Today we were supposed to go to a charity walk/run, but unfortunately, due to the weather, it was canceled. So instead, we are going to visit some mailbox toppers. Some are old friends with changes, and some are new to us. We are being catered by Cavalier in Austin. Our entertainment is The Rolling Stones. (Yes, Mick owes me one.)

Menu

Full bar and beverage service.

Hop on the bus, and let’s go.

Our first stop is an armadillo we have seen before. He has a new sombrero and looks very distinguished.

Here is a new one. I call it the Hangover.

Let sleeping dogs lie. (The truth is overrated)

How about a flying pig or at least a pig with wings.

A blue turtle.

A naked armadillo.

Bluebird of happiness.

Siesta time.

The fox who had ice running off his nose last time now sports a plaid ribbon.

Here’s Bevo, the mascot of the University of Texas, in a different pose. I think the owner is upset at UT’s loss to Baylor that kept them out of this year’s Championship game (Which Baylor won against Oklahoma State.)

So relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a great week.

Well, it was a mess on Friday and way too dangerous to go out on a photo tour of the neighborhood, which is when most of them are taken. Instead, I took a tour around the yard, and hopefully, these photos will take the place of a full-blown tour. Since we will stay at the house, we don’t need the bus today. We will need food, so I have called out for delivery from Nomatic Beer Works (Yes, they deliver beer too). Our entertainment is again Bob Seger. (A fellow Detroit native)

Menu

REUBEN (Turkey) – Turkey Breast |  Swiss  |  Sauerkraut  | Thousand Island  | Easy Tiger Rye

ITALIAN – Salami |  Rosemary Ham  |  Arugula  | Roasted Red Pepper  |  Parmesan |  Provolone  |  Italian Dressing  |  Easy Tiger Sourdough

SWEET PROSCIUTTO – Aged Prosciutto  |  Havarti Cheese  |  Arugula  |  Fredericksburg Peach Preserve  |  Honey  |  Easy Tiger Rosemary Focaccia 

HEARTY ARTIE – Artichoke  |  Roasted red pepper  |  Arugula  |  provolone  |  Pesto  |  Balsamic Reduction  |  Easy Tiger Sourdough 

VEGETARIAN – Artichoke  |  Garlic Hummus  |  Arugula  |  Roasted Red Pepper  |  Easy Tiger Sourdough

TOASTED CHEESER – Cheddar  |  Provolone  |  Havarti  |  Parmesan  |  Easy Tiger Sourdough 

We’ll star in the back. Make sure you have your gloves and hats on.

First, a look in the backyard looking Northwest. The hanging basket is wrapped in a hibiscus towel.

The backyard looking Southeast. The turf is covered with frozen sleet.

The patio area is covered. You can see the frozen sleet in the blackstone bed to the left.

A closer look at the patio. The magnolia tree and mountain laurel are covered in ice.

A close-up of the magnolia. The ice acts as an insulator since the air is colder than 32 degrees F. ( 0 degrees C )

A close-up of the mountain laurel.

Our rain gauge took on one inch of rain and is frozen. You can see ice on the fence as well.

Our motion light and irrigation monitor show the effect of frozen rain. So let’s go back inside.

Lucy and Twiggy wonder who the new playmates are. These are the plants that need protection from temperatures below freezing.

Here is a shot of the hibiscus in bloom. The other plans are dracaena, salvia, and a pot with pansies and alyssum.

Looking out the front, you can see the ice on the driveway and frozen sleet in the rocks.

One shot of the deer who are not bothered by a little frozen rain.

I hope you enjoyed a look at the Texas version of winter. Now relax, have some food and enjoy Bob.

The last three nights in Lakeway have seen temperature lows of 25 degrees F (-3.8 C). To protect plants that have problems with those low temperatures, the neighbors have used various covering methods. The reason for protecting these plants is that such low temperatures are rare, and the plants, once past this event, can continue to thrive all winter. We are going to go and see some of the methods. We are being catered by Perlas in Austin. Our entertainment is The Band Perry.

Menu

Not sure what is under that tarp, but that blue makes a statement.

Ace Hardware plant protector film.

Someone is missing their bed linens, including the bedspread.

A lovely 1000 count Egyptian cotton.

A couple of hundred dollars worth of covering.

Another bed victim.

Gotta wonder about the mailbox cover. It might be someone’s monogrammed shirt. The initials’ AD’ could be a clue.

There you have it. A quick trip but one I hoped you liked. Now it is time for food and entertainment. I hope you have a great week.

We are heading to the Justice Center in Lakeway to witness a give-a-way conducted there. As most of you know, Texas was hard hit last February with freezing temperatures which caused power loss and dangerous conditions. The Young Men’s Service League, which is made up of Lake Travis High School (in Lakeway) students, collected items to be given away to help folks prepare for these conditions should such an event happen again. We want to see this in action. We are being catered by El Naranjo of Austin. Our entertainment is James Taylor.

