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As most of my longtime readers know, I am a FREAKAZOID when it comes to Autumn, Halloween, and Pumpkin.

In fact, last month when Trader Joe's started getting their seasonal food and decorations in stock, I went berserk. I acted like a 6-year old, jumping up and down while clapping my hands and screaming, "Oh my God...Oh my God...Oh my God...it's HERE!!!!!" And then when I spotted the little baby pumpkins I screamed, "Oh my God...Oh my God...Oh my God...they're HERE!!!!" And I immediately picked one up and kissed it through my COVID mask and then placed four of them in my grocery cart. That's when I noticed everyone who was standing around me suddenly run in the opposite direction as if to say, "Who the HELL is this masked man kissing pumpkins!?!"

All throughout the autumn season, I enjoy giving friends and people I work with a little baby pumpkin. I even gave my dentist and his two receptionist's a pumpkin this year. 

And as far as pumpkin-flavored food goes, I buy everything in the store that tastes like pumpkin. I eat so much pumpkin, I'm surprised I don't turn ORANGE and grow a STEM from my head. This year I tried something new at Trader Joe's, Pumpkin Spice Hummus and it was to DIE for! I not only dipped tortilla chips in it (the ones you see in the photo above), but I also spread some of the hummus on the veggie wraps I enjoy making for lunch. 

Halloween Decor

There is a fantabulous DIY blog I read, who, over the years, hasn't posted much. Like many DIY bloggers, Instagram has been an easier and less time-consuming way for them to share. Some DIY bloggers do use both blogging and Instagram to post projects, but it seems that Instagram is winning out.

The DIY blog I would like to highlight today is Brooklyn Limestone (by Stephanie Limestone), and specifically her Halloween projects because they are astounding. As you'll soon see for yourself, the creativity that goes into each and every Halloween theme that Stephanie and her husband, Luke, display on the exterior and interior of their Brooklyn, NY home is like nothing I've ever seen, outside of perhaps something created at Disneyworld. 

Here are some examples of various Halloween themes and what I mean by astounding. Notice the attention to detail. I can't even imagine how much time it takes to decorate their home every year...

Exteriors-








Interiors-






Halloween food and drink-


Aren't the fingers with almond nails so clever? And so are the mozzarella cheese and pimento stuffed olives made into eyes!




Halloween red wine labeled as "Whole Blood." LOL!...


Halloween costumes-

Stephanie and Luke's costumes from various years. Amazing, hu?

BOO!


And have a great rest of your week! 💗


+ To discover more Halloween themed projects from Brooklyn Limestone, go here, and enjoy!

+ My all-time favorite scary Halloween movie is, (the original) Halloween, that I watch every year at this time. And I love watching it with just a few candles lit and all the lights turned out in my apartment. After seeing this film at least a dozen times over the years, to this very day it still scares the living hell out of me. And I LOVE being scared!

28 comments:

  1. Ron, you and I are on the same page when it comes to Halloween, Autumn and pumpkin. This is my favorite time of the year! I love shopping at Trader Joe's for this reason because they always have the best seasonal foods and decorations. The only thing is that if you don't purchase it as soon as it comes in, you miss out because they don't get very many shipments. So, I usually purchase double of everything that I like and then store it. I have not tried the hummus, but I will the next time I'm there. Have you ever tried their seasonal foaming hand soaps in the body care section? They smell so good!

    These decorations are INCREDIBLE! I'm surprised that people walking by don't try and steal them. And I'm in awe at the food presentations. I love the apple slices made to look like a mouth with teeth while eating peanut butter. LOL!

    Thank you for sharing this today, Ron. What FUN!

    I agree about the movie "Halloween", it still frightens me!

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  2. Omg!! I would be peeing my pants seeing all this. From the exterior, interior, to the food. This is all so incredible. I am in awe of the outside decorations. Be still my heart. I have to run & show hubby before I leave here today.

    Rob, you made my morning.

    Oh, and I say "why not kiss the pumpkins?" Makes sense to me.

    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com

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  3. I hate being scared, but it’s fun to have those holiday traditions. I always read Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice every Christmas season and it cracks me up no matter how many times I’ve read it!

    That Instagrammer is over the top! But what fun for all the people who pass by. I bet there are all sorts of families in Brooklyn who wait on their decor every year, just to walk by. How fun!

    I have not been to TJ in ages! I just have not been near one, but I think I’ll make the trek soon. Your pumpkin finds look super yummy. Is the hummus more like a dessert or savory? Middle Child loves those bars and their pumpkin waffles.

