How to cut and peel a butternut squash, and a recipe in which to test your new skillz

I pretty much love everything about this video . Too bad I watched it AFTER realizing I was in over my head... I had a butternut squash peel war zone going on in my kitchen. Next time I'll know better. Off to Bed, Bath and Beyond for a 20% off "very sharp" potato peeler.

Anyway, I was massacreing said squash for Moroccan Turkey and Butternut Squash stew. Find the recipe at Puttanesca's Kitchen, a blog I know not much about yet, except that I like her Moroccan Turkey and Butternut Squash recipe a very lot. You should try it.

Some People Rock

Yea, verily.

Morning by Morning New Mercies I See

The church has no power, and the sanctuary has some flooding we need to deal with, so we had church in our courtyard. The church is not a building, it is her people, and they showed up despite Ike to praise God for the mercies that come each new morning. Great is His faithfulness.






After the service, we went to check out the sanctuary. We were treated by a rousing duet of "Jesus Loves Me" from the Rowley kiddos.

After Ike- Some Pics for You

The calm before the storm:



The next morning. This is our neighbor's house.



This is our backyard, well into cleanup. Colin has some pics from right after the storm. I'll post them when I can get to them. Notice we lost our fence on this side. Also, see that tall tree on the other side of the far fence, the one on the right? It's fixin' to fall over right into our backyard. Our neighbor, Bob, said his daughter brought that tree home in a bucket and planted it 30 years ago. Bye bye, good tree.



Here's all our debris at the curb ready for pickup. This sight continues "as far as the eye can see".

10:10am Sunday

We are ok! Will post pics this afternoon. What a crazy ride.

8:35pm

Pics for you. Still fairly calm here. A few blips in the power but we still have it.

The hallway pic is taken from the couch which caps the other end.

8:10pm

Our hallway is now fully outfitted to hang out there. Beds on the floor and couches blocking both sides of the hallway. Cats are upstairs in our closet. It's getting intense but we are prepared and confident. Posts might become less frequent from this point but we'll do our best.

love
lynelle

7:02 pm Friday

I won't lie, it's starting to look a bit mean out there. Inside it's still business as usual; tubby time, Thomas Train, snacks. We are definitely on guard but at the same time we're so thankful that our help comes from the Lord. We hope and trust in him which gives us a peace and joy which really does pass all understanding.

Here are the words running through my mind. God is good, God is sovereign...we will definitely be praising Him in the storm.

(from Casting Crowns...check it out if you don't know it....so good!)
I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone; how can I carry on
if I can't find You ?
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

6:08pm Friday

It's starting to look questionable out there but definitely not bad. You could enjoy a cup of coffee outside at this point. We're having fun inside, too.

2:52pm

The wind has been calm until now... we just felt our first little gusts. Amber and Colin have been napping, as well as the boys. Of course, you know me, no napping here. I know I'll be regretting it later; I don't think we will be sleeping much tonight. Thanks for the prayers!

12:58pm

We are safely inside. Boys are taking a nap. Now we're just gathering stuff we'll want/need for camping out in the hallway. We'll push the couches up to us on either side to provide a bit of a buffer. Please don't be scared. The best thing you can do for us is pray. Also, remember that the national news channels love a good story. Our local news is being very practical and not too sensational.

Mom, you said you couldn't get us on the phone...I called you guys ok and left a message. Try again if you want.

10:01am Friday

The front of the house is almost done. The boys and I just took a walk. I hardly saw any people, but it doesn't seem like anyone has done many preparations. Things looked pretty normal, but absent of people and birds. I hope these punks will clean up their porches (flower pots, toys, etc) before it gets crazed.

7:39am

We're all up. Boys are watching Sid the Science Kid, and the backyard is becoming safer by the minute. More coffee, please.

6:09 am

I'm up. Trying to find the latest info; haven't found an official update yet. Looks like it's coming "after this commercial break". We will get out in the yard soon and finish pulling stuff inside, tying things down, etc. It's weird having this much adrenaline and nervousness this early in the morning, when everything is so quiet and calm and dark! More soon.

11:51pm Thurs

The latest update has us a bit West of the eye with winds at 60-75 rather than 75-100. Good news to go to bed by. G'nite y'all! xoxoxoox

10:22pm Thursday

What we're doing:

Making decisions, finding batteries, making lists, watching the news, praying, calling family, and realizing what really matters in life.

We'll keep you updated.

Lynelle

Ike-a-riffic

Hey friends and fam,
Please check here for updates on us and our wonderful visitor, Ike. I must admit, I know he's comin' and I still haven't baked a cake; we're too busy with other preparations. But if I have time, I surely will. In the meantime, here's what we're up to...

Still Here

Not much to say (too tired!!!) but some pics for my 3 readers. Love you!

Lord, what is man that you are mindful of him?

This has left me speechless and more in love with the creator of the universe. Don't let the 80's electric organ music turn you away...it is well worth all nine minutes.

A quote for when it all seems to be too much....

"The days of the years of our lives are few, and swifter than a weaver’s shuttle. Life is a short and fevered rehearsal for a concert we cannot stay to give. Just when we appear to have attained some proficiency we are forced to lay our instruments down. There is simply not time enough to think, to become, to perform what the constitution of our nature indicates we are capable of. How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. Eternal years lie in His heart. For Him time does not pass, it remains; and those who are in Christ share with Him all the riches of limitless time and endless years." A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy (New York: Harper, 1961), p. 86.