Lisa Johnson

Pumpkin Spice or Peppermint Mocha?

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This past Saturday, instead of ordering my groceries online and picking them up, I went into the store. This is how the man gets you! I fell prey to seasonal flavor temptations. But did I get the season wrong? Is it still all about pumpkin spice? Or has that ship sailed and peppermint mocha is now the favorite? Enter the battle of the seasonal flavors.

What did I buy? I got Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats Pumpkin Pie Spice and Bolthouse Farms Pumpkin Spice Latte, with the tagline, “Made For Sweater Weather.” The tagline got me. It felt so cozy! Also, I like Bolthouse Farms in general, so I often get something from them if it’s new.

As I was linking to these items, I noticed that the pumpkin spice latte is no longer available. Now the season items are Holiday Nog and Peppermint Mocha.

When I was shopping, I kept noticing the Christmas items and peppermint mocha flavored goodies. But it seemed too soon and I still wanted my pumpkin spice fix. But today, I received a Starbucks Rewards email giving me some seasonal instructions.

“Have a very merry martini — Introducing the new Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini, available exclusively at our Starbucks Reserve® Roasteries. Made with Starbucks Reserve® espresso and topped with peppermint-infused whipped cream and candy-cane sprinkles, this cocktail is perfect for holiday happy hours.”

Maybe my seasonal flavor consumption has gone awry. The cereal is really good. I haven’t tried the latte yet.* So pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha? I think it’s whatever you like. Both seasonal flavors are good, but soon pumpkin spice will be gone for the year.

Stores are ready for us to do Christmas shopping and want us in the mood. So they set the tone by switching flavors. It’s interesting that Starbucks created both flavors. Peppermint Mocha in 2002 and Pumpkin Spice in 2003. Then the rest of the world followed.

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* Updated 11/7/23: I tried the latte. It’s neither strong nor sweet, and I prefer both strong and sweet. So that is especially disappointing. I had hoped to taste a more robust coffee flavor and some nice spice. I didn’t taste much of either, so I don’t recommend and would not buy again.

Losing Light

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sunset losing light

Well, the good thing is that the sunrise this morning was earlier today than yesterday. Also, it was up to around 62 degrees today and we had some nice sunshine.

You know the bad thing. We’re losing light. No more Daylight Saving Time. It’s now dark around 5pm. I woke up very early this morning and couldn’t fall back asleep. The extra hour didn’t help me. It’s only Day 5 of NaBloPoMo, but whew! I hope I get a good night’s sleep tonight.

This might be the shortest post of the month! I’ll have to check when it’s over. This time of year I try to lean into the season to deal with losing light and the coming cold. I light candles, enjoy hot drinks and wrap myself up in blankets. There is no escaping winter.

And on that bright note, I bid you adieu late sunsets! Until we meet again on March 10, 2024.

Clothing Rack Assembled!

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Whew! It’s done. Actually the assembly of this clothing rack didn’t take too long. Somewhere around an hour and a half. Which is quite good compared to the time I’ve spent assembling many other pieces of furniture.

I bought this clothing rack from Wayfair, not sponsored. I’m mostly pleased with it so far and think it looks great. I did notice a piece of wood splitting a tiny bit after vigorously tightening one of the screws. It’s not noticeable and hopefully this will last for a while.

Below are pictures showing how the rack was packaged and then all the pieces that were in the box. The instructions show pictures only, no text giving directions, but are pretty easy to follow.

There were a few pieces left over. There is a white curtain that goes in the back. I didn’t notice it when I first looked at the picture online and ordered it, but now that I look again, I see it. I don’t like the way that it looks, so I didn’t use it.

Another plus, shipping was free and I received delivery earlier than expected.

Lately, I’ve been re-examining how I’m storing things and figuring out what works and what does not. I’ve realized that I need much more closet space. I decided that my long sweaters and other accessories could be stored better. Using this clothing rack, I can see all my scarves and bags easily. And I can figure out what needs replacing or gaps in my wardrobe that I can add to.

This will definitely go through some changes over time, but it’s a start. For now, I just wanted to finish it, so that I could blog it. I haven’t eaten dinner yet and I’m starved, so that’s it for today!

Muji Spinach & Cabbage Miso Soup

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Muji Spinach & Cabbage Miso Soup

Over the last several months, I’ve found myself wanting to have a light soup available quickly. A soup that I didn’t have to make myself. Something more substantial than a bullion cube and that I could keep at home and grab when I wanted.

I’m not sure where I saw Muji soup first, but it was one of the vloggers that I follow on YouTube. Several of them were enjoying Muji soups, snacks and coffee. Everything looked really good, so I went on their website and ordered a bunch of things. This might seem like a sponsored post. I wish! Sadly, it is not. I just enjoy their products.

Muji is a Japanese brand that I first learned about when I saw the store on Newbury Street in Boston a few years ago. I generally don’t like shopping in person that much, so I mostly buy online. But their store is one that was a joy to wander around and look at all the fun items. They have just about everything! Sort of like Target, but with a cool minimalist aesthetic.

Since I’m not in Boston much anymore, I figured it would be easier to order online. The shipping fee was rather expensive, but the delivery was in less than 24 hours from when I ordered. Maybe it was worth it, because I didn’t have to fight Boston traffic or exhaust myself looking for parking going to the store.

Anyway, the soup! It’s quite good. The packages are very small though, so I ended up making two servings, which really feels like one. Unfortunately, I also realized that I probably shouldn’t have too much food containing miso, which is fermented soybeans. For health reasons, I’ve mostly eliminated soy from my diet. Otherwise, I definitely recommend Muji soup and the store overall.

Oh, and writing about soup has me thinking about chowder. Which I prefer to buy rather than make. It’s time to revive The Chowdah Project! So during this month, I hope to try some chowder and blog about it at least once. Now, where shall I go….

Spice Bank at the Boston Public Library

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spices

Unlike a regular bank where you deposit money, instead, the Boston Public Library‘s Spice Bank is looking for spices and dried herbs. Tasty!

Since 2021, the Greater Boston Food Bank and the BPL have joined forces to collect and distribute spices, along with food, to people across Eastern Massachusetts. Library patrons can bring unopened spices and dried herbs to any of the participating library branches (Brighton, Central Library in Copley Square (Newsfeed Café), Charlestown, Connolly, Fields Corner, Jamaica Plain, Lower Mills, Roslindale, Roxbury and South Boston) through April 15, 2024.

The spice bank came about because, “the BPL hopes to offer a way to maintain a sense of cultural identity and family traditions, encourage creative and nutritious cooking, and promote the abundant cultural make up that is found in Massachusetts.” Hopefully this bank will yield a lot of interest. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!

The BPL is no stranger to innovative programs like this. They have a seed library and over the past few years have given away free gardening kits.

Recently I’ve been trying to visit BPL branches that I’ve never been to before. I visited the Adams Street Dorchester branch most recently, and took out a bunch of books. One of the books is aptly called The Last Chance Library, by Freya Sampson. So far I’m enjoying it. It’s lighthearted and set in England, about a librarian who finds out that her library may be closed down due to budget issues.

Libraries have always been a big part of my life. It’s wonderful that there are many available near where I live. I love seeing how libraries continue supporting communities in so many new and innovative ways.