"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate pairs beautifully with Fruit and Nut Muffins and a delightful Glass of Sparkling Elderflower Spritz. The book's exploration of family, resilience, and hidden stories resonates with the comforting and wholesome flavors of the muffins and the refreshing taste of elderflower. Together, they create a perfect afternoon escape, inviting contemplation and conversation. Enjoy this perfect trio as you delve into the emotional and intriguing narrative.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds, pecans), chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Before We Were Yours
A heartbreaking tale based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. Two families, generations apart, are forever changed by the heartbreaking betrayal of a family that existed for four generations.
THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT—Over two million copies sold! A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller “Poignant, engrossing.”—People • “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty. Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption. Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. Publishers Weekly’s #3 Longest-Running Bestseller of 2017 • Winner of the Southern Book Prize • If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection This edition includes a new essay by the author about shantyboat life.
Discussion Questions
- How does Lisa Wingate intertwine the historical and contemporary storylines to reveal the family secrets?
- What insights does the novel provide about the time it was set in and the adoption practices?
- How are the themes of identity and belonging explored through Rill's and Avery's narratives?
- Discuss the transformation of characters throughout the novel. What catalysts drive their changes?
- How is familial love portrayed in the novel and how does it influence the characters' decisions?
- What role does memory play in the lives of the characters, especially concerning hidden pasts?
- How does the author address the issue of systemic injustices present in the family adoption system?
- Examine the impact of secrets and lies on both the children and parents in the narrative.
- What are some parallels between the fictionalized events in the book and real issues in today's adoption systems?
- How does the author use literary devices to heighten the emotional impact of the story?
Authors:
Lisa Wingate
ISBN: 9780425284681
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2019-05-21
ISBN: 9780425284681
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published Date: 2019-05-21
Elderflower Spritz
A refreshing, sparkling beverage that combines the floral sweetness of elderflower with the zest of lemon, making it the perfect accompaniment to light pastries and afternoon reads.
Ingredients
- 2 oz elderflower cordial
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz sparkling water
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
- Mint leaves, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Add the elderflower cordial and lemon juice.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh mint leaves.