Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table

Looking for a majestic table setting, with virtually no or little cost.
For all of you out there, who love the beauty, excitement, and sheer power of the ocean, but .   .   . without sand in your food, and enjoy your creature comforts, the solution is a simple one. Haven’t figured it out yet ??? .   .   . let me help you. I am suggesting .   .   . your very own set of wheels .   .   . Mmm  hmm .   .   . yup .   .   . wheels .   .   . ahhh haaa .  .  .  eureka !!! Now that were on the same page, so to speak .   .   .  let’s move on.

Be it a car, truck, or SUV .   .   . your choice will afford you a front row seat to one of the most spectacular shows on earth, like the above photo taken on my last in-car picnic. Find a spot .   .   . remember .   .  . location, location, location, pull over, and enjoy!!!

So now you have the setting, your seating arrangements, and  location .   .   . check, check, and check! .   .   . Hold it a minute missy/mister .   .   . we’re not done here .   .   . good ideas cannot be rushed .   .   .  Next on our agenda, and equally as important is the what are you going to use to bring all the great ‘tid-bits and tastes’ to this perfect picnic!  This is where I offer a few choices .   .   . from the simple, to my ‘out of  the box’ suggestions. Let’s start with the simplest and easy to come by .   .   . the most used, tried-and-true handled picnic basket. Picnic baskets, many of which, come complete with plates, silverware, and cups, and can easily be found, made of  wicker, woven wood, and even plastic. I know what your thinking! Yes .   .   . having all your needs in one basket is indeed enticing to some people .   .   . buttt .   .   . for others .   .   . not so much. Why the not so much you ask?… Well, I’ve got the answer to your query, and it goes like this .   .   . because .   .   . many of us like to bring homemade ‘eats and treats’ to a picnic, and a basket that’s not fitted inside gives you more room to hold your containers filled with your homemade tasty morsels. Plates, eating utensils, napkins, and cups/glasses can easily fit in, and around your goodies. This is one of the few times, paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware applies, the other being at a  large barbie. Having acknowledged the use of paper, and plastic, I must interject my personal wants, and needs for cloth napkins and regular silverware .   .   . hmmm now that I think about it, a tablecloth couldn’t hurt. What can I say .   .   . I love my creature comforts .   .  . it’s my thing!!!!!!!

No, I haven’t forgotten .   .    . my ‘out of the box’ food carrier alternative is something that most of us have in our closet. The duffel bag .   .   . that’s right, I’m suggesting the good old comfy, familiar duffel bag. That great, and strong holder from canvas heaven that takes a licking and keeps on ticking, as the saying goes. Really, what could be better if you don’t have a picnic basket, and don’t want to spring for one?  Wait !!! .   .   . before you take this way to  far, and bring out your luggage .   .   . please .   .   . think about a good old recyclable super market shopping bag first! .   .   .

Drinks can be frozen in their original containers, then wrapped in heavy duty aluminum foil for the road, and packed around your food much like ice packs. Drinks such as water, soda, tea, and even beer will slowly thaw on the way to your destination, and still leave plenty of iced liquid to last through lunch, conversation, and appreciation of Mother Nature, and .   .   . a walk on the beach. PS .   .   . don’t forget the straws.

Til next time .   .   .

MORE CANDLE TIPS NEXT TIME

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and…

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS and QUESTIONS  .   .   . sharons3@me.com