Travel

Texas Library Association Conference, Austin – April 12-15, 2011

by Dianne on April 20, 2011

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas at TLA with Dewey the Dragon from There's A Dragon in the Library

Friends:

Last week, I signed books at the Texas Library Association conference with my children’s book publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, and my professional book publisher, Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-Clio.

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas signs books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited at TLA

I went to the conference with Marita Gentry, illustrator of several of my children’s books. We have a new book out this Spring, There’s A Dragon in the Library, and it went over very well at the conference!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas pose with TX librarians at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to at the conference because I was constantly signing books. I had a back-to-back, packed schedule with both of my publishers. :)

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Dewey the Dragon and Nina Fancher at TLA

Marita and I had a fabulous time. I love the fact that our new book gave us an excuse to wear tiaras because of its fairytale theme. The tiaras and Dewey the Dragon stole the show!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas signing books at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

This year I didn’t get many pictures with author friends! I got to hug Phil Bildner and say hi to my Texas storytelling friends. Lucky me, when I went to dinner at Guero’s with my phenomenal team at Pelican Publishing (thank you Caitlin and John), I also got to dine with the fabulous children’s book team of Jan Peck and David Davis. We ran into Jeanette Larson and Melanie Hope Greenberg and they joined us. On another night, I had dinner at Moonshine with my incredible team at Libraries Unlimited (much love to Sharon, Debby, Blanche, Shannon). Kristin Fontichiaro and Alexey Root, both Libraries Unlimited authors, are sweet as pie, and I hung out with them at dinner with the LU team.

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Melanie Hope Greenberg taken at Guero's Restaurant in Austin, TX (iPhone pic)

I managed a bit of shopping and met a wonderful husband and wife team at GSH Designs, where I bought lots of great jewelry for my daughters and for friends. Thank you Rosa and Johnny!

4-15-11 Rosa and Johnny of GSH Designs jewelry. Such nice people!

It was a wonderful conference and I love the city of Austin. I wish I could have seen more of it! A big hug to Marita Gentry for making my TLA conference such a special one.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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New York City Trip – March 26-28-2011

by Dianne on April 19, 2011

3-28-11 Incredible view from my corner suite at the Waldorf Astoria Towers, NYC

Friends:

Here I am, catching up with my blog. I can’t believe I am this far behind! My life has been such a whirlwind lately. On March 26, 2011, right after my Kansas trip, I headed to NYC to meet my girlfriend, Fe, and her daughter, Katelin, for some big city fun.

3-27-11 Dianne , Katelin and Fe in Chinatown NYC

Fe is my high school BFF and her daughter, Katelin, is graduating from high school this year. I can’t go to her graduation so NYC was a gift from me. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Towers, the Presidential hotel. In fact, the Italian prime minister was staying one floor above us and President Obama needed my room for his staffers on the day I checked out! On our first night, we did Broadway. We saw The Addams Family. It was a cute show and I really enjoyed it.

3-26-11 Fe and Dianne, dressed to thrill!

The next day, we headed to Chinatown for lunch at Shanghai on Mott Street, my favorite dim sum restaurant! The dumplings are to die for!

3-27-11 The amazing dumplings at Shanghai on Mott Street

It was an incredible meal. OMG. I still dream about those dumplings. They are a work of heart!

3-27-11 Dumplings are being steamed at Shanghai restaurant in Chinatown on Mott Street

We definitely got our shopping on…

3-26-11 Fe and Dianne shopping in NYC Chinatown

We even had fun with the Chinatown vendors! :)

3-27-11 It's Lady Liberty! Fun with a Chinatown Vendor.

Then we took Katelin to Grand Central Station. She had never been before!

3-27-11 Grand Central Station NYC

I had a business meeting on Monday while Fe and Katelin visited family in Long Island. It was such a fun trip to NYC but I wish it could have been longer!! New York City is definitely one of my favorite cities in the world. So much to do. So much to see!

