Views of the Neighborhood – Artist Gail Threinen at Lakeway

January 21, 2024January 20, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today, we are off to see the Asian watercolor art of Gail Threinen, whose work is displayed at Lakeway City Hall. This type of painting is deep in history and symbolism. Unlike traditional Western-style painting, it is meant to capture the spirit of the subject rather than its photographic reality. The ink and paper are unforgiving and cannot be retouched once the brush is stroked on the paper. Yet, many happy surprises come of that water-ink-brush-paper interaction.

We are catered by Asti Trattoria. Our entertainment is Don Mclean

Brunch menu

ASTI Benedict – focaccia / prosciutto / poached egg / hollandaise / dressed greens

Shakshuka – arrabiatta / house ground sausage / baked eggs / parmesan / pecorino / grilled focaccia

Egg White Frittata – roasted romanesco / blistered tomato / butternut squash / fontina / arugula salad

Italian Toast – focaccia / sweet ricotta / lemon curd / merengue / candied rosemary

Shrimp & Polenta – red eye gravy / shaved parmesan

Chicken Cutlet Parmesan – capellini / lemon / capers / garlic / tomato fresca

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

Lakeway artist – Gail Threinen can be reached at gail.threinen@gmail.com

A word about the photos. The lighting in the Art Center is excellent for viewing the art in person but terrible for photos. Also the art pieces are displayed in varying heights which makes straight on photos difficult. I had to take the shot from a side view to avoid the lights so some pictures would look off-center. I have cropped the pimagesto feature the art and paid little attention to the frames.

This piece is titled Spring Moon and is ink and pigment on xuan paper

Peace Blossom village – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Peonies in Pink – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Just Fishing – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Quote by Yoko Ono – ink on xuan paper

Vineyard and Friends – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

In The Moonlight – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Calm – Ink on xuan paper

Jucy Grapes – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

In Praise of Second Chances – ink on xuan paper

Water Village – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

I hope you enjoyed the show. Now relax, have some brunch, and enjoy the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – After The Holidays

January 7, 2024January 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Today, we will tour the neighborhood and check out the holiday decorations that are still up but shouldn’t be. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas today, which is a good reason to keep the decorations displayed. It is also okay to keep decorations up for as long as someone wants, but they should be in good condition and look like they are being done on purpose, not just forgotten. We are only going to see the decorations that have been neglected, not the ones left on purpose. We are catered by Salty Sow of Austin. Our entertainment is Roy Orbison.

CRISP CHICKEN THIGHS

fried smashed potatoes, neck bone gravy

CANDIED PORK BELLY

collard greens, pot liquor, soy balsamic syrup

RANGER CATTLE WAGYU CHEESEBURGER

caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, pickles, Salty Sow special sauce, duck fat fries
– add béarnaise to fries +1

SLOW COOKED BEEF SHOULDER

mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, fried egg

PETITE BONE-IN FILETS

mixed mushrooms, red wine sauce

SMOKED PORK CARNITAS

avocado, tomatillo salsa, corn torillas, bbq hominy

GENUINE BLACKENED REDFISH

quinoa + lentils, smoked tomato, chipotle Tabasco lemon butter

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

Our first look is some candy canes past their prime. Leaners are losers.

Busted flat in Baton Rouge

Can you say fire hazard? Dry as a bone, I’d say.

Here’s one display that probably never should have been put out, let alone leave it beyond its expiration date.

It’s one of those fan-driven crazy Santa that needs to be put out of its misery.

Tired fawn past its bedtime.

The falling wreaths pass by my window.

What looks like a crime scene of dead inflatables.

Please help me. I’ve fallen and can’t get up.

The best for last. Way overserved inflatables. Just shows that cornhole and vodka do not mix well.

That is our tour today. Relax, have some food, and listen to the music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Happy New Year

December 31, 2023December 30, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 102 Comments

With a few short hours from wrapping up 2023, we at our house wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I think Twiggy says it best. (I have to wonder how she learned to operate the printer)

Views of the Neighborhood – Happy Holidays from Our House to Yours

December 24, 2023December 23, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Wishing you and yours a Happy and Peaceful Holiday Season.

