Kathy Harris's Blog, page 11
September 30, 2021
Chocolate Gravy
PrintChocolate GravyNever heard of chocolate gravy? You're in for a treat! Serve over hot biscuits! Servings 6Ingredients1/2 cup all-purpose flour1 1/2 cups sugar1/2 cup cocoa powder3/4 stick butter3 cups milk2 tsp vanillaInstructionsCombine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.Melt butter in a saucepan or skillet. Add about two tablespoons of dry ingredients to skillet. Add a small amount of milk. Stir until smooth. Continue alternating dry ingredients and milk, stirring to incorporate, until you've added everything.Once you've incorporated all of the dry ingredients milk into a smooth liquid, cook to boiling, stirring continually. Once your liquid has thickened to a gravy consistency, take off the heat and stir in vanilla.Serve immediately over hot biscuits.Enjoy!NotesServe hot biscuits and chocolate gravy at breakfast, brunch or as a dessert!
(Almost) No Fail Biscuits
PrintUna's (Almost) No Fail BiscuitsThis recipe from Dixie's Aunt Una may be the easiest biscuit you'll ever run across. But, take it from Dixie, they're good!Course Breakfast, Side DishCuisine AmericanKeyword biscuits,Servings 10Ingredients1 cup self-rising flour1/2 cup vegetable shortening You may need a bit more of the shortening. Use up to 2/3 cup total to get the desired dough consistency. 1 cup milkInstructionsMix all together. NOTE: You don’t need to cut the shortening into the flour first. Generously sprinkle dough board with additional flour. Knead dough until slightly stiff. Roll out to about 1” thick and cut into circles. Bake at 400 degrees on a greased baking sheet. Serve warm. Enjoy!NotesUna always used Crisco when making these biscuits. But you can use one of the new organic veggie shortenings, such as Spectrum.SERVING TIP: Top your hot biscuits with Chocolate Gravy (as shown). Check out Dixie's recipe for Chocolate Gravy hereNutritionServing: 2biscuits
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Chocolate Gravy Una's (Almost) No Fail Biscuits
Dixie’s Famous Fruit Tea
September 29, 2021
Famous Fruit Tea
PrintDixie’s Famous Fruit Tea
A refreshing and unique take on fruit tea—with real fruit juice for extra nutrition.
This tea is perfect to keep on hand for unexpected guests on a warm summer day.Course DrinksCuisine AmericanKeyword fruit tea, papaya juice, iced teaPrep Time 15 minutesTotal Time 15 minutesServings 8Ingredients1 qt brewed black tea, sweetened to taste2/3 cup Lakewood Organic Papaya Blend2/3 cup No-pulp orange juiceFresh limesInstructionsBrew black tea and sweeten to taste. Discard tea bags. Serve over ice with a squeeze of lime wedge in each glass. Add Papaya Blend and orange juice. Stir. Garnish with lime slices. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!NotesPapaya juice is Dixie's secret ingredient in this tea, but don't forget to add the lime. It adds the zing! NutritionServing: 8oz
September 28, 2021
Michael Feighan ~ Someone Prayed
Christian singer-drummer-songwriter Michael Feighan transitions from metal into the contemporary rock genre with the release of his first solo album. The new project, Someone Prayed, offers a message of hope and redemption.
Michael Feighan’s high profile music career began as a drummer with the band Whitecross, which took him across the United States, South America and Europe and included winning a series of Gospel Music Association Dove awards. Later, Michael played with the band Curious Fools, as well as with Oz Fox of Stryper, Guardian, B. J. Thomas and others. Because of Michael’s quiet, unassuming personality, he was most comfortable behind the drums and singing backup vocals until encouragement from a special mentor in his church helped him to step out of his comfort zone and go solo.
Michael, his wife, Christie, and their daughter, Tatiana, live in Texas.
. . . . .
What started you on your musical journey ?
I started my musical journey at around fifteen years old while listening to tapes my dad had of the group Kiss and Rod Stewart. I felt a pull in that direction and a desire to go down this road of music. Both of my parents were big music lovers, even though they were not musicians, but music was a big part of their life and it became a part of mine.
Our Heavenly Father often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced one of those “Divine Detours” in your career?
I have definitely experienced a Divine Detour from our Heavenly Father!! Last year, right before the world turned upside down with Covid, I had a friend that wanted to help me with my first solo project, but I was just too busy to devote the time needed. There was no way I could stop my current work at that time and devote my focus on a solo project. Well, once Covid hit, most of my work was cancelled and as a full-time musician this was pretty scary.
However, God had other plans. I decided this was the perfect time to jump into this solo thing with both feet. God has blessed me so much with the people He brought into my life for this project. It’s just mind boggling to me. Now, I have released my first single, “I Still Believe,” from my debut EP. Absolutely, all glory to God, as there’s no way this could have happened without this Divine Detour.
