Yesterday morning before our church service started, I was chatting with a few young girls. The conversation grew lively when the topic became picnics. Yes, picnic season is starting and with it all sorts of possibilities!
Picnics are the perfect arena for joyful gatherings - whether spur of the moment or long anticipated. They usually can accommodate even a large crowd, can be as free-and-easy (or polished) as one likes and let the participants enjoy the blessings of sunshine, blue skies, green grass and shading trees. (And if it rains, you usually end up with a fun memory!) Picnics are also the perfect way to get to eat yummy foods and play outdoor games.
We got to practice all this yesterday afternoon with a spontaneous kind of picnic. It was one of the most beautiful Sundays we’ve had so far this year, our tulips are in full bloom, and it simply seemed like the perfect day to combine with an afternoon of archery, swinging on the tire swing and fellowship. Some friends were up for the idea and kindly pitched in to help with setting up picnic tables, etc. (Note: This is a great way to get help with summer-ifying your yard!) Since the event was spur-of-the moment the picnic-style dinner was pretty simple (and a tad strange?) but, well, I guess we have good friends! After all, the point was to enjoy being together and to enjoy God’s creation on a restful Sunday. That’s a joyful gathering.
For a decorating theme, we like to go with the All-American Picnic idea. Red, white and blue says picnics to us. Pinterest is of course the place to find more cute decorating ideas than any girl - no matter how industrious she is - could ever use! How do you like to decorate for your outdoor events?
Well, we’ve talked about picnics and pastimes and now we have to get to that middle item - pies! If you know us, you know that we do especially like pies. No, we don’t manage to have them for all of our picnics, but we have fond memories of a particular picnic when we had pies a-plenty. Thirty pies, I believe it was, all thanks to our Grandma H. (Obviously, we were dealing with a crowd!) Every once in a while, someone mentions that as a noteworthy time.
I would like to share a recipe with you from the Hammerville Kitchen. Here is one of Grandma H.’s recipes. I think it might be the top favorite because it’s so refreshing on a warm day. Happily, it’s quick and simple to make as well!
Grandma Hammer’s Key Lime Pie Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened (very soft)
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 12 oz. carton whipped topping
1 cup lime juice
2-3 drops green food coloring (optional)
1 drop yellow food coloring (optional)
2 graham cracker pie crusts
Note: Use a spoon to mix the ingredients. Don’t use an electric mixer; the ingredients will aerate and will not set.
DIRECTIONS:
Combine cream cheese and condensed milk. Mix until firm and fairly smooth. (This is not easy unless the cream cheese is very soft.)
Add whipped topping. Mix until smooth.
Add lime juice and, if desired, food coloring. Combine until smooth.
Pour half of the filling into each crust-lined pie tin.
Refrigerate to set for at least 2 hours before serving.
Top with more whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, key lime slices or whatever garnish suits your fancy. Enjoy!
In summary, here are possible elements of a good picnic or any joyful gathering:
- A spirit of rejoicing before the Lord
- Good friends, whether one or one hundred, or people that can become good friends
- Places to sit and chat
- Games or at least space to play, especially if little ones are attending
- Something cool to drink
- Whatever foods say “picnic” to your crowd
- And, if possible, a pie or two, or maybe ice cream, or perhaps both!
We hope you get to have several joyful gatherings of your own this picnic season. Please feel free to share your own ideas with us!
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