Here’s your shopping list & helpful tips to create the perfect picnic grazing boxes.

Food Network recently showed us a grilled edible cheeseboard. Whaaaat? That's right. The entire board is edible. Beautiful AND delicious? Sign me up.

I had to try this out for myself, but I decided to put my own unique spin on it. The Food Network chefs created theirs with pizza dough, and I opted for a buttery, flaky puff pastry. After creating a board of my own, I think the Food Network chefs had it right. Pizza dough is the way to go here. The puff pastry I used was delicious, but not sturdy enough to support the cheese when eating. I also decided to bake it instead of grilling, and that worked fine for me. 

Who's going to try this edible cheeseboard trend with me?

I had the honor of surprising friends with a picnic to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new home, built by Providence Homes. I wanted to make it extra special for them, and not just throw out a picnic basket and blanket. So here's how I planned their perfect picnic.

I searched around the house and pulled out blankets, pillows, boxes, a small table, greenery, candles, lanterns, etc. I found 2 gray blankets, and 4 teal pillows. So I decided on a jewel tone color scheme.

Then, I set up the picnic in my living room to see how everything looked together. This took about an hour of arranging, then rearranging, taking pictures, over and over again until I had a layout that I was happy with.

When my mock up picnic set up was finished, I took a photo and saved it on my phone. This way, when it was time to set up the actual picnic, I didn't have to think about the design. I could just refer to the photo and focus on the set up.

For me, the star of the show was the purple alstroemeria flowers. They were gorgeous on the grazing board! I actually had more to use around the picnic, but I forgot them in my rush to get to the picnic site. I've found that with every event I do SOMETHING always goes wrong. The napkins aren't the right color, missing an ingredient, forgot to light the candles... it's always something. I've realized, though, no one knows but me. And nobody cares! So there's no need to stress out over every detail being absolutely perfect. Try your best, have fun, and be proud of what you created.

I've already started planning my next picnic, and ways to make it even more special. I can't wait! 

​Cheers!

Making a grazing table can be intimidating, so I put together a few easy tips and a list of everything we used to create this beautiful spring grazing table. 

• Use your favorite foods that you and your guests will actually eat. If you don't like it, don't put it on there! There's no need in using pickled asparagus if no one is going to eat it. Right?
• Don't reinvent the wheel. Find photos of a grazing table you like, and try to recreate your own version of that. 
• Create height with boxes, baskets & pedestals. I typically pull things from all over the house:  a box, a crate, a basket, or whatever I can find to add texture and height to the table. Cake plates and tiered plates work well for this too. 
• Greenery, candles, linens, and non food decor can fill in empty spaces. Again, pull things from all over the house. Don't limit yourself to just what's in the kitchen. You can use fresh flowers, eucalyptus, fake plants (shhhhh!), candles, linens, a decorative vase, pitcher, whatever you like that compliments your grazing table.
• It’s ok to mix and match wood tones & metals. I know, I know. It took me a bit to get over having everything so matchy matchy, but your wood tones and metals do not have to all be the same. You can use silver and gold, dark wood, and light wood. It can all tie together nicely. 
• You don’t have to pre-slice or cut all of your cheese. If you're putting together a huge grazing table, you don't have to pre-cut your cheese. A dramatic wedge of blue cheese nestled next to a bunch of gorgeous red grapes draped over a gold pedestal can be pretty amazing. 
• Have fun! If you're not having fun, what's the point? Am I right? And food that's prepared with love just tastes better. So put on your favorite music, dance around that kitchen, and make it happen! 

​To create the brie and pomegranate heart, just use a heart shaped cookie cutter. Make sure your brie is very cold, so it’s easier to cut. Otherwise you’ll have a gooey mess. As soon as you take it out of the refrigerator, unwrap it and use the cookie cutter to gently press out your heart shape. Once the heart shape is removed, drain your pomegranate arils and carefully spoon them in the space.

Ingredients
Here’s a list of everything I used to create this board as well as links to where I purchased them.

​I take him to doctor appointments, go to parent teacher meetings, and make his meals. I teach him right from wrong, table manners, how to say yes ma’am, no sir and y’all. I take care of him when he’s sick, encourage him when he’s down, and I love him unconditionally.

To all of my fellow step parents out there… I see you. I know how much you carry on your shoulders and the heaviness in your heart. Don’t stop. Keep charging forward. Keep loving that child unconditionally. You’re making a difference.
 
