sunny in california with random thoughts of life and pics of my cute puppy

i feel guilty that i can wear a sundress and walk with sancho under a blue sky while the eastern seaboard floods as sandy approaches...

i'm enjoying being home with dr. boyfriend... it is so nice to have time to read, cook, bake, go on walks and just enjoy life. i'm still giddy from interview A. my thank you's have all been sent and now i just wait and count the days until my next interview.

yesterday we carved our pumpkins, which is always one of my favorite fall things to do.

my dog likes to sleep in the strangest positions. case in point!

it is so strange, because 5 months ago i wouldn't have considered myself a dog person but dr. boyfriend really wanted one and i felt guilty that i was leaving him yet again so i gave in... and now i can't imagine life without him. he requires a routine, you have to wake up in the morning, even if you'd rather sleep in. he requires walks and exercise. he won't let you ignore him for too long and he is the sweetest and most stubborn puppy ever. he has never destroyed a single shoe or anything of "ours" but he does a number on his toys. he sleeps in his own bed and can potty on command. he is cute and doesn't mind being dressed up or paraded around. he is a good dog. unfortunately he is is part pit bull and thus often misunderstood and may prevent us from living is certain places but we think he is worth it.

i'm super excited and a little scared to start my NICU rotation next week.

i'm a bit nervous about my dad's upcoming mitral valve repair but glad that i'll be able to be there for the surgery and his immediate post-op period.

and right now i'm just thinking of friends and family in NY and surrounding areas. be safe everyone!

Pumpkin Inspired

So one of the things that sucks is not so nice about being in medical school far far away is missing occasions and celebrations. And I am not normally one for self-pity but I've been a little homesick this week. My cousin is getting married this weekend and most of my extended family is going to be there. My mom is one of 11 so between all of her siblings and their children that means a lot of family. And it is in Colorado so not only am I missing a beautiful wedding, I'm missing a fall wedding. I love fall and it pains me to be stuck in sunny hot summer weather for the foreseeable future... no fall for me.

But to lift my depression I have pumpkin! A friend was stateside earlier this week and she was amazing enough to find and bring back a Pumpkin Brulee scented candle for me, so at least my room smells like fall! Also I bought fresh pumpkin at the grocery store which inspired me to bake a simple and healthy pumpkin bread. (To turn the muffins into a sweet afternoon treat I added a not so healthy glaze and cranberries.)

 Pumpkin Bread/ Muffins with Cream cheese glaze and cranberries

For the Bread/Muffins you will need:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour
1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt

2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce

4 eggs

1/2 cup butter, melted

Mix dry ingredients.  In separate bowl mix wet ingredients and the sugar. Combine and stir well.  Pour into a buttered/floured pans.  Bake for 45-55 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. (For muffins bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees.)

Makes 2 small loaves or 1 medium loaf and 6 muffins or 24 muffins.

For the cream cheese glaze

Blend together

8 oz. of cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla

1/4 cup milk

Garnish with cranberries, enjoy!

Recipe adapted from several others including these-

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/healthy-treat-for-today-applesauce-bread

http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/670650-Applesauce-Pumpkin-Bread