Summer wastes no time revealing its intended purpose, one of which is to go forth and enjoy the season of warm temps, cool waters, and fun in the sun times practicing stylish ideas and safe picnic tips.
Packing a picnic meal and heading out to a fun in the sun destination is a time-honored tradition; a simple activity most of us have engaged in and enjoyed during the good old summertime.
Working with a basic get the job done picnic of white paper plates- hamburgers-hot dogs-plastic throw away cups-pass me the bug spray- aluminum webbed lawn chairs passed down through the years picnic theme has worked for years because it works.
You know what else works?
Country Living Magazine – Photo by John Kernick
Stylish and delicious alternatives to the traditional, reinterpreted vintage, or in the style of vintage wares coupled with simple yet elegant accents perfect for creating a posh picnic.
Better Homes and Gardens Picnic Blanket
Add a splash of nostalgia to your outdoor living decor with vintage or vintage inspired accessories.
Vintage quilts make wonderful picnic blankets.
French Provincial Inspired Quilt
Play with your food and see what edible centerpiece magic you can create.
Fresh wildflowers from the field or the farmers market flower truck instantly pretty up a picnic table or blanket.
Fun in the day and stylishly useful to light a summer night, picnic lighting options such as string lights, paper lanterns, solar powered LED landscape path lights, and solar powered LED flameless candle lanterns set a comfy scene.
For $5.00+tax you can light your picnic space up with a 6-pack (not that kind of lit) solar powered LED landscape path lights from Walmart.
Solar Powered Column LED Path Light and Landscape Light, 2 Lumens (6 Count)
Photo by Salome Shubitidze
Include in your picnic basket of party fun a red and white tablecloth in classic gingham print for draping the picnic table in an instantly recognizable summer classic.
The Pioneer Woman 100% Cotton Fabric Tablecloth, Just Red Gingham
Layer the look with summer themed table and serveware in a picnic friendly mix and match of melamine.
Set of 4 Melamine Figural Appetizer Plates
Disposables drive the easy express, and today’s options are super cute.
Coastal or oceanside beaches provide a picturesque picnic point for sure, but not all that picnic are blessed with this location option.
Options are always good, and imaginations adapt well to an entertaining challenge.
Photo by Julia Ivanina on Unsplash
Have backyard, will picnic is the summer picnic spot of choice offering entertaining options for a casual affair for two or a take it up a notch nosh set for friends and family.
Local recreation areas and state parks provide picnic sites and man-made beaches – a summertime fun in the sun requirement.
Easy is a picnic must, and the rule of Kiss, Keep It Summer Simple, applies to the season.
Make it simple, but significant.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Folding Sport Wagon
Packing your picnic goods from vehicle to table becomes a much easier trek with this inexpensive folding sports wagon.
French baskets make great options, too.
Straw Bag Natural French Basket Handle Leather Outline
Summer activities should be relaxing, carefree, easy, and safe.
Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, a roll or two of paper towels, and a mild mix of dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle will get you where you need to be in the fight against summer picnic cooties.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema
For a chilled picnic me up during and after your outdoor soiree, include a chilled package of cucumber and mint facial wipes zipped up in a zippered storage bag in your cold drinks cooler.
Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes – 30ct
Refrigerate a package of cucumber and mint facial wipes the night before and bring along for a deliciously fragrant and instantly cooling refresher course.
Speaking of fresh mint, fresh mint ice cubes add a minty fresh kick to picnic beverages.
Place gently rinsed fresh mint leaves into each individual square of the ice cube tray.
Fill each square with water.
Pop ice cube tray into freezer until cubes are frozen solid.
Food Safety
Martha Stewart-Photo by Kate Mathis
Food safety and temperature regulation is key to outdoor picnic safety.
Fill empty, clean 2 liter soda bottles, milk containers, or a trio of water bottles ½ full with water (allow for expansion).
Place bottles in the freezer the day before your picnic. Use the frozen bottles to aid in keeping cooler items cold.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Blaine Moats
Food poisoning temperatures range between 40°F and 140°F.
Perishable foods should be kept at or below 40°F.
Hot foods should be kept at or higher than 140°F.
Make sure meats are cooked to a safe internal temperature.
FDA suggestions: Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors
Mixing and mingling does not apply to picnic food and beverages. I highly suggest using 2 coolers; one for beverages and the other for perishable food items.
Wait until just before leaving home to pack perishable foods in the cooler.
Igloo 48 QT Laguna Ice Chest Cooler, Red
Place cooler in a shaded area, and use a refrigerator thermometer to check and verify the temperature inside the cooler remains at or below 40°F.
After each picnic use be sure to wash out your coolers with hot, soapy water.
Throw away food left out for more than two (2) hours.
On a day where the outdoor temperature is 90°F or above, I would exercise extreme caution by throwing away any food that has been out for more than one (1) hour.
