Monday, March 09, 2009

Cinnamon Rolls

Just thought I'd post this recipe since it seems to be popular. I've probably made these 50 times. (It's really all I can make, so I use them for all parties etc.)

Tips:

Don't overdo the brown sugar: I sometimes have a tendency to overdo it with the brown sugar. Get it on there nice and thin so it sweetens the rolls, but does not overpower them. Think orange rolls, rather than stickybuns.

Use the good cinnamon: The kind that Costco currently sells. Not the cheap kind from Nortons. It makes a huge difference, especially when you don't overpower the cinnamon with the brown sugar.

Let em raise: I sometimes double the raising time, especially in the winter when it's usually colder in the house. Let it double in size the first time (in the bowl). The second time (in the pans), give them an hour to raise, and then proofbox them for another 20. It's the bast.

Roll em thick: Don't over roll. Too thin makes for rolls that don't raise quite right. I like my rolled out dought to be about 1/4" thick.

Don't over flour: Flower is the enemy. I don't know how much I actually use, but it's got to be at least a cup less than they say. Add flour until the dough is baaaarrrely unsticky enough to handle. If it's still pretty sticky when you take it out of the mixing bowl, add a bit on your hands so you can kneed it a bit. The stickier, the better.

Thanks to Emily for all of these accumulated tips. I've probably called her 10 times over the years in the middle of this recipe. Girl knows what she's talkin' about.

Also, my wife once bought me some Springform pans, which are excellent for these. Time after time I forgot to use them when making these rolls. Hence the note on the bottom of the recipe.

Enjoy.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

More Police Beatnicks...

Ok, so maybe they publish these reports as a lark. I almost dismissed them because of this. But no... These are real people (or, as real as you can get at BYU.) And yes...that IS how it was when you were there. Don't even try it.

Again, adding my take on them.

Roommate 2: "...no way. You're over thinking it. Irregardless of what you saw, it's none of your business."
Roommate 1: "I swear it! I just know he buried his wife out there. I have not seen her at FHE for weeks. And why else would that little dog be sniffing around like that?!"
Roommate 2: "Yeah...you're like, spending too much time with that huge zoom lens. I can't wait until you're out of that body cast."



These 4 dudes collectively: " But....I thought the honor code protected us against stuff like this."



Lady: "My first time out of Fillmore, and look what happens!!"
(Actually, this is a really sad way to learn that people are just no darn good.)


911-calling student upon reading: "Ahhh man! I said gentiles, not juveniles."


Riiiiiiight. You still have pay the ticket, honey.

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Finally! My favorite browser plugin is even more useful.

Foxmarks (foxmarks.com, soon to be xmarks) is a free service that keeps your web booksmarks (and site-passwords, if you wish) on their server and synchronizes them between computers. Previously available only as a Firefox plug-in, it's now available for install on IE and Safari Browsers (and I hope on Chrome when they allow plugins later this year). Add a book mark in one browser, and it's instantly available on all your browsers and computer.

It's free, and they don't accept donations. They're working on some paid features for future releases, but even if it never does anything but sync my bookmarks, it will still be #1 on my list.

Get it.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Stop The Presses...


I grabbed a copy of The Daily Universe at BYU last week, and have been chuckling about these newsworthy items from the Police Beat section ever since. I'll try and recreate the conversations that go along with these timeless and horrific crimes.



Roommate 1: "Dude! Where is my scooter?! I flipping parked it right there!"
Roommate 2: "Oh ya...I had to move it over by the bike rack. It was blocking my Civic. Sorry."
Roommate 1: "Word...word."


Kyle: "Yo Cheylyn. Want to walk to the library and/or Wilky with me?"
Cheylyn: "No way Kyle. I told you...stop talking to me. I'm engaged."
Kyle: "Ya? Engaged just means Not-Too-Late-For-Me. I have your pencil, and I'm keeping it. Neener Neener Neener..."
Cheylyn, roling eyes: <911>



I have no response to this.


Lady: "Sure! I love Facebook Magazine. I'll subscribe. Let me write you a check."
Lady, after using google: "Whaaaat? Checks are MONEY!? Ack! <911>"


Bookstore dude: "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
Student: "I'm checking out this textbook. Did you know they want $420 for this paperback?"
Bookstore dude: "Section 27a stroke f paragraph 7.12 clearly states that students may NOT view books before buying them"
Student: "It's really more of a pamphlet...and I was just..."
Bookstore dude: "INSOLENCE! I'll get to the bottom of this. "
Student: "Yes...well...wow. Later."


Grounds guy: "Are you guys building a tight-rope?"
BYU Kids: "Yes."
Grounds guy: "Will you not?"
BUY Kids: "Sure."



Here is the whole thing, in case you're interested. On a sadder yet redeeming note, the last item actually reports a burglary crime with victims. However, it awesomely contains the words "he started throwing stuff." Rounds things out nicely.