How to have a Shaun Style Picnic

If you know me, you know that for me a 3-star hotel is camping. Kevin and I aren’t the typical northwest outdoors types.   Don’t get me wrong. We both love the outdoors and enjoy the fact that we get to see beautiful mountains and water all the time (well when it’s not grey out).   So, summer activities like hiking and camping are lost on us.

 We love to take short day road trips around the Puget Sound, however.   When we’re on these trips, it’s fun to check out different local food joints. It’s also fun to bring your own.  

 Just a few weeks ago we took a trip to Anacortes and La Conner to pick up strawberries and Rainier Cherries for jam (more on that to come). Instead of stopping for lunch, we went to our favorite park and had a picnic.  

Picnics can be so much fun—they make you feel as though you’re camping but guess what? You get to go home and sleep in your own bed and shower afterwards!   As you can imagine, I don’t plan a picnic like most people.

Here are some of my tips to make for a perfect picnic!

• You don’t have to use paper or plastic. If you plan the meal properly and there are only a few of you, there is no reason why you can’t use real glassware and plates. I like to use smaller sized plates that fit perfectly into a gallon zip-lock bag, this way, when you are done, you can slide the dirty plates in the bag and not mess up your picnic basket or car.

• I also like to wrap up the silverware in a nice linen napkin because linen napkins are typically larger than paper and they make great placemats or napkins. I have also used nice kitchen dishtowels—they are perfect for those messier meals.

• Prepare foods that contain no mayo or other ingredients that could spoil quickly.

• If making sandwiches or something similar, pack the ingredients in separate containers so everyone can create their own sandwich exactly the way they like.

• Bring one large bottle of water instead of many small bottles. You’ll have less trash to clean up, plus you’ll be greener. 

Picnics aren’t just for when you leave town. I’ve been known to make dinner and then we’ve packed it up and strolled to our local park to enjoy a nice spread. In Seattle we must enjoy the days that are nice while we have them!