“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” – Ernest Hemingway

I saw this on Facebook and said to myself "Michelle, I know what you want to do this weekend.  I LOVE PICNICS!!!!  Nothing says I love being with my family doing nothing but quietly relaxing like a Parisian picnic.

While American picnics are casual and fun, Parisian picnics are casual and romantic. Why not take a few tips from the french and invite someone special to picnic with you this weekend? Here’s a checklist to get you started:

• Shopping – Part of the charm of a Parisian picnic is shopping the fromagerie, boulangerie and open markets for your ingredients. Start your date by shopping specialty stores in your area, if you have them. 
• Location – Look for something picturesque to have in your view, a sunset, an overlook or a babbling brook. It doesn’t matter if there are other people around. After all, people watching is another charming part of Parisian picnics.
• Tablecloth – Sure, you can use a blanket, but sitting on a tablecloth is much more chic.
• Dinnerware – No need to be too formal here, simple white paper plates and napkins will do the trick. And since everything is finger-friendly, leave the utensils at home.
• Drinks – A bottle of wine, champagne, or even sparkling water is a must. Don’t forget the glasses.
• Fresh bread – A warm, crusty baguette is an absolute staple. Bring along some butter, but forget a knife. Tear off pieces as the french do.
• Finger-friendly fruits and produce – A carton of fresh raspberries, plums, or even radishes and snap peas will be perfect for your picnic. Basically anything you enjoy that is fresh, colorful, and delicious.
• Sliced meats – Thinly sliced cured meats are another staple. Try to choose at least two to sample, maybe one with mild flavor and one with some kick.
• Cheese – A Parisian picnic is the perfect opportunity to sample new cheeses. If you’re lucky enough to have a specialty cheese shop, ask for recommendations. If not, use your smartphone to do some research.
• Pastries – A picnic is not a picnic without some pastries for dessert. Whether you prefer a glazed croissant or a macaron, remember to pack something sweet.
• Poetry – Bring along a book of poems to read. Give this book of Good Poems a try.
• Lighting – If it’s going to be an evening picnic, bring along your own lighting: tea lights in mason jars are simple, safe, and sturdy.

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