Nice music-- feliz navidad!

This excellent signer was performing some terrific Latin songs at a private party the other night. These people really know how to put on a fine event.

Holiday Buffet -- What a Treat!

We always love this buffet at the Headliners Club that takes place just before Christmas. It's a chance to catch up with a lot of friends and make some new ones. The food is always great, too. Unlimited tamales and shrimp. What is not to like?

Boot off!

Someone decided that one boot was enough to get them home, I suppose.

Nice design

I love the open air design of the new library -- it is so refreshing to wander through it and take a leisurely look at books that I have not read before.

Two brave men, one big building

These guys are making a terrifying task look easy. I got a photo of them working on the building across the street on a recent afternoon.

Ergonomically correct chairs

These chairs at the new Austin Public Library are really comfortable. I love sitting in one of them and taking time to relax and read a book.

A Time for Reflection

Well, the big day has arrived. Not so much for us. We took this in one of the hotels, reflecting ourselves in a large ornament. We used the picture for our Christmas card with the tagline "A Time for Reflection." And, so it is.

The stockings were hung

We both have managed to hang onto our Christmas stockings after all these years. Mine dates from 1951. Linda's is from 1972 or so. I hope Santa shows up.

Putting these jeans to good use!

This is either half of a scarecrow or a planter-- good idea!

Christmas decor in our condo

We like to dress up our little bar area for the season. I love all these Santas and other little fellows that Linda has collected over the years.

Christmas Chorale and lots of carols

We enjoyed hearing this Christmas concert by U of Texas music students the other night.

Homey Christmas

This cute little house near Clarksville always has great decorations this time of year.

Not sure about this

This must have meaning to someone. Not me!

Monk Parakeets

Jackie shot this picture a couple of weeks ago near Town Lake. Here's what she said about the shot and this flock often seen around Austin:

There’s an enormous bird’s nest atop a power pole at the corner of Sandra Muraida Way and Lamar. We can see it from our apartment but can’t see inside it from here. Walking below we always hear chirps but no bird sightings until yesterday. Lo and behold, we confirmed that the nest belongs to feral monk parakeets, year-round residents of Austin since the early ‘70s. Cornell’s Ornithology site says “They are the only parrots to nest communally; dozens live together year-round in large, multifamily stick nests built in trees and on power poles.” The bird at the top of the shot posed for me patiently as I clumsily dug my phone out of my backpack and zoomed in. There’s another parakeet visible at the lower left of the shot; looks like that one is busily doing nest maintenance.

Topping it off!

The tree-topping ornament here is outstanding. Another beautiful tree in downtown Austin.

One for the records!

A terrific tree at Wild about Music, a local shop. Makes me miss my turntable.

Trees, trees and more trees!

This mini-forest of trees was in a hotel lobby. Very pretty and shiny.

JW Marriott showing their Christmastime cheer

Another pretty tree and reindeer too! This display is in the lobby of the JW Marriott.

Star power for Christmas

This window has shades of Bergdorf Goodman, but it's in Austin! Very stylish lady indeed.

Eloise would approve!

This fancy tree is in the lobby of the historical Driskill Hotel. Quite a sight!

Make 'em want it!

There was s long line at this downtown club the other night. Who knows what is so special about going there?

Your chariot awaits!

This carriage was waiting to take someone on a horse-drawn ride. It was stationed outside the south door of the Driskill Hotel.

Ride on Rudolph!

Christmas decor in downtown Austin veers off the beaten path. Here is a bike laden with goodies. 

Ballet Austin headquarters

That low building in the middle of this photo houses Ballet Austin. What a brilliant move we made buying this property before the mega-boom hit. I have been on its board of directors since 1998.

Play it as it lays

This confection delight is gracing the lobby at the Four Seasons Hotel for the holiday season. How elaborate it is! So much detail work went into this piece.

Shattering the glass ceilings.

Another pin from the Madeleine Albright collection. This pin pretty much says it all about a great woman's ascent to power.

Turtles

These turtle pins are part of the collection of pins that belong to Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State during the Clinton administration.

Birds!

Another selection from Madeleine Albright's collection of pins.

Float like a butterfly . . .

A terrific message from Madeleine Albright, a forceful woman.

LBJ -- all the way

Linda and I made a trip to the Lyndon B. Johnson Library the other day. This time there was an exhibition of Madeleine Albright's fantastic jeweled pin collection. Also, there was a new video about President Johnson's career.

It's a Wrap!

It's Theme Day here at City Daily Photo. Yep, we are still participating in the larger worldwide group of bloggers posting a picture a day from their environs. The theme for December 1 is 'Gift.' Check out this lovely picture of gifts under a tree, done up expertly in a thematic fashion. Our tree? Nope. Every year about this time we walk around our downtown Austin home and take pictures of decorations in shops and hotels. The Four Seasons hotel tree had these gifts underneath. I'm quite sure they are empty, but there is nothing like a tree surrounded by beautiful packages to get folks excited about Christmas.It's our acquisitive nature I suppose. Click here to see what others in the Daily Photo family offer for the theme. A creche or two perhaps? Something or someone they consider a gift for themselves or their community? Someone receiving or giving a gift? Santa, maybe? It is always fun to see scores of interpretations.

Dramatic dance

This was the start of a dance piece in the overall work Illusory Impressions we saw the other night. The lighting was spectacular. The whole thing was staged in a central Austin estate.

Garrison Keillor

We got to meet Garrison Keillor, red shoes and all, after his performance at the Paramount Theatre the other night. Quite a fellow. A very enjoyable man. Always relaxed.

Modern dance in an olden setting

Illusory Impressions was the name of this wonderful dance performance that was held at Jennifer's Gardens here in town the other night. Our friend Michelle, who used to dance with Ballet Austin, created this delightful piece.

The tallest yet

Here you see the Independent Building, looming over the new library. This towering structure will be the tallest residential-only building west of the Mississippi when it is done. We all call it the Jenga Building for obvious reasons.

A good time was had by all

We had fun with two great friends of ours at the AIDS Services of Austin 30th Anniversary gala the other night.

Row, row, row

People love to row along Lady Bird Lake and these oars are waiting for them to use.

Your choice as long as it's red

Lots of rowboats are lined up for action at the lake.

Ann Richards School Band

All girls! Even the tubas! Yes!

Vietnam vets

Good to pay homage to men of this era as well. 

ROTC

This is a sharp-looking unit. All in step, too!

Pep squad

This is the Del Valle Pep Squad - always fun to watch young women having a good time and full of school spirit.

Freemasons in the ranks of famous Texans

Quite a few famous Texans were Freemasons -- as you can see.

Lowrider!

This guy was having the time of his life in the Vet's Day parade.

Nice outfits

These ladies were part of the Vet's Day parade the other morning. They had on historically correct outfits.

Thanking a vet

That's "Cor-vette." Get it?

Flags are always flying

Parades are made for flags and marching. In this group are some from the Confederacy that were kind of controversial this year.

Boycotting!

This man marching with the Girl Scouts in the parade, is for boycotting the NFL. About head injuries?

Veteran's Day Band

This is the Del Valle High Band in the local Vet's Day parade. This big guy is some type of marshal, I suppose.

Crabby, now aren't we?

Two new faves on the Fixe menu --  corn and crab fritters and crab fingers.