Friends:

Today, Eliana and I decided to create a DIY Easter tablescape. First, I started very simply. I stacked cake plates and covered them with Easter grass. A ceramic bunny (my mom made when I was a child) went on top with plastic Easter eggs on the bottom plate. Cute!

Then Eliana worked on her Easter basket. I found a square pink box (how lucky was that?!) in the garage. She added cardstock paper ears, googly eyes, fuzzy stick nose and whiskers, fringed construction paper bangs, and a big cotton ball tail.

I made holes in the side and threaded thick silky green ribbon for the handles, tying a knot on each side to prevent it from sliding through the holes.

Next, we made a family of farmer eggs. Think Mr. MacGregor and his family.

Then we decorated plastic eggs with jewels. So pretty!

One of my favorite pieces is the wooden spoon bunny. He is made with a large wooden spoon, fringed coffee filters, cardstock, giggly eyes, fuzzy sticks, ribbon, and Sharpie marker. He also has a cotton ball tail. He reminds me of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

His companion is a little chick also made with a wooden spoon as well as Fun Foam, googly eyes, fuzzy sticks, and feathers.

I also love this simple little chick. Very easy for kids to do!

We used a combination of Elmer’s glue, glue sticks, and lots of hot glue. Is there such a thing as “web-less” or “string-less” hot glue?! I want some…

Tomorrow, we will attempt to dye eggs with Kool-Aid via a Pinterest find.

Remember, some bunny loves you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Here’s a fun quick craft for St. Patrick’s Day! Make a lucky shamrock out of a paper plate.

Materials:
1 paper plate
1 green crayon
Scissors

Directions:
First, fold the paper plate into quarters.

Next, with the point at the bottom, cut out the shape of a heart. The paper plate’s point is the heart’s bottom point. Don’t start exactly at the point or you will cut the shamrock into four separate hearts.

Then open up the hearts and you will see a shamrock. Color it green. It makes a great St. Patrick’s Day greeting card. Give the luck o’ the Irish!

May the sun smile upon your face and fair winds blow at your back. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-5-09 Welcome to West Ship Island

Friends:

My family and I took a day trip to West Ship Island, located 11 miles off the coast in the Mississippi Sound. To get there, you have to take an hour ferry ride.

7-5-09 Camrynn, Eliana, Jourdan & Jasmynn on the ferry to West Ship Island

It was a nice ride across the sound. We even saw dolphins and a dredging station that keeps the channel deep enough for ships to pass through.

7-5-09 The Mississippi Sound Dredging Station

Once we docked, we walked a long pier leading to the other side of the island. I saw a fisherman snipping the barb from a stingray he caught right by the pier.

7-5-09 A fisherman snipping a stingray

We took a tour of Fort Massachusetts. West Ship Island has an amazing history and was once one of the first line of military defenses for the United States. After our tour, we headed for the beach, walking the never-ending stretch of boardwalk. But the walk was worth it. The white and black sand intermingled on the pretty beach. The water, sea green in color, was pretty clear, warm and shallow. The waves were minimal.

There were tons of sheephead fish and they were not afraid of us at all! I even saw a stingray. We played in the surf and sand all day. I amassed quite a sunburn although I reapplied my sunscreen several times. Eliana and the girls caught a hermit crab.

7-5-09 Eliana, Camrynn & Ashlynn catch a hermit crab

It was so much fun. Playing in the sun sure does take its toll. Look at Eliana!

7-5-09 Eliana falls asleep on Soleil's lap on the ferry back to Gulfport.

We had an awesome time and highly recommend West Ship Island as a family destination.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-21-09 Jackson Square, New Orleans at Sunset

Friends:

My cousin, Heidi, flew in from Arizona on Thursday, June 18, 2009. I haven’t seen her in 30 years so it was a momentous occasion. After picking her, we took her to Zea for dinner and then she saw the rest of the family – my mom, Clay, my brother, and his children.

6-19-09 My cousin, Heidi

She settled into her roomwhere I had fresh flowers, a candle, and a welcome basket waiting for her. Her bed was turned down every night with chocolates on the pillow and made up every morning. There was fresh coffee and continental breakfast in the morning.

6-18-09 The guest room for Heidi

On Friday, she had lunch with another friend. That evening, we went to my mom’s house for a Filipino Fiesta! Mom made lumpia, fried rice, pancit, chicken adobo, and pork adobo.

6-19-09 Filipino Fiesta! Ma sarap - talaga!

On Saturday, we took Heidi for her first drive-through Daiquiri experience. Then we gave her the “Katrina” tour of the 9th ward.

