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Around the Home Tablescapes

Why Not….Picnic in the Park

When is the last time you went on a picnic?  If you answered “too long ago” then I am here today to share some picnic ideas and inspire you to pack up a basket, cooler or bag and head to the park.

picnic ideas

I recently read that up until Victorian times, picnics were something enjoyed mostly by the wealthy.  Well, I for one am very glad that during that during that era picnics began to be enjoyed by all classes!  In those early days, one might have referred to Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management for picnic ideas, but I am here to tell you that picnics need not be complicated!

picnic ideas

picnic ideas

In fact whether you are planning a picnic for two or twenty, in my opinion there really are no hard and fast rules (other than picking up after yourself and obeying local laws of course).  

I hope you will indulge me as I share some pictures of our latest picnic. And, share a few tips along the way! 

picnic ideas

Because I love a beautiful tablescape, I consider a picnic the ultimate in al fresco dining.  Having said that, I don’t over think it. I tend to go with the less is more mentality.  Choosing a few quality items to keep at the ready is all you need to have a perfect picnic every time.

picnic ideas

picnic ideas

For us picnics are almost always spontaneous.  Sometimes, even stopping at a grocery store or market on the way to pick up some ready made picnic fare.  Other times, we plan ahead and I make up a cheese platter, a salad or two, and a decadent dessert.  One thing is certain. Don’t let lack of planning stop you when the mood strikes.  A bakery quiche and fresh fruit make for wonderful picnic food.

picnic ideas

Sometimes we opt for throwing a big blanket on the grass and lounging on pillows, like we did this time.  Other times I bring a pretty tablecloth and throw it over a picnic table.  No matter what the location, it is easy to create an atmosphere of “fine dining”.  Clip a few flowers from the garden or treat yourself with a fresh market bouquet to brighten up your picnic and bring them home to enjoy after. 

In my opinion, no dining “table” is complete without flowers! 

picnic ideas

While paper plates are absolutely fine, I usually opt for melamine plates, real flatware, and real glass for beverages.  If the idea of taking glass on a picnic scares you, choose a quality set of acrylic wine glasses just for picnicking.  I have shared links to some of my favorites down below!

picnic ideas

Ball or Weck jars, take-out containers and good old Tupperware are all excellent ways to transport your meal.  We have a cooler to keep parishables safe until ready to serve.  I always have several water bottles in the freezer to use as ice packs.  This prevents food from getting soggy from melted ice, and provides beverages as they melt quickly on hot summer days once they are no longer needed and removed from the cooler.  

picnic ideas

I always have home made iced tea in the fridge.  I picked up a few reusable glass bottles with seals from Ikea for under $3.00 each. They make transporting homemade drinks easy and leak proof.

picnic ideas

We have a proper picnic basket, but it usually isn’t quite big enough to carry everything.  Any sturdy basket with a handle is all you really need for a stylish way to transport all your necessities. 

Over sized wooden cutting boards can serve more than one purpose.  For cutting of course, but also as the base for a cheese/appetizer board, or when you need a flat surface to place food and drinks.

picnic ideas

picnic ideas

And my last picnic idea is perhaps the most important.  Take your time.  Bring a couple of pillows, a good book, or just enjoy quiet conversation.  A picnic is the ultimate leisurely meal and should not be rushed!

picnic ideas

Now that you have some picnic ideas, why not have a picnic in the park?  Be it an afternoon date, a family gathering, or a spontaneous way to break from the norm, pack up that basket, head to the park, take off your shoes and feel that cool grass beneath your feet! Even though summer is coming to a close, an autumn picnic is the perfect way to enjoy the crisp fall air! 

Learn to Paint with Watercolor

picnic ideas

Until next time….

