Story Connection Blog

2010-01-25T22:57:00.001-08:00

Blogged, did a ton of ofc wk & even cleaned out emails, all after teaching 7 classes today. Yay!

2010-01-25T06:26:00.001-08:00

At Strehle Elem in Avondale for Story Fest residency. Saints spirit reigns!

2010-01-24T21:52:00.001-08:00

Never seen City of New Orleans like this. Bumper to bumper, horns blowing, ppl EVERYWHERE. Celebrating!

2010-01-24T21:49:00.001-08:00

Who Dat, who dat, who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints?! WE ARE HEADED FOR THE SUPER BOWL!

2010-01-24T20:32:00.001-08:00

Going to Fr Qtr to celebrate historical moment (tho I hv school residency in morn). SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

2010-01-24T15:09:00.001-08:00

Colts won. Now Saints play Vikings. If we win,will meet Manning in Maimi. Who Dat!

2010-01-23T17:41:00.001-08:00

Nice day w Eliana. Brunch in Fr Qtr. Shopping in Fr Mkt. Princess & Frog movie. Total NOLA day!

2010-01-23T01:52:00.001-08:00

Saw lots sports celebs @ Harrahs in town for Saints game incl Michael Strahan & Curt Menefee fr Fox Sports.

2010-01-22T19:11:00.001-08:00

Going out w friends fr Gulfport, Mississippi to celebrate my bday (again)! Woo hoo!

2010-01-22T11:22:00.001-08:00

Wkshop for MS Arts Comm, Taming Technology: Using the Internet for Biz Success, went well ystrday. Lots new friends! Now in ofc catching up!

2010-01-21T19:13:00.001-08:00

On way hm fr Jackson, MS. Grt feedbk fr wkshop attendees. Yay!

2010-01-21T09:33:00.001-08:00

At MS Arts Commission wkshop teaching the coolest artists in MS!

2010-01-20T16:08:00.001-08:00

Busy day at Quitman Upper Elem. 3 story theater sessions w gr 3, 4 & 5. PD for tchrs. On way to Jacsson, MS. Tech wkshop for MS Arts Comm. Artists.

2010-01-19T14:41:00.001-08:00

Great day at Quitman Lower Elem in MS! Assemblies & prof devel. Said I was best they ever had. Woo hoo! :)

2010-01-19T06:18:00.001-08:00

At Quitman Lower Elementary in MS getting ready for school shows & pro devel for the teachers.

2010-01-18T17:34:00.001-08:00

Driving to Meridien, MS for school visits. Late trip.

2010-01-17T10:50:00.001-08:00

9 yr old Chef Eliana & I invited to participate in a photo exhibit, cookbook & cooking demo at South Food & Beverage Museum. Woo hoo!

2010-01-16T18:18:00.001-08:00

On way to Excalibur Mardi Gras Ball. My bday wkend, SAINTS won playoff game & I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good nite!

2010-01-16T16:37:00.001-08:00

Go Saints all the way! Saints go all the way! Oh I believe... Oh I believe! Saints take Cardinals 45-14. One game away fr THE BOWL!

2010-01-16T12:34:00.001-08:00

Hubby in Superdome, kids at party, me alone. Will wk, watch Saints game & indulge in choc covered fruit delivered for my bday yesterday. :)

2010-01-15T22:37:00.001-08:00

Party was grt! Then I checked email & had 358 bday wishes. Wow! Thx to my family & friends who make my life FABULOUS. 40 is just beginning!

2010-01-15T10:06:00.001-08:00

40 is Fabulous! Recd jewelry, flowers, choc covered strawberries, grt book rvw & lots of hugs, kisses & wishes on my special bday! Thk u!

2010-01-14T23:13:00.001-08:00

It's here! I am officially 40 years old! 4 decades in this wonderful world. Celebrate good times, come on!

2010-01-14T13:54:00.001-08:00

My sweet friend, Ellen Hopkins sent me a signed copy of her book, Identical, for my bday. Cards & wishes abound. Thx! I feel so loved! :)

2010-01-14T08:35:00.001-08:00

My big party tmrw! Menu: brisket, mojo pork, coco chikn, pancit, pesto pasta, haricot vert, bacon Gouda potatoes, lumpia, choc fount + more!

