Hey Jude

let's bake some buns...

 add some raisins...

 then kiss the mixer...

 and don't let the dough jump out of the bowl...

 then add some flour, to make it better.

 Hey Jude, my baking bud...

 you're an awesome dough kneader...

 remember to not get drool in the dough...

 

and then for sure, it will be better!

 Hey Jude, you're so much fun...

 could you be any cuter?

 It's even more fun when Mark comes home from school...

and then the trouble becomes double.

Hey Jude, we'll have to wait...

a few minutes, until the buns bake...

we'll eat them with butter and brown goat cheese,

and try to save a few for later.

Love you, little buddy, and hope you feel better soon! 

NORWEGIAN CARDAMOM RAISIN BUNS (BOLLER MED ROSINER)

2 1/2 cups warm milk (not too hot to leave your finger in)
6 Tbsp butter
1 cup sugar
2 Tbs. active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cardamom
5 ~ 6 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup raisins ~ soaked in hot water for 5 minutes, then drained well
1 egg lightly beaten
cinnamon sugar (optional)

In a large mixing bowl (or standing mixer with a bread hook), mix together the warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and yeast.  Allow to stand for about 10 minutes, until the yeast is good and foamy.  Stir in the salt and cardamom. Mix in the flour, a cup at a time, until all incorporated (stir in the raisins at this point too).  The dough should be very soft, but not stick to your fingers. Cover the bowl with a cloth and allow to rise in a warm place for about hour (until doubled in size). Punch down the dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead it for a minute or so. Roll into balls a bit bigger than golf balls, and place on greased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. You can also use a 9 x 13 pan, and place them 1 inch apart, if you like the pull-apart kind. You should be able to make about 14 rolls. Brush tops with beaten egg. I sprinkled this batch with cinnamon sugar, which was fun for the boys, and certainly didn't damage the flavor! Cover and let rise somewhere warm for another 30-45 minutes, until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 375 F.  Bake on the top rack, one sheet at a time for about 12 minutes, or use both racks and switch pans halfway during baking. Let them cool just enough so you don't burn your fingers, then enjoy with butter and Norwegian brown cheese, or cinnamon sugar!

 Thinking of my dad, who's going into surgery in a few minutes. He's having his defibrillator/pacemaker replaced with a new, updated version. We're hoping that it will stabilize him and help him feel better than he has been lately.

Love you, dad!