4-11-10 The door display at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter New Orleans

Friends:

On Sunday, April 11, 2010, Holly Stone-Barker and I signed copies of our book, Mama’s Bayou at A Tisket A Tasket on Decatur Street in the French Quarter.

4-11-10 Holly & Dianne sign books at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter

It was French Quarter Fest and business was brisk! We moved a lot of books. We met the nicest people from all over the United States and Canada! I love how New Orleans attracts people from all over – an extraordinary city attracting extraordinary people! A Tisket A Tasket was so good to us, providing a beautiful display to attract customers and prominently showcasing our books.

4-11-10 The nice sign at A Tisket A Tasket

Holly and I had a wonderful time! A special thank you to Lisa Jones and her staff for making us feel so welcome! We’ll be back!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou Frogs Cake

Friends:

My Mama’s Bayou book launch party with Holly Stone-Barker was a smashing success! We had a beautiful cake made to look just like the frogs in our book, Mama’s Bayou. I also set out mini marshmallow frogs for the kids. So cute!

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne in front of the cake table

Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenberg, owners of Octavia, were wonderful hosts. They rearranged the book store for our party and did a fantastic job! Thank you so much, Judith and Tom!

2-27-10 Dianne is a Judith Lafitte fan! Judith is co-owner of Octavia Books.

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, dressed up as a gator. I made her cousins outfits with shirts that had the book’s images on them. They were so cute!

2-27-10 Eliana (gator girl on right) with her cousins

Holly set up a large story time magnet board made from one of the pages in our book. It’s so gorgeous!

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou giant story time magnet board

As I sang the story, the children put the animal magnets on their place in the bayou. It worked out so well and the kids loved it!

2-27-10 The children hold their magnets for the story time board

I played the tambourine and sang the story with hand motions. Eliana held the book and turned the pages. Holly managed the children with the placement of their animals on the magnet board. It was fun!

2-27-10 Dianne & Eliana demonstrate the story's motions

Here are the children doing the hand motions for the story.

2-27-10 The children participate in the story

When the story was finished, I sat on the floor with the children to watch Holly as she demonstrated how she creates her cut paper and collage art.

2-27-10 Dianne on the floor with the kids for Holly's demonstration

Holly did a wonderful demonstration and created a dragonfly! The children were fascinated, watching her put together the dragonfly.

2-27-10 Holly Stone-Barker demonstrates her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly from the book

After Holly’s demonstration, I showed everyone all the activities that were available with our book, all free and downloadable from the web http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=mamasBayou. Then we drew prizes. We gave away a book bag, a cookie sheet magnet board, a mama and baby frog plush set, and a giant stuffed mama and baby frog.

2-27-10 Drawing prizes!

All the children were given a packet of activity sheets and goody bags containing chocolate graham cracker bears, a “Bear Hugs” postcard, bookmark, hopping frog, and party blower. Then we served frogs, poured swamp juice, and signed books.

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne sign books for loyal fans, Jon & Jordyn!

It was a fantabulous day! Thank you to everyone who came to our book launch party. Special thanks to Nina, Katie, and Caitlin of Pelican Publishing for coming! Judith and Tom of Octavia, we couldn’t have done it without you! And of course, thank you to our loyal fans, friends, and family who always stick by us. We’ll stick “bayou” too!

Rock and read on the bayou!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Love is In the Air title float

Friends:

On the Sunday before Mardi Gras, Antonio and I always join friends for a Dimanche Gras celebration, hosted by our good friend, Harold Rihner. We eat at the classic and classy New Orleans restaurant, Antoine’s. We had a lovely lunch with Joe and Jane, Mike and Lyndell, Harold and Lisa, and John and Kathleen. Antonio and I are in the middle of the picture.

2-14-10 Our Dimanche Gras Celebration with friends hosted by Harold Rihner, 2nd from the right

This year, Harold booked us in the Proteus room, a gorgeous private dining room dedicated to the Krewe of Proteus, especially the queens. Proteus is the second oldest New Orleans Mardi Gras parade and has been in existence since 1882. In mythology, Proteus is the Shepherd of the Oceans.

