It is a pretty slow week in Lakeway, so I decided to get the bus ready and prepare a spread and have a picnic in the park. No moaning. I have prepared roasted chicken served with fingerling potato salad, chilled asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and charro beans to get you in the mood. For dessert, we are serving assorted napoleon pastries and homemade apple crisp. We have top-shelf drinks and Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2018 for the red and Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017 for the white. Today’s entertainment guest is Mary Hopkin.

So let’s get on the bus and be off.

Whoa. Stop the bus. Look at the buck just standing by the road.

Well, we can tell we are here. Everybody needs a mask.

In case you wonder how far is six feet.

Here we are by the lake. It will take a moment to set up the tent, lights, and sound system. So let’s all get off and take a stroll.

Looks like plenty of room for volleyball.

Getting closer to the lake, we can see an artist hard at work. A reminder not to dive off the cliff. Yeah, who would do that?

Here is another artist. Looks like a good day to paint.

There is the bandstand where mary Hopkin will perform.

Have a nice jungle Jim for those who are interested.

So make yourself at home. The drinks and food are ready, and Mary’s ready to sing. I hope you all have a great week, and thanks for coming to our picnic.

 

Thanks for joining the tour of the Twelve Days of Christmas in lights. The City of Lakeway has installed these lights in different locations around the city. They then published a list of clues as to where the lights are located. Since the Producer and I have already scouted out the locations, we will just drive to them. Since this is a night tour, we will be serving a charcuterie of assorted meats and cheeses accompanied by freshly baked sourdough bread and hot spiced (and spiked) cider. Of course, there is the top-shelf bar along with a 1972 Cherryblock Cabernet and Kistler 2017 VineHill Vineyard Chardonnay. For a sweet note, we have spice cake topped with a creme cheese frosting drizzled with caramel. We also have Jimmy Buffet with his version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Also, I was challenged by Frank and Liz to show a picture of The Producer and me in our ninja outfits. So there it is. Let’s now get on the bus and get rolling.

The first set of lights is A Partridge in a Peartree.

Next is Two Turtle Doves

Three French Hens.

Four Calling Birds

Five GGGGGolden RRRRRRings.

Six Geese a Laying

Seven Swans a Swimming

Eight Maids a Milking

Nine Ladies Dancing

Ten Lords A Leaping

Eleven Pipers Piping

Twelve Drummers Drumming

So that’s the tour. Stay on the bus, have more food, and listen to Jimmy’s version.

Well, here we are gathering for another tour of the neighborhood. This week we are going to see how the holiday decorations are progressing as well as some community events. We are getting rain, and it is wonderful. So that y’all will be comfortable, I have arranged a tour that can be done without leaving the bus. Just keep your eyes on the 75-inch monitors and let the remote cameras do the work. While you are relaxing, we will be serving tomato and basil crostini, roast leg of lamb, red potatoes, grilled root vegetables, and cedar plank baked salmon with caper/lemon aioli. For dessert, there are assorted tarts and chocolate chunk cheesecake. The top shelf bar is open, and we are passing Duckhorn merlot and Cakebread chardonnay. For your entertainment, we have Toby Keith playing some of your favorites.

So, hop on the bus, and we’ll be off.

Our first stop is the Lakeway Police station. (All right. Everyone keep your seats) The Lakeway Police Department is hosting the Green Santa toy drop off. The Green Santa drive ensures that no child goes without a gift this Holiday Season.

The rain falls yet the drop off is set up and waiting.

A photo of the high school student volunteers. Thanks, guys for giving of your time.

 

A. big box that needs filling.

I don’t think the hydration station is going to get much use today. There is plenty of hydration falling from the sky.

Of course, the police car is there to let folks know the donation station is open.

A few welcome lawn characters.

Moving away from the police station, we are stopping briefly at the Activities Center. There is a box for all the letters to Santa.

A big bunch of presents too.

Now into the neighborhood. Here is a very eclectic gathering of shepherds, farm animals, dogs, and Mary and Joesph.

The three wise men did make an appearance as well.

A quick view of the mailbox topper shows a festive decoration.

Lawn blow-ups working hard to make us smile.

A blue snowman with a big smile.

That about does it for our tour this week. We will be seeing some more holiday decorations and of course, the Trail of Lights in the coming weeks.I hope you all have a spectacular week. Have some more to eat and during and here is one of my favorite toby Keith songs. I Love this Bar.

 

 

As the headline says, there is a Corvette and Mustang show here in Lakeway. We need to load the bus and then disembark at the display space when we get there. We will be setting up a buffet for your pleasure. Today we are serving cracked stone crab claws, fresh asparagus, fingerling roasted potatoes, station carved standing rib roast with horseradish aioli, fresh-caught sea bass, saffron rice pilaf, and assorted cakes and homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert. There are assorted wines and top-shelf liqueurs. We also have Lady Antebellum for your entertainment.

So everyone get on board, and let’s go.

A vintage corvette. I’m sorry, but I didn’t get the exact years on a lot of these. This one is from the 80s.

Here is a new model.

If you ever wondered what a turbocharged Corvette looks like without its clothes, here’s one for you.

A 1980 Corvette. Hard to believe it is 40 years old.

A 1987 Corvette with special paint.

A 1979 Corvette with the Stingray emblem.

Two vintage Mustangs from about 1985.

A red 2019 Shelby Cobra flanked by two late-model Mustangs.

