I practically lived on smoked chicken-couscous salads this summer (we're going quickly into winter here in New Zealand). Add some feta to zing things up a bit. The couscous makes the salad really satisfying and filling.
Other yummy ideas are platters - just bits and bobs of whatever sounds good - cheese, apple, hummus, olives, salami, and a thick slice of good bread.
Another favorite of ours are panninis...basically a pizza crust wrapped around a nice green salad with some parmesan and mozerella thrown in for good measure. (Actually, I like to melt the cheese on the crust before wrapping up the salad, but that would mean using the oven. Still, warmth with crispy cold...mmmmmm.)
What else? Oh! Sandwich ideas - fresh figs with ham....mozerella or even just cream cheese with tomato slices...curry chicken salad with apple - make a chicken or tuna salad, put some curry powder in the mayo, add a diced apple...or grapes if using tuna. It rocks.
Wow, the boogie vest looks really good on you! It didn't look nearly so sexy in the picture on Knitty. Did you alter it? Love the color of the cardigan too.
I totally deepened the neckline and brought the shoulders in a bit. I might have also done a bit of shaping on the sides.
Ever watch "bro'Town"? It's a Kiwi animated TV show - totally un-PC and hilarious. Think inner city Maori/Pacifica meets the Simpsons...meets South Park. Hard to explain.
Anyway, the beginning bit always has God hangin' with other dieties and famous dead people, commenting on what's happening on Earth. Your buddha image would fit in perfectly!
The jacket turned out great...but what really brought me to this post (I'm a knitter) was your friend's hair! She has the cutest hairstyle I have seen in a long time!!