Did you notice my blog looks a little different? 

Apparently, my blogs weren't 'mobile-friendly', so to keep up with the times (and to keep BlogHer happy) I had to make some changes. 

Updating my Confessions blog (hosted by Blogger) was easy. Just one click, and it was done, somehow retaining my same old design, including the banner my friend Jill created for me years ago.

But this one? My original blog hosted by Typepad? Not so easy. I had to pick a whole new template. 

In the long run, it's a good thing, though. I've been wanting to change it up for quite a while, but I have a tendency to overthink everything and have a tough time making decisions. The key ingredients in procrastination. So I was actually grateful for the kick in the rear. 

It still took me a week to make the change. The past couple of weeks since my last post have been really busy. Fortunately, they were dotted with many sweet!s…

Last night I spent some time with the full moon, just standing on the path in front of our house, gazing at it and listening to the frogs singing down by the pond. That's the best kind of re-charging. 

My sister got my mom an iPhone. She can push a button and tell Siri to call someone. Plus, it's much easier for me to navigate than her old flip phone. Those things are so complicated!

 

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My client-turned-friend Tammy's closing. She has become such an inspiration to me. Breast-cancer survivor, recent widow, always positive even through some bumps on the way to finding her new home. She showed me what faith looks like. 

 

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The weeds in our front yard have turned into Indian Blankets and Mexican Hats, thank goodness!

 

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Cedar Waxwings graced Long Hollow with their presence one day last week. I'm so glad I noticed them and had time to snap a few hundred photos of them while they were here. 

 

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I spent an afternoon learning all about the history and brewing of beer, courtesy of my son Daniel, who invited me to tag along on the the tour he coordinated for his State Library co-workers, and Ryan, who I've known practically all his life. He is now a cellarman at Live Oak Brewing Company, the oldest microbrewery in Austin. (I'll write a whole post about it later.)

 

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Someone gave me this little rose bush for my 50th or 51st birthday. I wish I could remember who it was. It's the toughest little thing I know, blooming every year after freezes and droughts, with no help whatsoever from me.

 

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Our church's Garden of Eatin' once again offered encouragement, via the sign above, and culinary delight, via the homemade cannoli below. 

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Once upon a time, I was active on FlickR, and that's how I met Debbie, another photography addict. We met in person in Houston several years ago and have stayed close via Facebook.

This weekend she came to Austin with friends for a winery tour, so on Saturday we met out at Flat Creek Estate. Not only did I get to spend a little time with her, but I satisfied my craving for a Flat Creek Margherita Pizza. Yum!

(P.S. People who say 'virtual friends aren't real friends' don't know what they're talking about.) 

 

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My latest listing is situated on Slick Rock Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay. I snapped this photo while tagging along after Brent, a real estate photographer from  QuickPics Photography. Isn't this a gorgeous view? For photos of the actual house, check out the slideshow.

(No, I don't take my own real estate photographs. Timewise, it's cheaper to hire someone, freeing me to find buyers for my listings! And then more listings!)

 

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I already knew I had passed all of the required classes, but it was still an awesome feeling getting this official certificate in the mail!

 

I hope you've been keeping track of your sweet moments, too. Share them in the comments! My phone has become a handy log for mine.

 

A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.

~Eudora Welty

 

 

 

 

 

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19 responses to “Ch-ch-ch-changes… and other sweet!s”

  1. Ms. A Avatar

    Look at all those waxwings! How cool is that!!! That cannoli looks delicious!
    I quite like the new look.

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  2. Tabor Avatar

    Lovely weather. Virtual friends, real friends…just give me friends and I am happy.

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  3. TexWisGirl Avatar

    ‘garden of eatin’s’ loved that! lucky you on the waxwings! another blogger in illinois just posted a flock she saw, too. glad all is ‘sweet’ with you!

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  4. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Every house should be on a golf course. Glad you’re back!

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  5. Laurie @ Pride in Photos Avatar

    I have enjoyed your posts. Our taste in life is so similar, along with our faith. I wished we lived closer.

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  6. Lady Fi Avatar

    I like the new look of your blog. Those cannoli look delcious.

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! I'd like to narrow the side bar, but that will probably never make it off of my to-do list. I know me too well. 
     

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I know you're in Texas, Laurie, but where? You can't be too far away!
     

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    P.S. When are you coming back???
     

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I had a friend in junior high who lived on a golf course. We had so much fun playing out there in the middle of the night! Golf courses are good for more than playing golf!
     

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It was just luck that I spotted them that day. They were gone the next morning. I really did take a lot of photos, which I hope to post on Confessions some day…
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    The cannoli was so good! So were the breakfast tacos, the scotch eggs, the kolaches, and everything else they've made It amazes me what that couple comes up with and the parishioners of our little church get to reap the benefits of their creativity and talent!
     

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  13. Gail Avatar

    I like the new layout! Reading it with ease on my iPad. Congratulations on your certificate! Yay for mama getting an iPhone. Did you know you can make her have a British accent! Too fun. How did we ever figure out those convoluted flip phones?

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm not sure I ever did figure out my flip phone!!! No, I didn't know about the British accent. We'll be sure to play with it tomorrow!
     

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  15. Otto von Münchow Avatar

    Congratulations with the certificate and a new web design as well. I like the new one, it’s cool and spacious.

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I like it, too. It's what I had in mind, so thank goodness it's what they offered! Saved me time in the long run!!
     

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  17. beth Avatar

    cannolis and cedar waxwings both in one post!! my favorites!!!

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Two of my favorite things, too!! Neither stick around very long, alas.
     

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