All Categories - The Beth Lists

#120 - Solo Picnic on Mother's Day

5/15/2019

Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, MO

This year, I was in St. Louis on Mother's Day.

Even though I was by myself, I decided to celebrate the day with a picnic. I grabbed lunch from a deli and headed to one of my favorite parks. Most of the beautiful pavilions sat empty, because of the cold, drizzly weather.

Mom and Me

The sun peeked out as I headed towards an empty pavilion. I set out my tiny picnic and snapped a photo with the timer button. My photo shows that I was not a bit mopey about my solo picnic. I was glad to spend time thinking about Mom and my kids.

I didn't grow up in St. Louis, but Mom did. I ended up in St. Louis and both of my kids were born there. I remember many St. Louis picnic feasts... with Mom and my Grandma Daw and Heidi and Scott! I loved thinking about that, while I sipped my Fitz's Root Beer. Mom loved Fitz's, so I got an extra straw for her.

Wow! It's been 6 years since I started this blog on Mother's Day.
Happy Mother's Day again, to Mom and Me!

# 119 - Broccoli Picnic!

5/14/2019

Blackburn Park in Webster Groves, Missouri

I recently went through old photos. I found 2 that brought back memories of an amusing picnic, in the early 1990's.

Karen and I were young (and fashionable!) mothers. We took our 6 kids to the park for a picnic.

The Cool Kids Watch

Eventually our kids must have tired of picnicking and hanging from trees. We colorfully dressed moms, were forced to create entertainment.

I have a vague memory of the game we invented, that involved uneaten picnic food... specifically, raw broccoli. Our enthused kids took to the game, wildly tossing and chasing after the little flowerets. The best part of the game, was that it attracted the attention of some cool, older boys. We used a Tom Sawyer approach... "What? You haven't heard of the Broccoli Game?" Before long the cool kids eagerly joined our game. I'm guessing they later told their friends about the cool picnickers, at the park.

I had fun studying these photos and remembering. I had more fun, handing the pics over to Karen when I visited St. Louis last week. If it hadn't been raining, we could have had a picnic!

#118 - Birthday Picnic at Hamilton Pool

4/11/2019

Turning 62 isn't all that exciting. But, the weather was lovely on April 9th and I celebrated the day, instead of the age!

First, Don and I picked up a most unhealthy lunch at Buc-ee's. (It's a Texas thing) Then, we headed to Hamilton pool, not far from Austin.

At the picnic table, Don pulled out a thermos of Mimosas and I was a happy picnicker! I wasn't a happy swimmer, because the natural pool was closed that day. Actually, that meant no crowds. A peaceful picnic works for me!

#117 - Vermont Farm Picnic

7/17/2018

First Time in Vermont

I love entering a state that I've never visited. A picnic is a pretty good way to celebrate!

Shelburne Farm

Our picnic, was honestly just a yummy ending to a fabulous tour of the Shelburne Farm, near Burlington.

We bought our "picnic" of grilled cheese sandwiches, from a cart. We found a table, just outside the barn where the cheese was made! Then we moved (along with a chicken) into the shade, to enjoy our feast with Jennifer and Kate... who have been in this picnic blog many times!

Yay for farms! Yay for Vermont cheese! Yay for picnics.

#116 - Road Trip Picnic for One

5/12/2018

2-Day Drive from Texas to Missouri

This past April, I drove to Springfield, MO to help with my father's move. I'm used to road trips, but this time I was the driver. I'm used to crossing my legs in the passenger's seat, staring out the window and navigating.

But I suddenly learned, that it was pretty fun to stop whenever and wherever I wanted. I grabbed a little food at a rest stop, to supplement some fruit and snacks from the car. I know I can hardly call this a picnic, but I loved my little Oklahoma rest stop! Yay for my first Solo Picnic... sort of!

#115 - Easter Picnic

4/17/2018

April 2018 in Sugar Land, TX

With no kids around for Easter, Don and I found a way to make the holiday festive.

We headed to Pecan Park at 8 am, with our coffee, donuts, mimosa fixings and breakfast tacos. I decorated with my little Steiff bunny, a tiny basket of jellybeans and a rose from our daughter's wedding a week before. We tried to get the Sunday New York Times but had to settle for the local paper. We chatted with other park visitors and even launched a few cheap toy boats, which we left behind for others to enjoy. Best of all, it was a lovely spring day!

#114 California Wine Country

10/11/2017

Thoughts of Sonoma

A recent visit to Sonoma reminded me of this picnic memory. Sadly, at this moment, wildfires are destroying homes and habitats in Sonoma and Napa.

I remember little about this wine and food gathering, but the photo is peaceful. I love the lake and hazy hills, the wine bottles and smiles. I hope this very spot was spared.

#113 - Squaw Valley

10/10/2017

Picnic on the Rocks

A few weeks ago, we hiked on a beautiful fall day in Squaw Valley. The scenery was spectacular and the picnic sandwiches were extra delicious... because we earned them! But the company was the best part!
Nothing like hiking and picnicking with 2 little mountain goat, great-nephews!

#112 - Texas Panhandle

10/9/2017

Palo Duro Canyon

Sometimes all you need for a picnic is water and a sandwich.

#111 Cemetery-Solar Eclipse Picnic!

8/24/2017

Tennessee, in the Path of Totality
This may go down as the most memorable picnic ever. It was totally worth the 921 mile drive, getting to our picnic spot in Pikeville, Tennessee!

On August 20, Don and I left Sugar Land, Texas. We picked up our son in Louisiana, spent the night in Alabama, then headed towards Tennessee in hopes of finding a spot to view the eclipse in the Path of Totality! By late morning, we came upon the small town of Pikeville and found quite a number of folks picnicking in the local cemetery. Perfect! We ate our Swiss cheese sandwiches on Sunshine bread with Sun Chips and Moon Pies. (Saved our Blue Moon Beer for later) The picnic highlight was of course the 2.5 minutes of darkness, when the cemetery suddenly felt cooler and cricket sounds filled the air.