dont-knows and donuts

A note arrived in our mailbox earlier this week with news from our landlord that she would be listing our house for sale. We love our little abode, yet this somehow seemed an appropriate piece of news, fitting with the theme of uncertainty in my life right now. Where are we going to live?? Yes, I would love another helping of the unknown, please. 

After applying to residencies all over the US, I am trying to embrace the uncertainty of where next year may find us with an open mind. Although residency more simply refers to the continuation of my medical training, it also comprehensively refers to us actually residing somewhere. I can picture our life in _____, exploring their food scene and Quimby running around in our new backyard there. We can be really happy in _____ and make good new friends. If you know me at all, this looooooving embrace with uncertainty is probably shocking to you. Guess what? It is kind of shocking to me too, but I am thankful for the new perspective.

So, the house: this could have been great news if it had come in March. You see, March brings “Match Day,” and as absolutely terrifying as that day will be, at least the uncertainty concerning residency will be over. We will know where we are going, what the next 5 to 10 years of our life may look like, and whether or not Ben needs to start searching for another job in ______.  We can start transitioning into a new adventure somewhere and pack up our house with some solid plan of where to unpack it.

With trust that this plan is out of my hands (and in better ones), I want to learn peace in this season of uncertainty. I want to enjoy these moments of musing about what tomorrow could bring, what new places and faces we can discover. I want to experience what it feels like to be without a plan, without control and still feel content. With impeccable timing in this trajectory of thought, my friend Mel emailed me some wisdom in the form of an essay by one of our loved writers, Shauna Niequist. Read it for yourself if you’d like, and perhaps we will all learn to appreciate a little uncertainty http://storylineblog.com/2013/09/25/why-you-should-accept-a-life-less-predictable/

Glazed pumpkin donuts with gingersnap almond crumbs

Glaze:

2 ½ cups powdered sugar

¼ teaspoons cinnamon

¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

splash of milk

Donuts:

Can of biscuits

Pumpkin cream cheese

Vegetable oil

Gingersnaps (about ½ cup)

Almond paste (about 1 tablespoon)

Cut each biscuit in half. Form into a ball and push your thumb into the middle to create a pocket (do not overwork the biscuit dough or it will become tough). Use a knife to fill the pocket with the pumpkin cream cheese then pinch the edges together to seal the pocket.

Whisk together glaze ingredients in a deep bowl and set aside.

Whiz up about gingersnaps and almond paste in a food processor until crumbly.

Heat oil about 1 inch deep to medium high heat. Fry donuts, one side at a time (until golden brown on each side). Transfer donuts directly from oil into your glaze and toss (gently!) with a spoon until coated.

Sprinkle donuts with gingersnap-almond crumb and serve hot!