I was supposed to do a feature, on an embroidery exhibit at the local library. I must have had the date wrong since there was nothing there. So here it is mear minutes from a deadline, and I got nothing. It was then I started looking around and noticed some interesting (to me) plants. So here we are. I hope you find them interesting. If not, well,  let’s hope next week is better.

I thought these agaves were lovely. These are at the entrance of a section named The Hills in Lakeway.

A different kind of agave with a backdrop of grasses and live oaks

This sign has a waterfall, some peacock orchids against a backdrop of live oaks and junipers.

Here is a shot of some typical live oaks.

On one corner are some beautiful artichoke agaves

Here is a full shot of the bed including a potted artichoke agave.

Here is the opposite corner with the same kind of agave display.

I thought this footbridge across the culvert was cute. This is a shot of Lakeway Boulevard looking North.

Here is Lakeway Boulevard looking South. I thought this stand of grass combined with the stark deciduous trees was a good photo op.

The tree in the grass is marked as are all the trees in Lakeway. In this way, records of trimming and health can be maintained.

I thought this live oak had personality given the twists and turns of its branches.

No pictures of plants in the neighborhood would be complete without a giant prickly pear cactus. So here it is.

I hope you weren’t bored out of your mind. Of course, if you were, you would not have gotten this far. So there is that for sure.

 

 

Yes, it is another walk on one of the trails here in Lakeway. The map gives you an idea of extensive the trails are. We are only going to take one today.

Notice the distinct desert feel to the geography. There are a couple of Peacock orchid plants and a few grasses in this bed.

There’s a signpost up ahead. Friends of the park have several projects around Lakeway.

Here is one view of the trail, which is not very colorful. The cedars are the predominant vegetation with limestone as the base component of the soil.

Another view showing some prickly pear cactus on the right.

Big power lines that run next to the trail.

The everpresent rescue marker so one knows where they are and can tell emergency responders their location.

More cactus. About the only thing green other than the cedars.

Rocky and steep trail.

Rocky and very steep trail.

The MUD water retention pond. (Municipal Utility District)

I just had to take a shot of a water tower that looms over the trail. All in all, the path was not like others. There is little variety, and it is very rustic and more desert-like. Maybe the next time we will go to an area that has a pond which was a little too far for a trip today. Besides, the cedar pollen is at an all-time high, and as an asthma sufferer, I need to get out of here stat.

I thought it would be fun to stroll the neighborhood and take photos of some of the house decorations. Hope you enjoy it.

This house has a very eclectic display. If you look closely you can see so,me pumpkins and a silver skeleton on the porch. The knocked-out Santa and the dragon add to the festive nature of the display. Excuse the misty look of the photo but there was ,a little fog in the morning.

The same house had a drunk Frosty and what could only be described as a nuts snowman in a hammock between two palm trees.

I thought you might like the agave decorated.

Now into the night. Here is a simple display.

Luminara going up a driveway.

A prominent ole place with professionally installed lighting.

Multi-colored display.

Hard to see but a house with lights on the eves and Santa, a snowman, and elf by the curb.

Just a porch decorated.

Tree lights and Snoopy.

House ablaze with lights

House front decorated.

Combo trees and house.

Tress wrapped.

Eves hung with lights.

A beautiful display of trees.

I hope you enjoyed the display and wish you a very Happy Holiday Season.

The Hills Country Club here in Lakeway held an evening of shopping and invited a number of suppliers to set up shop and offer holiday specials. I snuck in past Tiny who was charged, with keeping the riff-raff out. There were tons of suppliers. Hopefully you’ll get a good idea about the event.

Massage stuff and chair (partially pictured)

Pet T-Shirts

Cheese, dip, and cracker station.

Plush toys with a charitable purpose.

Various items.

Olive oil from trees raised in Texas.

Pampered Chef with Kori Blankenship (The most enthusiastic supplier at the event)

Everything on a towel.

Of course, Louis Vuitton bags.

The Candle Daddy.

Wooden items made in Austin.

Greg Norman golf wear.

Must have wine bar.

YETI cups for everyone.

Bracelets for every arm.

Jewelry.

Cookies and Sweets.

Posh stuff.

 

I hope you liked the tour of the Holiday Bazaar.

Last week was part I of the Trail of Lights, an annual event in Lakeway. This is the second part and conclusion.

A gingerbread house.

Some pine trees and Mrs. Clause on a rocker.

Raindeer and another view of the tree.

A North Pole condo.

Some skaters and a pond of lights.

A light tunnel and civilian caught in the headlights. (have no idea who it is.)

Rudolf running for office and a long line to see Santa.

A band playing Jingle Bell Rock and kids dancing.

Santa and Mrs. Clause with kids.

Firepit and Smores in the making.

Hot chocolate stand.

A decorated Agave succulent and another view of the Santa line.

It wouldn’t be Texas without a chuckwagon.

Decorate cookie stand.

I hope you enjoyed the light tour. Happy Holidays to all.

Each year the city of Lakeway sets up a trail of lights around city hall. This weekend was the opening of the display, which runs until January 2, 2020. There was a band, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Smores and more. As you can imagine, there are a ton of photos since the event is enormous. Rather than try to do it in one post, I have broken it into two posts. Next week will be the second edition.

There’s a signpost up ahead.

The first stop is a giant Holiday Tree.

Several figures

A Snowperson

Bridge to more lights

Snowflake

Heron and Flamingo.

Globes in the trees.

Santa on a train.

Santa on a Harley

A Longhorn. (Of course)

A stagecoach.

Skaters on a light pond

A shooting star and family taking photos of a child on dad’s shoulders.

When I took this, I thought it was an Eagle. It looks more like an owl.

Next week we will see more lights and visit some of the activities.

 

The rain stopped, and the temps went into the 60s. Time to get out and try to find fall color here in Lakeway. Come on along and let’s see if there is any.

You can tell the upper atmosphere is frigid. The jet contrails are very visible. This is about as colorful as the trees get here. This is a lake on the way to my exercise parlor.

Here’s a shot looking toward one of the greens on the golf course.

Here is a photo into the sun, but I thought the calm water was worth the shot.

Another lake in town.

I’ve shown you this waterfall before but wanted to see how the fall had changed it.

I like the cascading water effect here.

here are some Lilly pads looking a bit yellow.

A babbling brook. You can see the yellow trees in the background.

Just to show you that it is fall, I took a shot of the place where wildflowers grow in the spring. Since there are none, it must be Fall.

Thank you for taking this little walk

Here is the front door. it is a neutral color that neither adds or detracts from the front view.

I have applied masking tape to the glass. Some would rather scrape after the fact but I like to keep scraping to a minimum.

I take the knobs off the doors. Some like to mask them but there is always some paint left on the hardware when masked.

The door opens to the inside so I will have to paint the door inside. The bottle is alcohol used to clean the door before painting. The zebra print towel is laying on two baby gates. These are needed to keep Twiggy under control.

 

Here is a view of the gates and towel from the outside.

 

Here are the tools needed. Roller, paintbrush, newspaper, and stir stick.

 

Here is the color. The masking tape is still in place so it can dry. I need to go and watch the Baylor Bears beat TCU. (They did by the skin of their teeth.)