Since this is Easter Sunday, it would be fun to tour the neighborhood and see if anyone has decided to decorate for Easter. We are catered by Quattro Gatti in Austin. Our entertainment is Pharrell Williams.
We are going to Lakeway City Hall to view Penny Jamrack’s art today. Her art is on display, sponsored by The Lakeway Arts District. Penny is originally from England but now spends time at her places in Australia, Montana, and Texas. She retired from software development to concentrate on her creative interests, especially watercolor and acrylic painting. She finds inspiration in the natural beauty of plants, birds, and animals. She is also very interested in portrait work, including those of famous musicians and political figures.
I have tried to take the best photos of the art. Sometimes, it is necessary to shoot at an angle to avoid light glare. I have not tried to capture the frames, so in some cases, they are cropped out.
We are catered today by Buenos Aires Cafe of Austin. Our entertainment is Rod Stewart.
Menu
GNOCCHI DEL- potato-herb gnocchi, house marinara and Parmesano
PASTEL DE PAPAS – Argentine style “Shepherd’s pie” Certified Angus ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, green onions, raisins, green olives, red bell peppers & herbs topped with mashed potatoes; baked until golden
MILANESA – Two breaded & fried Certified Angus Beef cutlets, house fries or Yukon gold mashed potatoes, field green, Napo (ham, cheese, marinara) A Caballo (two fried eggs)
NAPOLITANA – Two tender breaded Certified Angus beef cutlets blanketed with ham, baked mozzarella cheese, and house-made marinara sauce, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, field greens
FETUCCINI ALFREDO – Fetussini tossed in our smooth and creamy Parmesan sauce
The bus is ready. Let’s go.
Penny Jamrack artist.
Mother Stork and Chick – Framed watercolor
Blue Jay – Framed acrylic on canvas
Monarch Feeding – Framed acrylic on canvas
Roseate Spoonbill – Framed watercolor
Puffin with Attitude – Framed watercolor
Red Shouldered Hawk – Acrylic on canvas
Bald Eagle on Branch – Framed acrylic on canvas
Hummingbird on Daisy – Acrylic on canvas
Snowy Owl Ice Dancing – Framed acrylic on canvas
Testing the Ice – Framed acrylic on canvas
Angry Tiger – Framed watercolor
Janis Joplin – Acrylic on canvas
Saguaro Sunset – Framed watercolor
Sir Elton John – Acrylic on canvas
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Framed acrylic on canvas
Santa Fe Door – Watercolor
Andaman Sea Anemones – Acrylic
Weeping Desert – Acrylic
Well, that is the tour. Time now to relax, have some food, and listen to Rod Stewart
Lakeway has three new sculptures, so we want to go see them. Also, there are bluebonnets in bloom, and we want to check them out too. We are catered by Second Bar and Kitchen in Austin, and our entertainment is Gene Autry.
Today, we will drive the neighborhood to see if spring is making its presence known. We are catered by Eberly of Austin. Our entertainment is Elvis Presley.
Many of you have asked how our community can grow plants with the number of deer we have wandering around. I answered that most residents know not to plant anything that the deer like to eat where they can get to them. There are always exceptions to every rule, so today, we will visit those folks who still plant luscious treats for the deer to eat. Oh, they try to keep the plants protected, but it seems like such a futile endeavor when plenty of things look good but are not deer favorites. We are catered by Perrfy’s Steakhouse of Austin. Our entertainment is The Grass Roots.
Menu
Steakhouse Pasta – Tomato basil pasta with grilled beef tenderloin.
Butcher’s Steak Burger – Filet Mignon, NY Strip, and Ribeye trimmings ground daily in-house and served with French Fries.
Bacon Slab Burger – Ground fresh daily, topped with thick-cut bacon slab and bacon marmalade.
Char grilled salmon – Topped with lemon dill butter and served with whipped potatoes and thick-cut chargrilled vegetables.
Chicken Oscar – Topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and Bearnaise, served with steamed asparagus.
Filet Mignon – Served on a hot cast iron plate. Served with whipped potatoes and thick-cut chargrilled vegetables. 6 oz., 8 oz.
Certified Upper Choice Ribeye – Served on a hot cast iron plate. Served with whipped potatoes and thick-cut chargrilled vegetables. 10 oz.
Seared Scallop Pasta – Three pan-seared scallops served with paccheri noodles tossed with a vegetable medley in a creamy Alfredo sauce, placed over a bed of San Marzano sauce.
Get on the bus.
Here’s a whole bed of groundcover plantings screened in.
To the left are roses, which are a gourmet item for deer.
More screening around various plants
Use of a downspout pipe to protect the tree.
Hard to see, but there is a little stick of a tree being guarded by iron and wire (and a little rope)
Screen wire and metal posts.
