Views of the Neighborhood – The First Signs of Spring

~ John W. Howell

Today we are going out and about to see if we can find signs of spring. We are catered by Eddie V’s of Austin. Our entertainment is Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole.

Menu
Chilean Sea Bass – Steamed Hong Kong Style with Light Soy Broth
Georges Bank Scallops  – Seared with Citrus Fruit, Roasted Almonds, and Brown Butter
Norwegian Salmon – Mustard and Rye Whiskey Glazed with Baby Carrots and Spinach
Parmesan Sole – Parmesan Crusted with Heirloom Tomato Salad and Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce
Jumbo Gulf Shrimp – Crab-Stuffed with herbs and garlic, Lemon Beurre Blanc
South African Lobster – Two Tails Broiled, Drawn Butter
Filet Medallions Oscar Style- Jumbo Lump Crab, Asparagus, Béarnaise
10 oz Center Cut Filet Mignon and 5oz Roasted South African Lobster Beurre Blanc

Served with your choice

Butter Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes, Petrossian Royal Caviar Double Baked Potato
Harissa Roasted Carrots with Citrus Yogurt, Honey Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cashews, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Truffled Macaroni and Cheese, Au Gratin Cheddar Potatoes, Crab Fried Rice, Mushrooms, Scallions, Grilled Asparagus Sea Salt, Lemon.
Picture of an old time school bus
Let’s go.
We start off with a redbud.
Some cross vine in bloom.
Calibrachoa are colorful
Another redbud
A lonely bluebonnet
More bluebonnets.
Carolina jasmine
Flowering cherry.
The final redbud.
Some wild verbina
Lovely periwinkle
The mountain laurel
That is the tour. It is time to relax, have some food, and enjoy the music.

90 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – The First Signs of Spring”

  4. Lovely signs of spring, John. Great photos! That first Redbud is beautiful.

    I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, so I’m hungry. I’m going to have the Norwegian Salmon and sample a few sides, if that’s OK. Butter with Poached Lobster Mashed Potatoes a touch of Crab Fried Rice and a few pieces of Grilled Asparagus Sea Salt, Lemon.

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  5. Thanks John – I enjoyed that. . .Plenty of colourful feasts for the eyes, and my gastric juices have yet to recover from the plethora of tempting dishes. Yummy is a mild description!
    Our circumstances have changed dramatically (age, a ‘forced move’ and no longer with a car) BUT the sky is blue, the sun warm and our landlords have left us with hundreds. . .of delightful white daisies winking in the sunshine. So, what’s not to like!? Have a fruitful week.
    Love to the dear doggies. . .
    Cheers. Joy xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think keeping your optimistic attitude will go a long way in adapting to your changed circumstances. Concentrating on life’s flowers and other small blessings is the best course of action. It sounds like you are doing just that. Here’s to a peaceful week. 😊

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  11. What gorgeous red buds! We have forsythia and daffodils out, along with cherry and Bradford pear trees. That is my absolute favorite rendition of Over the Rainbow! So sad that the singer has passed.

    And I’ll take the jumbo stuffed shrimp! Yum!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. These are lovely signs of spring, John. I have two Redbud trees in my yard, but they grow so wonky. One is growing over my neighbor’s privacy fence, along with my azaleas, and she sent me a picture of them she had taken from inside her house. She was having a lot of yard work done, but told me she had instructed her yard people, “Don’t cut the flowers growing over the fence!” I was so happy we could both enjoy them.

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  14. First off, you are quite the Botanist. you are WAY AHEAD of us here in Chicago-land. We have zip so far. Hey if you’re buying, I’ll have the lobster and the caviar. If they have it, I’ll also have a nice white wine. Thanks

    Tom (it’s ok to expense it)

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      1. I appreciate your generosity. As an old friend would say at dinner, “is this on Miles or is this on Pyles?”

        I’ll take the two buck chuck !!

        thanks

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Thank you, John, for reminding me that Spring really is coming! It’s going to be a while before we up here start seeing actual flowering things, but yours are truly lovely — doggone it, I already miss my redbud that had to be cut down!!

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  25. How lovely!

    I wish we were seeing some signs of spring. We had a few days that felt like summer. Now, it’s cold again, but won’t last.

    This week we are getting wet snow.

    Then we will go into the rainy part of spring. Yes, the big wide open grey skies are here! Again! Never left!

    OX OX OX

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      1. True, but oddly Spring has been shortening, almost vanished in the last decade.
        It’s winter. Then it’s spring for 2 weeks. Then it’s summer.
        The summers have become way too hot!
        ☀️𝒳 🫠𝒳

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  30. Man, you supplied this weekend. As per usual.

    We gots our seafood and we have spring. Both delicious and much welcomed things in my book. I love the menu at the top. You always go above and beyond with the selections, I have to say. And then you hit us with spring colors and that is the perfect dessert.

    Thanks for another wonderful tour Sheriff

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  32. It’s hard to see flowers blooming when there’s not even a ‘green anything’ yet. Okay, whine-a-thon is over. Thank you for the beautiful photos. When we are in bloom and in the low 80’s, and you are sizzling in the heat, you can have a whine-a-thon. 😀

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  33. I love that menu — I’ll have some of everything, as my grandpa always said at pitch-ins. The flowers are beautiful and a refreshing sight. Love your choice of entertainment, too — I have that album on vinyl!

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