Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

~ John W. Howell

 

Today we are going on a trip to the unusual. Today’s collection is varied and not related to a theme. We are catered by Ezov of Austin. Our entertainment is The Eurythmics.

Menu

Appetizer

Crudo – albacore, pistachio, pomegranate, bay leaf oil
Smashed cucumber – smoked labne, nigella, amba, AleppoCampfire Kohlrabi – grilled, braised, fresh, chermoula
Halloumi – date molasses, dukkah, sorrel
Cauliflower – labne, Fresno chile, amaranth, hawaiej spice
Falafel – tahini, amba, green schug
Hummus – oyster mushroom, hazelnuts, tahini, red tatbila
Sigarim – sweetbreads, chicken hearts, yogurt, green schug

Main
Frena – mediterranean wheat, za’atar, lamb butter, beet horseradish
Tilefish – merguez spice, amba aioli, celery, olive gremolata
Sabich Sandwich – frena, eggplant, cucumber, egg, amba, tahini, SchugChicken Shawarma – laffa, caraway cabbage, green tahini, fixins
Kofta- lamb & beef, pine nuts, fire-roasted eggplant, spring onion
Texas Wagyu – muhammara, toum, sunchoke

Dessert
Coconut Malabi – strawberry, toasted coconut, Turkish pistachio, rose
Turkish Coffee Cake – cardamom chocolate sauce, mascarpone, nigella seed
Baklava – caramelized banana, tahini ice cream, texas pecan, pistachio

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready.

A nice friendly welcome.

T-rex and the lamp.

The Octagon House.

Terra cotta turtle. (say that fast)

Have no idea what this is. Maybe a Pterodactyl.

Miniature gecko.

The start of a home expansion (or trash)

Octagon family room.

Froggy rain gauge. ( which has a useless aura about it, given our drought)

JPM Real Estate Photography

The Sand Dollar house.

A flock of Flamingos.

Well, there you have our tour. Now, sit back and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

85 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri”

  2. The trash bin looks like a replica antique ice box a friend of mine had. It was a good storage/decorator item.
    I’ll try the Crudo now, thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m going straight to dessert and will have 2 pieces of coffee cake so I can look like the fat frog which is my fav. The sand dollar house is very unique. Would eclectic describe your neighborhood?

    By the way, is your drought a normal seasonal condition or a genuine long term affair?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Most of the homes here are what could be described as “Hill Country” architecture. Made of stone with tile roofs. The three houses I pictured are unique. This drought is not seasonal. It looks like the effect of climate change. We normally have rain in April and May and got very little. We finished the hottest June on record and July looks the same. Not a good thing.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Twiggy has been struggling but is much better now. She came down with a UTI which was a first. We think it was stress related. She also pulled her ACL so she is on a no jumping or running edict. She is happy so we think she is recovering. Thanks for asking.

          Liked by 1 person

  8. It looks like you had to hang off a rope over a cliff to get some of those pictures. I hope The Producer tied the other end securely Nice stuff John

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Wow! That octagon house and sand dollar house are beauties. I think I need the T-rex. Maybe he’ll help me to pronounce some of the foods on the menu! 😅

    Liked by 1 person

  11. What interesting architecture! I’d love to see how the owners managed decorating the circular rooms with square objects! Your neighborhood is smashing. I think the kofta and baklava are in order today.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’d love seeing the insides of the octagon house and the sand dollar house — I can’t imagine how furniture would look in a round room! Poor froggy rain gauge — hope you get some much-needed rain and heat relief soon, John.

    Like

  19. Terrtoccaurtle
    tearacottlelerter
    Terratottlecurtle
    One of those should work!

    The Octagon House and Sand Dollar House are fantastic. Gee, you live in a neat hood!

    Love that song. Thank you John!
    🐂🐂🐂🐂

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Wow… those are some interesting houses. Love all the little critters doing nothing but bringing a smile to anyone who sees them.
    Excellent tune!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. What a fun tour, John! I enjoyed seeing all of it, especially the Sand Dollar house, which I am still agape over! What an amazing structure.

    Thanks so much for sharing! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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