On Doughnuts and Besties

At Uncle Richard’s funeral, his older brother got up and announced to the roomful of mourners that Richard had been his best friend.

But the most powerful statement was to come. He then said that he figured there were many people in the room that could say the same thing. Heads nodded wildly, lonely tears fell. Yes, Uncle Richard had been the very best friend to a whole lot of people and that translated into a loss that was beyond words and multiplied by a million.

And so that is important to keep in mind as I tell you that I love to make fall doughnuts -- cider donuts as they are called in New England -- with my best friend. It’s kind of a tradition. (And in true Curvy Girl fashion, I never eat an entire doughnut – I just pop the occasional piping hot doughnut hole into my mouth so the calories don’t count.)

Every year, it’s a different scene because – Like Uncle Richard – I am blessed with more than one best friend.

What makes a best friend a best, and not just a friend? In my case, it’s that rare and beautiful handful of women who get me…who don’t challenge or judge my flaws because they know the soft core that lies beneath. While I gently navigate conflicts with most of the women in my life at one point or another, my best friends know my heart instinctively without me having to explain it. There is comfort in my ability to be silent with them and have them just know.

I also know that all of my best friends have at least one or two other best friends themselves. It’s a big booming circle of awesomeness, and I eat it up like the warm sugary doughnuts that make an appearance every autumn in my house, and did when I was a kid and my mom made them with my sisters and me.

And it’s lovely, because it means that no matter where I go and what I do, I am always in the company of a bestie.

 

AUTUMN DOUGHNUTS

3 1/4 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. cinnamon

2/3 c. milk

1/4 c. melted butter

2 beaten eggs

2/3 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla

In bowl *1*, combine all 2 c. flour, baking powder, cinnamon and a pinch of salt

In bowl *2*, combine milk and melted butter

In bowl *3*, combine eggs, sugar & vanilla and beat until thick

Alternately add *1* and *2* to *3*, then stir in remaining flour.

Chill overnight and fry in hot oil -- a Fry Daddy works best! SUPER HEALTHY!