Lots of irons in the fire, folks!

You know how I’m always saying I wear eleventy jillion hats? Figuratively speaking, that is. I think it’s reached a fever pitch now, y’all. So I’m about to list ’em for you, and then ask a favor. You knew that was coming right? Of course you did. Because y’all are fancy schmancy mind reading followers.

1. Full-time, mom

Lots of people would just stop here. After all, it’s a 24/7 PLUS job. Especially with The Beans. Which is why it’s listed FIRST.

2. Creator, Co-Producer and actress for THE BAR, a new comedy web-series coming soon from Bless Her Heart Productions.  

Trust me. You wanna know more. And you’ll want to get in on the action. Now, watch this.

3. Stella & Dot  jewelry stylist 

Oh, and I just promoted to Lead Stylist, which means I have people under me now. Wanna have a Trunk Show?

4. Kitten mom.

Let it be known, I didn’t intend to have a cat. But it was destiny. His mama abandoned him, and I took over when he was a day old. Round the clock bottle feedings…keeping him clean and safe…basically like having a newborn. Of course, I wouldn’t know anything about THAT. We named him Hiccup and he is almost 7 weeks old now. Eating food on his own, potty-trained, getting into mischief. I guess he’s a toddler now? Regardless, he’s the cutest. cat. ever.

IMG_3772

5. Mixologist/Bartender at one of our favorite local spots. 

This was an accident. I swear. But I’m gonna roll with it, okay? You should too.

6. Volunteer at our church. 

God called, and I need to make sure my ticket to Heaven is punched. Enough said.

7. Blogger 

This is no surprise. I mean, you wouldn’t be reading right now if I stopped wearing this hat. But, recently I’ve been doing more posts like this onethis one, and this one.  Oh, and this!!  So I think it’s kind of a big deal.

Since seven IS a lucky number, I’m cool with it. That is, until somebody hands me NUMBER EIGHT. Because I simply don’t see the line most people believe exists somewhere between ‘overextending yourself’ and ‘why-can’t-I-say-no-insanity’. Yeah, that.

Anyway, remember when I said I needed a favor? Well… here it is. I want y’all to help me with #2. Oh, stop snickering like Beavis and Butthead.  I’m serious. Please consider donating to the Indiegogo campaign for THE BAR. We have the best ensemble cast ever, and it’s hilarious. Not to mention there are some serious, tangible perks to donating! Every penny counts y’all and we’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there (See what I just did? Do you recognize that line from the title song of another iconic Southern film? Hint: Smokey).  It’s my baby, and I really wanna see it blossom. But if you can’t donate, I totally understand. You can still SHARE THE LINK TO THE CAMPAIGN WITH EVERYONE YOU’VE EVER MET. Or share this post you are reading. Or even better… BOTH!

 Love y’all. Have a great weekend 🙂

I’d Hoped This Would Never Happen Again

Yes. But having a little help never hurt either.

Yes. But having a little help never hurt either.

BUT IT HAS

And of course I can’t just sit back and do nothing. These are my people…my family and friends… and they need help, just like they did 3 years ago, when this happened. The devastation isn’t as widespread as it was in 2011, but it’s where I grew up y’all…the county where I was born, raised and lived for 24 years of my life. When you have roots like that, you never forget them.

EVER

Just look at these photos, and tell me your heart wouldn’t be ripped to pieces if these had been taken where you grew up

Downed trees

Downed trees 

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Trees ripped up by the roots

someone's business...and livelihood... damaged

someone’s business…and livelihood… damaged

Can you imagine if one minute your house was intact and the next it looked like this?

Can you imagine if one minute your house was intact and the next it looked like this?

For more images like these, you can visit here. 

But first, please take a look at the immediate needs listed below for those who’ve literally lost everything. If you can donate, please do. If not, please share this post via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, word of mouth….you name it!

I’m begging you to wrap your arms around my people and help them

REPLANT THEIR ROOTS and REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

Immediate needs in Limestone County, Alabama:

Jelly

Snack pudding

Ensure

Bread

Gatorade

Energy/Meal replacement bars

Paper Towels

Diapers

Wipes

Paper Plates

Ziploc Bags

Plastic knives

Styrofoam Coolers

Large Plastic Tubs

Can Openers

Disposable Grills

Matches/ Long Lighters

Duct Tape

Battery Powered Fans

Flashlights

Batteries

Candles

OTC Medicines

Gas Cards

Money/gift cards 

Donations can be sent or delivered to:
Clements Baptist Church
8690 U.S. Hwy 72
Athens, AL 35611
c/o Shane Jackson

Thanks for being a follower of my little blog and for doing what you can to help!

xoxo,

Nancy 

Le Mervetty: The Taste of Paris in Beverly Hills

As a former ballerina, this of course, caught my eye!!

