How To Have A Picnic
“It’s kinda like charcuterie,” I said to my friend Morgan. “A nice little cheese spread.”
She looked at my orange fingers as I dipped my hand back in the bag to grab some more Cheetos and laughed.
I guess her reaction was fair. Cheetos aren’t haute cuisine. But in a pinch, this pinch, they worked just fine. It was something to indulge in while we sipped away on rosé.
This picnic idea was last minute and the planner in me didn’t have time to plan. I was on the way out for our usual daily walk when I called her up to see if she wanted to do a picnic instead. I’d been dreaming about a picnic for weeks. It included a cute little picnic basket, a carefully curated spread, wine, and some of the Moroccan style blankets that I’d brought back from my Jamaica dinner. Maybe it even included a few more (socially distanced) people.
Instead, I hastily grabbed a blanket from my closet. When we arrived close to the park, we made a stop at the liquor store to see what they had that was…cold. I decided on a French rosé from Burgundy. It was a simple, light-bodied wine that was easy to drink in 83-degree weather. I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to recommend it, but I enjoyed it with my Cheetos.
Since dining won’t look the same for a while, I’ve decided to spend most of the summer having picnics. Future ones will be more thought out (maybe). Here’s what the perfect picnic looks like:
People: As with any event, the people set the tone. Choose your company wisely. Will your guest(s) scoff at Cheetos if that’s all you have or will they be able to appreciate the moment while wondering why no one thought to bring more wine? Invite people that know how to have a good time.
Food: I think I like picnics because it’s a great excuse to eat cheese (I like anything where I’m promised cheese). It’s the perfect thing for a picnic. I recommend doing a simple spread of cheese, fruit, and bread….oh and zome dark chocolate. If you’re able to drag along a cutting board to display everything, even better. Another idea is to pick up some food from a local restaurant. While I’m not in a rush to go sit down somewhere and order food from a mask-clad server, I still plan to support restaurants.
Beverages: I bought one bottle of wine. It wasn’t enough and there was no way to get more without disrupting the moment. By disrupting the moment I mean packing up our stuff, folding the blankets, and walking five minutes back to the store. We weren’t going to do it. Whatever your beverage of choice, make sure you have plenty. Double what you think you’ll need…or drink slower.
Blankets: Go for comfort first (large enough to completely lay on and soft), but also bring something that gives a bit of ambiance. With all the green happening around, it’s nice to have some blankets that make a statement.
Accessories: Even when I’m with other people, I make sure that I carry my journal with me. For some reason, laying around and not doing much is the perfect time for inspiration to strike. Make sure you can capture it. I think some other must-have items are music (don’t disturb other people) and a good book.