A PICNIC IN THE GRASS WITH A VINTAGE 1928 MODEL A


Last month’s Concours d’Elegance on Amelia Island was the inspiration for a picnic in the grass… a picnic with a vintage Model A.  Picnics and tailgating are similar in that portability and the ability to serve foods cold or at outdoor temperature are musts… along with having a good time.

This elegant 1928 Ford Model A Roadster serves as the backdrop for our afternoon picnic.

Kathy & Dave Miller with driver, Mike Broucke on a fun picnic in a Model A Roadster photo by Steve Leimberg, Unseen Images, styling by Kathy Miller

 The car belongs to father-in-law Dave Miller, also known as Pops (in my tailgating stories).

Ford Model A 1928 photo by Steve Leimberg Unseen Images

 A long ago memory of riding with his brother, Frank, in a similar Model A, was the impetus for buying this car when it became available.

Sepia Ford Model A photo by Steve Leimberg, Unseen Images styling by Kathy Miller

Come celebrate with us as we picnic in the grass.

Kathy and Dave Miller with driiver Mike photo by Steve Leimberg, Unseen Images, syling by Kathy Miller

The Model A inspired me to use my vintage seltzer bottles in red and silver from my KathyMillerTime collection.  The chrome cocktail server with Bakelite handle along with red and chrome cocktail glasses seemed perfect for our wine.

Kathy and Dave Miller Toasting on blanket photo by Steve Leimberg

Vintage Seltzer bottles and chrome and red Bakelite cocktail shakers and glasses photo by Kathy Miller

 My grandmother’s Art Deco pewter coffee urn served as our wine cooler.

Kathy Miller Picnic in the Grass photo by Steve Leimberg-UnseenImages.com

Kathy and Dave Miller with Ford Model A photo by Steve Leimberg, Unseen Images.com

Dave and I had a blast on our picnic, but our driver, Mike Broucke stole the show and the ride!

Kathy and Dave Miller and Driver Mike in rumble seat photo by Steve Leimberg, Unseen Images

A big thank you to Steve Leimberg, UnseenImages.Com for photographing our picnic. Steve is known for his painting-like prints of birds, flowers, people and places.  Please visit his website, UnseenImages.Com  (click here) to view his stunning photographs.

Steve’s painterly style adds character to his spectacular photographs.

Mike Brouke in Model A painterly style photo by Steve Leimberg, UnseenImages.Com

Kathy and Dave Miller with Driver Mike Brouke painting photo by Steve Leimberg

A  little secret.

 We did have a great time.  We did have a glass of wine. We did plan for this photo shoot…

I did make a full picnic menu.

My favorite salad for a tailgate or a picnic, Orzo Salad with Dried Cranberries, Feta Cheese, Pine Nuts and Arugula.

Orzo Salad with Dried Cranberries, Feta Cheese, Pine Nuts and Arugula photo by Kathy Miller

Ingredients

  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus another 3 tablespoons
  • 2 cups fresh arugula
  • 1 4 ounce package feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup or more dried cranberries
  • 12 fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup or more toasted pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring water to boil in a large pot.
  2. Add pasta and cook al dente, 8-10 minutes. Drain.
  3. Place pasta on a large cookie sheet and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Let cool.
  4. Once the orzo is cool, place in a large serving bowl.
  5. Add the arugula, feta cheese, cranberries, basil, pine nuts, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, salt and pepper.
  6. Toss lightly.
  7. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. This also can be served at room temperature. Delicious!

Notes

Great for a tailgate or picnic

By KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

An appetizer version of a traditional Caprese Salad…

Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad photo by Kathy Miller

Ingredients

  • 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
  • 12 mozzarella balls (ciliegie) cut in halves
  • 24 basil leaves, cut in halves
  • Salt and pepper
  • Balsamic vinegar glaze
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Place one tomato half, 2 basil leaves, one mozzarella half on a toothpick.
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place on serving platter.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

By KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

 No picnic is complete without fried chicken and my favorite recipe is fabulous served cold.

Fried Chicken in a basket picnic in the grass photo by Kathy Miller

LEMON CHICKEN

Serving Size: 6+

Ingredients

  • 2 chickens (2-1/2 pounds, each), cut into quarters
  • 2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup Chicken Stock
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 2 lemons, sliced paper thin

Instructions

  1. Combine the chicken pieces and lemon juice in a bowl just large enough to hold them comfortably. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight, turning occasionally.
  2. Drain the chicken thoroughly and pat dry. Fill a plastic bag with the flour, salt, paprika, and black pepper, and shake well to mix. Put 2 pieces of chicken into the bag at a time and shake, coating completely. Shake off excess flour.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat until hot. Fry the chicken pieces, a few at a time, until well browned and crisp. About 10 minutes per batch.
  5. Arrange the browned chicken in a single layer in a large shallow baking pan. Sprinkle evenly with the lemon zest and brown sugar. Mix the chicken stock and lemon extract together and pour around the chicken pieces. Set a thin lemon slice on top of each piece of chicken.
  6. Bake chicken until tender, 50 minutes.

Notes

The lemon and brown sugar give this recipe a unique twist.

By Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins from The Silver Palate Cookbook
Adapted from KathyMillerTime

KathyMillerTime

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

When we set up the picnic, the food seemed to take a back seat to the car.  I did not expect to be in the photos, neither did Dave.

Thanks to Steve Leimberg, from Unseen Images, we just went with the flow.

Not knowing what we would use until on location, I loaded my car with vintage furniture, baskets, rug, pillows, flowers, bar cart and all the trimmings.  I photographed Steve as he worked to set the scene.  Check out the extras plus a huge front loader and tractor trailer parked at the site in the background.

 Steve Leimberg photographing A Picnic In The Grasss photo by Kathy Miller

Steve Leimberg setting up photography photo by Kathy Miller

The Vintage Picnic With a Classic Model A inspired my painting.  Think I’ll go paint.

A Vintage Picnic With a Classic Model A painting by Kathy Miller

 Watch for upcoming stories about Charleston…Maine…and a fabulous art group!

 Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.

16 Comments

  • Jane Flynn says:

    Kathy,
    You’re having TOO MUCH FUN!
    You’re a lucky girl!
    Regards, Jane

  • Marlene says:

    Kathy, Just fabulous. love everything about yur blog. Will print out the recipes. You are truly amazing and wonderful and fun to be around.
    Marlene

  • Merle says:

    Those where amazing photos.
    I loved it all.
    You are truly amazing and very inspirational.

  • Joy McCabe says:

    Kathy,
    What beautiful photographs and your painting. I can’t wait to try the orzo salad. Thanks,
    JOY

    • Thanks Joy. I always appreciate your comments and think you will like the orzo salad. Really great for your pond house visits or at your great tailgates. You are the best!

  • Laurie Cordell says:

    Oh my how beautiful these photo are!!!! Love them all!! Oh and I made your Orzo salad for Easter Family Party in High Springs, it was a big hit!! Plus The salad appetizer is great, my sister used Styrofoam plates and just stuck the tooth picks in and they all stayed upright perfectly. It was a great tip. She doubled the plates so the oil didn’t drip.

    • So glad you made the salad at Easter. Knew you loved it before. Great tip on using the toothpicks on styrofoam plates, particularly if one is at a tailgate or on a picnic.

  • Trish Dooley says:

    This is my favorite story , Kathy. I love Steve’s photos which really captured the mood you were trying yo create with your vintage pieces. Great job! Trish

    • Thanks Trish. As you know Steve is very talented and certainly made my picnic look especially good. Think the car had something to do with it too!
      I always appreciate your comments and hope your Mississippi State friends will enjoy their thank you notes!

  • Joanne Astor says:

    loved what Steve did to the pictures. The setting was amazing and all your hard work paid off. These are memories you’ll always cherish.

  • Curt Leonard says:

    Oh you great Leslie you!

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