time for a picnic

i have been reading this book by DeeDee Stovel for the past week looking for some new ideas for picnic fare.  every wednesday during the summer months, dow gardens offers lunchtime concerts under the white birch trees.  for the past couple of summers, brian and i seem to make a couple of these concerts and have never been disappointed.  so, i am planning our picnic lunch for an upcoming noon time rendezvous.

one of the best sandwiches that i make starts with a great bread, and i like to try different country breads.  DeeDee recommends lots of vegetables thinly sliced, such as paper thin cucumbers, transparent onion rings, and roasted red bell peppers.  these are my favorites as well, with lots of fresh spinach leaves instead of the usual lettuce.  brian prefers either peppercorn turkey breast or a maple ham slice added, whereas i can make a sandwich half from simply the crispy vegetables. cheese is optional, but i often like a very thin slice of provolone, with a condiment of peppercorn dressing.

a nice side to a sandwich is always fruit, and easily packed are beautiful red strawberries and an assortment of red and blue grapes.  these are always easy for a picnic and seem to be recommended by DeDee as well.

for dessert, a number of choices are offered in the book:  raspberry brownies, apricot almond bars, carrot cake, lemon bundt cake or even cookies. i am certain to find a couple of great cookie recipes and offer brian a selection. i truly enjoy a picnic and with live music and the beauty of dow gardens, summer is here to be enjoyed.