Summer is definitely prime picnic season. If someone asks me where my “happy place” is, I’d have to say anywhere outdoors, on a blanket having a picnic with delicious food and an ice-cold beverage. There’s something about making the food ahead of time and transporting it to a place with very little distractions. Consider it a “day-cation.” Where to have one? The possibilities are endless – at a music festival, in a park, on the beach or even in your own yard. Once I had a picnic on the lawn of our County Courthouse during my lunch break on jury duty.
My most recent picnic was simply in my friend’s front yard. I was meeting up with one of my favorite people in the world – Jennifer Parsons Upham, who is incredibly talented at creating invitations and holiday cards. She has the most marvelous studio ever with old printing presses and paper galore. Papers, ribbons and ink always makes me weak at the knees. However, even better, is her vintage stamp collection. I suppose it’s the combination of old world etchings and the gorgeous colors of old stamps that bring me joy (versus our current stamp situation of shiny stickers ). I love how she uses vintage stamps and creates a theme on the envelope either by color or occasion. So when she asked me if I wanted to help her with a project, I jumped at the chance. She has two little boys and I offered to bring a picnic lunch before we started stamping. After arriving to her home, another surprise…. little did I know that her mother is an amazing quilter. Jennifer quickly grabbed one to use as our blanket and it was the most perfect backdrop for the food, especially my pie!
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My most recent picnic was simply in my friend’s front yard.“
The menu was very simple – chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches, potato chip potato salad, watermelon, lemonade, and of course pie. We laid it all out in her front yard, while her boys ran around happily eating with watermelon juice dripping down their arms. The best! The recipe for my potato chip potato salad is located here in my blog and the peach pie recipe will be posted soon.
So, with several weeks to go of beautiful warm weather, don’t hesitate – plan a picnic. And do let me know of any special picnic memories you have or places you like to have them. Also, here is the link to Jennifer’s business www.tinypinepress.com and should you be inspired to get some vintage stamps for your own invitations or cards you can find them here www.vintagepostagestamps.com.