The Monday Blues

Hello. It's Monday.

Need I say more? I think many of us feel the Monday Blues. Wouldn't it be nice if we could set our clocks eight more hours ahead?

Like many of you, I am not a big fan of Monday mornings. I work during the week and I feel that two days are definitely not enough to catch up on life, friends, family (and sleep). Wasn't there a rumor that weekends will be three days long? If I run for the next mayoral elections, I promise you all a three-day weekend (and a free cake on your birthday!)

VOTE FOR TANIA, THE PREP WIFE!

 

But of course, I have told you all about my naïve political thoughts: Let's all just bake together and get along. Chances of me running for mayor are about as slim as the chances of dinosaurs coming back or the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup (That's right!!) I bet many of you who know me raised your eyebrows. Truth is, I don't know much about hockey but thought I would just jump on the Maple-Leafs-Suck wagon. Seems like the right thing to do as a Montrealer.

So fellow Monday Blues-ers, there is hope! I have a few simple tricks that make the week pass faster and will restore your love for Mondays (I use the word "love" very loosely).

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Trick 1: Treat Yourself

Don't let the fact that it's Monday ruin your Monday. Make Monday a little special by treating yourself to something that you do not generally have. You can treat yourself to that special Grande, Half Sweet, Half Caf, No Fat, Whip, No Foam, 1/2 Hazelnut Machiato Starbucks coffee (I don't know if that's a real order. I don't speak Starbucks), you can prepare a meal that you really love, you can make your lunch a little more exciting by having lunch with someone (Hi Tamara!), etc. In my case, Monday is the day that "How I Met Your Mother" is on TV (for a few more weeks anyway.) I treat myself to an episode every Monday. I'll need to find something else to make Mondays more exciting once the series are over.

Trick 2: Chop Your Week
 
Just so the week does not feel too long, do something in the middle of the week. Host a little dinner, go to the movies, go to the mall, invite a few people to watch a movie or the hockey game, etc. It will feel like you are chopping your week in two. Nobody ever said that socializing and doing something fun is only meant for the weekend.
 
Trick 3: Plan
 
Plan a little event for the weekend. Although I am a big fan of spontaneity, planning will give you something to look forward to. The anticipation will make you feel that the week is passing faster. Whether it is something as elaborate as a dinner party or something as simple as getting a fancy coffee (like the Treat Yourself trick), going to a comedy show or baking a beautiful pie (of course, if you enjoy baking), plan something!

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These are very simple tricks but they work for me so hopefully they will work for you. 

If you are a baker and plan to bake for one of your "tricks", here's a delicious Apple Crumble Pie recipe. I have made this recipe for many, many occasions and the plates have been wiped clean every time.

Deep Dish Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients

Pastry
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces and chilled
- 1 egg
- 4 -5 tbsp milk

Apples
- 8 cups apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and sliced
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp all-spice

Crumble
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup large flake oats
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1.For pastry, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut into butter until an even, crumbly texture. Whisk together egg and 3 tablespoons milk. Add to dough and mix until dough comes together, adding additional milk if needed. Shape dough into a disc, wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

2.While dough is chilling prepare filling. Bring apples up to a simmer with water, 1 cup sugar and cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 15 minutes, until apples are tender and drain. Remove cinnamon sticks. Allow to cool to room temperature and toss with remaining 1 cup sugar, orange zest, spices.

3.Mix all the ingredients together for the crumble.

4.Preheat oven to 350° F. Roll out pastry to less than ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Line an 8-inch springform pan, letting pastry hang a little over the sides. Fill pan with apples and brush edges of pastry with egg wash. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let pie rest for 20 minutes before removing springform ring.

5. Devour! (with ice cream!)

Apple Crumble Pie