Plan Yourself a Sweet Picnic

Picnic baskets make me swoon. Those little wicker wonders transport me to a time where quilts were placed in a perfect spot under the weeping willow so that lovers could soak in the sun, enjoy a sweet breeze and read poetry to one another.

Or maybe I've just seen Pretty Woman too many times.

The reality of picnic baskets is something else. Properly packed with silver, linen, china, not to mention food and drink, these containers are heavy, and not at all sexy to schlep.

For me, the perfect picnic is one that's carefree from start to finish, one that can be prepared with little fore- or afterthought, a simple pleasure. ...