    Those food photos are so fun. The barfing pumpkin is too much, but I’d eat that guacamole, no problem! Have a spooktacular weekend, Ron! I’m taking a mini vacation to visit my son and his wife in Columbus. Would you believe they will have been married 2 years this December? I haven’t been down there since then!

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  4. Hello there Clair!

    Yahoooooooooooo....I found another CRAZY for Halloween, Autumn and pumpkin!!! And I TOTALLY agree with you about Trader Joe's not getting enough seasonal shipments because I was just this morning and saw that those pumpkin tortilla chips (in the photograph) were GONE! OMG...I was so disappointed because I wanted to grab two more bags. Bummer! And like you, I try to stock up as soon as all that season merchandise comes it because I know it will be brief.

    " Have you ever tried their seasonal foaming hand soaps in the body care section? They smell so good!"

    YES! YES! YES! I ADORE those scented foaming hand washes!!! I got the Apple Cider one last month and it smells delicious! My favorite one is the peppermint one they get at Christmastime. I can't wait to grab several this year! And I love how inexpensive they are!

    " I love the apple slices made to look like a mouth with teeth while eating peanut butter. LOL!"

    PRICELESS, right? That's what I mean when I said how detailed everything is!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your love of this season, my friend! Have a great Halloween!!!

    X

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  5. "Oh, and I say "why not kiss the pumpkins?" Makes sense to me."

    BWHAHHAHAHAHAHA! Anni, I LOVED that! And of course I was especially thinking of YOU when I was putting this post together because I know how MUCH you love this time of year, like me! And I specifically posted the photo of the witch on the door for you because of your passion for collecting witch dolls!

    I know, I too would be peeing my pants seeing all this. Several years ago, I thought about going to NYC and taking the subway to Brooklyn, just to see if I could find their house. But unfortunately, I wouldn't even know where to look because there are some many different neighborhoods in Brooklyn. I have no idea where there home is.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, fellow-Halloween lover! Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  6. "I always read Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice every Christmas season and it cracks me up no matter how many times I’ve read it!"

    OMG, I have GOT to see if I can find that book because although I've never read it, I did see a holiday special where Sedaris read sections of the book aloud and it was HILARIOUS! But then again, everything he says is HILARIOUS! I like his sister (Amy) too!

    "I bet there are all sorts of families in Brooklyn who wait on their decor every year, just to walk by. How fun!"


    OMG yes! And I thought that same thing. And I'm sure the sidewalk is packed with people taking photographs. They do the same thing during the Christmas holidays as well.

    "I have not been to TJ in ages! I just have not been near one, but I think I’ll make the trek soon. Your pumpkin finds look super yummy. Is the hummus more like a dessert or savory? Middle Child loves those bars and their pumpkin waffles."

    OMG, I am literally addicted to TJ's! In fact, I was just there this morning picking up a few things for the weekend. Good question...the hummus is a combination of sweet and savory. You can taste the pumpkin flavoring, but also the hummus earthiness as well. I really enjoyed it.

    "The barfing pumpkin is too much, but I’d eat that guacamole, no problem! "

    HA! I know, isn't that hysterical? And I agree....guacamole is the BOMB. And it's something I eat a lot.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have an AWESOME time in Columbus visiting your son and his wife. How FUN that will be!

    Have a super weekend!

    X

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  7. Hey Ron, being that my girlfriend and I are really into GOTH, the two of us really enjoyed the photographs. Like you said, the attention to detail is mind-blowing! These images look as though they were taken from a movie set. Just the house allow is so cool-looking. It's looks almost haunted. LOL!

    I had to laugh at your excitement over seeing the seasonal stuff in Trader Joe's, and that's only because we get that way too when the fall holidays come around. Isn't Trader Joe's the best for stuff like that? My girlfriend and I bought one of their spice scented brooms that you can hang on the wall or a door. It smells so damn good.

    I love the photo of the skeletons climbing the house and the one at the top (hanging out of the window) pulling up the other skeleton using a cobweb. That is just amazingly creative!

    Thanks so much for sharing, dude. We will definitely check out their blog too. Looking forward to it!

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  8. Hiya Matt!

    That's right, I KNEW you loved GOTH like me! And aren't these soooooooo GOTH???? I know, the detail is remarkable. And the longer you look at each photograph, the more detail you see. I love all the crows/ravens! And you're right, the house DOES look haunted!

    Yes, Trader Joe's is the BEST for season stuff. But you have to be fast and grab it when you can because it goes fast and they only get a certain amount of inventor

    Yup, I've seen (and smelled) the spice brooms you're talking about and they smell faaaaaabulous!

