Because many of you are expecting company for the holidays and looking for things for them to do, I decided to take a page from my book, The Picnic Basket, to suggest a winter picnic. I quote:
“I recall sitting with a friend by a frozen brook in upstste New York one sunny February day. Our lunch was spread out on a log, our snoeshoes leaned against a tree. Above our heads birch branches laced across a brilliant sky. There was no sound but the soft gurgling of the brook beneath the snow and ice and the call of blue jays high in the trees.
“We rested while sipping and spooning hot black bean soup, inhaling the steam and warming our hands on the mugs. A brightly colored homespun dish towel served a our tiny table cloth. On it we placed huge homemade wheat crackers surrounded by spreads, artichoke cheese, veal pate, whitefish and dill. We did not bring wine because alcohol causes body heat loss but we did lace our strong black coffee with a nip of brandy, sipping it with chocolate almond bars for dessert.”
Are you ready for a winter picnic? Or send your guests off with lunch on a bright blue winter day.
I love this idea! I also love your book, The Picnic Basket, for including recipes of foods that I remember and loved but have never been able to find! One of them is the Artichoke Cheese recipe that I plan to make over the holidays; one of my husband’s favorites!
Your books and magazines show all the facets that make you Jane Pinel. You have had, and continue to have, an amazing journey, and I thank you for sharing! I’m enjoying your blog so much!
Thank you, Karen, I hope your holidays are lovely- warm and caring.
What fun! I can just picture this and what wonderful way to experience a winter’s day.
Of course you have to have the right winter day – sunshine, no wind and not too, too cold. That’s a lot to ask here in New England.
This sounds like fun! I’ll bet I could talk my sister into putting something together. She’s the cook in the family, and she loves the winter!
Would you be going with her?