One of my favorite things about summer is packing a picnic basket and heading down to the lake. Sometimes it’s just Ian, Mo, and me. Other times friends join us, and before long, someone is laughing, someone is telling stories, and Mo is patiently waiting to see if anyone accidentally drops a sandwich.
A picnic doesn’t have to be fancy to be enjoyable. In fact, some of the best ones are filled with simple favorites that everyone looks forward to.
Here’s what usually finds its way into my picnic basket:
🥪 Fresh sandwiches
🍓 Seasonal fruit
🥕 Crisp vegetables with dip
🧀 Cheese and crackers
🥨 Pretzels or chips
🍪 Homemade cookies
🧃 Plenty of water and a few cold drinks
Of course, there are a few things that don’t go in the basket but always come along:
✔️ A picnic blanket
✔️ Sunscreen
✔️ Bug spray
✔️ Wet wipes
✔️ Paper towels and napkins
✔️ A small first aid kit
✔️ Trash bags so we can leave everything just as beautiful as we found it.
If Mo is joining us—and let’s be honest, he usually is—his travel bowl, fresh water, and a few treats are packed too. He has perfected the art of looking hopeful whenever someone unwraps a sandwich.
The best part of any picnic isn’t really the food. It’s slowing down long enough to enjoy the people you’re with, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate another beautiful summer day in Willow Lake.
Pepper’s Prepper Tip
Freeze a couple of water bottles the night before your picnic. They’ll help keep your food cold, and as they melt, you’ll have nice cold water to drink later.
Until next time… stay prepped & prepared.
Pepper
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