Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway – Coffee with a Cop

March 15, 2026March 14, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

The Lakeway Police Department hosted an event called Coffee with a Cop. It was an opportunity for the community to meet police officers and leadership informally. The event was on Friday, but through the miracle of time travel, we can go back. We are catered by Maie Day of Austin, and our entertainment is The Police

Gimme burger – wagyu smash burger, the works, gimme sauce, fries

Grilled Half Chicken – Greener Pastures chicken, lemon & honey-brined

Risotto – beets, oyster mushrooms, benne seed

Seared Snapper – Carolina gold rice, brown butter, seasonal vegetables 6 oz

Steak frites – 8 oz sirloin, smoked beef tallow, fries

Chicken Fried Steak – black pepper gravy

Prime Rib – au jus, horseradish cream, burnt onion powder 10oz

Tomahawk Pork Chop – whiskey-brined, pepper glaze 65

Filet Mignon – Outpost 76 Ranch, smoked carrots, whipped turnips, bordelaise 8oz

New York Strip – flake salt, smoked beef tallow 16oz

Ribeye – flake salt, smoked beef tallow 16oz

Porterhouse – bone marrow chimichurri, smoked beef tallow 32oz

Picture of an old time school bus

Ready, set, go.

Here is the abbouncement.

Being held outside Vivel Crepes and Coffee.

People are taking advantage of the opportunity.

Officers on hand.

A new traffic enforcement machine – a Ford Mustang.

Inside the Mustang.

The business end.

A regular police car.

Asst Chief Chris Bonnet (L) and City Council member Kent Obrian (R)

A beautiful motorcycle.

Talking with the officers.

Time now for some food and entertainment.

Views of the Neighborhood – Houston We Have Spring

March 8, 2026March 8, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today, we are celebrating the arrival of signs of Spring here in the neighborhood. We are catered by Restaurant François of Austin. Our entertainment is Elvis.

Boneless Wagyu Short Ribs Bourguignon – Bacon lardons/pearl onions, mushroom/pomme mousseline

Duck 2 Ways – Roasted breast/confit leg, alsatian cabbage, tart cherry sauce

Roast Rack of Lamb – Tian of spinach and mushrooms, cassis sauce

Center Cut 10oz. Filet Mignon

Swordfish Steak au Poivre – Spinach/lobster sauce

King Salmon – Beluga lentils/dill white wine sauce

Gulf Red Snapper – Celeriac pomme puree / jumbo lump crab meat – capers / beurre blanc

Dover Sole “Grenobloise” – Capers / lemon / brioche croutons / beurre noisette

Let’s go.

The first bluebonnets.

The Carolina Jasmine is waking up.

The Mountain Laurels around the neighborhood are beautiful.

Nothing says Spring like a pot of annuals.

Our Cross Vine is in full bloom.

The patio area is looking like Spring

The roses are going to town.

Patunias look lovely.

What could be a better sign of Spring than a honey bee hovering over a crossvine bloom?

Time now to relax with food and entertainment. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Black History Walk

March 1, 2026February 28, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Today, we are going to take a brief walk in the park to celebrate Black History Month. Lakeway has 27 stations on the walk. Time and space will only allow us to give you a taste of what is available. If you want to see them all, you can go here and here. We are catered by Corner Restaurant of Austin.

All American – scrambled eggs, crispy breakfast potatoes, sausage or bacon, sourdough toast

Prime Steak & Eggs – flat iron, chimichurri, pickled onion, crispy breakfast potatoes, over-easy egg

Thick-Cut Bacon & Eggs Benny – oven-roasted tomato, grilled asparagus, classic hollandaise

Smoked Brisket Eggs Benny – brisket, chipotle hollandaise, pickled onion

Chicken Fried Chicken – chorizo gravy, grilled corn, roasted tomato, fried egg

Brunch Burger – Brush Creek Ranch wagyu, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, special sauce, fried egg, bacon

Rise N Shine Burrito – scrambled egg, chorizo, jalapeño, bacon, tomato, salsa, queso, crispy breakfast potato

Chicken & Waffle – Belgian waffle, chicken thighs, chipotle maple syrup, fried sage, sunny egg

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get going.

An explanation.

A view of the trail with the stations installed.

Another view.

Besse Coleman.

Shirley Chisholm.

Jackie Robinson.

Toni Morrison

Minnie Piperton

Jane Bolin.

Fredrick Douglass.

Katherine Johnson.

Thurgood Marshall.

Rosa Parks.

George Washington Carver.

Louis Armstrong.

Well, that’s the sample. Time now to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Brown Bag Concert at the Lakeway Activity Center

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

By the miracle of time travel, we are going to visit the Valentine brown bag concert sponsored by the Lakeway Arts Committee. We are catered by La Barbecue of Austin. Our entertainment after the concert will be Sly and the Family Stone

La Frito Loco – Pulled pork, chopped brisket, chipotle slaw, black beans, Fritos, cheese, and jalapenos.

