Am I the Only Person in North Dakota Annoyed with Pumpkin Spice Season?

You know summer is coming to an end when you start seeing all sorts of pumpkin spice-scented stuff out there, including pumpkin spice cereal, pumpkin spice popcorn seasoning and even pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds.

I have a confession to make, pumpkin spice is not my favorite. It makes me shrug and say, "meh." I'm really not even a fan of pumpkin pie. I bury a piece in whipped cream!

They start forcing pumpkin spice on us in early August, a good month before the first day of Autumn! The pumpkin invasion knows no bounds and it annoys me.

Like most pumpkin-flavored autumnal fare, flavors include allspice, clove, and nutmeg.
It does not even include pumpkin. In fact, virtually everything pumpkin-flavored does not include pumpkin. Despite this, Pumpkin is applied equally from meats to sweets and everything in between. If you don’t believe it, allow me to provide examples.

Pumpkin Spice Spam was officially launched in 2019. Desserts now include pumpkin doughnut holes, pumpkin pie Kit Kat, pumpkin pie Milano, and pumpkin loaf.
Beverages include pumpkin cream cold brew, pumpkin spice latte stout (as in beer), pumpkin spice Kahlua (as well as rum, vodka, and other spirits), and pumpkin spice kombucha.

Last year the craze reached shimmering heights thanks to an engagement ring from Angelic Diamonds. The Pumpkin Spice Latte' ring sold for $11,300 it may very well be the world’s most expensive pumpkin spice latte merch. Even the packaging had a pumpkin spice twist. The ring box came with a cardboard coffee cup wrap, a pumpkin closure latch and smelled like pumpkin spice when opened! Another feature that may only be evident to the wearer (unless they want to share), was a secret message engraved on the inside of the band: “Pumpkin spiced.”

Shall I continue?

The seeming impossibilities include pumpkin spice latte deodorant (when Old Spice isn’t enough), pumpkin spice protein powder, pumpkin spice Jamaican-style salsa, pumpkin spice toilet paper and pumpkin spice Greenies dental dog treats. Not even the pets are going to escape the season unscathed.

Hefty is coming out with Cinnamon Pumpkin Spice Ultra Strong Trash Bags. If you are so inclined, you can get them starting in September.

Things have gone to a whole new level this year, though, because pumpkin spice butt wipes are available. Dude Wipes developed the product -- called DUMPkin Spice -- out of plant-sourced fibers that feature the soothing scents of clove and nutmeg.

I think this is extreme. But, I guess there's something to be said for the confidence you might enjoy, knowing your undercarriage smells like a freshly baked muffin.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that pumpkin spice flavor is everywhere, however, I'd like to make an argument for other flavors, maple, apple and something called Russian Tea.

Maple is light and delicious. I'll take an iced Maple Latte from the coffee shop and some Maple leaf cream cookies.

Let's talk apples! Fall here in the United States used to be heavily rooted in the love of all things apple, from apple crisps to apple cider.

An apple cider gives me a better autumn feeling than pumpkin spice drinks. Apple cider is good warm or cold, and really feels like fall and home to me.

I'd also like to mention something my mom makes called Russian Tea. Russian Tea is a cozy citrus-tea mixture, enhanced with warm mulling spices It's like an apple cider with a kick.

Russian Tea is made with Tang orange drink mix, dry ice tea mix, lemonade mix, sugar and spices. Just mix the dry ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
To make one cup of Russian Tea, add one heaping tablespoon of mix (or to taste) to a cup of hot water and stir.

Not only is Russian Tea is easy to put together and delicious to drink, but the dry mix makes a lovely housewarming, hostess, or holiday gift as well.

So what do you think? Do you love all things pumpkin spice or do you prefer a different fall flavor? Let me know!