1-15-10 Dianne blowing out the candles on her rose & ribbon cake

Friends:

It was a dark and stormy night… The rain poured and the winds lashed but still, family and friends came to my 40 and Fabulous Birthday Bash.

We had a fabulous food spread! The menu included mojo roasted pork, coconut cumin chicken, bacon sauteed haricot vert, beef brisket, pancit (Filipino noodle dish with vegetables and chicken), pesto & pine nut pasta, Vietnamese spring rolls, ham & parmesan latkes, chipotle deviled eggs, marinated asparagus, and caesar salad served in martini glasses. We also had hot chicken & sausage gumbo on the stove.

1-15-10 The Elegant Food Table

We kept the hot food hot in chafing dishes. The food was mouth-watering!

1-15-10 The Hot Buffet Table - L-R Beef Brisket, Bacon Sauteed Haricot Vert, Coconut Cumin Chicken & Mojo Roasted Pork

Eliana, my 9 year old chef, helped with a lot of the food preparation. It was her idea to pass hors d’oeuvres around. She passed around prosciutto wrapped asparagus, bacon gouda potato bites, parmesan cumin crisps, and fried Vietnamese eggroll bites.

1-15-10 Chef Eliana passes around Bacon Gouda Potato Bites to Carl and Andrea Taylor

Here is Eliana with her godfather, George.

1-15-10 Eliana with her godfather, George

Antonio, my husband, came up with the party decoration theme: Garnet & Gold. Garnet is January’s birth stone. He also came up with the bar and cocktail service. Yes, he was the bartender the whole night, serving screwdrivers, strawberry daiquiris, margaritas, red wine, and white wine.

1-15-10 Antonio, the Bartender

On the appetizer table, we had mozzarella & roasted garlic chicken sausage, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, and lumpia, a Filipino eggroll with a sweet chili dipping sauce. The flowers on the table were sent to me from Marita Gentry and Holly Stone-Barker, the illustrators of my children’s books.

1-15-10 The Appetizer Table (Lumpia is missing from the top tray)

The guests had a great time, mingling and EATING!

1-15-10 Party Guests (see the Chocolate Fountain in the background)

My mom and mother-in-law, Jennie, helped cook many of the dishes. My mother-in-law brought the mojo pork roast and gumbo. My mom made the Brisket, lumpia, and Vietnamese eggrolls. My friend, Dawn, brought a cold rainbow pasta dish and a cream cheese cherry cake that was to die for!

1-15-10 My friends, Dawn & Victor

Here are my friends, John and Kathleen.

1-15-10 John & Kathleen

I am so lucky to have so many friends who love me enough to celebrate my special day with me! My best friend, Lisa, and her fiance, Lonnie came. Lisa and I took pictures together but, unfortunately, none were with my camera! But I got a good one with Lonnie.

1-15-10 Dianne & Lonnie (Dianne's best friend, Lisa's fiance)

My friends, Caitlin and Katie, came too and brought their friend, Joe. Katie and Caitlin work for Pelican, the publisher of my children’s books. They are such wonderful women. I love working with them and, I just love them period!

1-15-10 Caitlin, Katie (behind her), Joe & Josie (behind the counter)

It’s raining men! Hallelujah… Here is my mom with a harem of handsome men. LOL

1-15-10 Clay, Josie (Dianne's Mom), Antonio & Lonnie

A very special thank you to my handsome and sweet husband, Antonio for throwing this wonderful birthday bash for me! I love you!

1-15-10 Antonio & Dianne

It was some party! My two beautiful daughters, Soleil (19) and Eliana (9) just tuckered out…

1-15-10 After the party...

What a fantastic night! Thank you so much to my family and friends for making my 40th birthday so special!! I love each and every one of you! I am FABULOUS because of you!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-28-09 Eliana the Diva Rock Star Birthday Girl

Friends:

Wow! What a weekend! Because Eliana and I have been on the road touring, we haven’t had a chance to celebrate her birthday with a big bang, until now. Last night, we went to the “Greatest Show on Earth,” The Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was a spectacular show.

6-28-09 Soleil, the makeup artist with Eliana, the Diva Rock Star Birthday Girl

Today, we had Eliana’s Diva Rock Star Birthday Party.We mailed out invitations a couple weeks ago that included a hand-created pink zebra electric guitar and star clapper personalized with the guest’s name. The invitations were mailed in a large bubble envelope covered in “Diva” and “Girls Rock!” stickers. The guitars were very big.

