The Potluck: February 2016

More than a year ago, I started a monthly feature to share some of my favorite things with y’all.

And today? I’m recapping all the stuff I loved in the month of February. This potluck includes a mish-mash of different things, and there aren’t too many products on this month’s love list, as Lady Baby and I were down and out for what felt like forever with a double ear infection (her) and an upper respiratory infection that would not quit (me). The good news is we’re both feeling better, and I cannot believe it is MARCH!

To recap, my potluck, as defined by the folks at Merriam-Webster is:

the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made… a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively <a potluck supper>; whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time.

Around the end of every month, I write up a list of my (current) favorite things. While this list might not be a traditional “meal,” I hope to bring some unique products/entertainment/links/etc. that I’ve recently loved in the hopes that y’all will enjoy them, too.

Who’s ready to recap February?

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    Here we go…

    Collage of items for February 2016 Potluck

    This post contains affiliate links. If you were to make a purchase through one, I would receive a small commission. For more information about the affiliate programs The Speckled Palate participates in, please refer to my disclosure page.

    1. Last Week Tonight with John OliverJohn Oliver is back, and he’s better than ever. Seriously. I love this show, his point of view and how he presents topics, whether the main story might be a presidential candidate or voting reform. If I was still working in journalism and lived in NYC, I’d be first in line to intern or volunteer or do anything involving this show because while a lot of Oliver’s charm is in his humor, he finds ways to cover hard-hitting subjects and drops a lot of knowledge during each week’s main story.

    2. Tacos: I’ve recently been told I have a “taco problem.” (As if this is a problem.) The thing is… we ate and made a ton of tacos in the month of February, and I felt like this TexMex favorite needed to be included in my list because they’re a favorite thing. And I clearly need to make more of them for the blog. So y’all? Please hold me accountable.

    3. Emoji conversations: I’m suuuuuuper late to the emoji game, but emojis were some of my favorite things during February, simply because they’re fun.

    4. Baby get-togethers and playdates: They oftentimes involve donuts or beer, and I love this. As Lady Baby grows, we spend less time in our house and more time out in the world. During the month of February, we socialized with several different friends during the weekdays and weekends. Playgroups, walks and baby brunch dates all happened, and I look forward to more of these in the future because they make our days so lovely!

    5. Beautiful weather: It was startlingly sunny and balmy for February in Dallas, and we took advantage of the gorgeous weather. We walked a lot, we went to the park, we moseyed around the lake, and it was all fabulous. Now the real question is if this weather will stick around or if we’ll have a cold snap before spring arrives. (I’m betting on a cold snap the weekend of Lady Baby’s birthday party.)

    6. Ben and Jerry’s Peanut Buttah Cookie Core Ice Cream: OMG gimme. I discovered this ice cream late in the month and cannot get enough of it. Peanut butter, cookies AND ice cream together? Yeaaaaaah. Pints of this Ben and Jerry’s flavor are dangerous and delicious.

    7. Hockey games in person: We attended two Stars games in person during the month of February, and both were a blast, even though the Stars got slaughtered. We miiiiiight be bad luck (but hopefully not!). After all, the team DID score two goals in the span of 5 minutes after we cheered for them in the tunnel with our alumni group, and Antoine Roussel endeared himself to us by being the only player who offered fist bumps. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more games in person in the near future, and our team will do better…

    What did you love in the month of February?

    Curious about other things I’ve loved? Check out my other potlucks:

    2014: October | NovemberDecember 

    2015: January | February | March | May | June | July | August | September | November | December

    2016: January | February |March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December 

    2017: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

    2018: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

    2019: January | February/March | April | August

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    4 Comments

    1. Sounds like a fabulous month, Erin (minus being sick).

      I need some more John Oliver in my life. Also: tacos are NEVER a problem.

      1. Thanks so much, San! It was a really great month, minus being sick.
        And you totally need more John Oliver in your life. So do I. And I agree about the tacos. They’re just so tasty!

    2. I’m def an emoji person! I can relate. And tacos? YES please. Oh boy, I’m afraid, now that I know about that ice cream flavor. Ice cream is truly my weakness!

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