Tag: Views of the Neighborhood

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway – Pops With Cops

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Today, we are going to visit Rough Hollow, a neighborhood in Lakeway. It is at the Rough Hollow Visitors Center, where the Lakeway Police Department is hosting an event titled Pops with Cops. No, it isn’t a cocktail hour but frozen treats to help stave off the effects of the heat. We are catered by Eberly of Austin, and our entertainment is Jan and Dean.

Menu

HALIBUT pomme purée, pepper relish, watercress salad

SALMON crispy rice cake, romanesco, citrus, chive beurre blanc, trout roe

EGGPLANT MILANESE basil purée, toasted almonds, charred zucchini & tomato salad

HALF CHICKEN Parisian gnocchi, caper-brown butter jus, arugula

SHORT RIB ‘nduja collard greens, grilled corn, radish, chimichurri

PORK CHOP confit potatoes, spinach mustard seed-bacon glaze

TEXAS WAGYU STRIP sautéed kale, confit garlic, bordelaise

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

A poster announcing the event.

The Rough Hollow Welcome Center.

Another photo of the center with Police cars in attendance.

Motor cycle officers getting ready.

A nice selection of frosty treats.

Lakeway City Councilman Kent O’Brian taking a selfie with the officers

I think it turned out very well.

I thought I would share some more photos of the Rough Hollow Center, including the splash pad.

Kids play area.

The swimming pool. In addition, the center has a complete workout facility and tennis court.

I have a disclaimer here. There were other photo opportunities of officers with kids, but my policy is to avoid taking photos of children for this blog. Everyone had a great time.

So let’s enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a great week.

 

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Deer and Other Stuff

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments
This week, we are checking on the Deer and anything else of interest. We also need to look at some new mailbox toppers. We are catered by Garbos of Austin, and our entertainment is the cast of Grease.
Menu
MOZZARELLA & LOBSTER BITES
Fried mozzarella, lobster, shrimp, Caribbean aioli
FRIED CALAMARI
Rhode Island Point Judith with spicy aioli.
SMOKED FISH DIP
Smoked mahi, garlic & grilled bread.
MAINE CRAB CAKES
Fried lump crab cakes, arugula salad with fennel, avocado, mandarin oranges & gribiche sauce.
BRUSSEL SPROUTS
Soy lime vinaigrette & crispy shallots.
HAND-CUT FRIES
Served with garlic aioli.
CLAM FRITTERS
Traditional Rhode Island fritters served with lime aioli
Picture of an old time school bus
The bus is waiting.
The first is one of the sculptures in Lakeway fully operational with water.
Dad and lad with sister.
The mailbox topper is in the foreground with a sightline to another sculpture in the background.
The family enjoying carrot treats.
Our old friend, the Armadillo, with flag.
Dad is babysitting.
Cow and pig  Talavera.
Dad and lad in another venue.
Dachshund on a mail tower.
I couldn’t pass up the office chairs and table, which look well-used.
That is the tour. Now, it’s time to relax and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Exhibit – Artist Christy Stephens

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Today we are going to Lakeway City Hall to view an exhibit by artist Christy Stephens. Here is some information about the exhibit and the artist.

Christy Stephens is a graphic designer, illustrator, and ceramic artist based in Austin, Texas.

 

Pottery Wall Art- “I like to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the intricate yet extraordinary moments that occur in nature. The interplay of color and texture inspires the magical process of transforming raw clay from nature into functional works of art. I love the contrast between something new and fresh next to something weathered and worn. I invite you to explore my creations, discover the stories behind each piece, and find something that speaks to your heart to treasure for your home.” Christy can be reached online at                   http://cstreetstudio.com

We are catered by Moonshine in Austin, and our entertainment is The Righteous Brothers, Patrick Swayze, and Demi Moore.

