Views of the Neighborhood – Flora

July 6, 2025July 5, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

Today, we are cruising the neighborhood to see what kind of summer blooms are available. We are catered by ABA of Austin. Our entertainment is The Cowsills.

Texas Peach Biscuit – peach compote, whipped cream

Avocado Toast – pomegranate, preserved lemon, mint

Khachapuri – baked egg, cremini mushroom, graviera, green onion

Açaí Bowl – blueberry, banana, pomegranate, dukkah, coconut, mint

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 & Egg – fried eggs, crispy potato, tzatziki

Jerusalem Bagel & Smoked Salmon Spread – sumac red onion, tomato, caper, labneh

Kebabs – served with basmati rice, Grilled Mushroom, date, sherry vinaigrette, zhoug

Grilled Chicken – yogurt marinade, sweet pepper, zhoug

Lamb & Beef Kefta -lemon, olive oil, tzatziki

Grilled Salmon – sweet pepper, red onion, zhoug

Beef Tenderloin – bell pepper, cippolini onion, zhoug

The bus is waiting.

Our first bloom is a beautiful red Crape Myrtle.

Next, we have Mexican Bird of Paradise and white Angel’s Trumpet

A lovely example of Mexican Sage in bloom. A signal rain is coming.

Checking on the mom and baby in our yard. (I know not flower blooms but blooms of another kind.)

A gigantic pink Crape Myrtle.

Another lovely red Crape Myrtle.

A Century plant (Agave Americana) with it’s one and only bloom before dying.

A Crape Myrtle that has a purple hue.

More Mexican Bird of Paradise.

Prairie Verbena.

Cactus flower.

More sage.

Mexican Birds of Paradise.

Blackfoot Daisy.

Well, that is the tour today. Time to relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a terrific week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Art Display at Lakeway City Hall – Char Michelson

June 22, 2025June 21, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

We are heading to Lakeway City Hall again to view a colorful display of Char Michelson’s artwork. We are catered by Hestia of Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago.

So let’s go

Here’s information on the artist.

A shot of the gallery.

None of the paintings is titled, so we will enjoy the work and maybe make up our own titles.

Lovely monuments in sandstone.

Flowers, pitcher, table, and wallpaper.

A rural scene.

Rolling countryside.

A hill that just begs for climbing.

A lovely vase filled with joy.

It is now time to relax and enjoy the music and food. I hope you have an easy week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Wildlife of the Hill Country – Walk

June 8, 2025June 14, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 72 Comments

Today, we will visit the Activity Center walkway for a tour of the wildlife of the Hill Country sponsored by the Lakeway Parks and Recreation. We are catered by III Forks of Austin, and our entertainment is Little Texas.

Snake River Farms – American Wagyu, Gold NY Strip – Served with flamed Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Infused Maldon Salt

Snake River Farms – American Wagyu, Gold Bone-In Ribeye- Served with flamed Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Infused Maldon Salt

Classics, Filet Mignon

Bone-In, Tomahawk Ribeye – Served with flamed Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Infused Maldon Salt

Certified Angus Beef® Brand Prime 75 Day – Dry Aged, Bone-In NY Strip – Served with flamed Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Infused Maldon Salt

Atlantic Salmon – tarragon chimichurri

Chilean Seabass

Roasted Chicken -Steak Frites Petite Tender, Garrison Brothers Tarragon Butter, Fries

Prime Double-Cut Pork Chop – serrano peach BBQ sauce, balsamic glaze

Charred Cauliflower Steak

So let’s go.

The Parks and Recreation department has installed information posts all along the Activity Center walkway. There are changing displays to enjoy while taking a leisurely walk.

Before we start, I want you to know there are 28 animals pictured. We will do half today and the rest next week.. The images are behind glass, so under certain conditions, some images may be distorted by glare. When I was taking the photos it had just stopped raining so there is that too.

The first stop explains the trail.

Ringtail

Tarantula

I thought it was cute that a white tailed deer photo-bombed me.

Guadalupe Bass

Raccoon

Green Anole

Diamondback Rattlesnake.

Texas Horned Lizard

Mexican Free Tailed Bat.

Grey Fox

Golden Cheeked Warbler

White Tailed Deer.

Botched Water Snake

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

Views of the Neighborhood – Deer Check

June 1, 2025May 31, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Today, we are going to check the deer. We are catered by the Austin Taco Project of Austin, and our entertainment is the Troggs.

