Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Show – Penny Jamrack – Artist

March 24, 2024March 23, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 91 Comments

We are going to Lakeway City Hall to view Penny Jamrack’s art today. Her art is on display, sponsored by The Lakeway Arts District. Penny is originally from England but now spends time at her places in Australia, Montana, and Texas. She retired from software development to concentrate on her creative interests, especially watercolor and acrylic painting. She finds inspiration in the natural beauty of plants, birds, and animals. She is also very interested in portrait work, including those of famous musicians and political figures.

I have tried to take the best photos of the art. Sometimes, it is necessary to shoot at an angle to avoid light glare. I have not tried to capture the frames, so in some cases, they are cropped out.

We are catered today by Buenos Aires Cafe of Austin. Our entertainment is Rod Stewart.

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready. Let’s go.

Penny Jamrack artist.

Mother Stork and Chick – Framed watercolor

Blue Jay – Framed acrylic on canvas

Monarch Feeding – Framed acrylic on canvas

Roseate Spoonbill – Framed watercolor

Puffin with Attitude – Framed watercolor

Red Shouldered Hawk – Acrylic on canvas

Bald Eagle on Branch – Framed acrylic on canvas

Hummingbird on Daisy – Acrylic on canvas

Snowy Owl Ice Dancing – Framed acrylic on canvas

Testing the Ice – Framed acrylic on canvas

Angry Tiger – Framed watercolor

Janis Joplin – Acrylic on canvas

Saguaro Sunset – Framed watercolor

Sir Elton John – Acrylic on canvas

Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Framed acrylic on canvas

Santa Fe Door – Watercolor

Andaman Sea Anemones – Acrylic

Weeping Desert – Acrylic

Well, that is the tour. Time now to relax, have some food, and listen to Rod Stewart

Views of the Neighborhood – Bluebonnets and Sculptures

March 17, 2024March 16, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 115 Comments

Lakeway has three new sculptures, so we want to go see them. Also, there are bluebonnets in bloom, and we want to check them out too. We are catered by Second Bar and Kitchen in Austin, and our entertainment is Gene Autry.

Brunch menu

So come on and let’s go.

Our first stop is the activity center courtyard to see the Frog and Lilly Pad bronze sculpture and fountain.

Bluebonnets and wild purple verbena in the Greenbelt.

Dragon Park bronze sculpture.

A close-up of the Dragon Park sculpture.

Greenbelt bluebonnets.

A close-up of a bluebonnet.

Neighborhood bluebonnets with a Tempeste touch.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now, sit back and enjoy the food and music.

Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Spring

March 10, 2024March 9, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 95 Comments

Today, we will drive the neighborhood to see if spring is making its presence known. We are catered by Eberly of Austin. Our entertainment is Elvis Presley.

FOR THE TABLE

charcuterie & cheese – artisanal meats & cheeses, accoutrements, housemade bread, crostini

chickpea fritter – white cheddar mornay, roasted carrots, chili garlic crisp

crab cake – parsley aioli, lemon-fresno gastrique

mussels – green curry broth, serrano, thai basil, sourdough

broccolini – dill vinaigrette, aged white cheddar, crispy leeks

crushed potatoes – hot sauce powder, yuzu kosho aioli

charred cabbage – dijon mustard, crispy shallots, pecorino

MAINS

halibut – pomme purée, pepper relish, red mustard greens

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 – smoked carrot purée, shiitake mushrooms, pickled leeks, crispy carrots

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

NY strip – creamed kale, crispy leeks, bordelaise

Picture of an old time school bus

Hop on the bus.

Lovely Carolina Jasmine starting to bloom.

A young redbud giving it all.

The vinca is waking up.

A Bradford pear in full bloom.

A quince getting started.

The mountain laurel bursting with grape kool-ade scented blooms.

A bee taking advantage of the abundant nectar.

A record year for the cross vine blooms.

An older redbud doing its best.

The first rose with more on the way.

A beautiful grandad redbud.

A very rare white mountain laurel.

It looks like spring is here. Time now to relax and listen to the music and have some food. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Brown Bag Concert – The Fiddlers

February 25, 2024February 24, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 94 Comments

Today, we are returning to the Lakeway Activity Center. It is another Brown Bag Concert featuring the Lake Travis High School Fiddlers. We are catered by the Ember Kitchen of Austin. Our entertainment is Charlie Daniels.

