Views of the Neighborhood – Christmas Past

Today, we are cruising the neighborhood to check out the remains of the Christmas decorations. This is a trigger warning that some of these images may be disturbing to those who don’t want to let go of the Christmas spirit. We are catered by Juniper of East Austin. Our entertainment is Home Free.

NEW YEARS EVE TASTING MENU

PAO DE QUEIJO – Brazilian cheese bread
CURED HAMACHI TARTARE – Maine uni, finger lime, colatura vinaigrette, serrano
CRISPY POTATO & OSSETRA CAVIAR – crab gribiche, chervil
SPINACH & CATUPIRY CHEESE AGNOLOTTI – pecorino fonduta, confit peppercorns, chives odd white truffle
SEARED SCALLOP – toasted fregola, oyster cream, seaweed oil
SEA BASS “MOQUECA” – crispy rice, coconut broth, dende oil
ROSEWOOD WAGYU NY STRIP – hen of the woods mushrooms,
black garlic vinaigrette, watercress, odd black truffle
BRIGADERIO – dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut praline,
chocolate crunchies

Picture of an old time school bus

Back to our old bus – Let’s go.

Poor little fella.

Goodness. Looks like a mass deflation.

I have no idea what this is supposed to be.

Another view gives no new ideas on what this is supposed to say.

Whoops, an overserved Reindeer.

That Reindeer should have partnered with the overserved Santa.

Or maybe we should all go to a meeting together.

We know pops. You’re just tired.

Speaking to tired. Wake this one in the morning.

I hope you had at least one laugh on the tour. Now, it is time to enjoy the food and entertainment.

 

 

98 comments

  1. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar

    I think all the decorative people are ready for the holidays.Lol Lakeway always surprises me.This is community fun of the best. Since it is possible that we will not meet before, I would like to wish you a wonderful start into a successful and blessed new year! xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you very much, Michael. Wishing you a blessed New Year.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar

    Sad really, more like the ghost of Christmas past…

    Liked by 2 people

  3. GP's avatar

    It seems the Grinch has been roaming your community! But can I still get one of those scallops?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sure. We are here all day. Thanks, G.

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Darlene's avatar

    The mysterious display looks like The Handmaid’s Tale Christmas! Perhaps that is Margaret Atwood’s place. LOL Thanks for the trigger warning. Always sad to see dead Christmas ornaments. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good guess on the Handmaid’s tale, Darlene. Happy New Year to you and yours

      Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Well, there is always next year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        True. They’ll get another chance.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    As someone said, the mysterious ones are Handmaids Tale. Surprised to see something like that with a Christmas theme.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I was very surprised.

      Like

  6. Dave Williams's avatar

    Deflated holiday decorations are fun to see on their own 🙂 I wonder if the red-gowned decorations are the handmaids from “The Handmaid’s Tale.” I haven’t seen the TV series, but I’ve seen clips of it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think most agree that is what it is. Thanks, Dave

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Glad you like them, Annette

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Diana. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  7. lois's avatar

    I’ve not seen the Handmaids in Christmas decorations before. Yikes. Going to take a lot of chocolate to get through that. Heavy on the crunchies.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think it is a new one for all of us. Yes, heavy crunchies

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Becky Ross Michael's avatar

    This is a funny take on the remains of the holiday:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Glad you liked it, Becky.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Almost Iowa's avatar

    Texas must be kinda rough on Christmas. Technically, your supposed to keep the decorations up until Epiphany – or so I have been told by authoritative sources.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are still in place so maybe there is going to be a resurrection.

      Like

  10. Michele Lee's avatar

    😂 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say. Thanks for the chuckles and happy Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Glad you got a chuckle. Happy Sunday to you. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Michele Lee's avatar

        Thank you and a happy Sunday to you! 🌞

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Esther Chilton's avatar

    Those poor Christmas decorations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know. One minute you are on top the next down low. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Debbie's avatar

    I always wait until Epiphany to take down decorations … and then, I do it fairly fast (so I won’t have to think about how sad and bare everything looks without them!) Hope your holidays were simply grand, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They were Debbie. I hope yours were the same.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    It’s interesting seeing these past Christmas decorations, John. Your view is amusing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thnak you, Tim. I’m glad if you got a chuckle.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Resa's avatar

    Gee whiz!

    I thought we were living in inflationary times, however this post sends an opposite message. (rim shot)

    The menu sound a bit fishy, but the BRIGADERIO sounds yummy, so I’ll go straight to that, with a couple of coffees.

    That should keep me up until midnight, on the 31st!

    Thanks for the tour, John! It’s always fun.

