Summer of Picnics #3 & #4

I'm a bit behind on recording our summer picnics. We were so busy in June that we didn't go on even one picnic. And last weekend, our date was to Chick-fil-a. Hopefully, we'll get back to our picnic schedule this week.

In the meantime, here are the details on our two last picnics from May. Yes, May...I told you I was slow here. :-)I'm almost embarrassed to be posting them now but I guess it's better late than never!

For picnic #3, we decided to try a small park in town that we hadn't been to yet. When we arrived, only a few people were there for what looked to be baseball practice. We set up our picnic and began to eat. A few minutes later, park security came and told us that they were getting ready to lock up the park and would we please finish up? It was only a little after 7 pm, but we packed up and went on home. About a mile down the road, it began to storm so we would've had to leave our picnic early anyways!

On the menu:
--white bean salad with crostini
--cheese and crackers
--grapes
--Hershey's 100 calorie chocolate covered pretzels

Picnic #4 took place in our living room since we got rained out on Memorial Day. This is proof that you can have a picnic anywhere!


Our menu:
--chicken salad sandwiches(recipe below)
--carrot sticks
--tortilla chips
--watermelon

Mary Ann's Chicken Salad with fruit and nuts

This is more of a guide than an actual recipe as everything is added to taste. It is so yummy; one of our favorites!I concocted this simple recipe after something similar was served at one of my bridal showers.

--chopped cooked chicken
--sliced red grapes or apples
--walnuts or pecans-I like them chopped but still pretty chunky.
--chopped celery
--chopped onion, if desired
--mayonnaise
--yellow mustard
--garlic powder
--salt
--curry powder, if desired

Mix first 5 ingredients in bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of mayo until the right consistency. I don't like it too runny, so I put in less or add more chunky stuff. Add a squirt of yellow mustard then stir in small amounts of the remaining spices. Unless you really like curry powder, add only a tiny bit of it. I like to add just a smidgen to add a different flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings until just right.

Spread on crackers, bread or serve a spoonful on a bed of lettuce.

Our cherished dog Rock joined us. I believe that he was hoping for a bite of people food but we ate it all ourselves. We're just selfish like that. ;-)


Our picnic entertainment: Nascar's Coca-Cola 600.


Fun times!

Picnic tip: Be flexible!