Views of the Neighborhood – Seed Packaging for the Seed Library and the Last of Fall

Today is an in-between kind of day. The Holidays are past, and the New Year is in front of us. It is a good time to take a look at the deciduous trees that have finally turned here in Texas. It is also a good time to check in with the volunteers who are busy restocking the seed library. We are catered by Comedor of Austin, and our entertainment is Elsie Duckworth

Menu

Sunchoke Tostada – Salsa macha, charred summer squash, shishito pepper salpicon

Grilled Greens – Curly mustard greens, 2×4 Farm black radish & turnip, masa croutons, persimmon vinaigrette

Chapulines – Heirloom hominy hummus, green mole, escabeche, masa lavash

Cobia Crudo – Apple, almond, cucumber, burnt allium

Quesadilla – Heirloom masa, onions, HiFi Mycology mushrooms, quesillo (Oaxacan cheese), smoked Fresno salsa

Fish Fundido – Oaxacan quesillo, Fresno chile, totopos (corn chips)

Fish Tacos – Blistered cabbage, toréado aioli, green salsa

Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce – 44 Farms beef, heirloom hominy grits, chipotle salsa

Bone Marrow Tacos – Quelites (wild greens), smoked butter, pecan gremolata

Enfrijolada – Rancho Gordo Vaquero bean salsa, sunchoke

Black-Grilled Chicken – Greener Pastures half chicken, heirloom masa, fire-roasted salsa, herbs

Berkshire Pork Chop Milanese – Double-cut bone-in pork chop, manchamanteles mole, 2×4 Farms sweet peppers

Lamb Barbacoa – Sweet potato, pickled tomatillo, chipotle & lamb fat salsa

44 Farms New York Strip – Chilhuacle negro chile butter, butterscotch squash, garlic-tomato confit

Potosí-Style French Fries – Charred onion aioli, chives, cilantro

Grilled Carrots – Requesón cheese, nixtamal crumble, chipotle glaze, mint, cilantro

Caesar Salad – Romaine, epazote, masa croutons, Manchego cheese

Picture of an old time school bus

Here’s the bus. Let’s go.

The location of the seed library. The administration offices of the Lakeway Municipal Utility District.

There are treats.

Some discussion with Stephanie Threinen, CPC Public Information Liaison. (Right)

Sorting donated seeds and labeling the packets.

The work is very necessary.

To help, some music to keep the spirits bright.

Most of the deciduous trees in Lakeway are oaks, so there is a lot of red. The color time is very short.

A lovely oak.

Another oak but golden.

Bradford pears with red leaves,

An oak just turning. In a week, these will be on the ground.

Another oak.

A final oak.

Now that we have witnessed the seed round-up and the changing color of the trees, it is time for food and music. I hope you have a great week and a Happy New Year celebration.

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33 comments

  1. Darlene's avatar

    Such a lovely version of the song. Happy in-between days. I haven’t had to cook for three days due to a fridge full of leftovers. Doggies are happy for the turkey scraps too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yeah, it’s kind of a sweet spot in the rush. Thanks, Darlene.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    What does the seed library get used for?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You come in and check out seeds that you want to plant, and then in the fall, you bring back seeds from the plants you planted in the spring.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        So, it’s like a seed exchange.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    This precisely the type of activity I should LOVE to be involved in! And I love Michigan-ish foliage on the oaks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Reminds me of my roots.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. NEERAJ SINGH's avatar

    beautiful picture 👍

    Liked by 1 person

  5. circadianreflections's avatar

    You have some lovely Oak trees and beautiful reds which are perfect for the season!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It took forever for them to change but they finally did Thanks, Deborah. 😀

      Like

  6. robbiesinspiration's avatar

    I love the red trees.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It wa so overcast when I took the photos I was afraid they wouldn’t look good.

      Like

  7. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    A seed library is fascinating. The oak trees are really pretty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you,, Tim. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Dan Antion's avatar

    I like the idea of the seed library. Seeing the changing colors is a nice thing. I don’t think I ever appreciate our oak trees, as they change late and we’re running out of time to bag them and get them picked up before the leaf dump closes for the year.

    I was getting worried about those menu items. I settled on Fish Tacos but could I also get a side of the Potosí-Style French Fries?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I love the oaks and we are lucky there is no rush. Yes you can still get a side of fries. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  9. GP's avatar

    It looks like autumn is late in Texas, eh? The trees are great!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      A Little late. Thanks, GP

      Like

  10. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    John this was a delightful romp around the neighborhood. I had never thought about grilling greens. That combination sounds delicious. I’d like some alongside that Sunchoke Tostada, please. My trees never turned this year — the leaves just went from green to brown and dropped several days ago. Although, we’ve had highs in the 70s for all but the first week of December. (It’s a little cooler today though.) You also introduced me to musicians I didn’t know in Elsie Duckworth. Beautiful voice and a fine, smooth rendition of the song by the band. Thank you, John. Have a splendid new week. Big hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I always love it when you enjoy a post, Teagan. I’m glad you did. Here’s your sunshine tostada and grilled greens.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Debbie's avatar

    What a gorgeous collection of oaks! Where I lived in Texas, we had lots of hickory trees (which turned mostly yellow). But these red-leaved oaks are stunning even if they’ll drop their leaves too soon. Happy New Year to you and yours, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Debbie. Happy New Year to you, Domer, and Monkey. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  12. noelleg44's avatar

    Seed libraries are a wonderful idea! Do they give the seeds away to people who ask for them?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes you just need to come in and ask. It is hoped that you will bring some of your seeds in the fall.

      Like

  13. Unknown's avatar
    Anonymous · · Reply

    Our local library also has a seed library. Pleased so see you participate and advertise, John.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Pat. 😊

      Like

  14. The Coastal Crone's avatar

    I would gladly share my Dessert Bird of Paradise seeds. The showy oaks are inspiring. I don’t see many here but a neighbor does have one. Cheers, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I would love to be able to grow Birds of Paradise. I had so many at the coast. Thank you, Jo. Cheers. 😁

      Like

  15. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    I love this idea! So cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It is a cool idea, Monika. Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    The seed project looks like fun (as long as it’s being done with others). And with snacks.

    Like

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