I think the best approach would be to start around 2pm on Saturday so everyone has time to arrive without feeling rushed. We can set up the grill and prep some side dishes in advance. The weather looks promising so we can use the outdoor space. I was thinking we keep the menu straightforward with burgers and grilled vegetables. We should pick up charcoal and supplies on Friday evening to avoid the crowds. I can bring my portable speaker for some background ambiance. It might be helpful to have extra folding chairs and a couple of tables. We should also have some options for those who prefer not to eat grilled food. Maybe a pasta salad and some fresh fruit would work. Let me know if you think we need any other equipment or supplies. I can coordinate with everyone to make sure we have enough seating and utensils. I will also bring some extra plates and napkins just in case. We should have a plan for cleanup as well so nothing gets left behind.

We finally got the raised beds assembled last weekend and it went better than anticipated. The soil mixture we used has a good balance of compost and topsoil. I planted tomatoes in the first bed and peppers in the second. I made sure to leave enough space between each plant so they have room to grow. I also added some basil and mint along the edges since those tend to spread nicely. The drip irrigation system we installed seems to be working well and I adjusted the timer to water early in the morning. I noticed a few leaves showing signs of too much sun so I might add a shade cloth for the hottest part of the day. The marigolds I planted around the perimeter are starting to bloom and they should help keep some pests away. I still need to get a few more bags of mulch to finish the pathways between the beds. I also want to put a small fence around the area to keep the rabbits out. I saw a few of them hopping around the yard last week. I think once everything is established it will look really nice and be easier to maintain.