The weather has been beautiful the last couple of days. After so much rain, we had to take advantage of it. I live within minutes of 2 beautiful lakes and 3 wonderful rivers. Today, we ventured out to Norfork lake for a picnic of corn chowder and smoked turkey sandwiches. The rain is coming back in tonight and there was just a bit of nip in the 65 degree air. We wanted to go out on Cranfield point but, it was closed, so we found a table under a pavilion nearby and set up for a lovely lakeside picnic.
A beautiful fall day.
Set up for a lovely lunch.
A bit of Americana with the picnic basket and the red, white and blue settings.
Ready for some hot corn chowder and a nice sandwich.
Some fall leaves in a little red, white and blue basket.
A beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors by the lake.
No forks needed here. Just a spoon and an appetite.
So nice.
How blessed am I to live surrounded by so much beauty. It was easy to get away for a nice lunch. The day was gorgeous and so was the scenery.
Wish you could all have been there. We could have had a party! Thanks for stopping by. Join Susan for Tablescape Thursday to see a lot of great tablescapes! Looks like Miss Susan may have something spooky going on this week!
Today’s Lagniappe: Corn Chowder
The perfect soup for a fall picnic. Just make it, pour into a thermos and you are ready to go! This recipe is from Tyler Florence.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups canned vegetable stock
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 Idaho potatoes, peeled and diced
- 6 ears corn
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme and cook until the vegetables are good and soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Dust the vegetables with flour and stir to coat everything well. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Add the cream and the potatoes, bring to a boil and boil hard for about 7 minutes, until the potatoes break down (this will help to thicken the soup and give it a good texture).
Cut the corn kernels off the cob and add to the soup. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the corn is soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the parsley and give it another little drink of olive oil. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
What a peaceful quiet fall day beside the lake. Beautiful place for a picnic. Hope you have a great week! Sherri
Christi this picnic is just amazing! You did a beautiful job of making a perfect day even more beautiful. ~Lovely!
Many Blessings, ~Melissa
Come by my blog anytime. You’re always welcome.
What a great idea to have a picnic on a brisk day. (Here in Texas, it’s too hot to have a picnic in the summer!!) Love the scenery, and your picnic setting. Can’t wait to try your recipe for the soup -
What a gorgeous place to sit and enjoy a wonderful meal. I love it all. Your table is fabulous and the food sounds sooooooo good. Hugs, Marty
Very nice! I love the simplicity of it.
What a beautiful serene setting for your red/white/blue table.
How nice that you can be portable with your beautiful tablescape. And nice to keep the Americana going into fall! It sounds like a wonderful place to live. Come visit me as I have a giveaway!
What a beautiful scenic view you had! You’re more ambitious than me with treating your loved ones to this delectable treat! I’m too lazy to trot it all out there. But I sure admire those like you who do! What a sweet thing!
Brenda
Sweet! Looks like its getting cold there….. I love red,white, and blue anytime! Cute!
~Liz
I love your picnic setting! What a beautiful place to relax for a bite. We’re having “picnic” weather here right now too. The corn chowder sounds very good. I love all kinds of soups. I’m going to print it off now!
Hello Christi…
My friend…what a fabulous place to enjoy a sweet picnic!!! You really are blessed with such beautiful surroundings! Now, just want to tell you that this is probably the prettiest little Americana picnic that I’ve seen…I just love it! Mmmm…and corn chowder with smoked ham sandwiches sounds divine!!! Thank you for sharing your picnic with us…what a treat!!!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
PS…thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my autumn tablescape with Antoinette! I sure did enjoy your comment!
I love your view and tablescape it’s so charming. Have a wonderful Wed! Kat
This is so pretty! I love these glasses you used. What a lovely place to enjoy nature!!
I can’t imagine anything nicer than sitting by the water, enjoying a fall picnic. This made me smile, and made me glad I’m heading to the lake in a few days.
Sue
That is just a lovely setting. I love corn chowder! Will have to try your recipe.
What a beautiful fall view and tablescape — this looks like a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Christi, this is lovely. There is something so special about dining near the water. Pretty!!!!
Barb ?
Such a beautiful backdrop for a yummy lunch!
Jane
Beautiful scenery to enjoy lunch….thanks for posting the soup recipe….it’s getting to be soup season and i love a good chowder….
What a calm & soothing tablescape, Christi. The view is spectacular, too.
I love your stemware & I have the same little red/white/blue basket!! Great minds…..alike.
Thank you, too, for the recipe. I would love to try making it, as DH LOVES chowder of any type.
Oh how nice! Love the view!!!!