Summer of Connection: Pergola Thursdays

One of the most consistent thing I’ve done this summer to connect with other people is to host Pergola Thursday in our yard each week. It’s my own way of building community, inviting friends from our town and introducing them to each other. I love the easy approach to this (everyone brings their own drink and a snack to share) and I’m always amazed at how it just . . . works out . . . each week. I’m terrible at documenting this, but luckily Dale is really good at remembering to take photos and I’ve got some that he took to share with you.

This is our set up. There’s room for about 8-10 around the table but when the crowd swells to more than that, as it generally does, we just make do.

One week we had just gotten things underway when thunderstorms rolled in. I expected people to dash for their cars and head home but they wanted to stay so we opened the awning on the camper and everyone gathered in the driveway instead. It was less picturesque but the spirit was stronger than ever.

This is about the average size of our weekly gatherings. We’ve had all kinds of yummy things to eat from deviled eggs to bruschetta to homemade (and take out) pizza. There have been cookies and cakes and other sweet treats, too.

One week our friends Steve and Melanie, fresh from a trip to Italy, brought an Italian antipasto spread and Steve made Aperol Spritzes for everyone.

I really look forward to doing this every week and wish you all could join us, too.