Today I have prepared for you some random ramblings that you might find slightly interesting.  However, due to the vast number of 'random ramblings' that I've been writing though I think that I might just be pushing it a bit to state that you might be interested.  That said,

Just shortly after I finished my post about connecting and needing people and all that crap I spied this article.  Weird.  Coincidence?  See - you can get sick from insolation.
Then my friend flew in from Halifax and she, KT and I had a fabulous night out together.  You know the kind of night when you have really stupid conversations about Charlie's Angels and which one of you is Lucy Liu and which one is Cameron Diaz and which on is Drew Barrymore (which apparently is exactly what I am).  Those nights when you flirt shamelessly with the waiter and giggle about it afterwards.  Those nights when you're so thankful that you have friends you can then flop out on the couch with and be a total bum.  Awesome.


I have a confession to make.  Here it goes.  I didn't watch the Oscars last night.  I didn't even watch the red carpet.  I forgot.  Clean forgot.  Then when I remembered I didn't care.  What does that say about me?  I had a friend over instead and we talked... around the table.  We ate food and talked.  Now to be honest over the last few years I've been finding all these awards things a little tiresome.  It feels disingenuous and
self congratulatory.  I appreciate good movies and great acting, don't get me wrong.  But the thought of spending an evening watching them all award each other just doesn't turn me on anymore.  I don't know if it ever did.  So in the spirit of taking my own advice I spent time with a friend instead.


Now of course I had to feed my friend.  Being Sunday I wasn't going to go all crazy or anything.  Plus, it's winter and stews and soups seem to be what I'm craving these days.  In the end I rolled out a kicking chili and then fixed up these rolls to go along with it.  Please be impressed with how easily I'm churning out the yeast recipes these days.


Yeah, Yeast and I are basically best friends these days.  You know, sharing songs, giggling about guys, discussing hops.  I'm on, I'm jazzed and it's awesome.  Homemade chili and buns to boot.  Hmmm - I'm feeling some kick-ass sloppy joes in my future.


Easy Yeast Rolls adapted from Taste of Home Magazine.
makes about 12 - 15 med/large buns

2 cup all purpose or bread flour
1 cup whole wheat or whole wheat bread flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried dill
1 cup + 2 tbsp lukewarm water
2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 cup melted butter

Combine the lukewarm water with the yeast and half of the sugar.  Mix and set in a draft free place to proof for 10 minutes.
Combine the flours, salt and dill together and set aside.
Once the yeast has proofed add in the rest of the sugar, the egg and the butter.  Mix well.
Add the yeast mixture to the flour.  Mix until it forms a dough ball.
Place the ball onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 6 - 8 minutes (add a little extra flour if needed).  The dough should be smooth and silky.
Place the dough in a lightly butter bowl, cover with a clean cloth and set in a draft free place for about 1 hr or until doubled.
Remove the dough from the bowl.  Punch down and then divide into 10 - 12 balls.  Rolls each ball out, using your hands, into a long tube shape.  Tie each into a bow shape and set on a lightly greased or parchment covered baking sheet.  Cover with cloth again and let rise for another 30 - 35 minutes or until almost doubled.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake the buns for about 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.