I know I complain about living in the country. Truth is, I actually like living in the country. Problem is, I live on the worst street ever. My home, despite its modest 2 acres, faces a highway that connects the smaller towns and is just a couple of miles from the expressway. We tend to get a lot of cross traffic and a lot of noise. I absolutely hate it here. There is nothing peaceful. Nothing relaxing. It’s not country living, that’s for sure.
Maybe someday I’ll move.
Until then, I appreciate what I do have around me, even if I have to take a little drive to get to it.
Mr. YUM and I have been trying to work on our relationship. We’ve been under a lot of stress these last few years with job changes, school, job losses, life changes, and many other things. Now that the weather is nice I thought it would be a good idea, and extremely budget friendly for us to have a picnic.
UPDATE: I had a TON of folks asking me about my picnic backpack. I have no idea where it came from. Husband said his mother gave it to him. I was able to find one similar on Amazon if you are interested.
Hiding in the back of the office closet is this cute backpack with picnic items inside. Perfect items for some wine and cheese. I’m aware that most states have an open container law. Pretty sure we are one of them. 😉 Not too sure how folks get around the wine in the picnic basket, but I took a chance. Back in May I was greatly inspired by Kimberly at A Night Owl and her phenomenal collection of mason jar picnic items.
Our picnic backpack had a side compartment just for a wine bottle. I cut up some cheese and placed that in a small jar. I also made up some chicken sandwiches with cheese and some roast beef and cheese. In another set of jars I made some strawberry raspberry shortcake. I made sure to bring the whipped cream with us. I didn’t want my shortcake to get soggy. In another jar I layered a fun salad that we shared. Once our backpack and bag of treasures was packed we headed to the town next door, Frankenmuth.
It’s a quaint, beautiful little German town. Hidden behind the tourist downtown area is a nice boat ramp and park. We picked a slightly shady spot just as the tourist boat was making its way down the water.
We set the table and enjoyed our food in the fresh air. I brought our bamboo beach blankets. I figured we would need them for laying in the grass. Good thing I brought them as we needed them to use on top of the picnic tables. What a (birds) mess!
I was so happy to be out of this house. Working from home all these years, along with working through both my degrees online has made me somewhat of a hermit. I feel like life has just passed me by.
We ate. I pretended like I knew what I was doing with my camera.
And then we ate some more.
I welcomed the hot sun on my face. After our meal we just laid in the grass. Talking about life. Doing nothing at all.
It was a wonderful feeling. And exactly what I needed.
*****During this week I will be sharing the recipes from our picnic with you. So stay tuned for the shortcake in a jar, salad in a jar, and fancy smancy sandwiches recipes!
I used to have one of those picnic sets! We only used it twice, so we handed it to another family member. I love the outing and glad it made you feel relaxed!
We’ve had it for years and never used it. I am hoping to make it a regular thing for us this summer as we have to stick to a budget!
One of those picnic packs would be a great gift for a newlywed. I would love one myself since my family goes on so many picnics at the park and on the beach! It’s great to have it all together in one bag!
I agree! I would like to upgrade to an actual basket at some time so I can pack everything we need in one pack. We had to pack a smaller lunch tote since it did not all fit.
I haven’t had a picnic in years. I totally want to go plan one now!
It was so fun! We figured if the area we like to go to gets super busy this summer we can always find a place off the beaten path. Out here in the country there is bound to be something. I would be happy with a picnic in my backyard but we face a busy road. So, its noisy!
That’s such a sweet idea. I have very fond memories of picnics in the park! It’s a great way to relax and connect.
Thank you! I hope you will visit again this week as I share the recipes from our picnic!
What a great little break! I love the idea of a picnic backpack, so much easier to carry than an actual basket!
It’s super cute and great for small items!
I love how you turned it into a no pressure, total relaxation day. That picnic was darn near perfect.
My husband has been wanting to go on a picnic for years, but we haven’t done it yet. Maybe this summer. Your little setup looks super cute (and I love foods in jars.)
I’m so glad for you to be able to enjoy a much needed relaxing day with your hubs. Sometimes the stresses of life just get to be overwhelming and it strains relationships.
Who’s that hot male model at the bottom of the post! More importantly, I love reading about food and eating all day!
thanks,
MItch
I was just talking to my husband the other day that I wanted to go do a picnic in the park! The farthest we got in the past few years was the backyard lol
I have been wanting to do a picnic with my husband for awhile. It would be a great way to reconnect.
How neat! I need one of these! What looks so convenient!
It really was super easy to toss and go!
I envy you! I would love to live in the country. Living in busy South FL is just too crazy sometimes. I would love to be in a quiet place that I could relax and enjoy nature whenever I pleased.
You know what is funny? That I would love to move to FL! I spent most of my life in OK. I hate the dry heat. I am now in MI and although I can appreciate all 4 seasons, winter is a bit much. I have family in FL and would love to end up there someday. But, not in one of the larger cities. No thanks. LOL.
I so want one of those picnic backpacks. I love it.
I have no idea where he got it to be honest. He said his mom gave it to him. It had never been used and I found it in the closet shortly after I moved in. That was over 5 years ago and I am just now putting it to use! 😉 I was able to find one on Amazon that is similar : http://amzn.to/1quq2bo
That’s one upscale picnic. I need to put a picnic together for my family.
I hope you do. Such a simple thing and they are so much fun!
I love the idea of a picnic! What I hate is the challenge of keeping bugs out of my food! I think that you are offering a solution that will fix the bug issue- food in jars!