3-27-11 Dianne and Fe in Chinatown NYC

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kansas Summer Reading Workshop SCKLS – Friday, March 25, 2011

by Dianne on March 25, 2011

3-25-11 Love these STAR librarians!

Friends:

Today was the final day of my Kansas Summer Reading Workshop tour. South Central Kansas Library (SCKLS) was my 7th library system in Kansas!

We started the day with a creativity exercise. Workshop participants had to create a self-portrait using items from their purse, wallet or pockets. There were lots of creative librarians!

3-25-11 Dana creates a self-portrait out of items from her purse with a Reeses peanut butter cup nose and Twix eyes! My kind of girl!

I opened Handmade Tales with a draw and tell story called “The Emperor’s Dragon.” I love this story because it’s fun to see the dragon come to life with lines. Kids adore this story!

3-25-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a draw and tell tale to represent China

Next, I taught them the draw and tell tale of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” This story creates a mouse using numbers!

3-25-11 Catching a Pest in 7 steps, a draw and tell tale that uses numbers to create the picture

We did the cut and tell story of “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” a cute story with audience participation, humor, and transformations.

3-25-11 Librarians do the cut and tell story of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

I showed them a scroll story from Japan, Russian nesting dolls made of paper, and “The Ugly Duckling,” made out of towels.

3-25-11 The Ugly Duckling is made out of a hand towel

It’s so much fun to do the story of “Papa’s Teepee” and see the coffee filters transform into snowflakes. I love having everyone create a blizzard.

3-25-11 Librarians create a blizzard of coffee filter snowflakes from the story, Papa's Teepee

After the morning break, it was time for “Bandana Man,” my popular adaptation of “The Gingerbread Man.” Look at these cute old women! Thanks, Chris, Brandon, Eric and Steve!

3-25-11 SCKLS men as little old women in the story, Bandana Man

This bandana man is so cute!

3-25-11 Look at this cute Bandana Man with colorful leopard spots!

I taught the librarians the string story of “The Stubborn Turnip,” an adaptation of the Russian story, “The Enormous Turnip.” Then I taught them a star string figure. So cool to see all of these librarians with their stars!

3-25-11 These librarians reach for the stars... with string!

After lunch, we worked on Tangram Tales and I showed the librarians how to create a Tangram set without a pattern. Then we had an “Invent-a-Tangram” contest. The winner, Diane, won one of my giant There’s a Dragon in the Library posters. I love this person sitting down reading a book Tangram.

3-25-11 Diane is the winner of the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her person sitting and reading a book

The group performed a Tangram story theater of the story, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” It is a tale from the West Indies and their story chorus was fun and rhythmic. I love seeing their collective creativity and how it comes together so quickly!

3-25-11 The SCKLS Librarians perform Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories, a Tangram story theater

I finished the workshop with “Picture Book Make and Takes,” showing them different activities from my picture books: The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Mama’s Bayou, and The Gigantic Sweet Potato. Then I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with the help of Steve and his roach buddies.

3-25-11 Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach are the best of friends...

It was so much fun to see these roaches getting down and having a good time partying!

3-25-11 Monsieur and friends party while Madame Poulet is a away!

We ended the workshop with activities from my new picture book, There’s a Dragon in the Library. I LOVE these accordion dragons!

3-25-11 Librarians model their accordion dragons from There's a Dragon in the Library

I had such a great time with these wonderful librarians! Thank you to Marquita Boenke, Gail Santy, Shelly, Kathy and Abby for doing such a great job with the workshop. They took such good care of me! I LOVE the gorgeous framed, signed art of Kansas sunflowers, a photograph taken by a local photographer that was given to me as a gift from SCKLS! WOW! Thank you so much!

Gail Santy drove me to Wichita but on the way, we stopped in the town of Newton for dinner at the Bread Basket, a Mennonite German buffet. I had German sausage made by Yoder Meats, sauerkraut, home-baked bread, German potato salad, verenika (dumplings stuffed with dry curd cheese) and chicken borscht (soup). It was such different fare for me — I don’t often get to eat German food, and it was delicious! I loved it!

