Today is National Coffee Day. Since coffee is one of my favorite things ever, something I get to enjoy EVERY day, I am posting this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup. How nice that this recognized coffee day is at the beginning of fall and the pumpkin season!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup Adapted from Cook Like a Champion. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups water 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon whole nutmeg, ground or broken into pieces 1 teaspoon whole cloves 2 teaspoons candied ginger (approximate) or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 4 tablespoons canned or homemade pumpkin purée 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Directions In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Meanwhile, in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger and process until the entire mass is powdery or in very small pieces. Add to the sugar mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the sugar and spice mixture from the heat and whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Allow it to cool for another 5 minutes or so, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or through a couple layers of cheesecloth until no noticeable lumps remain. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. To make coffee drinks, add 1-2 tablespoons of the syrup to espresso before adding steamed milk, stir it into your drip or French press coffee, or mix into cold-brewed coffee before pouring over ice and mixing with milk for an iced latte. Taste and adjust to your liking and top with foam, whipped cream, and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cottage Style

Just some cottage pretties....

I'm workin' on it!

Houston, we sooooo have a problem!

Goodness, as if my problematic addiction to Nutella wasn't enough, add in bacon and smores and you have nothing less than a hot mess. The plan this weekend is to have friends over, cookout burgers, have a bonfire and make smores....then....I see this. Well, obviously it has to be tried! Spicy sugared bacon, toasted marshmallows, and Nutella on a spicy graham cookie....who is the evil person who thought this up, out to wreck good eating habits across the world?

Check out the blog where Pinterest and The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, lead me to find this gastronomous concoction. I love the blog name...."Diane, A Broad"...hehehe http://dianeabroad.com/2012/09/17/speculoos-nutella-candied-bacon-smores/ If you are trying to be sugar-free, gluten-free, Nutella-free, or pork-free, sorry....to resist is futile! Life will never be the same.