{ autumn in new england }

Lake Chocorua, NH

Happy first day of October!

If God's glorious color palette gets any better than what is currently on display right now up here in our little corner of the world, I sure would love to see it. Every aspect of nature seems to be an amazing explosion of color, and I couldn't be happier.

I simply marvel at fall in New Hampshire. I have been blessed.

Kancamagus Highway, NH

Applecrest Farm & Orchards, NH



Lake Chocorua, NH



Kancamagus Highway, NH



Kancamagus Highway, NH

Kancamagus Highway, NH

Kancamagus Highway, NH

Kancamagus Highway, NH

{ a chilly pumpkin morning }

Have you ever had coffee on the brain before you've even opened your eyes in the morning? Of course you have.

This morning was such a morning for me. It was 4:15am, the windows were open, temps were in the 40s, and I could smell and taste a pumpkin latte.

Time to put my craving into action.

Starbuck's ain't got nothin' on a homemade pumpkin spice latte, made in the comfort of your jammies and in your own kitchen.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
adapted from RecipeGirl

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Half-and-Half

• 1 tablespoon unsweetened canned pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot brewed, strong coffee
• 2 tablespoons (or more!) heavy cream
• granulated sugar (I prefer demerera sugar), to taste
• whipped cream, optional
• ground nutmeg, optional
• ground cinnamon, optional

Process
In a glass measuring cup, whisk together milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes - watch closely and remove it from the microwave when the milk is hot and frothy.

Pour the pumpkin milk into a large coffee mug. Add hot coffee. Pour in heavy cream, as desired. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir, and taste. Add more sugar, if desired.

Optional, but yummy! Add whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve immediately.

{ leaves & pumpkins }

Funky foliage and perky pumpkins.

{ pumpkin land }

Pumpkin Land in Mechanic Falls, Maine.

Last year when we made the same trek, Paige was only a few weeks old and swaddled in blankets. This year, she was climbing on pumpkins, toddling through the corn maze, and petting the animals in the barn.

Aidan, as he did last year, took the most direct route straight to the vintage fire truck that was parked on the edge of the farm.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

{ cooler air, warmer colors }

Fall is approaching, and the signs of it are popping up all over New Hampshire.

The mornings are crisp enough to keep the windows open, pumpkins, mums and Indian corn have surfaced at the local nurseries and farm stands, apple cider donuts (Lord, help me) are tempting me at every available opportunity, and best of all, the leaves at the very tip tops of the trees are just beginning to blush.