“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” ~ Joe L. Wheeler
Also incredibly nostalgic … picnics with charming, wicker picnic baskets with little clasp fasteners, bright, cheer-y interiors, picnic-ware fastened to the lid, and a most delicious meal served “al fresco” tucked within it’s confines.
The setting for our autumn picnic was serene among “the annual cascade of leaves” that lazily drifted down from the canopy above …
Floated atop the lake …
Drifted by like golden paper boats …
Nestled in the azalea bushes …
Rested on the green lawn and Mondo Grass …
Lay cushioned on a bed of mushrooms …
And formed a golden frame around our picnic area.
Look how the green and white “hound’s tooth” on the interior of the picnic basket became the perfect background for these bright sunflowers and bittersweet I was getting ready to use in a centerpiece. I just propped “the whole bunch” in the corner of the picnic basket … and instantly loved the color and casual centerpiece it became for our picnic!
Our picnic meal was equally casual with left-over “Skillet Express … Smoked Sausage and Squash” (recipe below) that we kept warm in a cheer-y red plaid thermos … an easy dessert of 2 crisp, autumn apples … and cups of hot spiced tea.
Through the years, I’ve created some easy meals for our family that I call … “Skillet Express Meals.” Cooking criteria that “must” be met in each of these recipes: it “must” take less than 30 minutes to fix, it “must” be delicious, and it “must” use only 1 skillet to make the recipe, from start to finish. The first “Skillet Express” recipe I shared on this blog was Autumn Dinner … Smoked Sausage, Spinach and Orzo topped with grated parmesan cheese and today I’m going to share with you …
“Skillet Express … Smoked Sausage and Squash.”
Hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you’re able to schedule in some nostalgia and enjoyment of “the annual cascade of autumn leaves” … perhaps with a picnic and delicious bowls of Smoked Sausage and Squash! (:
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
Thank you for reading my blog. This week I’ll be joining …
Carol from The Red Painted Wagon
Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate
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Cottage Green on the Lake 
Sounds yummy!! Have to try this.
Please tell Richard we appreciate him and his service and sacrifice to our nation. Means a lot and made a difference.
Hi Ruthie!
It is delicious and you’ll love how easy it is to make!
I certainly will tell Richard.
Please thank BJ for us … we are so blessed and love our veterans! ❤️