11-25-10 Playa bella at the San Francisco Beach Resort in Cozumel, Mexico

Friends:

On our 6th day of the cruise, we docked in Cozumel, Mexico. It was the last port on our itinerary.

11-25-10 Entering the last port - Cozumel, Mexico!

The water was so incredibly blue – it was like a painting of the ocean! My mother-in-law, Jennie, decided to take a pedicab to the end of the pier. Eliana had to tag along with her abuela.

11-25-10 Eliana and Abuela on a pedicab in Cozumel

We had to stop for some fun photo moments. Glad Cajun Cornbread Boy wasn’t here in Cozumel… look at the size of that gator!

11-25-10 Eliana tames a giant gator in Cozumel, Mexico

I love this photo op… Too funny!

11-25-10 Have your cake and eat it too! LOL

Before heading to a private beach resort for sun, sand and surf, Soleil and I wanted to go shopping in the cute Cozumel shopping village of Puerta Maya.

11-25-10 Such a cute little shopping village - Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico

I bought some beautiful ceramics and Mexican chocolate with chili from a local chocolate maker in Cozumel. Perfect research for my chocolate book coming out next year!

11-25-10 Love that Mexican painted ceramic!

Soleil and I bought a fair amount of silver jewelry. Most of the silver comes from Taxco, Mexico, where it is mined and made into gorgeous pieces like this one…

11-25-10 Beautiful Mayan jewelry in Cozumel, Mexico

After some fun but hurried shopping, we headed to the San Francisco Beach Resort. It was recommended to us by a friend.

11-25-10 Welcome to San Francisco Beach Resort!

Mexico is a country of color — big, bold, color! You can see it in every aspect of their lives. A rainbow of color is how I can describe the Mexican people. They are beautiful people with bright smiles. We were welcomed warmly everywhere we went.

11-25-10 A guitarist sings. He painted his guitar with vibrant color.

San Francisco was our chance to unwind. The sand was white and the water was crystal clear.

11-25-10 My stepdad, Clay, and my mom, Josie, relax on the beach in Cozumel

The whole family came to San Francisco. There was a pool with a water fountain, water sports, snorkeling, and a host of water activities for the kids.

11-25-10 Auntie Erly and Jim enjoying the beach

Some of us loved lounging while the rest of us (me, Antonio, and the kids) enjoyed the water.

11-25-10 John & Pam (Antonio's sister and husband) relaxing on the beach in Cozumel

The resort fee included an open bar and lunch. I had beef fajitas while Eliana munched on delicious chicken quesadillas. The service was excellent and the food was good.

11-25-10 Kid Chef Eliana eats chicken quesadillas. Que delicioso!

Auntie Erly, Mom and I had to take advantage of the massage service. Now why can’t I have that at home every day?!

11-25-10 A foot massage makes my mom, Josie, so happy

The kids and I even got to see a squirrel monkey. This Panamanian monkey was rescued and rehabilitated. I even let it climb on me. It sat on my head!

11-25-10 A squirrel monkey, rescued and rehabilitated

After a great time at the beach, it was time to head back to the ship. The New Orleans Saints were playing AND it was Thanksgiving Day! Of course, Puerta Maya offered many more photo opportunities.

11-25-10 Lots of shopping in Cozumel!

I even caught a peek of Santa Claus in Cozumel!

11-25-10 Yes, it's Christmas in Mexico!

Puerta Maya was such a pretty port. They made it very tourist friendly. If you ever cruise and stop in Cozumel, be sure to have full pockets and an empty stomach!

11-25-10 Sitting in front of a pretty Mayan fountain in Cozumel, Mexico

On the way back to the ship, Los Tres Caballeros serenaded passersby. What a nice way to leave the port. With a song and a smile.

11-25-10 Los Tres Caballeros!

We walked back to the big ship and I stopped to marvel at the crystal clear water one last time. The beach and oceanside is my favorite place in the world. The Caribbean waters of Mexico (Cancun and Cozumel) are the prettiest waters I have had the privilege of swimming in. But it was time to leave our last port…

11-25-10 Headed back to the ship after a full day of sun, sand, surf and shopping in Cozumel

Antonio and I caught some of the Saints game in our stateroom as we were getting ready for Thanksgiving Dinner. It was elegant night so we dressed up.

