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

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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.

Fixed Menu

Cured Hiramasa – compressed apple, ginger milk foam

Butternut Squash – brown butter – jalapeno vinaigrette, guajillo queso

Shishito Tamale -masa, shiitake, Texas Iberico coppa

Grilled Tilefish- chermoula, persimmon curry, sweet potato

Pig Face Carnitas – sweet chile peas, braised cabbage, preserved orange

Akaushi Ribeye – 30+ day dry aged, salsa macha, poblano crema, scallion roll

Marigold Whip – hibiscus jam, habanada – orange granita, candied lime

Sunflower & Miso Layer Cake – apple jelly, chocolate ganache, peanut

S’mores fixen’s

Wood fire for s’mores.

The bookmobile.

Craigo’s pizza.

Big screen cartoons.

Ninja Warrior Challenge.

Cookie decoration.

Yup, that says it all.

Hot chocolate and water.

A special place to write and send letters to Santa.

The donut man.

The switch is used to turn on the lights.

Nice crowd.

The Grinch.

Mayor Tom Gilmore starts the countdown to ignition.

Santa and Mrs. Claus head for the switch.

The lights are on.

Here is a preview. More to come.

Time now for food and music. I hope you have a great week.

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Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri II

November 30, 2025November 29, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Yes, another miscellaneous view of the neighborhood. Today, we are going to see which holiday decorations are going up after Thanksgiving. They are still few and far between, but there are some. We are catered by the Launderette of Austin. Our Entertainment is Katrina and the Waves.

CAPPELLETTI – ricotta, taggiasche olive, anchovy, oven-dried tomato, guindilla pepper, basil

TEXAS REDFISH – Old Bay beurre blanc, broccolini, trout roe, crispy garlic

PLANCHA BURGER – American cheese, special sauce, pickles, challah

BRICK CHICKEN – aligot, braised greens

FLAT IRON STEAK – Texas wagyu, eggplant raita, tarka oil, kachumber salad

STICKY PORK RIBS – hoisin glaze, gochugaru, kimchi jeow som, scallion

WHOLE BRANZINO – sliced almond, preserved lemon, herbs

The bus is ready.

Tempeste and The Producer came across these vine snapdragons while walking in the park.

The Axis deer makes an appearance. It is rumored that he is an escapee from a big game farm.

It seems the doe is taken with the Axis deer, but her boyfriend is not so enamored.

A potpourri post is not complete without some trash. Looks like the chase lounge has had it.

Here is a happy holiday pair.

The spirit of the season.

Of course, the Halloween house is making a transition.

These hologram-looking decorations are always interesting to see.

Since these guys went up after Halloween, I don’t think this is a transition.

This mailbox topper is in direct line with a rotating decoration closer to the house. Had to include it.

This doe seems to be asking, “Who the heck are those guys?” Or maybe trying to warn of an apocalyptic deer invasion

The Producer’s begonia.

The Producer’s Bougainvillea and herbs.

Time now for good food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Potpourri

November 23, 2025November 22, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 75 Comments

Today we have nothing specific to look at so we will cruise the neighborhood to see what is going on. Hopefully we can catch sight of Thanksgiving decorations. We are catered by Joe’s Bakery of Austin. Our entertainment is Keith Urban

JOEY ROCHA PLATE – Two eggs any style with side of pork carne guisada, potatoes, beans, sausage or bacon, & two tortiilas
BARBACOA PLATE – Two eggs any style with side of barbacoa, beans, potatoes, & two tortillas
15.25
PORK CHOP PLATE – Two eggs* any style with 4 oz. breaded pork chop, side of beans, potatoes, & two tortillas
MIGA CON TODO PLATE – Two scrambled eggs with corn chips, onions, tomatoes, & jalapenos topped
with cheese, side of beans, & two tortillas
MIGA PLATE – Two scrambled eggs with corn chips & topped with cheese, side of beans, & two tortillas
CHICHARRONE PLATE – Two eggs any style with side of fried pork skins cooked in salsa, side of beans, potatoes, & two tortillas
HUEVOS RANCHEROS PLATe – Two eggs any style with ranchero sauce, side of beans, potatoes, bacon or sausage, & two tortillas
HUEVOS A LA MEXICANA – PLATE – Two scrambled eggs mixed with tomato, onions, & jalapenos, side of beans, bacon, &
two tortillas

Picture of an old time school bus

The bus is ready

There is a cute mailbox topper. Margaritaville truck.

