Growing up on a farm instilled in me a deep love for open spaces and the quiet grandeur of the fields. There’s an undeniable magic in standing beneath a vast, billowy sky, feeling the earth beneath my feet, and inhaling the distinct scent of soil and growing things. It’s a silence so profound it becomes a symphony, a place where the soul finds both grounding and boundless freedom. In these moments, I often rediscover a truer sense of self.

To share this cherished “happy place” with dear friends, especially for a glorious country picnic, feels like an extraordinary blessing. It transforms a simple outing into a memory to treasure.

Our recent picnic adventure took us to the stunning family farm of our friends, Harvey and Ronaye, in picturesque Parkland County, rural Alberta. We were joined by our wonderful fellow food enthusiasts, Nicoletta and Loreto from SugarLoveSpices. The day unfolded perfectly: the sun dappled through fluffy white clouds, a gentle breeze whispered through the tall grasses, and the harmonious chirping of birds and grasshoppers created a soothing soundtrack. For a few precious hours, we happily set aside our daily tasks, immersing ourselves in the carefree joy of this expansive hayfield. It was truly a day that replenished the spirit, filling our buckets to the brim.

Embrace the Charm: A Beautiful Day for a Country Picnic!

Raymond, a farm boy at heart, always relishes any opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a tractor. It’s where he truly feels in his element.

A Feast in the Field: Setting the Scene for Our Farm Picnic

One of the beauties of a hayfield picnic on a farm is its effortless simplicity. We can drive directly to our chosen spot, unload our picnic gear with ease, and begin setting up without the usual hassle of carrying everything over long distances. It’s truly a “meal-in-the-field” experience.

While the men enthusiastically set off to arrange the hay bales into our rustic seating and dining area, Nicoletta and I busied ourselves with preparing the table. Our picnic basket was thoughtfully packed with charming red and blue **checkered tablecloths**, elegant gold-coloured **fabric napkins**, and sturdy enameled dishes. Wooden crates served as practical carriers for our utensils, mason jars, thermoses, and jugs of vibrant **fresh flowers**, which are an absolute essential for all our outdoor gatherings. These colorful bouquets, freshly picked from our garden that very morning, added an immediate touch of festive charm and natural beauty to our table setting.

Once the sturdy hay bale table was perfectly positioned, we carefully layered it with a protective plastic liner, followed by our cheerful red-checked tablecloth. A smaller blue-checked cloth adorned the adjacent side table, completing the inviting arrangement. The fresh flowers were given pride of place at the center, radiating natural beauty. Serving dishes were then artfully arranged, and flat wooden boxes were set at either end, neatly holding our mason jar of lemonade and other refreshing drinks. We tied the fabric napkins in simple, elegant knots and placed the enameled soup bowls at each setting, anticipating the delicious meal ahead.

Our Hearty Country Picnic Menu: Delicious Vittles for an Outdoor Feast

From Hay Bales to Heavenly Bites: Our Picnic Spread

• Split Pea and Ham Soup – This belly-warming classic is an absolute staple for a comforting outdoor meal. It’s chock full of tender onions, sweet carrots, and generous chunks of savory ham, all swimming in a thick, velvety pea purée. To ensure it stays wonderfully warm until serving, we packed this flavorful soup in a wide-mouthed thermos – a surefire way to have your guests asking for second helpings.
• Homemade Dinner Buns and Gluten-Free Bagels – There’s nothing quite like the aroma and taste of fresh bread, still warm from the oven. For our picnic, we brought homemade dinner buns, offering that unparalleled comfort. If baking isn’t an option, a good local bakery can provide equally delicious crusty buns or an artisanal loaf. And for those with dietary needs, thoughtful gluten-free bagels or buns are always a welcome addition.
• Cold Roast Beef – The true star of our savory spread was the thinly-sliced cold roast beef. It’s incredibly convenient for picnics because it’s actually best prepared the day before and thoroughly chilled, allowing for perfectly smooth, thin slices. For an explosion of flavor, remember Loreto’s excellent tip: generously season the outside of the roast with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices before roasting.
• Dill Pickles, Assorted Mustards, and Horseradish – No hearty meal is complete without the perfect accompaniments. We brought along our favorite homemade dill pickles (following Ronaye’s fantastic recipe), a selection of mustards including both sharp and sweet varieties, and a delightfully sinus-clearing creamed horseradish that is always a hit. A bowl of vibrant cherry tomatoes, freshly picked from the garden, added a burst of fresh color and flavor.

• Beet & Bocconcini Salad – This visually stunning and incredibly tasty red beet salad is absolutely ideal for picnics. It’s generously loaded with aromatic fresh basil, and the playful addition of soft, bouncy little bocconcini balls that turn a delightful bright pink makes it an undeniable crowd-pleaser and a definite winner on any outdoor menu.
• Grilled Corn Pinwheels – What a brilliantly fun and flavorful way to enjoy corn! Loreto expertly grilled these for an extra layer of delicious charred flavor. These unique slices off the cob are wonderfully versatile and are absolutely delicious served at room temperature, making them a perfect, hassle-free picnic item.
• Apple Galette with Chantilly Cream – Nicoletta’s exquisite apple galette pie, with its tender yet crispy whole wheat crust, is another perfect choice for outdoor dining. To add a truly luxurious touch to this already delicious dessert, don’t forget to pack a mason jar of stabilized whipped cream. We served ours with a scattering of fresh, multi-colored raspberries, picked from the garden just moments before we left for the picnic, adding a burst of fresh, vibrant fruitiness.
• Fresh Lemonade, Water, Hot Coffee – On a warm summer day, nothing quite compares to a tall, cold glass of lemonade. And when it’s made with fresh lemons, it truly feels like the pure nectar of the gods. Our recipe (detailed below) delivers a perfectly balanced drink that’s not too sweet, wonderfully tangy, and incredibly refreshing. Alongside this essential summer beverage, we also packed a jar of cold water and a thermos of steaming hot coffee, which pairs exquisitely with the sweet apple galette.