3-25-11 Dinner at the Bread Basket, a Mennonite German Buffet in Newton, Kansas

I really enjoyed my visits across the vast, open state of Kansas. Everyone was so sweet and hospitable. Thank you so much, Kansas librarians! I <3 U!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kansas Summer Reading Workshop for SWKLS – Thursday, March 24, 2011

by Dianne on March 24, 2011

3-24-11 Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach are BFFs...

Friends:

Today was my fifth library system in Kansas for my summer reading workshop tour. Today I went to Southwest Kansas Library System in Dodge City. We began the workshop with a fun creativity exercise in which the workshop participants had to create a self portrait out of items from their purses, pockets and wallets.

3-24-11 A creative self-portrait by a SWKLS Librarian made out of items from her purse

Then it was time for some draw and tell tales to open the workshop. First, we began with a story I created to represent China, “The Emperor’s Dragon,” which is in my Handmade Tales book.

3-24-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a story to represent China

I taught the librarians another draw and tell story, “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” which utilizes the numbers 1 through 7 to create the picture of a mouse. So cute!

3-24-11 The mouse from the story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Handmade Tales

After showing the librarians a Japanese scroll story, Russian nesting dolls made of out paper, and “The Ugly Duckling,” we did the story of “Papa’s Teepee,” which turns into cool snowflakes made out of coffee filters!

3-24-11 Southwest Kansas Librarians create a blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was time for “Bandana Man,” a fun version of “The Gingerbread Man.” First, they had to use their bandanas to make themselves into old women.

3-24-11 Look at the cute little old women from the story, Bandana Man

Then, they turned their bandanas into babies.

3-24-11 Librariaas crack up as they burp their babies

Finally, they folded their bandanas into Bandana Man! “Run, run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m Bandana Man!”

3-24-11 Librarians made Bandana Man, an adaptation of The Gingerbread Man

Then it was time for string figure stories. I taught them “The Stubborn Turnip” and how to make a string star. It’s so adorable!

3-24-11 Stephanie is a star! Woo hoo!

I also showed them how to make the “One Snip Star,” creating a five pointed star with just one snip of the scissors. Very cool!

3-24-11 The One-Snip Star! Too cool!

After lunch, we switched gears and did Tangram Tales. After demonstrating Tangrams and teaching the librarians how to create a set out of Fun Foam, I challenged them to an “Invent-A-Tangram” Contest. Look at the winning Tangram! I love it!!

3-24-11 The winning Invent-A-Tangram - A woman in the tub reading a book

When it was time for the Tangram Story Theater, these librarians got revved up! They performed “Tigers Tales, Anansi’s Stories” and had a fantastically fun story chorus singing, “Feel the story beat, feel the story beat, shake-a-shake-a-shake, shake-a-shake-a-shake. Feel the story beat, feel the story beat, shake-a-shake-a-shake, shake-a-shake-a-shake. UH!!” The storytellers involved the audience with participation and sound effects and the Tangram artists made every Tangram perfect! It was AWESOME!!

3-24-11 The Queen Bee Tangram in Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories Tangram story theater

The last part of the workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them activities for The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Mama’s Bayou, and The Gigantic Sweet Potato. Then I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with Johnny and his roach friends…

3-24-11 Monsieur Roach and friends party like it's 1999!

It was so much fun seeing all the “roaches” on the ground, legs up! Hahahahaha!

3-24-11 Madame Poulet's aftermath - no more roaches partying in her house!

I ended with show them my new book, There’s a Dragon in the Library and all the activities that go with it. Look at this accordion dragon made by Millie Dearden!

3-24-11 Millie is a cutie with her accordion dragon puppet!

