“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.
From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.
Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.
Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.
The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!
It’s back at Starbucks, woo hoo! I had a grande one this morning, AND a slice of pumpkin loaf. So good, you guys, seriously.
I’ve (re-)discovered a few things over the course of the recent Days Of Rage. Some of them are great!
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a lonely girl in possession of a library card must be in want of a twin. The child who spends a lot of time in books also spends …
Hey. I don’t know what we do now either. I DO know that we’ll need each other going forward, as we always have, for support, mutual aid, and information on where to get high-quality wide-calf …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
THANK YOU for letting me know about this important event. I love pumpkin spice lattes. They’re the only reason I ever go to Starbucks, and I’d already started swooning over the idea that they’d be available soon. A Starbucks run will be happening shortly.
This is the best damn drink EVER!!! I had one this morning, too.
PUMPKIN SPICE FRAPUCCINOS! They are seriously the best thing about Starbucks and life in general in the fall.
It is to weep. I saw them this morning, and could not partake — I am on a speshul diet this last month or so of my neverending pregnancy, having flunked the goddamned glucose tolerance test, and the Glucose Police are all up in my bizness so I can’t cheat even a tiny little bit.
How long do they have these fabulous treats? Will they still be there in a month? Please say yes …
I love those things with all that is holy and unholy. I have a Starbucks gift card that’s itching to be used.
Have they changed the recipe on the baked goods at Starbucks in your area yet? They are deeeesgusting. The blueberry scone is an atrocity. They removed trans fats (on the whole a good idea) but have not learned the proper use of replacement items. Textures are off, the taste is middling, and I simply will not stand for it!
harrumph
The return of the Pumpkin Spice will assuage my concerns for now.
They really are great. Ditto the gingerbread lattes. I love spicy-sweet things, which is only one of the reasons fall is my favorite season.
Never even had one, but does this mean that fall will soon be in the air? Please? ‘Cause here in the flat land (Chicago) it’s going something like this: 90 degrees for a week, 97 degrees for a week, back down to 90 with a storm every day and 10 inches of rain (not kidding, my town has had 12 inches of rain so far in August, which is not over), then back up to 97. The mosquitoes are dressed in their favorite NFL colors and have their own frickin’ fantasy leagues….
I need autumn, and lattes of any flavor….
Oh, god, NO. This means the pumpkin scones will be coming back soon, too. I am powerless before the pumpkin scones, and my ass doesn’t need another 10 pounds…
ohhhhhhh…. that means it’s almost time for eggnog chai…
[gasps aloud] THE PUMPKIN SCOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHNE! I love those so much.
Behold, I have the recipe for the Starbucks pumpkin scones. But…it’s at home so I can’t paste it here right now.
The return of the pumpkin spice latte is definitely the best thing about the end of summer. MMMM. I must get one immediately.
I’ve seen the pumpkin spice latte into November (certainly until Halloween, anyway), I believe, so Gleemonex, no weeping or wailing or gnashing of teeth — it will be there.
Pumpkin scones sound lovely. I’m so ready for fall it’s not even funny.
Maybe I can hit a Starbuck’s on the way home….
I’ve never had the various pumpkin pastries at Starbucks, but I can guarantee that these cookies are at least as good. Requires more effort than running to the nearest Starbucks, but it makes your whole house smell like Fall. Add more pumpkin than the recipe calls for and the cookies will be nice and soft.
Now if only the weather would drop below 90 degrees… (See: Melissa’s comment regarding Chicago weather.)
I live for this time of year when the seasonal ven diagrams overlap to create a perfect world:
Summer circle: long, breezy summer days and license to consume fruit salad as an entire meal
Fall circle: kids going back to school so the rest of us can return to the beach in relative safety and foods with high nutmeg content (subheading: pumpkin lattes).
Overlap: all of the above for today and the next few golden weeks!
jive turkey – I will definitely be making use of that recipe!
Thanks for the heads up, Sars.
This morning my Starbucks featured a pumpkin empanada. How am I not supposed to eat that every day?
While I am dreading the return of autumn as it can only mean the onslaught of winter, I am very, very happy about the return of pumpkiny goodness. Hooray for the pumpkin scone, and, jive turkey, please do share your recipe! Elise, I am going to make those cookies as soon as I can. It’s not possible to have too much pumpkin.
(Hi Chicago people!)
I was delighted to see the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Bucks this morning! Not cheep, but DELICIOUS!
I lived off these during 8 hour layovers at JFK last Thanksgiving…
Hopefully, this means that Au Bon Pain’s Harvest Pumpkin soup will be back soon…
Fall has the best clothes AND the best food & drink.
