Wow!  What a weekend.  After 2 weeks of feeling pretty miserable, I was ready to pack in as much celebration and relaxation as possible!

What was there to celebrate?!  Well…2 things.  First, last Tuesday was our 8th Wedding Anniversary.  WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?  That’s right, after 8 years of dating (keep in mind, I was only 15 when we started dating…crazy!), on Aug 20, 2005, we finally tied the knot.  Appropriately, Etta James’ “At Last” played as we danced our first dance.  🙂  So on Tuesday evening, we headed out to MY favorite Iowa City restaurant, Baroncini, for a casual italian dinner.  Delish!  But, with Baby B3-on-board, we wanted to get out and spend some additional alone time.  With a call to Brittany, we were able to sneak out of the house on Saturday morning and spend the WHOLE day alone in Des Moines…just bumming around, stopping at our favorite shops, and grabbing an indulgent and delicious lunch.  I can’t explain just how refreshing those 12 hours were…reconnecting as we wandered…just the two of us…no distractions…no timeline…no agenda.  I laughed as we drove over thinking 16 years ago we did the same thing…jumped in the car, drove over to Appleton WI, and shopped our hearts out for the day.  The only difference was our choice of retailers…and perhaps, the “fit” of our clothes.  Somehow Rue 21 and oversized shirts don’t sound quite as appealing.  Ahh, the memories.  🙂

In addition to an anniversary, we had a very special birthday to celebrate!  Speaking of “where does the time go?!”, the first love-of-our-lives, turned TEN on Friday.  What?!   Ruby Tuesday…aka, Pickle Monster, rang in a decade.  I know this phrase gets over used all the time but, seriously, I don’t know what life would have been like without this little dog!  Ruby is sooooo HUMAN.  I will never forget the time (ok, one of the many times) we smuggled her into a hotel…and Ryan would say, “Hey…she’s more human than half the kids here.”  True story.  Ruby is smart….funny…compassionate…protective…and without question, one of a kind.  As she ages, she drives me more and more crazy with that dang ball…wanting to play fetch CONSTANTLY.  But with every toss, I’m grateful she’s still here to bring it back.  She’s been a great little dog…and an awesome “big sis” to Bella. 

We love you , Ruby!

To honor this little munchkin, we decided to whip up a Ruby’s favorite dinner on Friday night and invite over some of her favorite people.   🙂  What do you make for your DOG on their 10th birthday, you ask?  SALMON.  Ruby loves Salmon!  I had been dying to whip up a “Spicy Salmon” recipe that my sister and her boyfriend “Chef Moreno…aka Dr Moreno”, made for us on a recent visit, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity.  Reviews at the big table (adults) and reviews on the floor (Ruby) were a hit!  (I left the spicy sauce off of Ruby’s plate…she just enjoyed a generous serving of fish!)

So for all the salmon lovers out there, enjoy this quick and easy weeknight salmon recipe.  You can’t go wrong!

Spicy Salmon

Serves 3-4

• 1.5-2 lb fresh salmon

Sauce

• 1 tbsp. Sriracha sauce
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp. fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white rice seasoned vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• ½ tsp. sesame oil
• 1 ½ tbsp. soy sauce (low sodium)
• 2 tsp. corn starch
• Handful of Basil, chopped for garnish

Preheat the grill to 400 degrees.

While the grill heats, combine sauce ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce to low heat and let simmer.

Rub salmon with EVOO and salt & pepper.  Lay the fish, skin-side down, on the grill.  Cook for 4-5 minutes, flip, and cook for 2-3 minutese longer (for medium).

Serve salmon hot, and top with the “spicy sauce”.  Plate up a few of your favorites on the side! 

*My **My recommendation:  Double up the sauce recipe.  Ryan and I both enjoy the flavor so much that we wanted more!  More on the salmon….and more to dress our broccoli and couscous as well.  🙂

Indulge.  In Life. In Love. In Food.