Views of the Neighborhood – Run up to the Holiday

~ John W. Howell

We are starting our run-up to the holiday decorations tour. This week, we will visit several mailboxes and the Walk of Lights in Lakeway. Since we have some daylight activities and some dusk, we are being catered by Better Half in Austin for brunch. Our entertainment today is Jose Feliciano.

Menu

BETTER HALF BREAKFAST SANDWICH

English muffin, crispy hash brown, smoked paprika aïoli, arugula, fried farm egg

CHOOSE BACON, BREAKFAST SAUSAGE, BEYOND SAUSAGE, OR AVOCADO

CHICKEN BISCUIT

southern fried chicken breast, jalapeño-honey butter, curry bread & butter pickles
MAKE IT SPICY  / SUB BEYOND CHICKEN

SRIRACHA-MAPLE BACON BISCUIT

spicy glazed bacon, brown sugar-brown butter, fried egg

GRANOLA BOWL

oats, nuts & seeds, pomegranate molasses,
local Greek yogurt, seasonal fruit & berries, Thai basil & mint

PASTRAMI TOAST

thick-cut Texas toast, shaved house-smoked pastrami, berbere horsey sauce, smoky mushrooms & garlicky greens, fried egg & runny yolk sauce

WAFFLE IRON HASHBROWNS

coffee & cream gravy, cotija, farm egg, pickled onions, scallions

PUMPKIN FRENCH TOAST

apple cider caramel, house cultured butter, molasses crumb

NEW THE FALL BIG SALAD  power greens & romaine hearts, curry roasted sweet potatoes, coconut milk sweet potato purée, sumac chèvre dressing, honey crisp apple & watermelon radish, chili roasted pumpkin seeds, avocado ADD STEAK, SHRIMP, BEYOND CHICKEN, OR FRIED CHICKEN

BETTER HALF CHICKEN BURGER

house ground chicken, Duke’s Mayo, Swiss, LTO

CONTAINS GLUTEN

BETTER HALF CHEESEBURGER

44 Farms ground beef, Dijonnaise, American cheese, LTO

BEYOND MEAT VEGGIE PATTY AVAILABLE as well as TOP SHELF DRINKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

Our first stop is an Armadillo Santa.

Not going to touch this one.

Glass tree.

A wimpy sprig.

Mistletoe Wreath. Gotta lay on the ground to get under it.

Since I did a complete tour of the Trail of Lights last year, this year is an overview. If you would like to check out last year click THIS LINK.  Here is Santa giving us directions to the entrance.

Inside and looking up in the big holiday tree.

A view of the lights beyond the tree.

We also did a Twelve Days of Christmas hunt last year.  Here are all twelve.

A display of flowers and longhorn cattle.

Santa’s sleigh just getting airborne in the middle of the toys.

I hope you enjoyed our view and I wish you a happy week. Now enjoy more food and listen to the music.

 

 

89 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Run up to the Holiday”

  2. Wow, we are impressed. Thanks for showing.
    Here we have Advent-windows. People decorate their windows facing the coast road with sophisticated lighting and funny ideas. Most of it is animated with little electric motors. These are little masterpieces of art – well, the community is watching that there is no kitsch.
    Have a relaxed pre-Christmas time
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Good tour again today. I almost chocked on my pumpkin french toast when I spotted those 2 balls you wouldn’t comment on!
    Christmas is almost here ol’ friend!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I had decided on that granola mix until I feasted my eyes, or my imagination, in the French toast. I’ll need plenty of napkins. I love that armadillo. Yikes, those are big balls. Is that homeowner trying to send a subliminal message? And where does he keep them the rest if the year. I’m so impressed with the spirit in your neighborhood. It’s not Christmas without Feliz Navidad. Great post, John.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Wonderful photos, John. It’s good to see so many people in the spirit of the season. Kudos to you for getting down on the ground for that shot of the lights. I won’t ask about getting back up. Good job also with your.restraint;-)

    As much as I’d like some granola, I think I’ll have the chicken biscuit.

    I hope you have a great week ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. My favorite for sure is Armadillo Santa. I suspect the folks who live there would make interesting characters in one of your books. 😊 Great stroll through your neighborhood, John, and ending with Jose Feliciano is perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Your first photo is so Texas, John!! Who’d think of putting a Santa hat on an armadillo, with a cactus is the background?!? Love all the Christmas lights — and I probably ought to find some around here to post about. We’ve had a couple of really nice days weather-wise, so that should have brought folks outdoors to decorate. Of course, that was before the tornadoes slammed by — pity the poor people in that path.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. From the comments it seems like the Santa armadillo is getting a lot of love, and I’d have to agree that’s my favorite too (although the one you wouldn’t touch (LOL), is awfully attractive too). A very festive tour, John. Ho! Ho! Ho!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. John, those are the best holiday neighborhood decorations I’ve ever seen. More than the string of lights & blow up Santas. You live in a well established, beautiful place. 🎄🎶🎄Christine

    Liked by 1 person

  29. I’ll try that pumpkin french toast, John, and I agree with the others; that armadillo is the best! The holiday tree is gorgeous, too, as I love lights, lots of lights. I really want to move to your neighborhood. 🙂 Thanks for another great tour.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Love the festive neighborhood! Ours is regulated against any decorations (HOA) but everyone is ignoring the rules. The person who wrote the rules is a grinch. Luckily we are in Utah for the month, and my son’s neighborhood is outrageously lighted. I think I’d like that fall salad with shrimp – looks delicious.

    Liked by 1 person

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