Eliana Cooks

Oahu, Hawaii Day 5 – Lei Making, Hula Lessons, Puka Dog & Chinatown – Friday, June 10, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-10-11 The pretty view of Waikiki from my Mom and Clay's balcony at the Sheraton Princess

Friends:

Day 5 on Oahu was spent doing a variety of things. The men (Antonio and Clay) went to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor while the girls (Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I) took lessons in lei making and hula. We went to my mom’s hotel, The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and took our lessons there. Not only did we learn how to make orchid leis, we were also given our Hawaiian names. My Hawaiian name is “Mehealani,” which means “heavenly moonrise.” Eliana’s Hawaiian name is “Pualani,” which means “heavenly flower.” Soleil’s Hawaiian name is “Nalanani,” which means “beautiful sunshine.” Mom’s Hawaiian name is “Puanani,” which means “beautiful flower.”

6-10-11 Soleil, Eliana & I make orchid leis and receive our Hawaiian names

After our lei-making, we took an hour-long hula lesson from a tutu kumu (a grandmotherly teacher). It was quite a workout and we were all perspiring at the end of it!

6-10-11 Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I take an hour long hula lesson. What fun!

We worked up quite an appetite and it was time for lunch. So we headed to Puka Dog, a local hot dog stand located only on the islands Oahu and Kauai.

6-10-11 We fell in love with Puka Dog, a Hawaiian tropical hot dog. Ono!

“Puka” means “hole” in Hawaiian. A puka dog, is a bun with a hole inside. The sausage is inserted with a variety of tropical relishes and condiments. I had a lilikoi (passion fruit) mustard and pineapple relish Puka Dog. They were soooo good. Clay, my stepdad, loves them so much that he wants to open a Puka Dog franchise in New Orleans!

6-10-11 Soleil holds her tasty Puka Dog

Puka Dog is also renowned for their Hawaiian shave ice. There is no “d” at the end of “shave,” in case you are thinking I misspelled the word. Shave ice is a powdery fine crushed ice flavored with different kinds of tropical syrups. It is akin to the “snowball” of New Orleans although I have to say that the Hawaiian shave ice has a much finer texture. Just delicious!

6-10-11 A Blue Hawaiian Shave Ice from Puka Dog

After eating our Puka dogs, the girls decided to do some shopping at a nearby outdoor market. We found lots great bargains that rivaled the prices in Chinatown. Imagine that, in the heart of Waikiki!

6-10-11 The girls shop at an outdoor market and find Hawaiian bargains!

We met up with the guys again and headed to Chinatown for our second visit, this time on our own. We shopped for leis, souvenirs, and ate at the food court full of Chinese, Singaporean, and Filipino foods. Eliana and Soleil had traditional Filipino halo-halo, for the first time. Halo-halo is a shaved ice dessert with coconut milk, milk, ice cream, and tropical fruits, a great summertime treat!

6-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Filipino halo-halo!

I had my favorite pork hash with a “paper” cupcake dessert, an angel food cake-like pastry. Can you believe that the pork hash was only 50 cents each?!

6-10-11 I ate pork hash and a paper cupcake from Chinatown. I LOVE pork hash!

After our fill of food, we headed back to Mom and Clay’s hotel, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulanai, and watched a hula show as we sipped on tropical cocktails.

6-10-11 We watch a lovely hula dancer at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

The night ended with a stroll through a big Hula street festival in front of Waikiki beach.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 4 – Hanauma Bay & Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room – Thursday, June 9, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-9-11 Breathtaking views of where surf meets shore

Friends:

On Day 4 of our Hawaii trip, we went to Hanauma Bay. Before we went to the bay, we stopped at a scenic overlook and took some gorgeous pictures.

6-9-11 A scenic view of Oahu's rocky shore

The beauty of the Hawaiian Islands never fails to astonish me…

6-9-11 Smile, ohana!

Antonio, Soleil, Eliana and I had our hearts set on going to Hanauma Bay. My mom and Clay decided to spend their day with Reggie, Clay’s nephew, who is stationed on Oahu. They explored the Northshore while we swam and snorkeled in breaktaking Hanauma Bay.

6-9-11 Beautiful Hanauma Bay

Check out this phenomenal panoramic view of Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 A panoramic view of Hanauma Bay from above

After viewing a video on the preservation of Hanauma Bay, we decided to walk down the steep hill. It was so pretty. The beach wasn’t very crowded and we found a nice spot quickly.

