Cooking with Love

About the Book

Cooking with Love is a collection of recipes that I have made over the past forty years of experimenting and cooking for family and friends. Webster Dictionary gives the meaning of love as “great interest and pleasure in something.” Cooking brings me great joy and pleasure that I desire to share with all. When I see people taste or eat the food that I have labored over in love, I watch for their expression and enjoyment, knowing the food that I have prepared is good for the soul. The feeling I experience upon observing is one of warmth and is treasured in my heart. For fun, I asked my husband, Charles, what is his meaning of love, and he replied, “Willie.” I just laughed, for he summed up the essence of this cookbook. It’s me giving you a piece of my experiences, memories, and joy—all in a dish of food. Enjoy.

About the Author

Willie Holton Halbert has resided in the Bloomington–Normal area of Illinois for over forty years and has committed her life to helping others. She is an activist and works in the community and the world, making a positive difference in the lives of others. She believes that God has blessed her to bless others. When you give, your life will be blessed, and that is the true secret to success. She shares her passion for exceeding goals through motivational speaking, training, mentoring, volunteering within communities, providing workshops to youth and adults, and helping and inspiring others to see from her life experiences that you can exceed your goals. Willie is married to Charles G. Halbert (forty-three years) and has two children, Mary (age forty-two) and Collyssa (age twenty). One daughter, Elizabeth Halbert-Edward (deceased in 2005), was a former attorney and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Willie is also the author of two motivational books: Precious Treasures and Seasons of Our Lives. She is currently a real estate licensed broker, working as an office manager, assistant to Al Legg at Re/Max Choice in Bloomington, Illinois. Willie retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections in December 2002 at the age of forty-eight. Her goal was to retire prior to turning fifty. But her dad placed a blessing on her life from the age of fifteen, saying, “Willie, you have a special gift of God, and you will always have a job as long as you desire to work.” So everywhere she volunteers to help, they offer her jobs. She smiles remembering her daddy’s words. Willie Holton Halbert graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor degree in criminal justice in 1976. Willie volunteers throughout her community through her church at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Not In Our Town, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. In 2005, she was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award by the city of Bloomington, Illinois. Willie shares, “It is my goal to inspire and to challenge myself and others to exceed our goals through the use of our time, talents, and treasures. As we exceed—share and help others with our overflow. Writing books is just another way to spread the good news and share the blessings of God.”