Views of the Neighborhood – Decorations

December 17, 2023December 16, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 90 Comments

Today, we will cruise the neighborhood and highlight some of the decorations. We are catered by Bufalina of Austin, and our entertainment is Carpool Karaoke.

pizza

marinara – tomato, garlic, oregano

margherita – tomato, mozzarella, basil, parm

red pie – tomato, double garlic, double parm, chili flake, oregano pepperoni

calabrese – tomato, salami, mozzarella, serrano, garlic, basil

taleggio – mozzarella, sausage, scallion

chinese broccoli – mozz, sausage, parm cream, calabrian chilis, garlic

fresca – mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, lemon, parm

‘nduja – mozzarella, spiced pork sausage, artichoke, onion, parm

squash – mozzarella, chimichurri, pecorino, sesame seed

mushroom – mozzarella, caramelized onion, parm cream, piparra

anchovy – tomato, mozzarella, fennel, capers, basil, chili flake

Picture of an old time school bus

Hop on the bus

Casual reindeer.

Our old friend, the armadillo

Mr. Happy Turtle.

Giant reindeer.

Scrooge’s decoration.

The Halloween house is decorated for the holidays.

A night view of the Halloween house.

A long view of the most extensive display.

A little closer shot of Santa and Rudolf, the red-nosed longhorn.

Another Santa.

Lovely scene

Peace on Earth.

That is the tour, so it is time to relax with food and entertainment. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Trail of Lights

December 10, 2023December 9, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

We are going to visit the Trail of Lights in Lakeway. This annual tradition is under the auspices of the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. We are catered by Interstellar BBQ of Austin. Our entertainment is Martina Mc Bride and Elvis.

BEEF KIELBASA

All beef traditional Polish-style sausage in a pork casing

JALAPEÑO POPPER SAUSAGE

Beef and pork blend in a pork casing, jalapenos, and chunks of gooey cheddar

CHOPPED BRISKET

Chopped ends sauced with Johnny’s Texas Red Sauce

PEACH TEA GLAZED PORK BELLY

Slowly smoked until tender, then glazed with our homemade peach tea glaze

TURKEY

Turkey breast brined in citrus, herbs, and Live Oak Hefeweizen, seasoned with salt and pepper.

PORK SPARE RIBS

Duroc pork spare rib; a little sweet, a little spicy

PULLED LAMB SHOULDER

Juicy pulled lamb shoulder seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar

BRISKET

USDA prime all-natural brisket seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic

Let’s get on the bus.

We’ll just follow the signs.

Santa’s elf welcomes us.

Tree, Santa, and all the reindeer.

A campout scene.

The toy train.

The North Pole.

A far-away shot with the trail.

Mushrooms, birds, and flowers.

Ice skaters.

Stagecoach.

Several animals and a butterfly.

A last look back at a trail. I couldn’t hope to publish all the lights, but you know how festive this display is. Time now to relax, eat, and listen to the music. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Walk of Lights

December 3, 2023December 2, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 100 Comments

The annual Lakeway Walk of Lights officially opened on Friday. Using my time travel alarm, we are going back to join the festivities. We’re being catered by Craigo’s pizza, and there are smores and hot chocolate as well. Our entertainment is Michael Bublé.

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go.

The giant screen is playing A Christmas Story and one of the best scenes.

Who put the Howdy in Holidays?

Santa will be here after he lights the walk.

The bookmobile is here, too.

A place to write and mail a letter to Santa.

Face painting.

Ah, the fire to roast marshmallows for smores.

There’s Craigos.

Hot chocolate (After all, it’s 64 degrees F and 17.7 C.)

A reindeer to ride.

Ornaments to make.

Cookies to decorate.

The Liebolt cabin to visit.

The mayor introduces Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The countdown to plugging in the Trail of Lights (notice the lights in the upper right-hand corner)

Santa is happy the lights work.

A quick view of the trail.

Another view.

And another. We may need to come back for a trail tour, but for now, we should relax with the music and pizza.

