift that he’s ever given me. But because I don’t really have his carpenter skills, nor will I ever, I wanted him to have a perfect place on the porch too to sip our lattes and cold brews (Because that’s what he drinks in the morning). Inspired by the Cracker Barrell corporate yet magical rocking chair, I got him a handmade cedar rocking chair. I contacted our local cedar lumber yard about a mile from our house to see if they suggested a local craftsman to do such a task. Not only did they suggest me one, I hired him. We communicated only via text and he sent me pictures of his work. I was so thrilled to have this made for my husband by a local craftsman.
The song I’m going to pair my Pumpkin Spice Latte was inspired by carpenters, rocking chairs, and lattes. Because all of those things go really well together in the fall and they all make me so happy. The Carpenters song, Top of the World is all you need to make you feel settled, clear headed, loved and relaxed during this blog post. Karen and Richard Carpenter recorded 10 albums in their 14 year career and Top of the World is one of their biggest hits. Please enjoy this soft harmonizing classic song while sipping on my authentic pumpkin spice latte this fall and if you have a rocking chair… do me a favor and indulge. I know I will be.
Now that my husband has his own seat on the front porch, I want nothing more than my family to spend our mornings rocking and swinging in our authentically made seats drinking our crafty yet delicious pumpkin lattes. I suppose it may be a bit silly to desire, especially in Texas when it’s still 100 degrees here. I’m mindful of the stillness of a swing or rocking chair… the classic slowness of life that takes me back to the 50’s or 60’s when there was no lattes. Just some fresh ice tea and good conversation. But in 2020, I’ll take it up a notch and sip on my pumpkin spice latte and keep that conversation going with my favorites… I challenge you to do it too.