Views of the Neighborhood – Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

February 18, 2024February 17, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments

Today, we will witness the second annual Polar Plunge in Support of the Special Olympics at the Lakeway Resort. The idea is to raise money for Special Olympics by committing to a freezing plunge in the pool. The highest individual amount was $3200. We are catered by Intero Restaurant of Austin. Our entertainment is Brad Paisley.

meat & fish

timballo, smoked wagyu brisket, cauliflower,

risotto, grilled quail, marinated apple, kale, hazelnut

wagyu beef sausage, beet panzanella, spring onion, feta

braised pork neck, carrot, fennel, mandarin, basil

grilled gulf redfish, mushroom, kohlrabi, burnt onion, whey brodo

Pizza from our wood-fired oven

arrabbiata, housemade mozzarella, Texas olive oil, oregano

grilled kale, calabrian chile, chevre, cilantro pesto

housemade ham, broccoli, gruyere, farm egg, green onion

Pasta

tortelloni, duck confit, chile butter,

roasted oyster mushrooms, cambozola, caramelized onion, rosemary

rigatoni, roasted rabbit, roasted turnip, brown butter, pecan

ricotta gnocchi, carrot, grilled calcot, romesco, dill

bucatini, broccoli, sottocenere al tartufo, burnt garlic, chive

mafaldine, house bolognese, rosemary, grana padano

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go.

There is the banner telling us we are here.

Registration for participants.

Hot beverages

The ice-cold pool is where the plunge will take place. The air temp is 75 degrees (23.8 C), so the plunge could have been worse.

A group shot of all the wonderful people who raised money for the Special Olympics and who will be very wet shortly.

The three finalists for the costume competition. The seventies guy on the right won.

Tom Kilgore, the mayor of Lakeway, welcomes everyone.

The Special Olympic torch is carried in. Law enforcement, Fire departments, The FBI, Border Patrol, and other agencies play a unique role in Special Olympic fundraising. The torch is symbolic of their contribution.

The director of the event is first. She is the big splash. The officer pushed her in and followed suit.

The plunge was done by groups. (I caught them at the moment of truth.)

Hold your nose.

Walk on water. (For a split second)

More noses.

Another group, including the pink flamingo and Seventies guy

Two law enforcement officers.

Time to dry off and for us to relax with the food and music. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

February 4, 2024February 3, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 106 Comments

Today represents one of those in-between kind of weeks. I have called it potpourri. We went to Bee Cave to witness Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo, seeing his shadow indicating early spring. It is too early for many Valentine’s decorations. So, we will now wander the neighborhood to see what else is going on. We are catered by Diner Bar in Austin. Our entertainment is Fleetwood Mac.

To start

SHRIMP TOAST– benne seeds, fino sherry, sourdough
DEVILED EGGS – smoked fish, Dijon, trout roe
SPICY BLUE CRAB SALAD – 0ld bay, cayenne, toasted saltines
DINER BAR LETTUCES – feta, pickled peppers, oregano
CHICORY SALAD – radicchio, escarole, anchovy dressing
RABBIT DIRTY RICE – braised rabbit, chicken livers, Holy Trinity

Dinner

- COUNTRY PASTA – bucatini, pork belly, black pepper, parmesan
- CHICKEN COUNTRY CAPTAIN – curry, sourdough trencher, almond, currants
- GRILLED KOBOCHA – pumpkin middlins, coconut, pepitas
- 16OZ NY STRIP – maître d’ butter, garlic confit, lemon
- PORK SCHNITZEL – Dijon, chicories, anchovy vinaigrette
- DAYBOAT CATCH – salsa verde, clams, potatoes, white beans

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

Bee Cave Bob coming out of his den.

An early spring prediction by Bee Cave Bob

Deer in the neighborhood

Wondering if I have a handout

Oops. Looks like someone forgot the holiday decorations.

The first Valentine’s decoration.

A new sculpture on the mailbox.

A shutter that needs fixing and a wreath that needs storing. (I am not going to mention the holiday lights)

Some more deer in the yard.

Looks like this mailbox had a rough night.

Ding, ding, ding. Another winner for Valentine’s decoration.

A bunch of does getting carrots.

All (but one) scatter when the buck arrives.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour. Now, it is time for food and music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Artist Gail Threinen at Lakeway

January 21, 2024January 20, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Today, we are off to see the Asian watercolor art of Gail Threinen, whose work is displayed at Lakeway City Hall. This type of painting is deep in history and symbolism. Unlike traditional Western-style painting, it is meant to capture the spirit of the subject rather than its photographic reality. The ink and paper are unforgiving and cannot be retouched once the brush is stroked on the paper. Yet, many happy surprises come of that water-ink-brush-paper interaction.

