We have a BAZILLION things going on in our lives, so let's have a fancy, romantic picnic in the backyard! WHY NOT?? That was the crazy idea that started to form in my crazy head on the way home from the grocery store. How quickly could I throw it together???
However, I wanted to do it with what I had on hand.
However, I wanted to do it with what I had on hand.
I started by cleaning this sweet little bistro set, and then put it under the trees in our backyard. What a fun, sunny table (it will be in the store in a week or two).
MAYBE!
Then I went to the rose garden where only one rose bush was in bloom and stripped it of all the buds, fading blooms and perfect roses. Then I scalped my ferns in the garden. I trimmed them all in the kitchen, making a huge mess on the floor as I went, then stuck them in a glass ice bucket. Voila! Flower arrangement - DONE!
I wanted to make fancy sandwiches with specialty breads, but since I wasn't ABOUT to go back to the store again, I worked with what I had; ordinary bread with the crusts cut off. Three pieces for nice, pretty layers!
Then I rounded up condiments (NO KETCHUP!!!!!) and decided on good ole Mayo and Pesto.
Then I rounded up condiments (NO KETCHUP!!!!!) and decided on good ole Mayo and Pesto.
I layered salami, mozzarella and smoked turkey, then remembered that I had a jar of roasted red peppers, so I cut some of those up as well. Mmmmm! Spicy, tasty, and colorful.
I stacked them up and sliced them with a serrated knife (if you look closely at the picnic pictures you'll see I didn't slice the sandwiches that day, but I should have).
I grabbed a favorite pedestal plate (every pantry should have at least three) and piled it high with cherries and apricots. Any fresh fruit looks elegant and pretty pile high. I also got a box of herbed crackers, olives, wine, and a full ice bucket (everyone should have at least three of these buckets as well).
Then I followed Clyde out to the garden. I use the term "garden" loosely as I'm a sporadic, inconsistent gardener at best.
Here it is, all set up. It literally only took me 40 minutes to do it all!
We sat out there for about two hours talking about our kids, the events of the previous week, upcoming schedules, our business and just nothing. The squirrels and Clyde entertained us as the sun set. Miraculously there were no bugs and the weather was PERFECT.
THEN, it was time to clean up!!! Unbelievably, it only took us 14 minutes to clean up the kitchen (together).....hand-washing and drying the dishes and Everything. True story! I watched the clock.
A perfect, quiet evening. Granted, we are empty nesters and it is much, MUCH easier to pull this off with just two of us, but it can be done! Maybe this will inspire you to move a meal outdoors or to a different room in your house. I hope this gets your wheel turning and you take a quiet moment with a friend, spouse, child, neighbor or parent! It really doesn't take much.
Nike really does have the best tag line, "JUST DO IT"!
Nike really does have the best tag line, "JUST DO IT"!
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