Y’all who are sharing recipes are saints. SAINTS, I tell ya.
I love pumpkin EVERYTHING, yet I’ve somehow never had this pumpkin spice latte…. maybe because I haven’t set foot in a starbucks in…. many moons. There aren’t any that close to me. But I may have to go get one like, tomorrow. Can they make it sugar-free? shmaybe???
I have a fabulous pumpkin cookie recipe if anyone wants – it’s at home but I can post it later. They’re EASY! and spicy and pumpkiny and such soft and moist cookies they’re like little round CAKE BITES.
Just say the word.
I adore the pumpkin spice latte, but I am put-off by the idea that it is currently “seasonal.” It’s 90 freakin’ degrees outside – it is NOT fall. Also, I would prefer if they brought it out later and then kept it going into the holiday season. There’s nothing worse than coming in from a windy, cold late November day and finding out that pumpkin spice is no longer seasonal. True story – I had to go with gingerbread, and it was most unsatisfying.
One of the perks of part-time baristadom is getting to “partner sample” special bevs and pastries earlier than their release date. I partook of the pumpkin spice on Saturday with the rest of the partners who had, cough, never had it before, is it good, should I try it?
Gleemonex: We keep making PS Lattes until the syrup runs out, which in MI can be as late as March. If you don’t see it on the menu, always ask for it–we often have seasonal syrups even after the promo changes.
Keight: OMG, please post it.
Ha! I just got back from my daily lunch break run to Starbs, and I was shocked and horrifed that the pumpkin spice goodies are already here! It’s August, people. And here in Southern California, it’s still like 95 degrees with a full month of summer weather to go. Stop trying to take my summer from me! I’m not ready for fall…noooooo!
It seems awfully early for Pumpkin Spice lattes, but it does speak of cool mornings and cool evenings and after about 15 straight days of rain and heat and humidity, I am ready for that.
I have a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins that are seriously the best thing ever. If anyone is interested, I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.
The idea of having both a recipe for the pumpkin scones AND for pumpkin cookies fills me with fear.
POST NOW PLEASE.
I was in upstate NY this weekend, and noticed two things: red leaves on the Taconic State Parkway, and sparrows flocking and swirling. Harbingers! Trust what the plants and animals are telling you, and adjust your diets accordingly.
I had the Pumpkin Spice Loaf, myself.
Duuuuuuuuude! I was in Starbucks today and they didn’t have the pumpkin things posted yet. This is the best news I have ever heard. Though, I’m not quite ready to give up my Raspberry Mochas yet. Anyone else on that bandwagon? This is not helping my diet plan at all.
Jenny, OMG, post that!!! And, you know, everyone else post their recipes, as well.
Goddamn. Pumpkin scones. And there’s a Starbucks downstairs in the office now, FUCK ALL, all my best intentions will be derailed A-GAIN and I will NOT STOP EATING PUMPKIN SCONES UNTIL SPRING.
Incidentally, I have also made pumpkin waffles that are delightful. Pumpkin baked goods in general are just about my favorite kind.
I was shocked to see the Pumpkin Spice lattes (my all-time fave) back at Starbucks this morning. I had to order a Grande because I was so excited. I hate that they have it in August though – it’s still SUMMER!!! It’s not even fall yet. I agree with all of you who have said your asses do not need these and the glorious pumpkin scones. I will SO be getting them every freaking day from now on. Sigh.
Oooooooh! Pumpkin Spice lattes! YES! It’s one of the few things that Starbucks still does really, really well.
But y’all…if you loves-em the pumpkin-y goodness of Starbucks, come to Los Angeles and go to a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf because OH MY GOD, you will die and go to big round orange gourd heaven. And if you order it with whole milk instead of the skim that they normally use, you will not begrudge the extra calories one single bit.
I am also going to agree that the pumpkin spice products need to stick around through New Year’s, as a general rule. The gingerbread flavor is just not the same yum-numminess, which doesn’t make a lot of sense, and yet, it’s a fact.
I love this time of year. This weekend I managed to rustle up some Harvest Moon Pumpkin Spice Ale, which was fab. And the cafe in the Unnamed Corporate Bookstore where I work (no not that one; not that one either) got the provisions for pumpkin lattes. Sure the ones at Starbucks are better, but employee discounts and easy access!
Please EVERYBODY post the recipes y’all mentioned. I won’t let myself try them till I lose some weight (yes, I’m planning my own sabotage, thankyouverymuch), but the fall baking bug has hit me earlier than usual this year* and I am ready to collect some new recipes – especially if they contain pumpkin.
