The Potluck: March 2015

In October, I started a new feature to share some of favorite things. I’m continuing this new tradition today with another list of products (and more abstract things) I’m currently adoring.

To recap, I’m sharing my version of a potluck, as defined by Merriam-Webster.

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.

Every month, I’m sharing some of my favorite things. Kind of like Oprah, except I (sadly) cannot send one of each thing to y’all, even though I’d love to. While this list might not appear to be a traditional “meal,” I want to provide some different and interesting stuff (products/entertainment/links/etc.) I’ve recently loved in the hopes that y’all will enjoy them, too.

Needless to say, this month has been a crazy one.

Lady Baby arrived on March 9th, and the rest of March has been a whirlwind as we’ve settled into this crazy thing called parenthood. I didn’t know my heart could be so full, and I didn’t know I could be so tired, yet still be able to function and take care of someone other than myself. (Survival skills for the win!)

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    That being said, here are some of my favorite things from the month of March:

    The Potluck: March 2015 // The Speckled Palate

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    1. The kindness of our families and friends: We’re so lucky to have such amazing friends and family members. Our families have come to visit us and Lady Baby, and in the process, they’ve cooked for us, helped keep our house organized/clean and played with the baby so this new mama can catch a few ZZZ’s. Our friends have stopped by to feed us, as well as gift us with timely presents, like additional diapers and swaddles and burp cloths. And we’ve received so many goodies in the mail for Lady Baby ever since she arrived. (She’s already received more flowers than I have in years and owns more monogrammed items than I ever have. The girl is adored!) We feel so loved and supported.

    2. Binge watching television shows: Normally, this wouldn’t be on my list. Except I’ve been all about binge watching recently. As someone who has always been go-go-go and a bit of a busybody when she is not working, I’ve enjoyed taking a step back and relaxing this month as I have settled into motherhood. And apparently, relaxation means watching copious amounts of television when I’m not entertaining or feeding my child. Some of my recent favorites?

    • The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Did y’all watch this? If you did, could we just all agree that this documentary and all the real life drama that accompanied it was (and still is) BONKERS?
    • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The theme song is continually stuck in my head, and I love Kimmy’s optimism. Add in various other offbeat characters and a copious amount of jokes, and you’ve got a brilliant set up.
    • The Night Shift. Technically, I’m not binge watching this since it’s currently on air, and there are only so many episodes… BUT! I started watching this last summer because of Brendan Fehr, who I grew up watching on Roswell, and ever since the new season began last month, it’s morphed into more. I’m (obviously) really digging this show. My sister, who works on the night shift at a hospital, commented that it seemed a bit gory for me, especially since I cringe at most of her stories pertaining to blood and guts, but the show is really good, and I’m loving the character development, as well as the work they do, in this new season. Anyone else watching this?
    • Gilmore Girls. A friend recommended this to me the weekend of Lady Baby’s birth, and I mentioned I’d check it out during maternity leave. And holy cow, y’all. As someone who never watched this when it was on, I’m addicted, and I need to know more about everyone/everything in Stars Hollow.
    • House of Cards. We actually watched the third season of this the weekend I was due and finished it during the week up to my induction. Who’s watched this? What are your feelings on the end of the season? Because I just don’t know, y’all! And I hate that we have to wait A YEAR to find out what happens next.
    • Friday Night Lights. Technically, Winston and I already binge watched this show before we made the move to Texas. But when a friend was in town last week, I convinced her to watch the pilot and was sucked back in. Basically, I want Coach Taylor or Tami to give inspirational speeches all the time, and I’m unexpectedly weepy over various plot points and characters as I’m reintroduced to this amazing world.

    3. Water: Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but since I’m nursing Lady Baby, I am thirsty all. the. darn. time. And to combat this thirst, I’ve got a few huge cups that I like to keep filled to the brim so I won’t have cotton mouth as I feed my daughter. (Parenthood problems? I think so.)

    4. Baby gowns: Like woah. As a new parent who’s never spent much time around newborns until she had one of her own, baby gowns (like this) are a lifesaver. Because you don’t want to undress your child and further irritate them during a diaper changing in the middle of the night unless it’s absolutely necessary. And because your child is inevitably going to have a diaper explosion.

    5. All the sporting events: When I haven’t been bingeing on television shows, we’re been tuning in to all kinds of sports. Dallas Mavericks? We watched them from the hospital the night I was induced. The Dallas Stars? We’ve watched hockey multiple nights, too, including the night Lady Baby was born. The Champions League? We like soccer in this house, too! And March Madness? Our television has been tuned in to ALL the games… and it’s all kinds of wonderful. That being said, I’m wondering if our daughter is going to the biggest sports fan and a sporty girl or if all these sports are going to sway her into hating all physical activity. Time shall tell… (And yes, that’s a snapshot of the bracket I filled out for this year’s tournament. So much for choosing an unexpected team to win, huh?)

    What did you love in the month of March?

    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

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    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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    6 Comments

    1. If you need even more Gilmore Girls in your life, you should definitely listen to the Gilmore Guys podcast. It’s super funny.

    2. Congrats on entering the amazing world of parenthood! I agree completely about the value of the drawstring nightgown. Whoever invented them deserves a prize of some sort. My babies are long since grown and gone, but I have never forgotten my love of these under-appreciated baby garments.

      Now, regarding the water thing, I highly recommend the Bubba Mug. Terrible name, great product that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. And it comes in a wide variety of sizes, up to and including Huge and Huge-er! My husband takes one to work daily and swears by it, but I also use one around the house to keep myself well hydrated. Check them out on Amazon or some such place. You’ll be glad you did.

    3. Sounds like you are tackling parenthood like a pro! I am scared for when my partner and I are in the same position (we’ve got a few more years before babies are in the picture) because I’ve never spent much time around babies either! Good to know that survival instincts kick in.
      I have just gotten into House of Cards and oh my lord I just want to watch it all the time. We just finished the first episode of season two and I was in shock, but so hungry for more!
      My favourite thing about March was my birthday 🙂 (March babies are the best, Lady Baby)

    4. So much of this post is all to familiar for me right now – especially constant thirst and binge watching tv shows. Omg. I almost miss the binge watching because it meant I was snuggling with my tiny person on the couch. He’s so big now and we’re settling into normal life, so there is less time to just lay around and snuggle.
      I hope you are getting out of the house at least a little. It’s amazing what a little fresh air will do for the spirit.
      Sending you all the good sleep vibes! Are you getting much? I hope you are! 🙂

    5. Congrats on your sweet new arrival! We swore by those gowns in the early days too. And also binge watching on Netflix – got me through those frequent nursing sessions 🙂

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