One day out of every year belongs to YOU!  You know what day that is, it’s Your Birthday!  For me, I start getting excited about “my day” when November rolls around…on “my Day”, I wake up as early as I can and sometimes stay up until midnight just so I can say, Hey, it’s my Birthday…it doesn’t matter how old a person is or if you have “special plans”, it’s Your Day to celebrate You!

Recently, my family had the opportunity to help our daughter celebrate her 26th Birthday! Since it’s the end of Summer, we decided to have one of our famous BBQ’s.  I say “our famous” as if I do anything beyond making my speciality of deviled eggs.  It’s actually my husband Tommy’s BBQ that we all crave.  He can whoop up a couple of racks of baby back ribs that fall off the bone, oh so tasty chicken, rib eyes to cry for, and a few links of a local flavorite, Elgin sausage just for good measure!  Throw in his unmatchable Cajun Potato Salad, add in a dozen “hot kisses” (giant jalapenos stuffed with garlic flavored cream cheese and wrapped in bacon, grilled until sizzling) and you have got a meal that will keep you full for three days!  I’m not kidding….

No birthday would be complete without “the Birthday Cake”.  This year was especially special for us as many of you know from my previous blog entries our daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie) was stricken with a brain anuersym in February and suffered a major stroke.  She is slowly recuperating and she also gave birth to our wonderful perfect Grandson, Christian Pearl Turner, May 20th, 2009.  So we felt like we had a lot to celebrate and we are counting our many blessings for this Birthday! 

My three Sons, considerate beings that they are, provided the “special Birthday cake”.  It was her favorite, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and they bought it from a 30-year old local hotspot which is actually the purpose of this blog…

I’m talking about a famous Austin original…

Swedish Hill Bakery. http://www.sweetishhill.com 

They boast a 30-year (worth mentioning twice) record “baking” performance and promote their use of only the finest freshest ingredients known to mankind!  Believe this, they live up to their slogan, as the 3 layer yellow cake topped with chocolate fudge frosting was beyond delicious, beyond decadent, beyond words except AHHHHHH…upon tasting, everyone commented “wow, that is so moist” and it was oh so moist! So moist in fact, I had a piece for breakfast the next day, yes I did, and I loved it just as much then too! Being an Adult has it advantages Ha!

Besides cakes, pies, cookies and artisan breads, Swedish Hill Bakery serves Breakfast and Lunch so you don’t actually have to wait until Your Birthday to check them out!  You will be glad you do! Cheers, Y’all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZIE, WE LOVE YOU!

Hello Everyone, Whew What-a Week!

Monday:

The beginning of the week…and we are off to a great start!  Took Lizzie to the OB high-risk clinic and we had to be there by 9:00 a.m.  Not easy to get Lizzie up at 6:30 for the start of her medication schedule and to get her fed and in the car by 8:15.  But we managed and thought everything was going well, but as soon as Lizzie stepped out of the car…you know what happened next…an eruption of everything she ate and drank on the floor of the parking garage!  And, it splashed up on me and her, man we stunk like rotten eggs…tried to wipe it off, but I think we only mashed it into our clothes even more…we got some serious stares as we sat in Clinic waiting for our names to be called.  Oh well, not everyone can smell like a Rose all the time!

But, everything else went well, and we were instructed to show up at 10 on Tuesday at L & D (labor and delivery in hospital jargon) for a consultation with the Anesthesiologist, shouldn’t take more than an hour Ms. Turner…right.  We left University Medical Center at Brackenridge at 7p.m.  However, we amused ourselves by watching a Marathon of our favorite show…House.  We must have watched at least 5 episodes before we were given the Green Light for C-Section, Hooray, all is good.  

Instructions:  Show up Wednesday, May 20th at 8 a.m. procedure to begin at 10 a.m. 

Wednesday, 7:15 a.m……Hip Hip Hooray, we are on are Way! Decided to park with the Valet as today is the Big Day, let’s splurge ($10)!  Got the wheelchair out of the trunk, put Lizzie in it and proceeded to wheel her in, but some clacking noise was clanking…and then, the wheelchair would not move, the wheels locked down.  I told Lizzie, hop out and sit on the padded bench inside the foyer.  I pulled the darn chair in and sat on the padding myself.  I turned the wheelchair upside down so I could get a good look at our problem, hey we have a very important date and we can’t be late.   To my aggravation, the wheelchair seat belt was wound up around the wheel base tighter than a drum.  AAARRGGGG!  What’s a girl to do???? As ”Luck” would have it, two very nice men stopped and asked me if we needed help, Lizzie was laughing, but not I.  This was not funny, at least not then….They used their manly strength to pull the seat belt loose and we were ”on the road” again to L & D!!! We arrived 10 minutes early and our paperwork was ready, off to the pre-op room to get ”pre-opted”…first order of business, insert IV into Lizzie for blood collection and fluid insertion!  She was as she put it “dying of thirst” as she had not had any fluids since the night before to get ready for surgery.  1st Nurse, One stick, no vein, two sticks, still no vein.  Second Nurse:  One stick, no vein….no more sticks..she called upon the Anesthesiologist…One stick, no vein…Two stick, Vein, Great, it collapsed as the fluid starting making a huge bomb on her arm, she was distressed.  Three sticks, no vein.  Called another M.D. and decided to run the IV line in her neck, yup you heard me, her neck.  they ran me out of the room, and at this point, I didn’t mind, I wasn’t sure I could watch that stick.  A few minutes later, out comes the M.D. and they ordered an X-Ray to make certain it was in the right spot…we are behind schedule, it’s now 11 a.m. 

