June 2009

Enjoy the Sunshine with a Fun Family Picnic!

One of my family’s favorite summer activities is picnicking in the local park. It’s a great way to spice up the usual mealtime routine and bring the family closer! Here are some easy steps to take when planning your picnic adventure:

1. When planning out the menu, choose dishes that don’t need a lot of fuss. After all, you will be sitting on the ground enjoying them. When I’m packing the Keeley picnic basket, I start with Libby’s Vegetables and make a variety of delicious meals. From Old-fashioned Potato Salad to Taco Salad to Cornbread Muffins, Libby’s Vegetables are an easy and cost-effective start to a great picnic spread!

2. While it’s important to pack the treats, don’t forget the entertainment! Soccer balls, jump ropes and board games are always a good option, or you can make up your own game. For example, we love to play Pirate Hide & Seek. It’s just like the original, only we all pretend to be – you guessed it – pirates! It’s just another spin on an old favorite, but helps inspire my kids’ creativity.

3. Involve the family in planning your picnic! Assign roles to get your kids involved - someone can be in charge of the blankets, another can gather the toys and someone else can help pack the food. With everyone pitching in, it’ll make the process easier on mom and get everyone excited for the outdoor adventure!

Stay tuned for more fun summer ideas from me, and share your own. I would love to hear your favorite family summertime moments or picnic tips - let me know in the comments box. Hope you have a wonderful summer!

Final Pit Stop in Dover

Kim Burton in Dover

Hey Race Fans! Another great weekend at the Libby's tent out in Dover this past weekend. We had rain again but, when the sun was shining I was thrilled to meet so many of you who had traveled so far. Great to see the fans still coming out the races with such a strong presence! As for my husband, we started at the back of the pack but raced hard and fought our way to a 16th place finish.

Sad to report that this will be my final post on getbacktothetable.com, but I will be checking the website from time to time to see what new winning solutions have been posted, so keep them coming! This has been such an incredible ride and I have enjoyed meeting all of you and your families, learning about your favorite recipes and also seeing the passion that NASCAR fans have all across the country.

There's still time to enter your recipe online for your chance to win so, thanks for all of the great memories and suggestions and keep tuning into the race action every weekend. I really enjoyed meeting all of you!