2-14-10 The Proteus Room at Antoine's Restaurant

After a sumptuous feast, we walked through the French Quarter.

2-14-10 Dianne in front of a Ferrari

Our ultimate goal was to get to the Hotel Intercontinental, where we had Grand Stand tickets to view the Bacchus Parade. Walking through the French Quarter on Mardi Gras weekend is always fun. There are many interesting characters along the way…

2-14-10 Antonio behind a golden mime

There are even those that cry out, “Let them eat cake!”

2-14-10 No way! Is that Marie Antoinette?!!!

After visiting with our friend Petros at the Country Flame Restaurant on Iberville, we went to the Hilton on St. Charles, where our friends had a room, to change into “parade” clothes. This meant lots of layers as the weather was unseasonably cold and windy. In fact, I totally bundled up!

2-14-10 Dianne, feeling like a popsicle

Once at the Grand Stand, I met a nice couple, Mervin and Frieda from Ruston, who shared their spot with me at the front of the Grand Stand, so I could take pictures for this blog! Thank you so much, Mervin and Frieda! You rock!

2-14-10 Mervin and Frieda, the nice couple I met from Ruston, LA

The theme for Bacchus was “Love is in the Air” to honor Valentine’s Day, since the parade fell on the lovely holiday this year. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints Quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP, was this year’s reigning king. Crowds whipped into a frenzy when his float cruised by.

2-14-10 Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, King of Bacchus

Drew Brees’ wife, Brittany, was also on the float throwing trinkets to the adoring crowds.

2-14-10 Drew Brees' wife, Brittany

Normally, I love watching the marching bands from all the schools but this year, the bands didn’t play and dance a lot near our Grand Stand.

2-14-10 Southern University marching band

The floats were beautiful but some of my favorites are perennial favorites – the traditional Bacchus floats that appear year after year such as Queen King (King Kong’s wife).

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade's Queen Kong

The Baccha-Whoppa float, an annual super float in the shape of a whale, stopped right in front of us. There were some unusual delays in the parade and huge gaps between floats.

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Baccha-Whoppa

Two of the riders were directly in front of me and I was able to converse with them. They were fun guys and gave us lots of throws. They were even nice enough to pose for me!

2-14-10 The coolest riders on Baccha-Whoppa

Bacchatality is another favorite float. It features riders from the hospitality industry in New Orleans. The float is decorated with foods that are mainstays in Louisiana: crawfish, hot sauce, etc. It is a three caboose float that can hold tons of riders.

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Bacchatality float

I love the float that featured the iconic “The War Is Over!” kiss. So sweet!

The floats were so cleverly titled to correlate with the Krewe’s theme “Love is in the Air” and so beautifully decorated. All of the riders matched their floats with corresponding costumes.

2-14-10 Bacchus is the God of Wine

Although less goodies were thrown this year than in year’s past, the floats were gorgeous and I loved partying downtown, despite the chilly temperatures (people left the parade en mass because of the cold weather). It was another fun, memorable Dimanche Gras. Thank you, Harold and Lisa, for a spectacular celebration!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-8-10 Saints Super Bowl Champion Spirit in the Teacher's Lounge!

Friends:

Today was the 8th day of my Story Fest residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana, located in the Metro New Orleans area. On Sunday, the day before, the New Orleans Saints won a historic Super Bowl XLIV championship. As a result, half of the students and many of the teachers were absent from school. Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, didn’t have school so she accompanied me and was my little assistant all day long. It was wonderful to have her help!

2-8-10 Eliana poses with Saints Quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP, Drew Brees

Our first class was Ms. Walker’s 5th grade class. It was definitely a skeleton crew but we rehearsed their story, “Paul Bunyan and the Great Popcorn Blizzard,” with Eliana filling in for missing storytellers. The 5th graders perform on stage on Wednesday. This has been a big week so I hope they are ready!

Then it was on to Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. They were model students today! I love the way their story, “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking,” turned out. They added a lot of flair to the story, and I can’t wait to see their performance!

