title: how to set background for menu item shown in actionBar
body: <p>I am showing a menu item in the action bar. I would like to set a background for this item. I would prefer not to use an icon because otherwise I cannot use strings.xml for localization (I am showing some text in this particular menu item, that will get translated in several languages.).</p>
  
  <p>Most of answers here suggest to use icons. The icon of course would cover the text, and if I try android:background instead of android:icon it just won't show anything.</p>
  
  <p>So basically I want to customize the menu item in the actionbar with a custom image but at the same time be able to write something on it (pull some strings). Is there a way to this in xml?</p>
  
  <p>P.S. I am using Theme.Holo.Light.DarkActionBar but I already changed the background of the actionbar.</p>