It's Coming Together

I had a very successful week! I was able to pull together some crucial first steps in the new business. But what a long road ahead! I just sipped an iced coffee that tastes like blackberries. I mean really tastes like coffee with actual blackberries floating around. So yummy. And I found myself a coffee mentor! He is super stoked about the ideas I have to get my feet wet before I open any brick and mortar. You'll have to wait until I have the plans drawn up to get a peek. So excited.

This is not how coffee in my shop will be made, but interesting if hiking (or biking) for a weekend:

On the other hand . . . what do you think of Michael Vick?

Ciao,
Renee Claire

A Room with No Name

I'm slowly seeing the fog lift from the last month and am beginning to feel the strength to reorganize and reprioritize my home and work and future plans. For so many years I've spoken about opening a gathering space where friends and family of my local neighborhood could sit, talk, and strengthen the fabric of our community. A place where I can offer young adults their first job, have a place to read, and a space where activists (accidental or not) could hold meetings and develop plans, where new artists could showcase their work, and where you could check out a new book or reread one of your favorites. Where I could sit on a porch or backyard patio and sip on champagne with my friends and wear big hats and laugh way too loudly. 

I'm finally starting down the road to open this space. I'm looking at somewhere in the next three to five years to open a small tea room in the St. Roche neighborhood of New Orleans. The neighborhood is just starting to be revitalized and the long time St. Roche Market is finally starting to be rebuilt. I think this is the perfect time for both me and the neighborhood. And I'm looking forward to all the hurdles creating this community space will bring me.

Get ready, you will no doubt have a role in making this possible.
Renee Claire

Catherine Ann Broussard Blanchard passed away peacefully in her sleep from a stroke on February 29, 2012 in her home in Lighthouse Point, Fla. Cathy is loved by her two daughters Christie and Renee, her mother Claire, siblings Harvey Jr., Paul, Steve, and Mary,  the father of her beloved children Carson, her faithful and loyal Maltiz-Yorkie Beausoliel, and her many customers and friends. Cathy was preceded in death by her father Harvey Broussard Sr. in 2004.

Cathy was born in New Iberia and attended both Mount Carmel and the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Soon after graduation, she taught English at Lafayette High School and Cathedral Carmel High School in Lafayette.

Cathy blazed a trail for women in the insurance industry by becoming the first woman State Farm agent in the state of Louisiana in 1983 and then the first woman manager in the state of Florida in 1987. Cathy opened her first insurance agency office on Willow Street in Franklin in 1983. She loved being an entrepreneur, growing her business and taking care of her customers. She took pride in helping the families that walked into her State Farm office. Cathy and her family moved to South Florida in 1987 where she has since resided. Cathy had recently retired in 2010 and enjoyed traveling back to her hometown in Louisiana, visiting family and long time friends. She loved books, New Orleans jazz, traveling to new places and laughing. The New Orleans Saints have always been a source of pride for Cathy who was looking forward to attending another Jazz Festival this coming April with her two daughters and son-in-law. 

In lieu of flowers, please help to protect women’s health by donating to Planned Parenthood of Louisiana 4018 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 7011

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2514 Old Jeanerette Rd., New Iberia.