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