ATP Breakfast Tacos – Cage-free scrambled eggs, chorizo, black beans, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, ATP mother sauce, flour tortilla

Brisket and Egg Tacos – Backyard brisket, scrambled eggs, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, salsa roja, flour tortilla

Migas Tacos – Cage-free scrambled eggs, crispy corn tortilla strips, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, salsa quemada, flour tortilla

ATP Vegan Tacos – Feisty Beyond Beef crumbles, broccoli, mushrooms, salsa verde, corn tortilla

All American – 2 eggs your way, applewood smoked bacon, pork sausage, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Project Omelet – 3-egg omelet, ham, arugula, cheddar-jack cheese, breakfast potatoes, choice of toast

Avocado BLT – Applewood-smoked bacon, arugula, avocado, oven-dried tomato, chipotle aioli, wheat toast, breakfast potatoes

Texas Sweet Potato Waffle – Pecans, Chantilly cream, bananas, maple syrup

Vegetarian – Steel Cut Oatmeal Brown sugar, pecans, berry compote

ATP Parfait – Greek yogurt, mixed berries, house-made granola, agave-mint syrup

Tajin-Spiced Fruit Salad – Tree fruit, melons, lime, cotija cheese

Let’s get rolling.

The sign reminds us that it is fawn season.

Here on our front porch is a less-than-day-old fawn.

The mother and the day-old on the driveway.

The baby has yet to have a drink of milk.

Three weeks later, baby and mom are doing breakfast. The two in front are yearlings.

A mother and fawn in the greenbelt.

Another mother and fawn in a neighborhood.

Mothers place their babies during the day and tell them to stay put. She is one in a yard.

The fawn on the porch is now three weeks old.

A buck with his velvet-covered antlers.

Another buck helping himself to some plants.

Here is a yearling we have named Sprinkles since he had the misfortune of stepping onto an irrigation cover which became stuck to his hoof when he was just a fawn.

Here is Sprinkles after The Producer enlisted the Game Warden to remove the irrigation cover. You can see that his hoof is a little misshapen, but he is doing well. He visits every evening for his carrots.

Signs throughout Lakeway warn motorists to be cautious regarding our precious deer.

A last shot of Tempeste keeping a watch on the deer. The doe is the fawn’s mother, reminding us it is carrot time.

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

Views of the Neighborhood – Lake Travis High School Student Art Exhibition – Lakeway City Hall

May 25, 2025May 24, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

Today, we are visiting the Lakeway City Hall to view the high school students’ art exhibition. We are catered by the Cypress Grill in Austin. Our entertainment is Alice Cooper.

Creole Eggs Benedict – English muffin, poached eggs, Cajun tasso ham, Creole hollandaise, served with one side (also available with classic hollandaise sauce)

Eggs Napoleon– English muffin, poached eggs topped with crawfish etouffee and cheddar-jack cheese, served with choice of one side

Loaded Biscuit – Buttermilk biscuit open-faced, topped with Cajun tasso ham, andouille sausage gravy, and two eggs your way

Shrimp & Grits – Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, and red peppers in a traditional low country gravy, atop our creamy garlic cheese grits with crumbled bacon

Spanky Special – Sandwich with fried egg, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayo on toasted whole wheat

Jambalaya -Country-style – Jambalaya with chicken and andouille sausage. Add two eggs any way you like them to make the Jambalaya Breakfast Bowl, add $2.50

Trout Meuniere – Fresh rainbow trout, dusted in seasoned flour, pan-sauteed, topped with lemon-parsley-butter sauce, served over white rice with choice of one side and garlic bread

Let’s go

Here we are at the full exhibition. We need to look closer at each. A word about the photos. The lighting in the city hall is conducive to art photos, especially if the pieces are under glass. Also, the art is hung at different heights, so it is challenging to get a straight-on shot. (Crawling on the floor is not in my toolkit.) So I have cropped the pieces as best I can to eliminate glare while trying not to eliminate large portions of the art. I mentioned to The Producer that this may be my last art feature from City Hall.

