I’d like to add that before we sit down to eat each evening, we enjoy cocktail hour, with alcohol or not. This has been our habit for decades, and this is where we let the day slough off and start conversing about whatever. Often, cocktail hour occurs on the patio and includes DH grilling the main meal feature. We turn on soft music, make an appetizer platter (or just mixed nuts), clink our glasses, and catch up. This week at the cabin, I’ve been having lobster Bloody Marys (without the Tito’s as I don’t care for vodka):
It’s the civilized way to start the evening. DH traveled for so many years that, when he was home, we made our time count. Cocktail hour was one way to add a little fun to the evening, focus on each other and our adult lives, and prepare for a nice meal together. Even though we’re retired now and don’t necessarily need the transition, we still enjoy it. So, drinks on the porch tonight, feed the chipmunks a few of our nuts, grill some chicken, eat together at the small, rolling kitchen island, and perhaps have some ice cream down by the lake for dessert.