First, we tackled the party set-up. We decorated to the hilt. The colors were pink zebra and purple leopard. Check out the table! A large vase of fresh flowers (don’t all divas have fresh flowers delivered?!) are on top of a cake plate, which is set on a platform of 4 glass blocks, forming a square. A pink and black feather boa is wrapped around the base of the glass blocks. Pink candles sit on each corner of the glass blocks. There are hot pink and black table cloths which is accentuated by a square zebra print runner. The guitar in front of the vase is the party invitation created by my oldest daughter, Soleil.

6-28-09 The Diva Table

The rock star paperware was purchased from Oriental Trading. This is what the individual place setting looked like. Each rock star had her own setting. On top of the plate is an electric guitar luggage tag (in which pictures of the girls were inserted). Behind the plate is a pair of glittered star sunglasses, which every diva MUST have! Guitar glitter is sprinkled all over the table.

6-28-09 Girls Rock! Place Setting

I assembled fab goody bags that even included Eliana’s Diva Party Mix. The goody bag contained stickers, a tiara, hair extensions, a “Diva” or “Girls Rock!” necklace and bracelet, blow-up microphone, a jewel tattoo, a rock rubber duck, eye shadows, and lip gloss. Each bag and all its contents were personalized.

6-28-09 The Diva Rock Star goody bag

The girls were instructed to come dressed as rock stars and they totally did. First, they went to the hair station, where they had their extensions and tiaras done. Then they they moved to the makeup station where fantasy makeup was applied by Sassy Sunshine Beauty.

6-28-09 Bienelyn gets her makeup done

They then went to the nail station where they had diva nails done with glitter, designs, and cool colors. Finally, they had a fashion photo shoot. I set up a back drop with pink and zebra fabric. The photos were for their “album cover” and “concert promotions.” They posed with electric guitars and microphones. The girls were so sassy!

6-28-09 The Diva Rock Stars, coming in concert soon to a venue near you!

These cute girls so totally rock!

6-28-09 The Diva Rock Stars totally ROCK!!!!

Breanne, the rock chick in the neon green, had a special outfit on. Her grandma and mom sewed it the night before! How awesome is that?!! After the photo shoot, the girls munched! They had jumbo popcorn chicken, pizza rolls, spinach & asiago chicken sausage, quesadillas, mini quiches, star sugar cookies, deli wheels, grapes, raspberries, and blackberries. They even toasted the Diva Rock Star Birthday Girl, Eliana!

6-28-09 Raising a Toast to Diva Rock Star Birthday Girl, Eliana

Afterwards, they did the birthday “cake,” mini cupcakes creating the shape of an electric guitar. I drew a guitar template on thick poster board secured to a cookie sheet. “Happy Birthday, Diva Eliana!” was written in white frosting on the poster board. Nine hot pink candles adorned the cake, on the neck of the guitar. Here are the girls with the birthday star.

6-28-09 Eliana's Guitar cupcake cake

After eating cupcakes and Itty Bitz ice cream (just like Dippin Dots), the girls rocked out with their favorite karaoke songs. Here are Breanne & Eliana jammin!

6-28-09 Breanne & Eliana rock out to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"

Eliana opened presents and got some really cool gifts. Nana, Paw Paw, Uncle Gary and her cousins gave her GUITAR HERO for the Wii! Now that’s in keeping with the theme! Uncle Gary also gave Eliana a Lady Gaga CD. She LOVES it!

6-29-09 Eliana gets Guitar Hero & Lady Gaga CD

A special thank you to Nanny Lisa for being such a wonderful “guest hostess!” Unfortunately, we were so busy taking pics of the girls that we forgot to take pics of each other! We gave the girls one final parting gift – a customized album cover with their name, photo & album cover. Special thank you to talented Soleil for doing her magic graphic design work to create the album covers. Pictures of the girls were uploaded to the computer, manipulated in Photoshop, printed and inserted into thin line jewel cases to act as both a CD and picture frame. The girls even picked their album names. We had “Divalicious” (Eliana), “Rock Angel” (Josie), “Rock Princess” (Bienelyn), “Attitude!” (Jasmynn), “Girl Power” (Breanne), “Rock Star” (Camrynn), “Ready to Rock!” (Jaden), and “Girls Rock!” (Ashlynn).

6-28-09 Breanne with her "Girl Power" CD

As a final thank you for coming, each girl will receive something special in the mail. We wanted to make Eliana’s 9th birthday a celebration for everyone, making each girl feel special – like the Diva Rock Stars they are!

