Picnic Recipe :: For the Festive Fall Picnic!

Here’s a recipe we just love – Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup.

It requires a little bit of planning for prep time but it’s a lovely switch from traditional picnic fare. This hearty soup can be cooked in a slow cooker on low overnight the night before your picnic and placed in a thermos for your picnic. It can even be carted to Friday night football games and served instead concession stand food.

Here’s what you need:

1 pound dry black beans, soaked overnight
4 teaspoons diced jalapeno peppers
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Here’s How You Throw it all Together:

Drain black beans, and rinse.

Combine beans, jalapenos, and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Season with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

Cook overnight on low or if cooking during the day, on High for 4 hours reducing to low heat for an additional 2 hours (or until you are ready to eat).

Place in thermos and enjoy!
Got your own favorite picnic recipe? Let us know in the comments

The Sunshine Blanket :: Product Review

This particular picnic blanket is so much more than a picnic blanket. We put this blanket to the three-year test. It’s been carried and used at soccer games, the beach (numerous times), on picnics, camping and on hiking excursions over the years. It’s been borrowed by friends and relatives and held up (remarkably well in our collective opinion) to the kid test.

We can honestly say this little blanket really is everything it says it is. It truly keeps your seat dry – one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a picnic blanket. The PVC underside keeps moisture and dirt away while the soft polyester fleece is super comfy.
We found the blanket to be easy to carry and store which is great when carting around kids to soccer games or other outdoor events.

After three years of wear and tear and travel, after more unfolding and refolding than can be counted, after being washed (more than once) in the washer AND placed in the dryer (which the care directions tell you specifically NOT to do), the Sunshine Blanket we’ve owned and used for three years is just beginning show signs of use. The PVC backing is starting to crack a little, most likely from putting it in the dryer and one edge is a bit frayed. Not bad considering it belongs to our super busy, on the go family and it has definitely not been handled gently.
This blanket gets a really big two thumbs up! Love it and highly recommend it.

Picnic Time Sunshine Picnic Blanket

Gift Idea: Kabrio Botanica Basket and Blanket

This is such a romantic gift combination! The Kabrio Botanica Basket, in and of itself, is an elegant and romantic gift (perfect for weddings or showers) and combined with the Botanica blanket it’s an extra luxurious gift idea.

Here’s what we recommend. The two can be purchased together for a bride and groom gift that is sure to be appreciated. However, if you find that you need a gift for both a wedding shower and the wedding event, you can split them up and give the blanket as a shower gift and the basket as a wedding gift. Or you could take it one step further (budget allowing) and throw in the Corvina Botanica Wine Tote with the blanket and then give the basket as the wedding gift.

http://www.picnictrend.com/picnic-baskets-1/service-for-two-22/kabrio-botanica-picnic-basket-2755.html

http://www.picnictrend.com/picnic-blankets-10/blanket-tote-botanica-276.html

http://www.picnictrend.com/wine-accessories-19/single-bottle-totes-24/corvina-botanica-wine-tote-249.html

Happy Shopping!

Labor Day Picnic Supplies

It’s that time of year again, Labor Day. Traditionally, in the US, it’s regarded as the last blast weekend to get in camping, swimming, hiking, golfing, beach outdoor time with friends and family. And, of course, it’s the one of the biggest times of the year for picnicking and bbq gatherings.

Keeping that in mind, we collected a couple of must-have super cool and unique products that will make any Labor Day outing simply perfect.

For Labor Day at the Beach you need the Beach Bag Deluxe. It’s a backpack cooler combination with extra storage for valuables and whatever you may need to carry with you for that last bit of fun in the sun.

Get your game on with your team’s logo on some of the coolest tailgate items around. The oh so cool grill and cooler combo will have your tailgate friends drooling with anticipation.

Golf anyone? The Caddy Golf Cooler Tote is perfect for keeping drinks and food cold while you are hitting the green.

For the grill master, the BBQ Apron and tote is a must. This tote unfolds to make an apron with pockets for grilling tools. This is for serious grilling and outdoor barbecuing.