When using a recipe, do you view it as a suggestion guide, or follow it to the letter?

I am making home made bread for the second day in a row. I made some yesterday when I had my son and his brood over for dinner, and it lasted about 10 seconds it was so good. Trying to recreate whatever the heck I did yesterday. Since the grandkids had a big hand in the final kneading, I have to try and duplicate what they did too.

I have a recipe I refer to for suggestions, but I switch things up. The things that are bolded are things that were in bold on the recipe.

It calls for a cup of warm water. I use a cup of beer I’ve nuked for a minute.

It calls for 2 tablespoons of white sugar. I use a half a handful of brown sugar and then I pour some honey in for good measure.

I used as much yeast and flour as it calls for, though, adjusting the flour as needed.

I know of a person, however, who would never dream of diverting from a recipe, not even half an inch. When she visits and I cook she is just in shocked amazement at my methods!

So what do you do?