I had my first visit with Ms. Dorsey’s second grade class. They were so excited to see me! Ms. Dorsey told them that I was her favorite author and storyteller. Awwww! I shared the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and then we explored world music with movement and scarves. What a fun time!

2-8-10 Ms. Dorsey's second grade class explore world music with scarves

I had a great time in Ms. Champagne’s PK special ed classroom. I told the story of “Rockin Three Billy Goats” and then we danced to jazz music.

2-8-10 Dianne dancing with Ms. Champagne's PK special ed

Then we rocked the room with the Saints’ Super Bowl song, “Party in the MIA.” Eliana danced up a storm with the students too!

Eliana had to leave her mark…

2-8-10 Eliana makes her mark - WHO DAT! Saints are the Super Bowl XLIV Champs!

During lunch, I caught one of the teachers dressed in a tutu… Oh, Ms. Vega, you must have been the Saints’ fairy godmother! LOL

2-8-10 4th grade teacher, Ms. Vega, is a Saints fairy godmother!

Then it was on to Ms. Avist’s first grade class. They were so excited to see me that they all ran to me for hugs. It was my second and final visit to their class. I told them the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” and they had a wonderful time!

2-8-10 Ms. Avist's first graders enjoy the story of Sody Sallyraytus

Ms. Glass’ third grade class was my last class of the day. For the third and final time, we rehearsed their story, “Turtle and Beaver’s Race.” They did a really great job and I love the way they have shaped their story. It’s going to be a great performance.

2-8-10 Ms. Glass' third grade story chorus rehearses Turtle and Beaver's Race

I have two half days left at Strehle. I see three more classes tomorrow and then on Wednesday, my upper grades (third, fourth and fifth) perform. I am excited to see the final product of their hard work.

Until next time… WHO DAT!

Warmly, Dianne

1-24-10 Black and Gold! Dianne in front of a gold Lamborghini

Friends:

Tonight, I witnessed history in the making! In a tight game against the Minnesota Vikings led by Brett Favre, the New Orleans Saints clinched an NFC championship in overtime. A superb 40 foot field goal kicked by Hartley gave the Saints a 31-28 victory. The Saints are Super Bowl bound!

1-24-10 Saints win NFC Championship - Super Bowl Bound!

As Will Smith sings, “Party in the city where the heat is on. All night in the streets till the break of dawn. Welcome to Miami. Bienvenido a Miami.” Never before in Saints history have they had the opportunity to play in the BIG GAME. Antonio, my husband, was in the dome and he said it was absolutely nuts. People were screaming, hugging, and crying. So we had to celebrate in the French Quarter with the rest of our city.

1-24-10 Who Dat Fans are Die Hards!

Even the New Orleans police were chanting over their P.A., “Who Dat! Who Dat!” It was unbelievable.

1-24-10 Even New Orleans Police yelling Who Dat! over P.A.

I have been on Bourbon during Mardi Gras but I have never seen the city like this! Not only was it wall-to-wall with fans, they were all spontaneously and simultaneously singing and chanting, “Who Dat! Who Dat!” and “Black and gold to da Super Bowl!”

1-24-10 Wall to Wall Who Dats on Bourbon

Fans showed their support with fun and crazy costumes, like these girls with bats. They were carrying bats, just like Reggie Bush did at the last game against the Cardinals.

1-24-10 Bringing out the We Believe Bats!

The Who Dat Nation went wild and showed their spirit in creative ways.

1-24-10 Ms. Fleur de Lis and Mr. Who Dat

This historic win even inspired dancing in the streets, with a band setting shop right on the sidewalk! Their jam created a traffic jam! Only in New Orleans…

1-24-10 A band rocks the sidewalk in the French Quarter

On Sunday, January 24, 2010, New Orleans was a city of celebration. It was a sweet, long-time-in-the-making victory. Our “Bless You Boys” are now Super Bowl bound. Just over 4 years ago, when Katrina hit, the New Orleans Superdome was a place of sorrow. Now, the Superdome is a place of joy. In two weeks, Brees meets Manning in Miami in a showdown of quarterback prowess, when the Saints play the Colts. The New Orleans Saints have to, in Drew Brees’ words, “Finish strong.”

