Picnic Perfect

Last night I packed up a picnic and we made our way downtown for music in the park. Our church was hosting a benefit concert to support the employees of a restaurant that had recently burned down since they’ve been displaced from their livelihood. Great idea, huh?

With crisp, warm air blowing we settled next to the reflecting lake for Washington’s state capitol building – blanket, chairs, yummy food and family. Could there be a better night? I think not. Especially when there was ample room for the munchkins to run. Even better, there were ample eyes to keep tabs on them. Thanks auntie and grandparents! Andy of Andrew Landers & the Mainstreet Struggleville began crooning and we dove into our meal. 

While you read on, click here and take a listen to Andy so you can get a real feel for the evening! They say if you like Dave Matthews Band, you’ll love Andy too.

So … dinner. We whipped up black bean brownies (recipe coming soon!), Chinese chicken salad and added  Green Giant™ Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chip, Garden Ranch flavor and Green Giant Multigrain Sweet Potato Chip, Barbecue flavor for a little crunch. And let me tell you, those chips were bursting with deliciousness! I didn’t want to share the barbecue, because “yum”, just yum. Mama needs her own bag all to herself :) Both flavors were a real hit among the whole fam. Even my chip loving husband gave them a thumbs up, saying “Go ahead and buy more of these, ok?” For a guy who gave me a frown when I told him I brought a variation of “veggie chips” and salad for his Friday night dinner, I’d call that a true win. 

Let it be known, chip lovers … you’ve love Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips.

Andy played one of my all-time favorite songs, Lullaby, and Dominic and I playfully bickered over who got to finish the bag of barbecue veggie snack chips. Who would have ever thought I’d have to fight Dom for a sweet potato chip? Really!?! Max nursed and Jemma made a friend with a soccer ball. The sun set which apparently made the bedtime crankies set in so we packed up the kiddos to head home. 

I think this was probably one of our last summertime outings. Unless we have an Indian summer. We shall see. Good news is, Andy is the music at Hannah’s wedding in November! So, although this was probably the end of outdoor concerts, we’ll be seeing him live again! And, he’s writing a song in their honor! I’ll have to share that and the recording from tonight’s performance when they’re available!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.