Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

May 16, 2021May 15, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today we are going to wander and just take in whatever we can find. There is nothing special going on in Lakeway, so we can just be leisurely and enjoy the day. We are being catered by Sawyer & Co, Austin. It is a New Orleans-style restaurant, so be prepared for some spice. Our entertainment is Sara. Bareilles.

Sawyer Benedict
poached eggs, grilled ham & creole hollandaise on toasted biscuit

Huey P Benedict
poached eggs & cajun style pulled pork with creole hollandaise on toasted biscuit

Breaux Bridge Benedict
poached eggs* over signature boudin with creole hollandaise & choice of toast or biscuit served with brabant potatoes

Trailer Park Benedict
frito pie with house chili, poached eggs* cheddar & grilled onions

Big Easy Omelet
french fries, ham, chili, cheddar, onions with choice of toast or biscuit

Eggs Sardou
fried green tomatoes, poached eggs* with creole hollandaise over creamed spinach & artichoke hearts with toast or biscuit

Creole Shrimp and Grits
pan-seared shrimp in garlic butter, bacon, mushroom & creole sauce over cheesy grits

Jambalaya
with two eggs* any style, choice of bread

Crawfish Etouffee
Boudreaux approved and served over rice

Catfish Orleans
fried or blackened catfish topped with crawfish étouffée over rice

Desserts

Bread Pudding
with bourbon sauce

Key Lime Pie

Apple Pie

Pecan Sticky Bun
homemade cinnamon roll with praline topping

Root Beer Float

SHAKES
Vanilla, Chocolate,Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter

Today’s wine. White: SAUVIGNON BLANC Patient Cottat, Sancerre, France 2019 and Red: CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE Château La Nerthe, Rhône, France 2016.

So let’s get on the bus.

Before we get too far, we need to check out this fawn and mother on my driveway.

Mama needs to do some bathtime chores.

Running to mom.

Speaking of fawn, here’s one that has been parked by its mother. This is usually okay, but the mom parked this little one on the front lawn in full view of everyone passing.

A close-up. The fawn is sound asleep.

A palm tree in bloom.

A field of wildflowers.

Here is beautiful artichoke agave that, because of the spring freeze, is shooting up a flower. This is usually before dying.

A small part of the herd having a stroll.

Here is a non-murdered crape myrtle blooming its heart out.

That is it for today. I hope you have a great week. Sit back and enjoy the food and music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Enchanted Forest – Part Two

May 9, 2021May 8, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

We are going back to the Lakeway Enchanted Forest. Today we are going to concentrate on the displays near or on Trees. Of course. We need to carry our fuel and entertainment with us. Today the Brunch is being catered by Launderette in Austin. Our entertainment is Alanis Morissette.

SWEET THANGS

BUTTER & PRESERVES toasted sourdough, housemade preserves & cultured butter
ZUCCHINI BREAD cultured butter topped with Maldon salt
BUTTERMILK PANCAKES blueberry maple compote, crème Fraiche
KEY LIME KOUIGN AMANN

SPECIALTIES

RAINBOW BOWL beet hummus, quinoa, roasted carrots, sprouts, sesame, soft egg
SALMON GRAVLAX sesame bagel, cream cheese, capers, tomato, red onion
ENGLISH MUFFIN SAMMIE scrambled egg, Deer Creek cheddar, fennel sausage, avocado, romesco
BENNY TOAST poached eggs, sauce aligot, braised greens, truffle hollandaise, toasted focaccia
FRIED CHICKEN SAMMIE coriander poblano slaw, pickles, challah
PLANCHA BURGER American cheese, special sauce, pickles, challah
THE AMERICANA sunny eggs, oyster mushroom, roasted tomato, bacon, toast
PORK SHOULDER HASH potato, brussels sprouts, sunny eggs, salsa verde
LITTLE GEMS smoked trout, kale, grapefruit, red onion, avocado, agave citrus vinaigrette

BRUNCH COCKTAILS

MIMOSA cava, fresh orange juice
FOR YOUR HEALTH mezcal, pineapple turmeric syrup, spiced agave, lime
BLOODY MARY vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire, tabasco, horseradish
TEQUILA SPRITZER Blanco tequila, apricot liqueur, chili syrup, bitters, cava
APEROL SBAGLIATO Aperol, Cocchi Rosa, lemon, orange bitters, cava
PAMPLEMOUSSE & ROSE rose liqueur, gin, lime juice, grapefruit juice, Peychaud’s Bitters
MARGARITA Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, spiced agave, lime

For wine, we have CHARDONNAY Scribe, Carneros, California 2016 for the white and CABERNET SAUVIGNON Matthiasson, Napa, California 2017 for the red.