Views of the Neighborhood – Artist Gordon A. Phillipson

November 26, 2023November 25, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 91 Comments

Today, we are visiting Lakeway City Hall, where an exhibit of artist Gordon A. Phillipson is underway. In fact, we are in time to attend a reception in his honor. We are being catered by L’Oca d’Oro of Austin. Our entertainment is Peter Paul and Mary.

Brunch Menu

Fresh Mozzarella, butternut squash caponata, pepitas

Polpette, Waygu brisket & heritage pork meatballs,
tomato jam, pecorino, oregano

Bacon, house-smoked thick-cut Iberico pork

Egg Salad Toast, miso, sourdough brioche, chives

French Toast Stick, cherry sorghum, raspberries,
whipped mascarpone

Porchetta Sandwich, focaccia, Boggy Creek arugula, olive pesto,
preserved lemon aioli

Creste di Gallo, tonkatsu brodo, garlic sausage, bok choy

Spaghetti Carbonara, pancetta, chili crisp, grana padano

Eggplant Parmesan, Steelbow eggplant, parmesan cream, basil oil, pomodoro

A word about the photos. The lighting in the exhibition area is great for viewing the art but challenging for photographs. Please excuse the odd angles and what will appear to be uneven photos. I intended to get the best shot of the art, avoiding blub glare and ignoring the frames.

Picture of an old time school bus

So, let’s all get on the bus

There is city hall. We need to go inside.

Refreshments are set up for the exhibit.

I want you to meet Gordon A. Phillipson – The talented and award-winning artist.

His bio is very impressive.

Titled: Sea Fury over Giza – A Hawker Sea Fury WWII British fighter

Titled: SB2c Helldiver over the Golden Gate Bridge – The Curtiss-Wright SB2c was an aircraft carrier-based bomber used by the Navy in WWII

Title: Mosquito Over London – The British De Haviland DH98 Mosquito was a multipurpose warplane used in WWII and was the fastest airplane in the World then.

Title: US Airmail Over the South Rim – The Swallow OX5 was built in 1928 and used for airmail stops in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.

Title: Mikoyan-Gurevich Over Red Square – The Russian-made MIG 15 brought advanced swept wing design into the air combat role. Used during the Korean War with advanced versions as late as VietNam.

Title: Super Constellation Arrives in Paris – The Lockheed L-1049H flew on November 20, 1956. Called “Super H” and “Husky,” the L-1049H was a convertible passenger/freight aircraft

I hope you enjoyed the show. It is now time to relax, have some food, and enjoy the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Thanksgiving

November 19, 2023November 18, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Thanksgiving is not the kind of holiday where you see a lot of decorations. I found evidence of a spirit of Thanksgiving and want to share it with you. We are catered by Franklin Barbeque of Austin. Our entertainment is Dee Dee Sharp.

Sandwiches

Brisket
Pulled Pork
Turkey
Chopped Beef
Tipsy Texan

Sides

Potato Salad
Slaw
Pinto Bean

Pies

Bourbon Banana
Pecan
Ruby’s Dang Pie
Key Lime Pie

Picture of an old time school bus

We are ready

A happy turkey welcome.

Texas style of leaves turning.

Hints of yellow in the green.

Crape Myrtles are ready for the winter.

There you go. A little flag.

A bee is thankful for The Producer’s Roses. (photo by The Producer)

A banner that screams harvest.

A longhorn and unique Thanksgiving display.

A tired turkey. (It could have been overserved.) The Christmas wreath is a nice touch.

A nod to the season in the flowerboxes.

Our favorite Armadillo is all decked out to greet the Great Turkey.

Ride ’em, Turkey.

Now let’s relax and have some food and enjoy the entertainment. I hope you have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving.

Views of Neighborhood – Arbor Day – Tree Planting

November 12, 2023November 10, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Our parks team had a great time planting trees with the community volunteers this weekend for Texas Arbor Day. Six live oak trees were planted in the median of Lakeway Boulevard thanks to the help of nearly 30 residents, led by our city forester, and participation by Davey Tree, Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo, and Councilmember O’Brien.

I did capture the event for us to enjoy as well. We are being catered by Chick-fil-A of Bee Cave, who is also feeding the participants. Our entertainment is Plain White T’s