John Winters - The Little Black Dress and the Sons of Thunder: Recipes On Life and Food

Copyright 2011, John A. Winters

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

ISBN: 978-1-93782-909-4

O ne would think the title of this book alone would suffice as a dedication. One would be wrong if they had their own Little Black Dress.

And so, to my Little Black Dress and our Sons of Thunder, thanks for all the times past and the times to come.

I live in Juneau, Alaska and started following John Winters weekly columns after he left Alaska and headed to Nebraska. I missed the weekly column when he moved on but found him again when he started a blog, Just Flip the Dog. I love how he looks at life and his family. I will be reading his blog and am laughing so hard my husband wonders what I found so funny. Then he too is laughing on Johns take of life as well. He has also written blogs about those sad times his family experiences and I have found them very touching. The columns dealing with the loss of his mother-in-law and father-in-law are wonderful. But when Johns middle son was gravely ill last year and he wrote a series of blogs called Fighting the Bug it was there and then that I knew my advice to write a book was well suited. I have let him know for some time he has a book he needs to write. And now here it is.

Patsy Dewitt

Alaska, California, Washington, D.C.

With wit and wisdom, John Winters entertains the reader by making ordinary life experiences extraordinary. He is a gifted writer who can make you smile, laugh, or even shed a tear as you relate his vivid descriptions of his life to your own.

Betsy Perry

Alabama, Georgia

We always look forward to John Winters stories, because we can always relate and are always guaranteed a great laugh!

Jed and Sara Kathryn Wible

Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina

Im glad that John Winters left his newspaper career of over 24 years so that he can concentrate on writing books for our enjoyment. As you read this book you will become aware of the authors sense of humor, faith and love for his family (and oh yes, some great recipes too).

Carol Sanders

Oklahoma

John Winters has a rare and unique gift of transcending your mind to the event or moment he describes. Whether it is camping, cooking or dancing with the LBD, you are there with them in the moment. And it is indeed an unforgettable moment.

Woody and Beth Tripp

Georgia, Virginia

W hen John Winters told me he was getting ready to release his latest book, The Little Black Dress and the Sons of Thunder, I was thrilled to say the least. A lot of people have waited for this particular book, including me.

In our conversation, he also said he was not planning on having anyone write a foreword. But I couldnt help but reiterate the purpose of the foreword is to help the reader better understand the author and his book, as well as sell you on it. It also is written by a high profile person in the authors target market and in my opinion, was much needed.

I emphatically assured him that a foreword was quite necessary and frankly, the more I thought about it, it only seemed appropriate I should write it. So I told him so. He again said that he didnt see the need for a high profile person because the book was written for everyday-type people.

Once again, I told him that made me the perfect choice; I am not a high-profile person, but an average Joe thats me.

Looking back I am not sure John Winters ever officially asked me to write the foreword or not. But then again, maybe he did? Well, what really matters is that you are reading this, so I must have made the cut.

I wanted to be the one to tell you how outstanding this author is because I have known John Winters for more than 30 years and I really like the guy. I know his wife, the Little Black Dress, very well. His three Sons of Thunder are very dear to me. I havent always been around him during those 30 years, but I know him as well as anyone.

I know his passions and his pains, his successes and his great disappointments. Ive known about his dreams, the ones already fulfilled and the ones yet to come a sailboat, an old pickup, and a beautiful king salmon on a fly rod once again.

Winters spent 24 years in the newspaper business. It was in his blood as they say. It was what he loved. He started writing a weekly column more than 10 years ago. Friends, acquaintances and even strangers would say John Winters should write a book. I agreed and encouraged others to tell him that. The Dresss parents were among his biggest fans and were always encouraging him to write that first book. We all saw his talent and wanted him to share it with a bigger audience. So almost every time I saw him, I too encouraged him to write.

It seemed like forever, but in 2010, Winters finally wrote his first book, Everyone Needs A Sam. Its a powerful piece of work that focuses on mentors why we need them, and the biblical command to seek guidance and wisdom from others. I encourage you to add it to your reading list. I know you will be blessed by it.

This book you hold in your hands is his latest endeavor, and it takes a completely different angle. As you read The Little Black Dress and the Sons of Thunder, it is as though you are looking through a window into Winters life for a short moment in time. It is a life that looks much like yours and mine.

Faith, family, friends, trials and triumphs are the muses of his writings. What was ordinary becomes extraordinary and alive in 3D you just dont need the glasses. Winters engages the reader to want more and think about life in new ways. The journey is universal and the stories and recipes for life apply to all of us.

One of the things I know The Dress loves most of all is the sound of Winters typing away, because that means he is pursuing his passion and is in his element. Winters makes words come to life in his books and blogs, which allow us to step back from our busy life and enjoy being transcended, even if it is just for a brief moment, to a place of laughter and contemplation. Words seem to flow off the page for Winters and I assure you he has many more books in him just waiting for pen to hit paper.

Its always a treat to read the latest account of some (extra)ordinary day in the life of this man, the LBD and the Sons. And you will certainly enjoy those wise words that always seem to unexpectedly pop up.

I am confident you will see and experience things you didnt think about before, or at least in a different way. Winters has a way of taking the mundane things of life and making them unforgettable. He makes us laugh, reflect and relate to the world around us in a unique way. He reminds us that it is about the journey, not the destination.

His dry wit has found a place to shine in the stories of squirrels, multiplying pillows, old trucks, talking animals, growing up, growing old and yes, even dying. I promise you will be inspired and moved. Hes lucky he has the Little Black Dress and the Sons of Thunder to provide countless ideas and story lines. Frankly, from my perspective, they are blessed to have each other.

There is no doubt that Winters and The Dress believe the kitchen is a central part of every home. The recipes you will find in this book are from their hearts and their home. They believe that cooking together is a way to love and serve one another. But best of all, it is a perfect way to spend quality time together while creating unforgettable meals and memories. Oh, and of course to create future master chefs as well. You will find that great stories tag along with each recipe, each a celebration of food, family and friends.