Ideas for a Picturesque Picnic

Sure we’d all love to be whisked away to the Haleakala National Park in Hawaii, the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, or one of National Geographic’s other picks for the “World’s Best Picnic Spots.” But all that is really required to be able to enjoy a picturesque picnic is a nice spot outdoors and a little planning.

As New York Times writer Mark Bittman puts it, “There is something both innocent and exciting about a picnic, even if you are only packing a few things at the last minute and heading down the street to the park.” So, let’s plan a picnic!

Photo by Amy Moss via Eat Drink Chic

We think some of the best advice for a carefree picnic comes from Reader’s Digest, who says, “Take as much finger food as possible.” This way, you can travel light with less plates and sets of silverware!

In pursuit of mastering the “fine art of picnic-packing,” Washington Post writer Lavanya Ramanathan inquired from the experts on what foods are the most basket-friendly and any other tricks of the picnic trade. Stick to firmer cheeses, the recommendation was, because they will do well outdoors for hours even in the heat. Then, add fuss-free gourmet touches such as pears, almonds, and a couple of jams. Remember that “smart picnickers pre-slice.”

If you’d like to pair your cheese with wine, be sure to check the rules on booze in the area you plan to picnic, especially if it’s a public park. To chill drinks, consider skipping the heavy cooler and looking for a smaller alternative, like an insulated lunch bag. Then, you can slip in a little chocolate or other small treat (just be sure to throw them in a sealed plastic bag first to avoid any soggy messes).

And while we’re on the subject of soggy-free storage, a picnic is a wonderful opportunity to try your hand at the “mason jar meal.” These convenient and sturdy screw-top containers are ideal for carrying individual servings of salads and even beverages.

Don’t have a picnic basket? Hop over to the Hickory Farms online shop and order one of our gourmet food baskets complete with all the tasty finger foods and treats you need for a delicious picnic that requires no preparation time at all! Our new spring gourmet food baskets are ready to help you turn an ordinary lunch into a delightful afternoon of picnicking!

Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen

At Hickory Farms, we know that you spend lot of your life in the kitchen. From cooking and dining to entertaining and (sometimes) enjoying that elusive cup of tea, a majority of the day is spent here. If you’re going to spend so much time in a single space, it should be one that works for you not against you.

Every kitchen has at least one space dedicated to “junk.” If you’re particularly organized, maybe you’ve managed to limit it to just a single drawer. For most of us, though, it starts out small and slowly begins to take over. No matter how hard you try to ignore it, hide it, or push it from your thoughts, it’s impossible to avoid forever. But there’s no need to stress. Achieving an organized kitchen is easier than you might think.

First, assess your situation. Everyone uses their kitchen differently. If you’re a master chef then you likely have multiple gadgets and gizmos most of us have never even heard of. You’re storage needs will be much different from the person who cooks occasionally and relies on leftovers for most of their meals.

For those that cook frequently, the key to organization will be accessibility. Again, the specifics will vary depending on what you like to cook. If you love experimenting with different spices and flavors, try something like this island shelf to keep your spices within arm’s reach.

Photo via BHG

You can always use Better Homes & Gardens’ tip and keep ingredients in pre-organized boxes within your pantry. This way you can keep all of the ingredients for your favorite recipes in one place. Next time you want to make a “Yummy Creation” with Hickory Farms gourmet ingredients, you can grab everything you need in one swoop.

Photo via BHG

For the leftover kings and queens, you need organized Tupperware. Some say an organized Tupperware cabinet is a myth, but we assure you, it can be achieved. The trick is having the right tools. Baskets keep everything contained and also let you easily find and return containers to their shelves. Reuse your Hickory Farms gift baskets!

Photo via Raquel English

The pantry is not the only place that needs to stay organized in order to make the most of your kitchen space. Refrigerator space is also important! Use a lazy susan to keep all of your smaller packaged items easily accessible.

Photo via TheKitchn

Which tips did we miss? Share your kitchen organization tricks on our Facebook page.

Celebrate National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week with Letters of Thanks & Military Gifts

Did you know that there is an entire week dedicated to writing letters of appreciation? National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week kicks off on March 1^st and is a great opportunity to take a little time to give thanks to someone. Now that we live in the digital age, hand-written thank you notes are all the more thoughtful and appreciated.

For National Write a Letter of Appreciation week, you can write a letter to anyone who has done something – big or small – for you. For example, you could write a letter to a neighbor who recently had your family over for dinner or to a relative who sent you a nice birthday gift. You can also use this week as an opportunity to show your appreciation for those people that keep you and your family safe, like the crossing guard who helps children cross the street safely on their way to school. The possibilities are endless!

Photo via Random Acts of Kindness

We especially like the idea of sending thank you letters to the men and women in our military in honor of National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week. During the holidays our military men and women often receive notes, care packages and gifts from family, friends and even strangers. Imagine what a nice surprise it would be for them to receive a kind letter that simply thanks them for their service now that the holidays have come and gone.

To make the surprise even sweeter, you could pair your letter with a gift of delectable foods from Hickory Farms. Our military gifts include Our Finest Mixed Nuts Gift Tin and Our Deluxe Signature Sausage & Cheese Gift Box filled with our Signature Beef, Summer Sausage, Smoked Cheddar, and more. Gourmet food gifts like these are a fabulous way to not only say “thank you,” but give your recipient a taste of home, too.

Visit the Hickory Farms website to learn more about our gourmet food gifts and military gifts. Remember that delivery is free to APO/FPO military addresses on denoted items.

How will you take part in National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week? Share your ideas in the comment section below.