We are catered by Asti Trattoria. Our entertainment is Don Mclean

Brunch menu

ASTI Benedict – focaccia / prosciutto / poached egg / hollandaise / dressed greens

Shakshuka – arrabiatta / house ground sausage / baked eggs / parmesan / pecorino / grilled focaccia

Egg White Frittata – roasted romanesco / blistered tomato / butternut squash / fontina / arugula salad

Italian Toast – focaccia / sweet ricotta / lemon curd / merengue / candied rosemary

Shrimp & Polenta – red eye gravy / shaved parmesan

Chicken Cutlet Parmesan – capellini / lemon / capers / garlic / tomato fresca

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

Lakeway artist – Gail Threinen can be reached at gail.threinen@gmail.com

A word about the photos. The lighting in the Art Center is excellent for viewing the art in person but terrible for photos. Also the art pieces are displayed in varying heights which makes straight on photos difficult. I had to take the shot from a side view to avoid the lights so some pictures would look off-center. I have cropped the pimagesto feature the art and paid little attention to the frames.

This piece is titled Spring Moon and is ink and pigment on xuan paper

Peace Blossom village – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Peonies in Pink – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Just Fishing – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Quote by Yoko Ono – ink on xuan paper

Vineyard and Friends – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

In The Moonlight – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

Calm – Ink on xuan paper

Jucy Grapes – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

In Praise of Second Chances – ink on xuan paper

Water Village – Ink and pigment on xuan paper

I hope you enjoyed the show. Now relax, have some brunch, and enjoy the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Winter Tree Scenes

January 14, 2024January 13, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 130 Comments

Today, we will look at the winter configuration of the trees in the neighborhood. (yeah, it’s a slow activity day here) We can see things that are usually not in view in the summer. We are catered by Ramin Del Barrio of Austin. Our entertainment is The Bangles.

(All Ramen Bowls come with onion, lime and cilantro)

CARNITAS TONKOTSU – Shoyu tare, pork bone broth, mixed carnitas, grilled pepper, and onions.** Best for first-time guests!

CoChinita Tonkotsu – Shoyu tare, cochinita pibil, pickled onions, avocado, tortilla strips. Best for first-time guests!

Menudo Tonkotsu – Guajillo tare, honeycomb tripe, hominy, arbol chilis, tortilla strips. Pa la cruda!

Mole Tsukemen – Mole negro, karaage, Tortilla strips. Dip the noodles. Don ́t dump the broth over the noodles pendejo.
Contains peanuts

Chilaquiles-men – Dry Ramen. Thick noodles tossed in a tomatillo/yuzu-kosho

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s go.

Our first view is a close-up of the berries on a juniper.

Red berries on the pyracantha.

A squirrel’s nest in a deciduous tree.

Lots of mistletoe in the trees.

Some more red berries on Hawthorne bushes.

Red leaves on a Bradford pear.

Another mistletoe example.

A pair of trimmed junipers. (Sometimes called cedars here in Texas)

A live oak that keeps its leaves until spring.

Further away look at the juniper berries.

This is a patch of Bluebonnets growing wild. They will bloom in the spring.

A good example of ball moss in the tree.

China berry tree with yellow berries.

Another squirrel nest.

Nandina Bamboo with red berries.

Well, that is the tour. Sit back, have some food, and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – After The Holidays

January 7, 2024January 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Today, we will tour the neighborhood and check out the holiday decorations that are still up but shouldn’t be. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas today, which is a good reason to keep the decorations displayed. It is also okay to keep decorations up for as long as someone wants, but they should be in good condition and look like they are being done on purpose, not just forgotten. We are only going to see the decorations that have been neglected, not the ones left on purpose. We are catered by Salty Sow of Austin. Our entertainment is Roy Orbison.

CRISP CHICKEN THIGHS

fried smashed potatoes, neck bone gravy

CANDIED PORK BELLY

collard greens, pot liquor, soy balsamic syrup

RANGER CATTLE WAGYU CHEESEBURGER

caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, pickles, Salty Sow special sauce, duck fat fries
– add béarnaise to fries +1

SLOW COOKED BEEF SHOULDER

mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, fried egg

PETITE BONE-IN FILETS

mixed mushrooms, red wine sauce

SMOKED PORK CARNITAS

avocado, tomatillo salsa, corn torillas, bbq hominy

GENUINE BLACKENED REDFISH

quinoa + lentils, smoked tomato, chipotle Tabasco lemon butter

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

Our first look is some candy canes past their prime. Leaners are losers.

Busted flat in Baton Rouge

Can you say fire hazard? Dry as a bone, I’d say.

Here’s one display that probably never should have been put out, let alone leave it beyond its expiration date.

It’s one of those fan-driven crazy Santa that needs to be put out of its misery.

Tired fawn past its bedtime.

The falling wreaths pass by my window.

What looks like a crime scene of dead inflatables.

Please help me. I’ve fallen and can’t get up.

The best for last. Way overserved inflatables. Just shows that cornhole and vodka do not mix well.

That is our tour today. Relax, have some food, and listen to the music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Happy New Year

December 31, 2023December 30, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 102 Comments

With a few short hours from wrapping up 2023, we at our house wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I think Twiggy says it best. (I have to wonder how she learned to operate the printer)