Since this is the last Sunday before Christmas, I thought it would be fun to cruise the neighborhood and take in some decorations. Also, since we are going out at night, I thought it would be good to have desserts. We are being catered by Spot in New York City. Our entertainment is Bruce Springsteen.
Choose from the menu
So hop on the bus and let’s go.
First, a stop at the Little Library, which is all decorated.
A giant figure in the front yard.
Probably CEO of the electric company.
A multicolored display.
A unicorn and color-coordinated lights.
Santa and elves. One in a helicopter.
I took this in the daytime. Pretty bland.
Look at it at night. A wowzaa.
Here is the purple house which you have seen many times decked out for the holiday.
A night view of the purple house.
Here is the gate decoration of a big ole single-family house.
A night view of the decoration. Notice the red nose on the longhorn.
That’s it for this year.
The Producer, Twiggy, Lucy, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. Now relax, have some food and listen to Bruce sing Santa is Coming to Town.
We are starting our run-up to the holiday decorations tour. This week, we will visit several mailboxes and the Walk of Lights in Lakeway. Since we have some daylight activities and some dusk, we are being catered by Better Half in Austin for brunch. Our entertainment today is Jose Feliciano.
apple cider caramel, house cultured butter, molasses crumb
NEW THE FALL BIG SALAD power greens & romaine hearts, curry roasted sweet potatoes, coconut milk sweet potato purée, sumac chèvre dressing, honey crisp apple & watermelon radish, chili roasted pumpkin seeds, avocado ADD STEAK, SHRIMP, BEYOND CHICKEN, OR FRIED CHICKEN
BETTER HALF CHICKEN BURGER
house ground chicken, Duke’s Mayo, Swiss, LTO
CONTAINS GLUTEN
BETTER HALF CHEESEBURGER
44 Farms ground beef, Dijonnaise, American cheese, LTO
BEYOND MEAT VEGGIE PATTY AVAILABLE as well as TOP SHELF DRINKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE
So let’s go.
Our first stop is an Armadillo Santa.
Not going to touch this one.
Glass tree.
A wimpy sprig.
Mistletoe Wreath. Gotta lay on the ground to get under it.
Since I did a complete tour of the Trail of Lights last year, this year is an overview. If you would like to check out last year click THIS LINK. Here is Santa giving us directions to the entrance.
Inside and looking up in the big holiday tree.
A view of the lights beyond the tree.
We also did a Twelve Days of Christmas hunt last year. Here are all twelve.
A display of flowers and longhorn cattle.
Santa’s sleigh just getting airborne in the middle of the toys.
I hope you enjoyed our view and I wish you a happy week. Now enjoy more food and listen to the music.
Since this is the gift-giving season, I thought it would be fun to go shopping. The Emmaus Catholic Church here in Lakeway is having a market sale. To keep up our strength, we will be catered by Biscuits and Groovy in Austin. Our entertainment is ABBA. (Yes, we have a big music budget)
THREE BISCUIT DISHES
Made with three freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.
Biscuits + Groovy
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, pepper, chives The Village
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, jalapenos, colby jack, pepper, chives The Aretha
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, colby jack, pepper, chives The Donna
Biscuits, gravy, three scrambled eggs, sausage, colby jack, pepper, chives The Johnny
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, potatoes, colby jack, pepper, chives The Gloria
Biscuits, gravy, three scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, jalapenos, colby jack, pepper, chives ONE BISCUIT DISHES The M.C. Hammer
One freshly baked buttermilk biscuit served open faced with two scrambled eggs on one side and your choice of maple bacon or sausage on the other. Topped with colby jack cheese and chives. Gravy upon request. The Bee Gee
One freshly baked buttermilk biscuit with butter and jam (strawberry, grape, or the jam of the day)
Let’s go.
There’s the signpost up ahead
Checkout the room.
NIce displays.
Now we are talking. Santa stuff.
A portrait of your pet.
Lots of sparkles.
Bags.
Boots and leather.
Knit and crochet.
Stuffed animals.
I loved the name ‘Second Wind.’ Soaps and stuff.
Hats.
Knights of Columbus nut stand.
Louis Vuitton selections.
Oops. Looks like they are late.
There were some cars outside as well. 1959 TR3.
1972 Cheverlot Caprice convertable
1986 Porsche 951 (Turbocharged 944)
1979 MGB convertable.
I hope you enjoyed the shopping. Now relax and listen to ABBA.I hope you have a great week.
