Spring is upon us and with it comes some beautiful weather. The sun is shining, and flowers are beginning to bloom. What a great reason to spend time outdoors with family and friends. It’s so nice out that we don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing lunch and dinner.
A great way to have your fun outdoors and eat there too is to have a picnic. One can have a romantic picnic for two, a family lunch or dinner, or a get together with family or friends. It can be taking time out from a trip to stop and eat or purposely creating a picnic outing.
Whether spending time as a couple or having a large outdoor gathering, one thing is for sure: food is needed! Some people prefer to bring along readymade foods. This way, there is less food preparation and more outdoor enjoyment. Classic picnic foods are cold cuts or cold chicken, sandwiches, tuna and egg salad, peanut butter and jelly and potato salads. For others, a barbecue is a great way to have a quick warm meal outdoors. Watermelon and fresh fruit are great and refreshing desserts in both cases! Mouth watering! It’s time to spread out your picnic tablecloth and dig in.
It’s very common to see red and white checkered tablecloth, also known as gingham tablecloths used for picnics today. Care to know why? In the days of the early settlers in the American Midwest, the women would flag down the men riding horses with red and white checkered tablecloths to indicate that it was time for the customary communal meal. The waving of a tablecloth – typical red and white checked – announced that dinner was served.
Wines are made in white, red and rosé versions. In Italy, the white and red checkered tablecloth were used to symbolize the color of the red and white wines. The rosé wine bears resemblance of roses that were placed in the center of the table to enhance the decor.
During World War Two there was a shortage of fabrics worldwide. Women had to make do with whatever material was available to them. Women cut patterns out of the red and white checkered table cloths and used them to make stylish dresses for themselves.
While you are mulling over these interesting tidbits pack up some food, a tablecloth, call some friends and family and head outdoors to enjoy these beautiful days. Send us a photo of your picnic table and we’ll be glad to post it here.
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