This one looks like it is a squirrel deflector.
A little hard to see, but virtually every plant is surrounded by screening.
Here is an anomaly. A juniper planting surrounded by fencing. (Deer don’t eat Junipers)
Here are plants surrounded by wire and then strung with electric lights. Notice the deer resting by them.
Here is a fig tree with a substantial wire surround.
That is the conclusion of our tour. Sit back and enjoy the music and food. I hope you have a terrific week.
Today, we are returning to the Lakeway Activity Center. It is another Brown Bag Concert featuring the Lake Travis High School Fiddlers. We are catered by the Ember Kitchen of Austin. Our entertainment is Charlie Daniels.
Menu
Fire-roasted 1/2 chicken – Orange and Guajillo Brine, Pollo ala Brasa, Achiote Chimichurri
Wagyu steak – Market Cut, Ember Tortillas, Grilled Fennel and Onion, Salsa Dona
Today, we will witness the second annual Polar Plunge in Support of the Special Olympics at the Lakeway Resort. The idea is to raise money for Special Olympics by committing to a freezing plunge in the pool. The highest individual amount was $3200. We are catered by Intero Restaurant of Austin. Our entertainment is Brad Paisley.
bucatini, broccoli, sottocenere al tartufo, burnt garlic, chive
mafaldine, house bolognese, rosemary, grana padano
Let’s go.
There is the banner telling us we are here.
Registration for participants.
Hot beverages
The ice-cold pool is where the plunge will take place. The air temp is 75 degrees (23.8 C), so the plunge could have been worse.
A group shot of all the wonderful people who raised money for the Special Olympics and who will be very wet shortly.
The three finalists for the costume competition. The seventies guy on the right won.
Tom Kilgore, the mayor of Lakeway, welcomes everyone.
The Special Olympic torch is carried in. Law enforcement, Fire departments, The FBI, Border Patrol, and other agencies play a unique role in Special Olympic fundraising. The torch is symbolic of their contribution.
The director of the event is first. She is the big splash. The officer pushed her in and followed suit.
The plunge was done by groups. (I caught them at the moment of truth.)
Hold your nose.
Walk on water. (For a split second)
More noses.
Another group, including the pink flamingo and Seventies guy
Two law enforcement officers.
Time to dry off and for us to relax with the food and music. I hope you have a super week.
Today, we are visiting the Bee Cave Arts Foundation Hive Gallery to check out the latest exhibition. This special two-month-long art exhibition celebrating Women’s History will be on exhibit from February 3rd – March 22nd. Presented by the Lakeway Arts District and Bee Cave Arts Foundation, this creative exhibit showcases the largest-ever array of paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media, and fiber arts by 68 talented local women artists. Their uplifting art was inspired by women’s history, health, beauty, motherhood, and equality. Due to the number of pieces, it is difficult to take single shots. We are catered today by Juniper East in Austin, and our entertainment is Peggy Lee.
To give you an idea of the spaciousness of the beautiful gallery, here is a log shot of part of the space.
This is a mosaic of the Hive logo made under the direction of Austin mosaic artist and muralist J Muzacz, author of the book ATX Urban Art.
Displays of art, pottery, and sculpture.
Lovely paintings and clothing.
A place to appreciate the art and to think.
Interesting pieces, even in the hallway.
Well-lit and unique pieces.
The torso to the left is a stunning piece.
The rose can’t help but dominate the space. Another alcove to relax.
A working section of the gallery with fine art for company. As you can see, this exhibit is a beautiful way to experience the talent of the 68 women on display. I hope you have enjoyed a peek. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the food and music.
Today represents one of those in-between kind of weeks. I have called it potpourri. We went to Bee Cave to witness Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo, seeing his shadow indicating early spring. It is too early for many Valentine’s decorations. So, we will now wander the neighborhood to see what else is going on. We are catered by Diner Bar in Austin. Our entertainment is Fleetwood Mac.
Menu
To start
SHRIMP TOAST– benne seeds, fino sherry, sourdough
DEVILED EGGS – smoked fish, Dijon, trout roe
SPICY BLUE CRAB SALAD – 0ld bay, cayenne, toasted saltines
DINER BAR LETTUCES – feta, pickled peppers, oregano
We are going to the Lakeway Activity Center for sizzling salsa dancing today. This is part of the Lakeway Arts Brown Bag Concert Series. The idea is to bring your lunch and enjoy the entertainment. We are catered by Nixta Taqueria of Austin. Our entertainment is Gloria Estefan with Daniel Rosas & Jasmin Benfreha.
Salsa flight – 1oz serving of salsa cruda, salsa Morita, lacto-fermented hot sauce, creamy habanero. A delicious addition to chips, tacos, or tostadas! (contains fish sauce)