Red Cottage Chronicles

 

 

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Comments

  1. Chloe Crabtree says

    August 19, 2018 at 3:28 pm

    What a delightful picnic! Just perfect for cooler days ahead here in Florida!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      August 21, 2018 at 10:11 am

      Thanks Chloe! Up here in the north our picnic days are numbered, but you can bet I will hang on as long as I can 🙂

      Reply

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Red Cottage Chronicles

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Well, hello! I am Maureen, and welcome to our little Red Cottage. Married to my high school sweetheart, I am a passionate baker, accidental DIY'er and love all things home! Read More…

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It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it is raining. This nasty weather day needs a bit of brightening up. These gorgeous orange parrot tulips are just what I needed this weekend to remind me that spring is almost here! #parrottulips #orangeflowers #springflowers #spring #flowermagazine #brightblooms #tuliparrangement #orangetulips #florist #flowersmakemehappy
So pretty but I am guessing close to 35 centimeter So pretty but I am guessing close to 35 centimeters or more! #snowday #fluffysnowflakes #winterview #niagara #snowcanstopanytime
Blessed to have a daughter who makes homemade hand Blessed to have a daughter who makes homemade hand pies complete with fresh made cherry filling, and brings them over (door drop off!) on a very cold winter day!! #daughters #handpies #homebaked #heartshapedpastry #cherrypie
Fuji mums, mini carnations and alstroemeria from t Fuji mums, mini carnations and alstroemeria from the grocery store and left over eucalyptus from a couple of weeks ago! Studies show what I have always known! Fresh flowers lift your mood!! #freshflowers #happyday #fujimums #selfcare #flowerpower #pinkandwhiteflowers #grocerystoreflowers
I went completely out-of-the-box with this year’ I went completely out-of-the-box with this year’s Valentine’s Day table! Bright jewel tones of blue, orange and hot pink with a touch of gold make for a cozy table! #valentinetablescape #setthetable #tablesettings #floraldesign #homedecor #placesettingideas #tabletop #redcottageblooms #dinnertable #tablestyle #floraldecor
Introducing our new little bean!! Falcon Lake’s Introducing our new little bean!! Falcon Lake’s Jingle Bell Rock!! Otherwise known as Dasher!!! Can you tell we love Christmas!! He will join the family in about 3 weeks!! So excited!! #goldenpuppys #goldenretrieverpuppy #puppylove
A very Merry Christmas to all! When the snow start A very Merry Christmas to all! When the snow started to fall last night this girl was a very happy camper!! #whitechristmas #letitsnowletitsnowletitsnow #snowmakesmehappy #perfectday
My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a spa day @fetchme.later  He always comes home looking fabulous and happy to be all fluffed and buffed!! #adogslife🐾❤️ #sleepinglikeadog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #goldenlove #lovemygoldenretriever #letsleepongdogslie #christmasready🎄
A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, fro A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, from what I am seeing not only on social media but also right here in our neighborhood #, folks are decking their halls early this year! Twenty-twenty has been quite a year, and anyway I think people are looking for a way to add a little joy into their lives! Today on the blog I am sharing this, my Victorian inspired Christmas tree, plus links to 27 other inspirational trees!! Link in my bio! And, if decorating for the holidays is too soon for you or you don’t decorate at all, that’s okay, but I encourage you to find a little thing to light up your day!! #christmasdecor #victorianchristmastree #holidaydecor #sparklythings #christmastreedecorating #victorianmagazine #hgtvcanada #dowhatmakesyouhappy #christmasinniagara #styleathomemagazine #canadianlivingmagazine #englishcountrystyle
The living room Christmas mantel is almost finishe The living room Christmas mantel is almost finished!! Instead of buying new garland I used inexpensive garland I have had for several years and embellished it with faux green stems bought during a 2 for 1 sale, and beautiful silk garden roses I already had!  Best part, I can reuse all the elements and create something new next year!  #christmasmantle #fauxgarland #victorianmagazine #repurposedchristmas #handmadechristmasdecorations #christmasdecor #countrylivinguk #nutcracker #pinkchristmasdecor
Our Thanksgiving may be behind us here in Canada, Our Thanksgiving may be behind us here in Canada, I am joining my American friends in sharing some inspiration for Thanksgiving table decor! I am leaning towards the simple things these days and this table reflects that! See the entire post through the link in my profile! #thanksgiving #tabledecorideas #autumntable #easycenterpiece #inspiredbynature #simplelife #homedecor #styledtablesaturday #styledtable #thanksgiving2020
Love autumn in Niagara! #autumncolours #notl #chan Love autumn in Niagara! #autumncolours #notl #changingleaves #niagaraescarpment #niagaraparkway #secretpaths #walkinginthewoods #leafcoveredpathways #redcottagechronicles
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