I worked with such a phenomenal group of librarians! Thank you so much for your energy and hospitality. Sara McFarland, I hope you feel better… here’s a hug! Then it was time to get the heck out of Dodge (I have always wanted to say that! LOL) and head to Salina, Kansas, a three hour drive from Dodge City. On the way, I caught this cool picture near a wind farm. It looks sort of like a tornado funnel forming but it was just rain…

3-24-11 It looks like a funnel is forming in the Kansas plains but it's just rain...

But on the way to Salina, there was hail! Lots of it! Kansas weather is always an adventure! Thank you to Charlene and her hubby, Ed, for transporting me from Dodge City to Salina. We stopped to eat at Woody’s Smokehouse in Great Bend. Look at all these barbecue sauces!

3-24-11 The many barbecue sauces of Woody's Smokehouse in Great Bend, Kansas

Another great day in the fair state of Kansas! Tomorrow is my last summer reading workshop in Kansas. I’m looking forward to meeting another cool group of librarians!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kansas Summer Reading Workshop, NWKLS – Wednesday, March 23, 2011

by Dianne on March 23, 2011

3-23-11 Kansas' vast plains and green winter wheat

Friends:

Today began the second half of my Summer Reading Workshop Tour in Kansas. I flew into Wichita on Tuesday, March 22, and, after a long drive, arrived at my bed and breakfast in Norton, Kansas very late. Thank you to Gail Santy and George Seamon for being my chauffer. Thank you, Gail, for your excellent tour guide skills. I learned so much about Kansas!

3-23-11 The Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast

I stayed at The Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast, a pretty house in town. Sharon’s house is like a museum, filled with so many interesting items! I met Sharon’s 9 year old granddaughter, Genesis, who was so sweet.

3-23-11 The Rose of Sharon house full of dolls and porcelain figurines

The Northwest Kansas Library System (“NWKLS”) summer reading workshop began with a draw and tell story called “The Emperor’s Dragon,” a story I created to represent China.

3-23-11 Amy draws The Emperor's Dragon, a Chinese Tale

Next, I showed them the draw and tell tale of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” It’s a fun story in which the numbers create an illustration. Isn’t it cute? Great job, Mary!

3-23-11 Mary Allen draws the mouse from the story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps

We did the story of “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” a cut and tell story from my book, Handmade Tales.

3-23-11 NWKLS Librarians do Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

I showed them how to create the Ugly Duckling and the Beautiful Swan from towels.

3-23-11 The Ugly Duckling and the Beautiful Swan

After showing them a Japanese scroll story and paper Russian nesting dolls, we did the cut and tell story, “Papa’s Teepee,” which turns into a snowflake. Then we created a blizzard! Brrrr!

3-23-11 Creating a blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was on to “Bandana Man!” It’s such a popular story and kids love watching the bandana transform.

3-23-11 Old women from the story of Bandana Man

And the bandana men came out sooo cute!

3-23-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can; you can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

We did some string stories and I love it when librarians get excited about mastering a new skill! Woo hoo, Sharon!

3-23-11 Sharon is sooo excited to make the string figure star!

Just before lunch, I taught them all how to make a perfect five-pointed paper star with strategic folds and one snip of the scissors.

3-23-11 Yes, these librarians are STARS!

After our taco bar lunch, we got back into the swing of things with Tangrams. I taught them how to create a tangram without a pattern and challenged them to invent a Tangram. Anna was the winner! Way to go, Anna!

3-23-11 Anna is the winner of the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her Rose in Bloom Tangram!

Then it was time for Tangram Story Theater. The group did a great job performing “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories,” a tale from the West Indies. “Let’s feel the story beat, let’s feel the story beat. UH!”

3-23-11 Performing Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories Tangram story theater

The final part of my workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy illustrated by Marita Gentry and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets.