Split Identity by Sunetra Rho

The Peacock by Vaishnavi Senthil

The Magpie by Joy Zhou

Self Reflections by Carolyn Hall

Parade of Onion by Harper Garrison

A Sweet Mess by Carolyn Hall

Late Night Ride by Vincent Sullivan

Unholy War, Holy Light by Daryna Singh

The Apple of His Eye – Charlotte Ahrendt

Fractured Intentions by Harper Garrison

Mother’s Love by Caitlyn VanderMeer

Ofa by Sunetra Rao

Illuminated by Pretty Green Lights – Sunetra Rao

Perfectionist by Caitlyn VanderMeer – No description of materials

Becoming Still by Harper Garrison

Nyxaros by Ayushi Sampath

Our Heroic Journey by Ayushi Sampath

I hope you enjoyed the art and are impressed with these high school students’ work. It is time now ro relax and have some food and listen to the music.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Fairyland Walk

May 18, 2025May 17, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Let’s go

A pink flower and butterfly let’s us know we are here.

Chess players surrounded by little people’s stuff.

A sunflower gnome.

A gnome on a frog on a pole.

A flower, butterfly, and mushroom.

A bubble-blowing gnome and the elk sculptures.

A few little dragons.

Watchful Viking on a cow.

Tree, flowers, and mushrooms.

Smile. This is for our archives.

Little people and the dragon disagree.

Tortoise and annoying little folk.

Here is the cue card, man with nothing to say.

Another bubble-blowing gnome.

Time out for teachers.

Hedgehog family, ladybugs, and butterflies.

Okay, time to stop.

Obviously, there is no time to see everything, but I hope you got the idea. There is time to relax with food and music. I hope you have a lovely week.

Views of the Neighborhood – VE Day Observance

May 11, 2025May 10, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 68 Comments

The City of Lakeway observed the May 8th Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe eighty years ago. The ceremony was held in Heritage Park, and it has been captured in our time machine. We are catered by Space Cowboy of Austin. Our music is by Irving Berlin.

INKED SEAFOOD RISOTTO –shrimp, scallops, mussels, baby clams, speck, squid ink, fennel

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH – feta, gremolata, toasted pumpkin seeds, pepitas

TEXAS RIBEYE (14 OZ) –prime ribeye, bourbon demi-glace, smoked maldon salt, crispy potato pave

HICKORY SMOKED CHICKEN – smoked half heritage chicken, peri peri sauce, house slaw

AGED BEEF FILLET (7 OZ) – goat cheese mushroom sauce, red winedemi-glace, mashed potatoes

DUCK RAVIOLI – confit duck, white wine & mustard sauce,pecorino cream, wild mushrooms

BRAISED SHORT RIB –port demi-glace, fresh herbs, vanilla, truffle oil, mashed potatoes

MUSHROOM MEDLEY RISOTTO – porcini mushrooms, white wine,parmesan, truffle oil

Picture of an old time school bus

Let’s go.

Here is the program

Heritage Park

Spirit of Freedom entrance.

Spirit of Freedom Monument with the names of all who served from 1941 to 1945.

The wreaths are to be laid on the monument.

The Lake Travis Fire Department Honor Guard

The National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance

Introduction of the Mayor by former councilman Keith Trecker

Mayor Tom Kilgore has an inspirational message.

Laying the wreaths.

Playing God Bless America.

The sound of Taps to end the ceremony

Now that we are inspired, it is time for eating and celebrating our freedom.

Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Municipal Utility District Open House

May 4, 2025May 3, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

Today, we are visiting the Lakeway Municipal Utility District (LMUD) for an open house and to check out the seed library. LMUD had an open house on Earth Day, and through the miracle of the time clock, we can go back and take a look. We are catered by Stella San Jac of Austin. Our entertainment is Simon and Garfunkel

All American – Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Crispy Hash Brown, Sourdough Toast

Chorizo & Potato Tacos – Eggs, White Cheddar, Crème Fresca, Roasted Salsa

Grapefruit Curd Parfait – House Made Granola, Greek Yogurt, Texas Berries

Vegetarian – Pecan Praline French Toast Bourbon Maple Syrup, Vanilla Whipped Cream

Steel Cut Oats – Sorghum, Texas Pecans, Dried Fruit

Chicken & Waffle – Bourbon Maple Syrup, Country Gravy, Fried Herbs

Steak & Eggs -Flat Iron, Pickled Onion, Chimichurri, Crispy Hash, Over Easy Egg

Short Rib Grilled Cheese – Hawaiian Roll, Smoked Cheddar, Caramelized Onion, Jus, Fries

Shrimp & Grits – Blackened Shrimp, Cheddar Corn Grits, Creole Sausage Gravy

Fried Avocado Salad – Charred Corn, Candied Jalapeño, Queso Fresco, Cholula Ranch

Let’s get on the bus

A look at the exterior of the LMUD building

A marker explaining the history of the establishment of LMUD

An outdoor garden with indigenous plants

A lot of material to read and research.

