Pumpkin Spice....on Ice is Nice!

Okay...so I know there are those of you out there who have already reported on the return of the Great Pumpkin.....Spiced Latte from Starbucks, that is! And that is reason enough to do a happy dance in my book. But, I've never actually had a 'Latte' before. In fact, I had to ask the barista at Starbucks to explain it to me. Hmmm.....does sound pretty tasty I'll admit, but.... I am a Frappucino girl! Maybe it's because in Florida, it's always so hot that Frappucinos can be consumed year round. But all I know is that I like what I like, so here is what I order. And I would like to recommend this personal recipe to anyone who enjoys the seasonal flavors of the pumpkin spice, but would like it in something more akin to a dessert. Here is the recipe to use when ordering....
Order a Pumpkin-Spice Mocha Frappucino with an extra shot of mocha. I order mine with light whip only because it makes me just a tad less guilty about the gazillion calories I am consuming. And light whip just means 'less', not actually light. But the finishing touches are what really makes the drink. Ask to have chocolate syrup drizzled over the top then sprinkled with cinnamon and mocha powder. They never give me enough mocha powder, so I always take my drink to the side bar, open it up and sprinkle on some more. Then put back on your plastic top if you can actually manage it, because often times it's a real pain if anything has spilled over the edges. Then sit back and consume the most wonderfully delicious Autumn concoction you've ever had. The extra mocha helps the pumpkin-spice not be so overpowering and the combination is to die for....muwahahaha! My children loved it so much that they got decaffeinated versions too. We just got the first ones of the season last weekend and they are already hitting me up for more. If you try it out....let me know what you think! :o)

Owl-o-Ween Desserts

Anyone who has known me at least 10 years, knows that Owls are my thing. I don't own a real Owl, but I do own a real Cat, so you'd think Cats would be my thing. But for me, I have a special connection to Owls. They started surfacing in my life during a long series of life changing events over the last 10 years. They are significant to me, and when I began collecting Owl Necklaces....not one person I knew cared anything about owls. And they weren't readily available at stores either. I had to hunt for them at antique shows and on the Internet. But every time I wore an Owl necklace out, complete strangers would stop me and compliment my necklace.

It is the thrill of this hunt for a little known, offbeat and unsung trend that I find exciting. But once everyone else jumps on my bandwagon, I tend to get bored and start a new search for that next undiscovered diamond in the rough. A trend, color, jewelry, style or icon....that at first people may find a bit strange, and out of the norm....but after seeing it a few times, they come to adopt it as their own.

But I won't give up on my owls just yet, because they had a very significant meaning for me and brought me some comfort during particularly challenging situations. So I will continue to share them here in my blog from time to time because owls are very relevant to Halloween. And I'm seeing them in more and more Halloween decor as people try to cash in on the Owl Fad before it becomes too passe and oh so 'yesterday'.

So today's Owl post is merely me sharing these most fabulous and oh so tasty looking Owl Desserts. Such clever and creative Owl creations with Cookies and Cupcakes! Aren't they a 'Hoot'?! I just HAVE to make some of these for this year's Halloween party! Problem is...I can't decide which one I like best! :o)

Wickedly Delicious

Oh joy! Tomorrow is the first day of October! I can't believe it's finally here, and sadly I find myself completely unprepared for it this year. But that won't diminish my enthusiasm any. In fact, today was also the first day of cooler weather here in Florida. This morning Fall was certainly in the air. Unfortunately, It will be gone just as quickly, because we only get cool weather in spurts here. But I will not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Speaking of gifts...yesterday I received my Godiva catalog in the mail. Oh yes...it pays to be on that mailing list, and I should add that there are major perks that come with it like free gifts. What gifts you say? Well, this month's gift is an invitation to come into the store and receive 3, count them THREE, Godiva Truffles! Yum Yum! And that includes one of the new seasonal flavors....Pecan Pie! And you better believe that any good lil' Southern Witch worth her grits and toadstools, is going to fancy herself a pecan pie truffle from Godiva. Their other Fall flavors include Cinnamon Pear and Black Raspberry, as well as the standby favorite Pumpkin. Check out all the Fall/Hallowe'en goodies at Godiva.

So today I am celebrating two of my favorite things....Fall and Chocolate! Bon Appetite!

