Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 57

Sunday Confessions #227

 

Hello Sunday. Welcome back to my confessions where I recap what's happened on the blog in the last week.

Sunday Confessions #226~Weekly Menu #533 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Making It So by Patrick Stewart~Recipe: Homemade Sausage Stuffing~Book Review: The Godhead Complex by James Dashner

Weekly Menu #534 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra~November 2023 Wrap Up~Book Review: The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling~Sunday Confessions #228





Binge watching The Great season 2. This show is absolutely ridiculous, but I love it. 

128/100 2023 Reading Challenge~58/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~87/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

With the stress of the holiday last week, I didn't read much. It was a pretty rough day, but hoping to get back to a good reading vibe. Happy reading, friends.

Book Review: The Godhead Complex by James Dashner

My book review of The Godhead Complex by James Dasher.

Title: The Godhead Complex

By: James Dashner

Genre: Dystopian

Pages: 272

Release Date: November 14th, 2023

Publisher: Akashic Media Enterprises

Rating: ★★★☆☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:The Second Book in The Maze Cutter Trilogy Sadina and the islanders are up against both man and nature as they navigate their way to Alaska to see the Godhead, but the Godhead itself is fractured. Within the cracks of the sacred trinity, secrets are revealed that blur the lines of good and evil. One person’s God is another person’s Devil. Isaac and Sadina are forced to split up, and while Minho holds the rest of the group together, it’s his beliefs that are slowly falling apart. What once drove Minho to join the Godhead is causing him to question his past and his future. Sadina finds something life changing in The Book of Newt, and her mission to save the world becomes even stronger. But while on his own, Issac meets a new traveler with a mission and learns that the cure isn’t what it once was thought to be, the immunes aren’t as immune, and the world as a whole is evolving in a dangerous direction. In Alaska, the Crank Army awaits to unleash its fury on the Godhead, ending Alexandra’s reign before it begins but nature and evolution become an even greater threat than all the Cranks in the world. Beliefs change, futures are rewritten, and not even the Godhead knows what will happen next.

 

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Review:Nothing can ever compare to The Maze Runner. Not even this book. James Dashner is a wonderful writer, but his continuance of this second series just makes me sad. Let it go.
I found the story a bit slow moving and cumbersome. The characters were on a journey, but that was all they were doing. It was hard for me to find the adventure in it, or the connection to the characters.
I'll probably read the next book in the series since once I start something, I have an obsession to finish it. Crossing my fingers I will be able to connect a bit more.

Recipe: Homemade Sausage Stuffing

I know Thanksgiving is over for 2023, but make sure you save this recipe for next year, or even for your next family meal.
Stuffing has always been a bland side dish that came from a box, but this recipe has a hint of Sage and a bit of spice from the sausage. It can also be used as a full meal or still a side dish.
Enough of the talk of stuffing, lets get to the recipe. 

Course: Side Dish

Servings: 6-8 people

Time to Make: 1 Hour 10 Minutes

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup unsalted butter

1 TBS olive oil

1 lb Italian Sausage (I like turkey)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 cup sliced celery

Salt and Pepper

2 TBS fresh sage

1/4 fresh parsley

1 large egg

1 lb sourdough bread (or gluten free bread)

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9' by 13' baking dish.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small pieces. Cook until no longer pink. Once cooked, remove from skillet and set aside for later.

3. Using the leftover sausage grease or more olive oil, add chopped onion and celery to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender. About 5 to 7 minutes. Add sage and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from skillet, and add to the bowl with sausage. Let cool for about 5 minutes.

4. Once cooled, add parsley, egg and bread, stirring until combined. Add chicken broth, continuing to stir mixture until the broth is absorbed, but not soaked.

5. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake until warmed through and the top is crusted and brown. About 40-45 minutes.

Book Review: Making It So by Patrick Stewart

My book review of Making It So by Patrick Stewart.

Title: Making it So

By: Patrick Stewart

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 480

Release Date: October 3rd, 2023

Publisher: Gallery Books

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:The long-awaited memoir from iconic, beloved actor and living legend Sir Patrick Stewart!
From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So , a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.

 

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Review:My childhood memory of Patrick Stewart was his role in Star Trek the Next Generation. To me, he was a staunch man who was serious, a good leader, but of course, this was just his roll in the show. After reading this memoir, I've seen a whole other side of Patrick Stewart and come to adore him even more.
The childhood stories portrayed within these pages brings me back to a time before I can remember. It was interesting to read, easy and intriguing. There was heartache and joy. All the things that make a good story. And hidden between those words, a glimpse into the real Patrick Stewart. I no longer see him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but as an amazingly deep Shakespearean actors, father, friend and person. 
This book deserves all 5 of the stars I can give. The ease of reading and story telling was wonderful. I found myself lost in the pages. A great read. Would highly recommend.

Weekly Menu #533 And The Book Of The Week

 

Hello Monday. Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share all the wonderful recipes we will be trying this week.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving filled with good food and people who actually make you feel good. Not the narcissists you are somehow obligated to see because they are family. We had one of those gatherings and let me tell you, its so predictable how it turned out.

Anyway, enough about the dramatic side of the family and more about the books. This weeks read is The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab. I love this author and even though I have dipped into this book a little bit already, I'm still very excited to finish it. Its already intriguing at 4% of the way in.

Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Mongolian Chicken

Kids - Beef Ramen

 

Tuesday

Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

Kids - Biscuits and Cheese

 

Wednesday

Chicken Souvlaki

Kids - Cheese Pizza

 

Thursday

Pork Schnitzel and Mashed Potatoes

Kids - Chicken and Fries

 

Friday

Spaghetti Night

Kids - Mac and Cheese

 

Saturday

BLT Salad

Kids - Bacon Grilled Cheese

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #226

 

Welcome back to my Sunday confessions where we recap what's happened on the blog in the last week.

Weekly Menu #532 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden~Recipe: Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce~Book Review: Watership Down by Richard Adams

Weekly Menu #533 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Making It So by Patrick Stewart~Book Review: The Godhead Complex by James Dashner~Sunday Confessions #227








Catching up on The Ready Room after the season finale of Lower Decks.

128/100 2023 Reading Challenge~58/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~70/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~87/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to post some recipes that we enjoyed from the big day soon. If you don't already, follow me on Instagram where I share those recipes first.
Happy reading, friends!

Book Review: Watership Down by Richard Adams

My review of Watership Down by Richard Adams.

Title: Watership Down

By: Richard Adams

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 478

Release Date: November 1st, 1972

Publisher: Avon Books

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

 

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Review:I've always wondered how people come up with these stories about such mundane creatures who take extraordinary adventures. Fiver and Hazel carry the story, bringing life to a story about rabbits that seems so relatable in many ways.
This was an incredible journey and I have to say that I was a blubbering mess at the end. Don't worry, I won't ruin it for you.
Favorite Quote:“He fought because he actually felt safer fighting than running.”
If you are in the mood for an epic nail biting journey, with danger, love and hope around every corner, you need to read this book.

Recipe: Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

 

This recipe is an easy and dioicous homemade spaghetti sauce that everyone will love. 

I don't know about you, but sometimes I want a thick and hearty spaghetti sauce, but sometimes I want something a little more light and full of veggies. This recipe is exactly that. 

My recipes are usually gluten free, but you can use whatever pasta you want. You can also take the ground turkey out competently, and make it vegetarian. If you don't like ground turkey, use some ground beef. Its really up to your taste. 

Course: Main Course

Servings: 4 people

Time to Make: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

3 cups cherry tomatoes
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 lbs ground turkey
2 tsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup tomato paste
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
12 oz package of spaghetti pasta
2 large handfuls of spinach
A sprinkle of basil

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package, salting the water well. When pasta is done, drain making sure you save about a 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later.

2. While the pasta is cooking, in a skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil. When oil is hot, add the ground turkey and brown until completely cooked through.

3. When turkey is cooked, add lemon juice, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, stirring until combined. Add reserved pasta water to sauce a little at a time, combining until your sauce is a consistency you prefer. I like mine more on the liquid side.

4. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the sauce. Simmer until tomatoes are soft and tender. About 5 minutes. Add the spinach and let wilt.

5. Top with a sprinkle of basil and serve over your pasta.

Book Review: A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

My review of A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden.

Title: A Dawn of Onyx

By: Kate Golden

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Pages: 456

Release Date: December 15th, 2022

Publisher: The Daisy Press

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Captured by a king of darkness. Forced to find the light within.
Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.
Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twistedpleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.
But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
To make it out of enemy territory, she'll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.

 

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Review:I couldn't tell if this book wanted to be fantasy or romance. It has elements of both, but they didn't mesh well. At times it was a little awkward, but still very intriguing.
The story started off strong with an interesting fantasy story line. Arwen is a headstrong and smart character who's self-sacrifice shapes the outcome of the war between her country and the Onyx Kingdom. I loved how her storyline unfolds piece by piece, giving the reader just enough to keep the mystery going until the end. There was little fault to find in her path.
There was a wonderful scene between Arwen and Kane in the forest. They're racing toward a lake, each trying to beat the other and jump in the water first. The tension between the characters was optimal and I think the first time I really felt their connection and where the story would take them.

Favorite Quote:

“I had learned to live without my family. To sword fight, to be bold.”
Although there were a few small things that could have been improved on, like the romance and the fact that you don't learn anything about the Fae, or even hear about them until nearly the end of the book, this read was very enjoyable. 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Weekly Menu #532 And The Book Of The Week

 

Hello Monday! Welcome back to the weekly menu where I share all the delicious recipes we will be making this week.

Can you believe this is Thanksgiving week? We have 35 days left until Christmas. I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping, just a few people left to figure out. My kids mainly. They are soooo hard to shop for. Crossing my fingers I can find that perfect gift that they will love.

Since I managed to finish off three books last week, this weeks read is going to be Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I've loved past books I've read by this author, so I'm excited to dive into this one.

Lets get to this weeks menu. Remember, Thursday is the Thanksgiving menu, so if you already have food planned for that day, just ignore it. Enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Doritos Taco Salad

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

 

Tuesday

Orange Chicken

Kids - Chicken Tenders and Rice

 

Wednesday

Honey Mustard Pork Chop Skillet

Kids - Chicken Nuggets and French Fries

 

Thursday

Thanksgiving

Smoked Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

Stuffing

Cranberry Sauce

 

Friday

Turkey Barley Soup

Kids - Ramen

 

Saturday

Pesto Turkey Pizza

Kids - Cheese Pizza

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night