How about a flying pig that is tied down. (go figure)

Aw Mom and fawn ready for the holidays.

There it is. A Thanksgiving decoration.

Santa, Mickey, and Snoopy after the office party.

A herd of Raideer outside the Activity Center.

Preparations underway for the walk of lights in December.

A buck wondering about the idiot with a camera.

The Producer’s Hibiscus.

Hard to explain. Looks like a post apocalyptic fraternity party.

Let’s finish with a Turkey blow-up.

Time now for music and food. I hope you have a lovely week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Playscape Tour

November 16, 2025November 15, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

The bus is ready.

Here is the entrance.

We have to walk through a relaxing area of the Activity Center.

Along the building.

Through another gate, and here we are. The dedication.

A welcoming water feature.

The play structure.

An example of the many games available. There is a crank that activates the game.

Climb the little hill and go through the log. Those mushrooms in the background provide sound when struck with a mallet.

Modern-day teeter-totter.

Wind chimes provide a relaxing background.

The Producer was brave enough to climb to the top of the play structure.

Here is a view from up there. Swings, the fountain, and those snake-looking things are more instruments.

The aerial view of the log, mushrooms, and teeter-totter. The flower on the left can be played as well.

On the other side of the fountain is a tortoise sculpture.

As we leave, we see a little more information about the play scape.

Now is the time to relax with the food and music. I hope you have a beautiful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Gallery – Adriana Peña – Artist – Part II

November 9, 2025November 9, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

We are returning to Lakeway City Hall to view the remainder of artist Adriana Peña’s collection, which is on display there. If you missed last week HERE is a link. We are catered by La Calamar of Austin. Our entertainment is Coldplay.

There’s the bus. Let’s go.

Here’s another view of the full installation.

Rising – Mixed Media.

Metallic Gold – Acrylic on paper.

Motion – Acrylic.

Big Bend Roar – Mixed media.

Golden Vision – Acrylic on canvas.

Canyon Country – Acrylic on canvas.

Canyon Land – Metallic

Big Bend Trip – Acrylic on canvas.

Tha artist.

That is the collection. Time now for food and drink. I hope you have a beautiful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway City Hall Art Gallery – Adriana Peña – Artist

November 2, 2025November 1, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 89 Comments

Today, we are visiting the Lakeway City Hall Art Gallery to view the fine art of artist Adriana Peña. We are catered by Siti of Austin, and our entertainment is The Foundations

The bus is ready.

An overall look at the gallery.

To Joy – Acrylic on Canvas

Zinnias – Acrylic on Canvas

Springtime – Mixed Media

Spring Flowers – Acrylic on Canvas

Warm Reflections – Acrylic on Canvas Board

Winter Thaw – Pastel on Pastel Paper

Forever Green – Pastel

Early Spring – Pastel

Stevie R. Vaughn – Charcoal

Tuxedo – Mixed Media.

Here is information about the artist. Sorry for the crumpled paper, but Tempeste took it off my desk, and I was lucky to get there quick.

Today, we have seen about half of the collection, so we’ll be back next week. Time to enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a super week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Halloween Decorations

October 26, 2025October 25, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 95 Comments

I know it looks scary, but it will get us there.

Welcome to the neighborhood from a friendly witch

Whew. A not so welcome from a ghoul

Happy Ghosts and skellies.

Big ole spider ridden by its last meal.

Almost headless teamster.

A gaggle of ghostly characters.

More mayhem.

A large happy skeleton.

A haunting display in front of the Mary Kay Ash (the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics) original house in Lakeway.

A spider that goes with the decor.

A happy spider with eyes for you.

A happy dog skeleton and Haunted Mansion blowup.

An amazing display too big for just one photo. Two more to follow.

The second.

The third.

Well, there you have it. There are many more, but it is time to eat and enjoy the music. I hope you have a Happy Halloween and a terrific week.

Views of the Neighborhook – Lakeway Photo Contest Winners and Runners-up

October 19, 2025October 18, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 74 Comments

Today, we are going to take a look at the lovely photos of the winners and honorable mention entries in the Lakeway Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to residents of Lakeway and provides opportunities to win in seven categories. They are Birds, Community, Deer, Flora, Foliage, Vistas, and Wildlife. All photos must be taken in Lakeway. We are catered by Emmer and Rye of Austin, and our entertainment is Ringo Starr.