June 2009

Tues & Wed, June 9-10, 2009 – Summer Reading Tour – St. Martin Parish

by dlcasas on June 10, 2009

6-9-09 Dianne in front of castle backdrop

6-9-09 Dianne in front of castle backdrop

Friends:

The first part of our week was spent in St. Martin Parish, performing at the St. Martinville Library on Tuesday and then the Breaux Bridge Library on Wednesday. Their summer reading theme this year is “Once Upon A Time.” Other Louisiana Libraries are doing “Be Creative @ the Library!”

6-9-09 Dianne performing at the St. Martinville Library

6-9-09 Dianne performing at the St. Martinville Library

We had a fun, participatory crowd at the St. Martinville Library and had a great time!

6-9-09 St. Martinville Library Crowd

6-9-09 St. Martinville Library Crowd

After our show, we ate at the famous Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge. Talk about yum! I had paneed chicken but the clear winner on our lunch table was the white chocolate bread pudding.

My 7 year old niece, Jasmynn, is traveling with us this week. Here is a picture of Eliana and Jazzy at the restaurant. The cafe is decorated with gorgeous artwork by local artists all over the walls.

6-09-09 Jasmynn & Eliana @ Cafe Des Amis

6-09-09 Jasmynn & Eliana @ Cafe Des Amis

Afterwards, the girls and I shopped on Main Street in Breaux Bridge. We went to a store called Monroe, where the girls fell in love with a Teddy Bear Pomeranian pooch named Kennedy.

6-9-09 Kennedy & Eliana at Monroe Boutique

6-9-09 Kennedy & Eliana at Monroe Boutique

Can you guess why the shop is named Monroe?

6-9-09 Marilyn Monroe 5 foot figure

6-9-09 Marilyn Monroe 5 foot figure

We found another shop we fell in love with called La Te Boutique. Eliana HAD to have this apron. It says “Diva in Training.” Too cute!

6-9-09 Diva in Training Eliana!

6-9-09 Diva in Training Eliana!

After all that, we replaced all four tires and the windshield wipers on the car, went swimming in the hotel pool, and went out for dinner! It was a big, full day!

6-10-09 Books are Keys Monument

6-10-09 Books are Keys Monument

On Wednesday morning, I performed at the Breaux Bridge Library. The monument in front of the library reads:

Books are keys to wisdom’s treasure
Books are gates to lands of pleasure
Books are paths that upwards lead
Books are friends so let us read

I love that! It’s so true and goes perfectly with one of the stories I am telling called, “The King’s Advisor.”

6-10-09 Dianne & friends performing "The Princess Pat" song

6-10-09 Dianne & friends performing "The Princess Pat"

We had a big crowd at the Breaux Bridge Library and had so much fun with the kids there. I even had the privilege of taking a picture with two cool boys. Notice anything different about them? (No, they are not related to Marge Simpson or the smurfs. At least that’s what they told me.)

6-10-09 Dianne and the Blues Brothers LOL

6-10-09 Dianne and the Blues Brothers LOL

After the show, we went back to downtown Breaux Bridge and had lunch at Angelle’s Burgers, where I ate the best onion rings I have ever had in my life. We had the most awesome waitress named Mali (pronounced MAY-lee). Mali is 9 years old and going into the 4th grade. She totally took care of us and was a phenomenal server. We luv u, Mali!

6-10-09 Eliana, Mali & Jasmynn @ Angelle's Burgers in Breaux Bridge

6-10-09 Eliana, Mali & Jasmynn @ Angelle's Burgers in Breaux Bridge

Now, we’re in St. Mary Parish at our next hotel. We’re about to hit the pool so later, gator!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Sunday, June 7, 2009 – Tiki Tubing on the Amite River, Louisiana

by dlcasas on June 8, 2009

6-7-09 Dianne & Eliana getting ready for their Tiki Tubing adventure

6-7-09 Dianne & Eliana getting ready for their Tiki Tubing adventure

Friends:

My family and I went Tiki Tubing on the Amite River just north of Denham Springs, Louisiana. The Tiki Tubing Adventure takes you 6 miles down the winding, easy-moving river. When we arrived, we rented our deluxe tubes and were off! We brought our food and drinks and even floated our ice chest down the river.

