Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > June > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPool picnic perils
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last weekend my friend Greg invited my family to the pool for a barbecue. He volunteered to bring all the grilling goods and I provided sides. Another family supplied drinks and apps.
As he pulled the steaks and burgers from the cooler, he realized he had forgotten the all the utensils needed for both grilling and eating. He looked guiltily at his wife, who apparently had warned him of the perils of barbecuing away from home. Somehow he managed not only to wrangle her into driving home to get all the knifes, spatulas and tongs, but also got me to do all the actual grilling. See Related blog: Do guys rule the grill?
There’s no question that dining poolside is a great way to enjoy these late spring evenings. Knowing the kids are entertained and not underfoot allows for adult conversation and relaxation. But, as tempting as it is, it can be hazardous for the haphazard entertainer. After years of catering, I am pretty good about bringing the right utensils, but even I have been know to show up with a bottle of wine and no opener or glasses.
How do you plan a perfect picnic? What ‘s been your major mishap?
RELATED: Atlanta Summer picnic guide
Comments
By FCM
June 4, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Well, like you said—plan. Make lots of lists. Who is bringing what…what dishes (not just the food in them) and serving items are needed.
Then when something happens—and it will. You laugh knowing that in years to come you can chide ‘Greg’ in the BBQ that almost wasn’t.
By JJ
June 4, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
As an “expert picnic’r” I have a box in my garage labeled “Picnic”. It has EVERYTHING you could possibly need at a cookout/picnic. We have been doing this for years!!!! When paper plates, etc go on sale, I buy them. When the stores “clearance” out the picnic stuff, I’m there.
We do a yearly gathering out at Stone Mountain, where we grill out, drink and just have a blast. A couple of the guys bring their portable gas grills, one family brings the canapy for shade, and another family brings the batminton set. We have found a secluded place at the Mountain that I have been going to for 30 years. No one knows about it except us. The kids have a blast playing in the stream and climbing around the mountain and the adults chat and enjoy some beers. No one bothers us…….
Then we go over to the lawn and watch the laser show. It’s an all day event, and we normally don’t get home until around 1:00 a.m.
There are about 30 of us who go. I have a “master” list on my computer, that lists everything needed, down to salt & pepper. I take the list, delegate who brings what, copy it and had it out. They call me the social coordinator of the group.
By Stacey
June 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
A few years ago, a lot of my family from all over the country went to Nebraska for my sister “M” surprise birthday party. Since it was a surprise, my sister “E” who lives in the same city rented a banquet hall for the party and that’s where all of the out of towners spent the day (so that M wouldn’t know we were in town). Well, E remembered to stock the fridge with sausage, bacon, eggs, etc so we could have breakfast that morning but she forgot to bring cookware! We called her and asked her to bring cookware, serving utensils, seasoning, etc. THREE HOURS LATER her daughter showed up with paper plates, plastic eating utensils, one 10 inch skillet, and one 2 quart saucepan. She forgot to bring seasoning, spatulas, etc so we just ate bacon and egg sandwiches. Of course, by then it was lunchtime but at least we ate. The party ended up being a lot of fun but we still tease E about us having to to travel 18 hours for egg sandwiches!
By Brian O'Shea
June 5, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
JJ: I’ll bite. What goes in your picnic box? Do you have a list for that, or do the contents vary based on what’s on sale?
And how does it compare to our Evening Edge picnic packing list?
By JJ
June 5, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Brian - it does vary, as to what’s on sale, or what our choice of meat is for the grills.
Usually everyone brings their own meat, drinks & chairs. Then the “community” includes lettuce, and other condiments for hamburgers; someone will bring chips and dip; someone brings desserts; someone brings beans; someone brings appetizers, etc…….
But, I have the “staples” - paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, aluminum foil, tablecloth & clips, cups, plastic spoons, all serving platters, forks, all grill utensils, and bug covers, bug spray & citronella candels, AND the badminton set (with 6 extra rackets), frisbees, water guns, water baloons, etc etc.
By Kat
June 7, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
I do the same “box” thing with our camping supplies. I got tired of ending up out in the woods without a can opener, or a spatula, or whatever. No matter how you try, you always end up forgetting something! So I bought inexpensive duplicates of the basics…a set of utensils, spatulas, can opener, and added paper plates, aluminum foil, ziplock bags, etc. Plus salt & pepper and basic seasonings. Now when it’s time to go camping we just load the box into the truck and go. At the end of each camping trip I check to see if anything needs to be replenished and buy it on sale.
By Tommy
June 7, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
…ond time at a family reunion picnic, someone asked an uncle to run to the store and get more napkins….well, he returned with a box of Stay-free maxi pads….