Love. Never. Fails.

Stepmom Support
If you’re a stepmom and looking for support, I am a huge fan of Stepmom Magazine. It’s an incredible resource that talks about tough topics, helpful tools, support and encouragement. “Because even when it’s good… it’s complicated.”

We love tailgating at home while cheering on our favorite teams. There's something magical about the sound of the game echoing through the house, friends and family gathering together, the cool crisp fall air, and the delicious food.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for tailgating at home. 

​Everyone loves a good milkshake, but these are not your mamma’s milkshakes! These are epic milkshakes!
 
For anyone concerned about keeping a spotless kitchen, keep on scrolling, this isn’t for you. These things are super messy, but that’s part of the fun! So, if you’re ok with sprinkles on the floor and milkshake drips everywhere, let’s have a little fun.
 
OK, step one, make your milkshake. Find your favorite flavor ice cream, add a little milk, and blend it up in the blender until smooth. 
 
Now for the fun part… toppings! The more toppings, the more epic the milkshakes!
​Get all the usual toppings:
Whipped Cream
Chocolate Sauce
Caramel Sauce
Cherries
Sprinkles
 
Aaaaand now for the epic toppings:
Cookies
Candy Bars
Nerds (these are great because they’re like jumbo sprinkles)
Pirouettes (the chocolate filled wafer cookie straws)
Cotton Candy
Bubble Gum
SweeTarts
Peanut Butter Cups
And pretty much any other candy you can think of.
 
Roll the top part of the glass in (or brush on) chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or peanut butter. Then roll it in sprinkles, nerds, cookie crumbs, chocolates, etc.
 
Decorate the inside of glass by swirling chocolate sauce or caramel sauce inside.  Add your milkshake, and top with all the toppings you want. Go crazy!
 
It’s going to spill over onto the counter. It’s going to get messy. Embrace it. Go nuts and have fun!

​Charcuterie boards are one of my favorite things on the planet, but my friends typically make a face when I say “charcuterie.” Charrrrr… what? So, let’s call it a grazing board. K? K.
 
I’ve had several people ask me how to put a board together, so I created a demo. This one isn’t perfect or fancy, but it gives you a basic idea of how I put one together. Here are the things I typically include in my boards, and usually have them on hand so I can easily throw one together if someone drops by.

Aged Gouda
This is probably my favorite cheese y’all, and if you serve it right, you can taste the little salt crystals inside. DO NOT slice this cheese. I will come over there and smack your hand if you try to make slices out of this. Take the point of a knife, insert it into the cheese near and edge and twist off a hunk of cheese. Let the cheese break apart naturally. (see demo)
 
Blue Cheese
Cause, duh, it’s delicious, and a little stinky. Any kind will do. I like to leave it in a big wedge and let a few crumbles cascade down a corner. If you don’t like the bite of blue cheese, try drizzling honey over it. If you don’t like that, leave it off. It’s your board baby! Do you!
 
Brie
Mild and creamy. I like to stack them to create some height on the board. And do you see how cute that little one is? The cutest.
 
Hard Salami
You can use any cured meat, but this is a simple easy to eat option, and most people like it.
 
Pepperoni
Another crowd pleaser. I like to use the large thin cut pepperoni that you would find on an Italian sub. You can fold them into little pepperoni flowers (also shown on demo) which gives the board a fun texture and pop of color.
 
Rosemary Crackers
Crunchy, salty, and a mild rosemary flavor.
 
Fig Raincoast Crisps
These crackers also come in cranberry and orange, but this one is my favorite. It’s delicious with the blue cheese.
 
Fresh Fruit
For this demo I used grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, but I also like to use figs, raspberries, pears, apples, and citrus.
 
Dried Fruit
Dried cherries are my go to, but I also use dried apricots, apple chips, and coconut chips. You can also use dried cranberries and raisins.
 
Go Nuts
You can use any nut you like, but I like to use shelled pistachios and seasoned almonds.
 
Sweets
Honey or honeycomb are a nice addition to any board. I also like to include some kind of jam or spread like fig or strawberry.
 
Fresh Herbs
Garnishing your board with fresh herbs gives it a finished look to fill in any empty spaces, and they smell lovely.

​What occasion is appropriate for a grazing table? Ummm… all occasions! (giggle) Seriously, though, they’re pretty simple to put together, and they’re always a show stopper. I’ve done them for multiple occasions and they never disappoint.