Here are some initial thoughts I had about this swap....
PARKING: We live at the end of a short cul-de-sac that's not well designed for parking a bunch of cars, so I'm thinking that I might ask folks to drop off & pick up out front but to park during the day over at the community center, which is a short distance away (not more than 2 city blocks, I'd estimate).
edited to add that I don't think we have enough cars expected to create a problem... go ahead and park on the street, but don't park on the driveway unless you plan on staying late. :-)
FOOD: (see food thread link) As people have already commented, there was an overwhelming (but delicious!) amount of food at Hart's this spring. I'm thinking that rather than having a designated meal time for lunch or dinner, we should think more in terms of appetizers and finger foods or sweet goodies so we can just "graze" all day, having a nibble here and there whenever we're inclined. I have a long island counter in the kitchen that I think will work well for setting out goodies, and it's pretty convenient to the back door leading to the deck. We could set up sweets on a separate table, and maybe we'll put a cooler just outside on the deck for drinks if it looks like we'll need more than we can easily fit inside or next to the fridge.
edited to add that there's a new fridge out in the garage, so we'll use the little "dorm" fridge that's just inside the patio door to the deck as a place for sodas... Lemonade will be in the main fridge, top shelf... and Becky and Happy are your bartenders for all other concoctions!
BRING BUG REPELLENT. I've got a couple of kinds that I'll put somewhere handy, but if you have a favorite, toss it in. We finally had rain around here, and the mosquitoes have been fierce the last couple of weeks! edited to add, NO CITRONELLA, please.... it gives me an instant migraine. Long pants & a long sleeved shirt might be good to bring along, although it's supposed to be "unseasonably hot" yuk.
SEATING: Although I have a few chairs and a bench on the landing on the deck, as well as some big "sitting rocks" by the patio, I think extra chairs will be needed... it worked out pretty well at Hart's to have people bring folding chairs and tables for their plants, so I thought I'd ask people to do the same. If you don't have chairs to bring (or space in your vehicle for them), no sweat, just let me know and I'll round up a few extras.
edited to add that we're probably in pretty good shape for chairs. I've got a few "inside" ones that we can move out (or back in again) as warranted.
SMOKING: We'll ask smokers to please go out front... As many of you know, I get nasty migraines, and cigarette smoke is one of the worst triggers for me. There's a grassy "island" with a maple tree in the middle of the cul-de-sac that might work as a smoking corner depending on how many neighbors are out and about... if it's a day when everyone is out on the street, then we'll set up some chairs in my front yard (I don't think any of my neighbors smoke, either).
PLANTS: please label your trades (plant name and your name too) as much as possible ahead of time. I know all about last minute additions, but it really will make things smoother for you... it especially helps to organize any trades you've arranged in advance.
edited to add Becky's famous line... "Plants? What plants??" LOL Bring 'em if you want!
This message was edited Sep 6, 2007 5:57 PM