1-24-10 Former Saints Quarterback, Bobby Hebert from WWL Radio, broadcasts from Deanie's Seafood restaurant in on Dumaine

But for now, we celebrate and do a victory dance! THE SAINTS ARE SUPER BOWL BOUND, BABY! WOO HOO!

1-24-10 A fleur de lis shows Saints spirit at Yo Mama's Bar and Grill in the French Quarter

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-29-09 Signing books at SE IRA Conference in New Orleans

Friends:

This past Sunday and Monday, I signed books for Pelican Publishing at the South East Regional International Reading Association Conference. It was a great conference and I met so many wonderful people and made new friends. It was also nice seeing my old friends too! I was excited to finally meet Brod Bagert, Rick Anderson, Chuck Galey, and Michael Shoulders. I had corresponded with Rick, Chuck, and Michael over Facebook but had not met them in person. Wonderful guys! They were so warm and friendly.

11-29-09 Chuck Galey, Rick Anderson, Dianne de Las Casas & Michael Shoulders

On the first day, I signed by myself and did very well, moving a lot of books. I shared the table with other Pelican authors including Cecilia Dartez and Sheila Hebert Collins.

11-30-09 Pelican Authors - Dianne de Las Casas, Cecilia Dartez & Sheila Collins Hebert

On the second day in the morning, Marita Gentry, the illustrator for The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, joined me.

11-29-09 Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry sign books

We did a live demonstration with me telling the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and Marita illustrating on a large pad. It was so much fun and afterwards, we signed books. Books flew off the table as people lined up. We had a marvelous crowd. Thank you so much to the teachers and librarians who came to see us! We love you!

11-29-09 Joyous fans wait for autographs from Dianne and Marita

I took Marita to meet my friends, Rick Anderson (Illustrator) and Michael Shoulders (author). Lo and behold, Brod Bagert was at the table. So we all took a moment to pose for the camera… I really enjoyed meeting Brod, who is a children’s poet from New Orleans. He was charming and effervescent and always had women flocked around his booth. Of course, it can’t hurt that Brod serenaded me with song and poetry performed in Spanish!!

11-30-09 Brod Bagert, Dianne de Las Casas, Rick Anderson, Marita Gentry & Michael Shoulders

Back at the Pelican booth on Monday afternoon, New Orleans Saints fever was high. But chicken and roach fever was higher!

11-30-09 Dianne & John Scheid pose as Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach

Thank you very much to the fabulous Pelican sales team who did a phenomenal job: Caitlin Smith, Scott Campbell, and John Scheid. I look forward to being with you at the next conference! TLA, here we come!

11-30-09 Caitlin Smith & John Scheid, part of the dynamic sales team at Pelican Publishing

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-28-09 Dianne in the French Market

Friends,

After my book signing for the Hubbell Library, I went to the French Quarter with my family and friends from Houston, Texas. We had so much fun. This is Josie, my mom, and her best friend, Erlie, trying on wigs in the French Market. Ooh la la! Ha! Ha!

11-28-09 Josie, my mom, and Auntie Erlie, with their new dos

Then Mom and I tried out some masks… Who is who? LOL

11-28-09 Who are those masquerading divas?

Of course, Eliana couldn’t be left out so she tried on some masks too!

11-28-09 Pretty Pink Masked Princess

We shopped, ate at Cafe duMonde and had a fantastic time in the French Quarter.

11-28-09 The Gang in the French Market

Thank you to Jim, Erlie, Charlie and Trina Claire for spending the Thanksgiving Holidays with us! We love you!

11-28-09 Soleil, Eliana & Trina at Cafe duMonde

Here’s to the Fabulous French Quarter!

11-28-09 Mardi Gras masks!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

8-1-09 Eliana Skypes with Soleil from one bedroom to another in the same house!