6-9-11 Happy to be at Hanauma Bay!

We snorkled lots and saw some amazing sea life.

6-9-11 Angelfish in Hanauma Bay

Unfortunately, my underwater camera was an epic failure and all but two pictures were blurry.

6-9-11 The underwater camera failed to take clear pics. Here we are snorkeling in Hanauma Bay.

But I did get this great picture of a sea urchin!

6-9-11 The long-slate pencil sea urchin in Hanauma Bay

We had so much fun frolicking in the sand and sea!

6-9-11 Eliana loves Hanauma Bay. She is a natural island girl!

Hanauma Bay is picturesque on land and in the sea! Everywhere you look is a good picture!

6-9-11 Island beauties at Hanauma Bay

Yes, we loved taking pictures at Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 Antonio, Eliana & Dianne at Hanauma Bay

I even ate my Spam musubi at the beach! LOL

6-9-11 I confess... I love Spam musubi, a Hawaiian comfort food

Eliana made her mark at every beach we visited! It became our Hawaiian tradition… what a sweetie!

6-9-11 We love you too, Eliana!

Even roosters love Hanauma Bay…

6-9-11 A beautiful rooster roams the beach at Hanauma Bay

We didn’t want to leave this beachy paradise but we had reservations at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room to celebrate Kid Chef Eliana’s birthday so it was time to go… On the way back, we saw the grand “Stairway to Heaven,” a mountain with “stairs” all the way to the top. Unfortunately, it is not safe to climb and it is illegal for visitors to do so. But it sure makes a pretty backdrop!

6-9-11 Eliana poses in front of Stairway to Heaven on Oahu

Going to Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room was such a treat. They treated Kid Chef Eliana like a princess! We ate the best food – gastonomical delights such as a marinated tomato and watermelon salad, compliments of the executive chef!

6-9-11 A tomato and watermelon salad compliments of Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

They even brought out a delicious birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana!! WOW!!

6-9-11 A birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Here is Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka, who gifted Eliana with sacred volcanic sea salt from the island of Kauai. We were wowed by the hospitality of the Pineapple Room. Not only was it an amazing experience for Eliana, it was wonderful experience for the whole family! And the perfect end to another day in paradise!

6-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 3 – Polynesian Cultural Center – Wednesday, June 8, 2011

by Dianne on June 21, 2011

6-8-11 Eliana and I pose in Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda's backyard

Friends:

Day 3 was our day to spend at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) but we were waylaid by me having an allergic reaction and a swollen eye. I had to go to Wal-Mart to get prescription eye drops so we got off to a late start. Auntie Linda asked us to stop by her house before we went to PCC because she made us jasmine leis from her garden! They were so pretty and aromatic!

6-8-11 Tropical flowers from Auntie Linda's garden adorn Eliana's hair

While we were there, we toured the Katekarus’ yard and gardens. They had a collection of amazing turtles!

6-8-11 A turtle eats hibiscus flowers

Their backyard was so pretty, we had to pose for pictures!

6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty island girls

Auntie Linda and Uncle BobKat are so sweet. Thank you for being so hospitable AGAIN! We left their house and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty girls at the Polynesian Cultural Center

The only village we got to see was Aoetearoa (New Zealand), where we saw a Maori dance show. Then it was time for the Ali’i Luau.

6-8-11 Eliana holds a fish made out of palm leaves at the Ali'i Luau

We saw the roasted kalua pig come out of the ground and carried ceremoniously to the stage.

6-8-11 The kalua pig is pulled out of the imu, the underground oven, at the Ali'i Luau

It was time to dig in. I piled my plate with rice, kalua pork, a purple taro roll, poi (the pasty starch Hawaiians eat), pineapple, chicken long rice (actually a noodle dish), and a root vegetable. I have to say that I didn’t hate the poi but it lacked flavor. It’s not something I would specifically order. I did have poi later that tasted better because it was freshly made. An interesting note about taro root (which poi is made from): if not cooked properly, it causes burning and itching in the throat. I don’t remember it from my childhood days in Hawaii so I am glad I sampled it again.

6-8-11 My meal at the Ali'i Luau - kalua pork, chicken long rice, a taro bread roll, poi, and fresh pineapple

We were treated to a nice show of Hula with a royal procession.

6-8-11 The royal dance to signal the king's entry at the luau

I love watching Hula because it is so graceful and elegant. But it’s even more amazing when kids dance and are so accomplished! I love it!

6-8-11 Kids dance with uli ulis at the Ali'i Luau

After the luau, we went to the Ha, Breath of Life Show and it was magnificent. The show featured dances from the Polynesian cultures highlighted at the PCC: Hawaii, Aotearoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. It was spectacular, full of special effects and a good story! Unfortunately, we could not take pictures. :( But it was the perfect end to our time at the PCC. Aloha!

6-8-11 Family photo time after the Ali'i Luau

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 2 – Hawaii Food Tours & BobKat’s Famous Pizza – Tuesday, June 7, 2011

by Dianne on June 21, 2011

6-7-11 Eliana in front of a big batch of manapua

Friends:

On Day 2 of our Hawaii vacation, it was a day dedicated to food and Kid Chef Eliana’s culinary education. We went on Matthew Gray’s Hawaii Food Tours. It was phenomenal!! I learned so much about the foods of Hawaii. We had manapua, a Chinese sweet bun made with sweet or savoring fillings. I had the cha siu, Chinese barbecued pork. Kid Chef Eliana had coconut. It was definitely love at first bite!

6-7-11 Hawaii's famous manapua buns made with sweet or savory fillings

Then we headed to Chinatown for lots of samplings of local foods. One of my favorite parts of this tour was the visit to the Chinese noodle factory, where rice noodles were made by hand!

6-7-11 At a noodle factory in Chinatown, where rice noodles are handmade

The delicate noodles were complimented by chicken and a savory gingery, sesame, soy sauce. Absolutely divine!

6-7-11 Samples of the amazing rice noodles & wings are prepared for us

We sampled all kinds of local fruit, including rambutan, a small, spiny red fruit with white fleshy orb inside. It’s exotic and sweet.

6-7-11 A rambutan fruit - a fruit popular in Southeast Asia

We saw purple sweet potatoes, mangoes, lichees, and a host of other fruit and vegetables.

6-7-11 Kid Chef Eliana holds a purple sweet potato

I fell in love with a local food called Spam musubi. I know what you’re thinking. Spam?!! Yes, Spam! Hawaii is the largest consumer of Spam in the world and they have fully integrated this canned meat into their cuisine. Spam musubi is sushi rice topped with Spam, and wrapped in nori, a seaweed paper.

6-7-11 Fresh mango, Spam musubi, and ahi poke, which is marinated ahi tuna

We browsed through Chinatown and I was wowed by all the wonderful fresh produce!

6-7-11 Lots of fresh produce in Chinatown!

We loved the tour and the food kept coming!!

6-7-11 A great family photo in Chinatown - notice the No Dumping sign over my stepdad's head. LOL

We knew we were coming back to Chinatown another day!

6-7-11 Kid Chef Eliana eats Korean barbecue pork

Keira, one of our food guides, created a tropical cocktail smoothie. It was soooo good!

6-7-11 Keira's tropical cocktail smoothie - a perfect respite from the heat!

We also tasted a local confection called “coco puff,” a small puff pastry filled with chocolate and topped with a buttery chantilly cream. Tasty!!

6-7-11 Matthew of Hawaii Food Tours passes out coco puffs, a famous Hawaiian pastry

By the time we were done with the Hawaii Food Tours, we felt like overstuffed manapua! It was one of the best tours I have been on and we all loved it! After a quick dip at our hotel’s pool, we got ready for dinner. Can you believe it?!! After all that food…

We went to my Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda’s house for dinner. They are long-time family friends. I grew up with their kids in Hawaii!! We hadn’t seen them in years and seeing them felt like no years had passed. It was the feeling of “ohana,” meaning “family” in Hawaiian.

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda, old family friends from my childhood in Hawaii!

Uncle BobKat (my childhood name for Bob Katekaru) is an expert, renowned pizza maker and wowed us with his culinary skills as well as his operatic singing abilities. Who knew?! It was like watching a food T.V. show!

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat makes a pizza from scratch! Yum!

The pizza came out of the oven hot and fresh, oozing with mozzarella cheese and full of yummy toppings!

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat's Pizza!

