365 FAMILY DINNERS AND DEVOTIONS - Kathleen Y'Barbo - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’m thrilled to once again feature one of my dearest friends, Kathleen Y’Barbo (Turner). This is the first nonfiction book of hers I’ve featured. It looks very useful—family recipes and devotions. Everybody needs both.

Welcome, Kathleen. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

That I love Jesus and my husband and I’m very glad to be back home in Texas after a six-year stint living north of the Red River.

Tell us about your family.

I have a fabulous blended family. My husband and I have a combined eleven grown kids—four mine and seven his—made up of eight boys and three girls. Add to that our ten grandchildren and you can see why the first devotional of the book is dedicated to them:      Defining Family

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. James 1:17 kjv

Family is a big word and difficult to define. Some would say family consists exclusively of those who are biologically connected. Others say it includes all those we call our loved ones, regardless of blood bond. We call those who live by faith in God “the family of God.” However we define family, we should cherish those God has placed in our lives. They are among His greatest gifts.

Sunday Brunch Casserole
½ pound sliced bacon
½ cup onion, chopped
½ cup green pepper, chopped
1 dozen eggs
1 cup milk
16 ounces frozen hash browns, thawed
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Remove bacon from pan with slotted spoon. Crumble bacon and set aside. In bacon drippings, sauté onion and green pepper until tender; remove with slotted spoon. Beat eggs and milk in large bowl; stir in hash browns, cheese, salt and pepper, onion, green pepper, and bacon. Place in greased baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.

Looks yummy. I’ll have to leave out the bacon, but I’m going to try this one. Have you written other nonfiction books?

Yes, I have co-written two nonfiction books with bestselling author Janice Thompson. The House is Quiet, Now What do I Do gives hope for those who are struggling with empty nest, and I Know I’m Not Alone, Lord takes on the tough topic, divorce.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

I am on track to complete The Princess of Polecat Creek, a historical romance novella set in 1880s Texas, by the end of this month. Then I start on A Gift in Secret, another historical novella—this one set in 1880s New Orleans—that is due in December.

We need to schedule both of those books on the blog. What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I love reading and cooking—but not at the same time! I also enjoy long drives with the top down on my Mini and my hubby behind the wheel. Yes. Tall guys can drive Mini Coopers! Some days, however, my favorite leisure activity is curling up on the sofa and bing watching Food Network or HGTV. I also love watching college football, specifically my beloved Texas Aggies!

I’ve become addicted to some of the Food Network and HCTV shows. I watch them while I do my boring physical-therapy exercises. Why did you write the featured book?

Kelly McIntosh, my editor at Barbour Publishing, asked if I might be interested in writing 365 daily devotionals for a cookbook they had in the works. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to pair Jesus and a good recipe!

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

Each devotional is meant to be read as a family, either before meals or in devotions time. I would love for the reader to be drawn in to a deeper faith as he or she reads these devotions, or at least to find some hope in each day’s words.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

I have been asked if I wrote the recipes, too. The answer is I did not. Barbour Publishing provided those. However, I did my best to pair my devotions with their recipes. I hope the reader will enjoy both.

Wow. I'd love to do something like that. Please give us the first page or two from the book.

Here’s a sample recipe and devotion from the book:

January 3

Are You Interruptible?

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:18–20 niv

How many interruptions do you have in your daily life? If you have a family, the answer is probably plenty! How many times do you think you will complete a task only to find you’re being asked to do something else? That can be frustrating, can’t it? What would you do if Jesus turned your entire world upside down and changed every plan you’ve made? That’s what Jesus did with Simon and Peter. Do you think these brothers were interruptible? Of course they were, and look what happened! Consider this: Are you?

Bacon and Tomato Dip

½ pound bacon

3 small tomatoes, quartered and seeded

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3 teaspoons prepared mustard

¼ teaspoon hot sauce

1½ cups almonds

3 tablespoons minced green onions

In large skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Drain, crumble, and set aside. In food processor basket, combine tomatoes, cream cheese, mustard, and hot sauce. Add the almonds, onions, and bacon. Blend until almonds are chopped. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to blend flavors. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?  

Website: www.kathleenybarbo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kathleenybarbo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/kathleenybarbo

Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/kathleenybarbo

Thank you, Kathleen, for sharing this book with me and my readers. I know a lot of them will want one. It would make a good Christmas gift or wedding gift.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

365 Family Dinners and Devotions Cookbook - Christianbook.com
365 Family Dinners and Devotions Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Family, and Faith - Amazon

Comments conversation starter question: Do you use cookbooks for new recipes? Do you collect cookbooks?

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