A 1965 Mustang GT that is 55 years old and looks brand new.

Another 80s model Mustang convertible.

1968 Mustang GT

Amazing color.

Unusual paint (US AIR Force) and custom doors on a 2020.

2020 convertible

About a 2008 Shelby Mustang.

Well, that is the tour. Stay have some more food and listen to the music. I hope you have a great week

Here we are getting close to the holidays. In Lakeway, there is a tradition called The Trail of Lights. This year Rona is not stopping the event. There will be distancing rules, but the trail will go on as usual. The lights go live in November. 20th. I thought it would be fun to go to the site and check out some of the preparations. Then after November 20th to come back and see what it all looks like.

We are going to take the bus and offload in the parking lot.  There we will set up the lunch of Five-way Chili, salad, chips, salsa, and queso. We have a beer on tap and soft drinks. Five-way Chili is a Cincinnati original. It is pasta topped with chili, beans, onions, and cheese. Yeah, this is not your low, salt, fat, calorie meal. We also have Chicago for your entertainment.

So let’s get on and get going.

Here is a shot of some of the frames that will hold the lights

Some workers putting the tunnel of lights together.

Here is what the tunnel looks like all lit up. (from last year’s post)

A lonely frame waiting for more.

One of the two large trees.

A shot of the path. The city laid down freshly crushed granite.

The second tree.

More frames and path.

Nothing set up yet.

A machine shot.

A bobcat shot for Dan Antion.

This roller is used to flatten the granite and make the path hard.

 

Some characters are being set up as well.

Well, that is the tour for the day. I hope you come back when the lights are turned on. Please stay and have more food and listen to Chicago. Have a great week.

 

This week’s tour started out being about trees. Then a couple of things came up so it is now a bunch of stuff. We have stocked the bus with an assortment of goodies including crudities, fresh-caught snapper, red potatoes, green beans, and creme brulee. We are also serving called cocktails and drinks so you can order what you want.

Climb aboard the bus. We also have Kid Rock for entertainment. He brought a friend with him

The first stop is an oak tree starting to turn red.

Next is the first holiday decoration in the neighborhood and I’m sure in the neighborhood. Santa doing pull-ups on the eve trough.

Hey, I was wrong. A couple of grapevine reindeer.

A large golden crepe myrtle.

Not sure what this tree is but it is old and pretty. (Like me)

A young Crep myrtle in full color.

Another oak just starting to turn.

 

And so we come upon a hybrid. Thanksgiving, Halloween, and holiday all together.

Hold on. We need to wait for this family to get out of the way.

More crepe myrtles starting their gold imitation.

Turning oak.

Oak almost filled out.

Beautiful red berries.

Well, that does it for today. Stay and have some more food and listen to the music.

 

The hullabaloo over Halloween is over, and we all had plenty of rest since we could sleep an extra hour this morning. (yeah, right) Today lacking anything better to do, we are going out to check on the deer. The Producer says, “How boring.” I have to remind everyone that in the age of Rona, we can’t be too particular.

We are going to leave the bus parked and venture on foot. After all, a big yellow bus is not exactly conducive to deer watching. We do have a Good Humor bicycle vendor’s cart to haul our snacks and drinks. We are having hot Mexican chocolate with Kahlua shooters, shredded B-B-Q pork tacos, and toasted almond Good Humor bars.  The Kingston Trio has agreed to walk along with us for entertainment.

 

So, put on your walking shoes, and let’s go.

The first thing we run into is this sign. I wonder what the parents tell the kids when they ask “What is rut season, Dad?”

The Producer captured this beautiful fellow. Man, she takes great photos.

A couple of does taking an early morning nap in our neighbors front yard.

A buck having a snack.

Another young buck taking it easy.

Three does taking five.

Here is a buck in silhouette watching four men approach.

He decides they are suburbanites and no danger at all. He’s pretty sure one even drives a Volvo.

The sisterhood out for a stroll.

Another young buck searching for a doe. Maybe we should tell him she’s not there.

This doe is hard to see, but before yesterday, this was an overgrown lot. It looks like the clearing crew is making it ready for a new house. No more naps here.

Of course, Twiggyis concentrating on the deer. You can barely see them in the neighbor’s front yard.

Let us finish with another of The Producer’s beautiful photos. I think she is a deer witch.

 

Well, that is our tour. Stay and have more food and drink and listen to the music. I hope you all have a great week.

 

 

Welcome to the final edition of the Halloween Views of the Neighborhood. Since Halloween is next Saturday, this will be the last post showing the decorations in the neighborhood. The temperatures have also tuned quite nippy (in the 70s), so we will be serving hot mulled cider, Prosciutto, and provolone sandwiches on toasted ciabatta, napa cabbage slaw, and brownie bites. There is also a full bar, and The Traveling Wilburys will be entertaining us.

Jump on the bus, and we will be off.

This first house has quite a display. I love that witch.

Excuse me while I switch off the lights. Makes the display spooky for sure.

We saw these social distance ghosts a while ago.

This is their yard at night. That image on the house is a changing picture.

A bunch of ghouls.

Scary at night.

Flat monsters.

All blown up

Poor pumpkin

All better

Happy monsters.

Cute mailbox topper.

Maybe a cute mailbox topper. Then again maybe not.

Definitely not a cute mailbox topper.

I guess that does it for this year. I hope you liked the series. Hang around and have more cider and listen to “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys. I hope you have a super week.