Get on board.

Here we have a fairy house with a fountain.

Looks like a grumpy old man to me.

Gnome and his wishing well.

Massive tree snake.

A fairy in the tree.

Kiss me. (Virtually, of course )

A gnome trailer park.

Several fairies around a fish pond.

Herbs drying in the trees.

The man in the fungus.

A happy forest spirit.

Faries in the park.

Our last is a door to the secret garden. So relax, have some food and listen to the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Enchanted Forest – Part One

May 2, 2021May 1, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 88 Comments

Today we are going to visit the Lakeway Enchanted Forest sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. Since there is so much to see, we will be coming back next week as well. You may recognize the venue from the holiday display. To fortify us for the trip, we have a catered brunch from El Alma in Austin. Our entertainment will be Lady A (formally known as Lady Antebellum )

Brunch Menu

GORDITAS RANCHERAS
fried farm eggs on refried bean gorditas, chipotle tomato salsa, crema, queso fresco, avocado.
HUEVOS REVUELTOS
scrambled farm eggs, chorizo, mushrooms, jack cheese, crispy tortillas, tomatillo salsa. crispy papitas.
ENCHILADAS DE ALMUERZO
jack cheese, smoky tomatillo salsa, fried egg, queso fresco, pico. black beans.
HUEVOS FRANCESES
poached farm eggs and spinach on corn pudding. chipotle hollandaise. tomatoes, avocado.
add crab
CHILAQUILES VERDES
crispy totopos, tomatillo salsa, crema, queso fresco, avocado. farm eggs, refritos.
add chicken
BANANA BREAD PUDDING
with cajeta
OMELETTE AHOGADO
omelet stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, jack cheese, smoky tomatillo salsa, pico, queso fresco, crispy papitas.
BREAKFAST TACOS
choose up to 3 ingredients
egg, bacon, chorizo, carne asada, jack cheese, spinach, mushrooms, poblanos and onions, avocado, refried beans, potatoes

We are going to serve some brunch cocktails. If you would rather have wine, we have it by the glass. Just ask your server.

MANGORITA
frozen margarita, tequila-marinated mango purée, el chile rim

MIMOSA FELIZ
sparkling wine, mango purée

MICHELADA
dos XX, bloody mary mix, lime juice, tabasco, Worcestershire, el chile rim

BLOODY MARÍA
jimador silver, bloody mary mix, olive brine, lime juice, Worcestershire, tabasco, el chile rim

So let’s get on the bus. I was asked if we should be using an electric bus to help the environment. The bus is fueled by environmentally friendly propane.

Here is a welcome sign, so we must be in the right place.

Looks like an entrance arch.

Uh-huh. A troll bridge sign is a give-a-way

And there it is, the troll bridge.

With trolls.

Fairy rocks with butterflies.

A welcome to Lakeway rock.

A fairy flower bed.

Lots of ladybugs.

Bees on a tree.

A wizard and a snail.

Frog

Bluebonnets and hope.

A mushroom patch.

A little gnome’s house.

Another little house.

A gnome and flowers.

A large butterfly.

With a place to leave a message.

I hope you enjoyed part one of this tour. Next week we are going to look at tree decoration. I hope you can join us. For now relax, have some food and listen to the music. Have a wonderful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Earth Day Fact Find – Part Two

April 25, 2021April 24, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 96 Comments

Welcome back to part two of the Earth Day Fact Find Hunt. To help us retain our strength. Today we have a catered brunch from Le Politique in Austin.

