This month for Hasa Trys our staff members decided to try a picnic. We wanted to appreciate the good weather and enjoy a nice day outside in the sun and warm breezes. The first decision was making the picnic a potluck. Everyone signed up to bring different types of food to add to our meal. 

Picnics were first introduced by the aristocrats of France who would participate in indoor potlucks where everyone would bring food for the meal similar to what staff did, and then later got shifted to taking place outdoors. Now, many years later the activity is joined by people of any class with no measure of formality to enjoy.

I personally brought mini ham and swiss sandwiches using sweet Hawaiian Rolls. Jorja Bolinger (12) brought Lay’s Limón chips, Kae Bee (12) brought strawberries and grapes, Allondra de Rosas Lazaro (11) brought Sprite to make into Shirley Temples using grenadine syrup and cherries. Carley Ladlie (12) brought a Caesar salad with mix in seasonings. For dessert, Ryoko Imperial (10) brought cherry, peach and pineapple jello and Joselyn Flink (10) brought home-made chocolate cake with frosting that read: “Ahlahasa is Awesome”. 

We decided to meet at the outdoor classroom down by the pond in front of the school. When we arrived, Bee and Bolinger were already waiting with the white blanket and the food they brought. The blanket suffered some small damages over time from the food spills while everyone was dishing up and moving around. 

Upon arriving we realized that we had forgotten the paper plates and cutlery in the classroom so the group waited on the blanket while Ladlie went to go and get it. While we waited we were able to soak up the sun and began choosing our seats around the blanket. Once Ladile got back we all filled our plates with and passed everything around so we all got a chance to dish up and try each other’s food.

The weather was hot but it was nice to see the sunshine after the on and off winter weather over the past few weeks, even though multiple dishes melted even after a few minutes in the sun. Though the melted chocolate on top of the cake was probably my favorite part of the picnic. 

Everyone was able to catch up and a few of us talked about our plans for later that day or week. We tried to eat the rest of the food that wasn’t finished but couldn’t do it. In the end, we each brought home our own leftovers.

Picnics are a fun way to relax without too much money or work, so invite some friends to have your own outdoor potluck. You could all bring your favorite snacks or some new foods that you’ve never tried before.