Seasonal Goals

Hello!

I think many of us would agree that it is good to have goals.  Goals help us grow and expand in ways that can help us better ourselves.  That is why I have set some up for myself this season.  As much as you would think it would involve eating healthy, getting in shape, learning a new skill, or God forbid reading a book, it is nothing of the kind.  Luckily, the endeavor I wish to persevere is far easier than that.  It involves me stopping by three major coffee shop chains over the upcoming months to try all of their seasonal coffee drinks.  That is aiming high, my friends. 

I made the life altering decision to go down this path and pursue these rigid goals when I realized that I seldom treat myself to those yummy fall flavored drinks.  Then year after year I find myself filled with modest regret because the season (and by consequence, the drinks) have simply passed me by, leaving me without a hint of pumpkin or salted caramel or eggnog on my lips.  Well that ends now; 2016 is the year I live it up.  Starbucks, Peet's, and Coffee Bean - here I come. 

I have already made vigorous headway on my goals, knocking out four drinks in less than a week.  I can hardly believe it myself.  If only I showed this much tenacity and rabid intensity in everyday life pursuits perhaps I would be farther ahead, but I digress.  Thus far I have tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Salted Caramel Mocha, and Chile Mocha from Starbucks.  From Peet's, I tried the Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Mocha.  So far, the PSL (which I did not know until a few weeks ago is actually a thing - that people use the term PSL to refer to the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte) and Salted Caramel win.  Chile Mocha is a new fall flavor introduced by Starbucks this year and boy did they go wrong with that one.  I don't know if the person who made it for me failed to follow the recipe, but it left much to be desired, and by much, I mean it left me desiring a whole other drink.  Try it at your own risk.  Peet's did alright with their Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Mocha.  It is definitely more heavy on the coffee flavor, as I find most Peet's drinks to be, so if that tickles your fancy, give it a whirl.  But I would have liked a more pumpkin taste to it. 

Next up, I will be trying Peet's other fall offerings, which of course feature more of my favorite squash.  Then onto Coffee Bean.  Coffee Bean doesn't even do itself any favors by not explicitly advertising on its website what its fall offerings are; what a shame.  People like me with goals who wish to plan ahead cannot do that now.  I guess I'll just have to work harder on that one, go in blind and see what I come out with.  

The first drink I had to kick off my race to indulge in the caffeinated seasonal beverages was the PSL.  Below is a picture of that.  Look at how proudly it sits on the dash.  I sat in the car that cool morning, slowly sipping the flavor of fall, just letting it all sink in how my absolute favorite time of year is finally, finally, finally, here.  I plan to enjoy it with as much vigor and love as my heart can muster.  I also snapped a photo of the Peet's drink.  It's nice to see that whip - "whip it good" as Devo would say!    

When Christmas draws near I expect there will be special drinks served to honor the birth of our Lord and Savior.  I most definitely will sample those as well.  I hope you each find time to indulge this season.  It doesn't last long, so take time to slow down, take it all in, and let it warm your heart as it does for me!

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks