Most beautiful angel on the Tree, Soleil's Angel de Lis - 12-24-08

Friends:

As I write this post it is already Christmas in Louisiana! On December 24, 2008, Christmas Eve, we spent the day preparing. We went to church and then to my mother’s house. My 18-year-old daughter, Soleil, gave me a gift that truly touched my heart. She spent hours making me a hand-sculpted and hand-painted Angel ornament (I collect angel ornaments for my Christmas tree). This “Angel de Lis” as I have named her, is exquisite. She is about the size of my hand and so light weight. She holds a heart and is in the shape of a fleur de lis, the symbol of New Orleans and Louisiana. Soleil completely designed and created her just for me. So Angel de Lis is one of a kind and looks so much like Soleil, with her golden hair and twinkling blue eyes! I will cherish the ornament forever and it will remain one of my very favorite angels! I was so touched by Soleil’s thoughtfulness and Christmas spirit that I cried. I love you, Soleil!

Soleil on 12-23-08

Eliana was so excited that Santa was coming. She made No Bake Reindeer Patty Cookies for Santa. Visit her blog for the recipe (http://www.elianacooks.com).

Cookies for Santa from Eliana - 12-24-08

So on this gorgeous Christmas eve, I leave you with my favorite Christmas Poem by Clement C. Moore:

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

Christmas Tree - 12-24-08

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

Dianne & Antonio's Stockings - 12-24-08

Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap

Dianne in her Santa Saints cap - 12-24-08

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below

Blanket of White Snow in New Orleans - 12-12-08

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

A miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick

Eliana's Christmas Play Dough Scene - 12-23-08

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen

On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder, on Blitzen

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too

Eliana in front of Santa & Reindeer Lakeside Mall - 12-6-08

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof

Soleil & Eliana's Gingerbread House 12-13-08

As I drew in my head and was turning around

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back

And he looked like a peddler just opening his sack

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow

Mrs. Claus, Ashlynn, Eliana, Camrynn, Jourdan, Santa Claus, Soleil & Jasmynn - 12-13-08

He had a broad face and a round little belly

That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself

Eliana with the Northpole Penguins - 12-6-08

But a wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work

Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk

Soleil & Eliana's stockings stuffed by Santa - 12-24-08

Then laying a finger aside of his nose

Giving a nod up the chimney he rose

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Holiday book signing - 12-20-08

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Happy Holidays from Antonio, Dianne, Soleil, Eliana & the Cajun Cornbread Boy!

Until next time…

May your days be merry and bright!

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas & Vince Vance at Christmas Holiday Concert, Fountain Park Centre - 12-21-08

Friends:

My family and I attended a Christmas Concert at Fountain Park Centre in Harvey, LA (suburb of New Orleans). The park is a new upscale retail and restaurant development. The concert featured Vince Vance, songwriter and creator of the #1 Christmas song in the U.S. - “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” We all caroled with Vince Vance. He asked for people to come up and since so guess who was picked? LOL

When I got on the stage, I asked him if I could have help. He said yes so I asked my 18 year old daughter, Soleil, to join me. We sang “Winter Wonderland.” I did the melody and Soleil took the harmony. It was wonderful!

Dianne de Las Casas and her daughter, Soleil , at Vince Vance's Christmas Concert - 12-21-08

Then Vince Vance asked kids to accomany him on stage. Eliana, my 8 year old, and her cousins went on stage. Eliana is the one in the middle, holding the microphone. They sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Too cute!

Eliana singing her heart out at Vince Vance's Christmas Concert -12-21-08

I guess I have a family of performers! It was quite chilly that night so we were all bundled up. Though the weather outside was frightful, we all had a wonderful time Christmas Caroling. Thank you, Vince Vance for spreading your holiday cheer! Merry Christmas!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing 12-20-08

Friends:

On Saturday, December 20, 2008, I had my first book signing for my first children’s picture book,The Cajun Cornbread Boy. The book signing was at Maple Street Children’s Book Shop in New Orleans. It was fun because I was signing books with my best friend, Johnette Downing, Children’s Musician and Author. Johnette was signing her brand new book, Chef Creole.

I am so excited because my book was not supposed to arrive this early. It was quite a rush to make them available for the holiday season. But I have shipped out a ton of books to my sweet fans. Here is a picture of me with my #1 fans, my family - my husband, Antonio, oldest daughter, Soleil, and youngest daughter, Eliana.

