Need picnic ideas ASAP [Archive]

ariastar

10-23-2006, 08:13 AM

This upcoming Saturday I have a third date with this guy named Zane, and I'm planning it. He won't know what's going to go on until we're doing it. Anyway, part of the plans I have include hiking a ways to a secluded beach and having a picnic. I was thinking about cooking foil-wrapped salmon in a small fire (they're allowed on this beach), which would mean a couple firelogs, but what would be a couple good side dishes? When I make salmon at home, I do garlic asparugus and mashed potatoes, but that's not feesible for this. The space will need to be limited to what can be carried in a small0ish duffle bag that will also have a couple firelogs in it. And, more importantly, it needs to be easy to keep cool or otherwise won't go bad in a few hours since the first part of the date is going to be going to the Titanic exhibit in San Francisco. Since I live half an hour away, and he won't know about the picnic, there's no where to put the food aside from in my car.

Your challenge:
Goes with salmon
Compact
Won't go bad quickly
Picnic-friendly

masherscf

10-23-2006, 01:08 PM

I'd pick up some of the flexable gel-packs. They'll add a little weight to your pack, but salmanella is a horrible third-wheel.

I continue with the foil pack theme. Instead of mashed potatoes, get some small red potatoes and season them up and roast them in a foil packet. The same should work with your asparugus.

I always like hommus on picnics. You might want to pack something to munch on while the meal is cooking.

tokenuser

10-23-2006, 02:03 PM

I do a mix of french beans, cherry tomatoes, and a tarragon vinegarette in foil pouches on the BBQ. Would be very easy to transport, just adding the liquid from a container just before throwing on the coals (COALS not FIRE) for 10-15 minutes to allow the beans to cook.

Tasty, and would work well with salmon.

If you can still find corn in season, that is always good as well - boil it before you go, then wrap in foil and through on coals.

Good luck. Its a great time of year for picnics.

masherscf

10-23-2006, 05:58 PM

If you can still find corn in season, that is always good as well - boil it before you go, then wrap in foil and through on coals.

Actually, you can make a pretty tasty roasted corn by opening the husks, but not removing them and taking away the corn silk. Then you rewrap the corn in the husks with some rosemary and butter. Roast those puppys over the coals and yummy, yummy...

One of the best things about camping is that you have to take some time to prepare your food. You can get pretty elaborate cooking over wood coals..

ariastar

10-23-2006, 06:33 PM

I like the idea of foil-wrapped red potatoes. A lot. I think I'll go with that.

This may require taking in some charcoal, but that's okay. Completely okay for this picnic.

:)

So foil-wrapped salmon, the foil-wrapped potatoes, I'm thinking of a cool pasta salad. Would need firelogs because it'd be pretty, charcoal to cook stuff with unless the potaties can go in the fire, sparkling cider (he doesn't drink at all, yet is NOT a goody-goody), and would need plates and silverware (I refuse to use paper for this). This will require a pre-move trip to my storage unit to dig out my Japanese porcelain dishes. And I'll need some wine glasses, even if we'll be using cider. '

Sound good?

Ready for another challenge?

A dessert that isn't too sweet!

masherscf

10-23-2006, 06:34 PM

A dessert that isn't too sweet!

Afterall, it is only the third date.

klitzy

10-24-2006, 02:15 AM

Well one of my favorite dishes on a picnic or that sort of thing is a dish called Oriental Cole Slaw. Its a cool pasta saladesque dish and has a nice exciting fresh zang to it.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but I love it at picnics and outdoor get togethers. Any pasta salad is great though.

ariastar

10-24-2006, 04:39 AM

Afterall, it is only the third date.

*sly grins* Doesn't mean it's all been G-rated! Actuallt, he doesn't get me for dessert. We've decided that that kind of *dessert* will have to wait until things are more serious. A relationship is better built on friendship than sex.

Though sex and food sure can go together. Or so I've heard.

ariastar

10-24-2006, 04:40 AM

ctraider

10-27-2006, 07:25 PM

Marinade sliced pineapple in tequila, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

It’s best to use fresh pineapple and do NOT core as it helps hold the fruit together and makes it easier to eat.

I usually cook on the grill over a wood charcoal flame and brush with the leftover sauce to create a little crispy coating.

I’m sure you could pack the marinated fruit in foil and would be almost as good.

