Our bimonthly, Blogger-Bestie gift exchange, One Kitchen, Many Hearts, was themed Picnic Essentials because June just begs for lazy picnics with the people you love. We do a lot summertime picnics here on the 45th. It’s just the right thing to do.
We loves us a good day at the beach! My boys and I spend many-a-day at one of the myriad of blue water beaches in here in Northern Michigan. Being that I travel with a pack of growing boys, being prepared with proper picnic supplies is a necessity. This month, Beka – Kvetchin Kitchen personally selected everything I ever really need for a picnic with my crew.
She rocks, like that.
Just look at all these picnic necessities! Beka knows me well enough to include all the right accessories for a day at the beach with my family. Assuming that I’m going to share, that is…
First off, she included a bunch of games. No picnic is complete without entertainment, and Beka knows that we are a game-playing family.
Further proof that Beka gets me? The little note that she included with the games. Rest assured, Beka. There shall be no mercy. 😉
Our new picnic games include, paddle ball, velcro catch, and Connect Four. Well, I’m not too sure about the paddle ball…the Baby saw all the good booty and snagged that one right after I snapped this photo.
Then he thanked me for his new paddle ball.
I politely explained that the paddle ball was mine, but that I would gladly share it with he and his older brothers. He proceeded to tell me that his brothers weren’t old enough to play paddle ball, so he would just keep it for himself. Then told me how nice it was for me to give it to him. Again.
He’s persistent, that Baby. I totally blame his daddy.
As far as food stuffs go, Beka included a couple of her favorite spice blends for me to play around with when preparing the food portion of the picnic. One of which is direct from Israel via Seattle, and is simply termed “Good on Chicken.” I see that as a clear sign to make Tandoori Chicken Fajitas with it in the very near future.
The other blend is called za’taar, which is a ground mixture of dried thyme, sumac, toasted sesame seeds, savory, and oregano. I was first introduced to za-taar in a Middle Eastern cooking class–it’s a wonderful when made into a paste with olive oil, and eaten as a dip or spread with pita bread. Za-taar paste is also great when slathered on meats as a marinade.
I also have a handy-dandy new bug tent to keep the creepy crawlies away from the food. I think the tent will be the perfect cover for a Traverse City Cherry Pie, for which no picnic is complete without. Although, truth be told, when I bring pies to a picnic, they’re of the portable variety.
Also in the interest of bug repellent are these sweet votive holders and citronella candles. Beka couldn’t have known this, but the votive holders are an exact match for the color scheme for my little Zen nook on the porch. Love them!
And because every picnic should be properly accessorized, a crushable sun hat, gauze-y scarf, and unbreakable beverage glasses were also included. With winds that have a habit of whipping off the water unannounced, having a scarf for warmth is an absolute must for every beach picnic. Also a must is a stylish sun hat to protect my (ahem!) aging skin from (further) sun damage.
Pro Tip for all you younger girls out there: Sunscreen and a good hat are your BFF on sunny days.
Thanks to Beka, I’m going to look so much more fashionable than my usual sweatshirt and baseball cap that I reserve for just these purposes. I simply can not wait to picnic with all my new gear this summer!
Even after my boys steal the rest of my picnic swag. Thanks again, Beka! I love it all!
My response to Son #1’s heckling me while playing photographer. We’re super mature around here.
♥♥♥
To see the super cool picnic-themed goodies that I sent to Jeanne, click here. Sister received all of my local favorites from Northern Michigan.
For the rest of the OKMH Picnic Edition Reveals:
- Megan sent to Allison – Decadent Philistines Save the World
- Jeanne sent to Megan – Country Cleaver
- Allison sent to Kat – Tenaciously Yours
- Mads sent to Beka – Kvetchin Kitchen
- Kat sent to Mads – La Petite Pancake
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