The Best is Enjoyed Outdoors!

How do you plan a picnic? Is it thoroughly and strategically planned, a potluck affair or completely impromptu? For this picnic, not much time is left for planning unless you already have this day's celebration on your calendar. However, all you need is a blanket, a basket, simple finger foods (leave the utensils at home), fresh fruit, cheeses and of course, cold fried chicken! And, if you like wine, by all means include your favorite bottle along with a loaf of French bread.

June 18 is...

International Picnic Day

Even a simple strawberry can be a revelation when eaten outdoors.
Photograph: Peter Orevi/Getty Images/Nordic Photos

The origin of the picnic can be traced to the end of the French Revolution and the Victorian Era. Picnics were ways for people to escape the restrictions of etiquette and formality when it comes to food. Shortly after the French Revolution ended, the Royal Gardens were opened to the public for the first time. It was the new common pastime for the French to visit the gardens and take along a meal.

One of the earliest accounts of picnicking comes from tales of Robin Hood. Robin Hood and his Merry Men would informally dine on bread, cheese and ale under the trees.

 

Picnics of the Past...

Central Park NYC

A Coney Island picnic? Daring move - watch out for that sand!

 

 These ladies are lunching in Prospect Park, the Central Park of Brooklyn, in 1899. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society.

 Picnic view of Brooklyn Bridge
Photo courtesy NBC News

Most importantly take some time to enjoy the great outdoors! Let Mother Nature provide the table for brunch, lunch, or afternoon snack time.

20 Scrumptious Picnic Recipe Ideas

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!