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Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Patch Picnic — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:45:18 -0700

Upon arrival at the pumpkin patch, choose a location for your picnic. Look for a large table that is isolated, but easy to access with your cooler and supplies. Pack the salad, drinks, and ice in a large, wheeled cooler. Put the cheese and other nonperishable food in a picnic basket.

Pour the soup into thermoses and place inside the basket. Cover the table with an orange tablecloth and set a bouquet of sunset-colored Gerber daises in the center. Serve the food on brown paper products and the cocktails in clear plastic tumblers. Bring plastic utensils, but remember to recycle when you are finished eating.

Source

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Patch Picnic — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:30:09 -0700

Like the menu and dessert, when selecting a cocktail for a picnic, choose one that can be made in a large batch in advance. This rosemary ruby cocktail is refreshing and delicious. It combines a rosemary simple syrup with vodka and grapefruit juice. To make a nonalcoholic version, substitute sparkling water for the vodka. Fill a cooler with seasonal ale, water, and single-serving juices. Don't forget to pack extra ice for the cocktails. Get this tantalizing cocktail recipe when you

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Patch Picnic —Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:00:17 -0700

When planning a picnic always select an easy-to-eat, portable dessert. Cakes and pies are a show-stopping finish to a meal, but save those for the dinner party.

Pumpkin seed brittle is an appropriately sweet treat for a picnic at a pumpkin patch. The brittle can be made well in advance and it doesn't matter if it breaks while in transit.

This recipe is also fun to make at a pumpkin carving party: It uses up the pumpkin seeds and guests can take some home as a favor.

To check out the technique behind pumpkin seed brittle,

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Patch Picnic — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:15:23 -0700

Every October I look forward to picking out pumpkins. There's a great ranch near my parents house that has a pumpkin patch along with a picnic area and hay rides, so I'm grabbing a group of friends and hosting a picnic at the pumpkin patch! Since we'll be heading out this weekend, I invited everyone by phone.

The menu will be a hearty Fall-themed lunch. I'll start by setting up an assortment of cheeses and fruit. The elements to an autumn greens salad will be packed in separate containers. The greens, apples, and radishes in one, the cheddar frico in another, and the vinaigrette in third.

The salad can be assembled at the picnic table. Thermoses filled with a fragrant ginger, butternut squash soup are perfect for enjoying at the pumpkin patch. For these scrumptious recipes,

Come Party With Me: Waterpark Party — Desserts

partysugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:00:42 -0700

Although we will be splashing around in bathing suits, I want to offer my friends one decadent treat at my waterpark party. A chocolatey brownie — kept cold in a cooler — is deliciously rich.

This wonderful recipe, from our friends at MyRecipes.com, is simple and straightforward. I'm not a fan of walnuts in brownies, so I'll substitute chocolate chips! To learn how to make this portable picnic dessert,

Come Party With Me: Waterpark Party — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:34 -0700

When planning a picnic, select dishes that taste better the next day. Look for recipes that are served cold or at room temperature, and that need time for the flavors to mix. For an afternoon at Waterworld USA, offer guests a delicious roasted shrimp and orzo salad. Flavored with scallions and fresh parsley, this salad is light but filling. A pressed sandwich stuffed with Italian ingredients like pesto and mozzarella is rustic and scrumptious. For a decadent treat, give each guest a take-out container full of homemade potato chips. To look at these picnic-perfect recipes,

Yum's July Must Haves

partysugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:45:21 -0700

June flew by so quickly it's hard to believe July is here! To ensure that you properly enjoy this glorious Summer month, I'm sharing the items I currently can't live without. These are my must haves for the month of July.

Would You Rather Eat Cole Slaw or Potato Salad?

YumSugar — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:30:11 -0700

As we get ready to feed on all sorts of Fourth of July goodness, I want to know which of these picnic sides you would pick.Source and Source

Would You Rather Eat Cole Slaw or Potato Salad?

Cole slaw

Potato salad

Neither — I'd rather have ____________. (Tell me below.)