‘Tis better picnic safe than picnic sorry.
My Recipes
Refrigerator Garden Pickles
Ingredients
6 cups sugar
6 cups white vinegar
¼ cup celery seed
¼ cup mustard seed
2 tablespoons canning salt
10 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 medium cucumbers, sliced
3 medium sweet red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large onions, halved and sliced
1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
Directions
In a Dutch oven, combine the first 5 ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Meanwhile, place the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
Pour hot liquid over vegetables; cool.
Transfer to jars, if desired; cover tightly. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Makes 7 pints.
Just add chips.
Hot Dogs With Quick Cast-Iron Beans
Grilled summer vegetables in foil packets make an easy and tasty best of the season side dish.
My husband came up with an easy potato season and steam recipe that proved a winner.
Peel, rinse, and cube potatoes (he went with a 5lb. bag of either russet or Yukon gold-whatever was on sale).
Photo by Maria Kovalets
Butter or spray with olive oil non-stick cooking oil the inside of a sheet of heavy-duty foil large enough to hold potatoes. Place potatoes onto foil, drizzle with oil or add a generous pat of butter on top (or both).
Season potatoes with desired amount of Creole seasoning (see recipe below) and grated Parmesan cheese. Place a piece of foil over the top of the potatoes and seal sides together.
Place on preheated/prepared grill and let it do its thing. Allow to cook for approximately 25-35 minutes.
Photo by Gilberto Olimpio
Creole-Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
1/3 cup paprika
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon granulated onion
4 teaspoons dried thyme
4 teaspoons granulated garlic
Directions
In a medium bowl combine paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground black pepper, dried basil, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, granulated onion, dried thyme and granulated garlic. Stir to combine.
Can be stored in an airtight container for up to three months.
Include a fruit and snack board or tray with items that place the emphasis on summer fresh and filling without fear of spoilage or the dreaded sugar high.
Better Homes & Gardens Seagrass Tray Storage Basket with Handles
Cook With Color 8-Compartment Charcuterie Container
Chilled in-season fruits satisfy on a hot summer day.
Pop it up and pack it up.
Cracker Jack Pretzel Treats – Photo by Brian Woodcock
Store bought items enter into the picnic picture because, well, who wants to spend the entire time cooking?
Hey, if you do, do your thing. For those of us who don’t, enter store bought convenience.
Drinks, chips, buns, breads, good lunch meats, even prepared deli items find a place at the picnic table.
Jewel-Tone Aluminum Tumbler, Set of 6
“It just wouldn’t be a picnic without the ants.”
—Author Unknown
Mix up a simple 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Add a couple of drops of dish soap and you have an excellent solution to an ant situation.
Simply spray the ant invaded area with the mix, wait a few minutes, then resume your picnic activities ant free.
Food tents and domes keep the fresh in, the flying and crawling visitors out.
Cut and cart your watermelon wedges or slice on-site.
Avoid cross contamination by never using the same knife used for cutting raw meat, poultry, or seafood to chop or slice fruits and vegetables.
Aluminum foil makes a great grill or pot scrubber.
An onion makes a super easy grill cleaner, too!
Get the grill really hot (be careful!) in order to burn off any food leftover on the grills from previous use.
Stick an onion half on the end of a grilling fork. A heavy-handed spray of lemon juice or vinegar will assist with its acidity in super cleaning off the grills.
Onions have natural antibacterial properties, and that’s a good thing especially in these times.
Pour vegetable or olive oil onto a couple of paper towels or clean cloth, place between tongs and wipe down the grill to prevent sticking.
Vegetable or olive oil works best. Cooking spray burns too easy and will compromise the flavor of the meat.
Craft or butcher paper makes a great disposable table cover.
Roll it out.
Roll it up.
Toss it in the trash.
Knowing what we now know about overexposure to the sun proves we’ve all come a long way, sun babies.
Sunscreen now prevents sun scream later.
If you find yourself overly sun kissed keep calm and moisturize on!
First, refrigerate a bottle of vinegar, preferably apple cider vinegar.
Cold vinegar applied to the burn will ease the pain of the burn.
Soaking for twenty minutes in a cool bath with 1 cup of baking soda added to the water will calm and sooth skin.
Allow your skin to air dry and apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
All the Buzz
Burn a bundle of fresh sage or rosemary over charcoal to help keep mosquitos and other bugs away.
Coleman Color Changing LED Citronella Outdoor Scented Candle
Citronella candles; the if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mosquito defeater.
Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern – 70+ Hours, 6.7 Ounce, Green
Pack a picnic basket full of summer picnic tips and celebrate summer down by the lazy river, on the beach, at a local recreation area, or in your own backyard with family and friends.
It’s one of the best parts of summer!
