Eating Outside

March weather has been perfect here! Too bad once April begins, it'll be 90 and then 100 and 110 and beyond. In an attempt to spend as much time as possible outdoors, we've become frequent picnicers. At first I thought it would reduce my time spent in the kitchen but I'm amazed at how much work a dinner picnic for five actually requires. Napkins, spoons, and such; sippy cups, water bottles, peeled vegetables, sliced fruit... not to mention the sandwiches which must be custom made for each individual. Let's see - we have cookie cutter shapes, no condiments at all, just vegetables, heavy on the hot mustard, or all the ingredients separated in the bag so it's not actually a sandwich but just the sandwich makings to be eaten one at a time. I do admit that it's nice to come home from a picnic and realize I've already done all the work (although I still need to wash the blanket and wipe out the food bag and rinse the sippy cups & tupperware, etc.).

I've really come to love a good picnic though. I think it's because it is real time together. No phone ringing, no email to check, no one at the door; just us! I love how being in nature or just being outside helps relax us and bring us together. I'm not sure we'll be able to brave a dinner meal in May when it's steamy hot. We'll keep it up as long as we can!