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Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe

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Pumpkin spice is the highlight of fall for so many people. Suddenly in late August, pumpkin spice seems to appear everywhere – in grocery stores, in bakeries, and of course – in coffee shops like Starbucks. And for good reason – it’s delicious!

I love pumpkin spice. The yummy blend of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, add to pumpkin, is the essential flavor of fall. And it reminds me of the pretty fall colors, fun fall festivals, cooler days and nights, football games, and bundling up in blanket in front of a fire.

Starbucks makes an amazing Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, but as much as I’d love to have one every day, I know my bank account would not approve! So here instead is a version I make at home to save money, and you can too! It still tastes similar to what you’d find at Starbucks, and for a lot cheaper.

starbucks iced pumpkin spice latte

What is a latte?

A latte is a type of coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk. It’s typically milkier than a cappuccino. However, an iced latte just uses chilled milk. This recipe just uses chilled milk.

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Twin Cities Halloween Freebies & Deals 2023

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halloween freebies

Looking for Halloween freebies and deals in the Twin Cities? Check out this round-up for freebies & deals at restaurants, stores and online, and check back for updates!

Halloween Attraction/Museum Freebies & Deals

SeaQuest – Wear a costume and enjoy free admission, plus receive a complimentary feeding token. Located in Roseville.

Halloween Restaurant Freebies & Deals

Applebee’s – Kids eat free all day! Two free kids meals per adult entree purchased, dine-in only. Must mention offer at time of order, for kids 12 and under.

$5 Spooky Sips in October! Dracula’s Juice and Tipsy Zombie! These actually went DOWN in price from last year – last year they were $6 (though I’m not sure that means the size went down too).

Baskin Robbins – Save 31% off all ice cream scoops on October 31st at all Baskin Robbins locations. There are several in the Twin Cities, in West St Paul, Lakeville, Apple Valley and Eagan.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – On Halloween, kids can get a 99¢ kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Valid for kids ages 10 and under.

Chili’s – $6 Fang-tastic Margarita of the month

Chipotle – The annual Boorito deal is back. Chipotle Rewards members will receive one (1) entrée item for $6 when using promo code BOORITO at digital check-out via Chipotle.com or the Chipotle mobile app from participating U.S. locations. Valid only on October 31, 2023 beginning at 3:00pm local time through restaurant closing. Redemption is subject to availability.

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Our Spooky Behind-the-Scenes Experience at Onionhead’s Revenge (& a Discount!)

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One mom, three teenage girls, and dozens of monsters spent a lovely, terrifying evening together at Onionhead’s Revenge at the Mall of America.

Yes, I took my 15-year-old daughter and two of her friends and wow, it was a thrill! Onionhead’s Revenge  is a must-see for anyone who loves a scare. It’s 45,000 square feet of immersive, movie-quality sets and props, filled with talented actors in full costume and character. 

onionheads revenge bayou boat

We got the full experience, including the Monster Pass, and even a backstage tour with the owner, Charlotte Huggins! We chatted with Charlotte and learned how Onionhead’s Revenge came about.

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The Ultimate List of Twin Cities Fall & Halloween Family Events 2023

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ultimate list twin cities fall halloween events 2023

October is one of my favorite months of the year because of the cool, crisp air, pumpkin everything, and Halloween events and fall festivals galore! Here I’ve rounded up fun events you can enjoy with your family in the Twin Cities. Many are free, some are at cost (but so worth it!). All items are free (to my knowledge) unless specified. Be sure to check in advance to verify and for any updates.

Thank you to Close to My Heart Preschool in Maplewood for sponsoring this guide!

close to my heart preschool smile

Close To My Heart is a private, non-profit early childhood center that provides an inspiring, encouraging, and enlightening environment for all learners. They strive to meet the individual needs of each child enrolled, and their program encourages the whole child’s development (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical) through personal and small group play activities.

Visit their website at https://closetomyheartpreschool.org/ to learn more!

Also, be sure to sign up for my NEWEST FREEBIE:

A FREE Halloween 3D Coloring Scene Printable!

TCFM Halloween 3D Coloring Scene Pin

It’s a Halloween 3D Coloring Scene Printable! It has 4 pages and you just color each part of the scene, then put it together. It’s easy to do with simple instructions.

Get this FREEBIE INSTANTLY (and more freebies) by signing up here!

(If you’re already on my email list, check your inbox!!!!)