6-20-09 Flood Street intersecting Dorgenois in the 9th Ward, where my seamstress, Michelle, used to live

She was surprised by the amount of devastation still present, even 4 years later.

6-20-09 The 9th ward, still devastated 4 years later

There was some significant rebuilding, most notably, the Make It Right homes spearheaded by Brad Pitt. The houses are eco-friendly, hurricane friendlier, and made from recycled and reused materials. While beautiful, they are oddities in the neighborhood because their architecture is not “New Orleans.”

6-20-09 Make it Right House

After touring the 9th Ward, it was time to hit the town. I planned dinner at Muriel’s on Jackson Square and a night on Bourbon Street. Every first time visitor to New Orleans has to experience Bourbon at least once.

6-20-09 Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street, home of the famous Hand Grenade

There are some quintessential New Orleans sites a visitor has to see – here’s one – The Lucky Dog Stand!!

We stayed at the Hotel St. Ann Marie Antoinette on Conti Street, a half block from Bourbon. The building was old and the air conditioning did not work properly but the hotel staff (Thank you, Lloyd) took care of us. Here is a picture of Heidi and I before dinner at Muriel’s.

6-20-09 Dianne & Heidi going to Muriel's for dinner

Sunday was Father’s Day so we spent the day with my family. For breakfast, we ate at Carlos Mencia’s Suave restaurant. It was delicioso! Later, we met Mom and the krewe at Outback Steakhouse for Father’s Day dinner.

6-21-09 Heidi with my stepdad, Clay (left) and my brother, Gary (right)

After dinner, we ventured back into the French Quarter for more sightseeing with Mom and Clay.

6-21-09 Heidi in front of Jackson Square

Heidi oohed and ahhed over the architecture the day before, so I decided that we should go on a carriage ride through the Quarter. I took this next picture from the carriage – the statue of Joan of Arc, donated to New Orleans from our sister city of Orleans, France.

6-21-09 Joan of Arc Statue on Decatur Street

It was such a nice ride and our guide, John, was most accommodating.

6-21-09 Eliana with Ada the Mule from our carriage ride

Here’s a picture of Heidi with the family, in Jackson Square.

6-21-09 Clay, Mom, Eliana, Soleil and Heidi in the back

We ended the evening with beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Yum!

6-21-09 Cafe' Du Monde - Beignets & Cafe Ole'!

On Monday, we ate lunch at Grand Isle Restaurant on Fulton Street. It was a fabulous meal. Heidi had shrimp remoulade over fried green tomatoes. We stopped at the Piazza di Italia for a Kodak moment…

6-22-09 Eliana & Dianne at the gorgeous Piazza di Italia

While Heidi had a meeting with a client, I took Eliana to the Louisiana Children’s Museum. You can see Eliana’s pictures on her blog, ElianaCooks.com. Then we took Heidi on a tour of the Garden District, riding down the historic St. Charles Avenue.

6-22-09 St. Charles Streetcar

Heidi was amazed that two such different universities (Loyola and Tulane) stood beside each other. That’s New Orleans – everyone is a neighbor. Everyone is a friend.

6-22-09 Loyola University on St. Charles Avenue

Here is Heidi in front of a classic New Orleans shotgun house.

6-22-09 Heidi in front of a classic New Orleans shotgun house

On Monday night, we ate at my mom’s for some New Orleans classics – jambalaya, red beans & rice, crawfish & corn bisque, blackened chicken pasta, shrimp pasta, french bread, and bananas foster.

6-22-09 Louisiana Feast

So in Heidi’s four days in New Orleans, this is what she did:

1. Toured the French Quarter

2. Ate a shrimp po boy

2. Rode a carriage through the Quarter

3. Ate beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde

4. Saw Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral

5. Saw the famous “Cities of the Dead” cemeteries

6. Rode down St. Charles Avenue

7. Saw the St. Charles streetcar

8. Ate jambalaya, red beans & rice, crawfish & corn bisque, blackened chicken pasta, shrimp pasta, french bread, bananas foster and creole cream cheese icecream (all in one meal!)

9. Ate gumbo

10. Saw the Piazza di Italia

11. Saw the line at Mother’s (and decided not to eat there!) LOL

12. Experienced Bourbon Street

13. Toured the Katrina-devastated 9th Ward

14. Saw the Mississippi River and the Creole Queen, a paddle wheel boat

15. Ate at Muriel’s on Jackson Square

And in between all that, she hung out with my fabulous family! Heidi, I hope you had a good time, despite needing gills to breathe in our sultry city. Laissez les bon temps rouler – let the good times roll! Hugs, Heidi!

6-23-09 Heidi at the New Orleans Airport on her last morning in New Orleans. Farewell, Heidi!