Friends:

It was an interesting weekend at our house. Because Soleil has been sick with the swine flu, Eliana had been staying with my mom since Wednesday. She was really missing home. So we decided to let Eliana come home on Saturday, August 1, 2009. With Soleil quarantined to her bedroom, the sisters spoke to each other by Skype. Eliana was on her mini laptop in her bedroom Skyping with her sister next door! hahaha But it helped keep the girls connected.

Soleil was feeling a little better so we decided to go out for a bit. Eliana is entering a gourmet burger cook-off contest for kids so we decided to shop for her ingredients. She is making “Flaming Flamenco Burgers,” with a taste of Southern Spain and “Ragin’ Cajun Burgers,” with a taste of Louisiana! We went to St. James Cheese Company on Prytania Street in New Orleans for our cheeses and Serrano ham.

8-1-09 St. James Cheese Company's cheeses

Afterwards, we went to Sucre’, a “sweet boutique” on Magazine Street in New Orleans. The desserts at Sucre’ are a sweet tooth’s dream! Walk into the store and a sugary, chocolatey aroma engulfs your senses, rendering you unable to walk out empty-bellied. Decadent desserts that look like mini sculptures, deliriously dreamy artisan chocolates, mouth-watering gelatos, and jaw-dropping, towering cakes covered in edible “sparkles” tempt the palate. A journey into Sucre’ is not for the weak-willed! Dieters, be forewarned…

8-1-09 Sucre's marvelous macaroon cake

Eliana had the pleasure of meeting Chef Tariq Hanna, the sweet shop’s pastry chef and owner as well as his lovely wife. Sucre’ is the kind of place that fans of Willy Wonka congregate when they are “grown up.” The shop has a sophisticated yet still playful ambience. Chef Tariq is the master of engaging all of the senses in creating his delectable treats. He was so “sweet” and talked to me and Eliana for quite some time. Such a master is Chef Tariq, that he is one of the chef’s competing in TLC’s Ultimate Cake-Off, which airs episodes this month. You can catch a sneak peek tonight on TLC at 9:00 p.m. CDT.

On Sunday, Soleil woke up with a swollen eye. But it proved to be temporary and by Sunday night, she had joined the “general population.” My mom even came to visit for a little while. Eliana and I spent most of Sunday cooking. We tested her new recipe for “Flamin’ Flamenco Burgers,” which was very tasty but still needed to be “tweaked.”

8-2-09 Eliana grills Flamin' Flamenco burgers

She also made her “Devil’s Food Monster Muffins,” yummy low-fat chocolate muffins. Eliana did a video tutorial. You can find it on her website, Eliana Cooks! Cooking for her family is one of Eliana’s joys.

8-2-09 Eliana makes Devil's Food Monster Muffins

It looks like Soleil is feeling a lot better. I disinfected her room and washed her bedding, taking every precaution to prevent the spread of this illness. She is on her last day of Tamiflu and it looks like she’ll be able to return to work tomorrow. So far (knock on wood), no one else has contracted the bothersome bug. I am looking forward to a completely healthy household!

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

Marita Gentry Illustrates as Dianne de Las Casas tells The Cajun Cornbread Boy at Octavia Books 2-4-09

Friends:

I had the most amazing book signing experience at Octavia Books in the Garden District in New Orleans. Tom and Judith, the owners, were so wonderful and such gracious hosts.

Marita Gentry, illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy, drew the pictures live as I told the story. I had the crowd laughing, giggling and participating in the story. It was a blast! Afterwards, Marita gave the drawings away to the kids in the crowd. How cool is that?!

Marita Gentry & Dianne de Las Casas pose with fans at Octavia Books 2-4-09

We signed books for about 2 hours. I just love Tom and Judith, who made Marita and I feel so welcome.

Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry sign books at Octavia Books in New Orleans 2-4-09

Eliana, my little 8 year old, fell in love with Pippin, Octavia’s resident dog. Now she wants a puppy! LOL

Eliana falls in love with Pippin, the resident dog of Octavia Books 2-4-09

What a wonderful experience for all of us. Thank you, Octavia Books! We love you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne