To Pumpkin Spice, or not to Pumpkin Spice, THAT is the question.

Don't shoot me - I just have a question

There are two camps.

To sides. 

A vast chasm between.

The Fall-lovers and the Fall-haters

Which are you?

For the Lovers, this one is for you.

For the Haters - I still have a question for you

No matter your camp, we will all be faced with an important decision:

To Pumpkin Spice or not to Pumpkin Spice.

Those words may have sparked strong feelings for you. 

Perhaps you flush-hot in mild rage at the unbridled excitement that the Fall Lovers exude. Or, maybe the opposite. Perhaps that combination of syllables excites your soul as your flannelled heart swells to the beat of the season. 

Either way. The question is...

What if Pumpkin Spice was good for your soul? … “ok Farm Lady… that’s too far”...

Or IS it?

Let me explain.

A few years ago, I resolved to take my two daughters on a go-to-a-park with Kwik Trip hot chocolate date every Monday. Partly, it was because we needed a regular outing, partly because I was looking for something special to do with them. 

Do you know what I found?!

Sipping special drinks with special people is actually good for the soul!

Could it be that the clock ticks slower over a cozy drink?

It sure seems like it does.

During those times, we laughed, discussed and enjoyed each other apart from the blur of life. If you’re like me, normal life can blur pretty easily. Last time I blinked, my "baby" came running around the corner as a talking two-year-old.

We can’t stop time… but maybe we can slow it down because if you don’t take time, it will take you. 

So what makes the clock tick more slowly for you?

Is it a drive in the country?

Is it talking with a friend?

Maybe a visit to the Orchard - or a farm?

Is it watching the sunset?

I am equally inspired and frustrated that every person on earth has the same hours.

From the most successful business person in the world to little old farm-wife me... we have the same amount of time. 

The only difference is what we DO with that time.

What are you doing with yours?

Do you have a space to slow the tick?

One of my favorite parts about our farm is giving our guests a chance to slow the tick.

You’d understand if you could see it. If you could peek in my farm store window, you’d see a mom - laden with empty jars and the scurry of the day. As she walks through my door, she sets down her ‘burden’ only to rise and find a friend asking and caring about her day. As I fill her jars, I get to fill her soul. (Over a fresh, whole wheat chocolate chip cookie, of course).

Her kids tumble outside - cookie in hand - in search of the newest kitty - or to pet the silly goat.

In that moment, mom gets to slow the tick: breathe a second, talk about life, maybe even laugh a little. The tricky thing is, life won’t give those moments to you - you have to take them. 

Life is still happening “outside”... but what if taking a moment is necessary? If you peeked 15 minutes later, you’d see an empowered mom rising with jars full of the freshest, healthiest thing she can give to her family. “White Gold'' as one mom called it last week. You’d see the smile on her face. You’d see a confidence in her step.

Amazingly, slowing the tick allows someone else to care for us and that makes us walk taller. It allows us to feel completely wanted and appreciated by the people in our lives. 

Maybe you can’t slow the tick in my farm store, but you know what you can do? Make a special drink for yourself and a friend. One of my guests just shared this recipe with me and I feel like I win every time I make it because it is a treat that is actually GOOD for me. :) 

For all your Fall haters - you need this too. If pumpkin isn’t your thing, try it with some espresso or instant coffee instead ;) 

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