Every month I chronicle those ordinary delights that give me comfort or offer a place of reflection or joy. I spent some time in my hometown this month. Here are my everyday delights for May – the Dallas edition.
1. La Madeleine: I’ve loved this French cafe for the last twenty years. As a graduate student I remember spending afternoon hours, studying and drinking coffee in a small corner in the back. When we lived in Houston, we had this cafe behind our apartment and I’d meet friends for an afternoon dessert. Whenever I am visiting Dallas, it is definitely on my to-do list.
2. Capturing local beauty: I adore how paying attention has no limits. It rained quite a bit while we stayed in Dallas. I captured the dew on this yellow lily.
3. Braum’s: The people who know me well understand my love for ice cream. I love Braum’s. My father took us on weekday and weekend evenings. I remember our order to a tee: peppermint ice cream for me, orange sherbet for my mom, butter pecan for my dad and chocolate for my sister. It is one of my favorite memories of my childhood.
4. Connecting with family and friends: My sister and my brother-in-law drove from Houston to meet us for a family event. We hung out for a 50th wedding anniversary, a surprise birthday and just relaxed at home. Familiarity and family breeds comfort.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Oh, I remember La Madeleine. It was the one place I went to treat myself. Then when I moved to NYC, I was so disappointed to learn there were none here. Have a croissant for me. 🙂
I share the same disappointment, Jackie. La Madeleine isn’t located in Arizona.
That’s so funny, when I was a kid mint was my favorite and my dads was butter pecan too! I love the appreciation you have for the little things.
Thanks, Angela! I often feel like little things make up a life. There is certainly magic in the mundane. Love that your father enjoyed butter pecan too.
LOVE that picture of you and your sister!
It is one of my recent faves!
Ooh, Dallas edition! I’d totally love La Madeleine. I already know it.
And that photo of you and your sister made me “aww” this morning. So pretty!
Thanks, Tamara. If you love anything dessert or French, La Madeleine is your place.
Great pix, Rudri! My grandma used to love peppermint ice cream (and so did I), and it always reminds me of her.
Thanks, Luanne. I know peppermint ice cream is an acquired taste for some, but I’ve always loved it.
I love that the places that are special to you are still open! We also recently found a lovely tucked-away French cafe…we’re less than one year in our new town and I’m hoping to find some special go-to places for relaxing, hanging with friends, etc.
I’m reading your post on a kind of down day, so this is wonderful…and it’s inspiring me to look for the delights in my own day today.
Sorry to hear your day was difficult, Cecilia, but I am grateful my post provided some cheer. Your tucked-away French cafe sounds lovely. Sending hugs. xo
Lovely pics ! I love the one of you and your sister! There is no better place than with those we love.
Thanks, Ayala. It was a great time catching up with family and friends.