6-28-09 Jaden & Eliana take the world by storm!

Eliana, I hope you had a wonderful birthday party. Breanne, Bienelynn, Jaden, Camrynn, Ashlynn, Jasmynn & Josie, thank you so much for coming. You girls ROCK!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne's Birthday Breakfast - 1-15-09

Friends:

Today was my birthday and it was a fabulous day! I woke up to a breakfast of banana bread (with a candle), turkey bacon, yogurt, apple juice, two dozen red roses & gifts! Eliana, my 8 year old, gave me an exercise mat, which she knew I wanted. My husband, Antonio, surprised me with bath and body products as well as a gorgeous sparkly piece of jewelry. Thank you, Eliana & Antonio! I love you! Then it was time to head to Strehle Elementary for my Tangram Tales Arts Education Residency.

I began my day in 5th grade in Ms. Walker’s class. Once again, the class was quiet and prepared when I walked in. As rehearsals progressed, they became a little unfocused and chatty. We did, however, manage to run through the whole script, which made me very happy.

5th graders assemble tiger and Brahman for rehearsal of "The Tiger, the Brahman & The Jackal" - 1-15-09

The students all wished me a Happy Birthday and one of the students even made me a birthday greeting! Thank you, sweet Rachel!

5th Grader Rachel makes Dianne a birthday greeting - 1-15-09

From Ms. Walker’s class, I went into Ms. Barry’s 5th grade class. They worked quickly, creating fun raps with beats for their story choruses in the tale, “It could always be worse.” I loved watching the story come together. I can’t wait to see them on performance day.

Third period saw me in Ms. Landry’s 3rd grade class. The class was a bit rambunctious but they enjoyed their story of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Here I am, with Ms. Landry, who pinned a ribbon on me that said, “It’s my Birthday!”

Dianne takes a picture with cool Ms. Landry, 3rd grade teacher - 1-15-09

Here is a picture of one of Ms. Landry’s students who was a Tangram artist, forming the man in the boat in “The Three Billy Goat’s Gruff.”

3rd grader assembles man in boat Tangram for rehearsal of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" - 1-15-09

After being given a “Happy Birthday” serenade, I headed to the teachers’ lounge for a long lunch (a scheduling mix-up gave me a free period – lucky me!). Was I surprised!

Happy Birthday Dianne! - 1-15-09

One of the teachers, awesome Carla Short from 1st grade, organized a birthday celebration with a big sign and a king cake. Betty Brodt, the librarian, gave me a pot of gorgeous tulips. It was all so sweet! Strehle Elementary, you have a special place in my heart! I <3 U!

Carla Short gives Dianne a birthday king cake - 1-15-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Quaintance’s 2nd grade class. They really enjoyed the story of “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories,” enthusiastically joining in the chorus and guessing the Tangrams in the story.

Dianne made tiger lying down Tangram for Ms. Quaintance's 2nd grade class - 1-15-09

They sang me a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” before I left the class. It was off to Ms. Till’s 3rd grade class. When I arrived, they were ready, story scripts on their desks. Ms. Till said that I was now part of their “family” and they had to pin my picture on their family bulletin board. I was so touched. We went into rehearsing their story “The Cat and the Rooster.” The class is full of creative students who really embellished the story choruses with fun rap rhythms. They were, however, a bit boisterous at times, requiring several admonishments from both me and Ms. Till. Still, I love their enthusiasm and think that their story could be one of the best stories presented if the students focused their energies.

3rd graders from Ms. Till's class work as a team to create fox Tangrams for "The Cat and the Rooster" - 1-15-09

I finished my day in Ms. Runge’s Pre-K class. When I arrived, they were all napping. It took some time to get them up and coherent but once I progressed into the story, they really enjoyed it and participated.

Dianne tells an Anansi story to Ms. Runge's PK class - 1-15-09

Ms. Runge gave me a birthday present and let me leave a few minutes early. This was great because it allowed me to beat the buses and cars during dismissal. Thank you, Ms. Runge!

I had such a wonderful, special birthday at Strehle but it didn’t end their. Later that evening, my mom cooked me a special birthday dinner. My whole family was there. Here I am with Eliana and two birthday cakes!

