@garland, I also want to solve that mystery. The only calories I drink are the occasional margarita or vodka tonic. Everything else is water or plain tea.
On the other hand, frozen custard cones are totally worth the calories.
They have to start pumpkin now so they can start Christmas the middle of October.
I spoke too soon! Just got this in my email from Auntie Annie’s (yes, I eat enough of their pretzels to make it worth being a perks member… don’t judge me.)
^^^That’s GROSS! Does it sound good to anyone???
Again, NOT against pumpkin - but pumpkin has stolen the “apple” limelight in the fall!!!
I was going to say the stores put out Valentine’s Day candies literally the day after Xmas and then the chocolate cream filled easter eggs in the middle of Jan or Feb snow storm.
I don’t like when stores rush holidays, but food availability has been transcending traditional seasons for a long time now, with improved transportation and shipment options. Pumpkin in September is not really that much more of a mental leap than strawberries and blueberries in December! A lot of these products are not even made with fresh pumpkin.
I was just noticing this invasion of pumpkin spice today as well!! At Culvers, they have 3 new "limited time only: pumpkin ice creamy things on their menu. And at the grocery store, I saw “limited edition” pumpkin spice cookies, bread, and bagels.
I personally like “pumpkin” things but not the “pumpkin spice” craze. Too fake-spicy.
I do wish they would get into the September apple thing more as well. Here in Michigan, the Cider Mills do crazy business, but other than that no fun apple products.
Nothing beats a Michigan cider mill!!! (says this northwest Ohioan and native Michigander!!!)
Have you seen this @movemetoo???
http://archive.freep.com/article/20130919/FEATURES02/309190022/apple-orchard-guide-cider-mills
^ Plymouth Orchards has been my fall staple for years. I picked up cider and donuts for my students from there on the way to class one time. I’ve never seen people more excited about cider and donuts! 
@abasket, awesome, thanks for the list!! Yates Cider MIll (#22) is our cider mill of choice. Been getting donuts and cider there since I could barely walk
Well, I can and do buy pumpkin spice K cups year round online.
In fact, I’m sipping a cup right now in my flip flops.
No disconnect to me.
@abasket - I believe you can blame Starbucks for the pumpkin craze or I guess I should say “pumpkin spice” since pumpkin really isn’t a flavor by itself. If any of you have time, the article below tells how the PSL was developed and marketed in 2003. I found it fascinating. My S took a marketing class during his senior year that studied new product launches both successful and unsuccessful and the PSL was one they talked about in detail.
Of course, when a company like Starbucks markets a new flavor product that catches on with consumers like the PSL did, other companies were sure to jump on the bandwagon. The upshot is pumpkin spice has become the flavor that denotes fall (sorry apple).
Well, that will be my ONE beef with Starbucks!!! 
Went to Target yesterday. Schools here don’t start till September 8th(quite late) The Halloween section has already taken over 75% off the school supply section. Yesterday I was flipping channels on tv and QVC was already selling Christmas cookies and other holiday items. Personally I would like three more months of summer. I am not liking the fact that I have to turn my car lights on at 7:30pm and that it is getting dark sooner. Also the pool is still open so I’d like to enjoy the remainder of summer and not think of pumpkins, candy, or Halloween. The sight of mums for sale outside the entrance of the grocery store reminds that fall is not too far away. I just want to enjoy the present. Since it was a little cool early morning I did enjoy cinnamon tea after not having any caffeine all summer. Attended a farmers market yesterday and today I am enjoying summer peaches and nectarines.
I’ll openly admit to being that weirdo that turns on Christmas carols in my car on November 1. However, I will never, ever buy Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. I believe in giving each holiday their due and I don’t want holiday stuff CONSTANTLY in stores. There’s no need for it.
Our Costco had Halloween paraphernalia since the middle of August. The giant spider suspended form the ceiling above it creeps me out!! Yesterday, I ran into a row of jack-o-lantern shaped chimeneas displayed by the front door of the grocery store we went to to pickup picnic goodies. Sad. 
Yes, rushing the holidays has been a thing for awhile hasn’t it.
But apples “are” September, not pumpkins! Apples need their turn!!! So it’s not just about holiday rushing - I mean, it’s not like we are touting apples in July instead of September - it’s that apples are being overlooked by the pushy Pumpkin freaks!!!
(really, I’m passionate about this!)
Now wait just a minute with this apple talk. It is still August, and we are still eating peaches. We can discuss apples tomorrow.
Mr. R brought home a bag of fresh picked gala apples the other day. Sooooo good. Both dog and I have been in food heaven.
Ok, @MomofJandL I hear ya - some leftover peach cobbler in the refrigerator as I speak!!! Still saying yes to the peaches!!!