happy anniversary!

Dear readers,

I couldn't have made it all of this way without many of you whom I know, but I especially wouldn't be in such a good place today without Jim. Today is our second wedding anniversary.

Jim's attributes are many, not the least of which is his unflappable way of helping me keep my eye on the prize through the storms we have weathered together, but also his deep understanding of my situation. He knows so much about how to help someone you love be gluten free that he will be my first guest post in the months to come. Look for it soon! I am excited to see it too. Hoping his sense of humor shines through.

We are both working today -- well, trying to work as little as possible so that we can have a nice meal together tonight in our "ski lodge" in front of the fire.

I will be baking an apple pie today using this crust recipe.

For dinner, we will be enjoying a baked cod and potato dish that we ate almost every day on our honeymoon in Portugal. We'll be going to our local wharf for some fresh cod on the way home from work. Here is the recipe:

Portuguese Codfish Casserole

2 lbs fresh cod
5 lg potatoes, washed, peeled if you wish, and sliced thinly thru the whole potato
2 large onions, sliced thinly
1 c or more of olive oil
8-10 minced garlic cloves (more or less depending on your taste)
2 T fresh chopped parsley
1 1/2 T red pepper flakes
1 t paprika
3 T tomato sauce
1 t sea salt
dash blk pepper

mix together oil, garlic, parsley, red pepper, paprika, tom sauce, salt and pepper. set aside.

steam cod for five mins.

preheat oven to 375 degrees. layer in an oiled baking dish 1/2 potato slices, all of the cod, all of the onions. top w/ other 1/2 of potatoes.

pour olive oil mixture over the top.

bake for 45 mins.

Et voila! Just like being there...on the beach in early October (it was 75-80 degrees and sunny every day!)...visiting the many medieval castle ruins and gardens...stumbling upon the most amazing little restaurant in Calores, where they treated us like king and queen and served us wine made from grapes of ancient vines and flourless chocolate torte...mmm...sipping Port in front of a fire every night and just having the most relaxing seaside honeymoon ever!

Jim has prepared a slide show on DVD of our wedding day and honeymoon...can't wait to watch it and reminisce!

Time to go find the right salad recipe to go with our meal. I hope you enjoy the recipes and find time to reflect on all the good things in life too.

Life is good.