Companionship with loving friends was the perfect end to a culinary day of perfection! Thank you Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda for your Hawaiian hospitality! We love you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Story Safari Programs at Webster Parish Libraries – Thursday, June 2, 2011

by Dianne on June 4, 2011

6-2-11 Performing my draw and tell tale, The Emperor's Dragon, at the Webster Parish Library in Minden, LA

Friends:

On Thursday, June 2, I was at the Webster Parish Library in Minden and then their Springhill Branch Library. This summer’s reading theme is “One World, Many Stories.” My program is called “Story Safari,” to coincide with the summer theme.

I began my program with my draw and tell story, The Emperor’s Dragon. The kids love seeing lines transformed into a picture! Then I did “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” another draw and tell story.

6-2-11 Performing my draw and tell tale, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, at the Webster Parish Library in Minden, LA

My middle story was “Medio Pollito,” which in Spanish means “Little Half Chick.” It’s the story of how the weather vane came to be. Then it was time for a song: “My Aunt Came Back.”

6-2-11 With helpers from the audience, Dianne performs My Aunt Came Back, a traditional song at the library in Minden

My last story was from my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library. I had helpers from the audience participate in the story. The little boy who played the main character, Max, was hilarious. His name is Kayus. My rapport with the audience was magical and I had such an amazing time with them!

6-2-11 Cute and kooky Kayus plays Max in There's a Dragon in the Library

Kid Chef Eliana closed out the show with a performance of her new song, “Cool Kids Cook!” She is so adorable! Afterward, we sold and signed tons of books, especially Eliana!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana talks about her cookbook, Eliana Cooks! at the library in Minden

At the end of the show, I put on some dance music and some kids from the audience showed everyone their moves. Check out Kayus!! He was the most incredible break dancer!

6-2-11 Kayus does a handstand while is he breakdancing to Dianne's music

After the show, it was time for our annual tradition: lunch at Moody’s Place! Moody’s is this “hole in the wall” restaurant that serves stick-to-your-ribs Southern soul food – fried chicken, fried pork chops, country fried steak, turnip greens, purple hull peas (black eyed peas), yams, and pies that will make you dream about them for days!!

6-2-11 Oh me, oh my! Look at those pies!

This is the restaurant that introduced me to “hot water cornbread.” Cornbread that is baked and then fried! But it sure tastes good!

6-2-11 Hot water cornbread at Moody's Place in Minden, LA

Jennifer Heard is the children’s librarian who introduced us to Moody’s. Now we have to eat there every time we go to Minden! Look at the two Jennifers! (Jennifer Heard is on the left.)

6-2-11 Jennifer X 2 from the Webster Parish Library in Minden!

Eliana even got to talk to Ms. Moody for a little bit. Yes, Moody’s Place is one of our favorite Southern cooking restaurants in Louisiana!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana in front of Moody's Place in Minden, LA

After lunch, it was time to head to Springhill, Louisiana for our second show. Springhill is on the Arkansas border. It’s waay north! Again, I told my draw and tell stories. When I did “My Aunt Came Back,” the audience had a great time getting silly!

6-2-11 The audience at the Springhill Branch Library does My Aunt Came Back

“Medio Pollito” was a hit with the Springhill Crowd. They even learned a little Spanish!

6-2-11 Showing kids a weather vane from the story, Medio Pollito

When I performed There’s a Dragon in the Library, Zach was my little helper that played “Max” in the story. We had a good time!

6-2-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library at the Springhill Branch Library

Kid Chef Eliana performed her song, “Cool Kids Cook!” At this show, we sold out of books – both of us!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana performs her song, Cool Kids Cook!

Kid Chef Eliana was a big hit and her little fans wanted pictures with her!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana takes a picture with sweet fans!

Following our show, we headed across the street to AmJenn’s Soups and Scoops restaurant. We both enjoyed cold Coke floats. We even got to sign dollar bills that were placed on the ceiling! Cool!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas sign dollar bills for the ceiling at AmJenn's Soups & Scoops restaurant on Main Street in Springhill, LA

Eliana and I had a MARVELOUS time in Webster Parish. Webster Parish is just full of good people – we had such wonderful audiences and the library staff is just out of this world!!! So a world of thanks to our friends in Minden and Springhill! See you down the road…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Visiting Natchitoches, Louisiana – Wednesday, June 1, 2011

by Dianne on June 4, 2011

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana with L-R, Dwayne Cross & Travis Newton, Lasyone's Meat Pie cooks

Friends:

After my show in Leesville, Louisiana, Eliana and I had to head north to Minden, Louisiana. We decided to stop in Natchitoches, Louisiana, one of our favorite little towns in Louisiana. Eliana was doing research for her next cookbook, Kid Chef Eliana Cooks Louisiana, so we had to eat at the famous Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen and Restaurant. Of course, we ordered meat pies. Mmmmmmmm!

