Our first picnic together was also our first Valentine’s Day together. It was 7days after Jimmy asked me to be his girlfriend. That first picnic was simple. I didn’t really have time to help with the planning. I had homework for my post bachelors teaching certification that I finished right before Jimmy picked me up. Plus he wanted to be sweet and take care of the date. We stopped by Eegee’s (it’s a local thing) for some sandwiches and frozen fruit type drinks on our way to a beautiful and my favorite park in Tucson,AZ. Ever since that first picnic date February 14th, 2010, picnics have been something the hubby and I love doing together. We enjoy the fresh air, good food, good conversation and each other’s company.

Along with all of you I’ve been inspired by the colors, tastes and what should be the feels of fall. I wanted to do something intentional to make it feel like fall around here. We don’t get the changing fall leaves or the crisp air, so I planned a fall picnic date in our own backyard. I was on a mission to bring the senses of fall to us.

Jimmy loves chili which alongside cornbread in this case gluten-free cornbread is the perfect fall meal. I made a pot of extra spicy grass fed organic beef and organic three bean chili- I prepared toppings of grated cheese, sour cream, diced red onion and diced jalapeños.

I wanted it to be all those fall colors browns, oranges, and burgundies. I styled the picnic by layering two blankets first a burgundy one and then a plaid one over. I added some lanterns and some flowers from a bush in our backyard. I love incorporating greenery from my surroundings whenever I do a little layout like this. Stay tuned the spicy chili recipe will be posted soon!