Missing The Laughter and Pineapple Salmon

I realized today that the one thing I miss the most is the everyday laughter that the TBHITW and I shared.

Everyday we laughed.

From the heart, and the gut.

Just good old fashioned laughter. It wasn't attached to anything specific. It just was.

We were happy.

We laughed.

We joked.

We made each other double over. And told each other to STOP.

To an innocent bystander our laughter was probably lame. Maybe even a bit inappropriate. Perhaps even on the politically incorrect side.. most certainly, absolutely stupid to most. But to us, our repartee was funny; hysterical even.

I miss that. Laughter. Just because we were we.

I love salmon. It is versatile, healthy and easy to make. Salmon lends itself to so many versatile flavor profiles. This evening I added a bit of terriyaki and fresh pineapple and had a refreshing, light, yet satisfying meal. It didn't make me laugh, but it did make me smile and that's a start... right?

Salmon with Pineapple and Terriyaki: serves 2

Two boneless Salmon portions
Four fresh (or canned in pineapple juice) pineapple rings, reserve two rings for salad
Three tablespoons pineapple juice
Three tablespoons terriyaki sauce
One tablespoon brown sugar
One tablespoon butter
One tablespoon cooking oil

A half hour before cooking the salmon take the portions out of the refrigerator. In a shallow bowl combine terriyaki, pineapple juice and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add the salmon portions and two pineapple rings, turning to coat both sides and let marinate for 20 minutes.

Melt butter and oil in a saute pan large enough to hold the salmon and pineapple rings. Add salmon and pineapple to the pan and saute over medium heat (about 3 - 4 minutes per side).

Plate each salmon portion with a pineapple ring on top.

I served this with a spinach side salad that complimented the flavors of the fish.

Fresh spinach leaves, washed, rinsed and torn into bite size pieces
Two pineapple rings, cut into eights.
Half a red pepper cut into bite size pieces
A handful of matchstick carrots
Toss with a simple vinaigrette.

Another Season

Thanksgiving is past now.

The food is eaten, leftovers stored or gobbled up over the long weekend.

A new season has begun.

Christmas.

TBHITW's favorite time of year.

The Friday after the "feast" was his official "let the yuletide begin" period. Carols would miraculously begin playing on the stereo. His car radio would be tuned to the 24/7 station that played Christmas music; continuously.

Lights would come out. Decorations would be hung.

Jim's tastes (in holiday decor) leaned toward... how should I say? .... bizarre? no.. cheap? no... they cost us a boatload over the years... eclectic? ... I can't quite put my finger on the word... perhaps this picture says it all?

This is the first fragile (pronounced FRA-GEL-EE) artifact I pulled out of storage today. It sits proudly in our bay window in full view of anyone walking or driving by. I do believe it is my favorite Christmas decoration of all time.

Blessings to all of you this holiday season and if you care to take a moment during the hectic shopping, cooking, planning stages of the coming days, please take the time to STOP. Just STOP and remember what is truly important. Family. Friends. Love. Hope. Peace. and perhaps someone, somewhere, who is hurting, lonely, sad and maybe, just maybe... you can make a difference.

Love,

The Good Cook.

More recipes soon.

The Pain Now

"The pain now is part of the happiness then". - CS Lewis

Would you give up yesterday for the pain today?

For me the answer is no. I would not give up one second of our life together. 

Tonight for no reason (and every reason) I cried. And cried some more. 

At the the 15 month mark I can say that it is a bit easier, a bit saner, a bit less shaky. But I think of my husband and miss him daily. 

At almost 15 months I have come to accept he is not coming back. Jim is gone. Our life together is done. There is no more "we". 

And that is why I cried tonight. 

More recipes soon.