The Potluck: August 2021
Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: August 2021 includes a few summertime clothes, recipes and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for August.
This month has been a really hard one for us personally. While we are all in relatively good health, we’ve had a lot of traumatic things happen. Obviously, the state of the world is not happening what is happening to us personally, either.
Early this month, we had to quarantine because we had a known exposure. Fortunately, we are all fine… but it was HARD, to say the least.
In the last weeks, we discovered that our dog has fast-growing bone cancer. It started off as a mild limp at the beginning of the month and got progressively worse.
Because of this, she will undergo surgery on Thursday, September 2, to remove the cancer. And her leg. It has been a roller coaster, but we feel hopeful that the surgery will give Lucy the ability to lead her best life, even though it will look a little different than I used to.
Let’s discuss August Highlights:
- School. Our older ones school officially started this month, and I am so impressed with everyone who works there, as well as her district. If you live in Texas, you know that our governor has banned masks mandates and our school district is challenging the governors mandate in court. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our kids at the schools are too young to even be eligible for a vaccine, and because of that, I am so appreciative for her district to stick it’s figurative neck out and to take a stand about this to protect its youngest students.
- Home baking. When we were in quarantine, the girls helped me bake quite a few treats for the months ahead. Y’all should get excited because we had a lot of fun working with both pumpkin and apple.
- Friends. I know I’ve spoken about it here before, but I am so appreciative for our friends community here in Dallas. While neither of our families live here, we have a group of friends who are incredible. We’ve had so many people come to our aid during the past month, and we’ve got so many people who have asked what they can do for us after Lucy’s surgery, as well. How lucky we are to know these people and to be loved by then.
Let’s talk August Action Items:
Here are a few things that are on my heart this month:
- Hurricane Ida relief. My husband and I live through Katrina, and it was horrifying to watch Ida rip through the bayou parishes and take sigh on New Orleans and Baton Rouge. While we’re so thankful our people are safe and sustained minimal damage, but so many people are not OK. There are lots of fundraisers happening, and I like how Funds for People of the Bayou are supporting the folks in the smaller communities. The Foot Above Foundation (started by a roommate and sorority sister of mine) has a wishlist that they’ll be distributing items to people in need, too.
- Afghanistan relief. Watching our country’s armed forces pull out of Afghanistan so abruptly and to watch the Taliban start taking control of cities and provinces… it was a lot. Especially for those of us with friends who’ve fought as a part of this decades-long war. Our family chose to donate to Women for Women International to help Afghan women, and I know there are so many more humanitarian organizations that are helping Afghans on the ground, too.
What are your action items of the month?
Now Let’s Talk about this Monthly Love List…
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 ; whatever is offered and available in given circumstances or at a given time.
Now who’s ready to see what ended up on my list for August 2021?!?
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The Potluck: August 2021
Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: August 2021 includes a few summertime clothes, recipes and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for August.
1. Adventures in Meal Planning by Jenni Ward
My friend wrote this planning book that helps us create 52 weeks of meal plans! It’s seriously incredible and helping out my planning as we’ve started back to school.
2. Louisiana State University Polka Dot Tumbler
This cup came for me along with a Father’s Day purchase for my husband, and I just adore it. Finally, I have an insulated cup for myself that I can enjoy every day. It cleans up easily, and it keeps my water cold, which is a must in the summer heat.
3. Brazilian Sofrito
This is another recipe from a friends, and it’s something that we have been making religiously every other week since memorial day weekend, when she introduced us to this. I use it in place of regular garlic and most recipes, and it’s such a wonderful thing to have in the fridge, ready go without any additional prep work whenever you need to cook.
4. Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Books Set
When the girls and I were stuck in quarantine, this activity book bought me a few hours of quiet while the girls made their own pictures! The stickers are now all over our house, but they had a lot of fun while they were actually using them to make their own stories in the books.
5. High-Waisted O.G. Straight Ripped Cut-Off Jean Shorts
I’m normally not a shorts type of gal, but this summer has changed me because it’s been so hot. These shorts have become my go-to. Not only are they comfy, but they have gotten more and more shredded as I’ve worn them. (Which sounds like a strange thing to say, but I promise it’s a good thing!)
6. Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
I introduced our daughters to the concept of “emergency cookies” during our quarantine, and we made a double recipe of these classic chocolate chip cookies, baked a few and froze more than half of the rest. And they delight in knowing that we have this cookie dough ready should we need it.
7. Sleeveless Tonal-Stripe Midi Swing Dress
I have been living in this dress all month long. I have both colors, and they are both so incredibly comfortable. As someone who struggles to stay cool in the summertime, these dresses are a godsend.
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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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