The weather is getting nicer! What better way to enjoy it than to spend time outdoors with friends and family?

Food is by far one of the easiest and most fun ways to bring people together. The Tasting Table and Ruffino Wine have teamed up and sent us a mini Picnic Guide to restaurants and the parks nearest to them for you to explore and enjoy local Chicago cuisine in some of the prettiest spots in the city!

Click HERE for the PDF.

And as our contribution, here are a few tips on successful picnicking!

• Make a plan - Write out a checklist of everything you may need (i.e. blanket, your menu, sunscreen, frisbee, radio to listen to Thursday Casserole, etc..)


• Keep the food on the lighter side, like salads and sandwiches. After all, you are going to be outside in the sun, so for example, foods filled with a lot of dairy may not be the best idea...


• If picnicking with a larger group, have everyone bring a snack or dish for all the other guests. That way it's not only cheaper for you but everyone can have something they know they like.


• Try to be neat and keep food contained to reduce the attraction of bugs and animals. Also, be sure not to leave your trash behind when you leave as a courtesy to fellow picnickers and your planet!


• Feel free to make new friends but don't gatecrash other people's picnic if you're not welcome.


• Bring a camera to capture all the fun memories and stories!

Send us your favorite picnic stories or tips at ThursdayCasserole@gmail.com and tune in every Thursday from 3 to 6 CST for a chance to hear your messages on-air!!

The Dead Weather - Blue Blood Blues
The Dead Weather - The Difference Between Us
We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop
We Are Scientists - Foreign Kicks
Everest - Let Go
Everest - Catalyst
The National - Little Faith
The National - Blood Buzz Ohio
Broken Social Scene- World Sick
Broken Social Scene - Force to Love
The New Pornographers - Moves
The New Pornographers - Crash Years
The Beatles - Abbey Road Medley (No. 1)
Cream - Strange Brew
The Clash - Lost in the Supermarket
Talking Heads - And She Was
The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing
Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
Jane's Addiction - Ocean Size
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
Death From Above 1979 - Blood on Our Hands
Interpol - Specialist

We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop
DEVO - Fresh
Mission of Burma - Blunder
Ok Go - Wtf?
Spoon - Written in Reverse
Pete Townshend - Give Blood
The National - Blood Buzz Ohio
Murder By Death - King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs
Bright Eyes - Happy Accident
The Morning Benders - Excuses
David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - How Are You? (feat. Nellie McKay)
Diego Paulo - Holiday
She & Him - In The Sun
The Films - Pour It Out
Everest - Keeping The Score
Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes
M.I.A. - Born Free
Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds
Broken Bells - High Road
The Black Keys - Tighten Up
Cold War Kids - Audience
Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense, Peppermints
Free Energy - Bang Pop
Bob Dylan - Not Dark Yet
White Stripes - We Are Going to be Friends
Dr. Dog - Where Did All The Time Go?
Hot Chip - Take It In
The Whigs - Hundred/Million
AC/DC - Back in Black
The Dead Weather - Gasoline
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Bad Blood

Here's another new track from The Black Keys' highly anticipated release, Brothers!



Brothers - Out May 18th!!!

Theme: A-List!

The Morning Benders - Excuses
She & Him - Home
CHECK THEM OUT!! Diego Paulo - Holiday
Dr. Dog - Later
Carnivores - Heart of Copper
We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop
Free Energy- C'mon Let's Dance
BRAND NEW!! The Black Keys - Howlin' For You
Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes

WHIGS INTERVIEW!
The Whigs - Black Lotus
The Whigs - Hundred/Million
The Whigs - Kill Me Carolyne
Everest - Let Go
BRAND NEW!! The Dead Weather - Hustle and Cuss
BRAND NEW!! M.I.A. - Born Free
BRAND NEW!! The Dead Weather - Gasoline
UNKLE feat. The Black Angels - Natural Selection
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Bad Blood
BRAND NEW!! Interpol - Lights
Broken Social Scene - Force to Love
Cashier No. 9 - Jackie Shown