3-23-11 Sharon cuts out The Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet after coloring him

I performed an excerpt of The Gigantic Sweet Potato and it was so much fun. Thanks, George and Judy (like the Jetsons? Where’s Jane?!). LOL

3-23-11 George and Judy help Dianne act out The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Then it was time to perform the hilarious Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. George Seamon, the NWKLS Library Consultant was Monsieur Roach. Sometime during the workshop, George landed the nickname, “Big Daddy Librarian.” All the librarians LOVED it and vowed to call him that from now on. Fortunately, George has a wonderful sense of humor and had fun with it. Look at how tall he is… he’s 6’4″! BIG DADDY LIBRARIAN!

3-23-11 Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach were once the best of friends...

I love the part of the story where all the roaches end up on the floor, dead, with their legs up! Too funny!

3-23-11 Monsieur Roach and all his roach buddies are legs up once Madame Poulet finds out the truth!

I ended the workshop with There’s a Dragon in the Library and the librarians loved the accordion dragon. Judy, you did such a great job! Judy, who had seen me last year at the Kansas Storytelling Festival, said to me, “Dianne, I am lucky that your bright comet flew through my Kansas sky twice!” Awww, Judy… You are sooo sweet!

3-23-11 Judy models her accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

After my workshop finished, George took me to Nebraska. Yes, I stepped foot in Nebraska and now I can say I’ve been there! LOL

3-23-11 Dianne de Las Casas visits Nebraska!

Then George took me to an adobe house at the local state park. The house, named “Lady of the Prairie,” was built in the 1890s. Since that time, it has been restored.

3-23-11 This adobe house was constructed in the 1890s

My day ended with another long drive to my final destination. I will tell you this. I have never seen so much open space! It’s breathtaking how the land just stretches for miles. I was told that in Kansas, there are more cows per capita than people! Funny little factoid. Here, in the plains, I felt the powerful Kansas winds. There were times I felt like I would be swept away like Dorothy!

The people of Kansas have been so kind and sweet. Thank you, NWKLS, for having me as your summer reading presenter this year. You have swept me off my feet with your hospitality! Here’s to “One World, Many Stories!”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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South Carolina Association of School Librarians Conference – March 10-11, 2011

by Dianne on March 14, 2011

3-9-11 SCASL 2011 Welcome basket in my room

Friends:

I’ve had some technical difficulties with my photos from my new camera so I only have a few shots on this blog from my iPhone. Last week, on Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11, 2011, I was a featured author and speaker at the SCASL (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) conference. I was picked up at the airport by Drucie Gullion and Angie Bardin. They were so sweet and so much fun! When I arrived at my room, a welcome basket was waiting. Very classy!

On my first day of the conference, my first workshop was “Story Safari,” a workshop about the basics of storytelling. It was hilariously fun, especially the storytelling exercise in which groups had to act out animals in dire situations such as the one below.

3-10-11 Story Safari workshop participants acting out three animals stuck inside a boat adrift at sea

At the SCASL Awards luncheon, I was amazed by the incredibly gorgeous “vases” in the middle of the tables. They were vases made out of books that were handcut to look like vases! WOW!

3-10-11 Gorgeous handmade book vase centerpiece

After taking an amazing workshop on “Handmade Books” by Susan Gaylord, it was time to sign autographs. My friend, the amazing Kitt (“Kee-yit”) Lisenby, was at the head of the line. She is such a wonderful person!

3-10-11 Dianne's autograph line

My second workshop of the day was my “Tangram Tales” workshop. I taught the workshop participants how to create Tangram sets without a pattern, how to manipulate the geometric shapes to create pictures, and how to perform a “Tangram Story Theater.” They even invented new Tangrams!

3-10-11 Gorgeous handmade book vase centerpiece

On Day 2 of the conference, I delivered a talk at the Author’s Award Luncheon on how important libraries have been in my life and ended with the story of “The King’s Advisor,” from Handmade Tales. The talented author and illustrator, Joe Kulka, was awarded the Picture Book of the Year award. What a great guy!

