When my husband and I were building our house, there were a few features that we absolutely had to have. We wanted enough bedrooms for three kids, a bonus room or playroom, and plenty of storage. One of the most important items on our wish list, though, was actually for something outside of the house.
We wanted to be sure we would have a large, lush, green lawn surrounding the house. I could imagine the kids running after a soccer ball or spreading out for a picnic. There would be shady areas where the children could read books in a hammock and sunny areas where they’d laugh as they jumped through a sprinkler. A soft, grassy lawn was just perfect for our growing family.
After a winter of bundling up and staying inside, we sometimes forget to enjoy the outdoors during the summer. Having a nice picnic with family members and friends is a wonderful way to enjoy the season. Find a pretty spot in a local park, on a college campus nearby, or in your own yard and pack a favorite lunch for everyone.
With the end of summer fast approaching, we have started taking our dinner meals outside to enjoy picnic style dinners out on the lawn. Nothing helps us relax more than getting to stretch out on the nice cool, soft grass after a long hot summer day.
Have you ever noticed how cool grass feels even when it is crazy hot outside? Grass has a natural cooling effect since air can circulate through grass unlike cement or asphalt. In fact, A Mississippi State University study showed that when the temperature of a sidewalk is 100°F, the temperature of the lawn next to it will remain around 75°F.
Easy Summer Picnic Ideas
It is easy to have the perfect late summer picnic on your lawn any time of day. All you need is a great big blanket, some plastic utensils, and your favorite easy to eat finger foods. Here are some quick tips for making your outdoor picnic even better!
1. Cupcake liners turned upside down will help to keep bugs out of your drinks. Simply cut an “X” in the center to slide your straw through and voila!
2. Use an inexpensive shower curtain or table liner underneath your blanket to prevent any wetness from the grass seeping through.
3. Keep bottles and bagged drinks in the freezer for easy grab and go for your picnic. By freezing your drinks ahead of time, they will still be nice and cool when you are ready for a drink!
4. Use citrus peels to ward off bugs. It is true, bugs hate citrus peels – so take a bag of dried peels to help ward off unwanted critters.
5. You can also put a few pennies into a glass or sandwich baggie of water to ward off flies. It is unclear exactly what deters flies from landing near, but whatever the reason – it works!
The end of summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Enjoy!
