Glorious Picnic

Now that summer has left us (I know, it's been five minutes) I am feeling nostalgic for my favorite thing to do. 

EVER.

I am surrounded by mountains.  Outside of every window of my house is a mountain view.  I am very blessed.  Skalkaho Falls lives in one of those mountains (the Sapphire Mountain Range) and it's my favorite place on earth.  There are beautiful water falls, bathrooms (crucial feature of any outdoors-y place), picnic tables and a great place for my guy to fish.  My idea of being in the outdoors is this picnic, a good book, a comfy chair, an icy beverage of some kind (now it will be sweet tea, OF COURSE) and my friends and family.  Most often, it's Nicole and her hubby, Ben and Travis and I.  Anyone is welcome to join us...a few of you have!  Come in July.  It's the best weather and most beautiful.

We take this picnic very seriously.  It caters to all of us.  It's amazing EVERY time because we don't mess around with the ingredients.  Don't worry about recreating this.  Just come with us and we'll do it for you!

Sandwiches:

Wheat French Bread (the best around here is from Walmart) or Wheat Hoagie Rolls

Black Forest Deli Ham (Boar's Head, if possible)

Oven Roasted Turkey (Boar's Head, if possible)

Roast Beef (Boar's Head, if possible)

Cracked Black Pepper Turkey (Boar's Head, if possible)

Pastrami or Salami - depending on what you have already (optional)

Sharp Cheddar Cheese, sliced

Medium Cheddar Cheese, sliced

Pepperjack Cheese, sliced

Smoked Cheddar Cheese, sliced

Kraft Mayo

Kraft Miracle Whip

French's Yellow Mustard

Any other kind of mustard you may like, but we all like the yellow mustard

Horseradish Sauce

Iceburg Lettuce

Tomato, sliced thin

White Onion, sliced thin or diced

Pickles (preferably, home made) but Nalley Baby Dill will do

Pepperoncini Peppers (from the jar is fine)

Large Black Olives - just to snack on

Fruit

Pineapple is our favorite.  Watermelon, Strawberries, Grapes, Oranges and Apples have made an appearance.

Chips

BBQ & Flamin' Hot Cheetos are a must!

Chinese Cole Slaw*

1 bag of chopped cabbage (we get the kind with green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots)

1 tbsp dried onion flakes (we use Onion Onion from Tastefully Simple)

1/4 cup sliced almonds

2 tbsp sesame seeds

Put these ingredients in a bowl with lid for travel.

Dressing:

1/2 c vegetable oil

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Put these ingredients in a container with a lid.  Add the dressing to salad right before serving.

Other

We also sometimes take the Suddenly Salad, Ranch and Bacon Pasta

Don't forget lots of ice and water!

Here are a few photos of us in the beautiful outdoors of Montana!

Nicole & Laura

Travis & Laura

Ben & Nicole

*This recipe is our lazy version.  The original version came from our Aunt Gloria:

Chinese Cole Slaw (for real)

1 head green cabbage, chopped

1 chicken breast, cooked, cooled, and diced

1-2 green onion stalks, diced

1 package ramen noodles, crushed and discard seasoning packet

2 tbsp sliced almonds

2 tbsp sesame seeds

Mix these ingredients well.

Dressing:

1/2 c vegetable oil

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Accent

1/2 tsp pepper

Add the dressing to salad right before serving.