eating outside.

a middle earth inspired picnic, shared with a dear friend.

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I love to eat outside. Maybe it's because I grew up eating out of a pack on hikes as a child or dinner at a picnic table camping scarfing down anything and everything! Maybe it's because I discovered that food eaten outside somehow tastes much better. Besides the point or exactly the point, it's been apart of life.

Lately, I haven't been going on as many hikes. Didn't go camping once in the last year. And that's ok, so much grace for the growing and learning I did in the past year. But, I still make time to eat outside. When the days are warm I take my lunch outside, unpack the book I'm currently reading and spend a few moments in the sunshine and wind. The wind is a regular companion so much so that I sit with it in my face to try and keep hair out of my mouth. I say try, if you're well acquainted with wind you'll know that she does what she wants! Sometimes, the Square where I sit is busy and bustling, even in winter when the green of summer is transformed into a blue sphere of ice, and skaters of all shapes and sizes zoom around on it or warm themselves by the fire. My favorite time is when it's cool enough and I'm crazy enough that I'm one of the only ones there. Tourists are gone for the season or not yet arrived and nothing festive is afoot. Just me, my lunch, my book and the wind herself.

Then there are picnics! Delightful things that you plan for and purely for the joy of eating outside in the best company. Now I think we could debate what exactly a picnic is, is it food eaten outside in nature, doesn't require a basket or pie or a cool drink in glass? Or is it something more intentional, you make a plan, find a basket and a blanket and maybe it has a theme? I think it's somewhere in between. I've had picnics perched on great granite rocks, bits and pieces of things pulled from a pack. Ones in a an old fire tower while the wind howls outside sitting on the cold floor. These hold a special place in my heart. Then there are the ones that require a bit more effort and planning. I've only been on three of these...

The first was my dad and I at Sylvan Lake feast of potato salad, cucumber tomato salad, sandwiches, lemonade and apple crisp. Afterwards we hiked to Poet's Table.

The second was with some dear friends and three dogs! We hiked down to a stream my friend and I lugging the heavy basket between the two of us. I don't exactly remember what we ate but I remember full bellies, the warm sun and muddy paw prints on the blanket.

The third took place this summer as it was beginning to wind down into autumn. This one had a distinct theme. Lord of the Rings. We dressed for it, a hobbit and an elf, spread a great heavy quilt on the grass and set out our feast. Stomachs aching from all the food, we lounged and laughed over silly games, talking over our favorite characters. Middle Earth inspired meals are undoubtedly the best.

a belated birthday celebration or a long expected party.

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Such simple things, picnics or dinners outside, but they have a way of connecting us to others, tying us closer together. So in this year to come I hope I find myself eating outside, not only by myself at lunch but with friends celebrating milestones, or celebrating life itself. I hope you find yourself enjoying these simple moments too whether you create them with intention or they happen spontaneously!

Here's to eating outside.

Hugs and butterfly kisses,

e

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a bachelorette brunch concluded a lovely weekend this fall. ate outside under the beautiful trees of Wimberly, Texas