Be prepared, this is not your typical recipe book - more like a complex take on picnics all year around, with themes, activities (most of them useful for parents with young children) and a few recipes for every theme (both for main dishes and drinks/desserts).
I find this cookbook being very creative, especially if you are a get-go type of person who loves cooking, is not afraid of lot of preparation works (some recipes need a preparation phase, as the cooking takes its time and/or some dishes need to be prepared in advance) and also of bringing much heavy-ish stuff with them. I am more a bread and cheese type with some thermos :), so I will cook some of the recipes at home instead! :) But otherwise, very passionate and creative picnic recipe book!

This book is great for anyone who wants to make impressive picnics. It has ideas and themes for picnics in all seasons, like games to play. Ashley English includes instructions for building things to help with your picnic. The recipes are great, Cakes, Chicken recipes, smoky Cauliflower Spread, Cheesy Kale Chips etc. Looking forward to trying some for picnics.

Confession: I adore Ashley English! Her book Homemade Gatherings resonated with me so much that I now live in my home and let guests see who we are vs what I felt was expected. This summer I had a dinner guest tell me he loved coming to our home for work events, our home is like being hugged. This was the best compliment anyone has giving me!

Year of Picnics is a wonderful book. I entertain often and am always looking for creative dinner options. The book layout is by season, with dozens of recipes and tips. It's easy to translate the meals into an alternative setting (ie: meadow picnic in my dining room). It's quite unexpected and a lovely surprise for guests.

I will buy this book for several friends. If you like cooking and entertaining for family and friends, this is a wonderful addition to any library.

As promised, I was able to find a hard copy of this book and looked through it! Lovely book! I felt so inspired I contacted family and we are planning outings this summer! We often have backyard cookouts, but none of us has actually gone into a park (and we have a plethora of choices in Ohio!) since way back in the very early 70's! That would be when we were all children and our grandparents planned the picnics in the park. Sadly, the ball was dropped. Well, I'm picking up the ball and we're all gathering the kiddos and their kiddos and going on picnics this summer and fall (and maybe winter!) Wonderful book! Great recipes and photos made me want to have mine own! I am going to buy this one.

If you are looking for a recipe book that is a little bit different from your typical book of tips and recipes, A Year of Picnics by Ashley English is sure to provide you with some inspiration. Not only are there themed picnics based on the four seasons, there are activities and ideas that revolve around the theme of each picnic. This book is full of fun ways to take your standard picnic and transform it into an event with its beautiful photographs and interesting approach.

As you can imagine, the most opportune time to venture out on a picnic is during the warmer months and when the weather is just right. The themed picnics included in this collection range from a coffee break picnic to a full on high altitude picnic. I am really looking forward to trying some of these ideas once it becomes a little bit warmer outside. I have already got the bird-watching picnic penciled in my daytimer, as the Carbonara Nests and Bird Seed Cookie recipes look divine and I just love the fact that they fit the whole idea of being outside with the birds.

Each of the picnics contains a collection of activities to go along with the menu and the venue. Some picnics have things that the whole family can do and others are as simple as stretching on your coffee break. There is something that will interest anyone.

Since we are just barely past winter here in Southern Ontario, I was only able to give the Winter Picnic a try. My family really enjoyed our wintry walk and we had a blast blowing bubbles and spraying the snow with food colouring to make interesting designs in the snow. The S’mores Brownies were an instant hit, as they are chocolate brownies baked on a graham cracker crust and topped with lots of gooey marshmallows.

For anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and loves to picnic, this is a must-have in your collection. While it is fun to go picnicking, it is even more fun when you add some interesting foods and different ideas to kick it up a notch. I am definitely inspired to get out and picnic more often this year.

Comprehensive guide to picnics. Approached seasonally, A Year of Picnics guides your outdoor foodie through tasty recipes, games and crafts that will last you all year long. I loved the unique recipes and craft ideas. I enjoyed the photography especially since it wasn't just the typical couples picnicking under a tree, it was diverse with family life, including a parent wearing a ring sling and a pregnant woman using a compass. It had a very rustic, homey feel which I adored.

This book is wonderful!!! It has beautiful photographs and recipes that I can't wait to try! I think this book is a perfect coffee table book ... it is beautiful, but practical and useful!!

A Year of Picnics left me yearning for Spring and Summer! Filled with beautiful photos, delightful recipes and creative picnic themes, each page gives inspiration to get outdoors!
Each picnic featured has a theme, menu, craft and or game and activity. The picnics range from small groups of adults, nature outings for children, and even a relaxing lunch break picnic for one!
I look forward to seeing this title in print and I am excited to recommend A Year of Picnics to cookbook lovers and those that love to entertain.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone loves picnicking—dining in the great outdoors, cozied up on blankets, and surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. Now imagine doing it year-round, where the setting speaks to the foods served, and you've got A Year of Picnics!
~I loved this book! So many great ideas and lots of fun! I can't wait to plan picnics for my husband and I to enjoy and also for the kids!

This a beautiful, and unique book!! The pictures are darling and I love all of the ideas and recipes! You can't have an excuse for a boring date night if you have this book! Great for families looking for memory making ideas!