    OX 🐖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, those inflatables look a little depressed. Well, there is always next year. A couple of coffees will keep you going for sure. Thanks for the laughs. 😁X 😁X

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Resa's avatar

        Chuckles’r’us!
        🤭𝔁 😉𝔁

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Yes they are. 😁X

          Liked by 1 person

  15. Dan Antion's avatar

    Nice tour, John. They do look a little sad, but I’m sure they all served the season well.

    I’ll skip right to dessert – Brigaderio – dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut praline, chocolate crunchies.

    Gotta have the crunchies 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You won’t sleep for a week.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. srbottch's avatar

    Strip steak, please. Are you sure that it wasn’t a kid who got a new .22 for Christmas?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Could well be. Thanks for the solution, Steve.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. srbottch's avatar

        Any time, John🤓

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Sorryless's avatar

    I’m so grateful for the eats- where you somehow outdid yourself with this menu. And the music, well that song is just perfect.

    But the rest of this tour? Biz? Meer arre!

    Those inflatables look as if Tom Brady got to them. The Nightmare Before Christmas crew just looks so damn sad, I want to hug them but I don’t want to be visited by the ghosts of Christmas Spent. And what in the blessed humbug is Santa doing? It looks like he’s trying to strangle Rudolph before Blitzen comes along and kicks his fat ass.

    And yet, I loved it all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I loved your description of the mess. Thanks, Pilgrim.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        It was a wild ride.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    I feel so deflated, even the Grinch is deflated. The New Years Eve tasting menu looks great.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I thought I would like to go there. Well except for the crowds.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. noelleg44's avatar

    Mass deflation event. Nothing sadder.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree. That is why I don’t like inflatables.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar

    Aah. I feel a little deflated myself John…and always do in the days between Christmas and New Year but this cheered me up… and love the menu… Happy New Year.. hugsx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thak you, Sally. The saving grace is we can look forward to next year too. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Sally

      Like

  21. alexcraigie's avatar
    alexcraigie · ·

    I really enjoyed that! Home Free was a real bonus – it always fascinates me that they can create that sound just using their own voices and bodies. Happy New Year, John! Hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are quite talented, Trish. Happy New Year to you and yours.

      Like

  22. circadianreflections's avatar

    Saturday most of my neighborhood took down their decorations us included because we had a break between rain storms. Those that still have their decorations up look pretty deflated like your neighborhood does. 😢 I’ll miss the pretty lights.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We still have plenty of decorations. The flat ones then to be the first to go. Thanks, Deborah. Happy New Year to you and family.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. circadianreflections's avatar

        Happy New Year to you and yours, John!!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Dale's avatar

    The Grim Reapers of Christmas have passed in the first few and you’ve caught them in the act on the next ones! The last ones best get in their last hurrahs before the Reapers arrive!

    Love this, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      A great way to put it, Dale. Thanks and Happy New Year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Haha!
        Happy New Year to you and all your girls!

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    Inflatables are made worse when they’re deflated. Just put the doggone thing back in it’s storage bin! And please leave it there forever.

    P.S. Can you explain the dinosaur inflatable thing at Christmas. I just don’t get it. And the Halloween rework/morf into a Christmas scene is a sure sign of the strange workings of some people. And to think they walk among us. Yikes!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah and an important fact is they live here and not near you. Happy New Yea, Monika.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

        Trust me, there are plenty in my ‘Hood as well. So weird. Best wishes for a pawsome 2025!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Thank you, Monika.

          Liked by 1 person

  25. Jennie's avatar

    That was really funny, albeit a bit sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah it was a bit sad but as the old philosopher said, “All good things must come to an end.” We can look forward to next year.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        Exactly! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  26. robertawrites235681907's avatar

    oh dear, these have definately got the post Christmas blues.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes they do. Thanks, Robbie. We have next year to look forward to. Happy New Year.

      Like

  27. roughwighting's avatar

    Umm, i’ll be knocking on your door in an hour or so. The food menu looks delicious! Laughing because we put Christmas down two days ago. Enough is enough! Happy new year John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I agree. enough is enough

      Liked by 1 person

  28. dgkaye's avatar

    All the joy deflated. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. Joy be gone.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    LOL. Great tour, John, or some rather deflated Christmas decorations. And the weird leftover Halloween displays robed in red. Hmmm. 🙂 Your commentary was great. Thanks for the fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Diana

      Liked by 1 person

  30. boromax's avatar

    That was fun! Not sure what’s up with “Christmas skeletons.” We saw a few of those in our neighborhood this year, too. ~Ed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Really can’t explain it. Thanks, Ed

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Ilsa Rey's avatar

    Definitely had a laugh at the tour. 😛 Great captions!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ilsa Rey's avatar

        And Happy New Year to you, good sir!

        Liked by 1 person

  32. Rebecca Cuningham's avatar

    The inflatable decorations should have followed your new year’s recommendations. They look toasted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They do don’t they? Like enough is enough. 😁

      Liked by 1 person