Menu

LOS HUEVOS

HUEVOS BENEDICTOS

OUR VERSION OF EGGS BENEDICTS; TWO LARGE POACHED EGGS OVER A CORN AND CHEESE GORDITA, CURED DRY COPPA, AND CHILE DE ARBOL INFUSED HOLLANDAISE SAUCE BUILT OVER A DISH OF SAUTÉED POTATOES AND ONION

OMELETTE

THREE EGGS OMELETTE WITH OAXACA CHEESE SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS, AVOCADO, SALSA VERDE, AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD

ADD: MUSHROOMS, HUITLACOCHE, AND/OR CHORIZO

RANCHEROS

TWO FRIED EGGS OVER A CORN TORTILLA COVERED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF: SALSA RANCHERA, GREEN SALSA, OR DIVORCIADOS (RANCHERA AND GREEN SALSA) SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD

AL GUSTO

TWO EGGS ANY STYLE SERVED WITH REFRIED BLACK BEANS AND HOUSE-BAKED FRESH BREAD

Drinks of all kinds as well

 So we are ready. Let’s go.

We have arrived at the Justice Center.

Hmmm. Lines of cars ahead of us.

Here is a broad view of the items.

Buckets, of course.

Blankets to stay warm. Don’t be taking more than one.

Flashlights, Batteries, and portable chargers

First aid kits, latex gloves, and hand sanitizer.

Hats, winter gloves, matches, water, paper towels, and of course, toilet paper.

Need to ask for a space heater and firewood.

There is a packet from FEMA on how to prepare for the unexpected.

Here is a list of those who donated products, time, or money. It was a heartwarming community event.

Now is time for some brunch and music. I hope you have a great week.

Welcome to part two of the Time scavenger hunt. It is only fitting in the new year that we give time it’s due. So we will be looking for clocks number six through ten. If you missed one through five last week, go HERE. Today we are catered by Bangers Smokehouse of Austin. Our entertainment is Pink singing Time After Time.

Menu

Texas Peach Cinnamon Bun –

Layered with w/butter, cinnamon, brown sugar & house-made peach preserves. Served hot & topped w/ a cream cheese frosting.

Avocado Toast –

Grilled peasant bread topped w/ fresh avocado, roasted tomatoes, sunflower sprouts & a hard-boiled egg

The Corned Beef Hash Sausage Sandwich –

House-cured 6 day corned beef ground w/ potatoes. Stuffed it into a beef middle & smoked for 8 hours. Sliced, seared & put on a Martin’s potato roll. Topped w/ an egg, American cheese, sauerkraut & Russian dressing. Served w/ a side of spicy shoestring potatoes. 

Sweet Potato Happy Hash –

Sweet potatoes, onions, hatch chilies & chorizo. Served w/ farm two eggs & a bacon smile.

Banger’s Bennie –

English muffin topped w/ braised pork belly, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce & spicy shoestring potatoes. Vegetarian upon request.

Super Deluxe Breakfast –

Two over-easy eggs, house-cured bacon, sweet potato hash, toast & seasonal house-made jam.

Pancake Platter –

A proper Texas-sized breakfast! Four pancakes, two seasonal breakfast sausage links, two eggs, shoestring potatoes & a side of real maple syrup.

Smokehouse Fries w/ An Egg –

Salt & Pepper fries, smothered in cheddar, hand-pulled cheese curds & topped w/ a rotating cast of our smokehouse meats. Served w/ ranch & house barbecue sauce. And since it’s Sunday, and since we like the cut of your jib, we’ll throw a farm-raised free-range duck egg on top for you. How’s that sound?

And as always, anything on the planet that you want to drink.

There’s the bus. Let’s go.

Our first stop is a path next to the lake. I see a green trash bin up ahead.

I knew it. Clock number six.

Still, on the path by the lake, I spy a grove of trees. That is always a good place to hide something.

Sure enough. Number seven.

See that picnic bench a ways off? I’ll bet there’s one located there.

I must be clairvoyant. Number eight.

A playground is a good location.

Yup. it paid off.

There is a parking lot up ahead.

The location for this poor thing.

I hope you enjoyed the hunt and now here is Pink. Enjoy the song and the food. I hope you have a great week.

For the new year, it seems appropriate to concentrate on time. Today we are going on another scavenger hunt sponsored by the City of Lakeway Parks and Recreation. There are ten clocks, so we will try to find five today. Since we will be outside, it is a good idea to have a lovely catered brunch. Today that will be from Eastside Tavern in Austin. We also have Chicago back again.

Menu

There are the restrooms, and here is a path. I see something on the green thing.

I thought so. The first clock

We have to turn around and start down the path. There is something

And clock number two.

A tree with a rock behind it. Let’s look.

You guys are good. Clock number three.

Some equipment up ahead. Aways a good spot for a clock.

Yup. Number four ho.

Big ole birdhouse up ahead.

A clock at its base.

So we will take a break now and come back next week. So sit back and relax, have some food and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.