Today, we are visiting the neighborhood in search of the unusual. We are catered by Barley Swine of Austin. Our entertainment is Tom Jones.
Fixed Menu
Cured Hiramasa – caramel miso apple, dill ponzu
Baked Big Tree Oyster – kimchi, sesame, coppa
Butternut Squash – brown butter – jalapeno vinaigrette, guajillo queso
Tilefish – chermoula, sweet potato curry, bok choy
Pig Face Carnitas – carrot purée, escabeche, preserved orange
Akaushi Ribeye – 30+ day dry aged, broccoli gremolata, sunchoke creamed kale
Tarragon Whip – strawberry-grapefruit sorbet, fennel fudge
Pecan Texas Layer Cake – miso pecan praline, pink pineapple, carrot ice cream
Hop on the bus
All but the tree photo by The Producer
Gecko. in the sun.
Viceroy on final approach.
Hummingbird moth approaching the pansies.
The hummingbird moth is taking a big drink.
A swallowtail (not sure what kind. Might be a Pipevine or Spicebush.)
I got the fence color.
A big bumblebee is lunching at the crossvine.
Blending into the environment. (an Irish goodbye)
Good reason to blend in. A red-shouldered hawk is on the lookout for breakfast.
I’ve included this red bud because it is the earliest it has bloomed.
Time now to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Fiction Favorites 
The Producer takes amazing photos! The geckos are so cute.
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We love them. They are always giving us a smile.
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The butterflies are pretty, but those geckos are darned cute. They’re starting to come out here, too — it’s spring for sure.
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We have a bunch here. We enjoy them daily. Thanks, Linda.
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Cool. Isn’t easy to get pics of animals that move fast.
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That’s for sure. Also, when you use a close-up lens, there is some distortion
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Lovely photos John, That red bud is lovely. I wish we had them in UK. Not sure about that carrot icecream though…
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I wondered about that myself. I guess it might be worth a try, but I’ll bet you have to like carrots. Thanks, Jaye.
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I do like carrots, John, But what has that to do with the price of eggs?
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I’m thinking nothing. 😊
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Beautiful flowers and butterflies. Love the earliest spring blooms.
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Me too, Pat. Thanks.
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These are such amazing photos. The hummingbird, moth, bumblebee and the gecko… beautiful captures.
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Thank you, Smitha. So glad you enjoyed the visit
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You guys already have that hibernating kind of wildlife out and about? We won’t see exterior insects for a few more months.
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We’ve had a couple of days in the 80s so everyone woke up. 😀
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Ice cream for breakfast?! I’m here for it–pass that Pecan Texas Layer Cake this way. My redbud is blooming, too! I know what that hawk is looking for but they are such handsome creatures.
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They are for sure. Carrot ice cream for breakfast might not be a bad thing. Thanks, Lois. 😊
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Nice job, Producer. Those really are some nice pictures. We got snow covered overnight, so no “animals” to see except some brave birds and a coyote once in a while. I’m ready for some sun and warm temperatures.
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It won’t be long, Tom. Two months max. 😀
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Two months ???
Ugggg
we do have some pretty cardinals too.
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I know, right? The cardinals are beautiful.
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I never tire of running into hawks and love the redbud! Lovely day and meal.
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Thank you, Cindy 😊
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❤️❤️❤️
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😊
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Great gets, John. Loved the lizards and butterflies. Spring is on the way! No red buds blooming here yet but soon if it every warms up!
The butternut squash please!
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This is the earliest I’ve seen the red bud bloom. First sign of spring. Thanks, Noelle.
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Our daffodil bulbs are coming up! They are going to get nipped – we have freezing temps overnight this week!
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That is always heartbreaking.
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Awww, this was a bit unusual, but I loved every photo! Thanks, John!
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Thank you, Jan. So glad you did.
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Amazing photos, Producer (and John, I love the Redbud and miss mine a bunch). I remember geckos. They still give me the willies … especially if they make it indoors!
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We have a bunch of geckos here. They have never gotten inside. Thanks, Debbie
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Wow…your blooming is way ahead of any I’ve seen around my area!
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A microclimate here.
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Evidently!
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😊
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Beautiful views today, John! That hummingbird moth sure is unusual and the red bud is magnificent.
Can I have that rib eye now, XXX-rare!
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One rib eye seared coming up.
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Those are great photos and beautiful flowers. The Gecko in the sun is incredible.
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Thank you, Thomas
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Love the colors, and envy the ability of the lizards, to blend in…
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That is a great skill. Thanks, Annette.
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That hawk looks very intense! I love the red buds.
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Hawks are very focused.
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Love that red bud in bloom, stunning!
How great ti find all this beautiful nature in your hood.
I’m in love with the geckos. What a sweet little creature.
Thanks John, and have a fab week ahead!
𝕆🦎 𝕆🦎 𝕆🦎
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Thank you, Resa. Wishing you a terrific week as well.𝕆🦎 𝕆🦎 𝕆🦎 😊X
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The pictures are great, John, and make we wish I was there in Texas. It’s snowing here again.
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Aw. Sorry about the snow. 😊
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Well, we came to Michigan because my wife’s family was here. It turned out to be good for us financially, good old General Motors took good care of us, financially.
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I have fond memories of living in Michigan. Of course, I spent four years at Michigan State, so I am quite familiar with the weather. I remember trudging to class in the early morning before any sidewalks were shoveled. The wind chill at 20 below made the winter term a delight.
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Oh, I love this John! I’m ready for redbuds but we’ve got snow in Iowa. . .
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I’m sure it will be soon.
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You have some beautiful and interesting photos, John. I like them!
It’s late, so I think I’ll just go with a slice of the Pecan Texas Layer Cake.
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Good choice.
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A wonderful collection of captures Sheriff. And a great song, I love that song.
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Thank you, Pilgrim
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🙂
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😊
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It looks like you’re in a good weather pattern again. It’s been much colder than usual out west, and the northeast is just starting to get slammed. We’re heading to Arizona next weekend.
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A good time to go. Not too hot
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It’s so comforting to see that Spring had sprung somewhere and that we’re ‘only’ a couple of months away for us.
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It will go fast, Steve. A couple more blizzards and you’ll be home free. 😊
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You’re very encouraging!🥴. It’s snowing now, briefly, but more later this week. Fortunately, we’re outside the ‘bomb’ zone, unlike Jennie who’s pretty much in the thick of it today.
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Just what I wanted/needed to see as the blizzard rages on outside.
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