I was so swamped at work today that I didn’t even realize it was Friday! After the 5 o’clock bell rang, it was great to realize that I had Four Foods on Friday and two days off to look forward to.

This week is all about parties, because it’s Val’s son’s 9th birthday! I’m not known for my hosting skills (we’re still the youngest married couple in our families, so we still get invited to other people’s house and aren’t expected to host…yet), but I have coordinated quite a few work-related shin-digs, so I might have some party merit.

1. Cake. Buttercream, whipped cream or ice cream?

Buttercream. Cold buttercream. I don’t like whipped cream and I don’t like warm cakes.

2. When entertaining do you use real, paper, plastic or styrofoam dishes?

Usually the heavy duty plastic so we don’t have to worry about anything getting broken, and sometimes we even wash it and reuse it!

3. When hosting a party do you cook, have it catered or go to a restaurant?

A party is any gathering with more than two people in our house, and it usually caps out at four when my parents visit, so there isn’t much need for catering.

4. Share a recipe that you frequently serve when having a party.

Uncork cheap champagne, pour in glass, drink from noon until the guests leave.

•