OEUFS EN MEURETTE
Two poached eggs on crème fraîche toast, soaked in meurette sauce
OEUFS
Two baked eggs with ham and gruyère cheese
WAFFLE
Vanilla bean chantilly, maple syrup (veg)
MONTE CRISTO
Griddled ham & comté cheese sandwich, French-toast battered brioche, house jam, maple syrup
CROQUE MONSIEUR
Griddled ham & comté cheese sandwich, sauce mornay, dijon
+ add a fried egg
ROYALE WITH CHEESE
Grass-fed beef, caramelized onions, swiss & gruyère cheese, Russian dressing, pickles, fries
STEAK FRITES
10oz grilled Texas ribeye, red wine herb butter, fries, sauce béarnaise
EGGS BENEDICT
Poached eggs, tomato jam, and smoked salmon, topped with béarnaise
POTATO PAVÉ
Tomatillo salsa, creme fraîche, bacon lardons, shaved carrots, sunny egg, fines herbes
OMELETTE
Free-range local eggs, Boursin pepper cheese, butter lettuce (veg)
QUICHE DU JOUR
Seasonal vegetables, butter lettuce

For dessert

BOMBE AU CHOCOLAT
Dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel, spéculoos, crème fraîche ice cream
GLACES ET SORBETS
Toasted Vanilla Ice Cream
Hazelnut Espresso Ice Cream
Chocolate Sorbet
Passionfruit & Brandied Cherry Sorbet

In addition to the top-shelf liquor selection, we are serving

For the red: CHÂTEAU DES BACHELARDS
Gamay ‘Comtesse de Vazeilles,’ Fleurie ’14

For the white: JOSEPH MELLOT
Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Le Chatellenie,’ Sancerre, Loire ’18

Our entertainment will be Kid Rock.

Let’s get on board.

Here is our first clue.

Clue #6 Look for this question at a place where you can refill your reusable water bottle.

This looks like the right place. Ah, there is the question.

I would say you can save water by taking a shower, so true.

Clue #7 A monument in the shape of our state holds this question on its back.

There is a monument shaped like Texas. I see the clue on its back

I think the State of Texas produces the most power of any state. (Duh)

Clue #8 Find information and a clue here.

There’s the park information sign. The clue is pinned inside the glass.

I would say we should water house plants with unused water.

Clue #9 Batter up

There is the question on a tree by the batter’s cage. I would say the best thing is to go to a car wash.

Clue #10 When caterpillars transform, they head to this garden to look for food.

This is the path leading to the Butterfly garden. There’s the question.

I’m going to pick 4000 years since it is the biggest number.

I hope you enjoyed the second part of our Earth Day celebration. Now is the time to relax, have some food, and listen to Kid Rock.

Views of the neighborhood. Earth Day Fact Find – Part One

April 18, 2021April 24, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today we are heading out for an Earth Day Fact Find Scavenger hunt. To feed us all, I asked QI restaurant in Austin to put on a Dim Sum brunch. They agreed, and here is what that brunch looks like.

