Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 62
September 28, 2023
Recipe: Pumpkin Muffins
Being a mother of three autistic children, its very rare to find a recipe my kids will eat over and over again. This pumpkin muffin recipe is one of those rare gems.I made a batch of muffins yesterday and by this morning, there are only three left. Just three.
Just as I promised last week, here is my recipe for the most delicious and fluffy pumpkin muffins you will ever have.
Make sure you are following me on Instagram so you don't miss all the recipes I share.
@Dinner_With_Sara
Course: Snack
Servings: 24 Muffins
Time to Make: 40 Minutes
Ingredients:
15 oz Pumpkin puree
4 Eggs
2 Cups white sugar
1 Cup veggie oil
3 Cups flour (I use gluten free)
2 tsp Baking soda
3/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 1/4 Cup chocolate chips (optional)
Muffin cups
Instructions:
1. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees2. Mix pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar and veggie oil together until combined.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt and all spices. Make sure to mix them in well as the baking soda can sometimes clump and give you a very bitter bite.
4. Add chocolate chips in to the batter if you wish to make the muffins a sweet treat.
5. Place muffin cups in muffin tin and fill them with batter to the edge. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then enjoy. I like them still warm with some butter, but you can enjoy them any way you want.
These muffins make for great after school snacks or even school lunches and the kids will be asking for them over and over again. Let me know if you tried this recipe in the comments below. Also leave your suggestions on the recipes that are guaranteed to be a favorite. I would love to try them.
September 27, 2023
Book Review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
My book review of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.
So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.
So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.
But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang's novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.
There is a lot to unpack in between these covers. I mean a lot. The main character June is extraordinarily messed up by the end of the is book and she is to blame for a lot of what happens to her. Plagiarism, blackmail and transracial ketones make up an enthralling and thrilling story that can only be explained as absolutely jaw dropping.
June drove me nuts throughout the whole book. She knew what she was going was wrong, but didn't think anyone would find out. You and I both know, someone always finds out. The worst part about the whole situation is, she does it again. Like she didn't learn when the shit hit the fan the first time around. This is only part of the issues June has made for herself.
There was a scene toward the end of the book when June confronts the person smearing her name all over the internet. It was almost as if both characters had lost their minds simultaneously. I found myself jumping back and forth, feeling empathy and anger and then empathy again, right before the awkwardness of it all really hit. I've never lived those kinds of emotions all at once with a book. It was incredible and very well written.
Favorite Quote:“Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic”
This book was a crazy ride of emotions with a powerful voice. It was so wrong, but so right at the same time. R.F. Kuang has an amazing writers voice with a twisted mind and I can't wait to see what they come out with next. I'm there for it.
Gave this read a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars.
Title: Yellowface
By: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 329
Release Date: May 25th, 2023
Publisher: The Borough Press
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.
So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.
So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.
But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang's novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.
There is a lot to unpack in between these covers. I mean a lot. The main character June is extraordinarily messed up by the end of the is book and she is to blame for a lot of what happens to her. Plagiarism, blackmail and transracial ketones make up an enthralling and thrilling story that can only be explained as absolutely jaw dropping.
June drove me nuts throughout the whole book. She knew what she was going was wrong, but didn't think anyone would find out. You and I both know, someone always finds out. The worst part about the whole situation is, she does it again. Like she didn't learn when the shit hit the fan the first time around. This is only part of the issues June has made for herself.
There was a scene toward the end of the book when June confronts the person smearing her name all over the internet. It was almost as if both characters had lost their minds simultaneously. I found myself jumping back and forth, feeling empathy and anger and then empathy again, right before the awkwardness of it all really hit. I've never lived those kinds of emotions all at once with a book. It was incredible and very well written.
Favorite Quote:“Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic”
This book was a crazy ride of emotions with a powerful voice. It was so wrong, but so right at the same time. R.F. Kuang has an amazing writers voice with a twisted mind and I can't wait to see what they come out with next. I'm there for it.
Gave this read a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars.
September 25, 2023
Weekly Menu #524 And The Book Of The Week
Hello and welcome back to Monday. This is the blog post where I share the book I'm reading this week and the delicious menu of recipes for the week.Well... I think the family is finally feeling better. It only took a week and a lot of whining, but we made it. I'm still dealing with congestion, but its better than the alternative.