11-25-10 Dianne ready for an elegant Thanksgiving dinner

Unfortunately, we had to leave our cabin before the game ended so at dinner, we didn’t know if the Saints had won or lost against Dallas. When we left, it was a nail-biting game and the Saints were behind! But during dinner, the Maitre ‘D announced that the Saints had won. Yes, it was time to celebrate!!

11-25-10 The Saints won the Saints v. Dallas game on Thanksgiving and Saints fans rocked the boat!

Eliana looked so sophisticated in her gold dress – one of the Saints’ colors!

11-25-10 Elegant Eliana at Thanksgiving dinner

My Auntie Mary Ann was gorgeous in a black, sparkly floor length gown. Simply stunning!

11-25-10 Auntie Mary Ann, my mom's sister, looks so glamorous on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time of family so after dinner, we all went together to the spectacular Big Easy show in the Rome Auditorium. It was kind of strange not cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving but I enjoyed my beach vacation in Cozumel so much! I give thanks for my wonderful family. I’m so glad we were able to share these special moments together!

11-25-10 We wait for The Big Easy Show to start in the Rome auditorium on Thanksgiving Night

I am filled with gratitude that we were all able be together to share in the joy of my mom and Clay’s wedding vow renewal and to spend this vacation together. Every moment is precious and family is a treasure. Celebrate giving thanks every day…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-26-09 The Main Spread with Fried Turkey and Ham

Friends:

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We had a great turnout of about 50 people altogether for our Thanksgiving Feast. It has always been our tradition to host military singles and young military families to our family gathering and this year was no exception. Eliana and my nieces (Camrynn, Ashlynn & Jasmynn) began cooking on Tuesday. We started with all the desserts that could be refrigerated – Pineapple Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Eggnog Pie, Pumpkin Butterscotch Bundt Cake, and Sopapilla Cheesecake Bites.

11-24-09 Chef Eliana and her cousin, Camrynn, making the Sweet Potato Eggnog Pie

The desserts turned out delicious. Here is a picture of the Pumpkin Butterscotch Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Drizzle. Yum! So moist!

11-25-09 Pumpkin Butterscotch Bundt Cake

The girls worked tirelessly, cooking and keeping the kitchen clean. They were like Santa’s Elves!

11-24-09 Little kitchen helpers taking a pizza break

When guests came in, they wrote their blessings on a leaf for the “Giving Thanks Tree.” Before we ate, we said grace and read the blessings out loud. It was a wonderful beginning to a perfect party.

11-26-09 Giving Thanks Tree

Then they ate and drank to their heart’s content. We had five tables set up with food and one for drinks. The menu included thirty items! The cooking was done by me and the girls, my mom, my 19 year old daughter, Soleil, my mother-in-law, and some of our party guests also brought dishes. The main course included 2 Fried Turkeys, 2 Smoked Turkeys, a Honey Ham, and Mojo Roasted Pork. Appetizers included Lumpia (Filipino egg rolls), Asiago Parmesan Mushroom Purses, Mini Crab Cakes & Remoulade, Ornamental Turkey with Ham, and Cheese & Fruit Skewers. The sides were Cornbread, Bacon Cheddar Cornbread, Cornbread Stuffing, Cranberry Dressing, Roasted Garlic Gouda Smashed Potatoes, Green Bean & Artichoke Casserole, Homemade Macaroni & Cheese, Rice & Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower, Carrots & Mushrooms, Sweet Potato Casserole, Smothered Greens, Black Beans, Shepherd’s Pie, Stuffed Mushrooms and Steamed Rice. We had 2 soups: Crawfish & Corn Bisque and Chicken & Sausage Gumbo. To complete the feast, we ended with these fabulous desserts: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bites, Pumpkin Bundt Cake w Cream Cheese Drizzle, Sweet Potato Eggnog Pie, Pineapple Pumpkin Pie, Leche Flan & Casava Flan. It was a spread to remember!

11-26-09 Yummy Side Dishes

Look at our beautiful drink fountain!

