Creating the Perfect Picnic Checklist

Make a menu ahead of time and keep it taped to your refrigerator. Check off each dish as you pack it into your basket.

A picnic basket, hamper or tote bag for carrying food and equipment
Food chests to keep food hot or cold
Frozen blue ice for chilled foods
A tablecloth, quilt, sheet or any other cover if you plan to eat on the ground
Large cloth or paper napkins
Wicker holders for paper plates
Plates for appetizers, soup, main course and dessert
Coffee cups, water glasses and wineglasses
Flatware
Serving pieces
Bottle opener, corkscrew and can opener
Paper towels
Plastic bags or plastic wrap for leftovers
Large plastic bag for trash
Large plastic bag for used dishes and utensils
Small cutting board and knife
Condiments: salt, pepper, sugar, cream for coffee, mustard, relish, etc.
Fuel and matches if you are using a hibachi
Ice, liquor and mixes
Thermos filled with hot coffee
Soft drinks, sparkling water, beer or wine
Jug of cold water
Whole lemons and limes
Candles, candle holders and matches
Flashlight

My 43 Favorite Non-Fiction Books

These are in no particular order.

1. "The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People" by David Niven

2. "The 100 Simple Secrets of The Best Half of Life" by David Niven

3. "All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat" by Suzy Becker

4. "The Angel Book : A Handbook for Aspiring Angels" by Karen Goldman

5. "Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens" by Terry Lynn Taylor

6. "Angel Courage: 365 Meditations and Insights to Get Us Through Hard Times" by Terry Lynn Taylor

7. "Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties And Cats Gone Bad" by Jim Edgar

8. "Beautiful Gardens Made Easy: Simple Techniques " by Miracle-Gro

9. "Being In Balance: 9 Principles for Creating Habits to Match Your Desires" by Dr. Wayne Dyer

10. "Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives"

11. "Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood"
by Beverly West

12. "Coming of Age...All Over Again: The Ultimate Midlife Handbook"
by Kate Klimo
by Beverly West

13. "The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palettes for Designing Home…
by Anna Starmer

14. "Creating a Charmed Life: Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know" by Victoria Moran

15. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women : Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most, and Find Time for You" by Kristine Carlson

16. "Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets…"
by Paul D. Tieger

17. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and it's all small stuff "by Richard Carlson

18. "Dr. Andrew Weil's Guide to Optimum Health" by Andrew Weil

19. "Dressing Rich: A Guide to Classic Chic for Women With More Taste Than…"
by Leah Feldon

20. "The Emotional House: How Redesigning Your Home Can Change Your Life
by Dawn Ritchie

21. "THE ESSENCE OF ENGLISH LIFE" by SHEILA PICKLES

22. "Eyewitness Travel Guide to Great Britain" (revised) by Hilary Bird

23. "Eyewitness Travel Guide to London" by Michael Leapman

24. "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live"
by Martha Beck

25. French for Cats: All the French Your Cat Will Ever Need
by Henry Beard

26. "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

27. "Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being" by M.D. Andrew Weil

28. " In the Royal Manner : Expert Advice on Etiquette and Entertaining "by Paul Burrell

29. "Guardians of Hope: The Angels' Guide to Personal Growth" by Terry Lynn Taylor

30. "An Incomplete Education,"by Judy Jones

31. "It's Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile:10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace" by Wayne W. Dyer

32. "Life's Little Instruction Book" by Jr. H. Jackson Brown

33. "Living a Beautiful Life" by Alexandra Stoddard

34. "Messengers of Light: The Angels' Guide to Spiritual Growth" by Terry Lynn Taylor

35. "The New York Public Library Desk Reference" by The New York Public Library

36. "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern

37. " A Poem a Day, Vol. 1" by Karen Mccosker

38. "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

39. "Simple Pleasures: Soothing Suggestions & Small Comforts for Living Well" by Robert Taylor

40. "The Small Garden Planner" by Graham Rose

41. "Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

42. "Three Black Skirts : All You Need To Survive" by Anna Johnson

43. "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" by Joel Osteen

43 of my favorite quotations

" From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded."

St. Luke 12:35-48

43 of the most beautiful words in the English Language (In my opinion)

1. serendipity – good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries. A fluke, good fortune, good luck – a stroke of luck
2. ailurophile – A lover of cats
3. beatific – Displaying great happiness, having a divine aura; befitting an angel or saint
4. ethereal – 1. extremely delicate or refined , heavenly or spiritual
5. Eloquent – Vividly or movingly expressive
6. Sanctuary – A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque. The holiest part of a sacred place, as a part of a Christian church around the altar.
7. bliss – Extreme happiness; ecstasy
8. epiphany – moment of great or sudden revelation
9. lagoon – A shallow body of salt water close to the sea but separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, or by a coral reef.
10. elixer – a good potion
11. serene -Unaffected by disturbance; calm and unruffled
12. tranquil – calm, peaceful, or quiet