I have been doing the Views of the Neighborhood in Lakeway for four years. The odds that each view will be spectacular become less the longer one temps the fickle finger of fate. This week the finger got me. I was excited to go and record the Member Craft Show at the local country club. It just seemed logical that wherever the elite met to play golf, there would be some outstanding results.

I have to say those who displayed their crafts and interests were gracious and lovely. The problem was only four tables were taken. Two were crafts, one a vet and one an author. We are being catered by Barlata of Austin. Our entertainment is Brad Paisley.

• FIDEUA – (Pasta instead of rice) Roasted fideo paella, sepia, squid, shrimp & aioli

• FIDEUA NEGRE  – Roasted Fideo paella, squid ink, sepia, squid & allioli

• HORTELANA  – Saffron rice, mixed vegetables, currants, pine nuts & allioli vegetarian, vegan

• ARROS NEGRE – Squid-inked rice, mussels, sepia, squid, and aioli

• BARLATA –  Our best-selling paella! Saffron rice, chicken, chorizo, shellfish & vegetables

• BARCELONETA –  Saffron rice, squid, shrimp, octopus & shellfish

• ARROS AUSTIN –  Saffron Rice, pork belly, pork ribs & Shiitake Mushrooms.

So let’s get on the bus.

The first exhibitor specializes in self-motivational pieces.

Her table.

Examples of her work.

Self-affirming messages.

Coasters and Palo Santo incense sticks.

A dedicated animal oncologist encouraging early screening of pets.

Pamphlets explaining an early blood test for cancer and other diagnostic aids.

A handmade craft table.

Examples of the items.

Here is the author, Amanda Tice, and her son.

Photo of a lone patron.

A place that is an excellent handcraft exhibit in its own right. So relax and enjoy the music. I hope you have a super week.

Today we will go to the Activity Center and walk on the Fairy Trail. This is a display by Parks and Recreation to celebrate spring. We are catered by Zaza Mediterranean of Austin, and our entertainment is Little Big Town

On the way to the trail is the work going on in the sculpture garden. Here is a shot of the bridge crossing Hurst Creek. The green bumpers are to keep any construction materials out of the water.

We had a shot at the pre-concrete installation a couple of weeks ago. This is newly poured.

The entrance to the fairy walk.

A friendly elk. (All the figures are lit at night)

A view of flowers and a very large dove.

Here is a bluebonnet among the rocks.

Some deer.

A different view of the flowers and dragonfly.

For Dan, pieces of equipment working on a water retention structure.

Mushrooms galore. I will admit nighttime would have been better, but I’m sure you have better things to do with your evening.

Sit back and enjoy the food and entertainment. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Today we will visit Lakeway’s Air Park, where a celebration of Alan Babin’s 20 years of life takes place. It was 20 years ago the Army medic was severely wounded while saving others. If you want to read more about Alan, you can visit my post HERE.

We will have pancakes and sausage at the airpark, and our entertainment will be Lee Greenwood.

So get on the bus and let’s go.

Here we are at the air park. The marker tells us we are in the right place.

The tables are ready for the pancake breakfast.

A tribute to Alan. Since he was a medic, he has the nickname “Doc.” Today, in addition to the open house and breakfast, Alan will be taken on a flight around Lake Travis escorted by a warbird.

Here is the plane that will take Alan on his ride. It is a 1973 BEECH C90

Incoming is the War bird that will escort Alan’s flight.

A taxi to position.

A 1949 NORTH AMERICAN T-6G was used as a trainer for naval aviators. Others have flown in for the occasion.

A 1943 Aircraft: Beechcraft D17A Staggerwing

A 1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser with flotation.

1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser without flotation.

A 1963 PIPER PA-18-135 with flotation.

A 2021 Vans RV-10

Folks looking at the plane that will take Alan on his flight.

The Producer caught a shot of the flight.

