Santa and us

The Christmas party at The Headliners Club is always a favorite part of our holiday season. Santa likes to welcome us before we dig into the food and drink.

Ah, our tax dollars at work.

Some street traffic expert decided that having these roundabouts in the middle of a busy street makes sense. I wish someone would maintain the vegetation in the middle of the thing.

T-Shirt tells the truth

Saw this one at BookPeople the other day. If I didn't already have way too many T-shirts, I would have bought this one.

Finally!

On a recent Saturday, the paving crews were out there in full vigor. Now we have a fully functional street back in action on the east side of our building.

Pour it on, boys!

Here is the view from the end of our hallway. We love watching construction equipment in action.

New crane in the hood!

This one is for the Hotel Zaza that will spring up in the new year or 2018 or whenever!

Best to all of you!

The marquee says it all! Thanks for letting us share our town with all of you this year!

Ornaments for Every Taste

I love that Toy Juoy had ornaments for every taste, from SuperMan log to lod school bubble lamps to a rainbow flag.

Only a Few Shopping Days

There's still time, though, to get over to 2nd Street near our home and pick up something for kids young and old. Maybe a board game or a toy piano??

Tis the season!

We had a festive time the other night listening to the UT orchestra and chorus play and sing. Very heartwarming.

Stones cold great!

Love these Rolling Stones characters we saw a a local shop the other day.

Solidarity pies

A local pizza pie outfit was targeted with a ridiculous and hateful charge the other day. So we bought some slices from them to show support.

Turn, turn, turn.

We always enjoy watching big trucks trying to make the turn downstairs.

Oh Christmas tree!

Love the decoration job these friends did on this tree. Just grand. 

Oh deer! Not from Santa's team, I hope.

Our pals at this stylish house don't miss a spot for Xmas cheer.

Living with his boots on

Our pal Graydon is always styling out. These boots look great.

I'm digging it!

The latest from our south windows. Lots of construction prep going on down there.

Living the life.

Nursery rhymes are the theme this year at the Four Seasons' fancy confection village. 

Three little pigs survey their domain.

Another masterpiece of confection at the Four Seasons, now showing in the lobby. When you use bricks, you don't have to worry about those wolves!

Jazz musicians on the way up

We attended a terrific jazz recital at UT recently. These young players knocked it out of the park. Several of the pieces were their own compositions.

Hangar steak at Wink

This hangar steak preparation at Wink was just right with the Bordeaux shown here.

Composed grackles

These birds were daring anyone to walk under them on a recent night.

This house is just right!

Goldilocks is making her rounds of the confection houses at the Four Seasons in the lobby.

Dishing the dirt

The spadework for the building just south of us is coming along nicely.

Brunch with punch!

We loved the "Pop-Up" Brunch at Jeffrey's on a recent Sunday. They bring you all the food on the menu and you go from there. That's my partner in crime reaching for the condiments.

Beef tartare

This beef tartare preparation at Fixe, one of our favorite restaurants, is delightfully delicious.

Take a seat! A big seat!

We saw this big chair on one of our walks recently -- it's big enough for both of us!

There's an idea

Saw this prophetic sign outside a west Austin church the other day.

Hey, big guy!

I love this Giacometti imitation in front of the museum at Laguna Gloria. Aluminum foil and pie pans. It looks like he is exclaiming how happy he is to be there.

Straight-on beauty

We took a hike around the grounds at Laguna Gloria the other day and snapped photos of some of the outdoor sculpture. I love the straight lines and bright colors on this piece.

Transition. 2011 to now.

We shot the top photo of the holding pond south of our condo tower all planted with grass in June 2011. The shot of the same spot, taken off of our balcony a few days ago, is rather different. That shiny new building will hold 1500 Google employees. It's the first of the month so it's Theme Day. The assignment this time is "Transitions." To say the least, we have seen some dramatic ones in downtown Austin. Click here to see other interpretations of the concept.

Still digging it

I thought that I would give you an update on the big hole across from our building.

A legend in his rightful place

Bob Bullock was a legendary Texas politician. The Bullock Museum is named for him.

Ice is nice

We went to  a terrific party the other night. Both of these friends of ours were having a 60th birthday.

Hot jazz in a cool venue

This all-star band of musicians was wailing at the Elephant Room the other night. A nice couple from Nebraska let us sit with them.

New sculpture on the Capitol Grounds.

This magnificent statue on the Capitol grounds celebrates African-American heritage.

Hillside Singers

"We are not alone" was our refrain. We were singing on Doug Sahm Hill for a video Sara Hickman is putting together. 

Nutcracker time!

We shot a selfie of ourselves with the Nutcracker in the lobby at Ballet Austin's headquarters. 

Cool gear!

Why am I thinking about R2D2? This photo is from the Settlement Home Garage Sale.

Bones, bones,them bones.

A local house had these bones in the yard around Halloween time.

Does it receive FM stations?

This antique radio was for sale at the Settlement Home garage sale, a huge event for the charity. I wonder how old it is. 

Who let him in?

I must admit that this guy gave me a start the other day when I came out the restroom at a local restaurant.

Need a job?

It could be fun to work in this neighborhood drug store. It's still around, in spite of all the big chains. 

An Austin hero

I was lucky enough to know this fine man-- he did a lot for our city. This monument to him is on the trail through Auditorium Shores. 

Farmacy for a kale salad

I really enjoyed this kale salad at an eastside restaurant the other day. Maybe if I ate like this all the time, I could lose some weight.

I wish we'd been invited.

One of the most important invitations ever -- it is on display at the Blanton Museum.

Flamingo herd

These flamingos were on the loose outside these retail trailers the other day. 

Land-leash program

This dog walker has his hands full! These canines were enjoying a walk on a recent sunny day. 

Dog-not-gone!

One of our favorite places on Rainey Street welcomes dogs!