Dim Sum Brunch Menu

Crab Meat Fish Maw Soup Dumpling 蟹肉鱼肚汤包

Scallop Caviar Sui Mai 鱼子酱带子烧卖

Lobster Dumpling 甜菜粉龙虾饺

Crispy Har Kaw with Sea Cucumber 炸海参虾饺

Sautéed Baby Bok Choy 炒白菜

Sautéed Water Spinach 炒空心菜

Snow Crab Ball 雪蟹球

Shrimp Stuffed Chinese Eggplant 煎酿茄子

Potato Shrimp Ball 脆薯虾球

Salt and Pepper Shrimp 椒盐虾

Crispy Turnip Cake 萝卜糕

Chao Shou 红油抄手

Dan Dan Noodle 担担面

Scallion Pancake Curry Dip 葱油饼咖喱酱

Szechuan Spicy Cucumber 四川黄瓜

Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce 豉汁排骨

Chicken with Cashew Dumpling 腰果鸡饺

Beef Potstickers 牛肉锅贴

Shrimp Har Kaw 虾饺

Pork and Shrimp Sui Mai 烧卖

Chicken Shiitake Sui Mai 东菇鸡烧卖

Cilantro Shrimp Dumpling 香菜虾饺

Basil Chicken Dumpling 九层塔鸡饺

Steam BBQ Pork Bun 蒸叉烧包

Steam Lobster Dumpling 龙虾饺

Shanghai Soup Dumpling 小笼包

Seafood Soup Dumpling 海鲜汤包

Chicken Feet 鸡爪

Pan-Fried Beef Bao 生煎牛肉包

Sugarcane Shrimp 甘蔗虾

Chinese Sausage Sticky Rice 糯米饭

Chicken Taro Egg Roll 香芋鸡春卷

Curry Beef Puff 咖喱牛酥

Steam Egg Cream Bun 蒸奶黄包

Egg Custard Tart 蛋挞

Sesame Ball

Pineapple Puff 凤梨酥

Baked BBQ Pork Bun 烘叉烧包

In addition to our top-shelf bar, we are offering Sake,

A 2018 Pighin Pinot Grigio, and 2016 Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir. Today’s entertainment is Little Big Town.

Let’s get on the bus.

Here is what we are doing. We have to use clues and find the fun fact question. Here’s what the Parks and Recreation says.

As part of The City of Lakeway’s Earth Day celebration, Parks & Recreation invites you to join us for an event that will test your environmental knowledge in a scavenger hunt-style game!

From April 10 – April 25, ten Earth Day-themed questions will be hidden in Lakeway City Park.

So we will use the clues to find the place and the questions. I will do my best to answer them. If you have a better answer, you can put it in the comments section. Since there are ten clues and questions, we will cover the first five today. Next week we will finish.

Clue 1. This area is a favorite for a human’s best friend. Dog Park

So here is the question. My guess is urban runoff is the biggest pollutant to rivers and lakes.

Clue 2. Finding this next location is a slam dunk! Basketball court

My guess is false. Tissues, paper towels, and wet wipes don’t disintegrate

Clue 3. Step off this exercise equipment and down the small path to find this question.

My answer is all of those items can be composted.

Clue 4. While you sit along the edge and enjoy the scenic view, you may see a question too.

Plastics is my guess as the most common thing found along water.

Clue 5. Lakeway pride flies high at this location.

I think the heater/air conditioner uses the most energy.

So that is the first five stops for today. I hope you enjoy the week and remember this is the only Earth we have. Have some food and enjoy Little Big Town.

Views of the Neighborhood – Spring Flowers

April 11, 2021April 10, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

Today we are going out to find the spring wildflowers, and as usual, we need to be fortified with good food and drink. Today we are being catered brunch from Matties in Austin.

Matties Brunch

STARTER
FriedGreenTomatoes shrimp+crabsalad,lemon,creoleremoulade . . . . .
SALADS
Farmhouse Salad (V) local greens, fennel relish, tarragon vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes

Beet Salad cardamom yogurt preserved lemon, arugula, hazelnuts

Frisée Salad pickled apples, arugula, roasted grapes, candied pecans, bleu cheese, lemon-poppyseed dressing

Little Gem Caesar (V) creamy cashew caesar dressing, rebel tomatoes, almond “parmesan,” garlic crostini Add to any salad
Roasted chicken breast Seared salmon
ENTRÉES
Biscuits+ChorizoCreamGravy ̊with scrambled eggs
Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.
Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over-easy eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips
Breakfast Plate ̊ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, or house-made wild boar sausage.
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict ̊ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad
Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, green onions
Grassfield Farms Beef Burger ̊ aged Tillamook cheddar, tomato-bacon jam, Duke’s mayo, house frites. Add egg, bacon, or avocado
SIDES
Nueske’sBacon HomeFries Porfi’s Housemade Sage Sausage FreshFruit(V)

Wine

Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain 2016

Moussé Fils ‘l’Extra Or d’Eugène’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne, France nv

Chateaude Brézé Cremantde Loire Brut Rosé France nv

Rose Gold Côtes de Provence,France 2018

Dessert

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tart honey roasted peanuts, flourless brownie, salted caramel sauce

Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream peach curd, blackberry compote, sugar oat streusel

Hummingbird Cake banana, coconut, pineapple, cashew, almond,
rum-cream cheese frosting

Today’s entertainment will be a soothing and relaxing time with a Cardinal at the falls.

So let’s get on board.

Along the side of the main drag in Lakeway is a beautiful display of bluebonnets.

And some wild daisies.

Closeup of the bluebonnets.

A few four nerve daisies in with the bluebonnets

The California poppies are blooming

A close-up of the California poppies.