Perhaps, dear reader, you will one day be my guest too.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

Friends:

I had the pleasure of performing at Audubon Elementary in Kenner, Louisiana. I performed at the school last year and many of the students remembered me! When they saw me, they began singing my song “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam.” My “Scared Silly” show began with grades 3-5.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne performing Scared Silly - 10-31-08

The school was celebrating a Fall Math Fest so I was asked to add math to my show. For the upper grades, I adapted a Chinese Folktale called “The Magic Pot” and turned it into a Halloween tale about Mr. and Mrs. Dracula, who have a magic cauldron that doubles everything that is placed inside the pot. The story turned out great and the students really enjoyed the tale, especially the voices of the vampires!

Here I am performing “The Fifolet,” a Louisiana tale about a bogey from the bayou.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne Performing "The Fifolet" - 10-31-08

At the end of the show, I had time for one more song so my 8 year old daughter, Eliana, who did not have school, joined me in singing “Shake-A-Shake Them Bones.”

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Shake-a-shake Them Bones - 10-31-08

After I finished with the upper grades, the lower elementary came in – pre-school through 2nd grades. It was such a fun show. I started with performing an original story based on a Mother Goose tale. The story is called “The House That Witchy Built.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The House that Witchy Built - 10-31-08

To fulfill the math request of my client, I wrote a new song for the lower grades called “Baby Monster.” Eliana helped me with the song. It was so much fun and turned out cuter than I had anticipated.

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne and Eliana performing Baby Monster - 10-31-08

Here I am performing “The Viper.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The Viper - 10-31-08

There was a lot of audience participation with the lower grades. Here are some students helping Eliana and me perform “5 Little Ghosties,” an original Halloween fingerplay.

Audubon Elementary - Dianne, Eliana & students doing 5 Little Ghosties - 10-31-08

The show for the little ones ended with “The Ghost of Mable Gable,” which sent the audience and teachers rolling on the floor with its hilarious ending and then my song “Shake-a-shake Them Bones.”

Thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff at Audubon Elementary. I had a great time celebrating Halloween with y’all! A special thank you to Ms. Roques and Jeanne Castanza for always inviting me to their school. You rock!

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Sunday Brisket Dinner - October 5, 2008

Friends:

Today, I had my whole family over for Sunday dinner. I went all out, creating appetizers, main course, and dessert. I made the gorgeous centerpiece by carving the insides out of a pumpkin, filling it with water, and arranging autumn-colored flowers inside. I love how it came out. This was our Sunday Dinner menu:

Appetizers:
Lady Bug Pesto Pizzetas (Eliana’s Recipe, modified)
Stuffed Mushrooms
BBQ Chipotle Cheddar Turkey Meatballs
Roasted Garlic & Baked Brie Cheese with Crackers

Main Course:
Beef Brisket
Roasted Garlic Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Fresh Green Beans
Wilted Spinach & Sauteed Mushrooms
Garlic Polenta Patties
Fresh Pineapple

Dessert:
Berries N Banana Shortcake with Crema & Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips

Check out these appetizers. Mmmmmm!

Sunday Dinner Appetizers - October 5, 2008

It was fun having everyone over. My brother’s girlfriend, Aline, was such a sweetheart, helping me in the kitchen. My nieces and Eliana also helped clean up the kitchen. Now it looks like no one was here (until you open the fridge and see the leftovers!). Cook together, clean together, and spend time with your family!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Due to my insanely busy schedule, I have not had a chance to blog! So here I am catching up!

On Sunday, April 13, 2008, my family and I went to the French Quarter Festival. This year, there were over 400,000 people in attendance, a record-breaker! Here is a picture of the St. Louis Cathedral from the Algiers Ferry, which we rode to cross the Mississippi River to New Orleans from the West Bank.

Here is a picture of Aquarium of the Americas from the ferry.

Boy, was the quarter crowded! Check this out…

Soleil brought two of her friends, Nea and Sierra, to the fest. Here is a picture of them grubbing on that wonderful food at the fest. Nea is on the left, Sierra in the middle, and Soleil on the right.

We met my mom, stepdad, brother and his four children at the festival. Here’s a picture of my brother enjoying a moment in the shade on a folding chair.

Check out my mom, Josie, partying to the soulful rhythms of a jazz band. You go, Mom!

The food at the French Quarter Festival was phenomenal. My favorite was the prime rib sandwich on a pistolette from the Rib Room. Talk about awesome! The kids enjoyed a concert by Johnette Downing, internationally acclaimed and award-winning children’s musician (who also happens to be my best friend). Johnette has such a way with kids. They were singing, clapping, dancing and having a grand time! We had a fantastic time partying to Johnette’s music. Here is a picture of Eliana and my niece, Jasmynn, holding cards to illustrate Johnette’s song, “Today is Monday in Louisiana.” Eliana is in pink and Jasmynn is in green.