Today we are going to Lakeway park to check out the walk for Alzheimer’s Texas. We need to get on our walking shoes. After the walk, we will be catered by The Peached Tortilla in Austin. our entertainment is Joe Cocker.
Menu
THAI CHOP CHOP SALAD
chopped napa, fried tofu, green apple, fried shallots, thai vinaigrette, rice puffs, peanuts, fresno chiles, watermelon radish, fish sauce caramel, herbs CONTAINS PEANUTS
BRISKET HASH
kimchi miso corn, sweet potatoes, fresnos, onion jam, pasture-raised fried egg
ask your server for our vegetarian option
SHORT RIB BENEDICT korean braised short rib, grilled ciabatta, kochukaru hollandaise
ask your server for our vegetarian option
FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH asian slaw, japanese pickles, gochu glaze, easy tiger easy bun served with belgian fries
KOREAN STEAK & EGGS BOWL sous vide hanger steak, sunny side up eggs, kimchi, egg furikake, rice
AVOCADO TOAST
miso scallion creme fraiche, alfalfa sprouts, watermelon radish, lemon oil
served with greens tossed in yuzu vinaigrette add soft scrambled pasture-raised eggs
All top shelf beverages, Beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and Tea.
Jump on.
Here is the sign announcing the walk.
The registration tent.
“Would you like a snack?”
The sponsors are getting set up.
The volunteers are offering maps and pens.
The DJ is pumping out heart pounding music.
The start and finish line.
One of the teams participating.
Another view of the registration tent.
So get your warm ups completed and off we go. When you get back enjoy the food and Joe Cocker. I hope you all have a great week,
When we see Christmas decorations, there is cause to ask, “What about Thanksgiving?” We just finished an outstanding Halloween so let’s see if we can find some Thanksgiving festive decorations. We are being catered by Lucky Robot of Austin. Our entertainment is Bob Seger ( I know he’s been here before, but we Detroit boys have to stick together.)
T O K Y O B R U N C H Saturday and Sunday 11-3
NIKKEI OMURICE Japanese omelette, crispy rice, red bean, shiitake, & cremini mushrooms, peas, choice of salsa macha or ponzu Verde
add Niman Ranch pork belly
PRIME CHIRASHI BOT Big Glory Bay king salmon, Bluefin Tuna, 2 types of daily prime market sashimi over sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, sunomono pickles, sesame, 144 degree egg
NOMNOMIYAKI Japanese savory pancake, Niman Ranch pork belly, napa cabbage, topped with 2 sunny side up eggs, spicy mayo, tonkatsu, sriracha, bonito flakes, microgreens
Today we are going to check out four new bronzes that have been installed in Lakeway. Also, since this rutting season is here I thought you would like to see some photos of the bucks. They are everywhere and usually, they are out of sight. We are being catered by Cavalier in Austin and our entertainment is Carole King, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, and Celene Dion. (budget buster).
So let’s get on the bus.
Our first bronze is the new sign for Lakeway.
Here is the old sign for your reference.
Our first buck is one with determination.
Our next bronze is a family of elk placed out in front of city hall.
This is a fellow who has tangled with a bush and has has lost his sense of humor. He does have part of the bush in his antlers for a reminder.
This guy came up the drive at our house.
He seems a little put out that I’m not a doe.
The next bronze is to honor the heron outside the Tennis center.
This doe is not taking any chances. One look and she is off.
Our final bronze is in the courtyard of the Activies Center. I asked it to smile and all I got was “Wwwwhat?”
Enjoy the music and food and I hope you have a super week.
Today we are going to attend Bee Cave ChamberFest an event filled with food, music, vendors, and authors too. We are going to be catered by the Brooklyn Breakfast Shop of Austin. Our entertainment is James Taylor and Carly Simon
Menu
Classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese On A Bagel
Substitute bacon for sausage, avocado, or barbacoa
Barbacoa, Avocado, Lime, Pickled Serranos & An Egg On A Hero
Fennel Sausage, Fresno Pimento, Cheese, House Pickles, Sunny Egg On Our House Made Whey Biscuit
Citrus Roast Pork, Avocado, Pickled Red Onions, Cilantro Aioli & An Egg On A Hero
Croissant With Two Eggs & Cheese
Sweet Potato Hash, Shishito Pepper Sauce, Pickled Red Onions
Buttermilk Fried Chicken, House Pickles, Sweet Heat Sauce& An Egg On A Biscuit
Avocado Toast With Pickled Red Onions, Lime, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Tomatoes On Texas Toast
Let’s get on the bus and go.
