Backyard Picnic – Working with What You’ve Got

Since COVID-19 started we have been doing project after project. Its really been non-stop around here. The thing is, as much as we incorporate the girls, they just don’t wake up and think about how fun it’s going to be to paint the walls, sand a bookcase or replace cabinets with open shelves. So I decided I wanted to do something special for them. I wanted them to know how much I loved and appreciated them. I thought a fun way to do that was to have a fun backyard picnic for dinner.

Initially, I thought that I couldn’t do it because the garden wasn’t in full bloom. Everything was planted, but nothing was big and full yet. Then I thought about how I don’t have a garden table either. How could we do dinner in the garden without a table? Simply put, everything wasn’t the way I imagined it would be. That being the case, my initial reaction to this idea was that I couldn’t do it. If things aren’t perfect then I would have to wait until I had everything I needed to show my family that I loved them in this way. Really?! That’s absolutely absurd!

I started thinking about what I actually needed to have a picnic in the garden. I thought about it for a while and realized it was really quite simple. All I needed was a place to eat and something to eat. Literally, that’s it! Are there other things that would improve the experience? Sure! But there are also many things that I could be hung up on and they would actually get in the way of a beautiful and simple backyard picnic.

Essential Backyard Picnic Elements

Place to Eat-Table

This was my first glaring obstacle. But when you think of a picnic what do you often think of? Either a picnic table or a blanket on the ground. That means that I didn’t actually need my perfect vintage harvest table and chairs. I remembered the old folding table Justin was using for his home office desk while he was working from home. It was plenty big enough for the four of us. We have some metal folding chairs, but I thought it would be more exciting to eat on the ground, so I decided to keep the legs folded.

The folding table we have was used as a craft table. So to clean it up a bit I threw a cloth over it. But I couldn’t just put a cloth on the table because we live in a windy place. Even if there isn’t a gust of wind we often have a light breeze. So to ensure the cloth didn’t fly away with the wind, I tied knots in the corners to secure it to the table. But I think it also made the cloth a little cuter!

Something to Eat-Pizza

This was easy. I didn’t think the food would be an issue. But since we were taking the food to the garden I did want something that required fewer trips back and forth to the house. But I also wanted to pick something special for my family. For us the food that met all those requirements was pizza!! We prepped it and baked it inside. Then when it was done, we cut it and brought it out. One trip! Other food options that are relatively easy could be baked potatoes with fun toppings, a casserole, or a one-pot dish.

Unessential Backyard Picnic Elements

Flowers-Table Setting

To start I knew I wanted to set the table with some of the wildflowers growing around us. So I had the girls come with me to pick them. It’s generally best to pick/cut flowers in the morning, so I turned a little dinner picnic into an all-day event. That morning after we woke up and got breakfast I took the girls on a walk and cut some flowers. Although they were helping me I didn’t tell them what the flowers were for. I just told them it was a surprise! Which made it even better because now the girls knew there was something fun waiting!

Next we went to the back storage room shelves to collect some pieces to decorate the table. I love my vintage glass bottles. Actually, I’m a little obsessed, but it’s totally justified!! They’re gorgeous!! They worked perfectly for vases for the flowers we had picked earlier that morning!

Even though I tied knots in the corners of the cloth, I wanted some reinforcements to keep the cloth down. So I grabbed 4 slabs of wood my father-in-law had cut for my sister-in-law’s wedding a couple years ago. I wanted chargers, but I don’t own any, so wood slabs it is! I actually think having wood slabs on the table with wildflowers was a perfect pairing. Again, could it have been better? Sure. But the table setting supplies the girls and I collected worked great!

Outdoor Cushions and Pillows-Seating

I knew we didn’t need chairs, especially considering the table was literally sitting on the ground. BUT, I also know that I like a little bit of cushion when I sit down. Not to mention, when my skin touches the grass it gets red and itchy! As we were carrying the table out to the garden we passed some of our patio chair cushions and I decided they would be great for seats.

Placing the cushions on the ground also gave my two little girls a designated place to put themselves. If you have or have already raised small children, you’ll completely understand the importance of giving them a place that they are supposed to put their bottoms haha!

Final Product

Once I put it all together I decided it was perfectly imperfect! None of it but the vintage bottles was how I envisioned it, but it couldn’t have been better. Had I waited until the garden was in full bloom I would have missed an opportunity to show my family how important they are to me TODAY! Had I run out and purchased a garden table and chairs, chargers, and a proper table cloth my family wouldn’t have felt more loved. I actually think my daughter’s preferred this boho picnic style.

Don’t put off for tomorrow because it’s not perfect today. You might miss hearing “Mom, this is my favorite dinner! This is better than any dinner EVER!! I love eating in the garden, the flowers, and sitting on pillows.” Guys… if you pour your heart into something, no matter how imperfect it is, those you love will be blessed. I was so close to missing one of my favorite memories this summer because of this illusion of perfection!!

4th of July Table Setting

Since Independence Day is right around the corner I decided to put together a 4th of July table setting for some inspiration! For this table setting, I did the same thing I did with our first backyard picnic, but I mixed in all the red, white, and blue! Plates, Flowers, and Flags!

Have a Happy 4th of July! Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Have a great rest of the week! XoXo

Open Your Doors,
Aliya