there was an oldish woman

who lived in a shoe

she had so many children

she didn't know what to do

she gave them some broth

with a chunk of homemade bread

and watched as they tried to swallow

and their faces turned red

it was then she enlisted

her friends through her blog

to learn to make bread

that doesn't resemble a log

the tips, they rolled in

about kneading, flour and yeast

it definitely helped her

to say the least

her dough it arose

like never before

she could hardly believe it

and almost fell to the floor

then the timer, it beeped

between her squats and her lunges

within two minutes,

down her throat a roll plunges

the next time you see her

she'll be wider it's true

it's all the fault of

none other than YOU

I know you thinking I'm being facetious, but it's true. I did quit my workout halfway through, to sink my teeth into at least one roll. I don't remember the exact amount. three. heh. It was worth it. Thanks for all of your tips. Because of you, I've been baking things that rise every day that I get a chance. My kids are loving it, my jeans are not. My favorite tips? Sugar in with the yeast, kneading to build gluten, and the fact that the dough changes as it's kneaded (you need less flour than you think). Oh, and if the proofed yeast is questionable, I start over. I also learned (on my own) that it's harder to activate yeast in milk, so I use half water/half milk and dissolve it in the water first. VOILA!

So, THANK YOU!! I (knock on wood) haven't goofed once since your tips flooded my brain. You should come to visit and I'll make you something. (NOTE: I didn't say specifically what I'd make. It might just be kool-aid. Keeping my options open.)