Outdoor Living PlaceAn Outdoor Pergola Party in February
My friends recently put a patio area in their backyard. They had it landscaped, bought beautiful wicker patio furniture and dining set, and crowned the construction with an ivory, Grecian pergola. I helped with the finishing touches by winding icicle lights around the pillars and weaving them through the slotted roof. We celebrated the finish with Daiquiris and appetizers. It was a stunning summer evening, and the white icicle lights illuminated our party until well past midnight.
We enjoyed many outdoor parties there throughout the summer. But winter came, and like bears, it was time to put the patio furniture into hibernation. Covers went over the chairs and table, cushions were stored in the garage, and candlesticks were brought indoors. The only thing left up were the icicle lights (appropriate for winter, I suppose). It was sad to see everything covered up, though.
I mentioned this to my friend over dinner, one frigid February evening. Summer is obviously my favorite season, though it is sad that when the snow comes, I spend my entire time trying to escape winter. I should learn to enjoy winter as well.
“You’re absolutely right,” my friend said, and before I knew it, we were plugging in the lights of the pergola, removing chair covers, and plugging her portable heater into an extension cord. We invited four of our friends and made it a party. There were some stark differences, of course, to our usual summer get-togethers. Instead of cocktail skirts, we were bundled in thick coats, hats, and mittens. Instead of Daiquiris, we had hot toddies (which we drank quickly lest they froze over). And though the icicle lights illuminated our party well into the night, our night ended at 9pm because we couldn’t feel our toes.
Though different than our summer dinners, it was still a spectacular party, and one we talked about more frequently, consequently. That night I learned snow doesn’t necessarily need to stop all your fun.
