My Birthday Tomorrow

I hate surprises. Really. It probably stems back from some long ago incident where I was traumatized by a "surprise." Doesn't matter. What matters is the now, and the future.

Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, I have a new sewing machine. My Brother SE-400 (See it HERE) is one of the coolest machines in the "inexpensive" range for sewing/embroidery combo machines. Right now, I'm still at the stage of getting comfortable with the "normal" stitches, like basting, running, and blanket. Later, I'll play with the embroidery feature. Step by step is the plan.

Speaking of plans, I hope my readers will forgive a small delay in the release of Dire Wolves: Silence. Bloody characters won't shut up. I'm over 20K in words! This is insane. KK's going to kill me. I will finish. This story is too fun, but I won't just kill off the villain before the conclusion to give myself a shortcut. Please, forgive me?

Lena the Birthday Girl

Promo: Review - God's Wife

A Thank You to Chris at ChrisChatReviews! She said:

Ms. Austin takes her readers through the journey of political powers, murder, secrets, honour and nobility, to found love and joy, with breathless beauty and wonder.

THE GOD'S WIFE will transport you back in time.  You will swear you can touch their walls and feel the sand beneath your feet. You will feel the heat, in more ways than one.

I wanted to reach the end of THE GOD'S WIFE, but I do not want this to be the end.

Please, Ms. Austin, you will revisit Hatshepsut and Senmut?

If you love historic Egypt mixed with trickery, mysticism, and romance, you will love THE GOD'S WIFE.

Thanks to Chris and the requests of others, I've included (finally) writing The Heretic's Wife into my schedule. It may take me awhile, but I'll get there.

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.
Just Released: Man vs. Wild Book 3 in the Coyotes of Yellowstone

http://www.LenaAustin.com

Review of Flash Point by TRS

Woohoo!! Five hearts from TRS!! Thank you, Susan W!! How about I promise more from Amigos Construction Company?

Flash Point - Lena Austin

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/flashpointaustin.htm

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.
Just Released: Man vs. Wild Book 3 in the Coyotes of Yellowstone

http://www.LenaAustin.com

PROMO: Review of Holiday Howlz: Haulin' Hawg by Lena Austin

I'd like to thank Chrissy Dionne publicly for her lovely review of Holiday Howlz: Haulin' Hawg! Thanks for the Five Ribbons!

HOLIDAY HOWLZ: HAULIN' HAWG by Lena Austin http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/paranormal/Haulin_Hawg.shtml

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.
Just Released: Man vs. Wild Book 3 in the Coyotes of Yellowstone

http://www.LenaAustin.com

Two New Reviews!

http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/flashpointaustin.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/chrischatreviews/godswife.htm

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.
Just Released: Man vs. Wild Book 3 in the Coyotes of Yellowstone

http://www.LenaAustin.com

Website is Temporarily Down

My thanks go out to Cafee/Cathie who alerted me that my website, http://www.LenaAustin.com is down. Hard down with no host. Nothing. Zip, zilch, nada.

After a small screaming fit of pure panic, I took the advice of Marteeka Karland and went immediately to The Romance Studio and the marvelous Tina Pavlik. Thanks to Tina taking the initiative while I dealt with my family's ongoing financial crisis, Tina built me a new site.

Since I can't sing worth crap, and can't hold a tune in a bucket, I'll spare you my singing the praises of TRS and Tina. For about three seconds. La-la-la-la!!! Tina is my heroine, and from now on I am her devoted fan.

Creole Vegetables and Chicken

Creole Vegetables and Chicken

1 can (about 14 oz) diced tomatoes
8 oz frozen cut okra (optional)
2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped yellow onions
3/4 cup sliced celery
1 cup chicken broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
4-6 chicken thighs
1.5 tsp sugar substitute (Splenda)
3/8 tsp creole seasoning (I used Tony Chachere's)
Hot pepper sauce (Tabasco) to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Line the crock with a liner or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Put the chicken in the bottom, then layer the other ingredients as listed. Stir if desired, but not necessary. Cook on Low 6-8 hours.

Low Carb serving suggestion-- While this dish is fine on its own, you may saute zucchini and/or yellow squash medallions in butter and serve the chicken and sauce on top.

Regular serving suggestion-- serve over about 1 cup of hot cooked rice.

Pork Loin with Sherry and Red Onions

Pork Loin with Sherry and Red Onions

Note: I use and recommend using crock-pot liners. These handy bags prevent hours of soaking baked-on food from your crock.

3 lg red onions, chopped

1 sm yellow onion, chopped

2 T butter or margarine

2.5 lbs boneless pork loin, cut into chops

½ t salt

½ t black pepper

½ c cooking sherry

1 T dried parsley

Peel the onions and throw them into the food processor. Chop until in fine bits. Throw them in a frying pan with the butter and sauté on medium until soft.

In the meantime, put the liner in the crock, and add the pork. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and parsley over the pork. Add the softened onions, and then pour the sherry over the top. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours.

Serving suggestions:

Low carb—Don't worry about the seemingly huge amount of onion. It softens and sweetens with cooking and becomes quite delicious, even if you don't like onions. You may serve the pork over steamed winter vegetables if desired. 

Non-low-carb servings may include serving the pork and onion sauce over spinach noodles.

This recipe is easily doubled if you have a large crock-pot.

No nutrition data is available, but I estimate 7 carbs or less.

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.

Coming Soon: Man vs. Wild

http://www.LenaAustin.com

Lena's new quilt

Just a quick little brag.

I just had to share my new quilt. It was paper-pieced, and the pattern came from AllPeopleQuilt.com. It was the 2009 Calendar Quilt Free Pattern.

Lena Austin

"Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote.
Coming Soon: Man vs. Wild

http://www.LenaAustin.com