Pumpkin Obsession

As of about 3 weeks ago, I have a pumpkin obsession.  Up until about 3 weeks ago, I didn't really like pumpkin.  As far as I would get is a small slice of my Gramma's pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or a pumpkin beer now and then.    Something changed.  I don't know what or why, but I am thankful for the change.  Pumpkin is such an autumn flavor and autumn is my absolute favorite season.  October is in fact my favorite month.

So here is the time line of my massive pumpkin obsession:

It all started with this -

I went to Alchemy N'Ale and decided to have a Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale.  The waitress kindly asked me if I wanted my glass rimmed.  I said "I don't know do I?"  She said "yes."  Then she came back with my beer in a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass.  It was spectacular!  Do it!

And so it begins.

Next morning I wake up and decide to defect to Starbucks to try a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  (I say defect because my husband and I generally only attend "3rd wave" coffee places which I will tell you more about at another time.  Anyways, Starbucks is a big fat no.) I had never had a pumpkin spice latte before and I was very excited.  It was delicious (I have had 2 more since).

Ok, so now onto the food.  I decided pumpkin bread would be the best way to start.  I went with the Double Decker Pumpkin Bread from my absolute favorite food blogger Jessica at How Sweet It Is.  I do not have pictures since I did not have a blog three weeks ago.  My pumpkin bread did not look anything like her pictures.  While it was delicious, it was very dense.  I could only eat a tiny piece at a time (which was probably for the better).  I think maybe leaving the buttermilk out was actually the way to go.

Next, came the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars.  IF YOU TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THIS BLOG, IT IS TO MAKE THESE BARS!  Ok, sorry.  These were amazing! To Die For!  I cannot even describe how good they are.  My husband and I ate an entire 9 x 13 inch pan of them and honest to god when they were gone, I wanted more.  They lasted about 5 days and got better with each day.  I used the dark chocolate chunks from Whole Foods rather than semi-sweet.  Totally the way to go!  I will be making these at least 2 more times before Christmas, ooorr before next week.

More beer.  My favorite beer.  Saturday brunch at DoubleWide.  I had no intention of drinking until I saw that they have Southern Tier Pumpking on tap.  Yep, pumpKING.  It's that good.

It was way too early for me to have a beer, but I had to... 

The next day I had some sort of pumpkin/stout black and tan combination at Dee's that was delicious.  I am still waiting to try a black and tan combo of Souther Tier Pumpking/Youngs Double Chocolate Stout.  Apparently Soba is the place to go for this one.

Just two more stops on the pumpkin wagon (for now).

I have been waiting and waiting for Jessica to add her Chewy Pumpkin Cookie Recipe.  It was worth the wait, they are soooo yummy!  They are terrific dunkers!  Another amazing pumpkin recipe.  Oh and since these called for Pumpkin Butter, I have had toast with pumpkin butter for breakfast for the past three days.

Last but not least, dinner at BRGR.  The specialty milkshake of the night...Vanilla-Pumpkin!

It was perfection!  The best part of my meal, hands down.

There you have it.  My pumpkin obsession time line.  Devin is so sick of pumpkin.  He told me I am the definition of a pumpkin slut, i.e. I would do anything for pumpkin.   I may end up eating everything I make from now on.  So be it, I'm ready!

So Long!

P.S./Appendix/New Entry:  I published this post and went out to dinner...where I had pumpkin curry with tofu.  I loved the curry, but was not huge on the large chunks of pumpkin.  The dish was beautiful though!