what day is today?

Since Gwennie is nine today -- and we have adopted the family's rhythm of having parties for friends only every other year -- we had planned a modest evening. But we also thought it would be a lot of fun to see our friends the Torres family, so we decided to have an informal get together. We got the grill going and cooked burgers, brats, and chicken while the kids played.

One of the highlights was certainly the cake Gwennie chose, described as a "county fair-winning three-layer cake with chocolate whipped cream icing." It was as good as its billing; we'll have to try this one again.