Views of the Neighborhood – Holiday Decorations

We are going to tour the neighborhood and check out some of the holiday decorations. We are catered by Caroline of Austin. Our entertainment is Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.

Menu

SANDWICHES

Bacon, Egg & Cheese – two eggs over hard, aged cheddar, cheddar sauce

Sausage & Egg Burrito – chicken sausage, chihuahua & pepperjack cheese, salsa roja

Brush Creek Brunch Burger – wagyu beef, fried egg, peppered bacon, aged cheddar, chipotle ranch

PLATES

Biscuits & Gravy – buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs

Spinach & Feta Egg White Omelet – grilled red onion, cherry tomato, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Ham & Cheddar Omelet – smoked ham, aged cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Eggs Your Way – choice of chicken sausage or peppered bacon, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Whipped Ricotta Pancakes – syrup, whipped butter, powdered sugar

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butter

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – jalapeño cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn salsa

Huevos Rancheros – sunny eggs, crispy tortilla, black bean, jalapeño, avocado, queso fresco

Green Chili & Chicken Enchiladas – fried egg, yogurt crema, cilantro, avocado, lime

Santabus from Waterford Unified School District, photographed by Suzanne Bauer, director of transportation.

Let’s get on the bus

A cute fella.

The Grinch.

Penguin.

Santa wind display.

Abominable Snow Monster.

Santa and his tree.

French bulldog. (no, not in my yard)

An odd one. Santa with a unicorn and T-Rex.

Cute wooden bear.

Santa, Frosty, and Snoopy.

The Turtle Elf.

The Viking mailbox topper decked out for the holiday.

A hologram-like deer.

Our old friend, the Armadillo.

The Grinch and his Skeleton crew.

Santa and his longhorn.

Well, I think we have seen enough. It is time for entertainment and music. I hope you have a great week and A very happy holiday.

67 comments

  1. GP's avatar

    haha, I love them all! It seems more are in the holiday spirit this year and that’s great to see!
    I like spinach and feta, but I’d like the whole egg, not just the whites, Please. Ya see, I’m in kind of a bind and need strength to get out of this fix…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Yes you need whole egg for sure. Thanks, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Dan Antion's avatar

    I like the mailbox topper turtle and the vikings. There seem to be more Grinches than Santas around here this year, but they appear to be post-heart-growing-3x, so I guess it’s OK.

    Ham & Cheddar Omelet for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      One ham and cheddar coming up. What is post-heart-growing-3x?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dan Antion's avatar

        In the Grinch Stole Christmas. At the end, his heart grew three sizes and he gave back all the presents he had stolen. He joined the Whos for the feast “and he, himself! The Grinch carved the roast beast.”

        Like

  3. srbottch's avatar

    So many to like but I’ll go with the traditional Santa and Christmas tree. The bus is fantastic. How about an order of ricotta pancakes while I kick back and listen. Merry Christmas, John & crew!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Steve. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🎄

      Liked by 1 person

  4. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    The decorations are very nice and creative, John. Have a Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Tim. Merry Christmas to you. 🎄

      Liked by 1 person

  5. shoreacres's avatar

    The turtle, the longhorn, and the armadillo are my favorites. I’m not sure I’d put the Grinch in my yard, but on the other hand, he sometimes comes to a different and quite funny end, as Home Free reveals.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Love it. Thanks, Linda.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Darlene's avatar

    I love the Santa Bus and all the decorations. I’ll have a Sweet Corn Cake Benedict please. Yum!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sounds good to me too. Thanks, Darlene

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    That hologram deer is awesome. Nothing like that around here. Big inflatables, lights, and a few towering Santa skeletons.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There is also a hologram snowman but the photo didn’t work.

      Like

  8. Dale's avatar

    Fun to see your neighbourhood all decked out in those Christmas characters. Love the Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton video.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought the video was quite funny. Thanks, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Especially the outtakes 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yes.The bees were hysterical

          Liked by 1 person

  9. lois's avatar

    You have some fun ones here–the turtle and Viking Santa gnome are so cute! Over here we seem to have the inflatables that become deflatables in the daytime. I get a kick out of seeing them splayed out on the lawns. They look like how I feel during this season.

    I’m picturing the puma and the panther seeing that giant bulldog on their front yard…😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They haven’t seen the bulldog yet. We’ll have to take them by it, Thanks, Lois.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Debbie's avatar

    Wow, the bus looks fabulous! The lighted beard and mustache are a nice touch. I don’t usually care for blown-up decorations, but that Frenchie is so cute! And so are the armadillo, turtle elf, and Santa with his longhorn. A most enjoyable Sunday, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Debbie. So glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Michele Lee's avatar

    Thank you for sharing holiday cheer! Love the turtle. Merry Christmas! 🎄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Merry Christmas to you, Michele. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Michele Lee's avatar

        🙏🏻🎄🎅🏻😊

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    The hologram-like deer takes the prize as my favorite. What’s it made of?

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is plastic with many facets

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        The facets are different colors?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          That is the light working. reflections from the surroundings.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

          Oh, okay, got it!

          Liked by 1 person

  13. circadianreflections's avatar

    Haha! That was delightful, John! The turtle and the Toadstool Tavern were my favorites this year. Merry Christmas to you and the family!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Deborah. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well

      Like

  14. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    Wow, great holiday decorations 💞

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Robbie.

      Like

  15. noelleg44's avatar

    These inflatables are so much fun, John. I would never have one because they look so sad when they deflate, which is often! I loved the turtle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes I see them lying all over people’s yards.

      Like

  16. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    A nice assortment of decorations. I’m not sure what to make of the hologram-like deer though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is new for sure. Thanks, Jo

      Like

  17. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    While I am a pup and penguin gal myself, the turtle elf belongs on MY shelf! Merry Christmas, decorations or not!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Merry Christmas, Annette

      Liked by 1 person

  18. noelleg44's avatar

    Nothing sadder. Quite the menu today!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. coldhandboyack's avatar

    I’m like a few others. That vector/holographic deer is awesome. I can just see the real deer gathering around him.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      they would have to wear sunglasses.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Sorryless's avatar

    I just love that Santa bus. THAT is some holiday cheer going strong right there.

    As for the decorations, they just kept getting bolder and more fantastic. I though the turtle was going to steal the prize and then the Viking Santa came along and I was like, whoa! And then the skeleton crew made me think . . how comes I can’t have a three way tie?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You can have a three way tie. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        The judge has spoken. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yup. And that is final.

          Liked by 1 person

  21. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    It looks like a very nicely decorated neighborhood. Great photos.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    Seems like Texas does decorations like no one else. I chuckled out loud at the Santa and Longhorn scene. Great array of decorations, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That is outrageous even for Texas standards. Thanks, Monika.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Jennie's avatar

    Your neighborhood went all out this holiday. I’m very fond of the turtle elf and the Santa bus.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So glad you liked them, Jennie

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Laura's avatar

    Love the decorations! Some really great and funny ones, can’t believe Christmas is already over, time flies!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It seems like it got here and then left with the speed of light.

      Like

  25. Pit's avatar

    I LOVE the Santa Bus!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I would love to ride in it for sure. Thanks, Pit.

      Like