2010-01-13T15:02:00.001-08:00

Evals fr AASL came in. I recd 3.8 out of 4.0 for my Story Fest wkshop w comments like "Excellent" & "Best session I went to at AASL." :)

2010-01-13T13:58:00.001-08:00

Just went to Walgreens & found hb children's books by E. Spinelli, Wendell Minor & Daniel Kirk for $5

2010-01-13T06:49:00.001-08:00

Just saw my new book cover for Stories on Board! Creating Board Games fr Favorite Tales. Gorgeous!

2010-01-12T19:27:00.001-08:00

My little chef, Eliana, cooked up some good grades on her report card - straight As! Way to go, Eliana!

2010-01-12T02:42:00.001-08:00

My website http://ping.fm/P89Rx had 4.9 million+ hits in 2009! Incredible! Special thx to my fab web design co, Hafner Designs.

2010-01-11T05:50:00.001-08:00

Ahead of to do list this week. Yay! Think I'll start on my next book after some extra snuggle time under my fuzzy blankie!

2010-01-11T05:01:00.001-08:00

19 degrees in New Orleans. Ice covering lawn & cars. Brrr. Can't imagine living in subzero climate! Warm thoughts to my Northern friends!

2010-01-10T17:13:00.001-08:00

New Orleans Saints play AZ Cardinals this Sat. Go Who Dat Nation!

2010-01-08T14:58:00.001-08:00

Fanmail fr 5th gr: "I lick [sic] you so much. I hope you lick me back! You are the best author ever but can u sell ur books for $1?" ROFL

2010-01-08T14:51:00.001-08:00

Fanmail fr 4th grder: "Ur the greatest author in the world! When I was helping u, I felt like I was going to faint! I love you!" Smiling BIG

2010-01-08T14:36:00.001-08:00

Fanmail fr TN 3rd grd: "Ur the best author I hv ever met! U need to go to every school! They would luv to see u perform! U rock!" Adorable!

2010-01-08T13:48:00.001-08:00

My book, The Story Biz Handbook, won a 2010 Storytelling World Award in the Special Resources category. Woo hoo! :)

2010-01-07T16:14:00.001-08:00

Madame Poulet book rec'd grt review on NewOrleans.com "folktale really well done w wonderful rhyming & repetition" http://bit.ly/7TBPtu

2010-01-06T21:01:00.001-08:00

Book trailer for Mama's Bayou is done. Check it out! http://ping.fm/MN9Rd

2010-01-06T18:15:00.001-08:00

Working on new book activities w Holly Stone-Barker for Mama's Bayou: color shts, hidden pics, puppets, bookmks, word search & more!

2010-01-06T13:39:00.001-08:00

Working on a new book trailer for Mama's Bayou, on shelves this Spring from Pelican Publishing.

2010-01-05T18:07:00.001-08:00

Amazing New Orleans women, the late Children's Author & Storytlr Coleen Salley & Chef Leah Chase, credited in Disney's Princess & the Frog

2010-01-05T16:43:00.001-08:00

On the way to a wake of a friend. Dennis, you were loved. May the next life be joyous...

2010-01-05T00:46:00.001-08:00

Burned the midnight oil and then some... My to do list is soooo long! One item at a time...

2010-01-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

News: Katherine Paterson named new U.S. Nat'l Ambassador for Young People's Literature, succeeding Jon Scieszka. http://bit.ly/8g0KmP

2010-01-04T15:47:00.001-08:00

Change of dinner plans. Croquettas laborious! So now it's Croquettas over Bed of Mixed Greens w blood orange & lime vinaigrette. Steak tmrw!

2010-01-04T14:02:00.001-08:00

Turning huge ham into small tasty Cuban croquettas. Steak & pommes frites salad for dinner. Eliana making dulce de leche dessert pizza.

2010-01-04T05:25:00.001-08:00

It's cold outside - in the 30s. But it's my brain that needs thawing, to get back into the "work" mode... Yup, vacay is over!

2010-01-03T21:09:00.001-08:00

My 9 yr old daughter, Chef Eliana, posted a new video cooking tutorial: Old Fashioned Waffles. http://ping.fm/lFIiV

2010-01-03T19:20:00.001-08:00

My friend, Liz Mosier, inspired me with a new book idea! Creative sparks are flying... Thanks, Liz!

2010-01-03T18:18:00.001-08:00

Wow. I have so many FB friends that 113 of them were on chat at the same time! Whoa...

2010-01-03T16:16:00.001-08:00

Having a big party on Jan 15 to celebrate my milestone birthday. Theme: 40 and Fabulous! :)

2010-01-03T08:55:00.001-08:00

Love our new 802.11N wireless router. Now hv Internet in every part of the house w multiple devices - 5 laptops, 2 TVs, & 2 iPod Touches!

2010-01-02T15:00:00.001-08:00

Heading to a friend's bday party tonite. Ready to let loose and start 2010 with a bang! Woo hoo!

2010-01-02T09:28:00.001-08:00

Decided not to go to SCBWI conf in NYC cuz ankle still not healed & NY hard to traverse w handicap!

2010-01-02T01:02:00.001-08:00

I turn 40 yrs old on Jan 15. I hv decided to make 2010 a yr long celebration of my 4 decades in this world! Woo hoo!

2009-12-31T21:50:00.001-08:00

Here's to a blessed beginning for the best year yet! Happy 2010 to all my friends fr the east coast to the west coast & around the world!

2009-12-31T16:39:00.001-08:00

Bought my new 2010 journal - blk & silver, very diva! Tmrw, will write 2010 goals inside. :)

2009-12-31T13:43:00.001-08:00

Rumors say Apple is coming out w tablet style e-reader very soon. Will wait before making decision to purchase B&N Nook.

2009-12-31T13:41:00.001-08:00

Feeling a bit better. Leaving hosue for 1st time in 4 days! :) Quiet New Year's Eve celebration at home w family tonite.

2009-12-30T10:02:00.001-08:00

Oh no! Woke up w elephant on my chest. Hard to swallow & coughing. Bright side - daughter made brkfst: fried egg, honey ham & cheese poboy.

2009-12-29T12:23:00.001-08:00

Join 9 yr old Kid Chef Eliana's FB fan page for recipes & video tutorials! http://bit.ly/872pLa

2009-12-28T22:01:00.001-08:00

My little girl, 9 yr old Kid Chef Eliana, now has a Facebook fan page. Please join & help her reach 100! Search Eliana Cooks.

2009-12-28T19:13:00.001-08:00

Email inbox now down to less than 20! Yay!

2009-12-28T09:57:00.001-08:00

Hubby installed new wireless router & Internet won't work. Worked on it for 3 hrs. Refuses to call for help. Says, "I can do it myself."

2009-12-27T14:50:00.001-08:00

Saints lost second consecutive game. Will the Black & Gold make the Superbowl? Saints fans gotta keep prayin!

2009-12-27T01:20:00.001-08:00

Reluctant to see Avatar but saw movie in 3D & loved it! Amazing effects & good story, like Fern Gully for grownups.

2009-12-26T15:12:00.001-08:00

Luv DJ Hero & Just Dance for the Wii. Just Dance is a rockin awesome workout!

2009-12-25T15:36:00.001-08:00

Celebrating Christmas w family & friends. Lots of food & frivolity! Joyeux Noel!

2009-12-25T00:16:00.001-08:00

Yay! Santa stopped by our house! He sure has been good to my children! And my stocking is stuffed to the brim... No, I won't peek! ;)

2009-12-24T21:10:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to college daughter, Soleil, who found out she rec'd another scholarship for outstanding academic achvmnt. 4.0 Ho! Ho! Ho!

2009-12-24T19:03:00.001-08:00

Soleil gv me handmade Diva pin w Swarovski crystals. Luv it!

2009-12-24T11:36:00.001-08:00

Santa, be careful! New Orleans is under a Tornado watch! Friends, track Santa at http://ping.fm/bSzVT!

