Perfect Picnic Guide

It won’t be long before we can shed the cable knits, throw some wine and cheese in a basket, and head out to dine in the open air. Until then, please join us in cursing March and daydreaming about a picnic to spite her. Here’s everything you need to sprawl beneath the apple blossoms with grace.

| Posted: 26 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

1-16 of 16

• Key Lime Apples

  

  I would very much like you to try these. Crispy, freeze-dried applies coated in dark chocolate. Once you have a box, please call me so we can exclaim over them. Thank you.

  $20 at Recchiuti | Buy

  

  | Posted 26 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Bodin Sourdough

  

  This has become one of our favorite gifts to send out-of-towners. Fresh-baked sourdough shipped from San Francisco to your doorstep. You get one 1 lb. long loaf, one 1.5 lb. round loaf and three 7” sandwich rolls. Once you have this in your picnic basket, nothing else matters.

  $25 at Boudin | Buy

  

  | Posted 26 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Solid Easy-Care Wool Blanket

  

  A wool blanket that you can machine wash and dry. Because if you send your picnic blanket to the dry cleaner, it kind of makes you look like an ass.

  $100 at Pendleton | Buy

  

  | Posted 25 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Bubbies Pickles

  

  My friend Sara puts together these amazing Fantasy Burger Nights where you can have a burger exactly how you want it. For me, the ideal burger is all about the pickle, and I discovered Bubbies on our grocery run. Bubbies are fresh, crunchy, spicy, salty perfection. If you appreciate a good dill pickle, you’ll find yourself hoarding these.

  $5 at Organic Direct | Buy

  

  | Posted 25 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Piper Sonoma Brut

  

  I’m a sparkling wine fan, and this is the bottle I turn to for mini celebrations: first picnic of spring, crossing the last item from my to do list, finally vacuuming out the car. Also, the heavier base makes it easier to balance on the grass next to your lawn chair. Bonus.

  $13 at BevMo | Buy

  

  | Posted 24 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Boccalone Salami Sampler

  

  Gorgeous small-batch salami made by hand in the Bay Area. They cold-cure the meats, giving them less salt and more time. Everything Boccalone makes is “seasoned by hand, tied by hand, hung by hand, checked by hand, and packaged by hand.”

  From their hands to my mouth.

  $40 at Boccalone Salumi | Buy

  

  | Posted 24 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Zak Designs Tableware Collection

  

  Eco-guilt spoils a good party. Get a set of this bright melamine dinnerware, and dispense with disposable plates.

  Also makes a great, unbreakable meal set for kids.

  $40 at Amazon | Buy

  (Prices vary.)

  

  | Posted 21 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Leather Carrier

  

  Makes your picnic blanket easier to tote, leaving your hands free for beer.

  $16 at Pendleton | Buy

  

  | Posted 20 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Cup-a-Cake Saver

  

  Why go to all that trouble piping on a pretty little frosting design if it’s just gonna end up smashed against some aluminum foil? Excellent for lunch boxes and romantic, celebratory picnics.

  If you need more cupcake-carrying power, you know what to do.

  $3 at Container Store | Buy

  

  | Posted 19 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Neoprene Bottle Totes

  

  I’m surprised at how often we use these bottle totes. Camping, wine tasting, stowing a couple bottles of wine in the car on road trips, packing glass jars or olive oil very careful in checked luggage when we travel. It comes up.

  If you’re contemplating a purchase, we vote for the two-bottle bag for a red and a white. It spoils the picnic if you run out of wine.

  $17 at Container Store | Buy

  

  | Posted 19 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Veneerware Sporks

  

  At last, a posh spork. These attractive, disposable utensils are made of organic bamboo. Once you toss them, they’ll degrade within six months.

  $10 at Branch Home | Buy

  (For twenty.)

  

  | Posted 19 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Metro Basket

  

  A colorful insulated basket with waterproof interior. Also comes in red, orange, blue, tan, black, and olive drab.

  $29 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 18 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Vintage Picnic Box

  

  We’re in love with this 60s era plastic picnic box with sealable compartments inside. So pleasantly modular.

  $61 at H is for Home | Buy

  (Price converted from British Pounds.)

  

  | Posted 18 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Tapered Rattan Picnic Basket

  

  For the traditionalist. Pack this basket with delicacies for an afternoon in the park, or stow Toto inside for a visit to the Wizard.

  $57 at Crate and Barrel | Buy

  

  | Posted 18 Mar, 2008 by Margaret Mason

• Sigg Water Bottles

  

  I adore this thing. It keeps tap water cool and crisp, reigns in my expensive and destructive plastic water bottle purchases, and helps me keep track of how much water I drink in a day. Also, the bottle opening is little, so I’m not constantly sloshing water all over myself while I’m on the treadmill. It comes in a kazillion colors and designs, but my favorite is the swirly black and white. Go get one.

  $19 at Amazon | Buy

  

  | Posted 27 Sep, 2007 by Margaret Mason

• Tomales Bay Deluxe Collection

  

  Cowgirl Creamery makes some dreamy cheeses. I feel nothing but tenderness for their Mt. Tam Triple-Cream Brie. It’s rich, indulgent, and ever so friendly. Cowgirl Creamery offers all kinds of cheese clubs, but my favorite product is their sampler pack of three tasty cheeses, all made in the Tomales Bay region. You’ll get the Mt. Tam, a bum-fortifying triple-cream brie, Point Reyes Original Blue, and Matos St. George cheddar. With this in your picnic basket, don’t bother with sandwiches.

  $50 at Cowgirl Creamery | Buy

  

  | Posted 10 Jan, 2005 by Margaret Mason