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Holidays that land on Mondays are the best. For a bonus day, it has superb timing. I’m not sure if it’s habit or just inclination but our family likes to spend our bonus days outside, weather permitting of course. Thankfully our weather is finally cooperating, just in time for Memorial Day.
Our bonus days usually begin with getting outside in the morning for the children to burn off energy while MJ and I typically tackle yard work. Setting up the patio, cleaning out the garage and, my favorite, getting rid of stuff. I spend time in the garden too. It feels good to dig in the ground and look at the new life popping up to the soundtrack of the children’s laughter and (happy) screams. Invariably, lunchtime approaches and since it’s hard to go back indoors, we like to eat outdoors too. Usually something from the grill with easy sides. I think our food choices are definitely habit but they are taste-good habits so no one minds. The sunshine and sky is a great backdrop to the busyness lunchtime is for us (so. many. requests.). But it’s hard to be grumpy in this setting on a bonus day. Then there is more running around and outside work for the afternoon. I like to layout a blanket and grab my book and relax for a bit too. It doesn’t happen very often but sometimes I can talk one or both of the children into resting with me. We finish our projects and end our day with an easy-to-fix dinner. It’s bath and books and bedtime. Sleep comes easy at the end of this day. We fall asleep with the dreams that every day should be like a bonus day.
The highlight of the day is most often the picnic and it should be. It’s fun and so not our norm, especially here in the land of the never-ending winter. But the season of outdoor eating is upon us and my advice is to get outside and eat.
Picking the spot can be the hardest decision but vital to preparation. Where are you headed? To the lake? The park? The backyard? When you’ve decided on this part, then you will know what you need. Just the food and beverages? A blanket? Chairs? Umbrella? A table? When we don’t eat on a blanket in our yard, we like to picnic in the park down the street because it’s close, it has nice tall trees (shade), wide open spaces and big picnic table for all of us to fit. I thought this portable picnic table was genius for all those lovely places without one. And if picnic tables aren’t your thing, this outdoor blanket is perfect for a spread.
Once you’ve decided where you are going you can decide on what you’re having. Unless you are in fact hosting the Queen of Sheba, keep things easy. Picnics, especially on bonus days, should not be stress-inducing. We like homemade food and even with that, we choose simple things. If you’re sticking close to home, fire up the grill (Wayfair has so many grills to choose from. I thought this one was cute!). Pair the cooked food with cold salads, fruit, chips and a beverage. If you’re out and about, keep the cold salads, fruit and chips and add cold cuts or a chicken salad. Any kind of finger food is good for picnicking because it’s easy to eat no matter what the sitting arrangement is. I thought these skewers looked like perfect grilling partner.
Then there is the gathering and packing of everything else. Take into consideration what you will need for the entire meal so you can avoid making 1,001 trips in and out of the house and back and forth to the car. Travel picnic packs have everything you need for eating away from home. They make it easy and everything is already packed! Remember to keep food at its proper temperature. Coolers or insulated bags, like this stylish beaut, are essential to keep people from getting sick from mismanaged food. I like to pack our picnics into the basket MJ and I received for our wedding. It’s not the strongest basket but it has the right look. :) Sometime circumstances call for disposable dishware and I thought these paper baskets were cool!
Then enjoy yourself. Picnics are a pleasant affair. Enjoy the people, enjoy the view, enjoy the food. And if it’s on a bonus day, enjoy that too.
Here area few items that may help you and yours to have a wonderful picnic.
Picnic Travel Set | Rosewood Skewers
Insulated Picnic Basket | Patio Bistro Gas Grill | Paper Food Basket
Outdoor Blanket | Packable Picnic Table
