Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

As you can tell, my title is not my own; yes, I..."borrowed" it from a Starbucks ad.  But it really does help to understand the MAJOR craze right now of Pumpkin Spice ANYTHING! Unfortunately I will not be attempting to cover all the bases of the pumpkin spice realm, as much as I would love to! Sadly, my weight watchers point journal would have NO ROOM for such delicious calories! So I have decided to focus on the one Pumpkin spice product I hear about the most, The pumpkin spice latte.  Here are just a few things I have seen about said drink...

I think the popularity of this latte could rival pumpkins themselves! More and more I am seeing facebook bombarded with pictures of this delicious drink and less of actual pumpkins! But I digress...Yesterday, I was out with a friend and my money conscience husband was not with me, so I decided to spend the $4.60 to FINALLY buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte with whole milk, glorious whipped cream, and pumpkin spice sprinkled on top - I was NOT sparing ANY points on this one! I was going to taste this drink in all its glory, seeing as it was my first time EVER having one! (I can't hardly believe it either!)  I walked into Starbucks and ordered my Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte, waited patiently as the barista made 5 pumpkin spice latte's for the lady in front of me (she and her friends had the fever too), and then she gave me mine! Warmth and the smell of fall overloaded my senses, I knew this was going to be good!  So I took the first sip, Oh my was it tasty!  The pumpkin flavor was just right, mixed with the ever melting whip cream, just molding together with the latte to give it that smooth creamy quality.  I know your mouth is watering!!!

Unfortunately this is not my picture, but mine looked exactly like this! I was so excited about slurping down my own latte that I forgot to document this momentous occassion with a photo! A thousand pardons reader! 

But from this nicely taken photo you can see the fluffy homemade whipped cream and lightly sprinkled pumpkin spice! Mmmm! Now, after tasting what I tasted yesterday and having this wonderful fall experience, I knew I had to have more! But how?  How would I be able to enjoy this lovely fall treat every day and not spend $150 a month in coffee, or up to 10 points a day for weight watchers?! HOW?! HOW I ASK YOU?! (I know I may seem a little zealous, but if you have had it, you understand)  Well, I had heard news of a creamer that had come onto the market for the fall season from International Delight named, you guessed it, Pumpkin Spice! And if you hadnt already guessed, I'm watching the lb's so I was looking for Sugar free...So I set off on a journey to find the creamer!   Walmart stop #1 - NOTHING! Not a single pumpkin flavored creamer in sight - disappointment!  Food Lion stop #2 - Nada! No pumpkiney goodness there either - frustation!  Walmart stop #3 - Joy! Elation! - There is was, hiding in the corner!!! 

I was so excited to get home and try it! As soon as I made it home, I turned the Keurig on, made me a cup of Joe, measured out 4 tbsp of the creamer (a point a Tbsp by the way, not bad), and began sipping on what I hoped would be greatness.  All my expectations were met! Was it as good as Starbucks lovely, barista made, whipped cream topped, pumpkin spice sprinkled magic? uh, no. But it was good enough and low calorie enough to be my new ID (international delight for those of you who havent seen the commercials) of the season! 

So, from this morning on, I will gratefully enjoy a pumpkin spice coffee of my own making for cents, and on the rare occassion that I am out and find $4.60 in my wallet I will enjoy a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte goodness!  So, what are your thoughts? Have you tried the ever popular Pumpkin Spice Latte? Was your experience like mine? what about the ID creamer? If not, its a definite must try and tell! :) Happy Fall ya'll! :)