6-1-11 Lasyone's meat pie with dirty rice and gravy

Natchitoches meat pies are a famous Louisiana food and Lasyone’s really does it the best, in my opinion. Their pie is crisp and flaky, and the meat inside is well-seasoned with a bit of a kick but not too spicy. Eliana will be doing a kid version of the meat pie. She even got to speak with two of the Lasyone’s meat pie chefs! They were so nice but they definitely would not tell us their secret recipe! LOL

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana bites into a Lasyone's meat pie!

After eating lunch, we decided to walk the riverfront and then do some shopping. I love the beautiful river that runs through Natchitoches. The shops on Front Street are wonderful. Eliana has two new favorite stores: The General Store (Louisiana’s oldest general store established in 1863) because of its EXTENSIVE kitchen wares and Cane River Kitchenware, another kitchen supply store with a demonstration kitchen in the back!

6-1-11 Eliana by the river in Natchitoches

Then Eliana and I decided to do something out of the ordinary. We rented a two-person surrey and rode around town. Boy, was that work! I didn’t realize how tired I would be afterward. The guy told us, “You are a car. You follow car rules.” Well, we didn’t move as fast as a car and it was difficult moving through an uphill four-way stop. REAL cars were honking and waving at us. :)

6-10-11 Eliana and I get ready to ride a two person surrey in Natchitoches

We had a great time in Natchitoches, as always. You should visit too!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Signing: A Tisket A Tasket – Sunday, May 1, 2011

by Dianne on May 5, 2011

5-1-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana sign books at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter

Friends:

Kid Chef Eliana and I had a book signing this past weekend at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter during the New Orleans Jazzfest. We had a big, steady crowd the entire time.

5-1-11 A fan takes a picture of Kid Chef Eliana

It was a lot of fun and I saw a lot of people I know in the French Quarter! Here are some cuties that stopped by to buy books! They were the nieces of my friend, Shelly Justice. Hi, Shelly!

5-1-11 The Cajun Cornbread Boy poses with some fans!

Of course, Kid Chef Eliana is always a show stopper. Everyone thinks she is sooo cute. And she is!

5-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana signs books at A Tisket A Tasket

Thank you to Lisa Jones, who is always the gracious hostess. And we miss you so much, Judy Lasko, our favorite A Tisket A Tasket employee, who is now crossed over into the next life. You’ll remain in our hearts always!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Launch Party! There’s a Dragon in the Library, Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge – Friday, February 18, 2011

by Dianne on February 20, 2011

2-18-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Dewey the Dragon & Marita Gentry sign books

Friends:

This past Friday, Marita Gentry and I launched our new book, There’s a Dragon in the Library in Baton Rouge at Barnes & Noble Citiplace. We had a HUGE crowd with lots of fans and friends there! We began the evening dedicating a copy of the book to a very special boy, Brayden, Marita’s grand-nephew, who was the inspiration for the paintings of Max, the main character in the story. He was so cute!

2-18-11 Dedicating a book to Brayden, Marita Gentry's great-nephew and inspiration for the character of Max at the Baton Rouge launch of There's a Dragon in the Library

Marita began her illustration as I told the story with the help from kids in the audience. She started by drawing the head of Dewey the Dragon.

2-18-11 Illustrator Marita Gentry begins her live illustration by drawing the dragon's head

It was tons of fun having the kids participate in the story. I absolutely love the interaction with my audiences!

2-18-11 Dianne with Dewey the Dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

Marita’s illustrations are always amazing but this time she did a live illustration in FULL color! So loving this dragon!

2-18-11 Marita Gentry's finished dragon in full color! WOW!

After the story, all the kids who participate in the story on stage came up to take their big final bow.