Let’s talk about your new EP, Someone Prayed (October 2021). Please tell us about it.
My new EP, Someone Prayed, is something I’m so proud of and very excited for it to be released on October 15. I was so blessed to have some brilliant songwriters who love Jesus and co-wrote on this with me. My songs were all written from personal experiences.
There are songs about the adoption of my daughter from Russia, and the healing of my wife who went through a very difficult time. There is also a Christian patriotic song on this EP. A friend who helped me get this whole project going, asked if I would consider writing a patriotic song because our country was in such need of God and encouragement. The production came out so wonderful, and with players like Matt and Gregg Bissonette who I have been a fan of for so long, you can’t go wrong. I want these songs to be a blessing to those who hear them and to give them hope in a God Who loves us more than we could ever imagine.
Your song Someone Prayed—and the related ministry—has an incredible message. What led you to write the song?
For the song “Someone Prayed,” my old band mate from Whitecross, Butch Dillon, who is also a great producer and songwriter, brought the idea to me. It was a very small snippet of the song but I could feel the heart in it. I had an idea for the chorus, so we got to work and it came out just beautiful. I think this is a song anyone can relate to, because someone, somewhere is praying for you.
A few fun questions…
What is your favorite comfort food and why?
My favorite comfort food would probably be pizza. My wife and I try to eat pretty healthy, but if I’m going to have something not on the healthy diet, it’s probably pizza.
What Bible passage or story best describes your journey of faith?
It’s difficult to pick one, but the Bible passage that best describes my journey of faith would definitely be 1 Peter 5:6,7, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
This is big for me because so many times I have to cast my care onto Him. I also think Galatians 3:13 is another big one as well, because it says Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and when you look at the curse and what He has redeemed us from it’s pretty amazing!
Isaiah 53:4,5 is a huge one for me. By His stripes we are healed!
In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?
LOL, this question I had to really ponder, but I think I am a bit of all of these. I am the tall dark stranger at times, but I can also be the romantic lead and mythical warrior. The mad scientist I’m not sure about, except maybe when I’m in writing and music mode. And, yes, the child in the adult’s body applies because I don’t want to grow up.
I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.
I’m also a dog lover. Dogs are amazing and they just seem to love you unconditionally. My favorite pet was a King Charles cocker spaniel. I’m more of a big dog person, but my wife is not, so we settled on adopting the small cocker spaniel. He was such an amazing dog and brought such joy to our lives. I miss that dude!
Thanks, Michael! It’s great to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to be part of Divine Detour. Blessings!!
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For more information about Michael visit his website and/or follow him on Facebook or Instagram. To purchase Someone Prayed, visit his website store, Amazon or Apple Music.
August 31, 2021
SQuire Rushnell and Louse DuArt ~ Dogwinks
SQuire Rushnell (yes, that’s a capital Q) is a New York Times best selling author and the creator of the popular Godwinks(c) series. Four books in the series were co-authored with his wife, Louise DuArt.
SQuire and Louise also co-wrote Couples Who Pray and The 40 Day Prayer Challenge. But I was blessed this week to interview both SQuire and Louise about their new Dogwinks book.
Enjoy!
Has God ever blessed you with an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be the better path?
Louise – Absolutely! We’ve had so many, but I must say my favorite detour was when SQuire had a business trip in Canada. He had planned to take his brain injured son with him for some fun activities.
At the last minute the Canadian meeting was unexpectedly postponed. However, that opened the door for a Divinely Aligned Godwink … a detour.
Now forced to stay in NYC, SQuire searched the newspaper for something to do with his son.
Under Broadway shows, he came across a familiar name. Louise DuArt. I was performing in a show called “Dream Stuff.”
You see, years before, SQuire was VP of Children’s Television for ABC and gave me my first TV series called “The Krofft Supershow” which began my career in television.
We hadn’t seen each other in years and had no idea that we were both single.
When we saw each other in the lobby of the theatre after the performance, our hearts skipped a beat. He invited me for coffee and we’ve had coffee every day since! We’ve been married over 20 years.
But wait… here’s the Godwink… SQuire’s mysteriously canceled meeting … detouring his trip to Canada… was perfectly aligned with the last performance of the Broadway show. A day later, would have been too late. That’s the grace of God found in Godwinks & Divine Alignment.
SQuire (adds) – We describe that term “Divine Alignment” as those moments when you find yourself at “the right place and the right moment for God’s will to be done”; you meet the girl or guy of your dreams or, perhaps, someone who opens a door to your career. Whenever those paths connect, there always seems to be a Godwink.
