You forgot Fall coffee, pumpkins, pumpkin creamer and fall festivals... |
It's September in South Central Pennsylvania, which means cooler weather is here. Sometimes. Then it gets really hot, then freezing, then we don't know if we should put away the summer clothes and pull out the jackets or if we should keep the shorts, stash the swimsuits and grab the hoodies from the attic. We never know, and that's what I love about this season and this state.
Fall is:
Back to school (woohoo!). This year I have an 8th grader (last year of middle school), a 4th grader (big school district changes mean a new school for her), a 1st grader (and a walker- YES!) and my little baby boy is in his last year of preschool. Where would I be without coffee when I have to wake up EARLY for school? I miss them like crazy but I've been working hard to live in and enjoy the moment. So I'm enjoying my coffee in peace!
The York Fair:
Image source: http://yorkfair.org |
My town is host to the oldest fair in America! It''s a short walk from my house and therefore the best spot to park if you're family or friend. If I go to the end of my block, I can see the Ferris Wheel, at night in its flashing, spinning lighted glory. It's one of the only lighted rides that doesn't make me feel like I'm about to have a seizure. If the wind is blowing right (or at all) I can hear and smell the fair. Talk about a tease! True to its roots, The York Fair is still a big agricultural fair, with contests for homemade foods, homegrown produce and plenty of stinky and beautiful farm animals shown by local farmers and 4-H. Of course, what fair wouldn't be complete without a circus, carnival rides and pig races. Every year (I think this was only recently) some amazing person creates a BUTTER SCULPTURE. For real!
This is BUTTER. Butter! |
Check out their Facebook page for some neat pictures.
Fall is FUNDRAISER TIME: I am the "fundraising lady" at our elementary schools. This job just became twice as big, so that I can love it twice as much. It's chaotic but so worth the end result. You can't put a price on a smiling kid. During the fundraisers I typically drink an extra cup or two of coffee to get me through long days of checking and rechecking orders. Thankfully this is a super easy fundraiser!
This is just my first cup. |
Fall is: Busting out my favorite hoodies, campfires, pants, warm blankets, fall festivals (there are dozens here in York and it's awesome!), pumpkin everything, changing leaves, raking (yes, I like to rake, then have my kids jump in the piles), warm drinks (coffee for me, hot chocolate for the kids) and perfect weather.
Not a Starbucks cup, but it says coffee. |
Fall is: Starbucks® Fall Blend. When this arrived I was hoping for something pumpkin-like. What I got was so much more. I have tried a few delicious Starbucks seasonal blends but this was by far my favorite. This is literally autumn in a coffee drink. It's a medium roast, called "a cozy coffee for the early days of autumn" and the description is perfect.
To quote the bag: Welcome the season with a harvest of flavors. Layered and full-bodied, this three-region blend offers the best of all worlds. Sumatran beans lend the warmth of fresh spice notes while coffees from Kenya add citrusy brightness, and beans from Peru provide balance and a subtle nuttiness.
I highly recommend adding Starbucks® Fall Blend to your list of fall must-haves this season. Stop at your local grocery store to see if they have my newest favorite coffee then head to your local Starbucks to find out if they are one of many offering this awesome deal: Buy Any Fall Drink and Get One Free from 2-6pm. Valid until 9/21. And if you find an awesome seasonal mug while you're there, please let me know! I'm on the hunt for a new one and haven't found THE ONE.
What's your favorite fall activity and fall drink?
Disclosure:
Modernmom and Starbucks supplied me with the products to facilitate this review. All opinions are expressly my own.