I love that  Anna Pavlova is their muse!!

In keeping with our family tradition of Sweet Saturdays, The Beans and I had the unique pleasure of visiting a lovely new French patisserie by the name of Le Mervetty last week. We were so excited about it, we invited Sugar Bean’s best friend, String Bean, to join us, so she is making her début at A Calibama State of Mind in this post today! So make her feel welcome, y’all!

Now, back to our outing…

If you’ve not yet visited this elegant little gem at 319 North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, I highly suggest doing so immediately. You will not be disappointed! The first thing we noticed is the bright, inviting decor. It absolutely makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Paris, and are about to experience French desserts at their finest. The attention to detail is stunning, right down to the Eiffel Tower and precious packaging. But see for yourself:

Yum!!

Yum!!

Sugar Bean and her BFF, String Bean showing off their treats!

Sugar Bean and her BFF, String Bean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let them eat cake!

Let them eat cake!

Now this is definitely not an ordinary bakery, and I can assure you neither this Southern gal, nor any of The Beans, had ever tasted anything like their delectable treats! The unique desserts, properly known as merveilleux, are available in five flavors (Chocolate, Nutella, Coffee, Praline and Speculoos) and three sizes: Le Petit Mervetty, Le Mervetty and Le Grand Mervetty. Being from the South, I naturally went straight for the one covered in crushed pralines, and it was quite honestly like eating a meringue based, cream-filled cloud of airy sweetness.  So light and fluffy you’ll swear they’ve been whipped up by angels in Heaven! Let’s give credit where credit is due though,  and throw the spotlight on chef Etty Benhamou, who makes these confections on-site, everyday. Oh, and they take special orders too! Which was fabulous news to me, because as soon as we walked in, Sweet Pea’s eyes went directly to their house specialty, Le Pavlova, and wants one for her birthday next month! 

Le Pavlova...ooo la la!!

Le Pavlova…ooo la la!!

 

And if a picture is worth a thousand words….the ones below are worth millions…which is what you’ll feel like after you visit Le Mervetty and taste the sweet perfection they deliver to your taste buds!!

Sugar Bean had Chocolate

Sugar Bean had Chocolate

Butter Bean had Chocolate

Butter Bean had Chocolate

Sweet Pea had Speculoos

Sweet Pea had Speculoos

 

And the grand finale was String Bean and her Le Petit Mervetty flavored with Nutella!

The face of sheer delight!

The face of sheer delight!

 

 

Le Mervetty 319 North Canon Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-804-9409

Le Mervetty
319 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-804-9409

The Legend of the Dogwood

One of the beautiful things I miss about the South. Photo courtesy of Peggy Farlow

One of the gorgeous things I miss about the South.            Photo courtesy of Peggy Farlow

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. No…not because of the bunny!  Although I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy making baskets for The Beans and witnessing their delight when they see the ‘bunny tracks and jelly bean poop’ on Sunday morning. Oh… and let’s not forget the egg hunts! When I was little the Golden Egg was always a Leggs pantyhose egg, spray-painted gold and stuffed with money. Finding that thing was like winning the dang lottery, and the search for it was reminiscent of a scene from The Goonies, boobie traps and all. I am the youngest in my family by 12 years, so my earliest recollection of the annual Romine Family Easter Egg Hunt had me running around with my nieces and nephews, who were toddlers (being assisted by their parents, aka my siblings) and finally ending up in tears because I was too old to hunt with the littles and too little to hunt with the adults. What’s a girl to do?

The festivities were great and all, but my fondest memory of Easter was a story Mama used to tell me. I don’t know the origin of it, or if it’s even true, although I’d really like to go on blind faith and believe it so. And I refuse to Google it. Something tells me it may be a Southern thing, since I’ve actually never seen a dogwood tree growing anywhere except down South. Truth is, I’d all but forgotten it, when I was reminded of it via a post shared by a family friend on Facebook. Of course when I saw the post, I smiled from ear to ear, knowing I would be able to retell it to y’all.

Here it is, as told by my mama, and I suspect many other Southern mamas as well: 

There is a legend that says, at the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus, for such a cruel purpose, greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.  In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:

” Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross– with two long and two short petals. In the middle of the outer edge of each petal, there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red. In the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember.”

dogwood

Beautiful in its appearance and message.                               Photo credit: llerrah.com

To this very day, I can’t see a dogwood tree or blossom without thinking of Jesus and His sacrifice for my sins.

May we all be reminded of His Grace and Glory this Easter as well as the rest of our days.

 

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