It's that time again! The most wonderful and bug-bitten season of Chicago. Some might say I'm a cheap date, and they'd be absolutely right. Last summer I was scrapping the bottom of the financial barrel and picnicing was about the only way I could trick my dates into thinking frugal al fresco dining was romantic instead of just poor. You'd be surprised how affordable salads, breads, cheeses, dips, olives, candy and re-labeled Charles Shaw wines are. Especially when you prepare everything yourself in attractive picnic-wear. No one will suspect you actually only have six dollars in your checking account until next week.
