By Pamela Sheldon Johns and Jennifer Barry
112 Pages
Trade Paperback
2003, Ten Speed Press
$16.95
ISBN: 1-58008-560-1
Review by Cheri Sicard
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I'm a picnic junkie. I love picnics -- all kinds of picnics -- from informal gatherings for 50 or more members of my friends and family, to dinner on beach blankets with a handful of friends, to romantic al fresco dining for two. Likewise I'm always on the lookout for new recipes and ideas.

The authors of Festive Picnics "get it." They know that picnics can be a memorable method of entertaining, and as such, this book goes far beyond recipes for picnic appropriate food. You'll also get craft, table setting, serving and decorating ideas to make your outdoor soirées as eye appealing and elegant as they are delicious.

Crafts chapters include:

Picnic Baskets and Boxes -- clever ways of packaging foods for picnics: Picnic Bento Boxes; Decorated Picnic Takeout Containers; Picnic Sand Pail; Mother's Day Picnic Tea Baskets; Hand Stamped Picnic Boxes.

Picnic Tables -- creative ideas for dressing up the picnic table for celebrations: Decorative Tablecloth Weights; Flag Place Mats and Star-Folded Napkins; Sand Shovel napkin Rings; Beach Bottle Place Cards;

Picnic Decorations -- Spruce up your picnic areas and tables with craft projects: Fourth of July Centerpiece; Picnic Party Fans; Father's Day Party Ties; Rice Paper Candle Holders

But man does not live by décor alone. That's why this book is filled with 40 picnic worthy recipes. Categories include: Soups, Salads & Sandwiches; Picnic Barbecues; Picnic Desserts; and Picnic Desserts.

An introductory chapter gives invaluable tips for giving picnic parties, including a picnic packing checklist, menus, food prep tips, and more. More importantly, this chapter will start you "thinking outside the lunch box," and prepare you for the artistic and innovative picnic ideas coming your way in the rest of the book.

Sample Recipes from Festive Picnics:

• Roasted New Potato Salad With Pancetta-Rosemary Dressing
• Goat Cheese, Arugula and Tapenade Tea Sandwiches

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Festive Picnics. Order now and save 30%. Regular price, $16.95, Amazon.com price $11.97. Usually ships in 24 hours. (Amazon.com prices subject to change.)