Never thought about it like that! Glad to know that solves a problem!
Anything in a mason jar is automatically better! Now I need one of my summer bucketlist dates to be a picnic in the park…its so cute!
I agree. I am a huge mason jar fan!
This looks so fun! I can’t wait to see the recipes!
I hope you’ll come by today. They are starting to pop up 😉
I think this is so romantic! I love seeing couples do things like this!
We really needed it. Thank you.
Your set up reminds me of a picnic basket that my mom had. It was a cute little basket that held all the picnic dishes, including silverware. So cool. I haven’t been on a picnic in YEARS!
You should go on one!
It has been a while since we had a picnic in the park.Your looks really good.
Aww thank you.
This is adorable. We love to have picnics on the grounds of the Biltmore.
Aww,thanks.
we’re located near busy streets and highway. It’s not constant noise but enough that gets annoying sometimes
I used to live in a subdivision in a college city. So I am used to traffic, but this is completely different! Its so crazy sometimes.
That must be rough living so close to all that noise. We used to live near enough to a big interstate to drive us loony! So glad we are in our new home.
I can’t wait to move. The regular traffic isn’t too bad. But one of the towns the highway connects to is about 2 miles up the road and its a tourist town. So, there is traffic all the time. We are also close to 2 other town Interstate exists. More traffic. So we always have tons of car traffic, loud motorcycles and semi trucks all day long. I always tell my husband, too bad we couldn’t just pick up the house and move it around the corner. I do like the house, its a strong sturdy house, but I didn’t pick it. So its a little weird for me at times. It will be nice to have something to call my own – in a quiet spot.
this is what I am talking about! Dining outdoors is awesome! I love this post!
Thank you for stopping by. I am glad you liked it.
I almost bought a picnic package like that before! It is so handy!
I just love it. Can’t wait to use it again.
Looks like a wonderful time with your husband. Now I want to go have a picnic.
You should!
Looks like you weren’t the only one who loved it. 🙂 Relaxing time like that is just what the dr. ordered sometimes. The shortcake looks good!
Life is very stressful for us right now. So it was nice to be able to just get outside. It was also something we really looked forward to after being cooped up all winter.
I love those picnic in a bag things. My hubs and I need to get one.
It’s a great thing to have. I have been having a lot of fun trying to come up with some ideas for our next picnic.
Your picnic came out great! I love the desserts in individual jars
What a fun picnic. I love the shortcake in a jar too, yummy!
It was yum! And so simple. Even better 😉
A picnic can be such fun! Jarred recipes are great, they transport so well!
When I was younger I never really understood why my mother and family used mason jars for food when they weren’t canning. Now I do!
I think my husband and I need a picnic as well. Picnics are inherently romantic. Sounds like you guys had a great time!
I love your picnic set! So simple and easy for a fun filled day. I, too, often pretend to know what I am doing when I play with my camera 🙂
I have books and magazines and even online videos to show me what to do outside of manual settings! I just don’t seem to use them as I should so I go out and about and just ‘do.’ I feel I learn better that way!
These are the best kind of days. Lazy and relaxing and good food. The kind that you tend to remember the most.
I agree! It was quite a lot of fun doing nothing.
I love living in the country but my experience is slightly different from yours. We live on a quite, private lake with just a few neighbors – most of whom are great. But it good that you can appreciate the things you DO like about where you live.
That is my ideal property location.
I love picnics! We often have them just for fun in the front yard. The kids will make us a lunch and we will take a blanket and eat cheese sticks and drink whatever they decided to pack usually apple juice. 🙂
Thats so cute!
I love that picnic backpack! What a wonderful little getaway!
Thank you. I can’t wait to use it again.
I’m excited for summer break so I can take my girls on picnics. I have the nicest bag similar to yours
I hope its a lot of fun!
A picnic is such a great idea for a date! It’s so relaxing and peaceful and a great way to enjoy the outdoors!
I adore being outside!
Your picnic looks really nice. I like that you got to watch the tourist boat go by, too. What fun!
I’m silly. I waved at them before I took the photo. LOL 🙂
That’s really cool! Perfect for a little picnic date with my husband!
I love picnics in the park, but we don’t do it nearly enough. You’ve inspired me to pack a lunch for me and the kids to enjoy together today!
I love the idea of a picnic with the hubby. Leave the phones and everything else behind and just enjoy each other and the outdoors! We take picnics with the boys and it’s not quite the same lol
What a perfect picnic! We have the same backpack and we haven’t used it in ages! Time to take a picnic!
I aim to inspire!
Oh what a fun afternoon. I love bringing salad in a jar to picnics. I need a cute picnic carry along like that. Just spending the afternoon together is so relaxing.
It really was fun and I can’t wait to do it again. I have been inspired by new jar recipes!
Picnics are a great way to spend time together and enjoy the weather. Our family likes to picnic all year long. In the winter we have “Scottish picnics” in the car that are always a lot of fun.
That sounds like a lot of fun. We used to do those quite a bit when I was younger.
It looks like you had a wonderful picnic! And are you talking about Frankenmuth, Michigan? My family and I will be taking a trip up to Michigan sometime in July to visit Cabela’s in Dundee and then going to the Christmas store in Frankenmuth! 🙂
Yes, I am! I live right down the road from Bronners! Frankenmuth is such a cute little town. Expensive place to live, though.
I love your picnic backpack! The way you packed everything is so great!
Thank you!
Looks like you had a great time. I haven’t had a picnic in ages, sounds like a great idea right now.
I really want to do another soon!