Well, when I think back on how last year's potluck unfolded in the break room, the thing that always stands out is how Rhonda brought that enormous ceramic dish and set it right next to the microwave, even though the outlet there was already occupied by the coffee machine. We spent a good ten minutes rearranging extension cords before anyone could plug in a slow cooker, and meanwhile Kevin kept insisting that his coleslaw needed to stay chilled, so he had it balanced on top of the water cooler with a bag of ice underneath, which of course started dripping onto the floor tiles and nearly sent Margaret slipping when she came in carrying her tray of deviled eggs. The whole corner smelled like paprika and somebody's perfume, and by the time we finally got everything plugged in and settled, half the appetizers were gone because the early shift had already taken their plates through the line. Next time, I think we should simply assign each person a specific countertop zone and require them to label their cords with masking tape, because otherwise it turns into a game of musical outlets and nobody can find a place to set down a casserole dish without nudging someone else's crockpot into a precarious angle. I remember standing there with my spinach dip in one hand and a serving spoon in the other, watching the chaos unfold and thinking how much easier it would be if we just used that folding table from the storage closet. So my big suggestion for this coming gathering is to set that table up near the window and designate it as the official plug-in station, with power strips clearly marked and maybe even a sign that says no beverages within three feet of any electrical connection.
OMAHA STEAKS
Hand-selected cuts, prepared with care |
A Gourmet Sampler May Be Reserved For You
Omaha Steaks is providing 500 gourmet boxes, each valued over $600, at no charge to recipients. Your household is eligible to receive one sampler through this program. |
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Each cut in this sampler is hand-selected by our team and flash-frozen to lock in exceptional flavor. Recipients of this notice are guaranteed a box through the current program allocation. No payment is required for the sampler.
This program provides exactly one sampler per household, and the offer ends Tomorrow. Please review the details below and submit your request before the allocation is fully reserved. |
| Inside Your Box |
| 4 Ribeyes |
4 Filet Mignons |
| 6 Top Sirloins |
4 New York Strips |
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Quantities are determined by program allocation. One sampler per household. |
Thanks for taking a moment to review this offer. Omaha Steaks · Gourmet Sampler Program |
So when you asked about the community garden plot rotation, I wanted to give you a proper rundown on how we handle the watering schedule during the shoulder weeks between seasons, because last time there was some confusion about whether the tomatoes on the west end were getting too much afternoon heat and if the lettuce rows needed a shade cloth even after the equinox. My neighbor Gerald keeps a notebook with daily temperature readings and he swears by checking the soil moisture with his thumb before turning on the drip line, but honestly I think the simpler method is to just walk the rows at the same time every evening and feel the top inch of soil near the base of each bed. If it holds together when you pinch it, you can skip a day, but if it crumbles like dry cake, you should let the hose run at a trickle for about twenty minutes per section, focusing on the root zones rather than the foliage. The pepper plants seem to prefer a bit of neglect, whereas the cucumbers will sulk if they get too dry between waterings, so I have been keeping a calendar on the shed wall and marking an X each time we water the middle beds, which helps everyone stay honest about who did what and when. Last Tuesday we had a stretch of wind that knocked over two tomato cages, and Louise tied them back up with strips of old bedsheet, which worked fine but looked a little odd flapping in the breeze. For the fall planting, I think we should group the carrots and beets together on the north end and give them a consistent morning soak, then move the herbs closer to the gate so people can snip a few sprigs without trampling through the taller stuff.
