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
Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Martin Parish
Hey Young Chefs!
I am coming to you from St. Martin Parish. This week, my 7 year old cousin, Jasmynn, is traveling with us. Above, I am performing “Princess Pat” with Mommy. Too bad Mommy’s hand is covering my face! LOL
Below, I am sitting in front of a huge serving of white chocolate bread pudding from the famous Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was the best white chocolate bread pudding I have ever tasted!
Here is a picture of Jasmynn and me in front of pretty artwork (it looks like seaweed to me) in Cafe Des Amis.
After eating, we went to a shop called Monroe, where I met a dog named Kennedy. He was the cutest dog ever! Kennedy was a Teddy Bear Pomeranian.
Then we went to La Te Boutique where I found the most gorgeous apron. Mommy bought it for me as an early birthday present. I love it. It says “Diva in Training!”
On Wednesday, we met the most amazing 9 year old waitress. Her name is Mali (pronounced MAY-lee) and she’s in the middle between me and Jasmynn. Mali works at Angelle’s Burgers, which by the way, has delicious burgers, homemade fries, battered onion rings, and ice cream!! If you visit Breaux Bridge, go to Angelle’s!
After leaving St. Martin Parish, we traveled to St. Mary Parish (Franklin, Louisiana). Talk to you soon!
Cool kids cook and meet new friends!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Week of June 1, 2009 – Visit to Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Hey Young Chefs!
It’s me again Shreveport. Above, you see my cousin and best friend, Camrynn and I in Ms. Jeannie’s pool. Ms. Jeannie is a school librarian and Mommy’s friend. We stayed in a really cool upstairs apartment with an air hockey table, a pocket shot basketball game, Guitar Hero and Rock Band Video Games, a kitchenette in a retro Coca-Cola theme, a humongous bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, and a bedroom for Mommy. It was so awesome. The best part was the salt water pool!
Mommy spoke at a librarians’ luncheon and signed books. Camrynn and I helped out. Camrynn is in red and I am wearing the black and white dress.
I am reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which won the 2009 Newbery Award. I’ll tell you about it when I’m done!
Cool kids cook and read so pick up a tasty tale this summer.
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Week of June 1, 2009 – Visit to Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Hey Young Chefs!
Long time no see! I am touring with my mom, Author & Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas, all over Louisiana. Each week, one of my cousins comes with me. Above, you see me (in the brown) with Mommy and Camrynn, my 9 year old cousin. We are standing in front of Mammy’s Cupboard, a restaurant in Natchez, Mississippi, which was on our way to Catahoula Parish.
Camrynn and I helped Mommy all week, setting up and breaking down her show all by ourselves. We even performed with her. Here I am with Ms. Jean, the librarian, Baby Ella, Mommy and Camrynn. I am the only one looking at Baby Ella instead of the camera. She was so adorable!
Here I am swimming in our hotel pool with Camrynn.
I will be bringing you more pictures and stories from my road travels this summer. See ya later, gators!
Cool kids cook, read and travel!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Eliana Eats at the Palace Cafe in New Orleans – Friday, March 27, 2009
Hey Young Chefs!It’s been so long since my last post. My mommy has been traveling a lot and we haven’t been in the kitchen as much.
On Friday, March 27, 2009, my parents took me to Dickie Brennan’s Palace Cafe’ for dinner. Above, I am pictured with Leo Aduana, the wait staff captain. In my hand is a cookbook by Dickie Brennan. I actually met Dickie Brennan and talked to him. He was really nice. He signed the cookbook to me! One day, when I have my own cookbook, I am going to sign one for Dickie Brennan.
The food at the Palace Cafe’ was soooo yummy. I had shrimp balls, prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms, and for dessert – flaming bananas foster! Mommy and Daddy had their world famous white chocolate bread pudding.
I even got to watch the chefs cook and prepare dessert. There were so many prep stations and so much going on in the kitchen.
Loved the Palace Cafe’! Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen, like the chefs at the Palace Cafe’!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Getting Ready for Santa & Recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties – Thursday, December 24, 2008
Hey Young Chefs!