Chi-Town Pinata – Chicago-style hot dog with la barbecue traditional hotgut topped with dill relish, sport peppers, pickle spears, onion, and yellow mustard

Bobby Dawg – Housemade jalapeno sausage with your choice of brisket or pulled pork, topped with black beans, cheese, onions, jalapenos, and yellow mustard

Frito Pie – Chopped brisket, pulled pork, or la Barbecue chili, housemade pickled jalapenos, cheddar cheese, black beans, diced white onion

Chili Cheese Dawg – Housemade sausage, la Barbecue chili, cheddar cheese, diced onion, mustard, and jalapenos

Sloppy Ho – Chopped brisket, la Barbecue chili

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go

Here’s the poster. Grammy winner Red Young and Silvie Rider Young.

Yup, we are in the right place.

Sound check and getting ready.

Valentine’s table centerpiece.

Red and Silvie are talking to audience members before the concert.

The stage is ready.

The chairperson of the Arts Committee with a few comments and introductions.

Red and Silvie take the stage.

Red begins the set with solo piano work.

Looks like folks are enjoying the music.

Looks like it’s time for food and more music. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Deer Check

February 8, 2026February 7, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

With so little going on around town, I thought we would take a moment to check out the deer. We are catered by Le Calamar of Austin. Our entertainment is Steve Martin, Jackson Browne, and Alison Brown

Steak Tartare pain de mie, comte

Let’s get going.

There they are approaching the carrot handout spot at my house.

Gotta be careful when the miser is getting on his bike.

“Okay, Bud. There is nothing to see here. You can take that bike and underlay burro.”

“Now that he’s gone, we can eat in peace. Come on, ladies. It’s safe.”

The first brave doe.

The rest of the ladies enjoy their carrots.

A different group in the sun.

This year’s fawn.

Looks like he wants me to move on, too.

The deer seem happy and healthy, so it is time for food and music. I hope you have a delightful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Leftover Holiday Decorations

February 1, 2026February 1, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

Now that all the ice is gone from the neighborhood and the holidays are past, let’s take a tour and see how many decorations are left over. We are catered by Aba in Austin. Our entertainment is NSYNC.

BLACKBERRY DROP BISCUIT – blackberry compote, balsamic whipped cream

AVOCADO TOAST – pomegranate, preserved lemon, mint

AÇAÍ BOWL – blueberry, banana, pomegranate, dukkah, coconut, mint

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

SHAWARMA-SPICED SKIRT STEAK & EGGS – fried eggs, crispy potato, tzatziki

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

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

Okay, we have some wreaths and lights. It could be a winter decoration, but maybe not.

Deflated penguin from Frozen. Not only left over but sad.

Definitely left over lights and a hat. Let’s not even discuss the green folks, dragons, and other stuff.

Definitely need to come down. Leftover decorations.

Holiday decorations for sure. I hope whatever is in the packages is water- and freeze-resistant.

Holiday lights for sure, unless these folks need the light to find the front door.

Could be playmates for the deer in the neighborhood. Nah. Leftover decoration

A beacon for the mail person? I don’t think so. Leftover decoration.

Yes, I had to take the photo from behind, but it still counts as a leftover decoration.

At least it is out of the house. So it doesn’t count as a leftover decoration.

We have finished the tour, and it is time for food and music. I hope you have a lovely week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Getting Ready for Iceageddon

January 25, 2026January 24, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

Today, we are going to tour the neighborhood to see how folks have prepared for the below-freezing temperatures that will persist until Monday. Texas has not been spared from the misery of the massive winter storm that has affected over 240 million Americans. We are catered by Briskets in Austin. Our entertainment is Foreigner.

BISCUIT SANDWICHES

BRISKET & JELLY – Sliced Brisket with Smoked Strawberry Jelly

PORK BELLY & JELLY – Sliced Pork Belly with Spiced Apple Pear Preserves

CHOPPED BRISKET – Tossed in BBQ Sauce with Cheddar Cheese & Pickles

P.B.L.T – Smoked than Seared Pork Belly, Dressed Arugula, & Tomato with Arbol Hot Sauce

SAUSAGE & JELLY – Split 1/2 Link Hot Gut Sausage with Smoked Jalapeño Habanero Pepper Jelly

BLUEBERRY SAUSAGE & JELLY – Split 1/2 Link Blueberry Gouda Sausage with Smoked Blueberry Jam

BRISKET, EGG, & CHEDDAR – Sliced Brisket, Scrambled Egg, & Cheddar

PORK BELLY, EGG, & CHEDDAR – Sliced Pork Belly, Scrambled Egg, & Cheddar

SAUSAGE, EGG, & CHEDDAR – Split 1/2 Link Hot Gut Sausage, Scrambled Egg, & Cheddar

BACON, EGG, & CHEDDAR – Bacon, Scrambled Egg, & Cheddar

TOMATO, EGG, & CHEDDAR – Tomato, Scrambled Egg, & Cheddar

Let’s go

Here is the sleeping ghost look.

