The Perfect Fall Inspired Picnic

Are you inspired to go on a fall picnic? Here are a few beautiful and fall festive ideas how you can create your own picnic setting!

Fall has been generous to us.  Warmer temperatures and sunshine have been abundant and with the vibrant colors that fall brings, I couldn’t help but be inspired to pack up a picnic and head to the river.

Never having met a picnic that I didn’t like, it’s the impromptu, low fuss kind that leave my mind only thinking that beauty comes at a price.  Visioning the setting for inspiration, I let the river and the colors that flank the banks dictate exactly what I would pack in my basket.

A flannel blanket wears two hats at this picnic, first as a tablecloth, second to toss over the shoulders in case that cool-after-lunch-breeze kicks in.  And why not a blanket for a tablecloth?

Loving the pattern on pattern designs and staying with the out of the ordinary, I landed on a yard of leopard fabric I had, living in a dresser drawer.  Fall colors, indeed, a quick spray mount on to some plastic charger plates that had seen better days and needed a lift, was my answer.  A crafty project taking less than 5 minutes to complete – yes please.  Not to worry, I’m thinking long term with these plates will they’ll make additional appearances at fall table settings.

For the meal, panini’s were on my mind, and that’s exactly what I put together. Grilled chicken that I had left over in the fridge, accompanied by a slice of cheddar cheese, slivered apples and chipotle mayo proved to be heavenly.

Classic kettle cooked chips got their own jazz with homemade sour cream and onion powders sprinkled over to create this semi-homemade spin on chips.  Now my go-to, just heating the chips in the oven for a few minutes, letting their oils come to the surface, the powder adheres and the flavor triumphs.  Ahhh, addicting.

With fall comes apples, and with apples comes apple cider.  The perfect drink to wet the whistle for this fall picnic, and for some reason, this simple drink tastes oh so much more delicious in a copper mug.  I tend to serve simple drinks like this; seltzer in a wine glass, milk in an ice cold mug.  Truly mind over matter and this apple cider in copper is no different.  Just tastes better, no rhyme nor reason.

With my basket packed and the romance of a picnic in my heart, I headed to one of my favorite spots to enjoy the colors of fall and the sounds of the river.

A quick flip with my hands, the blanket was tossed on the table.  The plates were placed and the food was arranged.  A bouquet of sunflowers added smile to the table.  A perfect fall inspired picnic was good therapy, in my book.

And, what makes this picnic so amazing, is the Roasted Chicken and Cheddar Panini with Chipotle Mayo!! I have the complete recipe here!