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Note: If you have any issues with accessing your free printables, email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com.

October Ongoing Events

Anoka Halloween. Anoka, MN. The Halloween capital of the month! Events throughout October. See below for some of the listings or visit their website for their full list. Most events are free!

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Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota Really Has it All (& Exclusive Discount!)

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Wow, you guys. We were blown away at all the things you can do at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota.

This place has over 30 activities plus quirky, unique surprises everywhere. 

And I have an exclusive discount for you!

We visited Pinehaven Farm this season – this 2023 season they’re open through October 29th – and had a blast. We did so much in several hours but honestly, we barely scratched the surface of what you can do here.

Plus, we have kids who are sensory-sensitive, and they loved it. They had no problems at all. Unlike some places, it wasn’t overwhelming or overstimulating for them. 

pinehaven farm couch

This place has photo-opportunities galore. I mean, GALORE. There are photo opportunities everywhere – we used some but could have been taking photos all day.

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Onionhead’s Revenge at Mall of America – Exclusive Discount!

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onionheads revenge scared

If you or someone you know likes things scary, you’ll love this. 

Onionhead’s Revenge is open at the Mall of America, and I have an exclusive discount! Save $13 per ticket with my code FRUGAL.

This event is at the Mall of America through October 31st. It’s a walk-through attraction, like a haunted house, with actors throughout to scare you.

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Panera Bread – Unlimited Sip Club Free 2-Month Trial

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Panera Bread is offering FREE unlimited drinks for 2 months!

panera 2 months free

Panera Bread is offering this deal again. You’ll be automatically enrolled in their Sip Club and will be charged after the first 2 months unless you cancel.

You’ll also get a free 6-month digital subscription to The Washington Post!

panera unlimited sip club

The drinks included are charged lemonades (that means caffeinated!), iced and hot coffees, iced and hot teas and fountain drinks.

But if you don’t want to continue after 2 months, be sure to cancel before then or you’ll be charged $11.99 a month. It’s $119.99 yearly if you want to continue and pay annually.

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MEA Weekend Fun for Twin Cities Families (2023)

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mea weekend fun

MEA (now called Education Minnesota) is October 19-20 which means NO SCHOOL for Minnesota students, and there’s a ton of fun you can find here in the Twin Cities and beyond. Here are my guides to local fun and road trips near and far!

Highlights for MEA in the Twin Cities:

pumpkin tree
pumpkin tree

Pumpkins, Scarecrows and a Pumpkin Tree! Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. Check out artful displays, including a Pumpkin Tree. Plus scarecrows! This popular tradition of creative scarecrows adds a festive note to the Arboretum’s autumn displays on the Dahlberg Terrace and Scarecrow Hill. Check out the artistry of the experts from Bachman’s, Arboretum staff and members of the community. New this year are giant hay bales, which will serve as some extra-extra-large “scarecrows” as part of this friendly competition. Vote for your favorite! 

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Free Highland Tower Open House in St. Paul – October 14 – 15

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Only open to the public twice a year, the Highland Water Tower in St. Paul is open this weekend, October 14 – 15! And it’s FREE!

It’s open both days from 9:00am – 5:00pm.

highland water tower st paul

It’s located at 800 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN. Fall colors are at their peak right now and it’s a GREAT place to view them! This is a free event.

Open to the public only twice a year (in July and October) so stop by! 

The tower was built in 1928 and is no longer in service.

Check out this video:

 

The Burrow in Oakdale is a Blast for All Ages

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An arcade. Ax throwing. Amazing meals and drinks. Bowling. Live music. Mini golf. Pickleball. Table games.  (Not intentionally in alphabetical order but it worked!)

AND MUCH MORE.

How many places have you been to that have ALL of these in one place? Probably not many if at all, right?

I haven’t been to anything with all of that, until now, and I have to tell you about it.

Our family was invited by the Burrow in Oakdale for a visit and we had a BLAST. (Both literally and figuratively, lol.) The Burrow has something for everyone, from families to couples to groups of all kinds. We had our kids, and there were many kids there, including young kids enjoying the arcade and bowling with their families, adults throwing axes (though kids can do it too as young as 11), and groups playing pickleball. There was live music – a fun bluegrass band – and plenty of tables to sit and eat, drink and enjoy the performance. There was mini golf outside and plenty of space out there to sit and socialize by a fire.

the burrow oakdale bar

I could go on and on.

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