Two Picnics and a Brunch

Ahhh, the captivating world of summer picnics.

Lush green meadows, lined by beautiful wildflowers, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and a gingham blanket laid out with an array of delicious treats.

Summer picnics. The epitome of relaxation, togetherness, and embracing one of the simple pleasures of summer.

But to be honest, I’m just learning how to throw a really good picnic.

For some reason my past efforts didn’t exactly end in disaster, but I think my picnic guests would agree they were memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Some things I couldn’t predict – for instance the day we held a picnic to celebrate my twins birthday while we were visiting Michigan. How was I to know that by early afternoon the day would turn so cold and blustery that we had to quickly roll up the tablecloths, pull down the balloons and get all the kids to run for cover in our cars. Oh, did I mention, their birthday is late June?

Or the time we were hosting a picnic in Austin for friends and family. Everything was going great, that is until a swarm of flies came out of nowhere and terrorized our picnic goers.

And of course, there’s always the forgotten forks, flimsy paper plates and too much salt in the potato salad.

But no problem. With better planning and help from the internet, I’ve gotten much better.

So here we go. By sharing two creative picnic ideas (and a brunch,) we’ll give you all the facts and hacks that together create a truly memorable day of summer fun.

First let’s go back to the basics and look at a few practical tips for overall picnic success:

The Weather Report. Always have a contingency for change in the weather. We’ve all seen the movie where a couple gets caught in the rain and that somehow leads to running, wet hair and long, slow kisses. I wouldn’t count on all of that. Instead, it’s probably best to have an outdoor exit plan. A pavilion at the park, clubhouse at the pool, patio door unlocked if the picnic is in your backyard.

Keep food safe. Make certain all food can be held at food-safe temperatures. Keep cold food cold. Keep coolers closed.

Picnics take planning. In theory I like the romantic idea of a spontaneous picnic. But it does seem that sometimes the most memorable ones are the ones that have at least a little planning – especially if it’s a picnic for a crowd.

Picnic Essentials On every picnic list, large or small, you’ll want sunblock, sunglasses, a big box of hand wipes, bug spray, trash bags, extra blankets just in case you can’t get a picnic table. And of course, your phone! You’ll want to take lots of pictures and video.

TWO PICNICS

1. Picnic with the Grandkids – Great picnic idea. Here’s some things to think about.

How many kids are we talking about? I don’t have a magic number, but unless you’re a super grandma, you’re going to need help handling more than just a few kids in the 5- to 10-year-old age range. Plan the picnic with the idea in mind of recruiting one (or two) of your girlfriends to help manage the kids.

Choose a kid-friendly location. Find a picnic spot that has lots of open space for the kids to run around, play games and explore nature. Look for parks, beaches or gardens. Look for bathrooms.

Involve the grandkids in the planning. Ask the grandkids for their input on the picnic. They might throw out some suggestions on the location, but ultimately that final decision is probably your call. But you and the kids could have a blast choosing the activities and menu. Plus, getting the kids involved helps to build excitement and anticipation.

Another thought about planning. Don’t share every plan about the picnic. Save something as a surprise. We all love surprises. Plus, they make for a more memorable outing.

Count on having lots and lots of food. It’s amazing how much these little munchkins can consume. Pack delicious and interactive snacks. Lots of finger food, of course. Cut fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, cookies, granola bars. Might be fun to make treats with the kids’ help. Of course, the classics are s’mores. But there’s all sorts of things you could do. If your picnic kid list is three or more kids, setting up food stations could be fun. One group could make sandwich wraps, the next some type of easy fruit salad, and the final group might be responsible for the dessert.

Leave tons of time for games and activities. We know all the summer games and swimming but let me also highlight a few ideas. An arts and crafts project – it will feel like a day at summer camp for the kids. Storytelling and sing-along are fun. Maybe the kids could even make up stories. And finally, don’t schedule every minute of the outing – the kids will want to explore.

2. A Romantic Picnic

Whether your relationship is just starting to simmer, or it’s been a fully baked, committed relationship for many years, there’s always room for a romantic summer picnic. Here’s some ideas:

Plan the picnic at dusk or dawn – two magical times of the day. Of course, both dusk and dawn have their own unique charm and can create a romantic atmosphere for a picnic. The choice between the two depends on the specific ambiance you want to create and your preferences as a couple. My vote: dusk.

It’s all about the food – Prepare a romantic and delicious menu for the picnic. Once again, it’s food that is easy to transport and eat. A bottle of wine would be nice, or a fun summer punch or lemonade.

It’s all about the location – It doesn’t need to be fancy – it could be your backyard deck, a neighborhood park, or a place that holds significance for you and your partner. Just keep in mind the amount of privacy your desire.

It’s not all about the music, but music is a nice touch - Set the mood with mood music. You could bring a portable speaker to play your favorite music, or you could create a playlist. If you’re not into music you could bring a book of poetry, a board game, even a deck of cards.

Lastly, the most important aspect of a romantic picnic is all about creating an intimate environment where you can connect and celebrate your relationship. It’s about enjoying the moment and cherishing the time spent together. It’s not about “who-beat-who” in a cut-throat game of spades type of a thing.

3. A Brunch with the Girls

I’m not sure if I really understand the difference between a picnic and al fresco dining, but my hunch is an elevated outdoor brunch idea is al fresco dining.

This brunch idea is focused on inviting three or four of your besties to get together on a summer day under the cool breeze and warm sun of mid-morning.

It could be out by your pool or the community pool, your backyard, the city park, your wooden deck or the freshly mowed grass next to where the wildflowers grow. Or if you’re lucky enough to own a greenhouse or tree house, then you have the perfect setting.

Because what we’re looking for here is serenity, a letting go that helps us relax our shoulders, and take a deep cleansing breath as we soak in the sun and relax into the moment.

Combine brunch with another activity. Maybe it’s a neighborhood walk and talk that ends with brunch on the deck. Or maybe it’s an early morning fun swim followed by a hearty, healthy meal.

Set a pretty table. Pay special attention to the details. Flowers on the table, pretty linen, great glassware. Women appreciate and have an eye for the smallest of details.

Parting Gifts. Show the girls you care by sending them off with sweet parting gifts. Starter plants would be nice, a basket of fresh veggies straight from your garden or the farmer’s market, or maybe a fresh loaf of bread, ribbon-tied.

So, there you have it. Hope this inspires you to host a picnic this summer with your friends and family.

Oh, Beth mentioned, it’s fun to have a picnic with other people, but it’s also great fun to host a “self-care” picnic for one. . .YOU! Go out to your favorite spot with a picnic basket and a book and appreciate and bask in the summer sun.