Let’s talk about your new book, Dogwinks: True Godwink Stories of Dogs and the Blessings They Bring (Howard Books, May 2021). Please tell us about it.
SQuire – At the center of each true inspirational tale is a dog whose actions show the reader how God uses pups to work in wondrous ways. We call those moments Godwink/dogwinks … sweet messages of comfort and encouragement. There are 20 stories in “Dogwinks” that illustrate the amazing roles of our furry friends to bring joy and miracles just when we need it.
What brought about the idea for this particular book and how did you go about collecting the stories?
Louise – It was during our daily prayer time. We had this overwhelming feeling that God wanted us to do a book about dogs! We realized that dogs have many of the qualities that mirror who HE is. They are faithful companions, they love us unconditionally, they are protective and courageous, they always want to be near us and hang on our every word.
SQuire (adds) – As with each of our 12 books, the moment we start writing God just divinely aligns us with the perfect stories for that particular title.
Your concept of Godwink ‘mapping’ reminds me a lot of ‘Divine detours.’ How should someone go about ‘mapping’ his or her life experiences in search of past Godwinks? What do you believe is the value in doing so?
SQuire – This concept began with urging our readers to take an archeological dig into their own pasts, uncovering the most significant crossroads of their lives; an uprooting geographical move; the time you met your spouse; when you lost, or gained a member of your family; etc. Our premise is that each crossroad probably had Signs of Hope that you missed … Godwinks of encouragement. Once you see that there have been Godwinks all along your paths, you’ll expectantly look for them in the future. We call this “mapping” your Godwinks.
A few fun questions…
When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?
Louise – Being of Italian heritage, I love to cook and we both love pasta! I make a tasty dish called Pasta Primavera. We feel less guilty since it has a lot of fresh vegetables that off-set the calories.
SQuire (adds) – My job is to enjoy everything my wonderful wife places in front of me. I do it well.
Stories and/or parables are an integral part of both the Old and New Testaments. Is there a Bible story, parable or passage that has been particularly important to you and/or describes your personal journey of faith?
Louise – We have traveled many diverse paths over the years. Sometimes we’ve felt like we were on a Holy Roller coaster ride hanging on for dear life!
There are two scriptures that have been a handrail for us during the good times and the challenging times.
Proverbs 3:6 “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”Romans 8:28 “ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”SQuire, in the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?
I’ve never cast myself as the romantic lead nor mad scientist. But “child-like” is an epithet I wear like a Boy Scout badge. Of course you can say that I once ran ABC “Kidvid”… but this scene better describes that notion: Lunch with two friends, Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) and Joe Barbera (Hanna Barbera) always brought us to the realization that we were grown men with the heart of a little boy.
Louise, in the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?
I am definitely the little girl trying to walk in high heels! I was a geeky kid who was never comfortable in my own skin. I actually became an impressionist so I could morf into other people. I had a lot more confidence as Cher, Barbra Streisand or Judge Judy!
You write about dogs in the new book. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.
Louise – I always had a lot of pets…hamsters, horned toads, guinea pigs, bunnies. But my favorite was my dog Spotty. There’s a Godwink story about my personal dogwink/divine alignment with Spotty in the “Dogwinks” book.
SQuire – My first dog Tippy was a cute mutt who joyfully jumped into the fray of three brothers rolling around on the floor. Tippy was also my companion and protector when, at age ten, my paper route was cold, dark and scary after winter sunsets.
Thank you, SQuire and Louise)! It’s great to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.
Thanks much. Wishes for wondrous Godwinks … and dogwinks!
SQuire Rushnell & Louise DuArt Rushnell
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For more information about SQuire and Louise, visit their website and follow SQuire on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
To purchase Dogwinks, log on to the Godwinks webstore or the following online retail outlets.
August 17, 2021
John Gray ~ Chasing Manhattan
John Gray is a writer and media personality in the Capital Region of New York. An anchor and reporter for more than twenty-five years, he can be seen weekdays on WTEN News10ABC and FOX23.
He has earned numerous honors for his television work and writing, including a prestigious Emmy Award and a “Columnist of the Year” honor from both the Associated Press and New York News Publishers Association.
He is the author of three successful children’s books and last year’s bestseller, Manchester Christmas, along with its new sequel, Chasing Manhattan. John lives in upstate New York with his wife and five puppies (three of whom are special needs dogs).
. . .
What started your writing journey, journalistic or otherwise?
I started writing short stories when I was only ten, but didn’t get serious about my writing until after college.
Just as all good novels include a plot twist, the Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?
Most definitely. My very first book was a children’s book I wrote after the death of my puppy. It helped me heal so I found a publisher and helped others. I always planned to write a book of some kind someday, but “someday” never happened until that life event of losing that little dog. It was as if God was saying, “Enough delay, time to use the gift I gave you.”
