The Perfect Basket

It seems that all I do is play at the park and have picnics... which could possibly be true. Every day that is sunny and devoid of responsibility usually results in a picnic, because I don't have school, a job, or a life. And because I love them. I'm also behind in blogging and trying to catch up, because I've had a pretty packed week, so they come all at once, my apologies. This would also be a good time to mention the fact that this blog is my pseudo-journal, because I'm so terrible at keeping one. So every eventful thing that happens in my life is posted here--I'm sorry. :)

But Friday was the most wonderful and perfect day I have had in such a long time. Tyson came to visit! That alone was wonderful enough. He made the 2 1/2 hour trip in the morning so he could spend the entire day in Logan with me.

The day was beautiful and of course a picnic was in order. Jessica, Tyson and I brainstormed ideas for lunch, and we decided to make a fruit salad, sandwiches, and a ramen-noodle-cabbage salad. Ramen salad sounded like a good idea, because we have cabbage that we can't possibly get rid of completely, and plenty of ramen noodles. We had some issues finding a recipe and making sure that it was the right one, but we eventually found it and added the missing ingredients to our list of things to get at the store.

First stop: DI
We were in need of plates for the apartment that were smaller than Jessica's huge ones, and bigger than my little tea plates. So we scoured the kitchen section looking for something the perfect size. We found some that sufficed as eating plates--after much searching--and then we spied this hat across the aisle. It fits on either babies or dolls, and was much too small for me, but it was so very adorable. Someday I'm determined to have one just like it... though perhaps not straw, and a little bit bigger. But it was cute. :)

We made our way to the back in search of a picnic basket. This has been my dearest wish in the world, especially with all the picnics I have had. Laundry baskets don't quite work--I wanted something real.

We walked into the back room where the baskets are kept, and a light from heaven fell upon this basket. The angels were singing Hallelujah, and we were amazed at how lucky we had been. There was no way to explain it. This was the ultimate picnic basket, made for nothing less than the most sunny and perfect days in the park. This is my treasure. It is literally the best five dollars I have ever spent.

It looks rough. It has been loved none too gently, but that is one of the many things I love. Just imagine: if you bought a brand new picnic basket it would not be anywhere near the same. There are no memories, no character, no love, just the smell of fresh stain. But this has it all: holes, cracks, stains, character. This picnic basket would not be half so lovely if it was new. And that is why I love it!

After my amazing and exciting discovery we made our way to the front, but were caught by the interesting clothes along the way. We all found something new and hideous to point out, and found some crazy clothes. Jess found a leprechaun-green jacket with shoulder pads. Very Lucille Ball, and very Jessica. I loved the popped collar. So rad. :)

Second Stop: Wally World
After that we made a run to Walmart to pick up the missing ingredients to our lunch. We discovered Koolaid Bursts, the drink that everyone envied as a child. The temptation was irresistible because it was the ultimate picnic drink, AND it was on sale. Winner! We wandered around picking up random items for our picnic, and made it out in record time--mostly because Tyson was there. :)

We came home and bustled about the kitchen preparing lunch, and packed everything into the adorable new basket. We drove to the park and set out our blanket, and dug in to our feast. As for the ramen salad, Taylor was very worried at the amount of vinegar it called for, but it turned out fantastic! It's certainly on the list of things to make again. The fruit salad was certainly delicious, and so were the sandwiches. Nothing could spoil this perfect picnic. :)

Tyson made sure that we didn't have any leftovers to deal with. ;) We discovered that the tops of Koolaid bottles look like scorpions, retainers, and sumo wrestler hair. Jessica and I had a chugging contest...with half a bottle of Koolaid, and very full stomachs. So much lighthearted fun!

Isn't he so handsome? :)

It was literally one of the most wonderful days ever, and I'm so happy that I was able to share it with two of my very best friends!