Menu

CHICKEN & WAFFLES  lemon butter, maple syrup, chipotle cream gravy

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK chipotle cream gravy, Yukon mashers

CHICKEN ALMONDINE artichokes, lemon cream, Yukon mashers

GREEN CHILE MACARONI roasted chicken, corn bisque, bacon gratin

SALISBURY CHOP STEAK .mushroom gravy, Yukon mashers

SEARED RAINBOW TROUT bacon cornbread stuffing, soft grits, chile sage butter

ST LOUIS PORK RIBS Dr. Pepper BBQ, tobacco onions, Yukon mashers

CENTER CUT PORK CHOP peach chutney, herb salad, demi-glace, yukon mashers

BLACKENED CATFISH crawfish tails, hot sauce, pecan meunière, soft grits

JALAPEÑO HANGER STEAK salsa verde, demi-glace, yukon mashers

HORSERADISHCRUSTEDSALMON lemon dill butter sauce, brussels sprouts

CREOLE SHRIMP & GRITS  creole sauce, tasso ham, toasted baguette

BEYOND VEGGIE BURGER red onion, red leaf, tomato, pickles, mayo, seeded wheat bun

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready.

A view of the entire exhibit.

Consider the Lillies – Ceramic tile on wood.

Selah – Ceramic tile on wood.

Birds Don’t Worry – Ceramic tile on antique white oak.

Serene – Ceramic tile on wood.

Restoration – Ceramic tile on wood.

Harmony – Ceramic tile on wood.

Poppy Study – Ceramic tile.

Ladybird II- Ceramic tile on wood.

Beauty from Ashes – Ceramic tile on wood.

Ornate Study – Ceramic tile.

Reflections – Ceramic tile on wood.

Morning Dove – Ceramic tile.

So there you have it. Time to relax and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a super week.

 

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri and A 4th of July Search

~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Today, we are going to see numerous things, including some random, some cute, and some hard to describe. We will also look to see if there are any decorations for the Fourth of July. We are catered by Birdies of Austin. Our entertainment isSeals and Crofts

Fixed Menu

Summer spoon salad with melon, avocado + dill
Spicy watermelon + feta salad with cardamom, pepper + basil Focaccia with house labneh
Marinated chickpeas with nigella seed
Spiced eggplant with pomegranate molasses
Shrimp + shishitos with sage + rose
Sweet corn + pickled peppers
Chicken skewers with pine nut-pepper schmear + tomatoes

(Veg Option Available Upon Request)
—
Olive oil cake with roasted peaches + cold almond cream

Corn soft serve + crunchy candied buckwheat

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

This is a close-up of a Texas purple sage bush. When it blooms, they say rain is seven days away.

Mama and her two fawns.

A bright pink set of crape myrtles.

Daddy buck with his velvet antlers.

A giant white crape myrtle.

Mama looking for a handout.

Airconditioner box – First sign of summer.

Lawnmower at the curb – First sign of lawn trouble.

Dining room chairs at the curb – First sign of a redo.

Office chair and kiddie pool at the curb – First sign that working from home is over.

A chair that looks like it came from a Mustang convertible and pallets—the first sign of orders from She Who Must Be Obayed.

House with 4th decorations

Nice bunting.

Uncle Sam.

Lakeway lines all its significant roads with flags for the 4th. Here is an example.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. It is now time to relax and enjoy the food and music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Wandering the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Since it is a slow week activity-wise, The Producer developed a theme for today’s post. She suggested “Wandering the Neighborhood,” which means seeing a whole lot of different sights as we do just that. Ten Ten of Austin caters to us, and Dion provides entertainment.

Menu

acorn squash, black garlic, baby spinach

roasted cauliflower, eggplant, wild mushroom

smoked tofu, pickled vegetables, shiso

charred hamachi kama black garlic, pickled vegetables

miso king salmon eggplant purée, rice pearls

short rib ume chimichurri

Wagyu New York strip 10oz shiso

pork chop Japanese curry, pickled vegetables

king crab leg chili garlic butter, micros salad

wagyu tenderloin 8oz shiso gremolata

wagyu strip 14oz wasabi peppercorn cream

wagyu ribeye 24oz charcoal salt

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready.