3-11-11 The audience at the SCASL 2011 Author Awards Luncheon

I connected with old friends (Thanks Kitt, Jed & Kristen!), made new friends (Drucie, Angie, Susan, Joe, and so many others), and had a fantastic time. Thank you SCASL for honoring me with a return visit!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Carnival Cruise Day 8 – Back to New Orleans – Saturday, November 27, 2010

by Dianne on December 3, 2010

11-27-10 A wedding vow renewal portrait of Mom and Clay

Friends:

The main reason my family went on the Carnival Cruise was to honor my mom, Josie, and stepdad, Clay for their incredible 25 years of marriage! They renewed their vows on the ship in a lovely ceremony officiated by the ship’s captain. The cruise gave us a chance to bond as a family and create beautiful memories. See how happy I am?! :)

11-27-10 Last day on the boat, waiting to disembark.

I only wish my brother, Gary, my nephew Christian, and my late father-in-law, Jaime could have been with us! We had our last meal (breakfast) on the ship and waited on the Lido Deck for our disembarkation number to be called.

11-27-10 Sisterly love - last day on the ship

Finally, it was time to disembark the ship…

11-27-10 Eliana leaves the ship

I am already looking forward to taking another cruise…

11-27-10 Goodbye, Carnival Triumph!

Outside the ship, we waited for our rides. Look at our loads of luggage!!

11-27-10 19 People, LOTS and LOTS of luggage!!

My Auntie Erly is such a comedian…

11-27-10 Auntie Erly is soooo funny!!

It was quite chilly when we arrived in New Orleans, such a departure from the warm tropical weather we had grown accustomed to in the Caribbean! Later that night, our whole family gathered for one last vacation meal. This time, we kept it simple and low-key. Pizza. Just LOTS of it from Mo’s Pizza in Westwego, Louisiana. Come hungry, leave stuffed!

11-27-10 One final meal together as a group at Mo's Pizza

It was a fabulous experience and I’m thankful for the memories!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Carnival Cruise Day 7 – Last Day at Sea – Friday, November 26, 2010

by Dianne on December 3, 2010

11-26-10 Sweet sisters!

Friends:

Our Day 7, Friday, was our final day at sea. It was time to sail back home to New Orleans. We began the day with a sit down breakfast with the whole family in the Paris Dining Room.

11-26-10 Sit down breakfast with the bunch

After breakfast, I headed to an animal towel-folding class. I was so excited because I want to do a couple of towel folding stories in my 2012 book being published by ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, Handmade Tales 2: More Stories to Make and Take. A steward from the Philippines became my personal instructor and taught me how to make a few more animals beyond what was being taught in the class. I also bought the Carnival book on animal towel folding! Woo hoo! This trip served so many purposes! I actually got to do research in all three countries (Belize, Honduras and Mexico) for my 2011 book with Pelican Publishing, Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate as well as research for Handmade Tales 2! Beyond vacation, it was such a fruitful trip for me!

11-26-10 One of the stewards showed me how to make a towel animal gorilla!

Since it was “Black Friday,” the ship’s stores had sales. Of course, I took advantage and did some Christmas shopping! :) I also had to enjoy the view from the ship on the open waters again…

11-26-10 Last day at sea, looking over the side of the ship

Eliana and her cousins participated in the ship’s talent contest, doing a dance as part of the Carnival Kids Club. I caught her on stage from the top balcony of the auditorium so the picture is a bit grainy.

11-26-10 Eliana dances the Cupid Shuffle in the talent show (in front, white leggings)

Afterward, Camrynn, Eliana and I went to the coffee shop to sample some chocolate-covered strawberries I had been eyeing all week long. Talk about YUM!

11-26-10 Tuxedo chocolate strawberries... YES!!

At dinner, we thanked our servers, April and Arnold, for their incredible service and hospitality. Auntie Erly ordered a cake that read, “Thank You! You’re the Best!” It was delivered to them during dinner, our last dinner together on the ship.

11-26-10 Our superb servers, Arnold and April Joy, receive a cake from us as a gift

Now I know why people become addicted to cruises. The service is unbelievable. The food is terrific (and nonstop). The amenities and activities are top notch. And you get to see different parts of the world. It was an amazing experience, to say the least. But, all good things must come to an end…. :( After dinner, we stopped in front of the Christmas tree to take some family photos.

