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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Views of the neighborhood – Seasonal Story Boards

December 21, 2025December 20, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

Today, we are going to the Lakeway Activity Center to view some of the seasonal storyboards. There is a series of boards along the outdoor path of the activity center. Each board tells a story. Since there are 28 boards, there is not enough room for them all here. I’ve picked a representative sample. We are catered by Ezov Middle Eastern restaurant. Our entertainment is Human Nature,

Falafel Scotch Eggs – tahini, amba, green schug

Hummus & Pita – tahini, warm chickpeas, za’atar

Crispy Sweet Potatoes – tahini, date molasses, mint

Pan-fried Halloumi – Texas figs, spiced saffron honey, arugula

Traditional Latke -spiced apple compote, embered labne

Jerusalem Bagel – za’atar cream cheese, smoked snapper

Khachapuri – ackawi cheese, egg, lots of herbs

Loaded Latke – fried eggs, ackawi cheese, beef bacon, chives

Sabich Benedict – crispy eggplant, poached eggs, amba hollandaise

Green Shakshuka – frecini, leeks, fennel, poached eggs

Toasted Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich – Challah, Pickled Lemon Aioli, cabbage salad

Steak Shish & Eggs – wagyu beef skewer, two eggs over easy, fried potatoes

Santabus from Waterford Unified School District, photographed by Suzanne Bauer, director of transportation.

The bus is ready. Let’s go

The first board.

History of the tree

Hanukkah.

Holiday lights

Christmas cards

Spirit of giving

Small gift history

The food (of course)

Santa around the world.

The holiday plants.

And the baking.

The beginning of the trail at night.

It is time for food and entertainment now. I hope you have a very Happy Holiday.

&nb

sp;

Views of the Neighborhood – Holiday Decorations

December 14, 2025December 13, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

We are heading out to look at the lights in the neighborhood. There were so many, but we will be able to see a sample. We are catered by Caroling of Austin, and our entertainment is Michael Bublé.

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

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

Buttermilk Pancakes– vanilla bean yogurt, seasonal berrie

Crispy Chicken & Waffles – maple syrup, honey butte

Sweet Corn Cake Benedict – jalapeño cheddar corn cake, avocado, tomato & corn sals

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

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

Hop on the bus

Although not lit, I thought you would enjoy this one.

A snow person family at Mary Kay Ash’s old house.

Big spread of lights.

Large tree.

This was a dignified display

A couple of houses all decked out.

A grand assortment of blow-ups.

Rudolf the big-horned cow pulling Santa’s sleigh and half a Merry Christmas sign lit up.

Speaking of horns – A University of Texas helmet as a centerpiece.

The Grinch stole Santa who stole Halloween.

Looking like icicles.

A blow-up extravaganza.

Santa riding a dinosaur. Go figure, but you have not seen strange until the next shot.

What did I say? Our favorite Halloween house is ready for the holidays.

Well that’s it for this week. Next week we will go to the Lakeway Trail of Lights. It is time for music and Food. I hope you have a great week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Lights On

December 7, 2025December 7, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 65 Comments

Today, we are going to the lighting ceremony for the Lakeway Walk of Lights sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department. We are catered by Barley Swine of Austin. Our entertainment is Andrea Bocelli.