National Tree Day

Today is National Tree Day.  National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide (clean air, reduced energy demand, safer neighbourhoods, high property values etc.)  In London, Ontario the city is running a London's Million Tree Challenge.  The idea is to get Londoners to plant 1 million trees.  You plant your tree and then register it on the site.

Today's throughout the city, there are locations in which you are able to pick up a free seedling.  I stopped at the Goodwill bookstore and picked up a Black Maple tree.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

When the fall comes, my favourite flavour is Pumpkin Spice.  I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin cookies!  I have recently purchased a milk frother and thought I would try making a pumpkin spice syrup to add to the milk for my morning coffee.  Well it turned out amazing and I have been drinking this every morning since.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to keep syrup from burning.
Let mixture cook together until it becomes a thicker syrup and begins to coat the spoon (for about 10-15 minutes).
Refrigerate in a heat-proof container.  The syrup will thicken a bit in the rrefrigeratorbut will become thinner when heated.