A picnic is a meal taken outside as part of an excursion or outing.  But in today’s post, I’m pushing that definition and taking an excursion to my own backyard for a colorful lakeside picnic.  Here’s the setting, from our back porch, in the early morning sunshine.
Early Morning View of Lakeside Dock.   @FanningSparksLater in the day, the scene from my picnic blanket looked like this.
Lakeside View from Picnic Blanket.   @FanningSparksToday’s picnic theme is bright and joyful.
Color Wheel Tray with Drinks at Backyard Picnic.   @FanningSparksColorful pinwheels set the mood.
Colorful Pinwheels for Backyard Picnic.   @FanningSparksA clear plastic tray, decked out as a color wheel, carries the colorful theme forward.
Color Wheel Tray for Backyard Picnic.   @FanningSparksA matching picnic blanket, pillow and napkins pull it all together.  Plastic glasses and melamine plates add ease and convenience.  A wicker picnic basket and small table tray help with transport and set up.
Setting up the Backyard Picnic.   @FanningSparksMeanwhile, a vintage lawn croquet set adds playful fun and character.
Vintage Croquet Mallets on Carrier.   @FanningSparks
A Vintage Croquet Set for Playful Fun.   @FanningSparks
Vintage Croquet Mallet and Ball.   @FanningSparks
Vintage Croquet Peg.   @FanningSparksA simple meal of bread, cheese, olives, meats and fruit hit the spot.
Colorful Backyard Picnic Scene.   @FanningSparks
Pears in a Backyard Picnic Lunch.   @FanningSparks
Bread Cheese Pears in a Backyard Picnic Lunch.   @FanningSparksAfter this nice light meal, a little cloud gazing was in order.
Cloud Gazing at a Backyard Picnic.   @FanningSparks

More Info

It turned out to be a rather windy day which meant my newly crafted pinwheels were put to the test.  Honestly, I couldn’t quite remember how to make pinwheels and had to check online.  The trick is to start with a square piece of paper and cut from each corner to the center. Then punch a hole in one tip of each corner and pull it to the center creating a set of 4 identical “wings”.  Easy!
Pinwheel Made from Yellow Cardstock.   @FanningSparksCardstock turned out to be the ideal material.  It comes in lots of colors and can easily be printed to add a little extra interest (eg black stripes).  Cardstock is flexible enough to bend the wings without creasing or folding.  I drilled a small hole in the end of a bamboo stick to hold the pinwheel.  We have lots of bamboo in our yard so that was an easy choice.  Alternatively, you could use small dowels.
Yellow Pinwheel on Bamboo Stick.   @FanningSparksThe tricky part was making the pinwheels spin smoothly.  After a little trial and error, I found a solution that worked.  Short pieces of wire, with a small loop at each end, held the pinwheels to the bamboo sticks.  But getting the tension and spacing right was the challenge.  The pinwheel didn’t spin if it was attached too tightly or too loosely.  I finally got the right tension when I inserted 3 small wooden beads as spacers between the layers‒one bead on top of the wings, one bead between the wings and the paper back, and one bead between the paper back and the stick.  That worked like a charm and the pinwheels were spinning in the breeze.
Small Beads Make Pinwheel Spin Smoothly.   @FanningSparks

For another take on a spring picnic in a beautiful setting, check my previous post Picnic Under the Wisteria.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider celebrating spring with a picnic in your own back yard or a nearby green space.
2. Old-school items, such as pinwheels and lawn croquet, are an inexpensive way to add interest and fun.
3. A picnic is a great excuse to get outdoors, savor a simple meal and enjoy nature.

Peg - FanningSparks Author


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