Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Enchanted Forest Walk

April 21, 2024April 21, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 99 Comments

Each year the Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department installs an Enchanted Forest Walk. It features tiny fairy and gnome homes that line the way as you stroll under a canopy of magical trees and twinkling lights. We are going to visit it today, but since it is daytime, there won’t be any twinkling lights. We are catered by Suzis China Grill of Austin. Our entertainment is Don Ho.

Moo Goo Delight – shrimp, chicken and fresh mushrooms in brown sauce

Seafood Delight – shrimp, scallops & krab with vegetables in brown sauce

Three Delight – beef, chicken & shrimp sautéed with vegetables in special sauce

Sautéed Trio – beef, chicken & shrimp sautéed with mushrooms & scallions in spicy burgundy sauce

Home Style Bean Curd – stir-fried with fried tofu, vegetables, chili & garlic

Broccoli with Garlic Sauce – sautéed with garlic, ginger & chili

String Bean Szechwan – sautéed with garlic, ginger & rice wine

Let’s go

We are welcomed by a happy bear.

A long view of the trail showing flowers and mushrooms

One of the Fairy communities from afar.

A close-up of the fairy homes

Cinderella’s coach.

Two gnomes in the tree.

Fairy boots and Texas stars with wagons.

Cattle and a wagon train.

Tooth fairy hangout.

Gnome blowing bubbles.

Butterflies and ladybugs.

Flower fairies.

A group of gnomes giving us a wave goodbye.

We do have one nighttime photo courtesy of the city.

That is the walk in the Enchanted Forest. The time now for food and entertainment. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Wilderness 5K Run/Walk

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

Today, we are going to the Lakeway Greenbelt to watch the start of the 5K Wilderness Run/Walk sponsored by Friends of the Park. This run happens every year to raise awareness of the volunteering opportunity with Friends of the Park. This non-profit organization helps maintain Lakeway Parks and ensures their preservation for the future.

We are catered by Cypress Grill in Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago

Brunch menu

Creole Eggs Benedict

English muffin, poached eggs, Cajun tasso ham, Creole hollandaise, served with one side (also available with classic hollandaise sauce)

Eggs Napoleon

English muffin, poached eggs topped with crawfish etouffee and cheddar-jack cheese, served with choice of one side.

Loaded Biscuit

Buttermilk biscuit open-faced, topped with Cajun tasso ham, andouille sausage gravy, and two eggs your way

Shrimp & Grits

Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, and red peppers in a traditional low country gravy atop our creamy garlic cheese grits with crumbled bacon

Spanky Special

Sandwich with fried egg, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayo on toasted whole wheat

Cajun Hash

Andouille sausage, tasso ham, and boudin sausage sautéed with home fries, tomato, onion, and jalapeno, topped off with two eggs any way you like them.

French Toast

French bread, grilled golden brown and topped with powdered sugar, is served with one side.

The Bayou Breakfast

Two eggs any way you like them, plus any three sides

Buttermilk Pancakes

Three homemade pancakes with a choice of one side

Build Your Own Omelet

A three-egg omelet with three of the following ingredients: andouille sausage, Tasso ham, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, Gulf shrimp, lump crab, crawfish etouffée, Creole hollandaise topping, parmesan, cheddar jack, or provolone. Served with a choice of one side.

Let’s go.

There is a sign for the event.

Entering the Greenbelt, we run into these thoughtful chess players.

There’s the registration tent.

T-shirts, of course.

Oranges and bananas for the athletes.

Coffee and donuts for the rest of us.

Bronze elk family in the park.

A heron looking over Hurst Creek.

The starting point.

A slight warming up before the race.

Ready to go.

Friends of the Park chairperson gives the go signal.

And we are off. Well, not we as in you and I. We have food to eat.

The runners pass the heron on the way to 5K.

Now that the runners and walkers have departed, let’s have some food and enjoy the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

April 7, 2024April 6, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today, we are going to see several things. I call it potpourri because there is no theme, just a little bit of everything. We are catered by Aba of Austin. Our entertainment is Keith Urban

BLACKBERRY DROP BISCUIT blackberry thyme jam, whipped cream

KHACHAPURI^baked egg, cremini mushroom, graviera, green onion

SHORT RIB SHAKSHUKA local eggs, spicy harissa, graviera, roasted potato

KEFTA & EGGS lamb & beef kefta, fried eggs, tzatziki, lemon dill rice

CRAB FRITTATA avocado, butternut squash, pickled fresno, lemon

SHAWARMA-SPICED SKIRT STEAK & EGG fried eggs, crispy potatoes, tzatziki

JERUSALEM BAGEL & SMOKED SALMON SPREAD sumac red onion, tomato, caper, labneh

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

The Producer’s roses are in bloom.

A beautiful stand of poppies.

Looks like the dish got the heave-ho.

A swallowtail butterfly in the sage.

New geraniums.

Worn out gaming chairs. Wonder how the thumbs look?

Geranium and snapdragons. The boxwood hedge in the background looks good.

The car bumper meets the mailbox. It is interesting that inside the brickwork is a bunch of trash.

Another view shows how hollow the brickwork is.

Remember this holiday decoration?

It is still there only on the ground.

The Calibrachoa is ready for lounging.

Okay, that’s the tour. Time to sit back and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a super week.

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.