    "I love the photo of the skeletons climbing the house and the one at the top (hanging out of the window) pulling up the other skeleton using a cobweb. "


    HA! I know, Isn't that the the most genius thing? One of my faves is the concierge skeleton sitting there and waving!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt! I think both you and your girlfriend will enjoy their blog. She has so many creative ideas, and not only for Halloween, but for all the holidays.

    Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  9. What a FUN post, Ron! I couldn't stop looking at each of these photos because there are SO MANY things to see within each photograph! There are so many things I love about these creations - the skeleton fish on the dinner plate, the whole blood wine, the entire food selection, and their costumes! The Wizard of Oz and witch theme looks like it came directly from the movie!

    I too can't imagine how long it must take them to set all those things up? They must start very early and then store them someplace until October. I bet her kids LOVE having them as parents!

    BTW, I've had those pumpkin cereal bars from Trader Joe's before and really enjoyed them. Have you ever tried their pumpkin ravioli? Delicious!

    Enjoyed this Ron. Thank you for sharing their

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  10. Hello there, Candice!

    Meeeeeeeee too! And even now, after looking at them for days, I still notice little things I didn't see before. Isn't that fish skeleton hysterical?

    "The Wizard of Oz and witch theme looks like it came directly from the movie!"

    Yes, it most certainly does! The wizard costume especially. I love his green hat!

    "I too can't imagine how long it must take them to set all those things up? They must start very early and then store them someplace until October. I bet her kids LOVE having them as parents!"

    Yes, I bet they do! They have two kids and they are adorable. I think they must start preparations in the latter part of the summer so that everything is set to go in October. And they must either store everything in their basement or attic, OR, they may even have a small storage place where put everything.

    OMG...YES! I have had Trader Joe's pumpkin ravioli and freaking LOVED it! One year, I purchased them several times because they were so delicious. Which reminds me, I didn't get any thing year. I need to see if they still have them the next time I shop.

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, Candice! I LOVE this time of the year. Makes me feel like a kid. HA!

    Have a great rest of your week!
    X

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  11. Ron, forgot to mention in my first comment about the movie, Halloween. Isn't it the BEST (and scariest) ending? It still scares me too. LOL!

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  12. Yes...the best AND scariest ending ever! I love how it just leaves you hanging and wondering where Michael Myers disappeared to. I haven't seen any of the other Halloween movies and don't want to. I like how the first one ended and that's how I want to remember it -- with a question mark!

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  13. Ron, I haven't heard the word FREAKAZOID is ages. LOL! I love it! And I also love this decorations. Wow, detail is right! I wonder if they ever have issues of people walking by and stealing things from the decorations. I really like the Little Red Riding Hood theme. Those scary trees are incredible.

    I'm with you in your loved of pumpkin flavored food. My favorite pie in the whole world is pumpkin, with a nice cup of coffee. I laughed at those fingers with the almond nails.

    Do you know what impresses me about the original Halloween movie? The movie was made on such a tight budget, yet it made MILLIONS. It's a true classic.

    Wishing you a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween too!

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  14. Helloooooooo there, Daniel!

    " I wonder if they ever have issues of people walking by and stealing things from the decorations."


    OMG...I thought the same thing! I'm sure them must have issues with that. Or perhaps people are too SCARED to steal anything. LOL!

    "My favorite pie in the whole world is pumpkin, with a nice cup of coffee."


    DITTO! And I like pumpkin pie because it's not too sweet, but sweet enough. Every Thanksgiving, my mother would buy several pumpkin pies so that we'd have them when our family came for dinner. Aren't those fingers BRILLIANT???

    "Do you know what impresses me about the original Halloween movie? The movie was made on such a tight budget, yet it made MILLIONS. It's a true classic."

    I watched a documentary years ago that had both the director (John Carpenter) AND Jamie Lee Curtis, where they talked about what it was like to film it and how small their budget was, and yet it ended up be a HUGE money maker. And yes, a CLASSIC!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Daniel! Have an awesome Halloween and weekend!

    X

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  15. Ron, being that I'm a wine drinker, my favorite thing is the food and drink category is the red wine labeled as whole blood. What a HOOT! And I also love that spider web cheese cake. What I really like about these decorations is that they are scary yes, but they are done so well, and so artistically! I wonder where they live in Brooklyn? Do they say?

    I thought of YOU last night when I stopped in Trader Joe's after work to do some shopping and walked past all the seasonal items. Hey, did you ever try their pumpkin soup and past sauce. They're delicious!

    FUN and FABULOUS post, Ron! You crack me up with your excitement. Have a wonderful weekend! xoe

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  16. Hola Denise!

    Meeeeeeeeeeeee too! The wine labels are so damn CLEVER!

    And I agree, the decor is done so well. It's flawlessly fabulous! No, they don't mention where they live in Brooklyn, I tried to find that out but was unable to do so. But I bet they're FAMOUS in Brooklyn!

    Don't you love all the seasonal stuff in Trader Joe's? And YUP...I've tried both the pumpkin sauce AND the soup. Deeeeelicious! And I've used the sauce over their pumpkin ravioli too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a grrrrrrrrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  17. Like you, Ron, I am also a fan of fall foods and decor, but not so much Halloween. That said that Brooklyn couple do an amazing job with their inside and outside decorations! Every time, I have seen amazing home displays, I find myself wondering, Where the heck do they keep all this stuff out of season? Next week, we will be going to the local Trader Joe's and I plan to look for that pumpkin hummus and tortilla chips. What a great idea to give small pumpkins to friends and fellow workers and others!

    Once again, we will be watching "Beetlejuice" and "The Addams Family" for our Halloween viewing. "The Fall of the House of Usher" is on a streaming service from the local library and we may watch that one. I recall seeing it many years ago in a movie theater and it scared the you-know-what out of me. Edgar Allen Poe stories are like that.

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  18. Ron, I'm not big into Halloween, but you know I love this time of year -- Fall's clear and crisp days, the generally storm-free weather, candy corn, and all those pumpkins. Did you know Illinois produces more canned and ornamental pumpkin than any other state?!?


    I laughed when I pictured you kissing all those baby pumpkins in the store! And I've never tried pumpkin-flavored tortilla chips, but they sound wonderful. And those are some spooky decorations, but I love the architecture of the Limestones' house. Stunning place to decorate -- do they do the same thing at Christmas?? xx

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  19. Hellooooooooo there, Debbie!

    Don't you such LOVE this time of year? And yes, to all that you mentioned! Although lately here, it's been extremely warm and humid. Today it reached 85 degrees, can you believe that? However, next week the temps drop into the low 60's during the day and 40's at night. SO looking forward to it!

    "Did you know Illinois produces more canned and ornamental pumpkin than any other state?!?"


    No, I did not know that, but how interesting and FABULOUS! If I lived there, I probably OD on all the pumpkin! LOL!

    Yes, isn't the architecture stunning? And I can only imagine how much that house cost them.

    And yes, they do the same thing at Christmas. Stephanie also shares DIY Christmas decoration tips as well. She is so talented. And I love how excited she gets about the holidays.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying a terrific weekend!

    X to you and Monkey!

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  20. Helloooooooo there, D!

    Yes, when it comes to Halloween, people are either REALLY into it (like me), or they are not. So I totally understand. I think for me, my parents were really into it, so their excitement rubbed off on me. My mother loved to decorate our house for Halloween!

    I think they have a storage place where they keep all their decorations. They must because not only do they decorate for Halloween, but Christmas as well. They go WAY OUT for the holidays.

    "Next week, we will be going to the local Trader Joe's and I plan to look for that pumpkin hummus and tortilla chips."


    Awesome! And I do hope they still have their seasonal items when you get there because they seem to remove them rather quickly. Some of the items I purchased last month they no longer carry.

    OMG...I LOVE the movies you mentioned and I've seen them all! I remember seeing "Beetlejuice" for the first time and laughing my ass off. Such a GREAT film! And I LOVED "The Fall of the House of Usher" with Vincent Price! And yes....VERY scary!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, D! Hope you're enjoying a terrific weekend! Happy Fall!!!

    X

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  21. Ron, I am so glad I grew up in the era that I did because Halloween was such a BIG deal! And seeing these photographs of how much Stephanie and her husband put into their celebration of Halloween but a huge smile on my face. It's so nice to know that people still get excited about Halloween.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said by so many others here? These images are fantastic! And you're spot on about the detail, it's amazing! Does she do Christmas in the same way?

    I love the food and drink section you shared. The photos gave me some ideas I might try this year because I'm planning a party with a few close friends.

    Thanks so much for sharing, Ron. Hope you're enjoying our sudden shift in fallish weather. Isn't it GREAT???? Finally! xo

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  22. Hey there, Elaine!

    You took the words right out of my mouth! I too am so happy that I grew up at a time when Halloween was SUCH a big deal. I remember planning my Halloween costume in early September because I was so excited. LOL!