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing with family - 12-20-08

This week held another surprise for me - my other new book arrived: Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle published by Libraries Unlimited.

Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle 12-20-08

But the icing on the cake this week was reconnecting with my best friend from high school (through FaceBook), Fe Reyes Del Rosario. She is a 5th grade teacher and lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. We’ve been talking on the phone every day! I just adore her.

Dianne de Las Casas and Fe Del Rosario Best Friends in High School 1986

So, it’s been a phenomenal week. Lots of good things in my life! What wonderful Christmas Gifts!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Puppet with Alligator - 12-16-08

Friends,

I am so excited! My first picture book for children, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, came in! My publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, is based in New Orleans so my husband picked up a case of books for me today. The books are beautiful! They are scheduled for a Spring 2009 release so getting the books this early is quite a delicious surprise. I have my first book signing on Saturday so, with the help of my daughter Soleil (who is majoring in art at LSU), I made The Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet. He came out better than I had hoped.

Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet w book - 12-16-08

I absolutely adore him! He is made out of felt, 8 inch cardboard cake circles, jumbo craft sticks, chenille sticks, foam, paper, and an enormous amount of hot glue. I have the burn marks to prove it! LOL There was even a bit of hand sewing involved. He was quite labor intensive (about 3 hours from start to finish) but well worth the effort.

I hope The Cajun Cornbread Boy will run into the hearts of many readers and spice up many children’s bookshelves! You can order your own autographed copy of the book from the Story Connection Store. http://storyconnection.net/?content=store If you order by Friday, December 19, 2008, you’ll get it in time for Christmas!

Spice up your holidays with The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Eliana in the snow when it first started falling - 12-12-08

Friends:

This is my first blog post since before my surgery. I had my hysterectomy on Monday, December 8, 2008 and it was successful. I came home Wednesday evening. On Thursday, my first full day home from the hospital, we woke up to quite a surprise. Snowfall was predicted in Southern Louisiana. We found out it was snowing in Baton Rouge and called my oldest daughter, Soleil, at LSU to wake her up. She took pictures of the white blanket on the campus.

Because it was such a special day and because it was my first day home from the hospital, I kept Eliana home from school. I wasn’t sure how the weather would affect the schools and knew I wouldn’t be able to pick her up from school if they called. So Eliana and I watched the snow fall.

The blanket of white snow in front of our house - 12-12-08

At first, the snow was just melting before it hit the ground. But we could actually see individual snow flakes. The last time it snowed was on Christmas Day 2004. Snow is such an anomaly in Southern Louisiana. It snowed steadily until it began to stick. Eliana wanted to make a snow angel but the snow was so slushy, I didn’t want her to get sick. So I let her collect and “save” the snow. We still have it in the freezer. LOL

Eliana scoops the snow to put in the freezer - 12-12-08

A plastic cup full of ice. But don’t tell Eliana that. She loves that she was able to save a whole cup of Cajun snow. It was a marvelous, magical day - seeing snow fall in New Orleans. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to see it twice in one season…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Santa Mail - 12-7-08

Christmas Activity: Santa Mail
My family celebrates Christmas. During the holidays, we send each other “Santa Mail.” We have a big mail box into which we stuff our notes to each other. We know when there is mail because a small tag hangs from the front of the mailbox that says, for example, “Santa Mail for Eliana.” It’s a fun way to communicate with each other, spread the holiday spirit, and practice writing skills!

Eliana's Santa Mail Angel for Mommy - 12-7-08

Eliana Gets Ready for Tea Party - 12-6-08

Friends:

What a busy weekend this has been! Friday began with chaperoning a third grade field trip to see “The Nutcracker.” I accompanied Eliana and her class, singing and doing hand games at the back of the bus with Eliana and her friends. When we returned to school, we picnicked on a blanket in the field. It was fun.

Later that day, Eliana had a dental appointment. She had to get her first filling. It was her first time having work done on her teeth and she was so nervous. But she made it through like a trooper, shedding not a single tear!

Finally, on Friday night, my husband and I had a Christmas party to attend. It was at a prestigious country club and the food was fantastic. We danced the night away and I even won a $50 gift certificate to a car part store in the holiday giveaway. LOL Afterwards, Antonio and I saw Cadillac Records, a fantastic movie about the beginnings of rock and roll.

Eliana & her friend, Josie - 12-6-08

On Saturday, Eliana and I attended a birthday tea party for her friend and classmate, Josie. It was an outdoor party. The table was set with real china and the girls had a ball drinking tea and eating hors d’oeuvres. They painted pots and made flower pens. Too cute!

