Being: Conscious, mortal existence; life.
Every month we welcome two families, two people, two voices to share their stories in whatever way they chose. We hope that you find joy in their daily lives, and their simple habit of just being.
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In need of a break from our dinnertime routine last week, I packed up a picnic and surprised my family with a mid-week dinner at the beach. Ahh…. Dining alfresco – or “out of doors” – is my favorite way to dine. Throw in a salty breeze and a sunset and I’m over the moon!
Our usual evening rhythm is well developed and loyally followed – dinner together at the table, baths, stories, bed. I’m a big believer of routines, especially with young kids, because, well, they work. However, it occurred to me as we sat on the sand, sharing a meal and feeding our senses, that maybe more picnics needed to work into our rhythm too.
These carefree, out-in-the-fresh-air feasts make the kind of memories I want my girls to hold dear. “Remember picnic nights?” I want them to say when they reminisce about their childhoods. “…we’d eat on a blanket and play in the sand until the sun went down. Then we’d ride home, all sandy and full and feeling like we were the luckiest family in the world?”
Picnic dinners offer a break from a well-needed, but sometimes wearisome routine. They’re a splash of fun in a busy week of school, house work and unending responsibilities. And so I’m working in a picnic rhythm this spring, with family dinners at the beach at least once a month, maybe more as summer nears.
In the spirit of simplicity, the meals will be easy and wholesome. Last week, I toted a quinoa salad with arugula and tomatoes from the garden. For my pickier picnickers, there was buttered angel hair pasta. A small jar of homemade pesto, plus feta and parmesian cheese, allowed for customized add-ins.
I also brought along some store-bought hummus, a loaf of Italian bread, orange slices, and a dark chocolate bar with sea salt for dessert. Simple, delicious picnic bliss.
And memories in the making!
This month we welcome Liz from A Natural Nester. Liz has been a regular contributor to the Rhythm of the Home magazine, and we are thrilled to welcome her here today. We hope that you will join us every Wednesday for Liz’s thoughts, photos, and ideas. To learn more about Liz, please visit her blog.
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Love how you pack your picnics. We’ll be having more weekday beach dinners once school lets out; unfortunately it’s a little too far to do on school nights. Luckily the rose park is nearer. Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing it!
“Remember picnic nights?”…yes, making memories like this seems to be such an effort until you get into a rhythm. Putting it on the calender! Thanks for the nudge.
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