Food, Friendly Folks and Fun Times
We walked into Downtown Jeaux at about 10 a.m. comin’ in hot and hungry from our drive into Houma from New Orleans. I claimed the last open table while Mark staked a spot in the growing line. It was a…
Author: Melanie Warner Spencer
Hormone Therapy Myths and Misconceptions
If you are a woman or man of a certain age, it is likely that hormone therapy is on your radar. Perhaps you’ve watched the documentary “The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause” released on PBS at the end…
Exploring the Vibrant Dining and Cultural Scene of Hammond
The infatuation, as so many do, began over a cup of coffee. Specifically, an oat milk latte made with precisely measured and pulled espresso using thoughtfully sourced and expertly roasted…
Artist George Marks Recommend His Go-to Spots in Arnaudville
The first time my husband Mark and I visited Arnaudville we were en route to a weekend in Toledo Bend and could only stop long enough for a brief scenic driveabout and lunch. We made the brilliant decision to go…
St. Francisville Has Small-Town Charm with Big-City Sophistication
The natural beauty of St. Francisville’s rolling hills, bluffs and ridges, pristine historic homes, quaint boutiques and top-notch eateries is like a “Gilmore Girls” Stars Hollow fever-dream. For our three-day…
There’s An Event For Everyone This Carnival Season
It’s true New Orleans gets the most attention when it comes to Mardi Gras and no one would argue that it’s the biggest and — perhaps depending on who you ask — most notorious. But celebrations big and small,…
Celebration in Color
On Mardi Gras Day, La Société De Saint Anne parade revelers march on Royal Street in New Orleans making their way to the river to honor those who died the year prior.
Leaving Louisiana
Normally in this space, I’d spin a tale that relates to one of the stories in the issue or talk about something from behind-the-scenes, so please indulge me in a subject-matter shift. After having the privilege of serving as a…
Tales from the Darkside
Throughout middle school, high school and college, two of my favorite pastimes were intentionally scaring myself witless via horror flicks and terrifying novels. On any given night of the week, I’d hole up with cousins, friends or boyfriends in…
Learning Louisiana
As the editor of Louisiana Life Magazine, I probably shouldn’t admit this, but until about 12 years ago I avoided eating crawfish. As I’ve shared before, I wasn’t an adventuresome eater in childhood. Also, I grew up in Kentucky,…
World’s Most Expensive ‘Free’ Rescue and Adventure Cat
In 2020, my husband and I rescued a cat. The friendly little guy, now known as Mr. Percy, was living under our neighbor’s house, getting by on his wits and charming food out of everyone on the block. One evening…
Not-so-Wild at Heart
Like a lot of picky children, for much of my young life I avoided unfamiliar foods. I was raised on a farm so regional fruits and veggies, beef, chicken and pork were recognizable and safe, while everything else was suspect.…
Down by the Riverside
New Orleans La Société de Saint Anne parade revelers march the ashes of those who have died the past year to the Mississippi River on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans.
Louisiana Life Magazine Wins International Awards
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — On May 16, Louisiana Life magazine won 10 awards, at the 42nd annual International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) awards presentation in Ottawa, Canada. Louisiana Life was a finalist for Magazine of the Year. IRMA members…
Homeward Unbound
I often daydream about how cool it would be to live and work in a new city every year or maybe even every few months. In the past, I’ve cobbled together about two weeks of working remotely from about…
Pro-Tip: Lip Balm Life is Easier When the Balm is by Your Side
If like me, you aren’t fond of constantly getting up to forage around in your bag or medicine cabinet to find lip balm, this pro-tip is for you. Quick and dirty: Put them all over your house. Longer version:…
Backroads and Byways
A few weeks ago, my husband Mark was losing it. He’s an extrovert, at risk due to asthma and we are 24 weeks and 195 days into this COVID-19 dumpster fire. Our medically approved activities include: Neighborhood walks and bike…
Along the Way: Party Animals
During our first three Carnival seasons after moving to New Orleans, by the time Fat Tuesday arrived, we were too pooped to party beyond a brief amble out to the corner for a couple of the morning parades while sipping…
Along the Way: Bovine Blues
My people aren’t hunters. We shoot and we eat, but we don’t shoot what we eat. It’s just not in our DNA, I suppose. At least it doesn’t appear to be part of the genetic makeup of the five generations…
Along the Way: This Is Not a Bucket List
The term “bucket list” just doesn’t sit well with me. Not because of its allusions to death — there’s no stopping that canoe from its rapid whoosh down river. Rather, the idea of rushing to get entertaining and adventuresome things…
(Not So) High Rollers
On my 21st birthday, my mom and grandparents took me to a casino. It was the first time I’d ever set foot in one, seeing as you have to be of drinking age to get in, and it was…
Kitchen Tales
True confessions of a food-obsessed writer
Literary Legend
At 83, celebrated author Ernest J. Gaines reflects on his hopes and passions from his home in Oscar.
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