with John W. Howell
Lucy and Twiggy want to wish you and yours a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. But, of course, that goes for the Producer and me as well.
The comments are closed. Happy New Year
Well, here we are on the last Sunday before Christmas. This means we need to tour the neighborhood to view the holiday decorations. The Producer and I previewed the decorations and selected the final choices. There were nine categories of the display. The tenth is one for you to describe and is at the end of the post. We are doing some hot chocolate on the bus because, believe it or not, it is cold outside. We found some suggested combos for the chocolate, so all the makings are available for you to make your own. Our entertainment is She and Him. (Don’t miss this one)
Menu suggestions.
So get on, and let’s go.
The first category is Best Mailbox Display – Perfect Texas tie-in.
The Second category is the Best Use of a Vehicle.
Next is Best Traditional Display
The Fourth is Best Candy Cane Display. This is the Lakeway police station.
The Fifth is Best Runway Light Display
The Sixth is the Most Overdone Inflatable Display. Can you count them?
The Seventh is The Best Crossover Holiday Display.
The Eighth is The Best Cultural Display.
The Ninth is the Best Completely Over the Top Display.
And finally, here is the one that you choose the category. Just let us know in the comments.
So that is our tour. Time to relax and enjoy the music and hot chocolate. Wishing you a terrific week
Today we are going to attend the opening of the Trail of Lights in Lakeway, sponsored by the Lakeway Department of Parks and Recreation. Since this event starts at sundown, we will only have dessert. We are being catered by The Yard Milkshake Bar of Austin. Our entertainment is Pilot.
Menu
Let’s get rolling 
Although we are a little early, the cookie decorating place is ready.
Compose a letter to Santa?
The bookmobile getting set up.
Facepainting. (of course)
Here is where the big man himself holds court.
There’s pizza.
Hot chocolate.
A bucking reindeer.
Jumbo Tron with the movie Polar Express playing.
Games.
Spirit of the season
The band is getting ready
Fires are ready for s’mores.
A sample of what everyone came to see.
Another shot.
I hope you enjoyed seeing the preparations for the grand opening of the Trail of Lights. Enjoy your milkshake and the music.
Very seldom do we get colors of fall here in this part of Texas. Given the drought situation, we did not expect much. Then suddenly, we got a little rain, and the trees said in unison, “Let’s go for it.” So today, we are going to see what they look like. We are being catered by Olamaie of Austin. Pay no attention to the prices. It’s covered. Our entertainment is Neil Young.
Menu
So let’s get rolling.
The first view is a Bradford pear just beginning to turn.
Red berries.
A great ingredient for one of my favorite liquors. Juniper berries
A bush version of the red berries.
A Bradford pear in full glory.
A deciduous oak in the foreground and a Bradford pear in the back.
Another deciduous oak.
Bradford pears.
An old Bradford pear.
A crape myrtle
More red berries
A golden color deciduous oak.
A glorious Japanese Maple.
I hope you enjoyed seeing our fall color. Relax and have some food and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.
Today we are not going far from home. Since we have had some cold weather, it is time to check the garden and see what remains after a mild freeze. We are catered by Patrizi’s. To view the menu click on the link. Pay no attention to the prices. I’ve got this. Our entertainment is Ricky Nelson
Here we are. Pretty quick trip.
Hanging begonia is a little worse for the wear.
One last rose. They are finished for the season.
A hibiscus bloom. It might be one of the last.
The pentas look good.
The liriope (green plant) survived, but no blooms. On the other hand, the hypoestes (polka plant)are hanging on.
Ivy looks great.
The fig is doing well and will drop its leaves soon.
The bougainvillea lost some flowers and is no doubt finished blooming this year.
The gaillardia survived.
The trellised Mandevilla is doing well too.
The moss rose (purslane) is headed south.
Another begonia hanging on
Vincas are holding firm and still budding.
Purple sweet potato vine is showing signs of the cold.
More pentas holding out
The marigolds go on forever.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now enjoy the food and music.
Today’s tour is in search of Thanksgiving decorations. It seems the thanksgiving holiday gets short shrift when it comes to decorations. Halloween and Christmas get the lion’s share, but Thanksgiving? Not so much. Today we are catered by Hoover’s Cooking of Austin, and our entertainment is Carrie Underwood although there is a technical problem pasting a YouTube video.
Menu
Today we are going to attend the Safety Day exhibitions in Lakeway. This annual affair brings together Police, Fire, and Rescue teams from Travis county. The idea is to bring awareness to the community of the services available and educate safety practices. We are catered by Jew Boy Burgers in Austin. Our entertainment is Johnny Cash.