2-18-11 The whole cast of There's a Dragon in the Library at Barnes & Noble Citiplace

Afterward, we had a scavenger hunt and gave away tons of prizes: book bags, a reading pillow and Marita’s illustration.

2-18-11 There's a Dragon in the Library Prize Winners (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Abby Hannie, the CRM of Barnes & Noble Citiplace is amazing. She had dragon face painting for the kids and even had little wings for them! Soooo cute!

2-18-11 Dragon Face Painting at the Barnes & Noble Citiplace book launch of There's a Dragon in the Library (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Even the staff got into the spirit of things! Thank you so much, Nick! You rock!!

2-18-11 Nick, a Barnes & Noble Citiplace staff member, gets into the spirit of There's a Dragon in the Library w his dragon face! (photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

We also had the kids create paper bag dragon puppets and they came out soooo cute!

2-18-11 A fan makes a paper bag dragon puppet. Smokin' hot fun! (Photo by Dianne de Las Casas via iPhone)

Kid Chef Eliana got to sign books too! Yay!

2-18-11 Eliana with her book, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids

We had an awesome time and everyone had so much fun! Barnes & Noble Citiplace is so wonderful. Thank you so much, Abbie! I also want to thank a very special person. Alyson G., a longtime fan and friend, took all the pictures unless otherwise noted. I forgot my camera and Aly came to the rescue! Woo hoo, Aly!!

2-18-11 Alyson Guidry, our event photographer, with her baby dragon!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support me and Marita as we launched our fourth book together, There’s a Dragon in the Library! We <3 you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Dianne’s 4 Deuces Speakeasy Murder Mystery Birthday Party – Saturday, January 15, 2011

by Dianne on January 17, 2011

1-15-11 The Birthday Diva

Friends:

Saturday, January 15 was my birthday and I had a fabulous party. We had a murder mystery party set at a Roaring 20s Chicago Speakeasy.

1-15-11 The Diva Dianne Sign

For two days, we prepped the food and party decor. It turned out great! On the buffet we had: marinated asparagus, alfredo cheese pasta bake in ramekins, Italian meatballs, caprese flatbread, Caesar salad, mushrooms with Italian sausage, Gouda cheese plate, and Eliana’s marinara. On a side table, we had peppercorn beef brisket, Parmesan chicken tenders, and ranch roasted potatoes.

1-15-11 The 4 Deuces Speakeasy Murder Mystery Birthday Buffet

We also had appetizers on the coffee table: deviled eggs made by my friend, Karen, lumpia (Filipino eggrolls) made by my mom, Josie, and roasted pears wrapped in prosciutto. There was also garlic-stuffed olives on queso fresco (Mexican cheese) and puff pasty topped with spinach ricotta.

1-15-11 Appetizers!

Eliana and her friend, Maci, were also dressed up. They were so cute! They were also so helpful during the party, helping to facilitate the night’s events!

1-15-11 Maci as a gangster and Eliana as a diva

We had a fountain featuring 4 Deuces punch (a tasty Caribbean-like concoction not for the kiddos).

1-15-11 Tropical Punch Fountain with Karen AKA Donna Wannabe in the background

I had gorgeous cupcakes made with cards and card suits to “suit” the theme.

1-15-11 The 4 Deuces Cupcakes

Everyone came dressed in costume. It was awesome! Loved the gangsters and flappers!

1-15-11 Donna Wannabe (Karen Spahr) and her brother Don Wannabe (Antonio Casas)

It was a parade of fedoras, fishnets and feathers!

1-15-11 Holly Stone-Barker as Mary Toosteal and Heather Stone as Vanessa Crooner

The evening started with everyone mingling and finding out about each other’s characters. I was Madame Meme and my husband was Don Wannabe. We were the owners of the 4 Deuces Speakeasy.

1-15-11 Antonio AKA Don Wannabe and Dianne AKA Madame Meme

We had a lot of colorful characters, including a congressman!

1-15-11 Dianne AKA Madame Meme with Wayne Barker AKA Congressman Toosteal

Carrie Crooner-Ravioli was the jazz singer played by my 20 year old daughter, Soleil.

1-15-11 Soleil AKA Carrie Crooner-Ravioli and Holly AKA Serina Siren

My mom, Josie Chretien, played Rebecca Ravioli, daughter of Big Jim Ravioli.

1-15-11 Josie Chretien (Dianne's Mom) as Rebecca Ravioli

Harold Rihner was Big Jim Ravioli, the murder victim!

