End of Summer Picnic

Well folks, summer is starting to get away from us. Pretty soon kids will be back in school and life will resume "super busy" mode. But before we despair over the end of the most relaxing season, how 'bout we plan a picnic?

Pictured here is our family's 4th of July picnic. We took a short hike through the woods to reach this beautiful, sun-dappled clearing. It was such a fun time!

Here's what you'll need for a first-rate picnic...

• Blankets and/or heavy tablecloths (Blue check tablecloth from Vermont Country Store)

• Bug spray

• Picnic basket. Ours is a vintage find from Saving Grace Antique Mall in Berlin, WI. (A cooler or a sturdy tote bag would work too!)

• Napkins

• Glassware. Wine glasses or regular glasses depending on what refreshments you decide to bring along. Tip: wrap them up in the napkins to prevent breakage.

• Plates

• Cucumber sandwiches. So simple to throw together. Cut up your bread of choice into wedges or squares, slather liberally with butter and stuff with cucumber slices.

• Bars or cookies. I regret to say I didn't make the bars for this picnic. Mom bought them at a bakery before I had a chance to bake that week. I did make a very similar pan of bars last summer.. peanut butter rice krispie bars with drizzled chocolate and crushed peanuts. Rice krispie bars strike me as the perfect treat for an all-American picnic. If it's an exceptionally hot day, a non-chocolate-y bar may be a wise choice.

• Watermelon. A mandatory picnic food. ;)

When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat. ~ Mark Twain

Happy picnicking!

'Til next time,

Eva