March Picnic

Today was picnic day. I may be rushing spring but I wanted to be outside in nature and my children needed to be able to run and play. The day was a success. We went to Deep Creek in Bryson City. In the summer Deep Creek is filled with folks of all ages splashing, relaxing, and dodging rocks. Laughter and ooohs and ahhhhhs can be heard for miles it seems. However, in the fall and winter it is a place that is unrecognizable compared to the summer months. You can still hear laughter but it comes from children picking up sticks or rocks seeing to can throw into the cold mountain waters. Ooohs and ahhhs can still be heard but it is from folks being amazed by the beauty that they are surrounded by. The trails are great for most ages and you may even need to move over to let a horse and rider pass.

A picnic is a must on a day like this: today’s menu consisted of potato soup brought in a thermos, veggie sandwiches, and fruit. I brought along a nice little snack for the kids after the hike is complete. Nutella and mini chocolate rice cakes (not too bad for them) but be careful this is addictive. I have many other ideas for picnic and hiking foods that I will share as the summer goes along.

Soup: (this is done in the crock pot super easy and super good)
8-10 small to medium potatoes peeled and cubed
1 can of cream of chicken soup
2 cans of chicken broth
½ c onion

Combine all ingredients in crock pot – cook on low for 8 hours

When finished add 6 oz -8 oz cream cheese that has been cut into small pieces
Stir in bacon that has been crumbled or real bacon bit pieces
Top with cheese

Sandwiches:
1 avocado
Red onion
Cucumber –peeled and cut into flat long pieces
Sprouts
Tomato
Lettuce ( optional)
Provolone cheese
Spicy brown mustard coarse ground mustard
Bread of your choice ( I only had French bread today –it was ok but I would not recommend a bread this thick)

When I make these sandwiches I place all ingredients in an assembly line fashion- this makes the assembly of the sandwiches much easier. After assembly – wrap sandwiches in wax paper before wrapping in foil or placing in baggies- the wax paper keeps them from getting soggy.