The Potluck: May 2021

Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: May 2021 includes a new favorite curl product, a book, a show and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for May.

Collage of eight products on May 2021's love list Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate's The Potluck: May 2021 includes a book, household products and more. #lovelist #speckledpalate

I don’t know how I continue starting these posts recapping the local, national and worldwide events like it’s some surprise that there is both a lot of good and a lot of bad packed into every month.

That said, this holds true for the month of May. We’ve had a good month, personally, though there’s been a lot of heartbreak and terror on the national and worldwide stage.

So let’s talk.

First, let’s discuss May highlights:

May, like many months before, has been a good one to us. We’re rocking and rolling with our routine. The school year is slooooooowly coming to a close (three and a half more weeks!), and we’re seeing more friendly faces now that more of our friends have been fully vaccinated.

Here are some lovely things that happened for us this month:

join our party!

get our latest recipes delivered to your inbox every week — plus all my entertaining tips and tricks!


    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
    • Reconnection. We saw family last month, which was amazing, and we’ve seen more friends this month, thanks to science and vaccines. While our get-togethers have been outdoors, it has been so nice to see more people we know, love and trust recently. And this month, we hosted friends for an indoor dinner, too… something we haven’t done since February 2020!
    • Power Zone Training. Oh my goodness. I spoke about it last month, but I am obsessed with PowerZonePack’s Spring Challenge and the schedule they’ve put together for us. While I still struggle to get out of bed most days, I really like the structure of this training program and am loving how I feel when I complete my rides. I can feel my body getting stronger, and I really love the how this training reminds me of marathon training.
    • Camps, vacations, oh my! We’re planning ahead for the summer, and our older one has a few camps scheduled. We’re going to go to visit the beach for the first time in our girls’ lives in July. And I’m seeking out summer activities for our little one, too. I am determined for us to have an excellent summer and hope that this one feels closer to “normal” than the previous one!

    Let’s talk May action items:

    While there’s been a lot of personal good happening for us this month, I’m aware that it hasn’t been a good month for all. A lot of people are in pain. Our world has a LOT of issues to face, and none of them are easily solvable. (I mean, wouldn’t that be amazing if they were?)

    Here are a few things that are on my heart this month:

    • Continue learning: Now is the best time to educate ourselves and continue educating ourselves about racism and antisemitism. I know what a privileged life I’ve led to get to learn about racism instead of live it. Same with antisemitism. But I want to continue learning and finding new ways to use my platform and privilege for the greater good. I am teaching my girls about this, too. Especially now that the Texas Legislature has approved a bill that would ban the teaching of certain pieces of our country’s less-than-pleasant history in public schools.
    • Palestine-Israel. I’ve had the luxury to live my life not needing to know much about what’s happening in Gaza. (Hi, hello, privilege.) However, I’ve dedicated to learning more during the last several weeks. (If you want to learn more, there are some great episodes detailing the complicated history, as well as what’s happening now on The Daily.) While a ceasefire has been reached, I still believe we can stand up for Palestinians while also denouncing the antisemitism that has flared as a result of this. I’d like to think we all can agree that hatred is a bad thing.
    • Local connections. There’s a lot going on in Texas these days, and not all of it is good. This is yet another reminder to me to get involved locally and to commit to elect local and statewide leaders whose values and beliefs reflect my own.

    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 May 2021?!?

    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.

    [show_shopthepost_widget id=”4472053″]

    The Potluck: May 2021

    Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: May 2021 includes a new favorite curl product, a book, a show and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for May.

    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.

    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 

    2020: January | February | March | April | May | June | July/August | September | October | November | December

    2021: January | April | May | July | August | September | October | November/December

    2022: January | February | March | April-May

    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

    Similar Posts

    Before leaving a comment or rating, ask yourself:

    • Did you make the recipe as directed? If you didn’t or made an ingredient swap, please do not leave a rating. Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.
    • Is your comment helpful to others? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Please remember that this website is run by a real person.
    • Are you complaining about ads? I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising allows me to continue to do so at not cost to you. It is also unavoidable on the internet and in everyday life. If you want recipes without ads, please purchase a cookbook or borrow one from your local library.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *