Kindle Giveaway

Is it cold today in your neck of the woods? I had to put on boots and a wool cape to walk the dogs this morning--and I saw frost on the pumpkins. Today I'm cooking pinto beans, Dr. Dirty's favorite, but I'm making them in the Crockpot (for the very first time--not sure how this will end).

I hosted a Kindle contest over at Piper Maitland's blog, and Foley was the winner. There were only three entries, so Kathleen (Cuisine Kathleen) and Mary (Home is Where the Boat Is) will be receiving some culinary goodies from me and Piper.

A few of you have not responded to the Teeny contest. Kitchen Witch, Jane, and Lynne's Gifts from the Heart. Just email your address, and I'll mail your prizes, ladies. Email teenytempleton@gmail.com


I'm hosting another Kindle giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of Acquainted With the Night, a novel that reviewer Harriet Klauser called "an action-packed Brownian," as in DaVinci Code, Dan Brownian (but with vampires). It's very different from the Teeny books. Just saying. In this novel, I pulled from my nursing background to focus on the science of vampirism.  Of course, there's a mystery, too, and a quest (to find pages from an 8th century manuscript.

Back in the winter of 2008, I'd just finished a book tour. I was just about to quit writing for good. So I decided I would write one last book, a book I'd always wanted to write, something very different from my Southern wacky stuff. Somehow, in a way I don't understand, AWTN restored my joy in writing.

Anyway, if you'd like to enter the contest, just click on the "like" button on the Amazon product page, then leave a comment to let me know so I can enter your name into the contest. The drawing will end November 15th. I will be hosting drawings in November and December so you'll have several chances to win! Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Acquainted-Night-Piper-Maitland/dp/042524363X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320157209&sr=8-1

Zap, my newly-diagnosed diabetic Yorkie, is doing some better, but he has a long road ahead of him. The vet had to raise the insulin to 3 units (twice daily). We just can't seem to get Zap's sugar down. I have made dog food and dog treats, all from great diabetic doggie recipes. So far, I've made chicken-and broccoli, stew, more chicken, and a meatloaf for the humans, and one for all of the dogs (ground turkey, chopped carrots, broccoli, parsley; egg), and that was a hit. The diabetic dog cookies were also a big hit. I give Zap a midnight snack of lo-fat cottage cheese and turkey when the insulin peaks, to prevent his blood sugar from crashing.

I have found another recipe that calls for ground brown rice flour. I'm worried about Zap. As a former RN, I should know all of this stuff, right? I don't know anything. But I am going to try my best to learn for Zap's sake. I'm reading Sugarbabies right now, a great guide to canine diabetes. I still feel lost, though. Right now, at my husband's suggestion, I'm measuring Z's food. I'm trying to make sure he gets the same amount of exercise each day. At this stage, we're just trying to find the "sweet spot" for his insulin dosage. If I feed him too much, or foods that are high on the glycemic index, I can cause the little guy major problems. I've been hearing horror stories about insulin comas, so I bought a bottle of Karo syrup. I'm hoping I never have to open it.

Thanks so much for all of your warm wishes for Zap on Foodie Friday! I am grateful for your stories about your diabetic pets. If you have any recipes, please let me know! XX00