(Family Features) - I don't know about you, but I love going on a summer picnic. Getting outside in the fresh air is such a fun way to enjoy good food and good company.

Whether your picnic spot is by the lake, in a park or in your own backyard, there are a few tricks you can use to make pulling off your picnic a breeze.

• Keep it cool. Well-chilled coolers will keep drinks refreshing and cold dishes at a safe temperature. If you don't want to use bagged ice, try reusable gel packs. For a money-saving idea, rinse out 2-liter soda bottles and fill them 3/4 full of water. Freeze them over night and use them to keep things cool. And by the end of the day, you'll have plenty of cold water to drink!
  
  
• Keep it dry. In addition to a generously sized picnic blanket, take a tarp along, too. If the ground is damp, put the tarp under the blanket to keep picnickers dry. And if it rains, the tarp can be a quick cover-up.
  
  
• Keep it clean. Take moist towelettes for sticky fingers and faces; plastic bags for trash and wet or muddy clothing; and protect food from insects with lightweight cloth napkins. (You can keep them from blowing off by sewing old keys or heavy buttons to the corners.)
  
  
• Keep it simple. Choose foods that are easy to make and easy to take. Pasta salads with vinegar-based dressings can be made the night before and will stand up to summer heat. Finger foods like Chocolatey Peanut Pretzel Bars can be made in a disposable aluminum pan you can take with you, or cut them up at home, put them into cupcake liners and transport them in a resealable storage container.

For more picnic perfect recipes, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com