Reader responses
The other day I got an e-mail in response to my request for Halloween traditions, and I really like this one! Read on from an anonymous contributor:
"Our family tradition was to have an "Orange Dinner" on Halloween before the children went out. Each child could invite a friend or two. This was a way of getting them to eat more nutrious foods and not be soo tempted by so many sweets. It also lessened the last minute dressing hastle and provided many wonderful memories. All of the children are grown and gone now. This picture is from the past."
"We had things like cheeseburgers in a bun, fish sandwiches in a bun, peaches, apricots, oranges, sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli or other vegetables with cheddar cheese sauce, orange or apricot juice, carrot cake."
Keeping with the spirit of the season -- and despite what many store displays would have you believe, it is still Halloween -- I got this e-mail from a co-worker:
"I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, and I can usually figure out how to make Starbucks drinks on my own (without paying $4 a cup!). I think I could dupe the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but I don’t know of a place that sells pumpkin spice syrup. (Starbucks doesn’t sell their blend. I found a recipe online for a dupe of the drink that used real pumpkin puree. It tasted pretty good, but the pumpkin left a grit toward the bottom of the cup that I think a syrup would eliminate.)"
"So, my question is do you know of a place in Greensboro (or nearby) that sells a variety of syrups where I may be able to find a pumpkin flavor? Any assistance you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated!"
I pointed her toward World Market on High Point Road, where I buy a variety of flavored syrups to add to lemonade and other recipes in my household. I'm not sure if they have a pumpkin blend, but they certainly have a larger selection than I've seen elsewhere. I also pointed her online to Monin Pumpkin Spice syrup, of which I have read several good reviews.
Any other suggestions of where she can look in the area?
