Organized or Obsessed? New year’s planning.

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / December 29, 2017 /

Speaking of the new year . . . here’s a photo of my neatly organized drawer of calendars from over the last few years. Okay — over the last 14 years to be exact. Snuggled in the drawer next to my hankies (see the Christmas hankie?), they sit, year after year, records of meetings, parties…

Follow the Star party

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / December 20, 2017 /

  The year I thought I would definitely win the Mother of the Year award, I decided to secure the trophy and crown by throwing a little Christmas party for my boys. I convinced my husband to dress up in an old Mardi Gras tunic and tie a folded tablecloth around his head to make…

A real Charlie Brown tree

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / December 13, 2017 /

I can freak out over a Christmas tree like no one else. Other things may get (literally) swept under the rug, but for some reason, my tree has to be perfect. I poke and fluff each branch daily up until about 11pm on December 24th to make sure it is the loveliest tree of all.…

All the details and a sparkly goat

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / November 17, 2017 /

  Finally, the weekend before Thanksgiving, and its just now cool enough to feel like fall. I was able to wear my boots to the Lighting of the Trees last night without feeling weird.  Actually, Bob and I avoided the (pushing) masses of the tree lighting and instead attended the very exclusive lighting of the…

SOLD OUT!

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / November 8, 2017 /

Wow, what an amazing night! I told you I’d share photos with you of my book launch party for The Majorettes are Back in Town, so here we go . . . Here’s what the display table looked like before the event with my friend Dave being his happy self. There were books stacked all…

Today’s the day! (and soothing fields of cotton)

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / November 7, 2017 /

Well, I’m launching the new book today! It’s been at our local Page and Palette bookstore since last Friday, but tonight is the launch party. If you are in the area, 6pm  (Tuesday, Nov. 7th), you are most definitely invited. There will be lots of fun people, Southern snacks and drink specials at The Book…

Hello Lessons

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / November 3, 2017 /

Our eldest son was a bit shy, or so we thought, until we discovered he was more accurately stubborn.  When an acquaintance stopped, leaned down, and asked, “What’s your name?” our son stared straight at him with no emotion whatsoever. “Tell Mr. McGibby what your name is,” we coached. Still, our darling little redhead looked…

Film Festival Time in Fairhope!

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / October 20, 2017 /

Celebrating 5 years of the Fairhope Film Festival is a huge accomplishment. Growing in popularity and stellar reputation as a hotbed for all types of films, the organizers of the festival, especially founder Mary Riser and her loyal band of volunteers,  have reason to throw a big party this year. With 40 films presented over…

Boy Scouts are for boys

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / October 17, 2017 /

This story origianlly appeared in Advance Publication newspapers in 2017. The Boy Scouts of America are still pushing to add girls to their ranks.  If we follow the money, the legal problems of BSA have drained them of resources, and they are eyeing the budget of Girl Scouts. Combining forces seems like a woke move,…

Jason Braly

By Leslie Anne Tarabella / October 3, 2017 /

*See Jason’s show, Metal Resurrected at the Eastern Shore Art Center throughout the month of August!  Medically speaking, Jason Braly shouldn’t even be able to walk. But walk he does, and so much more. The former elementary school art teacher from Athens, Alabama relocated to Fairhope in 2014 for the warmer weather. That’s right, someone…