6-7-09 Mom, stepdad Clay & brother Gary on their tubes. Look at our floating ice chest. LOL

6-7-09 Mom, stepdad Clay & brother Gary on their tubes. Look at our floating ice chest. LOL

We stopped at sand bars along the way to eat and swim. No, there were no gators or snakes in the river! It was mostly a lazy river ride. There was, however, a lot of tree debris in the water (from previous hurricanes) so we had to tread carefully and artfully steer our tubes clear of the tree trunks and limbs.

6-7-09 Soleil relaxes with her iPhone

6-7-09 Soleil relaxes with her iPhone

There were a lot of other people in the water too – tons of colorful tubes decorated the river. It was like a floating Mardi Gras parade of tubers. Clay called it “The Redneck’s Yacht,” referring to all the tubes that were connected together (we did it too). LOL

6-7-09 The Tiki Tubing Floating Parade

6-7-09 The Tiki Tubing Floating Parade

My brother, Gary, got off his raft often to help steer our “yacht” clear of the tree debris. Here he is, showing his skills as a “surfer.”

6-7-09 Gary surfs on his raft - Totally "Tubular," Dude!

6-7-09 Gary surfs on his raft - Totally "Tubular," Dude!

It was a fun day and boy, did we get some sun! Of course, we wore sunblock but some of us (not me or the girls) still got burned. We look forward to our next summer water adventure!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Friday, June 5, 2009 – Caddo Association of School Librarians Luncheon, Shreveport, LA

by dlcasas on June 5, 2009

6-5-09 CASL Luncheon Cornbread Boy Centerpiece

6-5-09 CASL Luncheon Cornbread Boy Centerpiece

Friends:

Today, I was the guest speaker at the CaddoAssociation of School Librarians End of the Year Luncheon. The librarians were a blast. We had so much fun singing, clapping, and laughing. There were even some tender moments.

I was so impressed with the room’s set-up. They centered the theme of the luncheon around my book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy. They made “Cornbread Boy” centerpieces (above) which consisted of a glass bowl, a wooden spoon, oven mit, cornbread mixes, and a bottle of cayenne pepper. Sooooo adorable!

In addition, they even made The Cajun Cornbread Boy placemats! Thank you so much, Judy and Jennifer. I LOVED the room. Y’all made me feel so special! You spiced up my day, for sure!

6-5-09 CASL Luncheon Cornbread Boy Placemat

6-5-09 CASL Luncheon Cornbread Boy Placemat

I had fun meeting all the librarians and signed a bunch of books. Eliana and Camrynn were little ladies at the luncheon and were a great help, carrying supplies, cleaning up, and taking pictures. Thank you girls!

6-5-09 Signing Book at CASL Luncheon. The lady in white was my hostess, Jeannie Machowski. I love you, Jeannie!

6-5-09 Signing Book at CASL Luncheon. The lady in white was my hostess, Jeannie Machowski. I love you, Jeannie!

A special thank you to Jeannie Machowski, who opened her home and heart to me. I am privileged to be called your friend! Hugs to her awesome family too – James, Abby and Adam. Y’all rock!

Thank you also to the spectacular librarians of Caddo Parish. I appreciate the work you do on a daily basis. Remember, books matter. Words matter. Children matter. YOU matter. So keep doing what you are doing – making a world of difference!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Thursday, June 4, 2009 – LA Summer Reading Tour, Shreveport, LA

by dlcasas on June 4, 2009

6-4-09 Camrynn & Eliana having a blast!

6-4-09 Camrynn & Eliana having a blast!

Friends:

Eliana, my niece Camrynn, and I were in Shreveport today relaxing at my client’s house. The girls spent hours in the pool playing pool tennis, swimming underwater, and splashing around.

In addition to the pool, the girls have been enjoying themselves playing air hockey, basketball (pocket shot), Guitar Hero and Rock Band. My client has two children, Abby(14 years old) and Adam (7 years old). The girls love Abby and have fun competing with Adam.

I made belly faces on Abby and her friend Heather’s bellies. Of course, if helps if you have a flat belly. LOL And don’t laugh when the artist is drawing…

6-4-09 The Belly Faces (No teenage tummies were harmed in the making of this picture).

6-4-09 The Belly Faces (No teenage tummies were harmed in the making of this picture).

Later in the evening, I went to dinner with a wonderful group of librarians from the Caddo Association of School Librarians (CASL). Cantina Laredo is a fabulous restaurant with comida deliciosa! Yum!

6-4-09 Dinner with CASL Librarians

6-4-09 Dinner with CASL Librarians

Thank you, Jeannie, for opening your home to the girls and me. We have truly enjoyed our stay! I love being in the upstairs “suite” and your children are darling. Best accommodations I have had in a while! I can’t wait to come back. :)

Tomorrow, I am doing a presentation for the Caddo Association of School Librarians. It’s going to be fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009 – LA Summer Reading Tour, Catahoula Parish Libraries

by dlcasas on June 4, 2009

6-3-09 - Taking a pictute with my new friend, Jase

6-3-09 - Taking a pictute with my new friend, Jase

Dear Friends:

I had a great time in Catahoula Parish Libraries. The children were so much fun and of course, I love my librarians there!

Our first show was in Harrisonburg. We had a very nice crowd. There was even a sign interpreter interpreting my stories for a young man who enjoyed the show.

Afterward, Eliana, Camrynn & I went to lunch with some of the librarians to a restaurant called Jackie’s. Thank you, Ms. Lou for a wonderful time. We sure are going to miss you!!!

Our afternoon show was in Jonesville. I love seeing fans who come year after year to see my shows. I appreciate you!

6-3-09 Jonesville Library Crowd

6-3-09 Jonesville Library Crowd

We had a marvelous time in Catahoula Parish. Thank you so much, Jackie, for bringing us to your libraries. We sure love you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – LA Summer Reading Tour, Catahoula Parish Libraries

by dlcasas on June 2, 2009

Dianne, Camrynn & Eliana in front of Mammy's Cupboard Restaurant in Natchez, MS

Dianne, Camrynn & Eliana in front of Mammy's Cupboard Restaurant in Natchez, MS

Friends:

This week began my summer reading tour in the libraries across Louisiana. This is my 13th year promoting summer reading and I love it. I love seeing my old friends (Hi Ms. Lou, Jackie & Ms. Jean) and making new friends!

This year, Eliana, my 8-going-on-9 year old daughter (June 15), is traveling with me. It’s her fourth year on the road! In addition, we will be bringing along some special guests. This week, my 10 year old niece, Camrynn, is traveling with us.

On our way to Catahoula Parish (Jonesville, Harrisonburg & Sicily Island, Louisiana), we stopped to take a really cool picture (above). Mammy’s Cupboard is actually a restaurant in Natchez, Mississippi. It is only open from 11am to 2pm so we missed eating there. Eliana and I have eaten there before and the food is delicious. Their specialty cobblers and pies are to drool for!!

Our first summer reading program was in Sicily Island. I am performing “Fairytale Fever” this summer. I had a blast with the children – we had such a nice crowd. They giggled, laughed and had a grand time.

6-2-09 Sicily Island Library - Dianne, Camrynn and friends performing "How Funky Is Your Chicken"

6-2-09 Sicily Island Library - Dianne, Camrynn and friends performing "How Funky Is Your Chicken"

The next picture is of Ms. Jean with Ella, a beautiful baby who always has her mouth full (and our hands full!).

6-2-09 Ella, Books are for reading, not for eating! Yes, she's munching on The Cajun Cornbread Boy. He must be tasty!

6-2-09 Ella, Books are for reading, not for eating! Yes, she's munching on The Cajun Cornbread Boy. He must be tasty!

Eliana and Camrynn did such a great job helping me set up and break down. In fact, they did all the break down by themselves! What teamwork! So they were rewarded with fun in the sun at the hotel pool. :)

6-2-09 Mermaids Camrynn & Eliana posing at the pool!

6-2-09 Mermaids Camrynn & Eliana posing at the pool!

It was a fun day. We look forward to tomorrow – Harrisonburg & Jonesville, here we come!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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