The first stop is a dance team and music.
The Library of Bee Cave and sponsor for the author’s attendance at ChamberFest.
Plenty of booths to visit
Move booths.
A rescue group is represented.
One of the most popular stops.
A big chicken was there too.
Here are two of the authors Amy Jackson and Wesley Lewis.
A sign letting everyone know who is attending.
Terry Lewis (R) with Wesley Lewis. Terry is in charge of the event for the library. Thanks to Terry for organizing the day.
So that is the tour. Have some food and relax with James and Carly.
It is Halloween, so it is only fitting that we tour the neighborhood and check out the decorations. We are being catered by Torchy’s of Lakeway. Our entertainment is Bobby Pickett singing The Monster Mash.
Menu.
Expand it if you would like to read it in detail
I had the bus decorated for Halloween so let’s go.
Our first stop is an old friend. The home of the Flamingos.
Great gate.
Captured skeleton.
Glowing ghouls.
Some monsters and a little library.
Webs, trampoline, and skeleton.
Biggest spider ever.
Happy couple.
Monster house.
Giant web.
Halloween dance.
The ultimate.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Have some tacos and listen to Bobby Pickett
Welcome back to the tour. Today we are going to Lakeway Park to attend the Lions Club charity Dog event. Owners are encouraged to dress their dogs in costume and enjoy the stroll through the park. We are again being catered by June’s All Day in Austin. Our entertainment is Josh Stone.
Brunch Menu.
Café Breakfast choice of eggs, sliced ham & gruyère, housemade jam, buttered English muffin
Farm Egg Omelette Boursin, salted radish & green salad
Wine, spirits, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
So let’s go.
Here we are at the sign-up table. If you are walking, you get a bag t-shirt and tote. The guy is not included.
Halloween doggie.
Information on Paws for Prisons. A group who rescue dogs and then take them to people in prison to socialize and train them. Benefits for both dogs and humans.
Here is the sign telling us we are in the right place.
A nice trinket give-away table. Koozies, dog toothbrushes and toothpaste, leashes, and of course, information.
The first walker dressed as batman.
Looks like a farmer jones kind of costume.
The fish costume was a little too big. When the head is on, the dog can’t see.
A terrific prehistoric costume.
This one came as a nudest.
Cute little TuTu.
A lion.
Looks like the photographer is getting the stink eye.
A famous bull rider.
Superman.
A beautiful butterfly.
Well, that is the tour for today. I hope you enjoyed it. Now have some food and enjoy the music.
Today we are going to a big event in Lakeway. The Hills County Club golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1981. The course has undergone a major renovation led by the Jack Nicklaus team and is now ready for play. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and the official opening are what we are going to visit. Our brunch is being catered by Le Politique of Austin. Our entertainment is Linda Ronstadt.
Menu
CROQUE MONSIEUR Griddled ham & comté cheese sandwich, sauce mornay, dijon+ add a fried egg
STEAK FRITES 10oz grilled Texas ribeye, red wine herb butter, fries, sauce béarnaise (
Play Yellow is a children’s charity established by Jack Nicklaus to benefit Dell’s Children’s Medical Center in Austin and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Florida. The Hills Country Club has taken on Play Yellow as its charity.
The ribbon-cutting scissors.
Speeches by the Club President and a video featuring Jack Nicklaus.
Tom Kite, (left) a former US Open winner, will hit the ceremonial first ball off the first tee.
Cutting the ribbon on the first tee. A group of the club officer and Tom Kite.
Tom’s shot. You can see the ball just off the clubhead beginning its rise to the fairway.
Also on the agenda was a putting contest that offered a $25,000 first prize to the winner and $25,000 to Play Yellow for sinking a 150-yard putt. Unfortunately, none of the four finalists made it. The second prize was for closest to the pin.
A photo was taken with a waterfall backdrop back when the course was new. All Masters Tournament winners – Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Charles Cootie, and Ben Crenshaw.
The waterfall today.
I hope you enjoyed our outing now. Sit back and enjoy the brunch and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.
