How do you pic a nic, anyway?
Super Easy Picnic Date
By Glory Fink
It’s so nice outside right now. The sun is shining through my window and I can see the trees gently sway in the breeze. Today is a perfect day for a picnic and the only things stopping me from enjoying it is that I’m still in my jammies (I do my best writing in them, you know) and the fact that no one is available to share a picnic with me. But if I did have someone to join me and I was dressed, this is what I would do in a heartbeat.
Location
Find some shady grass and park it. Try Paul B. Johnson State Park just south of Hattiesburg or the rose garden at USM. Keep in mind that if you’re going to take your sugar dumpling to a public park you probably can’t have any alcohol with you. Not even in the car.
Picnic Supplies
Thick Blanket
Tarp (the ground could be damp)
Your date’s favorite takeout
Drinks (soda, water, wine, ect…)
Napkins or a Paper Towel Roll
Sunscreen/Sunglasses/Wide Brimmed Hats
Cushions for lounging
Bag for trash
Laundry Basket (to carry all this from the car to your ideal spot)
Activities
Cloud Watching
Walk in the Woods
I Spy
Talking Points
Favorite environment/climate to live in i.e., The Mountains, The Beach, Alaska, ect…. Why do you love it so?
Which botanical do you think is most important? Please explain why. (ex., grasses, flowers, trees, seaweed, ect…)
Describe your favorite outdoor memory. Be detailed, tell it as a story. When in doubt start with, “Once upon a time…”
Wanna kick the picnic up a few notches? If renting a boat or a hot air balloon isn’t practical, try making the food special. If you’re interested in these recipes, let me know and I’ll post them.
Menu For Those Who Like To Cook
Carrots & Cherry Tomatoes with your favorite ranch dip
Pita Chips & Hummus (I prefer my homemade recipe but Athenos is good, too)
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Chocolate Chip Cookies (again, I prefer my homemade chocolate chip cookies but if you’re rushed pick up your favorite cookies from a bakery. C’est La Vie on Hardy St. and The Pastry Garden on Walnut Circle are both super yummy!)
Blushing Tropical Sparklers (drinks)
Contingency Plan
If it rains or is too windy, take the picnic indoors to your living room. Since it’s challenging to cloud watch inside your place rent a romantic comedy while you two cuddle up on the floor with your picnic spread.
Romantic Comedy Movie Suggestions
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Say Anything (1989)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Shallow Hal (2001)
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
The Wedding Crashers (2005)
The Forty Year Old Virgin (2005)
When in doubt go with movies starring Vince Vaughn or John Cusack. For the Baby Boomers, you’re probably safe with Billy Crystal, Gene Wilder or Mel Brooks.
If you do try this date outline, please tell me ALLLL about it! Leave a note in the comments section or email me at glory at askglory.com Allow me to live vicariously through your dating adventures. Fill me in on everything from the part where the tree ate her kite to the bit where he forgot to bring a compass and you both were lost in the woods for an hour but found the car just as it was starting to rain. Hey wait, that sounds like the best part in a romantic comedy. Awwww, how sweet!
Much love,
Glory
