Outdoor Dining Experience

 

It's Labor Day weekend! 

 

Honestly,  until I just wrote those words ... I didn't realize how timely this weeks' simple pleasure is.  Funny how this stuff works sometimes.  I give all the credit to my sub-conscious that is probably working overtime here on my blog! (And also give credit to it for my spelling errors and run on sentences.... it's out of my control)

It's the beginning of a new school year and it's the end of summer (for all those who actually think summer is the first day of Memorial Weekend and the last is Labor Day weekend)  I've had this discussion before.... summer actually ends Saturday, September 21.

 

Any way you look at it, having an outdoor picnic is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors!

LET'S EAT!!!

 

Although shish-k-bobs are more of a barbecue type of food... why not go gourmet when picnicking in the backyard?  For some reason, presentation of the food makes it seem like it tastes better!!!  I've separated the vegetables from the meat.  We've learned over the years, and it seems quite obvious now... our vegetables were always quite crispy, while the meat may have been under cooked.  Then I figured out to separate the skewers and have separate veggie and meat ones. Voila`

 

 

Although we are no longer salt fans, we do marinate both meats (and sometimes the veggies) in tasty McCormick Grill Mates packets (of course frugally purchased as a loss leader for $1). Good ole zip lock bags, cut up meat, a little olive oil and water.... add the Chipotle Pepper marinade pack and as stated on the packet.... it truly is FLAVOR you can see!!

 

We squish the meat in the bag for a few hours while it's being refrigerated and right before we are ready to grill.... then I stick the skewers in!

 

 

Uncork a tasty bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon wine and add some fresh baked bread and it makes for a perfect.... end of summer meal!

 

Week #35 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a picnic

 

Pack up your food in a pretty basket, don't forget to add the napkins and make sure your iPhone camera is charged up ... get swept off your feet, create an attractive setting and discover the fun to be had with an outdoor dining experience!

 

Be Safe!

And

Brighten Someone's Day!

Picnic 101

Enjoy nature's beauty and get swept off your feet with an outdoor dining experience you're sure not to forget.  Create a fabulous outdoor setting by tossing out your black and red plaid blanket in one smooth motion as you find that perfect grassy knoll to settle down and get comfortable.  It's time to open your rattan picnic basket filled with American classic foods that will satisfy your culinary palette as you sit back and relax.

 

Wow!  Those words sure make a picnic sound FANTASTIC!!!!  It's a combination of phrases I found in some picnic advertisements. I am very happy to know that some of the LIFE'S simple pleasures are really a lot of fun and simple things you can do with family and friends. As simple as you can get.... put food in a basket/cooler, pick out a destination (it can even be the living room floor on a rainy day), bring the bug spray and enjoy the great outdoors!!!

I'm not going to give you specific recipes, just a general idea of some of my successes. 

I used to boil corn on the stove top.... I still do, but now as the water just starts a rolling boil I add a teaspoon of granulated sugar and a generous splash of lime juice before I put the shucked corn in.  You might have locally grown SWEET corn, but ever since I found this suggestion.... my corn has never tasted better!

 

The key to a great grilled burger is the FRESH ingredients.  After I make the ground sirloin patties (we enjoy the leaner meat) ... I learned to flatten the center more than the edges..... so it looks like a slight saucer shape.  There used to be a meat tenderizer that we found at WalMart, Dales.... haven't been able to find it lately.  I think we can order it online... it's really tasty... but not worth the effort at the moment.  So, I use a dash of Worchestshire Sauce and a little salt and pepper.  We like a fresh toasted Kaiser roll and some zesty pepper jack cheese.  My burger above is topped with a sliced tomato from my own garden and few lettuce leaves.  That first bite to the last was super juicy and delicious!

 

Standard picnic fare food you want it to be easy to eat, fork only, or finger foods (no knives) easy to transport and things that wont spoil quickly: potato salad, macaroni salad, watermelon, deviled eggs, bread, cheese, cold cuts, grapes, olive, potato chips, veggies, cookies and a beverage.  Last but not least....

 

The ultimate camping out... cookout ... open fire (or in this case, microwave) delicious dessert s'mores. 

 

I found a new way to enjoy that gooey chocolate flavor over at Kevinandamanda. She combined a Ritz cracker with a Reese's Peanut butter cup and marshmallow and made that sweet treat even better.  Here is my attempt at it.... still using the boring graham crackers.... but as you can see... I almost licked the plate clean! Just think of the possibilities but switching out the crackers and the candy bar!!!!

 

Week #35 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a picnic

 

Hope you stop by again and see what other ways we've created our picnics!!

Who Do You invite to a Picnic?

If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all picnics? Marie Dessler

If you just happened upon my blog, Welcome!! 

If you are an old friend, thanks for continuing your support by visiting me today! 

I am having fun creating my blog. 