1-15-11 Harold Rihner AKA Big Jim Ravioli

My brother, Gary James, a police officer in real life, played Inspector Nutella.

1-15-11 Gary James (Dianne's brother) as Inspector Nutella, the police officer

My two illustrators came all the way from Baton Rouge to join my party! Woo hoo!

1-15-11 Holly Stone-Barker, Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry (AKA Attorney Penny Cheatum)

It was a complicated plot and there was a lot of double-crossing, back-stabbing, and two-timing going on! My character, Madame Meme, had a key piece of written evidence. Everyone participated and I loved all the costumes!

1-15-11 Kathleen Gebbia AKA Guilda Guiseppi and John Gebbia AKA Jack Guiseppi

As people were milling about, gathering information, the lights went out, there was a loud pop, and Big Jim Ravioli ended up murdered.

1-15-11 The lights go out and Big Jim Ravioli croaks!

Everyone was given a chance to find a murder weapon and had to solve puzzles to go on a scavenger hunt. During the night’s mystery, another murder occurred, in an unexpected twist of events. Guilda Guiseppi found a murder weapon and killed Don Wannabe (Madame Meme’s husband) with an ice pick.

1-15-11 Everyone solving puzzles to find murder weapons

We had to look over evidence presented by the inspector and come to our conclusions. Whodunnit? We had winners in different categories: Best Sleuth (the won who solved the mystery), Best Female Costume, Best Male Costume, and Best Performer. Clay Chretien (Capo Toto Tequila, Boss of all Bosses) won for Super Sleuth. Karen Spahr (Donna Wannabe) won for Best Female Costume. John Gebbia (Greasy Jack Guiseppi) won for Best Male Costume. The Best Performer Prize went to Harold Rihner for his double role as Big Jim Ravioli (the murder victim) and Mayor Bumpkin.

1-15-11 Dianne (middle) with 4 Deuces Speakeasy Murder Mystery Trophy Winners!

It was amazing to share my special day with all the special people in my life – people who make my life better just for being in it. It made my 41st year in this world so meaningful!

1-15-11 Diva Dianne getting ready to blow out her birthday candle

It was an amazing night and I am overjoyed to have shared it with my family and friends. Thank you so much!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Bissonet Plaza Elementary Twisted Tales Residency Day 10 – Friday, December 17, 2010

by Dianne on December 20, 2010

12-18-10 Performing a draw and tell version of Let's Trim the Tree

Friends:

Friday, December 17, 2010 was my tenth and last day of my Twisted Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. It was a fabulous day and I had so much fun with the kids. My ten year old daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, came with me and we had a blast.

On this day my third and fourth grade students were performing their fractured fairytales. I chose a winner from each class and they read their stories to their peers. After all the stories were read, they voted on the overall winner. In third grade, the winners were Joshua, Brianna, Haley & Dawn from Ms. Fury’s class for their story, “Who Dats Crossing.” The students loved the story and everyone really got into singing the chorus. The winning stories for each grade will be posted in separate blog posts.

12-17-10 Dianne with Ms. Fury's third graders performing their story, Who Dats Crossing

In fourth grade, the winners were from Ms. Naugle’s class: Evelyn, Angelique, Connor, Chad, Lajosh & Timmy for “Little Red Riding.” What a great story! Little Red Riding had a hot red Corvette. The big bad wolf was a mechanic. It was so cute. Good job, boys and girls! The students listening to the story really enjoyed it and laughed a lot.

12-18-10 Fourth graders performing their fractured fairytale during P.E. period

I performed stories for the other grades but second grade was a love fest for Kid Chef Eliana!

Kid Chef Eliana

I introduced her and her cookbook and they went gaga over her, asking her all kinds of questions! Kid Chef Eliana was a celebrity!

12-18-10 Second graders ask Kid Chef Eliana questions about food and cooking

Eliana and I had a fabulous day. Thank you so much to Ms. Lombardino, Ms. Kelly, Coach E, and Ms. Miller for their help and time. They are a fantastic team and I LOVE working with them!

A special thank you to Ellen Miller, Librarian; Ms. Easley, Principal; and Ms. Hammernick, Assistant Principal. Much love to my diva office ladies: Donne, Tammy, and Kristie! Bissonet rocks!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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