Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Spring

~ John W. Howell

Today, we will drive the neighborhood to see if spring is making its presence known. We are catered by Eberly of Austin. Our entertainment is Elvis Presley.

FOR THE TABLE

charcuterie & cheese – artisanal meats & cheeses, accoutrements, housemade bread, crostini

chickpea fritter – white cheddar mornay, roasted carrots, chili garlic crisp

crab cake –  parsley aioli, lemon-fresno gastrique

mussels –  green curry broth, serrano, thai basil, sourdough

broccolini – dill vinaigrette, aged white cheddar, crispy leeks

crushed potatoes – hot sauce powder, yuzu kosho aioli

charred cabbage – dijon mustard, crispy shallots, pecorino

MAINS

halibut – pomme purée, pepper relish, red mustard greens

salmon – crispy rice cake, romanesco, citrus, chive beurre blanc, trout roe

eggplant milanese – basil purée, toasted almonds, charred zucchini & tomato salad

half chicken – parisian gnocchi, caper-brown butter jus, arugula

short rib –  smoked carrot purée, shiitake mushrooms, pickled leeks, crispy carrots

pork chop – confit potatoes, spinach, mustard seed-bacon glaze

NY strip –  creamed kale, crispy leeks, bordelaise

Picture of an old time school bus

Hop on the bus.

Lovely Carolina Jasmine starting to bloom.

A young redbud giving it all.

The vinca is waking up.

A Bradford pear in full bloom.

A quince getting started.

The mountain laurel bursting with grape kool-ade scented blooms.

A bee taking advantage of the abundant nectar.

A record year for the cross vine blooms.

An older redbud doing its best.

The first rose with more on the way.

A beautiful grandad redbud.

A very rare white mountain laurel.

It looks like spring is here. Time now to relax and listen to the music and have some food. I hope you have a great week.

95 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Spring”

  18. John, thank you for a look at your Spring — it gives me hope that, even though we’re several weeks (at least!) behind, we, too, will have Spring coming before long. What beauties you’ve shared with us!

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Spring looks beautiful in your neighborhood. I have never seen a white mountain laurel. The other one with the bee is lovely. I’ll have the eggplant milanese. Spring has arrived here to but it is not as colorful as your neighborhood.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. What wonderful signs of spring you have! Beautiful blossoms. We were all excited by our mild temps but Mother Nature said yeah? You like that? Here, let’s wake up to a few inches of the white stuff!!

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Very nice. Send a little of that heat and sunshine our way, John. Sigh, rainy and windy again here. At least the power stayed on.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Wow, spring really has arrived where you are.
    Here, not.
    You have a lot of beautiful bloom trees we don’t have here.
    The Bradford pear is gorgeous. It could be a wedding gown.

    Thank you for the lovely pre spring tour, John!

    🌸ꭓ 🌸ꭓ 🌸ꭓ 🌸ꭓ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They planted a lot of those in the 70s, Unfortunately when the trees get older their limbs become fragile and break off without warning. It does look like a wedding dress. Thanks for coming along, Resa.
      🌺X🌺X🌺X🌺X

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Wonderful photos, John. Very few signs of spring up here, certainly nothing like this. Thanks for sharing.

    The chickpea fritters sounded good, but I think I’ll start with the charred cabbage then a pork chop.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Love Elvis, crushed potatoes and the ribs. Beautiful trees which we won’t see for 1-2 months yet. It 26 and snow on the ground. My neighbor who just built a house in Texas came back here after wintering there. Probably wishing he was still there😎

    Liked by 1 person

  30. The food sounds yummy … I would like the charcuterie & cheese, please! And I am oh-so-jealous of your early spring!!! We have no crocuses yet, nor wildflowers … nothing but dead stuff left over from last year, which Miss Goose and I have been planning to clean up, if only it would stop raining and the sun would come out for a day! Loved seeing all the colour in your neighborhood … thanks, John!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Spring has definitely sprung in your neck of the woods, John. The Bradford pear trees are just starting to bloom here, and the daffodils have been out for a couple weeks.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. What a great, cheery post, John. The neighborhood is looking gorgeous. I didn’t remember that Elvis song. The video is a lot of fun.
    Even the menu is interesting. Charred cabbage is new to me. I need to Google that. I’m intrigued. Have a wonderful new week. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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