Well, that is the tour. So, let’s join the others and enjoy those pancakes while we listen to the music. I hope you have a great week.

Today we are going to search Lakeway for signs of Easter. We are being catered by Another Broken Egg of Austin. Our entertainment is Bing Crosby.

Menu

Our first stop is a fancy bunny mail topper.

Next is another bunny but one looking very content.

The purple house has gone all out with Easter Baskets (in the skeleton’s flanges) and eggs.

Now, this is an Easter display that you may remember from last year.

Bunny guards the door.

Here are some pretty sketchy carrots. The spring wreaths look good.

Bunny-eared tortoise. Yes, that is a bunny tail on the tortoise too.

An egg flag is always welcome.

A happy Easter message to all of us.

An easter egg hunt to finish the tour.

So let’s enjoy the food and Bing Crosby.

Since there is not too much going on in Lakeway, I thought we would just cruise and see what turns up. We are catered by Valentina’s of Austin, and our entertainment is Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

Menu

So let’s go.

Our first stop is near city hall and the chess player sculpture. Looks like they are putting in a path.

It winds past the Elk sculptures.

A piece of equipment for Dan.

A new pedestrian bridge over the creek.

A final look at the site.

You don’t often see pinwheels in bags of recyclables.

A desk in pieces. Maybe work at home time is over.

A broken pot inside its identical partner. Now, this is a sad scene.

Here’s a pot on its own. Looks like plant culture didn’t go well.

The old recliner with a cup holder. This serious leisure item on the street means the tough times are back.

Box springs and door combo means someone didn’t clean their room on time. (Parent quote, “If you don’t clean up this room, I’m throwing your door and bed in the trash.”)

Well, that’s the tour. I hope you liked a little bit of nothing. Now relax have some food and enjoy the music.

We went out to see if there were any St. Patrick’s Day decorations in the neighborhood. We found some so the tour is on. We are catered by Foxy’s Proper Pub in Austin. Our entertainment is (who else?) The Irish Rovers

BLEU CHEESE WEDGE SALAD iceberg lettuce, bacon, chives, cherry tomatoes, bleu cheese dressing

SLIDER COMBO one pub burger slider, one lamb slider with caramelized onion, white cheddar, lemon aioli

CORNED BEEF SANDWICH corned beef, fontina cheese, beer mustard aioli, pickled cabbage, served on rye

PUB BURGER ground chuck & brisket patty, American cheese, LTO, pickles, secret sauce

FISH & CHIPS Harp Lager batter, thick-cut fries, pecan tarter

Let’s go.

Our first is this cute Lepricon.

A shamrock on the door.

A turtle wearin’ O’ the green.

Another door shamrock.

Here is a wall shamrock and wreath.

Our friend, the armadillo.

St Patrick’s Day and Cancer survivor’s flags.

Shamrock welcome.

Hanging decoration.

The best display ever for St Patrick’s Day.

I hope you liked the tour. Now let’s eat and enjoy the music. I hope you have a great week.

The Lakeway Arts District presents “Women in Art” a very special art exhibition celebrating Women’s History Month from March 1-31st at the Lake Travis Community Library. We are going to attend the artist’s reception. We are catered by Birdies of Austin. Our entertainment is Eric Clapton.

Menu March 5

Today we are going to try and find evidence of spring. It has been a challenging winter, and a lift of the spirits is in order. We are catered by Odd Duck of Austin. Our entertainment is Willie Nelson.