This weeks read is Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix. I've had to put a lot of my physical books back on the shelf for a bit as the audio books I've ordered from the library keep rolling in and I only have 21 days to listen to them before I'm placed back in the queue to wait for them again. They are taking priority. This is one of the physical books, but its one of the shorter ones, so I'm hoping to fit it in between my audio books.
Lets get to this weeks menu. We've been having some really delicious meals the last few weeks and I'm hoping to keep that trend going. Enjoy!WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Kids - Cheese Fries
Tuesday
Kids - Chicken Ramen
Wednesday
Kids - Mac and Cheese
Thursday
Kids - Chips and Cheese
Friday
Kids - English Muffin Pizzas
Saturday
Kids - Bacon Grilled Cheese
Sunday
Leftovers Night
September 24, 2023
Sunday Confessions #217
Hello Sunday! Welcome back to my weekly confessions where I recap what's been happening on the blog.
Sunday Confessions #216~
Weekly Menu #523 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Butterfly by Yusra Mardini~
Recipe: Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs~
Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Weekly Menu #524 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang~Recipe: Pumpkin Muffins~Book Review: Atonement by Ian McEwan~Sunday Confessions #218
Pumpkin Muffins: This recipe will be on the blog next week.
Fetta and Spinach Chicken Patties: Love this recipe and will be sharing it in the future.
95/100 2023 Reading Challenge~57/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~64/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~74/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge
I am so close to completing my 2023 reading challenge and my 100 books before you die challenge is really moving along as well. Once I get those two out of the way, I can really buckle down on the other two challenges and see how many books I can get out of the way this year.
Happy reading, friends. See you next week.
September 22, 2023
Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
My book review of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Ancient, beautiful Manderley, between the rose garden and the sea, is the county's showpiece. Rebecca made it so - even a year after her death, Rebecca's influence still rules there. How can Maxim de Winter's shy new bride ever fill her place or escape her vital shadow?
A shadow that grows longer and darker as the brief summer fades, until, in a moment of climatic revelations, it threatens to eclipse Manderley and its inhabitants completely...
There were so many parts in this story that stood out, but I think the one that was my favorite was the when the new Mrs. de Winter came down the stairs right before the ball in the beautiful red dress setting off a chain of events that would make the blood boil and top the cringe worthy charts. It made me want to smack Mrs. Danvers.
Title: Rebecca
By: Daphne du Maurier
Genre: Historical Thriller
Pages: 449
Release Date: December 17th, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..."
Ancient, beautiful Manderley, between the rose garden and the sea, is the county's showpiece. Rebecca made it so - even a year after her death, Rebecca's influence still rules there. How can Maxim de Winter's shy new bride ever fill her place or escape her vital shadow?
A shadow that grows longer and darker as the brief summer fades, until, in a moment of climatic revelations, it threatens to eclipse Manderley and its inhabitants completely...
There were so many parts in this story that stood out, but I think the one that was my favorite was the when the new Mrs. de Winter came down the stairs right before the ball in the beautiful red dress setting off a chain of events that would make the blood boil and top the cringe worthy charts. It made me want to smack Mrs. Danvers.
Favorite Quote:
“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”
September 21, 2023
Recipe: Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Lately, I have been fully utilizing my instant pot. It has become one of the greatest tools in my kitchen arsenal. If you don't have an instant pot, get one!This recipe is one of my favorite chicken meals and an easy favorite after a long day at work. It takes maybe 30 minutes from start to finish and tastes delicious.
My favorite way to serve the chicken is with rice or steamed veggies. I suppose you could also make ramen, although that's not something I've tried since I'm gluten free. I would love to hear what you come up with. Leave me a comment below.
Lets get to it.
Course: Main Course
Servings: 4 people
Time to Make: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup soy sauce (I like low sodium for less salt)1/2 Cup honey3 Tbs Rice Vinegar
4 Cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs Minced ginger
1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
2 1/2 lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 Tbs Cornstarch
3 Tbs Water
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, mix together Soy sauce, Honey, Rice vinegar, Garlic, Ginger and Red pepper flakes.
2. Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the instant pot and cover with soy sauce mixture.
3. Seal the lid of the instant pot and cook on high for 10 minutes. (This is a good time to prep whatever you are having with the chicken, like rice or veggies.)
4. When the timers is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully vent the rest of the pressure and remove the lid.
5. Remove the chicken from the pot to a small plate and set aside. Turn the instant pot on sauté.
6. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water together. Once the sauce starts bubbling, add the cornstarch slurry and whisk. Allow the sauce to thicken for about a minute.
7. Cancel the sauté function and return the chicken to the pot, covering it in the delicious sauce.
8. Serve right away over rice or steamed veggies.
September 20, 2023
Book Review: Butterfly by Yusra Mardini
My book review of Butterfly by Yusra Mardini.
When young Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini realized her boat's engine shut down as she was traveling from Syria to Greece with other refugees, there was no hesitation: she dove into the water. Surfacing, she heard desperate prayers and sobbing from the passengers in the sinking boat above her. Between the waves, her elder sister Sarah screamed at her to get back on the boat. But Mardini was determined. She was not going to let Sarah do this alone. Grabbing the rope with one hand, she began kicking up the black water, inching the boat towards the distant shore.
This bold act of bravery saved the lives of a boatload of refugees heading to Turkey from Syria. After her arrival in Greece, Mardini, focused and undeterred, worked toward a lifelong goal: to compete in the Olympics. She succeeded, and competed in 2016 on the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio de Janeiro.
Butterfly tells her story, from Syria to the Olympics to her current work with the UN as a Goodwill Ambassador. Mardini is eager to tell her story in the hopes that readers will remember that refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, chased from their homes by a devastating war. In today's political climate, this story is guaranteed to inspire and educate readers from every background.
People are capable of great things when the world seems to come crashing down. Yusra Mardini watched her future crumble as war breaks out all around her. What comes next is a powerful journey that will shape her future and that of her families.
In the part of the book where Yusra helps to keep their escape boat afloat by slipping into the frigid waters along with her sister Sara, made my heart beat faster. I was sure something was going to happen to Yusra or Sara. Something tragic. This felt like the turning point to me.
Favorite Quote:“Refugee. An empty shell, barely even human. No money, no home, no background, no history, no personality, no ambition, no path, no passion. Our past, present, future. All of it deleted and replaced by that one devastating word.”
I gave this book 4 our of 5 stars. Yusra used her fame to help her achieve her swimming goals, but in the end found a new calling. She became the voice of refugees across the world. Turning a dirty word into hope for so many people. She truly is an inspiration.
Title: Butterfly
By: Yusra Mardini
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 288
Release Date: May 3rd, 2018
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:The inspiring story of how one woman saved fellow refugees from drowning--and how she went on to become an Olympic swimmer.
When young Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini realized her boat's engine shut down as she was traveling from Syria to Greece with other refugees, there was no hesitation: she dove into the water. Surfacing, she heard desperate prayers and sobbing from the passengers in the sinking boat above her. Between the waves, her elder sister Sarah screamed at her to get back on the boat. But Mardini was determined. She was not going to let Sarah do this alone. Grabbing the rope with one hand, she began kicking up the black water, inching the boat towards the distant shore.
This bold act of bravery saved the lives of a boatload of refugees heading to Turkey from Syria. After her arrival in Greece, Mardini, focused and undeterred, worked toward a lifelong goal: to compete in the Olympics. She succeeded, and competed in 2016 on the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio de Janeiro.
Butterfly tells her story, from Syria to the Olympics to her current work with the UN as a Goodwill Ambassador. Mardini is eager to tell her story in the hopes that readers will remember that refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, chased from their homes by a devastating war. In today's political climate, this story is guaranteed to inspire and educate readers from every background.
People are capable of great things when the world seems to come crashing down. Yusra Mardini watched her future crumble as war breaks out all around her. What comes next is a powerful journey that will shape her future and that of her families.
In the part of the book where Yusra helps to keep their escape boat afloat by slipping into the frigid waters along with her sister Sara, made my heart beat faster. I was sure something was going to happen to Yusra or Sara. Something tragic. This felt like the turning point to me.
