The Potluck: February 2022
Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: February 2022 includes household items, a book, a dog-related memento and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for February.
Welp. February has been a strange month.
Why? The weather has been all over the place, in typical Dallas winter fashion.
But also, Lucy died, and it has been the biggest gut punch as we navigate life without her. (And I navigate adulthood without the pup who has been by my side since I was a 23-year-old new graduate starting her first “real” job.)
The cancer that showed up in August came back in one of her hind legs. She went from perfectly fine at the beginning of the month (and somehow navigating ice on three paws like a pro) to in terrible pain in the span of about a week.
We put our sweet girl to rest on Friday, Feb. 11, and our house has felt strangely quiet ever since.
Let’s Discuss February Highlights:
Honestly, this month has been HARD. Saying goodbye to someone you’ve known and loved for more than 13 years is HARD. Having to make the choice to say goodbye is impossible, but it was the right thing to do for her.
BUT there has been some good, and I’d love to highlight that because it’s not all bad.
- Kindness. Our vets’ office (shoutout to Lakewood Vet Center here in Dallas) rearranged their schedule so that one of the vet techs and our vet of almost 10 years were the ones to be with Lucy at the end. The tech, Devon, called me the morning of to see if we’d be OK in changing our appointment time so they could do this. I was so touched that she wanted to be with Lucy at the end, and I was also touched that another tech came in to say goodbye when we were there. Thinking of their kindness just brings tears to my eyes because that’s what we needed, and it’s also what Lucy deserved, and they knew and made it right for all of us.
- Love. February is the month of love, after all, and even though we didn’t do our usual Valentine’s date night at home, we sure felt the love from our friends and family members near and far. One of our sweet friends took our girls with her the afternoon we had to put Lucy down. And then after Lucy died, we received two gorgeous floral arrangements from dear friends. We also received several books for our girls about saying goodbye to beloved pets. And though this time HAS been hard, we have been loved fiercely.
- Family visits. We’ve been lucky enough to have all three sets of grandparents in town during the last month, and we’ve had a ton of fun with each of them. Really thankful for vaccines and science making these visits possible.
Black History Month:
Did you know that February is Black History Month?
My friend Aline and 30+ other Black culinary creators and food bloggers have come together for the Black History Month Virtual Potluck this month.
“This year’s Black History Month Virtual Potluck features more than 30 Black culinary creators who were invited to share dishes inspired by the theme “Afrofuturism Through Food.” A philosophical concept that emerged in the 1990s, Afrofuturism explores the Black diaspora via the intersection of imagination, culture, future, technology, and liberation. These inventive recipes stretch the confines of traditional Black diasporic ingredients, both celebrating the culinary ingenuity of our past and progressing us toward an innovative culinary future.”
Food52
I got to be a taste tester for Aline’s Bobó de Camarão (Brazilian Shrimp Stew), which I highly recommend. And I wanted to take a moment to highlight some more recipes from this collaboration that I want to try ASAP because they sound utterly delicious:
- Smothered Okra and Tomatoes
- Sorrel Martini Popsicles
- Sweet Potato Biscuits
- Shrimp Po’ Boy Salad
- Collard Green Hand Pies
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart with Candied Peanuts
Which ones do YOU want to try?
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 February 2022?!?
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The Potluck: February 2022
Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: February 2022 includes household items, a book, a dog-related memento and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for February.
The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.
1. Extra-Large Clean Touch Inkless Ink Pad for Pets
I ordered this back in August when we realized that Lucy had cancer and we were going to be amputating her front right leg. I then did nothing with it until the week Lucy died, when I realized I had this ink pad and that I could make a print of her paw. She… was not a fan, but she did stand somewhat still for me to do this a few times. The paw print isn’t perfect, but I now have an ink print of her paw, and that means a lot.
2. White Shola Wreath
I’m a sucker for anything that brings a little brightness to my doorstep, and this wreath, which we purchased before the ice storm earlier in February, has done just that. It’s also sturdy, so I don’t have to worry about the wild weather we’ve been experiencing tearing it apart. (And this is key since the winds we’ve had have been… a lot.)
3. Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia Modern Rim Stoneware Appetizer Plates
I ordered these plates on a lark because I keep using the same plates for my photoshoots and am in need of some different colors… and I just love the texture and color of these! They're the perfect size, and they are also sturdy!
4. Tell No Lies: A Novel (A Quinn & Costa Thriller Book 2)
I read the prequel to this thriller (The Third to Die) last year, and I finally got this ebook from the library. It took me a while to get into the story, but once it eventually gripped me and I could NOT put it down. I will say that it led to some strange dreams over the course of while I was reading it, but I enjoyed the fast pace of the book, as well as getting to know the main characters a bit more, too.
5. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum
I started using this goodness back in December, but I’m really seeing a noticeable difference in my skin these days. This serum makes my face feel fresh and happy, and that’s a good thing!
6. Valentine's Day White Chocolate Chex Mix
Sweet, salty and perfect for sharing, Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Chex Mix is festive and simple to put together. Calling for just seven easy to find ingredients, this sweet chex mix recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
7. Woven Diamond Jacquard Throw Pillow Cream
We purchased four of this pillow earlier this month because the throw pillows on our couch are falling apart. While it’s a neutral, I love the diamond jacquard pattern on the pillows, and they actually feel good when you put your head on them! New pillows for the WIN.
8. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
Yes, I’m also using the nighttime serum because it also feels awesome on my face. I’ve been trying out different things with my skincare routine recently, and I also really like how my face looks and feels, thanks to this product. (Which was recommended by a friend.)
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
2020: January | February | March | April | May | June | July/August | September | October | November | December
2021: January | April | May | July | August | September | October | November/December
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…
I was so sorry to hear about Lucy’s passing. I’ve always enjoyed seeing her in your IG stories and I can only imagine how much she’s missed.
I am glad you had some distractions in February to keep you busy. Yay for family visits.
Really love the potluck things you share and I’ve been hearing good things about the Drunk Elephant line… I might have to give them a try.
I also have a couple of plates from a different Hearth & Hand design and love their dinnerware.
Thank you, San. <3 We are still so sad about Lu. She really is so missed, but we've felt the biggest outpouring of love from our people, which has been incredible during this tough time.
I'm so glad you loved my potluck things from this month. The Drunk Elephant line is a new favorite (and was recommended by a friend.) The Hearth & Hand plates are just great, too. Glad you're enjoying them, as well!