Lately I have been asking people, "What is the most memorable picnic you have ever had?" Most people remember where and when right away and what they ate. Others just sputter, "Don't know."

I don't remember all of them I've enjoyed, but I usually remember whom I was with and what we had to eat. The first memory was with a boy who had red hair. We went to a local park overlooking the water, and we ate leaning on the handlebars of our bikes-we enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on airy white bread with orange sodas

My grandma lived with us-me, my parents and my uncle. On many Sundays we usually took Grandma out for a ride and a picnic of some sort. Sometimes it was just ice cream or clam cakes or both down by the sea. We lived on the coast of Rhode Island then, nothing fancy but always memorable and a way to catch up with each other.

The beauty of the picnic is that it can be as simple or fancy as you want it, complete with nice beverage, tablecloths and real silverware. Sandwiches or wraps are always welcome-not the ants though!

I think it wise to stay away from anything with mayonnaise, like egg or chicken salad, delicious as they are. They could be swapped out for something like bean or pasta salad without the mayo.

If the food is packed and transported carefully there would be no problem. The coolers and all kinds of airtight containers today are superior to the wax paper and brown bags some of us had growing up. A lot of things can be made ahead.

I guess the secret is planning. Now I go online for ideas, but for years I scoured the magazines and newspapers and amassed an accordion file of clippings I did not use much. I started by looking at the clippings, but one thing or the other would distract me and that helped me continue from there with fresh ideas. You can always start a "picnic" notebook, three-ring type with pockets. I bet if you keep your eyes open you will fill it up in no time at all.

Some necessary must-haves for a picnic are a salad or slaw, something crunchy like chips, a cheese of some sort, veggie crudités and a dip, cold drinks, napkins, wet wipes, salt and pepper . . . well you know best for the rest.

If you make a couple of winners it would be nice of you to share additions to everyone's "picnic" notebook. I will be thinking of you all and praying for perfect picnic weather.

Dale Carson, an Abenaki Indian, captures the growing interest in native cuisine, bringing her heritage to your table.