This post is a continuation of a sort-of-annual series, January Dreaming. Click for the series, and here for the backstory.
January dreaming is about recalling good times in warmer climes to help endure the shivering and malaise in this most dismal of the winter months.
January can be challenging.
So we evoke January dreaming.
Today’s January dreaming reminiscence is about the very simple but enormously satisfying routine of having pre-dinner appetizers in our backyard space called the Tree House. It’s a pergola that The Grill-Meister built, nestled under the trees. We love this peaceful oasis and try to spend as much time there as possible—when the weather permits.
We’ve named the time we spend together after work or weekend chores and before dinner “Happy Cocktail”. This is a play on “Happy Coffee”, which happens in the morning. You heard a little bit about Happy Coffee in this post:
The backyard area that’s highlighted in that 2021 post as the place we had Happy Coffee was transformed to the Tree House from its previous iteration as “Gloverhenge” (it was a circle of leftover stones).
We like to have appetizers in the early evening at the Tree House, with or without an adult beverage.
It signifies the end of the workday.
On weekends, it signifies the end of CHORES.
So let’s do a little January dreaming.
Join Us for “Happy Cocktail” at The Tree House
Last April, we enjoyed a sweet wine (unusual for us), a sauternes called Emotions that was excellent with canned paté I had brought back from Paris, Cambozola (a delightful combination of triple cremè camembert-like cheese and gorgonzola), candied roasted pecans, and grapes. Check out Fiona, our calico cat, joining us for Happy Cocktail in the last picture.
The Tree House was Brand New
Last October, when The Grill-Meister had just completed work on the Tree House, our first Happy Cocktail there took place before we even put all the chairs on deck. It was just chardonnay, crostini and stuffed grape tomatoes.
The Calico Cat Joins Us Sometimes
Malbec, crostini and cheese graced another April evening in 2023, and Fiona again graced us with her presence. You can see how relaxed she is in the last photo. The human Glovers aren’t the only ones who treasure time at the Tree House.
Sheltering Trees Reflected
You can see the reflection of the sheltering oak trees on the table in this May ’23 installment of Happy Cocktail, with our Blistered Shishito Peppers (recipe here).
In a Hurry on a Weekday? Doesn’t Matter
Happy Cocktail bites when I’m in a hurry come together from whatever I have in the refrigerator, sometimes from a bit of leftover repurposing, sometimes just from arranging store-bought goods, and sometimes a mixture of both.
Sometimes, It Can Get Fancy
Sometimes on weekends I spend more time preparing for Happy Cocktail, enjoying time playing in the “test kitchen”. Below is one such installment from last July.
A Little Chilliness Doesn’t Stop Us
We enjoy time together at the Tree House when it’s a little more chilly, using the fireplace. Below is a Happy Cocktail event from just after Thanksgiving in November of ’23, with many Thanksgiving leftovers gracing our platter.
January Requires Some Dreaming
We can’t do Happy Cocktail at the Tree House when it’s super-cold, or rain-gray dreary.
And that’s why we’re doing some January dreaming just now.
What warmer-weather pursuits are you dreaming about this January?
© 2024, Glover Gardens
It’s lovely to see that space grow and develop – a beautiful oasis. But most beautiful of all is Fiona! How has she never graced your posts before, or have I just missed her?
Thanks for the kind words! About Fiona, she rules the house and deigns to make an occasional appearance here in the blog. But not often, because she is very choosy about her online presence.🤓🤓🤓 try this one: https://glovergardens.com/two-live-cats-and-a-talavera-one/
Cats do tend to make their own rules! I see i liked that post at the time, so Fiona’s infrequent appearances must mean i simply forgot about her. Please convey my most abject apologies (I know I won’t be forgiven).