How does your personal faith play into your writing?
My love of God and His Son is inescapable for me. Even if I try to write something secular, God finds His way into my words. Every story I write has a moral compass that drives it and even the characters who might think they don’t believe in God or have much faith, display it just the same. It’s in our DNA.
Let’s talk about your new book, Chasing Manhattan (Paraclete Press, August 2021). It has all of the elements of a great read: adventure romance, kindness, mystery and a canine companion. Please tell us more about it.
My main character Chase is a hero who is always searching to help others and God or people on the other side always find a way to help her. In the first novel it was visions in a church window, in this novel the messages come to her in a unique way as well. What makes Chase wonderful is she never thinks of herself first and she is open to taking God’s guidance and using it to help those around her, often strangers. She also loves romance and adventure, which she has no shortage of.
A few fun questions…
When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?
It doesn’t sound very interesting but I love a fresh bagel with light butter and raspberry jelly. Give me that and I’m ready to write.
This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?
All my siblings have other talents like music, in fact my one brother has been recorded and plays in bands. I always wish I’d learned the piano as a child but for me, my “keys” are on the laptop.
In the story that is your life, are you the tall, dark stranger; the romantic lead; the mythical warrior; the mad scientist; or the child in an adult’s body?
I’m the stranger who tries to stay on the edges and see everything before speaking or acting. I try to see what is lacking and provide it, if I can. They say it’s hard to do the right thing. That’s not true. It’s hard always knowing the right thing to do, but once you know, it’s hard not to do it.
Thanks, John! It’s great to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.
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For more information about John, visit his website or follow him on Facebook.
To purchase Chasing Manhattan, log on to:
August 3, 2021
Carla Laureano ~ Back to the Beginning
Back to the Beginning: Embracing Your Future by Starting with the Past
by Carla Laureano
I’ve always been a “no regrets” sort of person. “What’s done is done,” “what’s past is past”—you name the clichéd saying and I’ve probably repeated it, with varying degrees of belief. After all, what use is dwelling on something that can’t be changed? The only thing we’re able to control in life is how we choose to go forward. At least that’s what I once believed. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized how much past hurts—whether they were my own doing or someone else’s—lingered. They affected how I approached the future, as well as how I felt about myself and other people. I might say I had moved on, but it was closer to pretending I didn’t notice the baggage I dragged along behind me: simply ignoring it didn’t make it go away.
The protagonist of my newest novel, Provenance, approaches life in much the same way; her baggage is just harder to ignore. Abandoned at the age of five and raised in a string of foster homes — some good, some bad — Kendall Green thinks that the key to a happy life is simply moving forward, proving that she doesn’t need anyone else for success. It’s not until she learns she’s inherited property from a grandmother she never knew that she’s forced to deal with the mystery of her own past and how it has affected every aspect of her life.
But as Kendall soon learns, it’s not enough to just accept the bad things that happened in the past. It’s only by understanding how those things shaped her, made her stronger, gave her a unique outlook on life, that she can put them to rest and truly move on. For Christians, the process is even more meaningful: seeing how God has worked through the trials, disappointments, and tragedies for our good is what brings true redemption of our circumstances and allows us to release both fear and regret.
It is only when we can accept and embrace all the circumstances of our past — good and bad — that we can truly embrace our future . . . and step into the powerful and redemptive life that God intends for His children.
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Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary romance and Celtic fantasy. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked in sales and marketing for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband, two sons and an opinionated cat named Willow.
For more information about Carla, visit her website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.
To purchase Provenance, log on to:
July 20, 2021
Releasing in October ~ Deadly Connection
Are you ready for more Nashville-based suspense?
Hannah and Jake’s story is set in the darkest side of Nashville, a place that exists in every metropolitan area and small town in America … a place of ultimate betrayal, implacable greed and cold-hearted indifference. Read more about it here …
NASHVILLE — After fending off a would-be abductor, twenty-seven-year-old singer-songwriter Hannah Cassidy hides behind a car in the half-empty parking lot behind Pancake Pantry. She watches in horror as her attacker grabs another woman and pushes her into a nearby car. Within seconds, the vehicle speeds away.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Jake Matheson may have planned a quiet day off and a date with Shannon Bridges, but soon after pulling into a parking space on 21st Avenue South, he hears a woman scream. Jake races to the back of the building and finds Hannah, bent forward and gasping for breath.
Thrown together by uncanny circumstances and driven by the whys and what ifs of secrets yet to be revealed, Jake and Hannah set out to piece together the connection between them. Will they make that connection in time, or will it prove to be deadly?
Deadly Connection, Book Two in The Deadly Secrets series, releases October 12. Pre-order it now!
