Who said picnics are for summer? I am pretty sure it was not someone who spends the months of June through August in a state where heat and humidity reign as the evil twins. Throughout the year, however, there are random days, glorious days, when the atmospheric conditions are set to spectacular, when giving in to the urge to luxuriate in the beauty of the great outdoors is exactly the right thing to do.
Certainly, you could load the car and travel to a park somewhere nearby, but perhaps a corner of your own domain may allow you to channel paradise more quickly by going just a few steps outside your door. Wherever you choose to get on the ground, here are Pretty Food’s tips for making it epic.
You’ll want something soft and beautiful to sit on. A vintage quilt we found at an estate sale had a joyful mix of colors that captured our mood nicely. But first, we needed to protect the quilt from mud and grass. An inexpensive vinyl tablecloth works well. Put the fleece side down, vinyl side up. The quilt will go on top, with the impenetrable vinyl barrier hovering below.
A picnic is a leisurely pursuit, not a quickie meal platform. Afterwards, lying on the ground, reading, listening to music, or just daydreaming helps extend the experience. Big pillows will help you prop up and get comfy.
A picnic basket provides a way to corral glasses, flatware, plates, napkins and tablecloth. Keep in mind that the ground will have unevenness, making it unlikely your drinking glasses will manage to stay upright. You need a table of some sort, whether it’s a vintage wooden crate or box or whatever. I had some flowers, so I brought them out, along with beverages in bottles.
Whatever your food might be, keep it simple. Try a salad, a wrap, something that doesn’t have to be served hot. Feast on the experience. Celebrate life with a backyard picnic.
Don’t you feel relaxed already?
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