Family
Picnic
Under the Stars
With summer here, it is the perfect time to enjoy
some family fun together. Why not wait until a full
moon and surprise the kids by getting them out in their
pajamas to enjoy a nighttime picnic. This summer (2007),
the full moons will fall on May 31, June 30th, July29th,
and August 28th. Plan around these dates for your next
picnic. This is a perfect way to celebrate summer and
build some wonderful memories that the kids will hold
onto for the rest of their lives. Here are some tips
to make this picnic one to remember.
Midnight Snacks
What is a picnic without food? For some yummy finger
food, think beyond the typical s’mores. This
is a perfect excuse to make some delicious moon cakes.
Moon cakes are a Chinese treat that is made to celebrate
the Moon Festival, which is a Chinese holiday that
is held in autumn. But no one ever said you need to
wait until autumn to enjoy them. Try out this easy
recipe with your kids
Moon Cakes
1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 can red beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup sugar
Combine beans and sugar in a food processor until
it is a smooth paste. Slice the cookies thinly. Place
a
spoonful of red bean paste on a cookie and top with
another. Seal the edges of the cookie by pressing them
together
with the tines of a fork, and place them all on a
cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden
in color.
Cool and enjoy.
Nighttime Fun and Games
Family and play go hand-in-hand, especially at a picnic.
Bring out a flashlight and play some flashlight tag.
The person with the flashlight is “it,” and
everyone else gets a minute to hide. You are tagged if
the person who is “it” shines the flashlight
on you. Another fun game is to play as a family is the
story game, where one person begins a story, and the
next person has to continue it wherever he leaves off.
Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a blast. Everything
takes on an air of magic with a full moon overhead.
A Few Extras
Why not create some ambiance by playing some tunes. The
first ones that come to mind are “Moon River” by
Andy Williams, “Blue Moon” (the version by
Frank Sinatra is always a crowd pleaser), “Moonlight
Sonata” by Beethoven, and “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by
Mozart. Enjoy this moment, and relish the memories that
you are creating. When it’s all over, you can say
along with Mahatma Gandi, “When I admire the wonder
of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands
in worship of the Creator.” |