Put some vanilla ice cream on top and enjoy. Oops, this is a hiking trip so leave off the ice cream.

rowlodge

10-27-2006, 07:31 PM

yikes...to each his own, go barbecue something or just good ole steaks corn on the cob and to top it off with the perfect appetizer "potatoe chips"

"the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

rabidbadger

11-05-2006, 03:27 AM

So how did it go? What did you make? Did you get Lucky? (er...you know, err.. did ...um...the food turn out well?...yeah. That's what I meant.)

ariastar

11-06-2006, 10:52 PM

ariastar

11-06-2006, 10:52 PM

yikes...to each his own, go barbecue something or just good ole steaks corn on the cob and to top it off with the perfect appetizer "potatoe chips"

"the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

We're both salmon fans and, as it was at the beach, fish seemed appropriate. :) However, with red meat, I did do fillet mignon on Halloween for us.

ariastar

11-06-2006, 10:57 PM

So how did it go? What did you make? Did you get Lucky? (er...you know, err.. did ...um...the food turn out well?...yeah. That's what I meant.)

Wow, I didn't know anyone would be interested in how it came out!

The day started off at the Titanic exhibit (two history fans), then a drive down the coast, then to a different location for the BBQ. Instead of a hike in northern SF, we went to Maverick's Beach, home of the world's best and most dangerous surf competitions. The food stayed cold due to my packing, and ended up wonderful. I didn't "get lucky" though I did get mostly naked for some cuddles. Sometimes adults do this thing called waiting until it will really mean something. :) Though he has this way of kissing my stomach that sends chills, um, anyway! the food turned out well, the sun set beautifully, and we got all nice and sandy under the blankets.

I really like this guy. It's not amusing to me that a little over a month ago I asked someone to hook me up, and now I just want to see where this goes. Hopefully to the path of exclusivity as he has managed to keep me interested so far.

tokenuser

11-06-2006, 11:26 PM

Sex is good, but building the relationship on something other than bumping uglies makes for a longer relationship.

Sounds like you are happy - and that is a good thing.

ariastar

11-14-2006, 02:14 AM

building the relationship on something other than bumping uglies makes for a longer relationship.

Exactly what we've been doing. :)

This one's an assertive one. After only having dated pansies with no backbones in the past, this one is a challenge in his own way, which I like. Mental stimulation is a good thing!

ctraider

11-14-2006, 03:21 PM

This one's an assertive one. After only having dated pansies with no backbones in the past, this one is a challenge in his own way, which I like. Mental stimulation is a good thing!

Wow you found a guy with a backbone in CA? Impressive. ; )

ariastar

11-14-2006, 11:07 PM

Wow you found a guy with a backbone in CA? Impressive. ; )

YES! Amazing, is it not? I finally found one who's evolved into a vertebrate! A step forward!!

ariastar

11-21-2006, 12:43 AM

LOL, we broke up. His loss!

ctraider

11-21-2006, 02:25 PM

Did his backbone give 'way?

ariastar

11-21-2006, 08:07 PM

Did his backbone give 'way?

He decided, among other things, that we are "too alike." Yet he also called me insecure. Which he is not. So we can't be alike in security and yet me be insecure. And the third thing he said was that I'm too inquizative about things. So I like to learn. Which may be why I make five times what he does.

I think he was either intimidated by the money I make or he found a girl who would put out. I found out a few weeks in that he was seeing other people too.

ctraider

11-22-2006, 02:18 PM

If the guy had a little bit of backbone, which you state he did. It may have been the money part but my real bet is on the putting out part. Sorry to say. Guys are wired that way and there is nothing wrong with that but guys need to master that aspect as they get older/grow up. Master that and the mastery of other things go along with it.

Too inquisitive? Woooo. That would scare anybody. :sarcasm:

The only person it would intimidate is someone who is content with their level of knowledge. There is nothing wrong with being autodidactic, or ambidextrous for that matter. : P

ariastar

11-22-2006, 06:50 PM

Yeah, but when a guy gets it too quickly, the chase is over and he's bored. So what on earth is the right thing to do?

thefast

11-24-2006, 03:31 PM

Yeah, but when a guy gets it too quickly, the chase is over and he's bored. So what on earth is the right thing to do?

It sounds like you were doing the right thing, just with someone who didn't even have enough patience to be seeing a single person at a time. Even if he did have a problem with how alike, insecure, or inquisitive you are, he probably would have kept quiet about it if it meant that he could have gotten some sex out of it. **** that prick.

ariastar

11-27-2006, 08:33 AM

It sounds like you were doing the right thing, just with someone who didn't even have enough patience to be seeing a single person at a time. Even if he did have a problem with how alike, insecure, or inquisitive you are, he probably would have kept quiet about it if it meant that he could have gotten some sex out of it. **** that prick.

That's kind of my attitude. I've so over him it's not even funny. I met someone else, connected, and am deeply infatuated. We connected a week ago, and now he's claiming to be in love with a girl he's only talked to on the phone. I don't get that either.

ctraider

11-27-2006, 03:58 PM

We connected a week ago, and now he's claiming to be in love with a girl he's only talked to on the phone. I don't get that either.