11-26-09 Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Fountain

We had a full house and it was wonderful seeing so many happy faces.

11-26-09 Thanksgiving Party People

The girls put on a show for us, we danced, and played games. Most of all, we had a blast!

11-26-09 Sisters dance

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you to all of our family and friends for making it a special day!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-19-09 Gobble up a Turkey Treat Display Board

Friends:

For Eliana’s class, I created a “Gobble Up a Turkey Treat” board. It’s so cute and easy to make.

Materials:
Cardboard display board
Cardboard cake tray
Candy canes
Construction paper
Googly eyes
Markers
Glue stick
Hot glue

11-17-09 Turkey Treat up Close

Directions:
Using a cardboard cake plate turned upside down so that you the brown (and not the silver or gold) is on top, glue a head, beak, wattle, and wings cut from construction paper. Glue the Googly eyes onto the turkey’s head. Glue candy canes in a “heart” shape as the feathers above the turkey’s body. Use hot glue for the heavy items such as the cardboard body and the candy cane wings and feathers. Using markers, color inside the “feathers.” Kids can just grab a turkey treat and pull. It’s a great way to welcome Thanksgiving. Gobble! Gobble!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-15-09 Giving Thanks Tree

TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: THE “GIVING THANKS” TREE
This year, I am creating a “Giving Thanks” tree. As thanksgiving guests walk in, they will be asked to write down, on a maple leaf, one thing they are thankful for. These leaves will be affixed to a large tree. When the tree is completed, everyone will be able to read all the blessings on the tree. It is a beautiful way to give thanks for our bounty.

Materials:
Science Display Board
Large paper bag or brown butcher block paper
Paper in autumn colors: red, orange, yellow, green, brown
Maple leaf pattern http://familyfun.go.com/printables/turkey-maple-leaf-pattern-for-thanksgiving-703422/
Cardstock or poster board
Glue stick or school glue
Double stick tape

Instructions:
Freehand draw a large tree on a large paper bag or on butcher block paper. Glue it to the middle of the display board. Create a maple leaf traceable pattern on cardstock or poster board. Fold a sheet of “autumn” paper into four, trace the maple leaf. Cut it out. This will yield four maple leaves. You can also trace a small child’s hand and use that as a “leaf” pattern. Create leaves in various Autumn colors. Write the words “Giving Thanks” on each side of the display board or print them out and glue them to the board.

As guests come in, have them write one blessing on a leaf. Use double stick tape to affix the leaf to the tree. Soon, the tree will be full of blessings, things they are thankful for. May those leaves “fall,” fly away, and become someone else’s blessing.

To make the Giving Thanks Tree even more special, consider donating money in the amount of the leaves on the tree to a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a battered women’s shelter, the Red Cross, or your favorite charitable organization.

Friends:

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

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

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

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

Eliana making mirliton stuffing - 11-26-08

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

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

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

Sweet potato eggnog pie - 11-26-08

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

Thanksgiving Feast - 11-27-08

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

The Thanksgiving Feast sides - 11-27-08

Here is the second table with more food…

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Eliana & Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet 11-12-08

Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet
Supplies:
Large wooden spoon
Construction paper (for feathers, beak and wattle)
Scissors
Glue gun
Large googly eyes
Markers

Directions:
Color the flat side of a large wooden spoon with a brown marker. Color slightly down the handle for the turkey’s neck. On four different colored sheets of construction paper (yellow, orange, red, brown, cream, green… fall colors), trace a child’s hand. Cut out each hand and layer them on top of each other, creating feathers. Staple them together. Glue the feather to the wooden spoon (should be glued to the curved side of the spoon). Glue two googly eyes on the flat side of the wooden spoon. Underneath the eyes, glue an orange construction paper triangle for the beak. Beneath that, glue a red construction paper wattle. Cut a small 1/2 inch strip of yellow construction paper to create a collar (this will separate the turkey’s neck from the rest of the wooden handle of the spoon). Done! Now you have a simple Gobbler puppet that can be used for Thanksgivings to come. You can even have the children make their own turkeys and stick them in Styrofoam, in a vase or bowl, creating a Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Gobble! Gobble!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne