Monday is Memorial Day. A time to remember our military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. It’s also a time to gather friends and family for a picnic.

Find a shady spot in your backyard to set up a buffet table. Any old table will do if you cover it with a colorful cloth.

Just because the party is outside, is no reason not to set a fun and unique table.

I love to use canning jars for drinks. You can find all sizes and styles at Goodwill for less than a dollar. Tie a bandana around each jar to catch drips and use as napkins.

Serve ice tea or lemonade in a big vase. Every Goodwill store has dozens to choose from. They’re perfect for serving drinks. I tied a square of parchment paper around the top to keep flying critters out!

An outdoor picnic is all about efficiency. Everything should be handy and accessible. Tie silverware together with some rope.

I’m not a fan of paper plates, but sometimes glass dishes just aren’t practical. Aluminum pie plates are much more fun and can actually be reused! Sandwiches stay fresh and are easy to eat when wrapped in wax or parchment paper. Be sure to write the ingredients on the outside.

Since I had a cowboy theme going, I decided to continue by using a pair of kid’s boots to hold the bouquet. Pick flowers from your garden (it is a casual picnic after all) and arrange in a tall glass then slide it into the boot.

Throw in cowboy hat and have a real hoe-down summer picnic. Invite guests to dress in their best country gear. Hee-Haw!