Back to School

It's September and that means back to school time for most. Bf started his new school year last week, Little Sis began her last year of grad school, and my little clients have moved up a grade, changing my schedule to strictly after school hours. I'm also taking the second year of my Child Development course in play and family therapy, so I'll soon return to class as well.

I have always loved this time of year. Even though school was hard for me, causing me to hate it from October-June, I would always start each school year happy and excited. It meant new school clothes, sleeping with the windows open just enough to snuggle under the blankets, apple picking, and getting back to a schedule, which always feels good.

Bf has already started grading tests!

Although I tried to avoid the urge as long as possible, I lit my first fall candle tonight. But I have held back from ordering my beloved pumpkin spice lattes but I can't say the same for pumpkin cheesecake. An opportunity arose to do a taste test this weekend for the blog. Or at least that's what I told myself. Bf agreed to come with me to sample some "Perfect Pumpkin" cheesecake at Darlings Cafe. We'll see just how perfect this stuff is! When we got over to the Art Museum area, we were looking forward to an afternoon of coffee and cheesecake in a quiet cafe.

Looks so cute and I've only heard good things about their cheesecake....then I walk inside. There are crumbs on every table (with only five or so guests) and an overwhelmed server, for no apparent reason. I quietly thought to myself, 'maybe its just a bad day', 'maybe he's new', or 'maybe the cheesecake is worth having an annoying interaction with this guy'. So Bf and I got our coffees and cake on a PAPER PLATE and found the least dirty table available to have a seat.

The verdict on their Perfect Pumpkin? On a scale of 1-10 it scores a 7. It may have been a 9 if I was a given a real plate and a clean table. Our dedicated server even took our plate before we were finished, I'm not quite sure why since we were just as capable of tossing it in the nearby garbage can. So we left a little disappointed, but at least I can cross it off my list of city must do's.

Today Bf and I were in the suburbs so we chose to explore a new area. We drove to Exton, PA and shopped around Main Street at Exton. It's a newer shopping center but with an older downtown feel. They converted older architecture into these new shops. Have you ever seen a barn turned Walmart before??

While we were there, we stopped in the Barnes and Noble. As we walked through the door I started wondering if their cafe had pumpkin cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory yet. After checking, I confirmed that they did have four magnificent looking pieces. After Bf agreed to split it with me I was at the counter and ordering. And this pumpkin experience wasn't disappointing...wonderfully creamy and full of pumpkin spice and everything nice. I hate to say it but the chain cheesecake wins over the independent shop. But this is good news for all of you with a Barnes and Noble in your backyard!

I am happy to be ending this holiday weekend on a high note and in pumpkin overload. I'm looking forward to the leaves changing and pumpkin picking that is soon to come. And I can't wait to share all of that with you!