menu

starters

Gulf seafood ceviche, carrot leche de tigre, strawberry, radish, potato chips

Grilled kale salad, fennel, citrus, sunchoke dukkah, shiitake ranch

Charred broccoli, chèvre, mole spice, apple gastrique, sesame

Cast iron cheddar cornbread, green garlic butter

Mushroom tamal, kohlrabi cheese, field greens, cilantro

Smoked oyster chowder, turnip, pork belly, brassica greens, pork rinds

Main

Capellini pasta, sunchoke cacio e pepe, TX cheddar, carrot salsa macha

Blackened redfish, sourdough sauce, wilted romaine, pecan, lemon

Grilled quail, XO fried rice, braised greens, beet BBQ, fried chicken skin

Dry-aged wagyu burger, blue beer cheese, tostada, pork birria jam, cabbage slaw

Aged pork loin, tzatziki, caramelized fennel, beets, pepitas

Chile beer glazed short rib, radish kimchi, sweet potato, peanut

Dessert

Lime mousse, strawberry sorbet, puffed rice, butter mochi

Orange flan, amaro candied fennel, almond tuile, citrus, orange blossom water, fennel pollen

Sunchoke blondie, caramelized white chocolate, sherry vinegar caramel, cocoa nib ice cream

Let’s go.

Our first sign of spring is a blooming mountain laurel

To double-check to make sure the first mountain laurel isn’t a fluke, here’s another.

The oldest redbud in the neighborhood.

Another redbud showing off.

A close-up of mountain laurel blossoms. They smell like grape Kool-Aid

A cross vine bloom and those waiting to pop.

Another large redbud.

A very happy fig. Of course, The Producer puts it inside when the temps are projected to be below freezing. Those days are supposed to be behind us. (knock wood)

The bougainvillea loves the warmer temperatures.

A lone rose left after the seasonal trim.

The greenbelt has blooms.

Another greenbelt bloom making a break for it.

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

Today we will participate in a Chinese New Year celebration with dragons. The dragon show is being performed by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance team. We are being catered by the sponsoring Asian restaurant Sakura of Lakeway. Our entertainment is Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Menu

Creamy Vegetarian – Vegetable broth, fried tofu, wood ear mushroom, bamboo shoot, bok choy, sweet corn, and spring mix.

Rice Bowl – Served with choice of soup: miso, egg drop soup, or hot and sour soup, steamed rice, stir-fried broccoli, snow pea, cabbage, and carrot over steamed rice, pan-fried egg, teriyaki sauce, scallions, and sesame.

Twice Cooked Fish – Sauteed lightly fried fish fillet, snow pea, asparagus, green and red bell pepper, onion, and special spicy sauce. Served with steamed rice.

Mongolian Beef – Served with steamed rice.

General Tso’s Tofu – Served with steamed rice.

Kung Pao Chicken – Served with steamed rice.

Sauteed Shrimp with Snow Peas – Served with steamed rice.

Pineapple Fried Rice – Shrimp, Thai curry, served in a fresh pineapple bowl. Come with egg, bean sprouts, snow peas, onions, teriyaki, and sesame.

So let’s get on the bus.

There’s the restaurant.

Looks like the team is getting ready.

A shot of the team shirt.

The dragons and the team getting a last-minute briefing.

Close-up of one of the dragons.

Here is the other.

The drum and gong.

Practice the moves.

The dragons come to life.

High kick.

Heading toward the crowd.

The drum, gong, and cymbal players are to the left and center.

A dragon led by the cymbal player.

The dragon heads for the restaurant to join the other.

Well, that was the show. Time to listen to the music and enjoy the food. I hope you have a great week.

Today we were going to go on a Valentine’s story walk, but due to the danger of falling limbs, from our ice storm, the walk is canceled. So we will have to do whatever we can to salvage our trip. We are catered by Olamaie in Austin. Our entertainment is Chris Isaak.

Menu

So let’s go.

Our first stop is a house filled with love.

This one shows better at night. There are red up lights which you can see a little.

A wise dog with a heart headband.

Warning signs regarding falling limbs.

Yes we have deer and everyone is warned to drive carefully.

Lots of downed limbs to clean up this week.

Someone definately loves Valentines Day.

Here is the best display ever. What’s not to like about Snoopy and Minnie Mouse.

I hope you liked the brief tour and now it is time for food and music. I hope you have a great week and a Happy Valentine’s Day.