Paperback: 146 pages
Publisher: Book Publishers Network; 1st edition (September 25, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1935359193
ISBN-13: 978-1935359197

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Strictly Sundays: This Dad and Grandpa knows the way to his family’s heart…

According to a recent study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the family dinner is linked to everything from better grades to teen use of alcohol. Compared to teens who had five to seven family dinners per week, those who had fewer than three meals with their family were one and a half times more likely to have mostly C’s or lower grades in school.

Joe Fitzpatrick knows the value of family dinners, because that’s a long-standing tradition in his household. Unlike most men, however, he doesn’t leave the cooking to his wife, Vickie. Every Sunday, Joe gets out the pots and pans and serves up a special meal.

Family members rarely miss this weekly grand event, and word about the Blue Collar Gourmet has gotten around the neighborhood so friends are often also at the table. How did all this get started?
“Ever since I was a little boy, I enjoyed helping my mother cook. She made it fun and I learned a lot,” says Joe.

Even when he caused a slight mishap in the kitchen, his mom didn’t scold: She had asked him to put more dinner rolls in the oven and her obedient 10-year-old proceeded to place the plastic bag of rolls on a cookie sheet in the 350-degree oven. This was in the days before smoke alarms so it was about 10 minutes later before everyone noticed the horrible smell coming from the kitchen where the plastic had melted all over the rolls and the cookie sheet.

Later, as a bachelor, Joe’s roommates benefited by his culinary skills and once he married and started a family, he still considered mealtimes extra-special. “When I owned a business in the 1980s, I fell into the same trap so many busy families
do. Meals are not always on schedule, family members are rushing here and there, and I think a lot of valuable communication time is lost. I told my wife I wanted to take her out to dinner every Saturday night so we could have that time together.” And so they did.

When the business went away, so did the money, but Joe and Vickie still enjoyed good food. Instead of going out, they subscribed to Bon Appétit magazine and Joe started preparing gourmet meals on Saturdays. As the kids got older, they asked, “How come we can’t have one of your special meals on Sundays?” What better way to stay connected as a family. Joe began to experiment with both new and traditional dinners. He got rave reviews every time.

One day not long ago, daughter Angela asked for Joe’s Caesar Salad recipe, and he said, “I just do it – I don’t write anything down.” After he wrote it down and gave it to her, she said, “Dad, why don’t you write a cookbook dedicated to Sunday dinners?”

That’s how Strictly Sundays, recently published by Book Publishers Network, came about. From appetizers such as Spicy Shrimp to hearty favorites like Beef Bourguignon, the book is filled with simple but delectable fare, with mouth-watering photographs by Steven Potter.

You will enjoy trying recipes from this delicious, easy to follow, wholesome recipe book, everything from appetizers,salads, soups, main dishes, side dishes, and even salsa’s. Each recipe includes easy to follow directions, ingredients that are already in most pantry’s, and most importantly family meals to satisfy every taste bud! The photography is deliciously eye catching thanks to Steven Potter

I have to agree with the author, family meal time is very important. I’m so thankful I grew up in a family that treasured dinner time together daily. Some of my best childhood memories were around the kitchen table. 

Every Sunday he cooks for his family and he has become known as “The Blue Collar Gourmet”.

About the Author..

Joe Fitzpatrick is the only real estate agent who also holds membership in the Washington Trucking Association. Trying unique combination’s, whether at work or in the kitchen, comes naturally to Joe with wondrous results. He has tested his culinary skills on the world’s toughest critics–his family. Still they beg for more! Joe continues to cook on Sundays for his high school sweetie, Vickie, their three children, and their grandchildren. He has lived all his life in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, loves to golf, but has greater success puttering in the kitchen.

A Special Thanks goes out to both Barbara and Joe along with for the opportunity to Review this mouth-watering cookbook!

Barbara has generously offered one Lucky Frugal Plus Reader the Chance to Win a Copy of this Tasty Cookbook!

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This Giveaway will end Thursday, December 17, 2009.

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Logo/Images Courtesy of Bostick Communications,©2009 Joe Fitzpatrick, newhouseofart.com