Happy Pumpkin Palooza! Oh… what’s that, you ask? WELL. Pumpkin Palooza is a fall festival that begins on September 1st, and ends on Thanksgiving. You can think of Thanksgiving dinner as a sort of “closing ceremony” to Pumpkin Palooza. On September 1st (the opening ceremony) the house is decorated for fall, a special pumpkin breakfast is served, and the fall holiday mugs make their first appearance of the year.
If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of this festival, it could be because the only people who currently celebrate it are my sister and myself (and our families… grudgingly.) But I’m here to spread the word! Get out your decorations, find a great pumpkin waffle recipe, and start sipping your coffee/tea/hot chocolate from a festive pumpkin mug. I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the September Ultimate Coffee Date!
If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that while Florida is a disaster area, Covid-wise, at least I’ll be looking snazzy in my favorite pumpkin mask!
When I unpacked my box of fall decorations, I didn’t know whether to cheer or scream when I saw this mask. When I packed it away last year, I really didn’t think we would still be wearing them now. But… here we are! I’m glad I didn’t throw it away.
Another thing I would tell you for this pumpkin-themed coffee date is a baking tip. I read this on another blog years ago- to get the right amount of flavor, always DOUBLE the amount of pumpkin spice called for in a recipe, and add a pinch of cloves. I did that with my favorite waffle recipe from Minimalist Baker.
I highly recommend this recipe! The only weird thing is that it doesn’t call for salt. So I add it, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. Always use salt in baked goods! And double the pumpkin spice.
If we were having coffee together, I would ask how you feel about fall. Here in Florida, “fall” is more an idea than a season. Our temperatures will remain in the 90s through October. The leaves don’t change color, and we can’t go apple picking. But I still love the idea of all those things! I love hearing other people’s descriptions of fall up north and seeing pictures of fall scenes.
So tell me… do you love fall?
Are you having fall-like weather yet?
Pumpkin spice… yes or no?
27 Responses
While I love the fall decor, I am not ready for all things pumpkin yet. I need it to cool down a bit. I also can’t do the PSl too sweet for me. The big storm this week brought in some cooler weather that is very welcome. Thanks for stopping by for coffee!
Ooh, glad you’re getting some cooler weather! Since I don’t eat sugar I’m definitely limited in the pumpkin treats I can consume- which is why I usually make my own.
I kind of love that you channel fall in a place that doesn’t get the change of season! I am SO ready to get out my fall boxes and go to town, alas the state of dust and chaos in our house right now with the kitchen reno will prevent me from doing so. A resounding YES to doubling those pumpkin spices. This reminds me, I think I did a pumpkin waffle recipe of some sort last year. Need to go find it.
Oooh! Did you put the recipe on your blog? You should repost it- I’ll make it!
I can see why you wouldn’t want to decorate right now- I hope the reno is over soon!
I love Fall – hands down my favorite season! I will be digging out my fall deco this weekend. I’m not ready for all things pumpkin yet – usually try to hold off until October, but I will remember to double the pumpkin spice. Thanks for the tip!
Oh good! Labor Day weekend is a great time to decorate for fall.
Here not yet fall weather but it, at last, cooled down.
I love fall, here it is the best season.
I like waffles but the last time that I could eat one of them was in Bruxelles.
Beautiful photos!
Glad to hear your weather has cooled down! Did you have Belgian waffles in Brussels? (or are all waffles from Brussels Belgian waffles? Hmmm…) I’ll be they were much better than the waffles I make!
Before my retirement I often went to Brussels for meetings about the environment in the ports and there I had the possibility to taste those waffles.
I do love fall…I didn’t even realize that it’s that time… I’m trying to stretch summer…
With our kitchen reno, I’ll probably do minimal decorating.
I do love pumpkin everything!
Yeah, I guess it would be hard to decorate with construction going on in your house! At least you can enjoy pumpkin all the pumpkin treats.
Indeed, we are enjoying fall weather right now & it makes for great running weather!
I like pumpkin, but I don’t go hog wild on it, either.
For us Fall is the intro to Winter, so for years despite enjoying Fall there is the dread of the coming Winter. Over the last few years I’ve been trying to embrace each day as it comes . . . sort of. Really the hardest part for me is the lack of sunlight. I already have very low Vitamin D levels . . .
Judy, I am right there with you. That’s why I moved to Florida- I just couldn’t take those cold, DARK winter days. Like I told Kim, I didn’t like fall either when I lived up north. Kind of funny… when I actually lived somewhere with a real fall, I couldn’t appreciate it.
I like Fall, but I do not love it because Winter follows in a matter of a few short weeks (at least in Iowa). You are the pumpkin queen! I like the pie, bread, and bars…but that’s (unfortunately) where it ends. Well, I do like the smell of pumpkin spice., I guess….
Kim, that’s exactly the way I felt when I lived up north. It wasn’t until I moved to Florida (ironically) that I started to appreciate fall.
I’ve always wondered about fall in Florida. No changing of the leaves? That would be a bit odd! I’m not ready to decorate for fall yet. I usually end up doing that sometime in October I guess. I do love fall decorations though! And pumpkin muffins (with chocolate chips!).
Yes! Pumpkin muffins always require chocolate chips.
I love fall, but I’m not a pumpkin spice or pumpkin person, lol. I will admit to liking pumpkin bread, but that’s about it. I’m more of an apple person.
Oh, apples are good too! That’s a good reminder- I need to make some apple treats.
haha, I haven’t heard of the Pumpkin Palooza but I definitely could get on board with it! Thanks for spreading the word! ;P I haven’t had waffles in a while and need to make some again!
Oh good! Yes, make some pumpkin waffles ASAP!
I love fall and pumpkin spice is my favorite thing ever! I am so excited I’m moving to Virginia this year so I’ll get a real fall! Just in time for my favorite seasons.
Pumpkin waffles sound amazing! I’ll have to try that recipe. I do pumpkin muffins.
Ooh, that’s exciting! Yes, you’ll get an actual fall.
LOL, I do love fall — and pumpkin spice — but not until October. 😉
Sigh on the mask. Remember when I lamented in June how I hadn’t gotten to wear some of the masks I’d bought yet? I’m glad I didn’t toss them.
Good tip on the salt and spices. I do add a pinch of clove to my banana bread.
Cloves make everything taste and smell holiday-ish!
Yes, I guess the good news (?) is we still have a chance to wear our cool masks.