Weekly Rewind 9/20-9/27/09

It was a week of praise and celebration.

Mountain Man had three doctor's appointments, and they were all filled with great news!  He's still having the tightness in his chest, which the cardiologist said might take months to heal.  His tests came out great, however, and his visit to the nephrologist (kidney specialist) was postive, too.  The doctor believes there are certain lifestyle factors that are skewing his lab results...such as more muscle mass, higher protein diet, etc.   The visit was a thorough one, and we're encouraged by the news.  We ask that you pray for quick healing of his chest and for continued wisdom for the doctors.

On Saturday, the 26th, we celebrated 22 years of marriage!  What a testimony we are to the grace of God.  When we got married, there were many who didn't think it would last, and I'm sure there were times early in our marriage that we behaved in a manner that reflected such a dire prediction, but God has sustained us and strengthened us. How wonderful to see how God has matured us in our love for one another.  His grace is truly amazing.
Our dear friends, the R. family, offered to watch Peep, so Mountain Man and I were able to enjoy an entire day together.  We spent the day trying new restaurants, relaxing, and talking.

We enjoyed brunch at a cute bakery called Just Muffin Around.  Mountain Man said they served the best omelet he's ever had (no offense taken since I don't make omelets..) and my french toast was wonderful!  For dinner, we ventured into Fat Squirrel Pub and Grille.  It was a great dinner, and we think they serve one of the most unusual appetizers ever.....fried pickles with a side of ranch dressing.  My Beloved absolutely loved them, and I was so generous by letting him eat my share, too. :)

Mountain Man enjoyed a chair massage at a bookstore while I perused the used book aisles.  Ooh, did I find some goodies.  I believe there are three kinds of people when it comes to cookbooks...those who don't have any use for them, those who use them, and those who use them and read them like books (well, maybe there are those who love to read them and never use them..)  I use them and read them!

Did you notice the Book Lover's Cookbook?  I haven't looked thoroughly through it, yet, but the title alone had me sold on it!  I'll let you know what I think of it.  The other great finds included a lovely hardback Victoria magazine cookbook.  Now, most of the recipes are ones that I won't dare try at this stage in my life, but the pictures and quotes inspire me to make my family want to come to the table.  And since I love to make a variety of breakfasts for my family,  the Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham (think Fanny Farmer cookbook) was a perfect fit.  Mountain Man actually accused me of treating him to a chair massage just so I could go book shopping.  Can you imagine?

We also had a wonderful time just talking.  If you want a great book to spark deeper conversations in your marriage, I highly recommend A Homework Manual for Biblical Living Vol. 2 by Wayne Mack.  For less than $10.00 it provides wonderful questions and forms to help husbands and wives strengthen their marriages.  It's described as useful for solving problems, but I think it's just as great for preventing them, too. 

We ended the day with dessert and coffee and another bookstore. :)  Our deepest thanks, too, to our dear friends for taking such wonderful care of Peep!