It’s no revelation to say that routine can be a real buzzkill. And that can be true in any area of our lives. And yet, many of us are confined by the strictures of work, family, chores, etc. A fair amount of our scheduled days is necessarily and simply unavoidably routinized.
But what about some of that other time? I have been noticing lately how much of certain nights is all packaged up ever-so-neatly around the TV. Very American, yes? Truly I am not all that into TV the way I realize a lot of people are, but still … I have my favorites that I like to catch. However, I will find myself parked there, watching something relatively inane that has been sandwiched in between some things I really like. Why am I watching it?
I decided to take a harder look at what I’m watching and … decided to skip a bunch of it. Dumping the telly for a good book. Yeah, I remember that. Sunday afternoon I came home from a picnic with the plan of baking something – had all the ingredients already on the counter and everything. (Ergo the photos you see.) But I wasn’t feeling it, so did some other things, yet was still aware of he clock ticking. Who starts baking after 7 p.m. with work looming on Monday? Well, I guess that was me.
The dry and other basic ingredients are gathered; the butter and egg at room temperature. Ready to start.
And that’s what made me think of/remember the importance of mixing it up. Even on the small stuff. Was there really anything so pressing on TV? Did I feel like watching the Netflix movie that was waiting? No and no. Why not go ahead and bake even if it’s getting late? Who cares how long it takes? (It was cooled off by 10:00 p.m. – Double Apple Bars. Yum.)
The apples are pared and cubed. There are 2 cups of apples to about 1-1/2 cups of batter. Very apple-y.
I gave my favorite Macouns a try in this recipe.
We all get so comfortable doing what we’re used to. I’m at the point where I really need to mix it up more – need to feel inspired, have fun, try some new things, go back to some old ones I haven’t done in a while. I don’t know that I’ve actually been bored, but I do know that I have, in too many ways, succumbed to routines. How about you?
I just got a funny image of Bugs Bunny. “What’s up, doc?” he always said. What’s up? Well, I don’t know – what say we go find out.
They taste like apple pie in a bar – moist, spicy and full of apple flavor. The pecans are yummy as an addition.
Still A Dreamer 
Good for you. I am definitely in a rut and watch too much mindless TV for down time. I complain about not being able to read all the books I have waiting yet I could sit an hour or so at night and start on that project. That’s my problem. I have so many projects that I walk around in circles tending to a little bit of each, rarely finishing one before moving on. The apple bars look great.
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I can relate to that “too many things to do” concept and walking in circles. It always feels so great when I just tackle whatever it is through to completion and it’s done already! The apple bars are really easy – it’s an old, old Family Circle recipe I’ve saved (among so many others waiting to be cooked/baked/etc.), but I also found it online on the Cook’s site. There’s a link there if you’re inspired. I’m sure you have everything in your pantry already. 🙂
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Good for you for mixing it up, TV does sap a lot of time that could be used for more enjoyable things.
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And even taking care of stuff around the house that I normally don’t think of doing in the evening. TV definitely has its good points and some real good shows, but not as many as its promoters would have you believe. 🙂
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Good going, Jeanne. Here’s to mixing it up!
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You betcha! 🙂
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