11-26-10 Smile for the family Christmas picture!

My mom and stepdad, Clay, cuddle in front of the Yuletide tree.

11-26-10 Clay and Josie, the cute couple

Clay took a picture with his sister, Rita. She had never been out of the country AND this was her first cruise. Rita LOVED it! The cruise was a gift from my mom and Clay. What an amazing gift – memories to cherish for a lifetime! Merry Christmas, Aunt Rita!

11-26-10 Clay and his sister, Rita

Grandkids, say cheese!

11-26-10 Nana and Paw Paw with the grandchildren

This cruise was certainly a great way to kick off the holiday season! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Carnival Cruise Day 6 – Cozumel, Mexico & Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 25, 2010

by Dianne on December 3, 2010

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

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Carnival Cruise Day 5 – Roatan, Honduras – Wednesday, November 24, 2010

by Dianne on December 1, 2010

11-24-10 Antonio, Dianne, Soleil & Eliana in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras

Friends:

On Day 5 of our Western Caribbean cruise, we docked in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras. Antonio was so excited because it was like a homecoming for him. His mom is from Honduras.

11-24-10 A ship's eye view of island of Roatan, Honduras

Immediately, I fall in love with all the flowers!

11-24-10 Beautiful flowers in Roatan, Honduras

There were so many gorgeous flowers that I had to take pictures!

11-24-10 Hibiscus bloom in Roatan, Honduras

Tropical flowers are my absolute favorite!!

11-24-10 Stunning white flowers in Roatan, Honduras

We decided to take an excursion to Maya Kay, to a private beach resort with a nice beach and great snorkeling. I was particularly interested in this island because it was home to a replica of the Copan Mayan Ruins and a wildlife conservatory. First, we had to take a boat to get there.

11-24-10 Auntie Erly, Trina, Jasmynn, Josie, Eliana & Camrynn on the boat to Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

Even the boat ride was interesting. We saw a sunken ship.

11-24-10 A sunken, rusted ship off the coast of Roatan, Honduras

We even saw a pirate ship! ;)

11-24-10 A pirate ship! Is it Pirate Captain Henry Morgan's ship?!

When we docked, a pier lead us to the island.

11-24-10 My mom, Josie, and Antonio on Maya Key!

This time, it’s the fruit that has my attention. My mom told me that this fruit, the calabash fruit, also grows in the Philippines. Jennie, my mother-in-law told Antonio that it is often dried, hollowed, and used for bowls and hand-carved decorations. It was my first time seeing this fruit. I wonder what it tastes like?

11-24-10 Calabash fruit on Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

Then I saw noni fruit! I have had noni juice but had never seen the fruit in person. Noni is purported to have healing properties and health benefits. Its juice is expensive. It’s so cool what you see and learn when you travel!

11-24-10 Noni fruit from Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

One of the first things I saw as we headed to the beach was a Mayan stone statue. This got me very excited about seeing the replica of the Copan ruins.

11-24-10 Camrynn and Eliana pose next to a Mayan figure on Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

So we decided to explore the Mayan “ruins” and museum first. But not before being greeted by this lovely creature!

11-24-10 A green macaw on Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

And then this pair of beauties stopped me in my tracks!

11-24-10 A pair of rainbow macaws on Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

We finally entered the museum and I hit paydirt! There was a whole section on Mayan chocolate! I have a book coming out called Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate. Although it is an Aztec story, there are so many similarities between the Mayans and the Aztecs.

11-24-10 A picture of cacao pods at the Maya Key museum

I loved seeing all the artifacts in the museum including Mayan pottery (I had to buy some before I left) and jewelry.

11-24-10 Mayan pottery and jewelry

I really want a piece like this in my house!!! Look at the intricately carved wood!

11-24-10 A large carved trunk in the Maya Key museum

When we venture outside, I am stunned by the architecture!

