{"id":24138,"date":"2012-04-30T18:23:58","date_gmt":"2012-04-30T22:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artofmanliness.com\/?p=24138"},"modified":"2021-09-24T22:32:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T03:32:42","slug":"how-to-have-a-picnic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/leisure\/food-drink\/how-to-have-a-picnic\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pull Off the Perfect Picnic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

Picnics lead to marriage.<\/p>\n

Okay gents, now that I\u2019ve got your attention, allow me to explain.<\/p>\n

Less than two years ago, I met the woman of my dreams.  I\u2019ll be the first to admit, I\u2019ve always been a pretty picky guy when it comes to dating.  However, within a few hours of meeting my future bride-to-be, I knew that I could spend the rest of my life with her.  It was just that simple– when you know, you know.  Yet, life and love are always more complicated. Our problem?  I lived in Nashville, while she was just moving to Los Angeles, by way of NYC.  Yeah I get it; our story already had the makings of a great country music song<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For those who\u2019ve never done the distance,<\/em> I\u2019ll get straight to the point: it can be brutal.  Sure, modern technology such as email, Skype, and FaceTime have made communication easier, but in our case, the idea of starting our relationship from 2000 miles apart, while navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry seemed virtually impossible, if not irresponsible.  Besides, I assumed she was probably more interested in all of those Hollywood surfer\/producer types–how could a cowboy boots-wearing, singer\/songwriter food guy ever capture her heart?<\/p>\n

Ok, enough with the self-doubt<\/a> talk.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you have to man up<\/a>.  After a month or so of casually communicating, it seemed that the distance and detached lives we were leading were putting out our initial spark.  So, I called an audible.  I can still remember her reaction when I told her–3 days ahead of time–that I\u2019d just booked a flight to come visit her in California.  Shocked, excited, nervous?  Hmm, I\u2019d say it was a mixture of all three.  Either way, it was a bold move.  Or as Will Hunting best said it, I had to go see about a girl<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What ensued was a weekend that changed both our lives.  I did my best to win her over via my Southern gentleman charm, along with a few fancy dinners, walks on the beach, and all of that other stuff of fairy tale romance.  But, what pleased her most was a simple afternoon picnic I had planned toward the end of our weekend.  You see, I even went as far as to pack a foldable cooler, blanket, and corkscrew with my luggage to ensure my plans went off without a hitch.  That might seem a little overboard, but it\u2019s all about making the effort, fellas.  By the end of the weekend, we knew that we were both committed to pursuing a serious relationship–regardless of the distance.<\/p>\n

The takeaway? After an incredible year of dating, racking up the miles via planes, trains, and automobile, I found it time once again to man up<\/a>.  This past January, I boarded yet another plane to take me back out to California.  But this trip was different.  Relishing our time together, over a picnic on that same beach from before, I asked her to spend the rest of her life with me.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, risks are worth taking — she said yes.<\/p>\n

In other words, pursue the one<\/em> with everything you have, and don\u2019t be afraid to enjoy a picnic or two along the way.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/p>\n

MM<\/p>\n

Guidelines, Tips, and Meal Planning for Picnics<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

First and foremost, plan ahead.<\/strong>  The whole point of enjoying a picnic is to take advantage of the great outdoors, so choose a beautiful spot on a day when the weather is agreeable.<\/p>\n

Pack accordingly.<\/strong>  The following items\/suggestions will help ensure that you are properly prepared.  To be fair, I\u2019ve made this list rather thorough.  Pack according to your needs, companions, and environment. Forgetting something can really put a kink in your plans, so a good idea is to make a checklist of what you want to bring, and then cross off each item as you place it into your basket.<\/p>\n

Picnic Packing List<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

–A comfortable blanket or ground covering to sit on.<\/em> <\/strong> If you are worried about ruining your favorite quilt or blanket, bring along a vinyl tablecloth to serve as an under layer.<\/p>\n

–A cooler for items that need to be kept cold. <\/strong><\/em> Use plenty of ice packs to keep everything chilled.  You can also freeze bottled water, lemonade, or fruit juice to double as ice packs and save space–just be sure you have the time to let them thaw prior to serving.  Last but not least, don\u2019t put the cooler in your trunk during transport, as it\u2019s the hottest part of the car.<\/p>\n

–A basket or large bag to carry everything else<\/em>.<\/strong> You don\u2019t necessarily need to get an old fashioned wicker basket, but try to use something more charming than a bunch of grocery bags.<\/p>\n

–Plastic storage containers and plastic storage bags.<\/em> <\/strong> Both of these items prevent things from spilling, while also keeping food separated and fresh.<\/p>\n