Memories of a Picnic in the Park

There is nothing I love more, than a beautiful sunny day at the park, with a picnic blanket, good company and some delicious food. I am very simple. The food does not have to be gourmet, but it has to be pleasing to my palate. And, I don’t have to always make it myself. Takeout is just fine. Besides, soaking up the sun’s rays, while enjoying some good food and conversation is just the medicine I need for my soul. That is at least, if I am not going solo.

Unlock 300+ Easy Recipes You’ll Actually Make

New recipes sent daily. Free forever!

Yerba Magic Peach Mango Ad

Skip the Jitters. Keep the Energy.

Plant-powered energy, calm focus, and gut support in a refreshing peach mango drink. Just add water and enjoy.

Find the Right Location

I love nature. The outdoors, especially around this time of the year, brings me immense joy. I love to watch people, see birds and butterflies flying about, dogs running after sticks and balls and children playing. Although I do like to put careful thought into presentation, (a cute picnic basket, and a pretty table cloth with matching plates, cups and utensils), it doesn’t take a lot to please my taste buds. I inherited making things look pretty, from my mom. And, from my dad, we connect with both our childhood memories, especially food. To have a successful picnic, you need to have the right location, delicious food, good company and some activities to keep you and the others entertained.  

My dad often shares his childhood memories of his grandma, affectionately called DaDa by her first grandson, my dad’s brother, and that name stuck. Every summer, DaDa planned an outdoor picnic at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, Virginia. It was the perfect opportunity for my dad, his brother and his three cousins to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

evaCHILL Portable Cooler Ad

Your Personal Escape From the Heat

Enjoy refreshing airflow wherever you work, rest, or relax with compact evaCHILL.

Gourmax Pro Multi-Cooker Ad

Still Cooking With Five Appliances?

Grill, air fry, roast, bake, steam, and more with one smokeless multi-cooker designed for faster meals and less kitchen clutter.

Have Food and Entertainment for Everyone

Before the food was served, the cousins got to run around and have childhood fun, while the adults, his grandparents, and their best friends, got to hang out, talk and play cards and board games. My dad called it, “The Good Ole’ Days.” In fact, as an adult, my dad bought the same game, Pokeno, for my sister and me when we were teenagers that his grandparents used to play. I too, am my father’s child, because most likely I will create the same memories for my own kids. 

Now, what would a picnic in the park be without picnic food right? Of course, DaDa thought of everything, even the tablecloth. Well, according to my dad, he recalled, DaDa came bearing lots of mouth-watering food. She stayed up all night making the family favorites: Fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, homemade rolls and fruit punch. 

TIBO Titanium Cutting Board Ad

Still Cutting on Plastic?

Switch to a double-sided titanium cutting board with a built-in knife sharpener and garlic grater for cleaner, simpler meal prep.

Serve a Yummy Dessert

And, what about dessert? Well, he told me that DaDa’s best friend, whom he called Aunt Bea, would make the most delicious pound cake with chocolate frosting.  And, I know he was right because when DaDa passed away years ago, Aunt Bea, dropped off one of those delicious pound cakes at my grandma’s house. I only managed to get one slice, because it magically disappeared.  I truly wish I had known Aunt Bea as an adult, because I would have her recipe in my rotation and I could share it with you. That pound cake with the homemade chocolate frosting, melted in your mouth.   

My dad looked forward to that picnic as a child into his early teens every summer. I never get tired of hearing him reminisce about “The Good Ole’ Days- enjoying Food, Family and Fun. Now, that’s a Picnic in the Park! As you can see, DaDa had a plan for their picnic. She found the perfect location, made the most delicious food and made sure everybody was well fed and entertained. I will surely implement some of her ideas in my next picnic and hopefully you can too!

Share Your Opinion On Our Recipes
Aerless Travel Compression Kit Ad

Stop Fighting Your Suitcase

Create more room in your luggage with reusable vacuum bags and a compact rechargeable pump for faster, more organized packing.

Similar Posts

  • Avocado Toast

    Have you ever had Avocado Toast? When I first heard about avocado toast a few years back, I was kind of turned off by the idea of avocado being spread on toast. I decided to embark on the journey anyway and began making this quite a bit for my family. They loved it and always…

  • Chocolate Coffee Bark Candy

    Melted semi-sweet chocolate chunks and coffee grounds combined make for a sweet treat! If you love chocolate and coffee, then this is the recipe for you. You’ve come to the right place! This Chocolate Coffee Bark Candy is fun and easy to make! What makes it delicious is the texture that the ground coffee brings…

  • Shirazi Salad

    Have you ever just wanted to try a completely different recipe? I’m talking about stepping away from the normal routine of making your traditional American meals and testing out a foreign dish? Well, that is exactly what I did here with this recipe.  Unlock 300+ Easy Recipes You’ll Actually Make New recipes sent daily. Free…

  • Buffalo Cauliflower

    In need of a delicious vegetarian dish? Buffalo Cauliflower can be on your table today! This dish is quick to prep and the oven does most of the work for you! And, what’s so great about it is you can make it as saucy as you want.  Unlock 300+ Easy Recipes You’ll Actually Make New…

  • The Best Breakfast Cookie

    There are so many breakfast choices we can make today. Some of us love breakfast so much that we choose to have Breakfast for Dinner. This tradition started when I was a kid and followed me into my adulthood. Some habits are hard to break and for me, this is a good habit to have….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *