Life is but a dream

I had the loveliest evening last weekend with my friend Lucy! We went to Prayer Lavender Garden in Rockwall, TX for a socially distanced picnic in 76 degree weather. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky! Prayer Lavender Garden is revamping their lavender fields this fall but the property is still very picnic-friendly thanks to the shady trees, benches, picnic tables, and adorable pumpkin displays in the back. They also have a fantastic artisan shop where I do tons of Christmas shopping every year!

For our fall picnic, I brought chicken salad, BBQ chips, and fairytale pumpkin cheesecake brownies and Lucy brought croissants, brie, and crackers. Yum!

Who says rosé is just for summer? I’ve been saving this stunning bottle of JNSQ wine for a special occasion and I couldn’t think of a more special occasion in 2020 than dining al fresco in perfect weather with a treasure of a friend. JNSQ Rosé Cru comes in a collectible bottle with a beautiful rose wine stopper.

The official tasting notes describe this rosé as having strawberry and cherry notes but I tasted lychee, mango, and watermelon. The blend is 52% Grenache (one of my favorite grapes!), 21% Pinot Gris, 20% Syrah, and 7% Viognier. It’s a bright, cheerful wine that begs to be enjoyed on a beautiful day.

I grabbed BBQ chips because I absolutely love them with rosé! I love that Lucy brought brie and raspberry jam. She knows me so well! It was so fun to have a little Vorspeise (appetizer) before chicken salad croissant sandwiches. Every time I make chicken salad, I think, why do I make anything other than chicken salad for picnics? It’s so easy and so elegant.

Last but certainly not least is a brand new recipe: Fairytale Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies. See the little pumpkin on my picnic blanket? That’s a mini fairytale pumpkin, one of the tastiest pumpkins you can buy. I made these brownies using fairytale pumpkin puree and they taste like fall magic. I wrapped up individual brownies with cling wrap and Happily Ever After ribbon because we all need a little more magic in our lives.