Johnette had me lead the second line parade for her final song, “Second Line.” So much fun!

Here is a picture of my two beautiful girls, Eliana (7) and Soleil (17). Are they cuties?!! Of course, I may be a little biased… LOL

It was a gorgeous day with weather in the 70s with blue skies. Soleil, who is so fair, got a little strawberry coloring. This is one of my favorite pictures – it’s of the Natchez, a paddle wheel boat on the Mississippi River. So New Orleans!

If you’re thinking about visiting New Orleans, you should. It’s a wonderful city with rich culture, friendly people, and fabulous food. Check out the pretty architecture in Algiers Point. I love the houses – they look like little story book cottages.

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll! Come to New Orleans, mes amis, and pass a good time!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Eliana, my 7 year old, is such a sweet girl. She is constantly kissing me, hugging me, and telling me how much she loves me. She is also very helpful and will do anything I ask her to do right away. In addition, she often takes the initiative to do thoughtful things on her own like make my bed, fold and put her own clothes away, or pour me a drink.

So I thought I would do something special for her. Last month, before I left for my big international trip, I gave her a Super Star Award. It read:

“Super Star Award to
Eliana Marisol Casas
from Mommy
You are AMAZING!
February 2008″

Eliana loves the trophy so much that she carries it around with her all the time. It’s like she won a coveted “Oscar” award. Of course, she deserved it because she is an AMAZING child. Sometimes you have to let your children know in big ways how much you appreciate them. Just because they are.

Here is a watercolor masterpiece she created for me today…

See what I mean? AMAZING! Delight in the miracle of your children. Show them how much you love and appreciate them. They are amazing!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I did it! I pulled it off (with lots of help – Thanks, Mom, Clay, Gary, Jennie, Papi, Soleil and kids). Antonio’s 40th Birthday Fajitas-n-Ritas Surprise Fiesta was a success. Ole!

His best friend, George (pictured above) took Antonio out for the day for a belated birthday celebration to have lunch and to see the WWII Baseball exhibit at the National World War II (D Day) Museum. Antonio left after 1:30 pm so I didn’t get started preparing for the party until 2:00 pm and the party was scheduled for 7:00 pm!! I had to hide everything at my mom’s house. I chose a Mexican Fiesta theme because Antonio and I met at a Mexican restaurant 17 years ago…

I had less than five hours to cook, clean, decorate and get ready. My mom, Jennie (my mother-in-law) and I did the cooking. Soleil and my brother, Gary, helped with the decorating. On the menu: beef fajitas marinated in tequila, lime, garlic and Southwest seasoning; cheese enchiladas; Mexican casserole; refried black beans; Spanish rice; chicken tortilla soup; walking taco; Fiesta pork roast; nachos; chips and salsa; pineapple, grapes, and strawberries with cream cheese fruit dip; caramel cake; and birthday cake. In addition, we had a fruit punch fountain, sangria and of course, the MARGARITAS! I set up a fajita bar outside where people could make their own fajitas or burritos. We had all the fixins – grilled onions, grilled bell peppers, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes. There was a ton of food inside and outside.

We waited for Antonio with sombreros on… When he walked through the door, we all yelled, “OLE!” Was he surprised! He had no idea that this was going on. It was a big sigh of relief for me because I had to do some elaborate “storytelling” to pull this surprise party off. We had tons of friends and family who helped make this night special. (Love to my best friend, Lisa and Johnette…)

Petros, Antonio’s friend and co-worker, volunteered to blend the margaritas and boy, did he blend a bunch of margaritas! Here is Petros (no, hats off to YOU, Petros!) with his wife, Katarena, and our friend, Harold (who LOVED wearing his hat – yes, Harold, you may have one to keep). LOL

It was such a wonderful party. We had a great time eating fajitas, sipping on ‘ritas and eating AND dancing Salsa! I wanted to show my husband that yes, 40 is fabulous, especially when you are surrounded by friends and family. We had over 30 people helping us celebrate! Now that is living! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

We certainly managed to spice up Antonio’s birthday. What a celebration!

Here is my mom, Josie – 2 pot holders, 4 margaritas, 6 sombreros, and 8 hours later… Yes, she really is wearing 6 sombreros! (Thanks for all your help, Mom! I could not have accomplished this without you!)

Find the “Fiesta” in your life and celebrate with friends and family. Ole!

Warmly, Dianne