Al fresco Inspired ideas for outdoor living

"Being outside in the company of loved ones is the freest way to find wellness... to remain rooted to what matters," writes photographer and stylist Pointer Adams (Wabi-Sabi Welcome) in this delectable paean to outdoor dining. She taps into more than three dozen acquaintances whose lifestyles celebrate the world beyond their walls, laying out an enticing path to follow via interviews and recipes; the minimalist aesthetic has a Kinfolk-esque quality to it. (Pointer Adam was the visionary behind that magazine's series of gatherings.) In a chapter focused on communing in open spaces, Texas Hill Country ranchers Ann and Ben Edgerton pack a zucchini dill pasta with mint and chopped pecans on their picnics. Elsewhere, chef and writer Sofya Mitchell draws on her family heritage in a recipe for whole sea bass wrapped in fig leaves and grilled Kerala style in the Scottish countryside. There's also a list of 14 "ideal" snacks--a mix of one-bite fruits, grilled salumi, crisp veggies and hummus, jam, pastries--for impromptu get-togethers that are a breeze to assemble and will satisfy all comers. Readers are sure to savor the stories and flavors packed within this delightful outing. (May)