Off to Market: Picnic Gear

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:00:12 -0700

Picnic season is in full swing and if you plan on packing a meal and heading to a local park, you'll need the proper picnic gear. From a basket to a blanket, planning a picnic requires the essential tools. To ensure that everyone hosts fabulous picnics, let's head off to market in search of the most perfect picnic gear. Look for picnic baskets, plastic serving ware, and anything else — like this canvas wine tote ($39.00) — in between. Bookmark your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Picnic Gear.

Happy hunting!

Geeksugar has created an explanation on how TeamSugar's bookmarking feature works so check it out if you are feeling confused.

For a list of my favorite places to shop online,

Off to Market Recap: Outdoor Dinnerware

partysugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:00:42 -0700

Summer is my favorite time of year: I love the warm weather, long days, and alfresco dining. I prefer to use a special set of outdoor dinnerware when eating outside. To ensure that we all enjoy meals outdoors this Summer, you headed off to market in search of outdoor dinnerware. You looked for durable, colorful platters, plates, bowls, and glasses that won't break when dropped on a wooden deck or concrete patio. You bookmarked your dinnerware in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Outdoor dinnerware.

I especially like these black and white melamine plates that marcella found. She loves "the idea of sitting outside and having a meal with these plates" and I couldn't agree more.

To take a look at all of the plates, browse the collection below.

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.

Come Party With Me: Spring Picnic — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:28:31 -0700

Let the beauty of the natural outdoors be the highlight of your Spring picnic's look. Spread out a picnic blanket in an area that is close to a pretty view or fresh beds of blooming flowers. Pack the non-perishable food in a picnic basket and the dishes that need to remain cold in a cooler. Bring folding lawn chairs to sit on. Fill plastic pitchers with the drinks and place upright in the cooler.

At the park, serve the food on plastic white plates with pink silverware and yellow linen napkins. Pour the drinks into clear plastic cups. Don't forget to bring a fun park activity that everyone can partake in after the picnic. A couple of Frisbees or kites are highly amusing.

Source

Come Party With Me: Spring Picnic — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:31:51 -0700

Since the menu and dessert for my Spring picnic are super traditional, I've decided to carry the theme over to the drinks too. What screams picnic more than lemonade and iced tea? While the iced tea will be classic and simple, the lemonade is a jazzed up adult version with vodka and mint.

Both concoctions taste better after sitting for several hours, so make the drinks in advance. Pour into pitchers with lids or a thermos for easy transportation to the park. Don't forget to fill a cooler with other beverages — water, beer, sodas, sparkling juices, Orangina, etc. — for those who prefer not to drink lemonade or iced tea. For the drink recipes,

Come Party With Me: Spring Picnic — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:10:09 -0700

For my Spring picnic, I knew apple pie had to be on the menu because it's the quintessential American dessert. The only problem is pie isn't the most picnic friendly of meals. Unlike cookies or brownies, pie just does not transport easily.

However, this recipe for apple pie bars looks picnic perfect. The crust is a crisp shortbread, the filling a mixture of apples and cinnamon sugar, and the topping an oat-walnut streusel. All the familiar flavors of apple pie are present, but no fork or plate is necessary! To see how it's made,

Come Party With Me: Spring Picnic — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:28:11 -0700

The past couple of days have been gloriously sunny here in San Francisco, inspiring me to plan a Spring picnic. The menu will consist of classic picnic foods best enjoyed under the bright blue sky. Homemade fried chicken will be placed in a big basket with delicious dipping sauces on the side. The recipe includes a spicy ancho honey, but if you prefer to serve fried chicken with blue cheese or ranch dip, offer those instead.

Coleslaw cups are a wonderful accompaniment to the fried chicken. Egg salad sandwiches on hearty wheat bread round out the homemade picnic spread. Supplement the menu with your favorite store bought picnic foods: potato chips, celery sticks, or hummus dip are excellent ideas.

