It seemed like time for a picnic. I think people used to do this more often. We certainly did. Always fun, a simple sandwich outdoors has now become somewhat romanticized, don't you think?
Our inspiration today came from Brambly Hedge. This is the collection of Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter.
The mice of Brambly Hedge just know how to live. Looking over the offerings, we decided all we needed was a few cakes and pies and an apple or two.
You have to include a cheery quilt or throw. I don't sit on the ground as easily as a six or eight year old any more so I threw a few pillows into the mix too. These are made with a vintage barkcloth fabric.
The lady mice go through all sorts of marvellous elaborations to prepare for their outing, which I know some of you consider all the fun. But we just made a stop at the bakery.
We filled the picnic hamper with vintage tablecloths and towels. Unfortunately by the time we got to the park a storm was blowing and threatening rain. We chose a bench instead, and fed most of the pastry to the ducks. I don't think that's P.C..
I appreciate modern machine made quilts for the hard uses of life. They have charm, and are less delicate than their vintage predecessors. I don't worry over an inexpensive quilt that can be tossed in the washer. And a cozy quilt just seems like a picnic essential!
We brought the storybook too, to pore over the masterful illustrations by Jill Barklem.
She deftly pins all of the domestic delights of life onto a single small page! And in the most appealing colors.
We came home sleepy, and decided that since we had everything at hand, our own backyard was glamorous enough for sprawling out on. Even without ducks. Besides, we were hungry all over again!
More vintage smocked pillows. Can you ever have enough?
Have a terrific weekend my friends!
Maybe there's an outing in it for you too. . . .
Jacqueline
Join me at
So sweet! The ant reminded me of my childhood...we had a huge oak tree at the corner of our property that we would take a big blanket out to set under it and play....the carpenter ants always joined us within a short period and we'd end up abandoning our spot because of them! We did try though to have lunch and play with our dolls! Love the book and illustrations..and your very pretty rose painted glasses!
ReplyDeleteSo charming. I love everything about this post!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
I have been transported on a not so good day. Thanks bunches my friend.
ReplyDeleteYour Brambly Hedge inspired picnic is delightful, even down to the visiting ant! I have those same red floral glasses, too.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! Happy weekend to you!
xo
How completely delightful, Jacqueline.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though you took us all with you, thanks - very refreshing as I dash between appointments today.
Have a wonderful weekend.
How timely - we are going on a picnic by a lake this evening. Your photos are lovely, and you know I love the stuccoed wall in the background.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Angie - former Corraleños
Your picnic looks so lovely, Jacqueline. It's nice to make something as simple as a sandwich and some cake into a truly pleasurable experience. I love Brambly Hedge. Our family exchanges Jill Barklem cards whenever we can find them. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picnic you transported me to, I imagined sitting on a riverbank instead of at a computer in over 30C.
ReplyDeletelooks romantic indeed. I had to laugh at the photo of the ant on the blanket....can't have a picnic without ants it seems eh.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely book
I adore little storybooks like that with their beautiful little watercolor drawings... Just precious, and a lovely picnic. Happy friday. Ciao, Mary
ReplyDeleteWe are huge picnic fans here and your posting could not be better timed to coincide with our Picnic Giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can pop in and enter Jacqueline.
Have a great weekend.
Aaawwwww... how sweet!! The weather is getting to be very conducive to picnics. I am not one for the heat , and summers in North Central Florida can be scorching. The fall and spring are soo much more in keeping with my idea of outdoor fun.
ReplyDeleteThe outdoors somehow manages to make it all seem to yummy!!
Cjeers, Gee
Lovely post, set me in the weekend mood. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI love outdoor picnics! I also love the pretty quilt you have your basket on.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
This post transports me back in time.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to sit under the shade of a tree and have enjoy a picnic.
Somewhere in my childhood years I read Brambly Hedge.
You have described a perfect day Jaqueline.
I love your collection of pillows.
enjoy your weekend
val
This post was delightful.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
ReplyDeletePrecious! When you said you the mice were much more elaborate in their preparation. . .I just knew a "Little Debbie" cake was going to show up in your exquisite photography! That quilt has such soft, subtle hues similar to the illustrations of your book! What a lovely planned afternoon. It has been raining here on the Prairie. A much needed relief for our dry, parched conditions. Currently 68 degrees!!! I've stayed close to the windows today. Somehow. . .I don't want to miss a single raindrop!
Fondly,
Pat
Looks so dreamy!!!!!! I love the beautiful quilt and pillows and the pictures from the book are fantastic! :D
ReplyDeletelove love love the storybook inspiration--beautifully executed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and sweet post! Thanks, I needed this big dose of charm and child-like wonder for my day...:) Those illustrations are so adorable. I can just spend hours marveling over works of art in books such as these. Very precious, indeed!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you!
xoxo...Gloria
Lovely picnic Jacqueline. I could just imagine being there. Love Brambly Hedge and I wish I had a Hutch and dishes like the one in the book.
ReplyDelete~Clara
Love the book...Love the quilt...Love the idea of a picnic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet sentiment. I just had a picnic with my mother, daughter, and granddaughter and it was so much fun. You know what they say about the simple things in life.
ReplyDeleteYour vignette is just lovely. I have some bark cloth waiting to be made into pillows for our oldest daughter. And I may have to get that book. I saw a wonderful idea in their mousey kitchen for a shelf over our laundry chute. Go figure!
So sweet. I love an old fashioned picnic. Quilts, pretty pillows, and big hats says it all.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Hello Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteYour post is so timely. I have been thinking of picnics and planning on having some when we go to Ireland shortly. The patchwork quilt is beautiful, we may have to resort to towels on the ground.
Have a glorious week.
Helen xx
A beautiful picnic setting! I love to spread out on the ground with a few luxuries. Of course I love your pink and white. Have a great week, Laura
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty! I could stay there ALL day! xox
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet!
ReplyDeletenewest follower of your blog, can't wait to read through the other posts.
Jan
door251.com
I miss the days of picnics! I have an old photo of my grandmother (dressed to the nines including a stunning hat on her head), her sister and brother with his wife, and my mom sitting on the end (she must have been all of sixteen). All looking very stoic but you know after the picture was snapped, the shoulders relaxed and the chatter started up again. However, I know that there was no way my grandmother would ever take that hat off..lol! She had to have a certain amount of decorum!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! Love the book and the quilt! Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteAmanda XX
www.notsoperfectmess.blogspot.com
Lovely post - I have all the Brambly Hedge books, they were my daughters originally but I love them too. The illustrations are so wonderful. Have lots of Brambly Hedge china too which I use in seasonal decorating - nearly time for the Autumn ones now:)
ReplyDeleteI love picnics we do have them often.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you set yours up with the quilt and pillows. x