Favorite Quote:“Refugee. An empty shell, barely even human. No money, no home, no background, no history, no personality, no ambition, no path, no passion. Our past, present, future. All of it deleted and replaced by that one devastating word.”
I gave this book 4 our of 5 stars. Yusra used her fame to help her achieve her swimming goals, but in the end found a new calling. She became the voice of refugees across the world. Turning a dirty word into hope for so many people. She truly is an inspiration.
September 18, 2023
Weekly Menu #523 And The Book Of The Week
Hello Monday. Welcome back to my weekly menu where I share my recipes for the week and the book I'm reading.We made it through the second week of school by the skin of our teeth. The kids seem to be in good spirits, but we had some weird stomach bug that made its way through all of us one at a time... Except the middle child... I'm crossing my fingers he is somehow immune.
I wasn't able to finish last weeks read of The Red Scholar's Wake since I had a whole gaggle of audio books from the library I needed to listen to and return quickly. Spent all week doing that, but listened to some really good stories. So, on top of that book, I will also be reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. I've been waiting for this book for a while now and I finally got my hands on it.
Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!
WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Kids - Cheese Quesadilla
Tuesday
Kids - Chicken Nugget Salad
Wednesday
Cajun Chicken and Mac and Cheese
Kids - Mac and Cheese
Thursday
Kids - Bacon Grilled Cheese
Friday
Kids - Chicken Ramen
Saturday
Sunday
Family Dinner
September 17, 2023
Sunday Confessions #216
Welcome back to my weekly confessions where I recap the blog.
Sunday Confessions #215~Weekly Menu #522 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison~Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 9~
Book Review: The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley~
Life Confessions: Post #10
Weekly Menu #523 And The Book Of The Week~Book Review: Butterfly by Yusra Mardini~ Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier~Life Confessions: Post #11~
Sunday Confessions #217
Funfetti pancakes - Very sweet. The kids didn't like them and the husband said tasty, but not again. I purchased a box of this mix at the grocery store, so don't waste your money.
Creamy Sausage Pasta - Delicious. Of course I made mine with gluten free pasta, but you do what you want.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers - ok, I don't like peppers unless they are chopped up really small and hidden in whatever I'm eating, so I put my filling in a ramekin. My husband on the other hand, loved the stuffed peppers and the recipe is super easy to follow. This one's a keeper.
Air Fried Crispy Chicken - One of my favorite recipes and super easy to make.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites - Another delicious recipe. Loved the spice on the potatoes. This one was easy.
Pumpkin Muffins - Of course, gluten free, but the recipe can go either way. My kids love these ones.
Watched all the creepy shows today, and loved every minute of it.
89/100 2023 Reading Challenge~56/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~63/341 Gilmore Girls challenge~72/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge
Another good week on the blog. I'm thinking about posting more recipes. Would that be something you all would want? Let me know if the comments.
September 16, 2023
Life Confessions: Post #10
The lifestyle of a PNW mom, avid reader, exballerina and food lover. 
Friends! Last week was crazy. First week of school. Ear surgery for my little one... Who's not so little anymore and lots of sunshine.
The first day of school was a mess. With many tears and a lot of coaxing, the kids were off to school. Treated myself to an adult beverage and enjoyed the fading sun light. Posted some pretty hilarious TikToks, if I do say so myself. You are going to have to follow me on Tiktok or Instagram to see those.
Watched the sunrise Friday with my youngest, as we waited to have tubes placed in both his ears... Again... This was not our first rodeo. In fact it was our fifth. Unfortunately, the tubes are not helping and his doctor is talking about removing his eardrums all together and replacing them with new ones... Ugh...
Here's your montage of cats. Mostly our little screwed up baby War, but also the bad ass old lady Ember. We thought she was gone, but she came home after three weeks. Last time she went missing, we tracked her whereabouts on Facebook, lol. She was showing up at random houses miles away and then moving on. She is sooo weird.
Last but not least. We took the boys to Portland's own amusement park, Oaks Park. I've only been there a handful of times as a child, but never as an adult. Some of the kids had fun, but the little one had a headache and wasn't excited at all. We made it through with some laying on the ground and a lot of sugar. My eldest even took advantage of the rides. Never thought they would be my thrill ride kid.
With that stressful week over, here's to another one.
