Dining alfresco

Fresh ideas for the perfect fall picnic

Tips for the perfect fall picnic

• Bring extra blankets
• Dress in layers
• Go for a hike (bring appropriate shoes)
• Bring hot chocolate and marshmallows
• Make your picnic a “screen-free zone”
• Fill an empty pop bottle with water and freeze it; when the icemelts it won’t melt all over your food

The perfect picnic

There are three ingredients to the perfect picnic, according to Picnic in Pisticci author Tina Powell.
• Good people — “Picnics should be shared only with special people. Choose your picnic pals very wisely,” Powell said.
• Good food — Whether it’s traditional picnic food, or nontraditional family favourites, some good eats will keep everyone satisfied.
• Location, location, location — “You can’t go wrong with Muskoka,” Powell said.

The idea of throwing a picnic might fade away as summer turns into fall. But according to author Tina Powell, it shouldn’t.
Powell, author of Picnic in Pisticci, is on a mission to lead a picnic renaissance. And she believes there’s no limit to the possibilities, whether you’re planning to eat inside or outside, in warm weather or cold.
“You can picnic any time, any place,” Powell said. “They’re really a wonderful mini-holiday from the busyness of life.
“Picnics are not just a summer activity — so much of the joy of life is having picnics all year round.”
With that in mind, the changing of the leaves seems like as good a time as any.
“I think there’s something special about autumn,” Powell said. “It’s just a wonderful way to experience your summer vacation spot in a new light, and just enjoy the beauty and peace.”
The Vancouver-based author has some outside-the-box ideas for cottagers and residents looking to plan the perfect day... or night.
“If the fire rating says you’re allowed, what about a bonfire picnic?” Powell suggested. “Night picnics are beautiful in Muskoka.”
If you’re looking for inspiration to get out there, Powell offers several topical themes to consider:
• Harvest: hit up the local farmer’s market to pick up some fresh fall fruits and vegetables, which could include items like apples, pumpkin tarts, squash and sunflower seeds.
• Thanksgiving: put a new spin on the traditional family meal. Ideas could include turkey sandwiches, cranberry sauce and juice.
• Football: Are you ready for some picnicking? “Pack your football and everyone wear their jerseys,” Powell said. Food ideas could include chicken wings, chili and some nice loaves of bread.
• Last hurrah of summer: probably best suited to one of those warmer fall days. Send off the season by wearing your summer clothes, packing watermelon, hotdogs and potato salad.
• Teddy bear picnic: great for kids (and Muskoka). “Get the kids to bring their teddy bears and theme the food all around bear food,” Powell said. She suggests salmon, honey sandwiches, teddy bear-shaped cookies, berries, nuts, and a game of hide-and-seek with the teddy bears.
Local caterer Christine Bib said there are several great locations in Muskoka for picnicking.
Some of her favourites include Fish Hatchery Park, off Hwy 141; The Tree Museum, east of Gravenhurst off Doe Lake Rd; Muskoka Beach, beside Taboo Resort, “because it’s grassy and also watery,” and Port Sydney Falls.
“Those are all really great locations to spend a day,” Bib said.
Powell believes in the power of picnics to foster good conversation and lasting memories among family and close friends. She advised a “no-screen zone,” where cellphones and the like are off-limits during the picnic.
If people are having fun, they may even forget about their mobile devices.
Bib suggested planning out some activities ahead of time.
“I think entertainment (is important),” she said. “Having planned games and things like that, whether it’s croquet, badminton, whatever you like.”
Wherever the location, Powell said that picnics offer the perfect chance to relax and reconnect with loved ones.
“We need to slow down, take time out, and enjoy the simpler more important things,” she said. “And what better location to do it in than Muskoka?”

Small - Large
|
Print
|
Email
|
|