Fall-nally

I'm so glad the summer has finally released its fiery grip and it began to feel (and even look) like fall. Now that it's not so hot, I've been able to do more evening trail runs, which I love.

I'm starting the Halloween season, so I had to gather all my Halloween Squishmallows for a family photo:

On Friday night, I went with my parents and aunt to see the Lower Lights at the Sandy Amphitheater. They haven't played a non-Christmas show since 2018 (which I attended) and a Christmas show since 2019 (which I also attended). I was not impressed with the parking lot of the Sandy Amphitheater and the fact that there was not a crosswalk directly outside. But the Lower Lights put on a good show. They have been around since 2009/2010, and there have been some personnel changes, especially since a lot of the band members have moved away. I'm excited to see them again at Christmas.

Saturday, I decided to run on the new portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail that runs between the Summerwood neighborhood and North Canyon, because it wasn't completed the other times I've been there. It was pretty, but I also found it kind of boring and repetitive. The portion of the trail was eight miles round trip, and I only climbed 787 feet. I climb twice that amount when I go up North Canyon, and that's only seven miles round trip. I think it's better for mountain bikers. The autumn colors have been later this year than usual, and so far they're pretty muted, but we'll see what happens as the season progresses.

Where BST breaks off of North Canyon

Then last night, I picked grapes from our vines for grape juice. That's one of those traditions that marks the beginning of fall, and I love it.

We also had a cantaloupe from our garden. It was a little underripe, but it also had a soft spot and might have spoiled if it stayed on the vine.

We're in my favorite time of year now!

***

Speaking of my favorite time of year, time for the first installment of pumpkinundation roundup for 2022! For any newcomers, every fall I document all the pumpkin, caramel apple, candy corn, and other fall flavors I encounter. It's not a healthy habit, but it is fun!

Not food, but I did buy an academic history book called Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon. It seemed like the kind of book I need to have. But I haven't read it yet, because I've been reading lots of other books lately.

Trader Joe's Apple Cider Donuts have a nice cinnamon coating. I enjoy them, but I've had better. 7/10.

This pumpkin muffin supposedly came from Costco. It's a passable muffin. 7/10.

A lot of apple products have a weird taste and texture from the dried apples, but this Good & Gather Caramel Apple Granola is better than most. It was tasty granola, but I don't know if it was that reminiscent of caramel apples. 7/10.

I don't understand why the Lenny & Larry's Caramel Apple Complete Cookie packaging uses snowflakes and holly on the packaging for a flavor that is clearly for the fall. These cookies are a little weird anyway, but this one used an artificial apple flavor that I expected from candy, like a muted Jolly Rancher. 6/10.

Favorite Day Caramel Apple Bourbon has too many pretzel bits, or at least it did at the top of the bag, and there was a bit of a weird flavor. I guess bourbon is not part of my Mormon palate. 6/10.

Favorite Day Candy Corn Crunch is a more traditional trail mix with candy corn mixed in. Candy corn always works well with peanuts. 7/10.

I love those Tootsie Fruit Chews, so I was happy to see these new Tootsie Roll Harvest Chews. There are four flavors: cinnamon (6/10), caramel apple (6/10), candy corn (7/10), and pumpkin spice (6/10). I didn't like them as much as I expected, but I'm glad they exist.

This Sprouts Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter has been in the fridge since last year. It has a nice flavor, but I don't like the thick texture of almond butter, and this almond butter separates easily. 6/10.

Sweet Chaos Pumpkin Spice Drizzled Popcorn has the delightful spices with a wonderful sweet frosting. I could have eaten this bag in one sitting. 8/10.

I formally reviewed this Brach's Funfetti Candy Corn, which does taste like cake frosting, which isn't that different than regular candy corn. 7/10. 

Last year, I bought this clearance Beloved Apple & Cinnamon Bark Shower & Bath Gel. I used it in the shower, and I know you're all disappointed that I didn't take a picture while I was actually using it. I guess it's more of a girly thing, but it's fun. 7/10.

But the Beloved Pumpkin & Tonka Shower & Bath Gel seemed to have a stronger fragrance. 8/10. 

Pumpkin Spice RxBar is a little weird, but good enough. It has pleasant spices. 7/10. 

I've had Nature's Bakery Pumpkin Spice Fig Bars in my cupboard since last fall. I don't think they're super pumpkiny, but they're fine as fig bars. 7/10.

I didn't have any Pumpkin Spice Cheerios last year (I think because of supply chain issues), so I was happy to get it this year. It has an enjoyable pumpkin and spice flavor. 9/10.

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Candy Corn Apple is just a plain caramel apple with candy corn on it. Thankfully, I can tell it's Brach's candy corn, which is the best brand. As you might expect, it's very sweet and not super exciting, but caramel apples are still good. 7/10.

I didn't like the Kodiak Cakes Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Muffin Power Cup as much this time. Maybe I didn't put in the right amount of milk, or maybe it's because it's expired, but it was OK. 7/10.

Kellogg's Pumpkin Pie Spice Frosted Mini Wheats is Frosted Mini Wheats with spices. It's not pumpkin, just spice. It's nice enough, but not amazing. 6/10.

I really like Special K Pumpkin Spice, which is Special K flakes with clusters coated in pumpkin spice–flavored yogurt. I like it. 8/10.

Kettle Brand Apple Cider Vinegar Potato Chips are more sour than most vinegar chips, and there really isn't any apple flavor. But with all the sugar I eat, sometimes I need something salty. 6/10.

I bought these CVS Health Pumpkin Spice Cough Drops several years ago, but I don't usually need cough drops, so I was able to use some for post-COVID coughs. 7/10.

This Great Value Candy Corn Flavored Syrup is kind of boring, but candy corn doesn't really have much of a flavor. The syrup has glittery stuff in it, but I don't understand the connection with candy corn. 6/10.

I made these Great Value Pumpkin Spice Pancakes last year, but this year I put grated yellow squash in them. That made the batter too watery, so I had to put in some whole-wheat flour. They were fine. 7/10.

I love monthly cookie flavors, so one of them was Twisted Sugar Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie. They all taste the same. 7/10.

Their other monthly flavor is the Twisted Sugar Cornbread Cookie. The frosting has a strong honey flavor, which goes well with cornbread, but the cookie itself doesn't taste much like cornbread. 6/10.

I formally reviewed the Hostess Iced Pumpkin CupCakes three years ago, and I really like them for their pumpkin and cinnamon flavors. 8/10.

A couple of weeks ago I tried the Crumbl Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie, even though it was before the season officially began, since it was only that week. Theirs is pretty typical. 7/10.