June 18, 2009 – Hancock County, Mississippi

Hey Young Chefs!

Here we are in Kiln (pronounced “Kill), Mississippi, performing in the Hancock County Public Library system. We had a big crowd – over 120 people! A large group of kids came from the YMCA. Mommy sold a lot of books and signed a bunch of autographs.

The library staff was so nice. They even gave us peach upside-down cake – delish! The library has a cat who lives there permanently. She even has a bed on a shelf!

I met a girl whose name was similar to mine – her name is Liana! Here is a picture of us – me, Mommy (Dianne de Las Casas), Liana and Theresa.

After our show, we stopped at the Sno Palace and I had an amazing stuffed snow ball – cotton candy stuffed with vanilla ice cream! Yum yum! I wish we would have taken a picture!

If we would have had more time, Mommy and I would have loved to visit the beach because Kiln is right by the Gulf Coast beaches in Mississippi.

Time to go! See you soon… Cool kids cook and eat snow balls!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

June 14-16,2009 Vermilion Parish, Lousiana

Hey Young Chefs!

From June 14-16, 2009, wWe were in Vermilion Parish. We stayed at Abbeville’s Apartment A. The little cottage is so nice. It has two beds (a queen and a sofa sleeper) and a kitchen. The minute we walked in, we loved it. It felt like home to us.

Ms. Debbie, who owned the apartment, is so sweet. She surprised me with a brownie cheesecake birthday cake. It was delicious!

Here is a picture of me with Ms. Debbie. Thank you so much, Ms. Debbie. Mommy and I love you!

We performed in Gueydan, Maurice, Abbeville & Delcambre in Cajun Country. We had a great time in all the libraries. Here is a picture of me performing “The Princess Pat” with Mommy on my birthday (June 15) in Maurice.

On the evening of my birthday, we met Mommy’s friend, Troy Leger, for dinner. He is a DJ for 94.5 KSMB Hit Music Station. We ate at Posado’s Mexican restaurant in Lafayette. The food at Posado’s is delicioso! Mr. Troy surprised me with a huge ice cream sundae with “9″ written in caramel on top. Mr. Troy also gave me a bunch of cool gifts – CDs, posters, stickers and magazines! Thanks, Mr. Troy!

In Abbeville, I saw a guy pulling his pirogue down the street with his bicycle. We’ve never seen anything like it before!

I had a wonderful time in Vermilion Parish! Mommy even sold out of her Cajun Cornbread Boy books and had to get a stash from Barnes & Noble. I can’t wait to go back and visit again.

Cool kids cook and visit cool places. Get creative at the library!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

June 12, 2009 visit to Lasalle Parish, Louisana

Hey Young Chefs!

Mommy and I performed at the Olla Cultural Center. The kids loved the show so much they wanted more . When the show was finished they had door prizes. Jasmynn and I got a goody bag with candies, note pads and pencils. Before the show, in Jena we went to the Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop. I had an amazing Turkey Wrap with a little fruit salad.

After eating we shopped at the gift shop. Mommy bought a bunch of clothes, jewlery and candles. Jasmynn and I also got a little treat from the shop. We got a praline bar and it was the bomb. We shopped there for about 2 hours. After we shopped we did our show in Jena.

Everybody loved the show in Jena. I was in the newspaper with mommy and a bunch of kids. They want us to come back next year. After the show they also had door prizes. A lot of kids got the door prizes. Mommy sold a lot of books there.

Jasmynn and I had fun in Lasalle. Cool kids cook , read and travel. Get creative at the library.

Bon Appetit , Eliana

Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

Hey Young Chefs!

Here I am in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Above, my cousin, Jasmynn, and I are taking a dip in the Olympic size swimming pool at our motel.

Mommy’s first show was at the Patterson Branch Library. The library was brand new, only open for a couple of weeks.

After having fun at the Patterson library, we had a show at the West End Branch Library in Baldwin, Louisiana. My favorite part of the Baldwin library was the Cajun Jungle Children’s Section. There were vines hanging from the ceiling, a jungle rug, animals mirrors, gators, and lots of jungle plants! Jasmynn and I posed in front of the wilderness.

On Friday, we will be in LaSalle Parish, one of my favorite parishes in Louisiana. I love eating and shopping at the Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop. It is soooooo awesome!

Cool kids cook and go to the library!

Bon Appetit, Eliana