When I look back on my life, it isn’t the things that I remember the most, it is the moments. While I remember buying my first car, it was the drive to get a milkshake with my friend Holly that stands out to me - the first ride in my new car. Likewise, I was so happy when my husband, Joe, and I were able to buy our first house! Looking back, it wasn’t the actual purchase but the memory of Joe carrying me across the threshold, holding our first dinner party, giving birth to twins and raising them in our home that I will treasure the most.
The objective of my blog is to help all of us find or create special moments in our lives and the lives of others. If we are lucky, we can “capture” special moments without much effort, but more times than not, we need to put in a little work to create the moments we will treasure.
As it is National Picnic Month, it only seems right that we create a special PICNIC moment!
Good news! Picnics can easily be held Socially Distant!
However, the reason many people don't go on picnics is all of the planning and organizing needed to prepare, so let me do that “work” for all of you. Now all you have to do is enjoy! And make it special.
PICNIC SPOT
Picnic Location Ideas based on your taste and motivation-level:
Super Easy - Your deck, patio or backyard
Classic – Local park that allows picnics/food/drink
Modern – Rooftop of a local building that offers communal space
Please get permission first!
Unique – Local winery, brewery, meadery, other alcohol-making-facility-ery
Often you can bring your own food, but most venues such as this do not permit outside drinks. Call or email to confirm the venues' policy on outside food and drink.
Musical – Outdoor Music Venue
Going to listen to live music and enjoy your picnic will have to be on your list for post-COVID-19.
Artistic – Outdoor Sculpture Garden
A perfect example in DC Metro Area: The Hirshhorn Museum And Sculpture Garden Independence Ave. and 7th St. S.W. on The National Mall Washington, DC 20013 (202) 633–2829 www.hirshhorn.si.edu
EXTRA: You can look up Hiking Trails near you on https://www.alltrails.com/?ref=header
Remember to Leave No Trace: all food/trash/etc. that you take IN must also go OUT.
PICNIC SUPPLIES
Okay. You now have your Picnic Spot. What supplies do you need? Let me show you some options, again based on your taste and motivation-level. We’ll check out Simple, Green, Vintage and Luxury:
Guitar, ukulele or Smart phone
for music options
A Whole Other Level…the Rolls Royce Picnic Hamper (approximately $40,000.00)
PICNIC ACTIVITIES
Simple – Big Bubbles Competition
Purchase Big Bubble Wands for each contestant and Big Bubble soap
Have fun!
Who can:
Make the biggest bubble
Make the most bubbles in 30 seconds
Create the longest lasting bubble
Make the prettiest bubble
Blow a bubble within a bubble
Get a stone or other small object inside a bubble
YOUR CHOICE!
And then there are BIG BUBBLES!
The link will connect you to vendor to purchase big bubble wand
Green - Nature Scavenger Hunt
Simply click on the photo below to be linked to a printable pdf. What can you find?
Vintage – Horseshoes
I always forget the basics of horseshoes, because I don't play often enough. When I found this Infographic that lists ALL THE THINGS we need to know about playing horseshoes, I had to share it!
Luxury – Fly Drones
Before you go on your luxury picnic, make sure you read the following articles to carefully select the best drone for you and understand the rules and regulations associated with flying it safely.
PICNIC FOOD AND DRINKS
Picnic food is what MAKES the picnic, right? Decide on your picnic style and use my food and drink suggestions to simplify your menu! I also have linked recipes (orange font) to some of the selections. I consulted with a couple of experts on what food makes for the perfect picnic ----->
Simple
Order all food and drinks from a local deli or gourmet food store.
Don't forget plenty of water, lemonade and iced tea!
And Yogi and BooBoo strongly suggest a giant, iced CAKE!
Green
Fresh, local produce (your favorites!) cleaned and ready to eat
Ideas: Radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, peppers.
Pickled produce from Farmer's Market
Pickled: beets, cucumbers, green beans, cherry tomatoes, squash.
Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries
with Organic Nonfat yogurt and Granola
Fruit-Infused Water in glass bottles
Add still or sparkling water to sliced oranges, lemons, or limes.
Vintage
Carrot and Celery Sticks with Ranch Dip
Watermelon
Brownies
Beer/Wine/Soda/Water
Luxury
Charcuterie Board (Harry & David's Ultimate Epicurean Charcuterie and Cheese Collection)
Frozen Grapes
You can use white, green or red grapes. Make sure to wash the grapes well first. As you might know, grapes are one of the "Dirty Dozen" foods, meaning they are more likely to have pesticides on them than some other fruits or vegetables. After carefully washing them in a colander under running water, simply place them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer overnight. They are wonderful as a simple snack or to add a little chill to your wine! The frozen grapes can also help other foods stay cold in your cooler during transport.
Limoncello Sparkler
You can either mix ahead of time in a large batch and put in a gallon container, or take the ingredients with you to mix individually on site.
Ingredients:
30 ice cubes
6 cups seltzer water
6 cups limoncello
8 lemon slices
Sprigs of fresh mint
Directions:
Add ice cubes to pitcher.
Pour the seltzer in and mix in the limoncello.
Pour into individual glasses.
Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim of each glass and a fresh mint sprig.
I hope you have a wonderful time with family, friends or simply yourself by going on a picnic one day soon!