We’ll start with a lovely red crape myrtle.

There are many hills here, so retaining walls must take on some style.

A red and white crape myrtle.

Rock wall topped with Carolina Jasmine.

Mexican Birds of Paradise.

A deer family in a neighbor’s yard. To the right is the buck making a getaway.

Pink crape myrtle.

A wall of thin rocks with a slate-like look.

A purple giant crape myrtle.

Another wall with a slate-like look made of limestone.

Well, that is our wandering for the week. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a terrific week.

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Air Park Open House

~ John W. Howell ~ 90 Comments

On the second Saturday of the month, Lakeway Air Park holds an open house for the community. We have gone to this open house before, but I thought it would be fun to see if anything is new. We are catered by Eberly of Austin, and our entertainment is Frank Sinatra.

Menu

Raw oysters half dozen  persimmon mignonette, cocktail sauce, fresno hot sauce, lemon

crudo kanpachi, aji amarillo leche de tigre, blood orange, fried garlic, scallions

beef tartare  black garlic dijon vinaigrette, crispy potatoes, egg yolk

rigatoni 30 fennel sausage, san marzano pomodoro, pecorino, basil

spaghettini  lobster, beurre blanc, fresno chiles, chives

mafaldine  oyster mushroom, drunken goat, cracked black pepper, chives

MAINS

halibut  pomme purée, pepper relish, watercress salad

salmon  crispy rice cake, romanesco, citrus, chive beurre blanc, trout roe

eggplant milanese  basil purée, toasted almonds, charred zucchini & tomato salad

half chicken  parisian gnocchi, caper-brown butter jus, arugula

short rib  ’nduja collard greens, grilled corn, radish, chimichurri

pork chop confit potatoes, spinach, mustard seed-bacon glaze

ny strip sautéed red kale, confit garlic, bordelaise

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s jump on the bus.

There is the permanent Ercoupe display.

A big welcome to the Air Park. (and a few rules)

A photo of planes on the line.

Another shot of the line shows the variety.

A photo showing homes around the Air Park with the hanger for airplanes.

1946 Piper PA-12

2016 SETH E HANCOCK VANS RV 7 Experimental

Cockpit of the Seth Hancock

2005 CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22

Controls of the Cirrus.

1940 Piper J5A

Controls of the Piper.

PROGRESSIVE AERODYNE INC – SEAREY LSA Land and sea

1062 Cessna 210B

Controls of the Cessna

1973 Cessna 182 taking off.

Well, that’s the tour. It’s time to relax, have some food, and listen to Ole Blue Eyes.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Today, we are going to see a few things that were spotted in the neighborhood this week. We are catered by Stell San Jac of Austin. Our entertainment is Kris Kristofferson.

Menu

Eggs Your Way – Two Eggs, Crispy Hash Brown, Toast, Choice of Meat: Chorizo, Pork Sausage, Turkey Sausage/Bacon or Smoked Bacon
Chorizo & Potato Tacos – Eggs, White Cheddar, Crème Fresca, Roasted Salsa
Grapefruit Curd Parfait – House Made Granola, Greek Yogurt, Texas Berries
Smoked Salmon Benedict – Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Spinach, English Muffin, Hollandaise
Pecan Praline French Toast – Bourbon Maple Syrup, Vanilla Whipped Cream
Chicken & Waffle -Bourbon Maple Syrup, Country Gravy, Fried Herbs
Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes – Fresh Blueberry, Lemon Syrup
Country Fried Steak – Country Gravy, Hash Brown Waffle, Sunnyside Up Eggs
Biscuits & Gravy – Grilled Chorizo, Poached Eggs, Creole Sausage Gravy
Picture of an old time school bus
Let’s go.
A big Vitex.
A sad mailbox.
A lovely pink Crepe Myrtle
A fairyland mailbox topper
A giant cactus in bloom.
Rare white Crepe Myrtles.
A smiling ceramic pig on the mailbox.
A large blooming succulent.
A loving Mama and her babies.
The Producer’s dinner plate hibiscus.
Time now to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a fantastic week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Carol Williard van Ginkel – Needle Painting

~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

Today, we are visiting an exhibition of Needle paintings by Lakeway artist Carol Williard van Ginkel. Needle painting is a process using needles, thread, and multicolored string to produce a work of art.

