Long Hollow

Where seeds of thought have room to grow

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Realtor, writer, blogger in Austin, TX

Category: Feeding the Spirit

  • Simple Sweets

      Steve and Lisa, a couple in my church, took it upon themselves to form what they call a "hospitality" ministry several months ago. Almost every Sunday they prepare and offer some special brunch item after each Mass. Just the two of them.   Today it was French toast. Yum! They also offer fruit in…

  • Epiphanies (and other sweet!s from the past week)

      epiph·a·ny  noun \i-ˈpi-fə-nē\ Epiphany : a Christian festival held on January 6 in honor of the coming of the three kings to the infant Jesus Christ : a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way   Yesterday was Epiphany in the Catholic world. It's the 12th day after…

  • Stepping Boldly into 2014

    "When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted." Psalm 138:3 I greeted 2014 in my home, watching goofy movies (Napoleon Dynamite and Mystery Men), eating popcorn, and drinking champagne with my kids.  (I revealed a lot about myself in that one sentence, didn't I?) I'm ready for a new year. 2013…

  • Searching for Silver Linings

       Let's just say…   I found this card in my mailbox yesterday. Inside it says "Hang in there, girlfriend," with a sweet note of encouragement from my friend Rae. She knows me, she knows my mom, and she knew this transition wouldn't be without some bumps. It's perfect and made me smile. Thank you,…

  • While bread is baking…

        Pumpkin bread is baking in my oven as I type. Several small loaves and one larger Texas-sized ceramic dish I bought years ago near Round Top. My friend Ann bought one just like it. Would you believe I've never used it for baking until this year? I made a Texas-shaped gingerbread earlier this…

  • Firewood and other sweet!s

    My socks may not match, but my feet are always warm. ~Maureen McCullough   The drought took its toll on many of the oak trees in the Hollow. But Tom found the good in that this past weekend by cutting up the dead ones into woodburning stove sized pieces. Our woodpile had dwindled so much…

  • Dancing, Sunshine, and other sweets

              After several days of gray skies and temperatures below freezing, the sun finally made an appearance yesterday afternoon. And the clouds even stayed away long enough for me to say hello to a half moon and a sky full of stars that dripped all the way to the tree tops.…

  • Mom hugs, singing frogs, and other sweet!s of the week

    We couldn't have asked for better weather in Austin, Texas on Thanksgiving Day. Clear blue skies, a touch of autumn in the breeze…perfect for throwing open the doors to cool off a small kitchen full of cooks trying to get dinner on the table.  I'm so grateful we were able to stay here and celebrate…

  • Lesson #82 (Thank you, and Happy Birthday, Mama!)

    Today is my beautiful Mama's birthday. Soon I'll be on my way to Houston to celebrate another year of having her in my life. I hope the coming year will be full of laughter and happiness for her. She's been through so many changes this past year, the toughest being having to say goodbye to…

  • Thanksgiving Comes First

    This is a repost. I hope one day I can stop reposting it…   Halloween is behind us. According to the calendar, the next holiday here in the states is Veteran's Day, followed by Thanksgiving, but have you noticed there are already Christmas commercials on the TV and jingle bells are taking over the stores?…