The hostage look.

Ghosts in the woods look.

Frost cloth and granny’s quilt look.

Mock turtle.

The more clutter, the better. Hold my beer.

Attention, you people down there.

Lying very low.

I love my tarp, and there is plenty of it.

There’s no mountain high enough.

I meet the ice with open arms.

Big blue.

Well, now that we are sufficiently chilled to the bone, let’s enjoy the music and the food.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

January 18, 2026January 16, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 83 Comments

Today, we are going to take a look at various items. We are catered by Caroline of Austin. Our entertainment is Neil Diamond.

Biscuits & Gravy – buttermilk biscuits, sausage gravy, fried eggs

Spinach & Feta Egg White Omelet – grilled red onion, cherry tomato, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Ham & Cheddar Omelet – smoked ham, aged cheddar, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Eggs Your Way – choice of chicken sausage or peppered bacon, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Whipped Ricotta Pancakes – syrup, whipped butter, powdered sugar

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butter

Huevos Rancheros – sunny eggs, crispy tortilla, black bean, jalapeño, avocado, queso fresco

Green Chili & Chicken Enchiladas – fried egg, yogurt crema, cilantro, avocado, lime

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – poached eggs, jalapeno cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn salsa

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s get on the bus.

Here we are. The first six photos were taken by The Producer.

A new parrot mailbox topper

The moon sets in the morning.

Looks like a bed has met its maker.

A cute doe guarded by a virtual buck.

Fox and a tortoise. (with a broken leg)

Sunrise.

Hibiscus before cold temperatures

Bougainvillea and parsley.

Arbor Day Oak giveaway with leaves beginning to turn.

Cilantro, Rosemary, and Oregano.

Assorted blooms

Daylight super moon.

We can now relax and enjoy some food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Display- Artist Sofia Besondy

January 11, 2026January 10, 2026 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

The bus is ready.

Some information about the artist

Time now to have some food and enjoy the music. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Seed Packaging for the Seed Library and the Last of Fall

December 28, 2025December 27, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today is an in-between kind of day. The Holidays are past, and the New Year is in front of us. It is a good time to take a look at the deciduous trees that have finally turned here in Texas. It is also a good time to check in with the volunteers who are busy restocking the seed library. We are catered by Comedor of Austin, and our entertainment is Elsie Duckworth

Sunchoke Tostada – Salsa macha, charred summer squash, shishito pepper salpicon

Grilled Greens – Curly mustard greens, 2×4 Farm black radish & turnip, masa croutons, persimmon vinaigrette

Chapulines – Heirloom hominy hummus, green mole, escabeche, masa lavash

Cobia Crudo – Apple, almond, cucumber, burnt allium

Quesadilla – Heirloom masa, onions, HiFi Mycology mushrooms, quesillo (Oaxacan cheese), smoked Fresno salsa

Fish Fundido – Oaxacan quesillo, Fresno chile, totopos (corn chips)

Fish Tacos – Blistered cabbage, toréado aioli, green salsa

Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce – 44 Farms beef, heirloom hominy grits, chipotle salsa

Bone Marrow Tacos – Quelites (wild greens), smoked butter, pecan gremolata

Enfrijolada – Rancho Gordo Vaquero bean salsa, sunchoke

Black-Grilled Chicken – Greener Pastures half chicken, heirloom masa, fire-roasted salsa, herbs

Berkshire Pork Chop Milanese – Double-cut bone-in pork chop, manchamanteles mole, 2×4 Farms sweet peppers

Lamb Barbacoa – Sweet potato, pickled tomatillo, chipotle & lamb fat salsa

44 Farms New York Strip – Chilhuacle negro chile butter, butterscotch squash, garlic-tomato confit

Potosí-Style French Fries – Charred onion aioli, chives, cilantro

Grilled Carrots – Requesón cheese, nixtamal crumble, chipotle glaze, mint, cilantro

Caesar Salad – Romaine, epazote, masa croutons, Manchego cheese

Picture of an old time school bus

Here’s the bus. Let’s go.

The location of the seed library. The administration offices of the Lakeway Municipal Utility District.

There are treats.

Some discussion with Stephanie Threinen, CPC Public Information Liaison. (Right)

Sorting donated seeds and labeling the packets.

The work is very necessary.

To help, some music to keep the spirits bright.

Most of the deciduous trees in Lakeway are oaks, so there is a lot of red. The color time is very short.

A lovely oak.

Another oak but golden.

Bradford pears with red leaves,

An oak just turning. In a week, these will be on the ground.

Another oak.

A final oak.

Now that we have witnessed the seed round-up and the changing color of the trees, it is time for food and music. I hope you have a great week and a Happy New Year celebration.

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