To take a look at these recipes please,

Come Party With Me: Spring Picnic — Invite

partysugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:13:11 -0700

Spring has sprung! To celebrate, I'm gathering up some friends, heading to Crissy Field, and having a picnic. Spring is a great time to have a picnic because the weather is warm without being too hot. However, the success of the picnic depends on good weather, so be sure to check out the local forecast when you start to plan. Once the weatherman has given you the go ahead, send the invitations. To see how I made these grassy green invites,

Come Paw-ty With Me: Dog Birthday - Menu (People Food)

partysugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:03:35 -0700

Oliver the pug is almost one, so I'm planning a fabulous little birthday party. The soirée will be happening in his favorite park, so planning a menu that is portable and picnic-like is important. Store bought treats like chips and dips, cheese and crackers, and olives and pickles will supplement an easy, make ahead meal. BLT's get a fresh twist with the addition of turkey, arugula, and ranch dressing. A black bean, rice, and tomato salad pairs nicely and travels well. A peanut butter carrot cake will decadently finish the people food menu. For the recipes to these scrumptious snacks,

Yummy Link: Stuffed Picnic Baguette

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:45:11 -0700

The word is out: summer's almost gone... but never despair! Here's a stuffed baguette picnic treat that'll unearth any dormant summertime spirit. I love the "stuff!" - A Cat In The Kitchen

Come Party With Me: Beach Picnic - Menu I

partysugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:10:41 -0700

After an afternoon of kite flying fun, the guests at my beach picnic will certainly have worked up an appetite. To satiate them, I'm packing a picnic with delicious and classic flavors. Hearty, spreadable store bought cheese, flatbreads, olives, and hard boiled eggs will kick start the menu. I'll ask a few of the male guests to help me set up a fire pit with a grill on top. A picnic on the beach must have seafood, so fresh beer steamed clams are the first course. Next up, the quintessential fried chicken made at home and packed in colored Chinese take out containers. Don't let guests know that the chicken was baked in the oven - not deep fried - and when they ask for the recipe, smile mysteriously and say, "it's a family secret." Check out the first batch of recipes (you have to come back tomorrow for the salads and dessert!), just

Plan the Perfect Picnic!

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:40:11 -0700

Now that you've got all the items needed for a great picnic, I thought I'd help you out with a few picnic tips.

When packing a picnic, keep non-perishable foods (potato chips, fruit, etc.) separate from perishable ones. This way you'll save cooler space & ice for items that need it. Remember, the more stuff you pack in the cooler, the less cold it will be. An ideal ratio is 75% food and 25% ice, although I think 50/50 is even better!
Pack your cooler in reverse order. Put your dessert in first, the main course second and the appetizers third. This way you won't have to dig around in your cooler to find the items you need. This will save you time, effort and will help keep the cooler cold longer.
Freeze drinks (unless they're in cans) the night before. This will help them stay cool, as well as act as supplement ice in your pack. If you're worried about messy condensation, wrap them in aluminum foil (which may keep them frozen longer) or store in ziploc bags. Even if you don't freeze them, make sure they're already cool. It'll keep the cooler colder longer if the items are already cold.

To read the rest of my picnic tips,

Need A Picnic Dessert? Think Blue!

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:38:18 -0700

When I was thinking of an ideal dessert for a picnic, blueberries kept coming to mind. Not only am I craving them, but they are also a quintessential summer berry. Super ripe, burst-in-your-mouth blueberries are wonderful on their own, but why not throw them into a creamy smooth cheesecake batter and cut them into divine little squares? This recipe for blueberry cheesecake bars travels well, is easy to make, and will please a crowd. What are you waiting for? Get the recipe, just

Come Party With Me: Beach Picnic - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:08:10 -0700

In honor of International Picnic Day and the official start of summer, June 21st, I'm planning a kite flying picnic at the beach. Now I know not everyone has access to the beach, but this party can be hosted at a lake shore, a park, a vineyard, etc. All week I'll take you through the steps to host a successful, memorable afternoon-into-evening picnic. Let's start with the invitations. I'm making cute kite shaped invitations that are embellished with pretty satin ribbon. To see how I made my invitations and instructions on how to make them for your next party - these would also be adorable for a child's birthday party! -

No picnic is complete without...

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:18:31 -0700

Picnic Must Pack List

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:27:17 -0700

Isn't it the worst when you arrive at your picnic destination with a cooler full of beer and realize you've forgotten the bottle opener?? When preparing a picnic, it's easy to overlook the small items you need when dining outdoors. The best way to prevent forgetfulness is to make a list, so I've put together a picnic packing list for you. Print out a copy and the next time you are planning a picnic be sure to go through the list and check everything off. To check out the list,

Happy International Picnic Day!