Flower Pens in decorated pot - 12-6-08

After the busy afternoon, we spent Saturday evening at Lakeside Mall in Metairie, Louisiana. It wasn’t for the shopping but for all the Christmas decorations. Check out this cool upsidedown Mardi Gras tree at Macy’s!

Upside down Mardi Gras tree at Macy's - 12-6-08

Here is Eliana standing in front of a GINORMOUS tree! Can you even see Eliana?

Eliana in front of Giant tree at Lakeside Mall - 12-6-08

Eliana and I strike a pose in front of Santa’s Village.

Eliana and Dianne at Lakeside Mall Santa's Village - 12-6-08

Check out Eliana partying with the penguins…

Eliana partying with penguins - 12-6-08

On Sunday, I went to the hospital to get my type and match blood work done for my surgery tomorrow. My doctor wants two units of blood set aside, just in case…

Then we went to Miracle on Fulton Street in downtown New Orleans with my mom and stepdad. We played in the “snow” and ate at Gordon Biersch.

Miracle on Fulton Street - 12-7-08

Every hour, “snow” (sudsy bubbles) falls inside the tent. The kids love playing in it. Antonio and Eliana pose under the snow.

Eliana and Antonio under the snow on Fulton Street - 12-7-08

Here I am with Eliana, under the snow. That dark spot by my right eyebrow is actually a shadow from a “snowflake.” Antonio said it looked like a giant mole. It makes me look evil! LOL

Dianne and Eliana in Miracle on Fulton Street Snow - 12-7-08

Here, Eliana takes a sweet picture with her Nana and Paw Paw.

Paw Paw, Nana & Eliana - 12-7-08

It was a fun-filled holiday weekend with family. It was so nice to be able to spend quality time with every one, especially in light of my surgery (hysterectomy) tomorrow morning. Wish me luck and send me healing thoughts…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Our Christmas Tree - 12-5-08

Friends:

When you enter our house, Santa greets you at the front door.

Santa greets you in the foyer - 12-5-08

The house is decorated for Christmas. The presents are wrapped and tucked under our Christmas tree. This is our kitchen.

Our Christmas Kitchen - 12-5-08

We decided to keep things pretty simple this year, especially in light of my surgery. A trifle bowl on the coffee table holds a sparkly array of gold and red ornaments. A nutcracker stands quietly on the end table next to the sofa.

Our Living Room - 12-5-08

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I love Christmas decorations. Every time we come through the front door and enter the living room, Eliana has to kiss me beneath the mistletoe kissing ball. So cute.

Until next time…

Happy Holidays!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

My mom called me less than a week before Thanksgiving and asked me to host. Being the dutiful daughter and one who loves to cook and entertain, I agreed.

Preparation began a couple days before with all the shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating. Fortunately, I had great help. My brother’s three little girls (Camrynn - 9, Ashlynn - 7, and Jasmynn - 6) plus my daughter, Eliana - 8, all helped with the cleaning and the cooking.

Camrynn, Eliana, Ashlynn & Jasmynn making boudin cornbread - 11-26-08

Here is Eliana cooking the stuffing for the mirlitons (chayote squash).

Eliana making mirliton stuffing - 11-26-08

My little chef, Eliana, and I made a sweet potato eggnog pie.

Eliana spooning sweet potato eggnog mixture into pie shell - 11-26-08

This is what the pie looked like when it was done and it was yum! No, there isn’t a cookie cutter shape for a sweet potato so we used a pumpkin instead. In retrospect, I should have used a fall leaf so no one would mistake the pie for pumpkin!

Sweet potato eggnog pie - 11-26-08

Here is our wonderful Thanksgiving feast featuring Cajun fried turkey made by Clay, my cool stepdad. I had so much fun decorating the table. I just love throwing a party!

Thanksgiving Feast - 11-27-08

This is the other side of the table with the sides. We had 26 dishes in all. The main courses were Cajun fried turkey and rootbeer & Jack Daniels glazed ham. Appetizers included lumpia, a Filipino eggroll, stuffed roasted sweet peppers, ornamental turkey made of fruit & vegetables with ham, cheese & fruit skewers, and fruit dip. We had two soups - chicken & sausage gumbo and artichoke & spinach potato soup. Sides included boudin cornbread, balsamic vinegar & bacon brussel sprouts, black beans, cornbread stuffing, garlic cheese mashed potatoes, golden rice, green bean & artichoke casserole, macaroni & cheese, pineapple maple carrot souffle, roasted cauliflower, parsnips & mushrooms, stuffed mirlitons and sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble topping. As if that wasn’t enough, there were desserts - chocolate mousse cheesecake, Filipino fruit salad, strawberry jello cake, and sweet potato eggnog pie! Whew!

