Simple Living | A Get-Away Kit
I’m ready to get away. Planned, or not at all, I’m ready to grab my get-away kit (picnic kit, almost-but-not-quite-camping-kit, whatever you’d like to call it), throw my weekender in the car, and hit the road. My whimpering homebody tendencies aside (do I have to go?), it feels so good to be ready. As they say, preparedness is peace of mind. It’s also fun.
Creating a get-away kit takes a list, then it takes some finding. But first it takes some vision and planning. Interestingly, I applied the same philosophy to acquiring this basket full of goods that I do to acquiring a house full of goods. It’s a picnic basket, yes, but it’s also an experience. And I wanted the experience of using it to be delightful in every way. Here are the four things that guided me:
My aesthetic
My choice to shop my own possessions first
My desire to include some vintage/thrifted things
My mantra to purchase what lasts a lifetime
I’m happy to say, I was able to check every one of those boxes. (I suppose we’ll have to wait and see about that “last a lifetime” bit, but I’m confident!) Now, let’s dive in.
The basket is a vintage one I thrifted a few years ago. I looked for a long time for one I liked and was thrilled when I finally found this one. If it’s helpful, the dimensions are 16”W x 13.5”D x 10.5”H. I rinsed it well inside and out, let it dry in the sun, and it was ready to be filled with all the goodies.
You may remember the tablecloth from July’s Letter. It has weighted corners, but I had a set of tablecloth clips already, so I tossed them in, just in case. There’s a sweet set of vintage pewter salt and pepper shakers that I’ve had a long time in the basket, too (that didn’t make the photo).
The enameled dinnerware, I purchased new several years ago. I have a full set of eight, from plates to bowls, to mugs, in our regular camping tote, but I decided to include four dinner plates, four deep salad plates, and two mugs in the basket. I planned for this kit to serve up to four people, but it’ll typically serve only two, and I can always toss in a couple more place settings if I anticipate serving more. Only two mugs are included because my husband and I each have insulated travel mugs that we’ll likely have along. The mismatched silver-plate flatware was thrifted over the years. I included simple linen napkins I already had.
The beautiful cutting board was a recent thrift store score. After a fresh sanding and a coat of Boos board cream, it was ready to go. My tool collection for the kit includes a knife/cork screw and a bottle opener that’s also a bottle lid, should we need it.
The backpacking stove uses canister fuel and was a new purchase. It folds down small and comes with its own storage bag. Also new are the kettle, coffee pour over cone, and tea strainer.
When I asked for your input in this post, several of you suggested including ziplock bags. From this came the idea to use Stasher bags to hold mini kits: clean up, fire starter, and coffee filters. The clean-up kit has a bottle of bio-degradable soap, two Swedish dish cloths - chosen because they’re quick-drying and compostable - a couple of clothes pins, and a coil of laundry line (3mm cotton macrame cord from a spool I have). I tossed in a package of Lola wipes and a hand towel from my linen shelf, too.
In the fire starter kit, currently there’s a lighter (one we already had, standing-in while I wait for this refillable one to arrive), and a bundle each of brown paper from the recycle bin and fatwood from our camp tote. (Neither of us even know why we had that fancy kindling, as it’s not something we would typically purchase, but, I’ll use it here!) I’ve included coffee filters because my husband prefers them and they do make for easy clean-up. Tucked in with the coffee filters is a fold of tin foil, too. I also tossed into the basket a market bag and a scented candle.
Today, I’ll purchase a pair of men’s leather work gloves (so we can both use them) at the local farm and ranch store, for tending a campfire or lifting a hot-handled kettle. I’ll also buy fuel canisters for the stove.
There are a few final things that I thought of as I was packing the basket that would be nice inclusions - a couple hand-made things and maybe one more purchase. A cotton, tie-top liner would be nice for keeping everything inside the basket clean and dust free. Also, fire starters. They’d be compact and so useful here. I’m inspired to make some. And for a dreamy dream, wouldn’t it be sweet to have this little set as part of my clean-up kit?
Since this basket holds only the non-food essentials for a quick meal away, you can imagine that, alongside it on a real get-away, would be a cooler full of food and drinks, and a big jug (or two) of water. Now I think I’ve talked myself into it. Let’s go!
Tell me, loves, have you been putting together a get-away kit, too? Are you inspired to try? I want to hear all about it!