Our Story

As a young girl, I remember going to the park with my mom, sister, and Duane...my step dad. We had music on the ghetto blaster, cooked out on those rusty permanent grills, played frisbee, and lounged in metal folding chairs. When I became a mother In a small town in Illinois, there were only a couple parks safe enough to picnic. I was mostly a single mother and had little money to spend. Food stamps and food pantries sometimes filled our cupboards. Usually, I could not afford to take my kids to movies, to the swimming pool, or out to eat at a restaurant... but I could make a good picnic basket. I would tend to each detail.... cookie cut out sandwiches, real mozzarella with basil and tomato, fresh cut vegetables, and those little fancy cookies from Sweden. We always spread out a tattered old quilt, cloth napkins, and ALWAYS used a picnic basket. I had two that became my favorite. One belonged to my Grandma and one my sister gave to me as a Christmas gift. The value of these are immeasurable and the memories contained within them. More than 20 years later, I still cherish them.

Times have changed....I live in a beautiful community and there are so many opportunities to share a picnic with our friends and families. These are still treasured experiences to be had. I share my love of food, love of connection, and love of picnics with you all. 

- Tobi