Views of the Neighborhood – Flora

Today, we are cruising the neighborhood to see what kind of summer blooms are available. We are catered by ABA of Austin. Our entertainment is The Cowsills.

Menu

Texas Peach Biscuit – peach compote, whipped cream
Avocado Toast – pomegranate, preserved lemon, mint
Khachapuri – baked egg, cremini mushroom, graviera, green onion
Açaí Bowl – blueberry, banana, pomegranate, dukkah, coconut, mint
Short Rib Shakshuka – local eggs, spicy harissa, graviera, roasted potato
Kefta & Eggs – lamb & beef kefta, fried eggs, tzatziki, lemon dill rice
Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak & Egg – fried eggs, crispy potato, tzatziki
Jerusalem Bagel & Smoked Salmon Spread – sumac red onion, tomato, caper, labneh
Kebabs – served with basmati rice, Grilled Mushroom, date, sherry vinaigrette, zhoug
Grilled Chicken – yogurt marinade, sweet pepper, zhoug
Lamb & Beef Kefta -lemon, olive oil, tzatziki
Grilled Salmon – sweet pepper, red onion, zhoug
Beef Tenderloin – bell pepper, cippolini onion, zhoug
Picture of an old time school bus
The bus is waiting.
Our first bloom is a beautiful red Crape Myrtle.
Next, we have Mexican Bird of Paradise and white Angel’s Trumpet
A lovely example of Mexican Sage in bloom. A signal rain is coming.
Checking on the mom and baby in our yard. (I know not flower blooms but blooms of another kind.)
A gigantic pink Crape Myrtle.
Another lovely red Crape Myrtle.
A Century plant (Agave Americana) with it’s one and only bloom before dying.
A Crape Myrtle that has a purple hue.
More Mexican Bird of Paradise.
Prairie Verbena.
Cactus flower.
More sage.
Mexican Birds of Paradise.
Blackfoot Daisy.
Well, that is the tour today.  Time to relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a terrific week.

84 comments

  1. Hazel's avatar

    All gorgeous!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Hazel.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hazel's avatar

        You’re most welcome, John. Enjoy your week.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          You as well, Hazel.

          Liked by 1 person

  2. JFRSr's avatar

    John, thank you for the beautiful Sunday morning view of God’s handiwork. The menu was very interesting, but I’m sticking with my usual: country ham and sausage gravy biscuit. 🐳

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That sounds delicious, too. I remember some of those Southern breakfasts, featuring country ham, red-eye gravy, grits, and eggs. Don’t forget the alligator appetizers later in the day. 😊

      Like

      1. Unknown's avatar
        Anonymous · · Reply

        John, what wonderful memories we have. It was just you, the Captain, and me. I still miss the Captain, and he will always hold a special place in my heart. What a remarkable man and friend he was. Do you remember the night you had to perform a stand-up routine for Ruth Wolfgang? It seems like you always got the toughest assignments. Thank you for helping create so many special memories together.🐳

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I do remember that. I got the Tampa Bay Triangle Award for that stunt. I loved the Captain, too. We had many fun times with him, me, and Mr. Gin. He even barfed on my shoes one night. I kept in touch with him. until he died.

          Like

    2. John W. Howell's avatar

      Jim, Since your last comment came in anonymously, you might not see my reply. i am repreating it here. “I do remember that. I got the Tampa Bay Triangle Award for that stunt. I loved the Captain, too. We had many fun times with him, me, and Mr. Gin. He even barfed on my shoes one night. I kept in touch with him. until he died.”

      Like

  3. Darlene's avatar

    What a colourful neighbourhood!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Darlene. This time of year is very nice. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  4. shoreacres's avatar

    Our crape myrtles are as pretty as I’ve ever seen them; they’re so heavy with blooms it’s almost unbelievable, just like these.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It has been a good year for them which given the lack of rain all year is a surprise.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Great pictures of those beautiful flowers, John. The doe and fawn in your yard are wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We see them twice a day. The fawn is loving carrots like her Mama. Thanks, Tim.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. GP's avatar

    You’re having a beautiful summer, John.
    Now – let’s serve up that Texas Peach Biscuit!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We have had six inches of rain in the last 24 hours. Can’t say enough good things about it. One Texas Peach biscuit coming up. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        👍🍑

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Nice tour. The century plant is really cool. How long does the bloom last?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It takes approximately a month or more for the bloom to reach that height. Then another month before the plant starts to die.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        More time than I expected. Thought it was only for a few days.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          No, it takes some time.