I like change.... honestly I do!  I am fearful sometimes at 'change'.... but most of all, I get bored doing the same ole same ole.  So, if you visited me last week, my blog MIGHT have looked different (finally figured out how to put my custom header at the top of the page).  Today, I'm working on the watermark for my photos (that's my signature line... so in case someone wants to try and copy my great photos and use them as their own).... and who knows what will happen next week. 

So, stay tuned for my fun!

 

This entire year on my blog I'm dedicating myself to find LIFE'S simple pleasures.

L-learning

I - inspiring

F - feeling

E - evolving

S - shining

 

I'm seeking out FREE or relatively inexpensive ways to enjoy the simple things in LIFE.  We are into Week #35 of 2013 and this week I'm exploring picnics.

 

I truly enjoy eating (some) my summer meals outdoors not if it's 96 degrees like today with the heat index of 104 degrees ... well, if the conditions are perfect.... no bugs, low humidity and a light northeast breeze.

 

Well, I'm still working on coordinating my photos with my post... but if I took a picture a few months ago, sometimes I didn't quite capture what I might be writing about.  Today I wanted to point out a few of the different places we've had a picnic.  My pictures look more like I'm showing you the food... I am... so I'll just tell you the different places we've had a picnic.

 

Not shown.... don't you like that in a yearbook photo?  We've had a few picnics out the back hatch of our Honda ... but here are some of the other places...

 

Top left: our city's namesake.  Around 100 years or so ago when the Lake froze over in the winter a local ice company recalled how Crystal clear the lake was and perfect for creating the blocks for some of the first ice boxes (refrigerators) in some of the local Chicago areas, transported by horse and cart.

 

Top right: Local watering hole that was transformed from a Vulcan rock pit, to a beautiful recreation park.   A few weeks ago I commented here on my blog about our Kayak adventure.

 

 

In the above picture left: a scrumptious cookout with some lovely wine in our backyard oasis.

 

Right: company picnic held at the Picnic Grove in Six Flags Great America.

 

I can't help it, but I like a nice picnic and some great food! 

 

Can you believe all the people who blog about their food!!!!  I must admit.... it's kind of fun.

Come back tomorrow when I give a few recipes for some of that fine picnic cuisine!! Yummy!

Not Your Av-er-age Pi-ca-nic Basket

If the rain spoils our picnic but saves a farmers crop, who are we to say it shouldn't rain. ~ Tom Barrett

Week #35 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a picnic

A picnic is a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors, it can be combined with a cookout or a barb-b-que, a pot luck, a family reunion or a romantic meal for two.

When is the last time you went on a picnic?? 

Being the frugal person I am... okay, really I'm cheap!  I love a good picnic. 

My homemade sandwich is exactly like I want it.  I actually try to clean out the fridge because I must admit, most all of our picnics happen on a Saturday, which is just before we go grocery shopping to fill the fridge for the next week!  We enjoy eating the rest of the assortment chips (crumbs) from the bottom of the opened bags in the pantry.  I fill Ziploc snack bags with carrots and celery.  I pull out ice cold beverage from the downstairs fridge, add a simple cookie or chocolate dessert... and a few napkins.... and we are good to go!

 

Here is my official 'pic-a-nic' basket... it's never been on a road trip.  We've been using a big red soft sided cooler. 

 

This basket is too pretty. 

 

But I'm tired of it sitting by my piano hiding extra knitted scarfs.... I'm going to actually use it soon!  There is no reason to save it! Just like the 'pretty' dishes we're saving for company.  Or the special napkins only for Thanksgiving.... I'm going to start to use and use up everything.  No longer am I saving it for a special day!  Today.... is that day!!!! 

 

(source: Longaberger Website)

 

By the way, if you don't know.... It's a Longaberger basket... it's not your av-er-age ba$ket if you know what I mean .... it was a beautiful gift from a group of nice friends! The passion of the Longaberger business is evident as the corporate headquarters in Ohio is built like a basket!

 

One of LIFE'S simple pleasures, going on a picnic!

Beautiful Struggle

Live with ART ♥
it's good for you!

Week #34 LIFE'S simple pleasures - stage of change LIFE happens

We are approximately 238 days into this year!!  I'm looking back... slightly... but also embracing these new stages of my life.  And you know what.... I'm seeing the signs everywhere that LIFE happens.  We can try to stop it.... and hold on for the moment... but it keeps moving... and I'm happy to say there have been more good days than bad!!!

How timely I found this video posted on Facebook.... this mom says EVERYTHING I'm feeling.

And so.... LIFE after raising my children goes on!  And I get to continue... for the moment... I am truly blessed that I can't use up creativity, the more I use the more I have!

Sometimes when things are falling apart, the may actually be falling into place.

 

Can that be?

 

If the simple things in life don't put a smile on your face, then you will never be truly happy! 

 

So, I will make a point to do this as often as a can.... sending smiles   ... if I can't be in person to give them, freely!!

 

Do you see a theme going on here?  Not only in my quotes, but also my cards?   I am happy to incorporate my whimsical cards with a twist on LIFE!

 

If you find yourself out on a limb have a seat, enjoy the view!!

Life is simple when you live simply!

And so, we have choices!

 

Learn

Grow

make mistakes

(it'll all be okay)

 

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things it will come and sit softly on your shoulder - Thoreau

 

Just so you know friends out there in blog land.... today's post was not planned at all... it all just came to me as I was typing.  All of my cards were made over the past two weeks and some how *wink it all just came together as the stage of LIFE that I am right now, at this very moment!!

 

Some day everything will all make perfect sense.  So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason!

 

*Bold and italicized text are quotes I have found over the past years

 

 

Brighten Someone's Day!

 

 

 

Falling into Place

I'm in a new stage of my LIFE and there have been a lot of changes going on around our house. 

Although it's almost 90 degrees out, it somewhat feels like fall.  The seasons are changing as well. I see leaves flying off the trees.  We've had some weird weather around here this summer.  And of course, once the kids start going back to school... it's automatically fall.

Last week I had Sinistrality (the condition I've had my entire life, being left handed) and now I have Empty Nest Syndrome  (a feeling of grief and loneliness parents may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college).

I'll admit that I'm feeling very emotional, but I'm also a little excited!!

Last Saturday I went on a 14 mile bike ride with a neighbor.  No big deal, right?  But I can't tell you the last time I ever went on 14 mile bike ride.  And it's not that I wouldn't have done it with my kids around before.... I just never did.

 

Can you see that shine on the counter top???  I can't tell you how long ago it ever looked like this for more than one day.  Granted, I am a boarder line 'cleaning freak'.... but when you have teenagers who could careless about their room or bathroom.... I stopped being their 'maid' a few years ago. (If my children are reading this... I love you very much, but sometimes you need to just clean the ick at least more than once every three months.)

 

 

My first two homegrown vine tomatoes.  I'm so proud!  Although I've grown sun flowers and pumpkins from seed, I'm not sure I was ever so blessed with this abundance of vegetation from two little free seedlings. And too, I've gardened and planted with my children and they've helped with mowing the lawn and raking the leaves.  Being an Empty Nester, I will no longer have that 'free' help.

 

Week #34 LIFE'S simple pleasures - stage of LIFE (changes)

 

I'm very proud of my two kids who both wore graduation gowns like the one above.  But I'm a bit excited that I finally stuffed it into the 'girls' closet after it was hanging off the laundry door room for 74 days.  I didn't bug her to 'put it away'.... and guess what.... she never did.

 

It's what they call bitter sweet. I'm a bit of both happy and sad that the kids are away at college.  I miss the day to day interaction.  I miss their hugs.  I miss the sound of their footsteps down the stairs or the shower running and running. The dogs miss them too!

 

But a part of me is kind of excited that I get to clean up the kitchen(insert: any room in the house) and it will actually stay that way!  I kind of like having the full driveway open when I pull my car out and I really don't have to explain where I'm going or when I'm coming back.  I'm looking forward to trying new things that maybe I didn't have the chance to do before.

 

A good LIFE is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are!

 

Pimp my Ride

Well, I think I got the "new" header situation finished.... finally!  This photo shop and blogger stuff seems easy enough, maybe I'm the one making it complicated!!!

On yesterday's blog post I left you with a teaser.... as part of my next stage in LIFE, I'm going to have to make some changes.  I'm sure to anyone else, these things I'm doing aren't really a big deal ... but last week, two months ago, 15 years ago.... I was a full time stay-at-home mom.... now I am no longer the day to day hands on mom, we've become empty nesters and now I am the mom of two college students!! I'm at a new stage of LIFE.

Thus, my car has grown up too!  No longer is Mickey waving his sweet hello, no longer am I displaying our average stick family with two kids (boy and girl) and two dogs ... my decals now promote that we are associated with two big colleges!!

University of Iowa - Hawkeyes

University of Missouri - Tigers

 

Week #34 LIFE'S simple pleasures - stages of LIFE

 

So, what's my car say about me now???  The license plate is Illinois, my license plate frame is Green Bay Packers and I have two out of state decals representing colleges I never went to.

 

I did a little research.  There is a website called College Confidential .... the question was asked, "Do you have a college sticker on your car?"  I enjoyed reading each post on the thread and agree with many.

 

Having the kid's college decals on the rear window of my car makes me smile and think of both of them each time I walk around to my driver's seat.  It helps me to find my car in a sea of blue Honda Pilots in the parking lot.  I'm proud of my children and it shows school spirit and sometimes is a way to stike up a conversation and meet other parents who are either alumni or have kids at those schools.  And somebody behind me can laugh and think.... I know where all your money went!!!!

 

And then there are those may think it's boastful.  There are others who thought it would give a reason for a stupid rebel to key their car. I don't want to think about it those ways!!

 

This week I am embracing some of my changes! I am the proud parent of two wonderful individuals... this business of training little humans for LIFE is a mind boggling process!

 

Making a big life change is pretty scary.  But know what's even scarier? Regret

 

Stay tuned to see what's next in the nest!