Blooming

I was shooting pictures around our rental property just a few days ago. Things are still blooming and it looks like spring as witnessed by this lantana.

Raw pleasure

On a recent night, we shared some terrific beef tartare at Prelog's, a restaurant in our condo tower. Delicious!

Rabbit snake?

Not sure what this is supposed to be, but it's colorful!

Pole #2

This telephone pole got the treatment, too.

Fancy pole #1

Decorating the phone poles along South First seems to be a new fad.

Stoned skull

This skull in a stone wall lends a creepy air to this restaurant on South First.

Have Yourself a Merry One!

There are your intrepid Austin correspondents reflected in a bright Christmas ball that was on a hotel tree. Hope all our readers find just what they want under their own trees.

Holiday cheer at Farmers Market

This band was spreading some holiday cheer on a recent Saturday with tunes for the crowd at the Farmers Market.

Holiday concert -- very inspiring

We attended a holiday concert at the University of Texas in Bates Hall a few days ago. What a treat! The students are fantastic players and singers.

Ride 'em cowboy!

This big rabbit is one of the highlights of the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park.

Sweets for the sweet

The nice folks at the Four Seasons wine bar made us special plate of chocolates the other night. Actually, our 40th anniversary isn't until next year -- we had mentioned that we just passed the 40th anniversary of our first date.

Another December day

Yes, it's freezing here in town! Not!

Getting in the spirit!

Here are your loyal bloggers, folks. All decked out for the season. Best to you!

Now THAT's a Christmas tree!

Linda with the tree in the JW Marriott in downtown Austin.

Just another December day

These ladies were having a fine time paddling around Lady Bird Lake a few days ago.

Backstage at the Nutcrcaker

These lovely young people are Butler Fellows at Ballet Austin. The Butlers, who made this generous donation, are shown in the midst of their recipients.

Sweet spot!

We always like to see the gingerbread town at the Four Seasons. They took on a western theme this year!

Changing the face of downtown

This was one huge construction-related machine that we spied after a recent meal downtown.

Fancy outhouses!

No doubt, we do things in a big way in the ATX. Even outdoor restrooms. 

Shopping for Boots?

Caught up with this guy on South Congress. There are several boot shops there and vintage stores with boots as well so maybe some of you ask for those for Christmas.

Bonamassa

Jackie saw a concert recently at ACL Moody Theater. From her message about this concert she really enjoyed:

"We love [Joe] Bonamassa’s music; enjoyed him at ACL Live almost exactly two years ago, too. This time he brought local guitar hero Eric Johnson to the stage for a couple of numbers. Attaching a shot of the two of them with the rest of Bonamassa’s band, which now includes Reese Wynans on keyboards. Wynans was formerly part of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble."

It's great having our 'correspondent' to give you a different perspective on out town.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The 'tree' (it's really a reproduction Moonlight Tower rigged up with lights in Zilker park is lit. There is a lighted Ferris wheel, too, and lights on the Trail of Lights. Thanks to Jackie for taking this picture from the balcony of her apartment.

Honesty from the chocolate man

The Chocolate Man always has a comment about life at this stand in the Farmer's Market.

Short ribs, long on style.

We shared this beautiful plate of short ribs at Geraldine's restaurant the other night.

Heeeeeeere's Geraldine!

Geraldine was the neighborhood pea hen in the Rainey Street district. Now there is a restaurant named after her in the fancy new hotel over there.

Now there's some architecture!

Well, it's eclectic, I'll say that for it!

X's mark the hamburger spot

This reincarnation of a hamburger joint on South Congress makes a fine geometric display.

Uh-oh!

This rabbit made a wrong turn at a telephone pole!Decorating the poles on South First has turned into a fad now.

They're off!

The turkeys and Indians were leading the way at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Nov 26. I stationed myself at the start to get this shot.

Chop, chop!

These delicious lamp chops were on my plate the other night at one of our favorite eateries downtown -- Congress.

Reflections on the Season

It's theme day (the first of the month) at City Daily Photo. Shop Window is the theme. Shop windows and reflections are something I love taking pictures of so it was hard to choose. I chose this one because it reflects the season (that skeleton has on a Santa or Mrs. Claus outfit!) and the skeletons tell a Southwest 'Day of the Dead' story, too. Skeleton angels, huh? Plus I prefer my shop windows reflecting something interesting outside and the tree gives it some depth. This is a shop on South Congress called Tesoros where imports of all kinds are sold, particularly things from Latin America and Mexico. So they never really get over Day of the Dead! Click here for lots of City Daily Photo interpretations of the theme.

Running Trail

I took this a couple of weeks ago. The weather has cooled off a bit since but shirtless running in November is certainly often possible here. The gents were on the Butler Trail on the North Shore of Lady Bird Lake.

Sunset Python

Jackie caught this sunset a couple of weeks ago with one dominant snaky cloud. The view is west over Lady Bird Lake which is reflecting the sky in the foreground.

And still another from the Creek

This picture of Jackie's shows several displays with the walkways and a bridge.

More Waller Creek Lights

Again, credit to Jackie for this great picture.

Creek Light Show

There was a lovely light show on Waller Creek that ended last weekend. I believe they are trying to attract attention to the creek and its neglect because there is a gigantic project underway to fund improvements. We didn't see the project lit but our intrepid friend Jackie got over there at night and we will share some of her photos.

Stark Tree

This metal tree sculpture outside the Cirrus Logic buidling on West Sixth lights up blue at night. It has a very wintery look. (But we've yet to have much evidence of winter here in Austin.) Thanks to Jackie for this one.

Brave guys

These workmen were hanging a grid on the side of a tall building across from us a few mornings ago. I wouldn't want that job!

New use for denim!

This artwork (a depiction of the rabbit over Uncommon Objects) was made from bleach on black denim.

Vets speak out

This group had a cause they were marching for in the Veterans Day parade.

Goose!

We saw this lovable dog on an art tour the other day. He's a sheepdoodle named Goose.

Bad News!

We were confronted by these signs at one of our favorite jazz clubs the other day. Turns our there is a sinkhole under its building.

The Kiss

At the Veteran's Day parade this month, these intrepid folks reenacted the kiss caught by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on VJ-Day in Times Square. The couple would pause and then, after a few beats, do the kiss again.

Big Bertha

Our friend Jackie recently attended the Texas Tribune Festival and The University of Texas brought their giant drum (called 'Big Bertha") to show off during the food trailer lunch.

Over Austin

After our friend Jackie researched the biplane she saw flying near her apartment she was determined to ride in this sightseeing vehicle. She shot this amazing picture of the Pennybacker bridge during her tour.

Guarding the Street

We walked down a dead-end street the other day and these two promptly came to the window. One barked vociferously while the other looked out for other interlopers.

Austin Film Festival Awards

The Austin Film Festival award for Excellence in Television went to Norman Lear this year. Here he watches the proceedings after being introduced by Mary Kay Place and accepting his award.

Vote for Me

Saw this Mayor Dog hanging around the Farmer's Market after a dog costume contest. Very official looking. Think he should consider a presidential run.

Spruced up for a change!

Here are your bloggers all cleaned up and decked out at the Ballet Austin gala.

Old street signs

These orange and white signs are a blast from the past. These days the signs are dark green with white letters.