Can you believe this month starts the ‘bers’? And by ‘ber,’ I don’t mean brrrr as in chilly. I mean HELLOOOOOO September, October, November, and December! Excuse me while I go do the happy dance. Nothing makes me happier than the joy of these four months that bring us so many fun family traditions and gatherings. Not to mention the coziness they bring.

This morning I just brewed my very first cup of vanilla chai tea with vanilla creamer. It was divine and just screamed fall. There is nothing like wrapping your hands around a hot mug on a cool fall morning — the coziness of a fleece blanket or warm hoodie. Jack-o-lanterns lit up in windows, orange leaves after a fall rain, and the gloomy fall clouds. What about a crackling fire, breathing in cooler air, and fall-scented candles?

Pumpkin bread, a big pot of your favorite soup, and apple cider. The vibrant colors and smells of fall are the best of the year. You can’t tell me otherwise. I love the first frost that settles on top of my pumpkins. I love the crunch of leaves under my feet. And you know what else? I love writing about fall. Fall just makes it so easy, as does the holiday time. It’s my favorite time of year, and so many thoughts, treasured memories, and new traditions come with that. And I haven’t even hit the joys of November and December yet! This is just the first two ‘ber’ months and everything they offer. Don’t worry; I won’t get into those yet.

I haven’t made it yet, but there is nothing like that first fall meal of the year. When a pot of soup is bubbling on the stove, bread is baking in the oven, and the night is growing dreary and cold. This will make my momma giggle, but I have been craving chili lately. With sides like sour cream and sharp cheese on top. Ohhhh, momma. Back in my high school days, I’d ask my mom what was for dinner, and if I didn’t like what she was having, Chris and I would go out for dinner. Chili, fish, or creamed dried beef were the nights I would choose to duck out. Oh, she would get so mad at us for doing that! But here I am now in my late thirties and can’t wait to make my first pot of chili. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like the older I get, the more I appreciate a good bowl of soup. The colder it is, the more I crave soup and a toasty mug of tea. Chili on a chilly night? Yes, please!

Now, I am not a pumpkin latte person, but I absolutely love Diamond Squares pumpkin milkshakes. Oh my goodness, they are to die for! They only have them for a few months out of the year, so I decided to see if I could make one at home that tastes close to it. I was darn near close! It tastes like pumpkin pie in a cup. They always have memes on social media about people when pumpkin lattes come back. I need to make a pumpkin pie milkshake meme. Nothing quite says fall like pumpkin and a big bowl of chili, and that time is drawing near. Hello September!

Andrea’s Fall Favorite; Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Your taste buds are going to love this.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 quart of a good brand of vanilla bean ice cream (I used Turkey Hill)
• 1 – 1/2 cups of milk
• 2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender, mix well until fully combined. Place in pretty glasses, then top with whipped topping, caramel and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for garnish.