The seed library. When taking seeds record what was taken. When returning seeds record what was returned.

Seeds that are in the process of return.

More examples of returned seeds.

Educational videos. Pictured is the gayfeather.

Scenes of LMUD’s growth and project work.

Every open house has a refreshment location.

I hope you enjoyed the tour and now it is time for food and music. Here’s wishing you a peaceful week.

Views of the Neighborhood – Treasures in Trash.

April 27, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 101 Comments

Yes, today is one I’m sure you have been looking forward to seeing. We are going to look around the neighborhood on trash day. The idea is to find any interesting trash. We are catered by 1886 of Austin. Our entertainment is Spanky and Our Gang.

Austin American Breakfast – Two Eggs Any Style, Choice of Bacon, Sausage or Ham, Country Potatoes, Multigrain Toast

Hippie Hollow Omelet – Spinach, Cherry Tomato, Goat Cheese, Jalapeño Chimichurri, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Multigrain Toast

Hangover Omelet – Hudson’s Chorizo, Pepper Jack, Green Chilies, Country Potatoes, Multigrain Toast

Lady Bird Omelet – Egg White, Spinach, Mushroom, Tomato, Goat Cheese, Onion, Country Potatoes, Multigrain Toast

Bagel & Lox – Smoked Salmon, Red Onion, Capers, Fresh Tomato, Cream Cheese, Choice of Plain or Everything Bagel, Soft-Boiled Egg, Lemon Wedge, Arugula

Steak & Eggs – 6oz Flat Iron Steak, Two Sunny-Side Eggs, Fingerling Potatoes, Lemon Chive Butter, Jalapeño Chimichurri, Arugula, Radish

Avocado Toast – Two Sunny-Side Eggs, Goat Cheese, Pepitas, Arugula, Tomato, Chipotle Mayonnaise, Multigrain Toast

Traditional Eggs Benedict – Two Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Hollandaise Sauce, English Muffin, Country Potatoes

Paris Texas Benedict – Two Poached Eggs, Brie, Ham, Croissant, Hollandaise Sauce, Country Potatoes

Texas Migas – Two Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Tortilla Strip, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Jalapeño, Radish,

Cheddar Cheese, Served with Sliced Avocado, Salsa Roja, Flour Tortilla

Croque Madame – Shaved Ham, Gruyère Cheese, Sourdough Bread, Sunny-Side Egg, Pepper Jack Mornay, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Jalapeño Chimichurri

Steel-Cut Oatmeal – Steel-Cut Oats, Brown Sugar, Raisins, Topped with Banana, Kiwi and Strawberries

Fruit Plate – Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruit and Berries, Greek Yogurt Poppy Seed Dressing

Driskill Granola – House-Made Granola, Mixed Nuts, Toasted Pepitas, Shredded Coconut, Greek Yogurt, Topped with Fresh Berries and Round Rock Honey

Picture of an old time school bus

Jump on the bus.

Here you go. A bookcase and a couch. Notice the UT stickers on the bookcase.

A patio dining set.

The run-away-from-home ensemble.

Kitty needed a new set.

A sectional couch. No charge for the rain cleaning.

Two-piece comfy couch.

Leaf pick-up special. Bin not included.

Two high-quality Hermes leather-like chairs.

A Dyson vac that lost it’s will to suck.

Hey trampoline man.

Last but not least is an over-the-hill table and a one-wheeled bike. (No, not a unicycle.)

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

Views of the Neighborhood – Easter in Lakeway

April 20, 2025April 19, 2025 ~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Today is Easter Sunday, so we are visiting the community Activity Center for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Since rain is threatened, the event has been pulled indoors. We are catered by Austin Taco Project, and our entertainment is Judy Garland and Fred Astaire

Tajita – Grilled chicken thigh, peppers & onion, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, poblano crema, flour tortilla

Kickin’ Chicken – Crispy buffalo chicken, shaved celery & carrots, cabbage, blue cheese crumble, ranch, flour tortilla

Confit Pig – Braised pork shoulder, cabbage, pineapple pico de gallo, Walter’s secret sauce, corn tortilla

Carne Asada – Beef tenderloin, onions & jalapenos, poblano crema, lime, corn tortilla

Crispy Fish – Corn crusted cod, cabbage, mango salsa, lime sauce, corn tortilla

Nopales – Cactus, mushrooms, cotija cheese, cabbage, pepita vinaigrette, corn tortilla

Let’s get on the bus.