    Isn't the attention to detail freaking amazing? And yes, she and her husband do the same when it comes to Christmas. She has so many really cool DIY projects on her blog for ALL the holidays and seasons. She doesn't post now, but you can still peruse her archives to find some really great holiday ideas.

    Don't you just love the food and drink ideas? My favorites are the apple slices with teeth and the whole blood wine labels. But ALL of them are great!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. YES!!!!!!! I am sooooooooooooo enjoying our sudden shift in cooler weather! I had to run a errand this morning and when I got outside, I was like, "Oooooooooooooooo....I am so HAPPY!"

    Have a super rest of your week!

    X

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  23. Ooh, I haven't tried that hummus, but if they still have it on my next trip to TJ's, I'll be trying it for sure!
    Halloween is a wonderful time of year. Love it! As you know, many years we've dressed up for parties and had so much fun. Neither my daughter or girlfriend are back to hosting parties yet, so we'll just give out candy and think about maybe next years costumes. LOL WOW, that Brooklyn home/food looks amazing. Fun costumes, too!
    For my daughter's recent anniversary I gave her an assortment of sugar skull trays/decor and a bag of snacks/drinks. They watched the new Halloween movie and she really liked it. We saw it too, but nothing is as wonderfully scary as the original!!

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  24. Helloooooooooo there, Mary!

    I was in Trader Joe's earlier this week and yes, they still have that hummus. I'm picking up more this weekend!

    "Halloween is a wonderful time of year. Love it! As you know, many years we've dressed up for parties and had so much fun."


    Yes! I have always LOVED your Halloween costume posts each year. I love how much thought and energy you put into your costume themes, they're awesome! I remember the year you went dressed as a Geisha - FLAWLESS!

    Aren't these exterior Halloween decorations incredible? I love the food items too.

    "For my daughter's recent anniversary I gave her an assortment of sugar skull trays/decor and a bag of snacks/drinks. They watched the new Halloween movie and she really liked it. We saw it too, but nothing is as wonderfully scary as the original!!"

    You SOOOOOOOO creative, Mary! Loved you idea about the sugar skull trays. And yes, I have to agree with you, there is nothing as scary as the original Halloween. It still freaks me out. I'll be watching it this weekend.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Hope you're having a great week and enjoying the wonderful fall weather.

    X

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  25. Hail, Ron, the Masked Pumpkin Kisser!

    The next time I'm in Philly I want to go shopping with you. It's bound to be a real hoot!

    As you know, I hate all things that aren't spring or summer, but I do love a nice bowl of pumpkin soup. And that pumpkin spice hummus sounds divine!

    I can't believe those incredible Halloween decorations. I live in Brooklyn, so I would love to find that house and see it with my own eyeballs.

    Their decorations are better than so many so-called "professional" haunted houses.

    I haven't seen Halloween in years. Watching it by candlelight sounds really twisted. Just don't feel up the pumpkins.

    A fantastic post, buddy, and now I'm really in the holiday spirit. But I still hate cold weather.

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  26. Hey there, Rob!

    It's funny you mentioned pumpkin soup because I just got a recipe from someone I work with you made the most amazing pumpkin soup. So tomorrow, I'm going to purchase the ingredients and make it myself. And I can't wait!

    I know, I wish I knew where their house is in Brooklyn because I would love to see it as well, but they don't give the specifics on exactly where it's located.

    Yes, I know you hate the cold weather, however, I hate the hot weather. Summer and spring are your seasons, fall and winter are mine. And that's what's great about living in four seasons. There is something for everyone!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  27. I love Autumn but am indifferent about Halloween. Although I do enjoy dressing up for a Halloween party. But pumpkins! orange, white, multicolored - I love them all. And squashes. I thought of you the other day when I bought some pumpkin samosas at Trader Joe's. Spicy, but good! And a friend shared some pumpkin ginger mini ice cream cones that are positively addictive. I went back and bought two boxes then was bummed when they ran out. Next year, I'm going to be ready and get a bunch of boxes.

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  28. Yes. I know several people who feel as you about Halloween, indifferent. So as much as I love it, I know everyone doesn't feel the same. And it's not that they don't like it, they just don't feel it either way.

    "I thought of you the other day when I bought some pumpkin samosas at Trader Joe's. Spicy, but good! "

    Oooooooooooo...I haven't tried those, but will look for them in the cold food section.

    And OMG........pumpkin ginger ice cream?!?!? Why have I never heard of them?!? I just googled it and saw that they sell it at Trader Joe's, so I will definitely be picking up a box. They sound sooooooo delicious!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing some excellent-tasting seasonal food items, I totally appreciate that!

    Hope you had a great weekend, my friend!

    X

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