Sunday mornings (aka pyjama day). Love ‘em.
Especially autumn and winter ones. No reason to leave the house when it’s cold outside.
Day of rest god said. And I take heed.
10am lay in. Cup of tea in bed.
Downstairs to lavish breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, toast and orange juice. Speciality of the man in the house.
Homemade latte with the papers. That will be style, arts & entertainment, news review and maybe travel. Sports and money go to him.
A couple of hours whiled away catching up with “what I’ve taped over the week” television. Modern Family, X Factor USA, Glee.
No thinking involved there – perfect.
Kids might torture me with episodes of TOWIE, America’s Next Top Model, Wizards of Wizardly Place (depending on who’s there).
Perfect opportunity to escape back upstairs. Kindle in hand. Latest book.
Preparing our Sunday Dinner while kids do homework sprawled out on the kitchen table. Roast beef, lasagna, cottage pie are a few family favourites.
(Must be honest here, this stage can get a “bit shouty”. It’s hard to oversee geography, maths, science prep while chopping veg. Just a slight glich in an otherwise harmonious day.)
The all important “housekeeping” like sorting out clothes for the week and food for packed lunches. Slotted cosily in between the good bits.
All washed down with a late afternoon pick me up.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
These are available in Starbucks USA but not over here. England is not so big on pumpkin goodies or flavouring only just gotten in to carving them for Halloween. Finding canned pumpkin can be a challenge. My local waitrose carries it but only part of the year (I checked last week and still none in.) There are a few good online American food websites that carry it. What ever way you find it, best to buy it in bulk. Once you start using it in your baking, you won’t be able to stop! Pumpkin spice latte is the best place to start. It’s like someone has bottled autumn and poured it in your drink.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Combine all the ingredients in to a small saucepan. Over a low heat simmer until all the ingredients are well mixed and the sugar is dissolved. Make sure you stir occasionally to stop the sugar from burning.
Cool for 10 minutes before pouring into an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within 3 weeks.
To make the pumpkin spice latte: combine 1 shot of hot espresso (or 2 ounces of hot coffee) with 5-6 ounces of steamed milk in a mug. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons (depending on how strong you want the taste to be) of the pumpkin spice syrup. Additional toppings: whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
This post was inspired by Mom’s Fridge and is a part of the Secret Recipe Club. Thanks Barb for re-introducing me to the taste bud sensation that is a pumpkin spice latte!
Wow! Wish I found this post earlier. Will defo be trying this out. Ocado do the tins of pumpkin purée but again only at this time of year. Thanks for the inspiration.
It looks oh so yummy, particularly when the time has changed and winter is here. I suddenly have the urge to sit down in front of a fire, wrapped in a blanked a cup of pumpkin spice latte.
I’m sorry to hear that it’s hard to find pumpkins there! What a shame! But your latte looks perfect for fall. And what a perfect way to spend a Sunday
http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/10/octobers-secret-recipe-club-avocado.html
your day sounds sublime! if only my sundays took after yours. here’s hoping! :]
Love the pumpkin spice lates at starbuck – never made at home but this looks like a perfect one to try.
I love pumpkin spice latte but in the stores it is too sweet for me. I love the idea of having this syrup around to sweeten up my own coffee…and be able to put in just the amount I want.
Oooh yes please! I’d love to start my day with one of these!
This looks lovely! I really like the flavored lattes at Starbucks, but they’re so expensive! This is a great alternative (and probably even yummier!)
Oooo yummy! My daughter is going to love this!
Oh so perfect for this time of year.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my SRC recipe this month: Levain Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
I don’t drink coffee, but love pumpkin/spices with hot cocoa and chocolate things. Looks good!
LOL too funny Heather, we picked the same recipe, I just changed mine a bit. I’ve made the pumpkin roll and it’s always a BIG hit. People ask me every year to make them one. I have already been hit up for one this year just last week. Another pumpkin recipe that is fun is pumpkin marshmallows. After I cut them I rolled them in graham crackers, but next time I would roll them in gingersnap crumbs. Check them out. http://www.meganscookin.com/pumpkin-spice-marshmallows
They sure would be tasty with a pumpkin latte!
I’m shocked at how hard it is to get pumpkin in England. If the stores new how much people liked their pumpkin, bet they would be stock piled.
Great post!!!
Love your description of Sunday mornings and your latte is beautiful! I have yet to make homemade pumpkin syrup but really must give it a try!
I’m glad you liked the recipe–love your description “someone has bottled autumn and poured it in your drink.” YES! Your Sunday sounds pretty perfect to me, too
And that latte is absolutely gorgous! I haven’t gotten a good presentation down yet, but it still tastes good.
Oh! Drooling, sounds yummy and many thanks for the link, I’ve been looking for canned pumpkin for a particular recipe for ages!