It’s been a while since I have posted a blog. With my mom having surgery (she’s doing great now) and the holidays, it’s been so busy. The past two days have been spent getting ready for Christmas! I couldn’t wait for Santa to try my tasty No Bake Reindeer Patties. You can see me stirring the mix above.
One of our dearest family friends, Ms. Kat, sent us a wonderful box full of Christmas goodies. She sent me two cool cookbooks, Hello Cupcake! and The Greatest Cookies Ever. She also sent me my something I really wanted – a set up magic measuring cups and spoons. They are made of silicone and they pop in and out. They clean easily and take up very little space. Thank you, Ms. Kat. I love everything! You rock!
Ms. Kat also sent me some cookie cutters. So I had fun with some of my Christmas cookie cutters and Play Dough. Like my Christmas scene?
This evening, we went to church. Then we went to Nana’s house and unwrapped one present from Mommy & Daddy, and one present from Nana & Paw Paw. Mommy & Daddy gave me the book Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly. Nana & Paw Paw gave me a Disney Princess book written just for me, with my name in it!! I loved it!
When we went home, we got ready for Santa. I set out his plate with a couple of No Bake Reindeer Patty cookies and milk, reindeer food, and a poem. Here is my poem to Santa:
Santa’s on his way
To give me toys on Christmas Day
He always goes around the world on Christmas Eve.
He stays at our house for a little bit
To eat cookies & drink milk.
Then he goes back up the chimney to get on his sleigh
To ride back to the North Pole!
Merry Christmas!
Here is my recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties. They are so delish!
NO BAKE REINDEER PATTIES
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except peanut butter and oats. Cook over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and oats. Quickly spoon out approximately one tablespoon onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Cookies will harden as they set. Yum! Yum!
Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit & Merry Christmas! Eliana
Eliana Cooks! Gets a Logo!; Monday, November 17, 2008
Hey Young Chefs!
Check out my new cool logo that Mommy had made for me. It was made by her graphic artist, Philip Chow. Thanks, Phil! We redesigned it several times before coming up with this one. I wanted something fun, cartoony, and kid-like. I love it. What do you think?
I’m going to have aprons made with my logo on them. I’ll also be able to use the logo for the label of my seasoning blend, Eliana’s Magic Seasoning Blend. We’ll be working on a full website for next year. It’s going to be exciting!
Talk to you soon! Cool kids cook! Get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Weekend Fun; Friday, November 14, 2008
Hey Young Chefs!
This past weekend was a busy and fun weekend! Mommy was out of town so on Friday night, Daddy took me to the movies. We saw Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa. Dinner was a quickie. Daddy and I popped a pizza in the oven.
On Saturday, I went to 2 birthday parties! The first one was for my friend, Jessica. Her party was at Jazzy Bear. We all got bears to take home. It was so much fun. The second party was for my cousin, Edward. I jumped in the spacewalk and had a blast. Later that evening, Daddy and Uncle George took me to dinner at Serrano Salsa Company. I ate a chicken quesadilla. Yum! Yum! After that, we went to the St. Clement of Rome fair. I played games and even won a live goldfish! Uncle George is keeping him. The fish’s name is “Macho Nacho.”
Late Saturday night, right before midnight (like Cinderella), Mommy came home from New Jersey. Her flight was late so we didn’t get home until late. But I was happy to see Mommy!
On Sunday, I went to the movies with my friend, Breanne. I saw Madagascar again! LOL Mommy gave me the beauty treatment. Here I am!
Check out the cool hairstyle Mommy did.
I love all the twists! I didn’t get to cook this weekend but I had fun! I’m looking forward to getting back into the kitchen…
Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet; Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hey Young Chefs!
Mommy and I made this cool turkey out of a wooden cooking spoon! You can too, with the help of a grown-up. Here are the directions.
Supplies
Large wooden spoon
Construction paper
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 your 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 ½ 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! Happy Turkey Day!
Cool kids cook and craft! Get creative in the kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Eliana