Carol learned to embroider from her grandmother, who taught her to cross-stitch. She became interested in Needle painting and fell in love with it. The exhibit shows her progress over the last seven years.

 

 

 

 

 

We are catered by Bouldin Creek Cafe in Austin. Our entertainment is Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton

Menu

Views of the Neighborhood – Time for a Break

~ John W. Howell
Photo by Radek Grzybowski on Unsplash

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers. I hope your day is filled with love.

As my 83rd birthday approaches and the 12th anniversary of this blog is not far off, I find that I need some time off.

I’m not sure if it is age or that for the last eleven years, I have published a post at least six days a week with only four days off.

I do know that with a new puppy and an almost-finished book, some neglected things need attention.

I have decided to take at least a week away from the blog and social media and see how it goes.

In the meantime, I will miss visiting your posts and look forward to my return.

Thank you for your support and understanding. I have turned the comments off. See you when I get back.

Views of the Neighborhood – Earth Day Planting

~ John W. Howell ~ 87 Comments

In celebration of Earth Day last Monday, the Swim Center and the Department of Parks and Recreation of Lakeway held a planting event. Volunteers signed up to plant blooming plants throughout the center. So, we will step back in time and witness the event. We are catered by the 24 Diner of Austin, and our entertainment is The Beetles.

Menu

CHEDDAR BURGER Brioche bun, cheddar, pickles, red onion, roasted tomatoes, smoked aioli

BACON AVOCADO BURGER Brioche bun, bacon, avocado, charred poblanos, smoked aioli

24 BURGER
Brioche bun, swiss, house pickles, sauce gribiche, bibb lettuce, tomato

THE 24 VEGGIE BURGER Brioche bun, Havartii, vegan mayo, spicy pepper relish, avocado. Housemade veggie patty: beets , mushrooms, lentils, bread crumbs, rice, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds

WAGYU SLIDERS Blackening spice, bacon, caramelized onions, blue cheese

PATTY MELT Rye toast, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, smoked aioli

M’S GRILLED CHEESE Sourdough, cheddar, havarti, roasted tomato

THE B.L.T. Ciabatta, bacon, tomatoes, arugula, basil, oregano, roasted garlic, aioli

MEATLOAF SANDWICH Sourdough bread, pickles, mustard, ketchup, red onion

CHICKEN CLUB SANDWICH Ciabatta, avocado mash, bacon, tomatoes, bibb lettuce, tomato vinaigrette

BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS Crispy chicken breast, house Buffalo sauce, pickles, blue cheese

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH Brioche bun, apricot slaw, chipotle remoulade, choice of white or dark meat

BLACKENED TUNA SANDWICH Brioche bun, cabbage cucumber slaw, jalapeno remoulade

Picture of an old time school bus

Jump on the bus, and let’s go.

There is the entrance to the park.

The Parks and Recreation table so we know we are in the right place.

The plants were all laid out ahead of time. Here’s a hibiscus ready to be planted.

More plants are laid out in a bed.

More.

Here is a bed that has roses but is going to get company.

The volunteers get briefed.

And so to work. Hibiscus and lantana are being put in.

All ages are participating.

Lots of ground to cover.

The boss seems pleased.

The hibiscus we saw earlier is getting settled.

Everyone is pitching in.

It is time for us to enjoy the food and music. I know you’ve worked hard, and you need to relax. I hope you have a great week.