Dianne & Eliana in front of 2 cakes - King Cake & Triple Berry Cream Cake. Yum! - 1-15-09

Friends also sent me birthday packages (Thank you Fe & Lanie!) and I received over 100 birthday greetings in the form of cards, e-cards, emails, and FaceBook messages. Thank you to all my friends! Thank you to the teachers, staff and students at Strehle Elementary. Lastly, thank you to Antonio, Eliana, my mom, and the rest of my family. Everyone made this a very special, memorable birthday. I love you!

Until next time…

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

Friends,

To celebrate my husband, Antonio’s, 40th birthday on February 23, 2008, I decided to take him to Orange Beach, Alabama for some R&R. We arrived in the late afternoon and had just enough time to walk on the beach and frolic in the sand.

While walking on the beach, we saw some MASSIVE jellyfish. Good thing it was too chilly to swim! You can see the size of this monster in proportion to my foot, right next to it.

Of course, there were the most amazing sunsets. The beach is my favorite place in the whole world. One day, I am going to own a house on the beach so I can see sunsets like this one.

I took Antonio out to eat at this restaurant called The Voyager, located at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach.

The food was absolutely phenomenal. My favorite was the appetizer I ordered, a large wood-smoked portabella mushroom stuffed with chorizo and topped with a tasso ham cream sauce. I was in gastronomic heaven. A picture wouldn’t have done the dish justice. I’m still dreaming about the mushroom appetizer!

Antonio’s entree’ was equally tantalizing. He ordered the Southwest steak, which was hand-rubbed with spices. It was laid next to a bed of creamy chipotle Mexican cheese rice garnished with spinach tortilla strips. Alongside, aged balsamic vinegar topped avocados resting on heirloom tomatoes. Antonio said it was one of the very best meals he had in his life! He said, “My tastebuds are having a party.” We found out that the executive chef worked at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. No wonder the food was so delectable.

Then the restaurant surprised Antonio with a “birthday cake,” chocolate dipped strawberries complete with a birthday candle!

We even had a romantic moonlight dance on the beach under a glittering diamond-covered sky. A perfect way to end the day!

The next morning, I watched the sun rise from our ocean side veranda. This was the view from our room. Spectacular! This is what you call a room with a view!

We had a delicious lunch at a beach side cafe’ called Bahama Bob’s. Their motto is “The lower the latitude, the better the attitude.” Following lunch, we decided to spend the afternoon at a public beach. I HAD to do some work. I can’t think of a better way to work than overlooking the ocean! We camped out in a large pavillion outfitted with multiple picnic tables. Next to us, some gentleman were playing beanbag toss (”old man’s horseshoes,” as one of them so wittingly stated). I actually got a lot of work done!

What a way to spend a birthday! I think Antonio had a great time. A little birdie told me so…

Happy 40th birthday, sweetie! I <3 U! Friends, take some time out of your life to do the things you really enjoy (even if you have to work a little while doing it… LOL). Have a great week!

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

This past week has been crazy, trying to meet deadlines – book deadlines, workshop handouts, finalizing details for my international trip to Guam and the Philippines, sending out contracts, and working on some big projects. But I had to take time out for my husband, Antonio. His birthday is Saturday, February 23, 2008 and he is now 40 years old!

We started celebrating on Thursday by attending the New Orleans’ own NBA basketball team, the Hornets’, casino night. It was a night full of fun, a promotion for season ticket holders with a “Meet and Greet the Players.” The Hornets are the #1 NBA team in the West so it was a celebratory night with delicious food and gambling for prizes (not real money). Antonio and I didn’t win but we had a blast and ended the night dancing. I even got to buzz around with the Hornets’ mascot, Hugo (in a tux, no less!).

On Friday, I sent my sweetie a gourmet gift basket to his work. It’s full of yummy fruit, cookies, nuts and candy.

We’re taking this basket to the beach. I made reservations for a hotel in Orange Beach, Alabama, about a three and a half hour drive from New Orleans. We will have a gourmet dinner sea side at a resort and a champagne brunch on Sunday at another resort. The beach is my absolute favorite place in the world. I can’t wait to celebrate Antonio’s birthday ocean side! Our room has a balcony overlooking the Gulf. I look forward to fun in the sun!

We leave on Saturday, February 23 after church. Eliana, our 7 year old, has her first reconciliation in the morning. She was also chosen to read a passage of the Scripture. I’ll post pictures later this weekend. So you can see, we have a busy weekend ahead!

I wish you a Happy Weekend! Take time to enjoy life, even if it’s just for a moment.

Warmly, Dianne