Skull Crushers

Okay...I'll admit that I am a rather soft core Halloween fan. I mean I love most all of it to the point of blood, violence and gore. I just can't stomach that stuff...I admit that I am a wimp. I scare easily and am repulsed by too much blood. But as long as it's not REAL blood, or meant to appear real....then I can appreciate it. And that is why I can appreciate these nifty candies called Skull Crushers. The name alone lets you know there is something sinister about them. They are white chocolate candies with sweet red liquid centers that 'gush blood' out of the little skulls when you bite into them. COOL! And although I can totally dig the gruesome novelty of these little crushing gushers....I am not a fan of white chocolate or fruity centers, so I cannot personally vouch for their diabolical deliciousness...you'll just have to crush a skull for yourself and find out! To make your own homemade version click here:

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/skull_crushers

Pumpkin Spice Kisses

I already reported on the Fall colored M&M's, but Hershey offers up some tantalizing Fall flavors of their ever popular Hershey Kisses. Last night at Target...the first one that caught my eye was Pumpkin Spice with a cute Jack O'Lantern on the bag. Then I saw Candy Corn and Caramel. Now the Pumpkin Spice really peaked my curiosity as I had visions of chocolate on the outside with a pumpkin spice center which sounded quite yummy. But since we all know how I despise the taste of real Candy Corn...a Candy Corn flavored Kiss did not appeal to me in the least. And the Caramel flavor was nothing new, but did seem appropriate next to the other Fall flavors. But alas...I had to resist the temptation to buy the Pumpkin Spice kisses solely for the bag, because I noticed one that was slightly unwrapped and it was a pale orangy color on the outside. DRATS! That meant there was no decadent mix of chocolate AND pumpkin spice....but rather just a sweet pumpkin throughout. Blech! Although if you are a big pumpkin pie lover...they might be just what the witch doctor ordered.

As I was searching for a photo of these to post, I did run across a very positive review of the Pumpkin Kisses as being a very tasty treat indeed. So I had the great idea that it might be worth an investigative experiment to buy a bag of plain Kisses and a bag of Pumpkin Spice Kisses and consume one of each at the same time. Then again it might just be disgusting. But in the name of chocolate and science....I just might do it. I'll report back with my findings if it ever transpires.

M&M Madness

In the Fall, M&M's come out in the traditional black and orange colors of Halloween with little Jack O' Lantern grins on them. Very festive indeed! But now the good folks at Mars & Murrie (you did know that is what M&M stands for didn't you?) have taken the M&M to a whole new level. You can actually go onto their website and CUSTOM design your own M&M's in 22 available colors, and you can add images and text to them. I gave it a shot by loading up the little owl photo from the post below, along with the word BOO!....onto yellow, orange and green M&M's. It looked quite festive and has such awesome potential. I had visions of skulls, vintage Jack O'lanterns, Witch Hats, black cats and owls adorning all my M&M's. I could go crazy with this. You can even put your own photo on them if so inclined. The only problem is that custom imprinted M&M's don't exactly come cheap. But if you really want some unique and completely original Halloween candy...this is the ticket. Have fun becoming your own Mad Scientist in the M&M Laboratory: http://www.mymms.com/holidays/halloween.asp

Death By Chocolate

If you're looking for something deliciously macabre...give these Mori Ex Cacao chocolate skulls a try this Halloween. They were designed by Douglas Little of D.L. & Company Modern Alchemists and Purveyors of Curious Goods. http://www.dlcompany.com. They come in a pack of 3 (1 Dark, 1 Milk, 1 White) with flavors like 'Scorched Caramel', 'Bitter Brandied Cherry' and the most intriguing one, 'Curious Chili'. Listen to it's description...."An eccentric array of chilies and spices are combined with the deepest chocolate, into an exotic and exciting sensation, with a heat that lingers long after the chocolate is gone. An extraordinary experience." Yummers! But chocolate skulls this decadent don't come cheap, so be prepared to shell out for the experience of chomping on one. $65 for a set of 3, or $25 for the flavor of your choice. These were available last year at both Valeries Confections and Dean & Deluca. And in case you missed the tongue in cheek name of these post mortem delicacies...Mori Ex Cacao means Death By Chocolate! No sweeter way to go!