Camping, Sans Bears

Dear YOU + ME*,
It just doesn't seem like summer without a camping trip, but every time I suggest one, my fiancé comes up with a list of excuses. The frustrating part is that I actually think she'd have a great time. She loves the outdoors and I know she'd find it romantic to cook over an open fire with a glass of wine and a sky full of stars. How can I introduce her to the joys of camping without pressuring her?
Thanks, R.

Dear R.,
We commend you for your romantic vision of camping. Is it possible your fiancé is hesitant to give up the comfort of her luxurious bed to retire on an aero mattress? As long as it's only a mild aversion to sleeping under the stars and not a fundamental distaste for nature, we think you have a good chance of turning things around. Here's your game plan: create an idyllic backyard campout, but give her a break and slumber inside (with the windows wide open for a more al fresco experience). When she marvels at your handiwork and commends you for planning such an enchanted evening, make sure you express that this was nothing compared to what you do for a real camping trip. We think she'll be so eager to see what other tricks you have up those rugged sleeves that you may be hitching the trailer up to the car the next weekend. Here are some goodies to get you started:

Clockwise from top right: Enamelware at Napa Style; Toasted Coconut Marshmallows at Have It Confections; Rolla Roaster Forks at L.L. Bean; Portable Fire Box at Napa Style; Graham Crackers at Bread Farm; Barcelona Chocolate Bar at Vosges
Clockwise from top right: Italian Waiter's Corkscrew at Williams Sonoma; Wishing Well Wine Bucket at Anthropologie; Wine Barrel Stave Side Table at Viva Terra; Picardie Glass Tumbler at Mighty Nest; Silver Camper Tea Towel at Tiny Peepers
Clockwise from top right: Roost Ash Lanterns at Velocity; Backyard Guide to the Night Sky at Amazon; Jacquard Hammock at Graham and Green; Pendelton Flagstaff Vintage Collection Blanket at the Oregon Store

Conclude your camping trip the next morning with some homemade blueberry pancakes cooked in a cast iron pan (recipe coming Thursday).

xo, ME*