Now, let’s dive into making that wonderfully fresh and incredibly easy lemonade – a true picnic classic that epitomizes summer refreshment.

Simple Perfection: Only Three Ingredients for Fresh Lemonade

To craft this quintessential fresh lemonade, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients:

1. Lemons
2. Sugar
3. Water

Crafting Refreshment: How to Make Easy, Fresh Lemonade

The process is delightfully simple. Begin by stirring the sugar into the water until it is completely dissolved, creating a smooth simple syrup base. Next, prepare your lemons: cut them in half and extract their juice. You can use your hands, a reamer, a handheld juice press, or even an electric juicer for this step. Once you have the required amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice, add it to the sweetened water and stir well to combine. It’s that easy!

Kitchen Frau Tip

For maximum juice extraction, ensure your lemons are at room temperature. A clever trick is to firmly roll the lemon back and forth on your kitchen counter before cutting. This technique helps to loosen the internal cells, allowing them to release significantly more juice.

Classic Fresh Lemonade

By Margaret Bose Johnson

Easy recipe for homemade fresh lemonade – 3 ingredients and only minutes to make. It’s not too sweet, deliciously tangy, thirst-quenching, and perfect for a summer day.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Servings: 8

Calories: 77 kcal

Ingredients

• 7 cups (1.68 litres) water
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• ¾ cup (180 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, (from 3-4 large lemons)
• fresh lemon slices, optional (from an extra lemon)
• ice cubes and/or mint sprigs, optional

Instructions

1. Put the water into a large pitcher (2 litres/2 quarts or larger).
2. Add the sugar and stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Juice the lemons (cut them in half crosswise and squeeze them, use a lemon reamer, or a handheld lemon juicer) and measure to get ¾ of a cup (180 ml) of juice. (Tip: Set a strainer over the measuring cup to catch seeds and pulp.)
4. Add the lemon juice to the sweetened water, and stir to combine. Add lemon slices if using them. Cover and chill the lemonade. Add ice cubes and mint sprigs at serving time, if desired.
5. Makes ~8 cups (2 litres) of lemonade.

Notes

You can substitute the sugar with your sweetener of choice: honey (~½ cup) or a sugar substitute.

To make Fresh Limeade, use fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 77 kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.03mg

A Country Picnic to Remember: Cherished Moments

What an absolutely wonderful day! The combination of good company, delicious food, and the breathtaking backdrop of the hayfield created an experience we’ll cherish for a long time. These are the moments that truly enrich life.

More Picnic Adventures & Inspiration

We absolutely adore picnics! What could be better than combining the pleasure of good friends, a beautiful natural setting, and an abundance of delicious food? Picnics offer a unique opportunity to slow down, connect, and create lasting memories.

For more fantastic recipes and boundless inspiration, along with plenty of practical tips for hosting your very own memorable **themed picnic**, explore some of our other adventures:

• **Gluten-Free Sausage Rolls and a Glorious Autumn Picnic**: Discover how to enjoy hearty, savory treats amidst the vibrant colors of fall.
• **Homemade Tomato Soup and a Late Fall Picnic by the Lake**: Perfect for cooler weather, this picnic features a comforting classic against a serene lakeside backdrop.
• **Lemon Mousse and a Fun & Games Picnic**: A light, zesty dessert paired with engaging outdoor activities for a lively gathering.
• **Scotch Eggs and a Scottish Picnic at the River**: Embark on a culinary journey with traditional Scottish fare by the riverside.
• **Baked Zucchini Frittata Loaf and a Farmers’ Market Picnic**: Celebrate fresh, seasonal produce with a simple yet elegant frittata loaf sourced from your local market.

Or, perhaps you’re in the mood for something a bit more refined? How about organizing a fun and fancy **Afternoon Tea picnic** or a delightful brunch? It’s a wonderful, elegant way to treat yourself and your friends to some truly special time together, filled with delicate bites and delightful conversations.

• **Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge Cake and a Lovely Summer Afternoon Tea Picnic**: Indulge in a classic British treat, made accessible for everyone, during a picturesque summer outing.
• **Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwiches and a Perfect Afternoon Tea Picnic**: Savor these regal sandwiches, ideal for a refined and flavorful picnic experience.
• **Butter Pecan Bars and a Glowing Afternoon Tea Picnic in the Orchard**: Enjoy the sweet, nutty flavors of these bars amidst the serene beauty of a blossoming orchard.
• **Raspberry Meringue Kisses and a Dreamy Blue & White Afternoon Tea Picnic**: A light, airy, and visually charming dessert for an elegant themed picnic.
• **Cheesecake Cupcakes and a Festive Christmas Brunch**: Extend the picnic spirit into the holidays with festive treats perfect for a cozy outdoor (or indoor) brunch gathering.

Be sure to check out **Nicoletta and Loreto’s blog**, SugarLoveSpices, for their fantastic Grilled Corn Pinwheels recipe, along with their beautiful photos and personal story of our memorable country picnic. It offers another perspective on our shared delightful day!

Want to **receive new Kitchen Frau recipes directly** to your email as soon as they’re posted? Sign up here and you’ll get bits of news updates on what’s happening in my kitchen and garden, plus a handy and useful kitchen tip along with each recipe, too. (No spam, ever.)

If you enjoy my recipes and culinary adventures, please consider following me on Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. Your support would truly make my day. 😊

Guten Appetit!