*I blame this entirely on this nasty, hot, humid, everybody-on-the-Metro-stinks DC summer. I’m so over it and jonesing for some cold.
Kate, that also means Post Road Pumpkin Ale will be back soon. Lord, do I love that stuff. Keckler and Mathra brought me some one time, after having raved about it for years, and I’m very politely taking a small sip and thinking it will never live up to the hype, all “I’m sure this will be quite delici– DUDES! [guzzle] DUUUUUUUUDES!”
But now it’s kind of sad because Keckler lives in Cali, where the PRPA’s reach does not extend, and we have not found a legal way to ship it thereto.
Anyone driving from NYC to SF in the next few weeks should absolutely email me if they’re willing to take custody of a case for delivery. I’ll pay handsomely.
I don’t know how I remembered to grab this out of the recipe box this morning pre-coffee, but here you go:
Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c chilled stick margarine or butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c canned pumpkin
1/3 c milk
Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, spice, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg, pumpkin, and milk in a small bowl and add all at once to dry mixture. Stir until just moistened. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface. Quickly knead dough by folding and pressing gently for 10 to 12 strokes or until nearly smooth. Pat dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 12 wedges (or less – I usually make fewer so that they’re bigger).
Place wedges 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, brush tops with milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm. DIE FROM DELICIOUSNESS.
They’re not exactly quick & easy, but they’re fun to make on a cool fall Saturday morning. Enjoy!
(And I can’t wait to track down some of that Post Road Pumpkin Ale…MMM)
What?! Pumpkin and gingerbread already? It’s August, people! I love fall (it’s my favorite season) and I love cider and pumpkin-flavored goodies, but I’m not ready for it yet.
I am eating a ‘Bucks pumpkin scone RIGHT NOW.
DAMN THEM.
jive turkey, you are my hero, even though I’m sure these will be the undoing of my diet.
I just had an iced pumpkin spice latte from the Barnes and Noble cafe next door (I live in Florida, it is NOT time for the hot ones yet) and it was heaven. The barista laughed at me when I came in, looked at all the pretty new signage advertising the pumpkiny goodness, and started whimpering in delite.
Here is a very “quick and dirty” weight watchers pumpkin muffin recipe-they’re 1 point apiece for anyone counting, and surprisingly good:
Mix together 1 can of pumpkin and 1 box (any brand) of spice cake mix. Pour into lined muffin tin. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.
On another note, there’s a local coffee chain here in Omaha called Scooters, that makes an unbelieveable pumpkin pie smoothie, available only in November. I wait for it all year.
Thank you for the scone recipe!
I’ll paste it onto a card and fill out the top line:
This recipe from the kitchen of: jive turkey.
thank you jive turkey! I can’t wait to make them – but it will be in October. Like a true NH seacoast girl, I am clinging to every last vestige of summer.
I’d be scared if someone had the pumpkin loaf recipe – I can’t even imagine how much butter it would require.
I have a recipe for vegan gingersnaps that use pumpkin to give the cookies that delicious soft chewiness you usually only find in giant commercial cookie-related applications. Any interest, anyone?
(Also, thanks jive turkey for the scone recipe, I am SO MAKING THOSE.)
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!! Also good & coming soon… Pumpkin Ice Cream! Yummy-licious!
Have you ever tried a chai tea with a shot of hazelnut? Heaven in a cup I tell ya. And the madelines?! That’s when I do my Homer Simpson impression… mmmm, madelines….
You are all evil, and yet gloriously good with the pumpkin recipes. Why? Because I got a fancy Kitchen Aid mixer for my birthday last week and now I can make all these lovely things with less effort than ever!
However, I will now be spending my scrawny paycheque on ingredients and many pairs of pants in increasing sizes. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Michele:
pumpkin EMPANADA, you say? I did not know that such a wonder existed. Do they only serve them for breakfast or are they available all day?
Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzard, anyone?
Dammit, I’m allergic to pumpkin – anaphylactic reaction of the “shoot self in ass with railroad spike of epinephrine & then hie self to ER, pronto” type. And the scone & the latte always smells awesome. I know it’s partially the cinnamon, brown sugar & nutmeg, but I’m positive the pumpkin transfer medium helps, too. Now I’m feeling sorry for myself. Anyone know when they start the maple macchiatos again? Those are highly addictive, too, and won’t land me at the end of a prednisone-and-zantac IV.
The PSL is the greatest of Starbucks concoctions! However, a friend of mine once likened the aftertaste to, “licking the inside of a fish tank.” Did that stop me from drinking them? Hi. No. Just make sure you’re packing the Orbit.