We are now at the greenbelt, and the iris are blooming.

A close-up of the iris.

The cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana) is lovely.

Path with bluebonnets on each side.

A close-up of the bluebonnets

It could be Antelope horns (Asclepias Asperula), but I’m not sure.

Evening primrose close-up.

The evening primrose in the natural setting.

Some prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)

A fern by a water feature.

We have finished our tour. Stay and have some food and listen to the falls and cardinal.

Have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – In Search of Easter

April 4, 2021April 3, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 85 Comments

Welcome to Easter Sunday in the neighborhood. We are going to go out and see if we can find Easter decorations. Today we have catered a brunch from Juniper in Austin. You can choose one or sample everything. We also have Brad Paisley for your entertainment.

BRUNCH PRIX FIXE-

FOR THE TABLE

prosciutto di san danielle, montasio, fresh fruit, morning honey bun

SCRAMBLED EGGS

bacon & toast

3-PIECE WELLFLEET OYSTERS

served over crushed ice dressed with cucumber, lemon, italics mignonette

FRUIT OR YOGURT CUP

44 FARMS BEEF CARPACCIO

fresh horseradish, Meyer lemon, parmesan, garlic crouton

LITTLE LETTUCE

SECOND

POTATO FRICO

whipped mascarpone, smoked salmon, capers, red onion, herbs

AGNOLOTTI CARBONARA

egg cream, crispy pancetta, peas, toasted black pepper, brown butter

FLUFFY PANCAKE

fennel-lemon syrup, butter

UNCLE NICKY’S PLATE soft scramble, bacon, crispy fingerling potatoes, Foccacia

pork & beef bolognese, ricotta, mozzarella, sunny-side egg

EGG BENEDICT

poached egg, roasted pancetta, tomato hollandaise, Foccacia

Normally we would be serving wine, but Juniper has some interesting drinks, so here is the list.

MIMOSA FLIGHT

one bottle of Stellina di Notte prosecco, with orange, cranberry, and peach juices

EARL GREY COCKTAIL

Barr hill gin, amaro nonino, earl grey syrup, lemon

SPRING NEGRONI

royal dock navy strength gin, bruto americano, alessio bianco, ramazzotti

JUNIPER G&T

pink peppercorn infused gin, rosemary syrup, grapefruit juice, tonic

SGROPPINO

house limoncello, prosecco, lemon sorbetto, mint

HUGO SPRITZ

fiorente elderflower, lime, mint, prosecco, sparkling water

APEROL SPRITZ

Aperol, prosecco, sparkling water

HIBISCUS SPRITZ

ramazzotti apertivo rosato, prosecco, sparkling water

CAFÉ MOCHA

greater goods kickstart espresso, chocolate syrup, mint

TOASTED ALMOND SHAKERATO

Greater goods kickstart espresso, toasted almond syrup, cocoa nib

GREATER GOODS NITRO COLD BREW ON DRAFT GREATER GOODS COFFEE

LATTE ESPRESSO CAPPUCCINO MACCHIATO ZHI TEA
ICED TEA

For dessert, we have chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake with dark chocolate ganache.

So let’s get going.

Our first stop shows Easter is celebrated in this house.

Here is a cute display.

Wow. Now we are talking Easter display.

The Easter Bunny.

Cute cutouts of a bunny and chick.

The Producer and I scoured the neighborhood, and these were the only decorations we could find. So sit back and enjoy the music and have way more to eat. Thanks for coming, and I hope you all have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Spring Flowers

March 28, 2021March 27, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 102 Comments

Today’s tour takes us around a little and also to a nursery. I took the liberty of ordering off the menu from Roosevelt’s in Port Aransas. They have a wine and food pairing. Pay no attention to the price. I got this.

For dessert, we have a deep dish Hot Dutch apple pie with home churned vanilla ice cream.

Our entertainment today is Bon Jovi

Time to get on the bus and let’s get going.

The first stop ismy backyard to take a look at the first crossvine blooms.

Now on to see the beginning of the California Poppies. Three so far.

A close-up of the California poppy

Now to a nursery where we are sure to see some blooms. First a nice porch planter.

Various baskets of blooms against the backdrop of a palm showing the results of the freeze.

More hanging baskets.

