Monday, May 2, 2011

The Yard Picnic

We knew ahead of time that we were in for a perfectly beautiful Saturday.  After Thursday morning's tornado scares, leaving us hunkered down in our basement watching the blip of the radar move across the tv screen (showing the unsettled weather passing a mere mile to our west), we felt that we deserved a beautiful day or two.  Really. 
So I asked the young, blond-haired, blue-eyed decision-maker of the family what she thought of having a picnic on Saturday.  Like I didn't already know the answer...  Steve had already committed to yardwork, making an early-morning run to Home Depot for mulch, flowers, and the oh-so-necessary ant and termite termination spray.  I know what he's like - he'll skip anything resembling breakfast and get so engrossed in his job at hand that he forgets to eat all day.  I knew that a lunchtime picnic would benefit us all.  Sammi helped me plan the menu (uh...the predictable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, of course, supplemented by ham and cheese, veggie straws, broccoli salad and the likely-to-be-left-uneaten-by-the-anti-vegetable-princess carrot and celery sticks) and at 1pm we trooped out to the brightest spot in the front yard to pitch our blanket and soak in the fresh air and sunshine.


Samantha is wearing one of Steve's mother's beautiful creations, sent last week from England.



Sliced strawberries and grapes in honey and lemon juice.  I've got to have the weirdest kid on the planet, who won't. eat. strawberries.  I'm assuming it's because they're pretty hit-or-miss in the sweetness department, depending on the time of year and the crop location.  I guess she's been burned too many times with the sour ones that she figures it's better just to not to chance it.  Grapes, on the other hand, are not an issue.

But my, oh my, don't they look delicious??


See that building in the background?  That's the school Sammi will be attending starting next fall.  I seriously don't think it could be any more convenient.  :-)

7 comments:

Than4Keeps said...

Perfect day for a picnic! Looks like you guys had such a great time.

alicia said...

oh i was expecting some pics of your new flowers :)

wow your school is really near! nice! :D

i didnt ate strawberries either, because of the texture, but a couple weeks ago i began eating them!! :) and i have to admit that Elias doesnt like much veggies or fruits. sigh.

Stephanie said...

i went right for the pics and had to go back to read !! gorgeous as usual! That last pic made me laugh. Such a sweet face. And I knew that sweater wasn't off the rack,LOL It's just beautiful!

Unknown said...

that is one heck of a picnic!! I always tease my Chad...he never goes to Home Depot without buying a new tool! smiles

JC said...

Loving your pictures :)

Renee said...

Your pictures are so beautiful!

Maybe you should follow my mother-in-law's lead and put sugar on any and all strawberries. I always forgot she does that until Wesley says, "More sugar please!"

Rob Monroe said...

Definitely earned the outside time! Just as a head's up, cooler weather is headed your way now...