Yesterday, Hannah and her human, Claire, came over for lunch. Hannah is a puppy my friend Claire recently adopted from the local Humane Shelter, and we both decided it was time to see how she would get along with my dog, Liam. With her black face, slender tail, and orange and black brindle coat, Hannah is an elegant girl. Claire thinks she’s a mix of boxer and Great Dane, but Hannah also has webbed paws, so who knows? One thing is certain: Hannah is the calmest, mellowest six-month-old dog I’ve seen in a long time. Quite different from Liam at that age; he was a Tasmanian devil.

Because yesterday was a workday, lunch had to be simple, and I made grilled cheese sandwiches, using homemade bread and a Maine cheddar. I also served a purple cabbage and yellow carrot coleslaw with a cider vinegar and brown sugar dressing. We had apples for dessert. (The cabbage, carrots, and apples were all local.)

The day wasn’t exactly fine, but it was warm enough to sit on the patio in my fenced-in backyard. From time to time, the wind blew a golden spray of pine needles and leaves onto the lawn, and Claire and I would stop our conversation to admire their flickering radiance.

I brought out the camera to chronicle the backyard lunch, but unfortunately the batteries stopped working after only a couple of pictures, which means I got a shot of Hannah and of the plated grilled cheese sandwich framed by the red leaves. Unfortunately, I didn’t get Claire. (And, no, the plate on the red leaves was not a Martha Stewart moment. It was a completely accidental setting.)

Claire and I chatted away, as we usually do. And the dogs? They hit it right off and had a fine time running around the backyard.

Lunch was over all too soon, and “Bring Hannah again,” I said to Claire as she left.

“I will,” Claire said.

Even though Claire assured me she’d be happy to have grilled cheese sandwiches anytime, I’ll have to come up with a few more simple lunches.