Menu
Not Burgers
Let’s go.
So, here we are, welcomed by the Constable crew.
Check out that ladder.
Forest fighting equipment.
A way to learn how to survive a fire.
The state trooper mounted and k-9 group.
The Colorado River patrol.
Two large EMS vehicles for disaster use. The largest can handle twelve patients.
The Lakeway Police tent.
Drilling equipment for power line restoration.
The game warden organization was represented.
A workshop for the kids to build birdhouses. There is also music, games, and food trucks, but since we brought our own, we can now relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a super week.
Today we are going to a concert in the park in Lakeway. The Band of the Hills which is a community band for all ages is having a concert in the park. We are being catered by Buffalina Due pizza of Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago.
Menu
marinara – tomato, garlic, oregano.
margherita – tomato, mozzarella, basil, parmesan.
calabrese – tomato, mozzarella, basil, salami, serrano, garlic, parm.
fresca – mozzarella, prosciutto piccante, arugula, lemon oil, parm.
taleggio – mozzarella, sausage, scallion, parmesan.
pepperoni – tomato, mozzarella, oregano, parmesan.
red pie – tomato, double garlic, double parmesan, chili flake, oregano.
vodka arrabiatta – vodka sauce, fontina, mozzarella, garlic, oregano, parmesan, chili flake, black pepper.
four cheese – mozzarella, taleggio, fontina, parmesan.
mustard greens – sausage, garlic confit, lemon oil, pecorino.
apple pie – parm cream, fontina, moss, blue cheese.
eggplant parmesan – tomato, garlic, oregano, chili flake, mozzarella, basil.
veggie supreme – tomato, sungolds, mushrooms, peppers, onions, basil, garlic, chili oil.
mushroom – mozzarella, taleggio, spiced creme fraiche, red onion, parmesan.
pickle pie – mozzarella, fontina, oregano, giardiniera, chili flake, chili oil.
So hop on the bus and let’s get rolling.
Here is a boy scout and his sister guiding in the crowds.
Lakeway Justice center is the location.
We are on time. Looks like a Baritone player is a little late.
Looking at the heron sculpture in the distance gave rise to an interesting view of instrument cases.
Don’t worry about donating. You’re covered.
The director is beginning the concert.
We need to find a seat.
Not here.
Maybe we can sit with the Elk.
Here we go. A nice comfortable spot with the chessplayers
I hope you had a good time. Sit back and enjoy the concert and food. Chicago wants to play one song for sure. I hope you have a great week.
Today we will take a trip to Lakeway Park to check out the String-A-Palooza. This is an event put on by school districts in and around Lakeway. Middle and grade school students all converge for a day of playing string instruments in and having fun.
We are catered today by Odd Duck of Austin. Our entertainment is Amadeus – The Electric String Quartet (of course)
Menu
Corn ribs, shiitake dressing, dukkah, cilantro relish
Gulf seafood ceviche, coconut purée, pear aguachile, tostada
Apple salad, pork rinds, kimchi vinaigrette, whipped chèvre
Falafel, TX caviar, cajun spiced ham, turmeric yogurt
Eggplant caponata, spicy pork jam, pine nuts, pickled okra, Sour Duck sourdough toast
Cast iron cheddar cornbread, spring onion cultured butter
Sweet potato agnolotti, ricotta, tomato butter, sunflower pesto, goat parmesan
Blackened redfish, zucchini, fried squash blossoms, sourdough bread sauce
Grilled quail, dirty Carolina gold rice, green beans, hot sauce butter
Dry-aged wagyu burger, pimento, pork belly, beer-battered pickled zucchini
Aged pork loin, whey gravy, butternut squash, shishito, salsa matcha
Wagyu sirloin cap, fried egg queso, potato, mushroom, chorizo vinaigrette
———
Apple-lemongrass sorbet, coconut-basil pudding, golden milk almond granola
Pear upside-down cake, cider curd, candied pecan, pear sherbet
Salted peanut butter budino, chocolate cake, marshmallow creme, dark chocolate-covered peanut butter cookie
So let’s get going.
A string band is there for entertainment at noon.
A little bluegrass music.
Volleyball and games.
Lunch break.
Viola cases attest to the serious nature of the event.
Fans and parents listening to the music.
Practice makes perfect. (or nearly so)
Burn a little energy while waiting to perform.
So now that we have heard all those strings let’s kick back and listen to the music and enjoy the food. I hope you have a great week.
