We had our first of hopefully many picnics. I have been declaring this the Summer of Fun and have encouraged friends, neighbors and colleagues to get in on my program. Work has been insane lately so I think by talking about the Summer of Fun over and over I am hoping to force myself out of overwork mode and into take-advantage-of-nice-weather mode. It is starting to happen!

Don’t make a picnic a big deal so that it seems like hassle. Just throw some food into plastic containers or stop by your local deli and then head to the grass. If you are lucky enough to have a front or back yard, just carry your lunch or dinner right outside. I would give a good picnic the relaxation equivalent of 3 massages.

If you are a fellow food blogger you can probably relate. I often look back through my own recipe archives and have no memory of making some of the things I posted. If it weren’t for the photo, I would scarcely believe it. Some picnic fare I plan to bring out of my archives and into the Summer of Fun:

Chicken Souvlaki Salad
Lentil Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Couscous Salad with Almonds and Cranberries
Grilled Chicken, Mango & Jicama Salad (use leftover grilled chicken from the night before)
Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Cilantro Dressing
Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Dill, Feta and Lemon
Light Potato Salad with Sour Cream and Capers
And for when it really gets warm out… Watermelon Salad