The Potluck: August 2018
Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: August 2018 includes a lot of moving-related goodness, including some new bedroom furniture and a lifesaving pick-up service, a photographer, sweet friends and more. Swing by the blog today to get a full list of the things I adored during the month of August.
How the heck are we closing in on mid-September already, friends? Quite honestly, I’m unsure, and I can hardly believe that the month of September is here! (Hooray, hooray for my birthday month and the birth month of Baby Speckle!)
I’ve been doing my best to keep a running list of things I enjoyed in August–especially since I felt like I could have the baby any day at that point–and wanted to share all of my favorite things from the month with y’all before we get too far into September.
Sound good?
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.
Ready to learn all the things I liked? Let’s do this!
1. New bedroom furniture: You might have seen it, but we moved into a new house at the beginning of August, kicking off the craziest month of the year. In addition to purchasing a new house, we ended up investing in our new space by purchasing some new bedroom furniture, including a 6-drawer dresser, matching nightstands and a new bed frame. (You know, to replace the furniture we’ve been using, which are from college.)
2. The Chase by Elle Kennedy: Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite romance writers, and her Off Campus series, which starts with The Deal, is one of my favorite romance series (so long as you don’t count the fourth book.) She writes well, and her characters feel real. Even though I’ve been struggling to read these days, I dove straight into her latest novel in August and devoured it in a matter of days. If you’re a romance reader and want to read a college tale, pick this up. Summer and Fitz’s story was a good read and their ending just made me so incredibly happy.
3. The Businessese Podcast: I binged a lot of this podcast while unpacking in August (and driving to and from my daughter’s MDO, which started up again the last week of the month.) If you’re a blogger or work in the influencer space, this is a great, quick listen every week where you’ll pick up a ton of tips and tricks!
6. Tillamook Ice Cream: This pregnancy could have been sponsored by ice cream, y’all. And in August, I discovered the delightfulness of Tillamook’s insanely creamy, flavorful churned ice cream. It doesn’t matter the flavor because I can assure you I’ll like it. 😉 Have you tried this goodness yet?
8. Sweet blog friends: On the last day of August, I woke up to a sweet surprise–a virtual baby shower, thrown by some of my food blogger friends! I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my life, and I am in love with the recipes they shared to celebrate me and Baby Speckle. Thank you SO much, friends! We feel so loved! I wish there was a way for them to have sent them to my house because I want one of each. Like, now. 😉
- Moscato Cupcakes from A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
- Lemon Lime Cake from I Dig Pinterest
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip from A Savory Feast
- Chocolate Chunk Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches from Ciao Chow Bambina
- Ginger Carrot Tartlets from Savory Spin
- Mini Six-Inch Strawberry Cake from The Emotional Baker
- Blackberry Peach Bourbon Smash from The Crumby Kitchen
- Butter Mints from Pastry Chef Online
- Blackberry Coffee Cake from Love & Flour
- Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes with Coconut Whip from Crumb Top Baking
- S’mores Rice Krispy Treats from Feast + West
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What Did You Love In August?
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Curious about other things I’ve loved? Check out my other potlucks:
2014: October | November| December
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

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…
Wow, you have had a Very Eventful August! Glad all was well with you and Baby Speckle after the accident, congratulations on the new house and grown up furniture, and I was so happy to help celebrate your virtual baby shower! xo
This Potluck is just so great! What an eventful, but lovely month you had! We were so thrilled to celebrate you. The only thing that would make it better is if it were in person, of course. C’mon baby speckle! We’re all ready to meet you.