Moonberry Lake
The place you’ve always longed for.
Stories that invite you home.
Are you looking for A Moment With Martha from her column in the morning newspaper?
Click the buttons below to read or listen!
I’m Holly Varni. I’m thrilled to introduce you to the fictional town and world of Moonberry Lake. Tucked away in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota, Moonberry Lake reminds you of a simpler time, yet the struggles and drama revealed will feel similar to today. You’ll hopefully find something familiar in the quirky characters that speak to you and make you smile.
Moonberry Lake Books
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Listen to the Podcast
Listen to my podcast, Moments from Moonberry Lake. This is where you’ll find all the Moments with Martha! Click one of the titles below to listen to the most recent episodes. Or, click the “More Stories” button below to view all the episodes.
From the Blog
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Recent Articles
Hoarding Treasure
My dog of questionable intelligence is a hoarder. If there were a TV reality show about animals that hoard, she would be the star. (She already has the diva attitude for the job!)The itty, bitty pint sized...
You’re An Animal
We are all from the animal kingdom. I’m not talking about the argument of Creationism versus Evolution. On the contrary, I’m talking about comparisons to the animals we resemble in characteristics and physical stride. While enduring exercise class, I noticed...
Caramel-Glazed Apple Bread
Moon Lake Monday “Bread is the basic sustenance of every culture in the world, and I’m trying to connect with that primal need that we all share. The act of creating and baking bread can be a very meditative act. It centers your...
The Secret of Early Morning
Quietness is something I love, seek, and most definitely treasure. The problem, however, is that I live in the real world, in a house of males, so quietness is rare, and that feeling of total serenity is only imitated when I pop a brownie in my mouth. That mountain...
Imaginary Friends Aren’t Bad
My dog has an imaginary friend. In talking to other dog owners, I’ve learned that this is unusual. Her hallucinations make her unique. She’s a Yorkie-Poo ~ that’s supposed to be intelligent, but I believe that’s personal opinion rather than fact. Her favorite thing to...
Keepin’ on with Peggy Sue
I’ve done something I swore I would never do. I caved in on a personal conviction that this evil thing would never gain my support. I succumbed to peer pressure in joining a group at which I’ve always booed and hissed. I’ve swallowed my pride in publicly making a fool...
French Country Bread
“Bread is the basic sustenance of every culture in the world, and I’m trying to connect with that primal need that we all share. The act of creating and baking bread can be a very meditative act. It centers your spirit in the...
Jesus Loved Carbs
I’m tired of being told how bad bread is for you. I’m sick of hearing how I should eliminate it from my diet. I’m fed up with the guilt over eating it. Bread has been the essence of nourishment for thousands of years. It’s sacred to people globally, marking the...
Waking Up From Hibernation
The people of Moonberry Lake are waking up from winter hibernation. Not physically like bears, but they still must shake off that feeling of being burrowed away for so many months. Emerging from the cozy comfort of your dwelling into the new season takes adjustment....
Death Eater Vs. Mary Beth
I was outside at 5:30 am with my little dog that has a little bladder and discovered something about humankind. It’s a pretty big accomplishment at that hour. I don’t think such compelling insight like this typically occurs for other people, while wearing pajamas and...
Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
Moon Lake Monday “Bread is the basic sustenance of every culture in the world, and I’m trying to connect with that primal need that we all share. The act of creating and baking bread can be a very meditative act. It centers your...
Betty Boop’s “Pizzazz” Fizzles Mine
Twice a week, I take one of my sons to a speech therapy appointment where we check in with the same front desk receptionist every time. After going so often, I have had the opportunity to study the person sitting behind the check-in desk and have gotten to know little...