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:18:31 -0700

Dust off the baskets, fold up the blankets, and grab a bottle of wine to go: Today is International Picnic Day! Picnic, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is an outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to eat outdoors. It is believed that originally a picnic was similar to a potluck, where each person present would bring a specific dish. The exact moment when picnic went from meaning everyone bring food, to everyone eat outdoors is unknown. Picnics date back to Medieval hunting feasts and informal outdoor banquets of the social and wealthy. A picnic is not so much about the food that is consumed but the spirit and celebration of dining outdoors that makes it special.

What do you think makes a picnic special?

Come Party With Me: Father's Day - Menu I

partysugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:59:31 -0700

For Father's Day, I'm off to the races with my dad and a bunch of our buddies. My dad's a great guy who loves no fuss classic recipes, so this philosophy will inspire the menu. Usually I would have him pack his mini grill for some picnic grilling, but since this is a Father's Day celebration I don't want him to have to lift a finger. I'll make picnic food ahead of time so I can sit back, relax, and watch the cars race by. Sandwiches are the quintessential picnic food and I'll be making two kinds. A French style tuna sandwich called pan bagnat - that only gets better if assembled the night before - will pair perfectly with chilled white wine. Buffalo chicken sandwiches with a creamy blue cheese dressing and crisp lettuce will be the beer friendly sandwich option. To get these tasty recipes all you have to do is

My Guilty Pleasure Side: Homemade Potato Chips

partysugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 01:08:31 -0700

The last few weeks I have provided you with delicious, fresh, healthy side recipes... however sometimes a girl just wants something that has a little crunch to it, and I don't mean the crunch of a carrot. I'm talking about the crisp bite of homemade potato chips. I have a huge weakness for them, so salty, so potatoey, and so satisfyingly tasty that I lick my fingers every time. Unfortunately I've made homemade potato chips countless times with a variety of recipes and have yet to perfect the art that is potato chip making. Always up for a compelling challenge, I'm going to give this recipe a try. Potato chips are a great side with sandwiches, soups, burgers, and hot dogs. They make a great appetizer when paired with a selection of dipping sauces and are excellent picnic food. For the recipe,

Yummy Link: Let's Have a Picnic

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:43:19 -0700

Stephanie's rounded up all the entries for her 21st Blog Party: Let's Have a Picnic. She's got the decor picked out, the gadgets, the containers and a lot of great food ideas, including PartySugar's stab at Cat Cora's new recipes. - Dispensing Happiness

Off To Market Recap: Picnic Basket

partysugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:51:31 -0700

At the end of April, I will be attending a picnic down in Bakersfield on a friend's family ranch. Every April Laura and her family invite all of their friends out to their ranch for some frolicking in the sun, and every August they invite the same people to a reggae party at their beach house on the strip in Hermosa. Last August I spent the weekend at their house and had the most amazing time. So much so that I do not want to show up empty handed to their picnic. That's why I asked you to search the web for the perfect picnic basket. You saved your baskets in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Picnic Basket. Here are the baskets that I think the Cattani family would enjoy the most:

How cool is this backpack picnic basket that SU3 found? Part basket, part backpack, part cooler, this unique and functional rattan food transporter takes picnicking to a whole new chic level. Includes an insulated wine tote, food compartment and blanket holder.

Two more so

Off To Market: Picnic Basket

partysugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:48:32 -0700

At the end of April, I am heading down to Bakersfield for the Cattani family's annual Spring picnic. My girlfriend Laura and her family are people after my own heart, they know how to throw one fabulous party. Every April they invite all of their friends out to their ranch for some frolicking in the sun and every August they invite the same people to a reggae party at their beach house on the strip in Hermosa. Last August I spent the weekend at their house and had the most amazing time. So much so that I do not want to show up empty handed to their picnic. I want to get them a wonderful gift to thank them for inviting me to the parties and was thinking what could be more fitting than a picnic basket? I need you to help me find the most perfect picnic basket. Please save your finds in the Yum Market with the keyword tag Picnic Basket. I look forwarding to checking out what you find.

Read geeksugar's explanation to understand the Yum Market.