11-24-10 Dianne stands in front of a replica of a Mayan structure

Eliana and I posed on the steps of the “Copan Ruins.”

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The girls were itching to go swimming but we had to take one last picture in front of the "ruins." Look at the scale. And these are small, compared to others!

[caption id="attachment_4606" align="alignnone" width="382" caption="11-24-10 Soleil, Antonio, Dianne & Eliana in front of the replica of the Copan Ruins, Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras"]

11-24-10 Eliana and Dianne on a replica of the Copan Ruins, Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

We headed to the beach for some fun in the sun.

11-24-20 Besties on the beach, Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

The beach was very pretty.

11-24-10 Ideal beach scene, Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

Eliana knows I love collecting sea shells from around the world so she found me a handful. My favorite shell find was a conch shell I discovered while snorkeling. Because there was no living conch inside the shell, I was allowed to keep it!

11-24-10 Eliana collects a handful of shells and coral from Maya Key in Roatan, Honduras

Soleil and the kids had so much fun swimming in the shallow water. While the water wasn’t crystal clear, it was still nice.

11-24-10 Jasmynn, Soleil, Ashlynn, Camrynn & Eliana swim in the Maya Key waters, Roatan, Honduras

I love swimming but this key was really best for snorkeling!

11-24-10 Dianne sans makeup, getting ready to snorkel, Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

Antonio and I went snorkeling and the coral and fish were amazing! I snorkled for over an hour, marveling at the sea life, especially where the coral reef ended and there was a 100 foot drop-off. Too bad I lost my underwater camera. We bought a disposal one but still have to get those pictures developed. Boy, were the fish big! But not as big as this fish… LOL

11-24-10 Soleil, is that a shark in your pocket?

Right before it was time to leave the island, I snapped a picture of this jaguar. The key is home to rescued, rehabilitated wildlife.

11-24-10 A jaguar in captivity on Maya Key, Roatan, Honduras

We headed back to Roatan on the same boat that took us to the key.

11-24-10 Goodbye, Maya Key!

Fortunately, we had time for exploring and shopping in the Mahogany Bay shopping village.

11-24-20 The only shrimp Dianne is not allergic to!

Eliana looked like a total island girl with her morena skin and wind-swept hair!

11-24-10 Eliana, Honduran Island Girl

Eliana and I had fun taking pictures with the fun props in the village!

11-24-10 These pirate boots are made for walkin... the plank! Aye!

Because Antonio’s mom is from one of the Honduran islands (Guanaja, next door to Roatan), we HAD to go shopping! I wanted to buy handicrafts for our house to represent his Honduran heritage. These shopkeepers had such beautiful wood carvings. I bought a gorgeous hand-carved Mayan mask from them.

11-24-10 Honduran shopkeepers with carved wooden masks

We had a wonderful time in Roatan and Maya Key. We didn’t want to leave but the sun had to set on our day…

11-24-10 The sun sets in hospitable Honduras...

Love that wonderful island life – sigh! But it was time to head in and get ready for dinner and a night of fun on the ship.

11-24-10 Even after a full day of sunning, swimming and snorkeling, Eliana joins the dinner dance number!

A few hours after dinner, Antonio and I decided to check out the special Mexican buffet (we didn’t eat!) the ship prepared. Talk about incredible!

11-24-20 OMG. The deck party buffet! A Mayan Indian ice sculpture and watermelon sculpture!!

I mean look at this watermelon sculpture!! Breathtaking!

11-24-20 The most amazing watermelon I have ever seen! The face is a watermelon. The headdress is made of pineapple tops.

There were tantalizing desserts of all kinds but still, I resisted. Can’t believe I said “no” to chocolate!

11-24-10 And the desserts - Oh my!

We ended our night at the Carnival Triumph Deck Party, an annual affair with fun line dancing and great music. You need to move after all that FOOD!

11-24-10 Ending the night at Carnival Deck Party

Next stop — Cozumel, Mexico!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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