The Thanksgiving Feast sides - 11-27-08

Here is the second table with more food…

The Thanksgiving Feast second table with more food - 11-27-08

This is a close-up of the fruit and veggie turkey Eliana and I made.

Fruit & Veggie turkey with ham, cheese & fruit skewers - 11-27-08

We had a houseful of people. Every year since I can remember, my mother has always invited single military men to dine with us. This year was no exception. We even had our Christmas tree up and ready, complete with presents underneath. My only disappointment was that there was hardly any turkey left over and we fried two birds!

We played games, told stories, and laughed late into the night. It was wonderful to share Thanksgiving with family and friends, both old and new. I love the holidays!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being a featured speaker at the Mississippi Library Commission conference. The conference was for children’s librarians in Mississippi public libraries. It was a fun busy conference! The conference was held at the Cabot Lodge Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi.

When I arrived, I was immediately invited to join the librarians for dinner. They had a buffet of fajitas set up. Yum! Afterwards, I joined the librarians for a YA movie night. We watched Juno. Following that, I met another client for a cocktail! It was a busy night.

I rose early Thursday morning and had breakfast with the group. Then I attended Vicki Cobb’s presentation. Vicki is the children’s book author of many wonderful non-fiction science books, books that get kids excited about science. Vicki was a fabulous presenter, providing many hands-on science activities for the librarians, who loved every minute of it! Here is Vicki demonstrating a science principle of wind using a leaf blower and toilet paper. How fun!

Vickie Cobb demonstrating wind with leaf blower & toilet paper - 11-20-08

When Vicki’s presentation was finished, there was a fun game. Each table of librarians was a team. Each team had a “sculptor.” I was the sculptor for my team. Using Play Dough, we had to sculpt for our team using clues we were handed on a small piece of paper. Can you guess what book this was supposed to be?

Play Dough Game - 11-20-08

If you guessed, “Harry Potter,” you are right! See the sorting hat, golden snitch, and the Nimbus 2000 broom?

My two presentations were both scheduled after lunch. My first workshop was “Tell Along Tales,” in which I taught the librarians how to tell audience participatory stories. I also taught them important audience management techniques.

Dianne instructing MLC librarians - 11-20-08

Here we are doing some “hands-on” audience participation, doing the chorus for my story, “Pulling Up the Sweet Potato.”

Dianne teaching audience participation - 11-20-08

It was tons of fun! Thank you, Vicki, for staying for my Tell Along Tales presentation!

This is a picture of Jamie Elstrom. She worked at Jefferson Parish Library, my local library, years ago when I first got my start in storytelling. Jamie likes to say that she saw me “grow up.” It’s true! Jamie is so tech savvy that she booked me right on the spot using her laptop during a break. I’ll see you in Summer 2009, Jamie!

Jamie Elstrom, former Louisiana librarian now turned Mississippi Librarian - 11-20-08

After Tell-Along Tales, I did my “Story Fest” workshop, instructing the librarians how to use story theater in the library. This is a picture of a group doing some role playing warm-up exercises. They are portraying a bus driver on a bus with a group of very naughty children. OMG! The bus driver is blind-folded! Hahahaha!

Story Fest Group role-playing bus driver with bad kids on the bus - 11-20-08

This next group is role-playing a Mardi Gras parade. They had to portray a float, the parade king, and the Mardi Gras revelers. Can you tell who is who?

Story Fest role-playing Mardi Gras parade - 11-20-08

We had so much fun in my workshops. These librarians were enthusiastic, lively, and one of the most fun groups I’ve worked with. They even gave me a beautiful gift at the end of my presentations - a standing ovation! Wow! I was so honored. A special thank you to Kathy Buntin for inviting me to participate in the conference.

After my workshop, I went to my room to rest for a while. Then, as if the full day’s activities weren’t enough, I joined a group of librarians to see the midnight premiere of Twilight (I read all 4 books by Stephenie Meyers). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. (Mara, I can’t sit next to you anymore! Mai Tai! still LMAO)

Mississippi Librarians, thank you so much for having me at your conference. I can’t wait to see y’all again!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne