Snow Picnic

The beautiful mountain scenery acts as a wonderful backdrop to my snow picnic. Tie balloons to the back of your car, the tables, or tree branches to create a festive mood. Cover the table with a printed snowflake tablecloth. A fresh winter-white flower bouquet adds a touch of sophistication. Use paper plates and plastic silverware, but bring linen napkins. They're environmentally friendly and make the picnic more elegant. Pour the wine in plastic wine glasses. Serve the soup in light blue cups and the the salad in frosted takeout containers. Don't forget lawn chairs for people to sit in.

Since the snow picnic is a lunch, a signature cocktail is not necessary. Instead offer guests beer, water, and wine. Place beer directly in the snow to keep it icy cold and serve the wine in plastic glasses. An Italian Chianti pairs nicely with the soup, salad, and sandwiches, while a buttery California Chardonnay is a nice white option. I plan on making a birthday toast with a bottle of bubbly during dessert.

After the snowball fight, invite guests back to your house for a glass of hot cocoa. Set up a hot chocolate bar before you leave for the picnic. Allow guests to stir in their own hot chocolate accompaniments. To check out the hot chocolate bar recipe, read more

As much as I would love to serve a beautiful birthday cake at the snow picnic, it's just not practical. Instead, I'll offer guests an individual treat that is comforting and delicious. Apple turnovers are festive, fruity, and easy to pack. They don't require extra plates or silverware, making them the ideal picnic dessert. Bake just before leaving the house, and store in a heat-insulated container. Leave the turnovers in the car until ready to eat, to ensure they stay warm the longest. If desired, pass around fresh whipped cream for dolloping! For the recipe, read more

I'm really excited for this weekend's snow picnic! Like any sort of picnic, all of the dishes should be made in advance. Fill a large thermo with hot tomato soup and serve in mugs at the picnic destination. Pack buttery croutons — they'll add a delicious crunch to the soup — in separate Tupperware. Make a giant mozzarella and red-pepper sandwich on a large baguette and cut into individual slices for serving. Store portobello mushroom salad in Chinese take-out containers and allow guests to top with croutons or prosciutto crisps. Supplement the menu with store-bought potato chips, crackers, or flatbreads. For these tasty recipes — perfect for energizing before a snowball fight — please read more

This weekend I'm off to my vacation house in the Sierra Nevada mountains with a group of friends . It's my best friend Emily's birthday and to celebrate we are going on a snow picnic! I'll prepare the event all week, so feel free to adapt my party plan to help you plan your own snowy soirée. To get things started we'll need to send invitations. You can download, print, and fill out our winter picnic invites or make a pretty little card like I did here. To see how I made it, read more