Thing #73: Go on a picnic

Before I headed back to the UAE last month, we took a  picnic to Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge to celebrate the Italian festival of Ferragosta.  None of us are Italian, or claim any Italian roots- but sometimes its nice to have an excuse for pretty bunting, vintage paper straws and excessive amounts of home baking!

Since the weather is never predictable in Ireland, we decided to pick a date and just stick with it.  We only considered changing plans when the weatherman predicted thunderstorms, but my Dad insisted that they don’t know what they are talking about.  On the day, it only rained in pockets and we were well prepared when it did!

Picnic time is the best kind of family time.  Everyone brought something different to the table and each took very special care with their offerings.  Fiona and my Mam baked up a storm (like you wouldn’t believe) the night before.  I made a cake (of the peanut butter variety), my Aunt Dee’s version of potato salad and bought the fancy San Pellegrino orange.  Jamie brought Fresh Wexford strawberries and homemade brown bread.  Claire brought Katie- the best gift of all.

My mam’s quiche is an adaptation of this one, but she ingeniously substitutes puff pastry for the usual shortcrust!

Fifi’s Fusion Salad (a deconstructed Caprese Salad with cous-cous) and Franks in Blanks (mini sausage rolls made with Frankfurters) served with a tangy mustard dip.  Tasty-town central.

More of Fiona’s creations:  blueberry cornmeal muffins and homemade date chocolates.  Fiona loved Bateel dates so much when she was in Dubai that she decided to make her own version.  This girl is cray-zee talented.

After eats, we wandered around the gardens, played on the swings and got up to all kinds of tomfoolery.

Thanks for making my last weekend at home so lovely, peeps! xx

€5 has been donated to UNICEF Ireland for the completion of this ‘thing’.  Click here if you too would like to donate online.