If he's been talking to this girl for a long time I can understand.

When you find someone that you connect to because of what you have in common and not on looks or entertainment (dating location/experience) alone the relationship should be stronger.

If he's only talked to her a couple of times, she has a "hot" voice and she likes to talk dirty I doubt he's in "love". ; )

ariastar

11-27-2006, 10:36 PM

If he's been talking to this girl for a long time I can understand.

When you find someone that you connect to because of what you have in common and not on looks or entertainment (dating location/experience) alone the relationship should be stronger.

If he's only talked to her a couple of times, she has a "hot" voice and she likes to talk dirty I doubt he's in "love". ; )

Five times to date. After the first conversation, he thought he was going to marry her. His friends don't sound very optimistic. Such intensity right away is riding the wings of the adrenaline and endorphine rush.

ctraider

11-28-2006, 02:16 PM

Ahhhh yes adrenaline and endorphines. The stuff that makes relationships last a long long long time of 3 weeks.

So it's my theory of "hot voice and dirty talk". Unfortunate.

ariastar

11-30-2006, 09:26 AM

He's in California. She's in Australia.

I hope he doesn't end up hurt.

tokenuser

11-30-2006, 01:46 PM

He's in California. She's in Australia.I think you just laid down a key piece of information. She is Australian. All Australians are lovable - except Rupert Murdoch ... and he changed nationalities to become American.

ariastar

12-01-2006, 09:32 AM

I just felt the blood in my body turn to ice. Two weeks ago he and I were together, a week ago we still had a connection. He just told me she'll be here the 20th of December. They're engaged.

masherscf

12-01-2006, 12:21 PM

I just felt the blood in my body turn to ice. Two weeks ago he and I were together, a week ago we still had a connection. He just told me she'll be here the 20th of December. They're engaged.

That's a bloody kick to the teeth.

ariastar

12-01-2006, 12:43 PM

That's a bloody kick to the teeth.

That's putting it mildly. She is really coming here, to California, from Australia. The ticket is bought.

Not even two full weeks ago we were together with a spoken understanding not to see others until we knew where we were going for sure. Last Thursday we still had a connection and had another date lined up. Saturday he admitted to the connection we shared, said if it wasn't for someone else, he'd want us to still date, but that he now in love with someone else.

Of respect for me, please don't quote that in a reply. It's okay to reply, just not to quote that part.

I'm not sure how to handle the emotions I feel right now.

masherscf

12-01-2006, 12:54 PM

ariastar

12-01-2006, 02:40 PM

I'm not sure what I can say. Do you need to hear that things will get better? You probably don't feel that way. Do you need to hear that it's better to find out now before you got more involved? That isn't very comforting.

One of the more frustrating things about the internet is that it's hard to convince someone that you're just listening to commiserate. Those non-verbal interactions to let someone know that you care without clumsey text is what I miss on the internet.

I agree. It's so nice to hand someone just lay a hand on am arm in support. It doesn't sound like many others think it's even going to last. The catch is that I don't want it to last because I want him, but I want it to work MORE so he doesn't end up hurt.

tokenuser

12-01-2006, 02:43 PM

I agree. It's so nice to hand someone just lay a hand on am arm in support. It doesn't sound like many others think it's even going to last. The catch is that I don't want it to last because I want him, but I want it to work MORE so he doesn't end up hurt.This discussion doesn't really belong in a Picnic suggestion thread ... but anyway ...

The guy is an ass. Even if it doesn't work out with the Aussie girl, do you really want someone that did that behind your back?? Great basis for a realtionship. Forget about him and move on.

ctraider

12-01-2006, 03:23 PM

I have to agree with mashercf when he stated

non-verbal interactions to let someone know that you care without clumsy text

And I really agree with

The guy is an ass. Even if it doesn't work out with the Aussie girl, do you really want someone that did that behind your back?? Great basis for a relationship. Forget about him and move on.

I know it's hard to get over someone. It's a matter of changing your thinking about this guy. He obviously had some traits that attracted you but this is one glaring flaw that is a deal breaker that cannot be ignored when supposedly building a relationship.

ariastar

12-02-2006, 11:13 AM

I know it's hard to get over someone. It's a matter of changing your thinking about this guy. He obviously had some traits that attracted you but this is one glaring flaw that is a deal breaker that cannot be ignored when supposedly building a relationship.

About an eleventy-million traits.

I think what has me the most upset is that we had a spoken agreement not to see other people, and I wouldn't even have been receptive to anybody else, yet he "fell in love" and they're planning on marriage in a week. This is a blow to my self-esteem. She'll be here in a few weeks.