Thanks anyway Starbucks, but I'll be keeping my $5.00.

I love the fall.  The changing colors on the trees, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the appropriate weather for scarve-wearing, and leisurely enjoying a warm drink.  I don't know how they do it, but Starbucks seems to have the market on making seasonal drinks, and I am a sucker for their pumpkin spice latte.  I don't know how they do it; this latte seems to be flavored with all the feelings of nostalgia that generally accompany the autumn season for me, and sipping on one of them feels like sitting by a warm hearth with friends (perhaps a bit dramatic, but I really do enjoy them).
Anyway, the other day I had a hankering for this special drink, and it occured to me that perhaps I could try and make one myself.  I did, and it was awesome.  Improvising on another recipe here is what I did:

In a saucepan combine:

1 cup milk

2 T pumpkin puree (I used canned pumpkin)

1-2T sugar (depending how sweet you like it)

mix with a wire wisk

remove from heat when steaming and add:

1/4tsp. nutmeg

1/4tsp. cinnamon

1T vanilla

wisk until frothy

Add 1/2 cup brewed coffee

pour into big mug, and top with whipped cream if you want! 

Sip leisurely while contemplating the beauty of life.