Pairing the delightful Apple Cake with "Oona Out of Order" by Margarita Montimore and a warm cup of Autumn Spiced Cider creates an enchanting experience that celebrates both the flavors of fall and the wonders of fate and time. This combination works beautifully as the coziness and warmth of the apple cake and cider complement the journey through Oona's time-shifting adventures. Just as every slice of apple cake is comforting and inviting, each chapter of "Oona Out of Order" is filled with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments. This pairing invites you to indulge in the familiar yet intriguing as you turn each page while savoring the comforting dessert and drink.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the chopped apples, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Oona Out of Order
A whimsical and thought-provoking tale of a woman who leaps into a different year of her life every New Year’s Eve, exploring love, destiny, and self-discovery across disconnected timelines.
"Just because life may be out of order, doesn't mean it's broken. It's New Year's Eve 1982, and Oona Lockhart has her whole life before her. At the stroke of midnight she will turn nineteen, and the year ahead promises to be one of consequence. Should she go to London to study economics, or remain at home in Brooklyn to pursue her passion for music and be with her boyfriend? As the countdown to the New Year begins, Oona faints and awakens thirty-two years in the future in her fifty-one-year-old body. Greeted by a friendly stranger in a beautiful house she's told is her own, Oona learns that with each passing year she will leap to another age at random. And so begins Oona Out of Order… Hopping through decades, pop culture fads, and much-needed stock tips, Oona is still a young woman on the inside but ever changing on the outside. Who will she be next year? Philanthropist? Club Kid? World traveler? Wife to a man she's never met? Oona Out of Order is a remarkably inventive novel that explores what it means to live a life fully in the moment, even if those moments are out of sequence. Surprising, magical, and heart-wrenching, Montimore has crafted an unforgettable story about the burdens of time, the endurance of love, and the power of family"–
Discussion Questions
- Oona experiences life out of order. How does this impact her understanding of fate and free will?
- Discuss how Oona's relationships evolve over the course of the novel. How does her time travel affect those around her?
- What do you think the author is saying about the nature of time and memories?
- In what ways does Oona adapt to her new circumstances each year? What does this say about resilience?
- How do the different time periods affect Oona's ability to connect with herself?
- Which version of Oona did you relate to the most, and why?
- How does the author balance the elements of fantasy with relatable, everyday experiences?
- What role does music play in Oona's life? Discuss its significance throughout the novel.
- Consider the ending of the book. What messages or themes are reinforced in the closing chapters?
- How does meeting her older self influence Oona's perspective on life and her decisions?
Authors:
Margarita Montimore
ISBN: 9781250236616
Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print
Published Date: 2020
ISBN: 9781250236616
Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print
Published Date: 2020
Autumn Spiced Cider
This warm and comforting spiced cider is a perfect companion for chilly fall evenings. Infused with cinnamon, cloves, and a hint of ginger, it complements the sweet and aromatic apple dessert perfectly, creating a harmonious taste experience that delights the senses.
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, ginger, and honey.
- Add the sliced orange and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Remove from heat and strain to remove the solids.
- If desired, stir in a tablespoon of brandy before serving.
- Pour into mugs and serve warm.