We had a busy holiday weekend, as I’m sure that most of you did, too. Fireworks on Thursday night with the girls, a parade on Friday morning, and then more fireworks on Friday night. There were a lot of daytime catnaps, late night meltdowns and good times were had by all. And everything was punctuated by food, as it usually is in this house.

There’s something about Independence Day that makes me think of picnics. I suppose the birth of our country marks, for me, the most patriotic of days and picnics? Seem so American and patriotic. And while we often take our meals outside into our yard, we rarely make a picnic the destination. But Pea, especially, is really into the idea of packing up her meal in a bag or a basket, grabbing a blanket and heading out. Somewhere. Anywhere.

Picnics from my own memories revolve around fried or barbecued chicken, potato salad, coleslaw and slices of watermelon. Not bad, but really? Chicken in a picnic basket on a hot summer day? Not so delicious. And anything sitting in mayonnaise? On a hot summer day? There goes my stomach.

I prefer finger foods, things that are easily eaten, won’t make a huge greasy mess on the front of your shirt and can literally be eaten on the run. Like when you’re chasing your Frisbee. Or your 15-month old, who is the ultimate social butterfly and makes herself at home on any and every blanket that other revelers might have laid out.

So, that being said, Port Canvas makes the most incredible bags for toting around plastic tubs of food to the park, the golf course, wherever it is that you might go to watch your Independence Day celebration. These bags are indestructible, and they just get better and better with age. I’m partial to the Windjammer and the Schooner models. Depending on how much you have to lug with you, you can upsize or downsize. And you can customize the bags with many options. And to me? They just scream out, “I’m a salty New Englander! I know how to have a grand old time outdoors, you old poop…” What I really mean to say here is that they make me think of my idol, the noble and crusty Kate the Great… Katharine Hepburn, circa “On Golden Pond.” Have you seen the movie? If so, you know what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t seen it? Add it to your Netflix list.

And now, what to fill the bag up with that’s going to appeal to the grown-ups in your group, as well as the kids?

The first item would have to be homemade lemonade. And to transport it? Use old jelly jars. Just place some ice cubes in the jar, pour in your lemonade (or limeade, for a twist on the classic) and then screw the lid back on tightly. Clever, right? Wish I could take credit for the idea, but I read about it in National Geographic’s Green Guide. I love that you can repurpose something so simple into something very stylish and useful.

Gorp is a staple in our home. It’s really just trail mix. But the great part about it is that you can prepare it to suit many ages and tastes. For Coco? No raisins. For Pea? M&M’s, please. And for the grown-ups? Throw in some little pieces of dark chocolate. And maybe some crystallized ginger. And no picnic would be complete without sandwiches. But they can be a little messy and have a tendency to get soggy by the time you are ready for them. Why not replace the bread with a whole wheat tortilla, stuff it full, roll it up, slice it and stick a toothpick in it to keep it in place? Easier to tote to the park, appealing to the kids and the adults, and the stuffing possibilities are endless. Personally, I like to use hummus as my starter base. Tasty, and the texture just keeps everything in place nicely. Toss in some shredded or thinly sliced veggies, or some good turkey slices, or both, and there you have it. Food on the run. And no picnic is complete without lemon bars (something so classic and American about these little squares of tart summer heaven).

As much as I love to cook and entertain, picnics are just not the place for me to go all out gourmet. Too messy. Too many details. And then there’s that one person, balancing an overflowing paper plate on their white pants… you know where this is headed, right? I’m usually that person, and the white pants become a lost cause. I’m always thinking of ways to spruce up this kind of a menu, but the truth of the matter is that it’s really about the ambience, the fresh air, rather than the food.

So now that Pea has discovered the joy of picnics, every item of food eaten in our home has to be eaten outside. She loves to grab a blanket from the linen closet or a large shawl from one of my dresser drawers, take her plate of whatever, and head out into the yard. She’s a smart one, too. She makes a beeline for the nearest tree. I’m seeing a theme for this summer: The Season of the Picnic.