          Like

  8. Klausbernd's avatar

    Dear John
    Well maintained small gardens in front of the houses. Beautiful.
    We don’t like the deer in our garden as they eat our tulips and other blooming flowers.
    Wishing you a happy week
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      As you can imagine, we don’t plant anything that the deer might like. All our delicious plants are behind the fence. The deer herd has been here long before people moved in, so they are considered the primary residents, and we are the guests. Wishing the F4oC a wonderful week. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  9. circadianreflections's avatar

    They look beautiful! All so big and lush. Fancy that timing you had to see the Century plant and cactus both in bloom! That was special. Have a lovely Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was good timing for sure. Thanks, Deborah.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    John, heartfelt thanks for posting something pleasant and beautiful. I made the mistake of taking an online look at the world during my wake-up time, and lost the will to get out of bed. Your lovely post has as put me back on track. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m so glad you are back on track, Teagan. There is plenty of ugly out there, but lots of beauty too. I guess the idea is to focus on the beauty and keep the heart full. Hugs and thanks for letting me know you liked the post.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. tokragly's avatar
    tokragly · · Reply

    Very nice tour. I wish we had some of the plants up here in Chicago. We do have some variety but yours are nicer – I think. Who is the expert? You or Molly ?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, she knows all there is to know about plants. 😀

      Like

      1. JFRSr's avatar

        Yeah, but l bet she don’t know nothin’ bout that tire bidness🐳

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I think all of us know nothin” bout the tire bidness.😀

          Like

  12. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Your neighborhood is looking great.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Craig.

      Like

  13. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    My beautiful crape myrtles!! I’d forgotten all about the Cowsills.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. equipsblog's avatar

    Beautiful, John. Although I didn’t know them, I went to highschool with the Cowsills. They were the inspiration for the Partridge Family.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, I lived through those years.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Jennie's avatar

    Beautiful, John. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for going on the tour. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        A pleasure, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. noelleg44's avatar

    Gorgeous blooms! We have a lot of crape myrtle here, too – loves hot weather!

    And oh that Texas peach biscuit sounds yummy.

    Thanks for the Cowsills!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Noelle.

      Like

  17. Cindy Georgakas's avatar

    So much beauty all around, John. Thanks for the tour! 💓

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There is. It is a matter of paying attention to beauty. It is everywhere.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cindy Georgakas's avatar

        That’s well said and so true, John! ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    Such a gorgeous visual banquet served up from your neighborhood! We loved it (even though I know some people are not fans of crape myrtle trees-I’m always blown away by their beautiful appearance-since I don’t have to manage their tendency to sucker). Happy Sunday.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Also, they are high on the messy scale. Thanks, Monika.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

        Yes, my sis in Bastrop complains about them every summer. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Much to complain about.

          Liked by 1 person

  19. Sorryless's avatar

    Imma have the Khachapuri and the Texas Peach Biscuit por favor, and gracias.

    As for the flora, all so good and a wonderful respite for the eyes. The Crape Myrtles are such an elegant feast. And then you supply a song to cap this bumper crop? It’s winning time all around!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Pilgrim. So glad you liked the tour.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Loved it, always do.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · · Reply

    Lovely journey! Thank you for the uplifting share. Have a great week, John. 🌞

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Wishing you a super week as well, Gwen. Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Rebecca Cuningham's avatar

    Great bloomin’ photos, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Rebecca. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Resa's avatar

    Beautiful blooms, John, thank you!

    Nature is the best artist.

    So, I’ll take a bouquet of Deer blooms please!

    Funny, but I didn’t see any in the pic. What colour are they? Do they grow on a bush? Annuals? Do they last for days in a vase of water?

    Well whatever! If they are named for deer, they must be gorgeous!

    Have a great week!

    🌸🦌 🌺🦌 🌼🦌

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Resa. I hope you have a great week too.
      🌺X🌸X🌼X

      Like

      1. Resa's avatar

        🌺X🌸X🌼X🌺X

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Dan Antion's avatar

    That’s a beautiful tour, John.

    I think I’ll be a little healthy today and go with the Grilled Salmon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good for the heart.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    Such lovely colors. The deer made me smile AND the song – just perfect!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So glad you enjoyed the post. Annette.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. petespringer's avatar
    petespringerauthor · · Reply

    Lovely tour, John. I was happy to see this post because of the horrible flooding some of your fellow Texans have been experiencing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It has been horrible, Pete. So many dead and missing. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    Beautiful photos and I’ll have the Jerusalem Bagel & Smoked Salmon Spread & Texas Peach Biscuit

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sounds like a good selection, Thomas. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Becky Ross Michael's avatar

    Such beautiful blooms! I’m glad to see that you’re safe, John, during all of that terrible flooding.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Becky. We are a long way from the flooding.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. John W. Howell's avatar

    Thanks for sharing my post.

    Like

  29. Teri Polen's avatar

    Beautiful blooms, John! I’m still sad our crepe myrtles died.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is sad, Teri.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. dgkaye's avatar

    Those Myrtle trees are beautiful John. I can’t help but wonder how your two ‘youngsters’ feel when the deer visit your home. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are very used to them. Now and then, Twiggy will give them a bark just for the fun of it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dgkaye's avatar

        Lol. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  31. kethuprofumo's avatar

    What a bright meadow! I’m sorry for Agave. This is one of the most attractive plants I have ever seen. Thank you, dear John!🍻🍤🍤🍤🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Maria.

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to GP Cancel reply