2009-12-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

Poor Santa will hv to navigate thru torrential rain & wind in Louisiana. Hope the reindeer hv rain gear!

2009-12-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

He's making a list, checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty & nice. Santa Claus is coming to town!

2009-12-23T23:30:00.001-08:00

Hubby calls new iTouch my "iCrack." Daughter & I shared our iTunes Lib wirelessly. Too cool. Yes, I'm addicted.

2009-12-23T15:50:00.001-08:00

The iTunes App store is killing me! $.99 here, $1.99 there... It all adds up. But snap! They are sooo cool!!

2009-12-23T14:48:00.001-08:00

Got a lot of work done today... Created a mktg plan for 2011 books, yes 2011!

2009-12-23T11:09:00.001-08:00

Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach rec'd great book review on The Well-Read Child Blog :) http://ping.fm/unEj7

2009-12-22T22:26:00.001-08:00

Reading Ellen Hopkins' Tricks w iTouch Kindle. Downloaded "My Sister's Keeper" movie. Can't wait to get iPhone! Eligible 4 upgrade in March

2009-12-22T16:55:00.001-08:00

Going to Miracle on Fulton Street in New Orleans w girls & their cousins to see "snow."

2009-12-22T11:26:00.001-08:00

Using Ping.fm fr my new iPod Touch. Woo hoo!

2009-12-22T00:03:00.001-08:00

Playing on my new iTouch. Luv it!

2009-12-21T10:51:00.001-08:00

Eating lunch alone because a lunch mtg was cancelled. At least the food is good - Vietnamese!

2009-12-20T20:13:00.001-08:00

Recovered fr last nite's cookies & cocoa Christmas sleepover w 4th gr girls. Can't wait for Tues. Vacay starts! :)

2009-12-19T10:24:00.001-08:00

Just finished a fun Christmas show at St. Bernard Parish Library. Had a blast!

2009-12-18T10:16:00.001-08:00

Last day at Bissonet. Put my books in ea classrm teachers' box courtesy of Ellen Miller, Librarian. Yay!

2009-12-17T15:35:00.001-08:00

My students in grades 3-5 performed today & they were great! Yay!

2009-12-16T17:29:00.001-08:00

At Bissonet Plaza Elem Christmas dinner. Ho ho ho!

2009-12-16T07:10:00.001-08:00

With Ms. Morales' cool 4th grade class doing Handmade Tales. Yay!

2009-12-15T22:38:00.001-08:00

Made huge "Cafe Bissonet" gift basket for new teachers lounge - coffee, cocoa, cookies, chocolate... Plus ea teacher recv individual gift 2!

2009-12-15T06:20:00.001-08:00

Heavy rain pummels S Louisiana again. More flash flooding expected today.

2009-12-14T16:54:00.001-08:00

Flash flood watch for SE Louisiana until Tues nite. Water in Jefferson Parish now safe for consumption. Rain, rain, go away...

2009-12-14T06:11:00.001-08:00

On my way to Bissonet Plaza Elementary for Day 6 of my Handmade Tales Residency. Fun!

2009-12-13T23:47:00.001-08:00

Had to miss today's Saints game cuz I had a book signing. Well, they won against the Falcons! So now we're 13-0... It's a Who Dat Nation!

2009-12-13T20:43:00.001-08:00

Have to boil our water in Jefferson Parish, LA until Monday. Weekend's storms knocked out power to sewerage station. Water not treated.

2009-12-13T07:20:00.001-08:00

On way to Baton Rougeto sign books at Sam's Club on North Mall Dr. 10-11:30 am

2009-12-12T20:35:00.001-08:00

Made it home through horrible storm. Saw 7 accidents, several of them really bad. Got candles ready in case electricity goes out again.

2009-12-12T19:57:00.001-08:00

Widespread rain and flooding throughout Southeast Louisiana. Trying to get home fr full day of book signings & moving daughter out of dorm in Baton Rouge.

2009-12-12T09:07:00.001-08:00

Signing books today at Sam's Clubs in Gulfport, MS 10-12pm & Slidell, LA 2-4pm.