Some New Guinea impatins hanging baskets

A giant hanging basket filled with yellow and pink begonias, golden creeping jenny, and ivy.

A hanging basket with fern, pink pokadot, and yellow begonias

A hanger with pink impatins, and purple dragon.

Lovely nasturtiums

Geraniums

Red begonias with a little creeping jenny

Terrific porch planter.

We are now in the greenbelt checking on the bluebonnets. Here’s a close up of a few.

They are not out in force yet. Hard to see the few scattered about a meadow. We’ll have to come back when there are more.

That is the tour today so have some more food and listen to the music. I hopeyou all have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Search for Spring

March 21, 2021March 20, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

Before we get started I just want you to know Eternal Road – The final stop, US Kindle edition, will be on sale for 99¢ starting Today, March 21st at 3:00 AM Eastern time until Wednesday, March 24 at midnight. There are 26 lovely reviews for a 4.8 rating. If you have been waiting for the right price. This will be the time. Now to our regular programming.

***

Since yesterday was the first day of spring, it seems like a good idea to go out and see if we can find some signs. We will need to load up on food, drink, and entertainment to fully enjoy the trip.

It seems appropriate that we partake in brunch, given the nature of the trip and the fact that it is Sunday. Today we are being catered by Matties in Austin, Texas. Our brunch buffet consists of all you can eat.

Biscuits+Chorizo Cream Gravy ̊with scrambled eggs.
Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.
Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips.
Breakfast Plate ̊ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, or house-made wild boar sausage.
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict ̊ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad.
Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, green onions.
Grassfield Farms Beef Burger ̊ aged Tillamook cheddar, tomato-bacon jam, Duke’s mayo, house Frites.

Dessert is an assortment of fresh fruit. (Don’t ever say I don’t care about your health)

To drink we have a nice Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut 2012 champagne and Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Our entertainment is Sarah McLachlan.

So let’s all get on the bus and go.

Our first stop is to view this Bradford pear. It is one of the first bloomers of spring.

A better photo of another Bradford pear

A sweet redbud is all alone.

Green leaves pop out in the foreground, and a light green tinge to the background’s live oak.

The deer love the spring green grass.

A murdered cape myrtle beginning to bud with new growth.

Young Bradford pears.

A close-up of the Bradford pear blossoms.

An older redbud bursting with color.

The last time we were looking for spring, The Producer took this photo of bluebonnets just beginning to grow. We had a hard freeze after this photo was taken.

Here are the same bluebonnets recorded by The Producer this week. As you can see, the freezing temperatures did not stop their beauty.

Well, that’s it for today. Other than the bluebonnets, there are few blooming flowers. Maybe later in the spring. Relax with brunch and listen to Sarah. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Compass Treasure Hunt – Part 2

March 14, 2021March 13, 2021 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

For those of you who were here last week, you will recall clue number two of the Compass Treasure Hunt was missing. If you missed last week, you could catch up HERE. I called the Parks and Recreation Department, and sure enough, the clue had been buried under some cedar stips. The director told me the clue was now visible. So we can begin again where we left off. As we know, we march on our stomach, so today, we are being catered by Juniper in Austin. Here are the choices.

ANTIPASTI
PUFFY POTATO
dijon créme, fine herbs
add White Sturgeon Caviar
KAMPACHI CRUDO
texas grapefruit, sugar snap peas
PRIMI
RISOTTO MILANESE
saffron, meyer lemon
add Maine Lobster
CACIO E PEPE
add Black Périgord Truffle
GNOCCHI SARDI
cannellini beans, brussels sprouts, brown butter
add Black Périgord Truffle
BLACK TRUFFLE AGNOLOTTI
Yukon gold, parmesan, crispy garlic, shaved truffle SECONDI
DOLCI
BLOOD ORANGE GRANITA
whipped panna cotta, fennel pollen
black pepper, pecorino, texas olive oil
AFFOGATO
hazelnut gelato
GELATO SCOOP ZEPPOLE
whipped mascarpone, caramel
Today’s wine is TERLAN PINOT BIANCO 2018 Trentino, Alto-Adige for the white, and FRESCOBALDI ‘Momoreto’ ROSSO 2014 Tuscany for the red. Our entertainment is Leonard Cohen.