X-Ray comes and goes in a flash (ha, pun intended)….blood is collected, sent to Lab, I am told 45 minutes and we should be ready to “Get it On”!

So, I did what any normal Mother would do, I went for coffee and a doughnut only to discover that lunch was being served in the Cafeteria…peas and carrots and baked chicken, who could resist, so I woofed it down and headed back to L & D only to discover they had taken my little punkin’ back to get prepped, which means they had to insert the spinal block….they dressed me in sterile garb and I waited for my cue.  Enter through the double doors into the surgical area, wow! Innnersting stuff.  they were all ready, Lizzie was freezing, shaking (they keep it like a refrigerator in there) and they had a little seat with my name on it! Woohoo!  We are cooking with gas now!  The procedure began and it all went smoothly, they pushed and pushed and then the M.D. said the baby was hanging on by his toes, guess he was warm and didn’t want to give it up!  But, finally, he arrived.  11:54 a.m.  one “Lucky Little Boy Baby” arrived into the world, crying such a sweet cry…waa, waa, waa.  I could not see a darn thing, 5 nurses were around him in a clear little tub like thingy.  He cried some but not much.  I saw them pick up his arm and it feel limp, that worried me, but no one was calling a code blue or anything, they said he was okay and brought him over to see Lizzie and me.  He is beautiful, skin as smooth as well, a baby’s behind!  The first thing I noticed was the Turner nose, hey, it’s distinctive, what can I say….

Then back to the pre-op room which is now the recovery room…Lizzie seems to be doing well, so I decide to saunter off to the Nursery to get a better look at my Grandson!  I wanted to check out his hair status of all things…so I wander the myriad of halls asking directions here and there.  Finally, I end up at the Nursery and I look at the babies, can’t see which name tag says Turner, so I knock on the windows and go Turner baby?  They look at me like huh?  I say it again, Turner baby….the open the door and do oh you have on the magic bracelet, Come on in.  Wow, in I go.  They show me the most beautiful baby in the world (yes, Granny has gone GaGa) His skin is absolutely flawless and he is handsome, so handsome that the name Trooper does not do him justice.  He has hair that they have oiled up and combed with a part, just adorable!  He reminds me of the my family cowlick, Joshua had it real bad, plus my brother too!  Anyway, I am then asked if I want to feed him, why sure, I reply and they say, here have a seat in the rocker and here’s the bottle.  Double Wow!  So, I sit and do my best Granny voice, oh…you’re so cute and pretty, Granny loves you, what a lucky boy you are, so perfect, so healthy, so big!  He’s a whopping 7 lbs, 6 1/2 oz. and 20 inches long!  Triple Wow!

After he eats a little, the Nursery Nurse tells me I can take him to see his Mama in her room, so off I go down the hallways pushing my Grandson in “the tub” which is loaded with diapers and bottles.  I am in heaven or at least I thought I was…I enter the recovery room and Lizzie is writhing in pain and she is sick.  Uh-oh, Recovery Nurse to the rescue with Pain Meds (hospital jargon again).  and the rest of the day was pretty much like that, Nurses giving Lizzie more pain meds and me being Granny Goose.     Joshua, Thomas and PeePaw (that would be Tommy) came in the see, hold and admire the baby and see Lizzie.  She did not feel like visiting much and that is understandable, it’s not easy to survive brain surgery, pneumonia, staph infection, paralysis, stroke systems and feel chatty.  She is doing phenomenal and she will always be my Hero. 

That newborn  child has stolen my heart with just a little cooing, Thomas says he squeaks, but whatever it is, it is the sweetest music to my ears.  I did leave the hospital around 8 p.m. and our lucky little miracle baby went back to the Nursery.  I probably won’t be able to sleep  a wink, but I need to go home and gather up some teddy bears as the hospital photo is Thursday at 4 pm and we are going to do the “nekkid baby photo”, those are so powerful, yet simple.

So guys and gals, Meet my little Grandson, Christian Pearl Turner!    

Hello Everyone:  I haven’t fallen into an abyss, and yes, it’s been quite a while since I posted a blog….and there is a big reason why and probably this is nothing like you have ever read before or would expect ….

On February 27th, 2009 as I was at my favorite beauty salon getting my hair done, I received a phone call that I thought was my Daughter (pictured above with her dog Lila)…only it wasn’t her, it was her roommate using her phone to tell me that Elizabeth was stricken and had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in Houston, Texas where she living.  As I was lying with my head in a shampoo bowl, I was not sure I was hearing correctly and so I asked, the baby?  As you see, she was 6 months pregnant at the time….No, the voice repeated, Elizabeth.  I asked for the name of the hospital and told the caller I would be there in 3 hours.

My stylist asked me what should he do, as I mentioned my head was in the shampoo bowl.  I told him to rinse my hair and dry it as I knew I needed a couple of minutes to gather my thoughts and get a game plan going and that I couldn’t be running around with a wet head…that’s the Mom in me I suppose… 

And so the journey began:  I called my oldest Son, Joshua and told him what was going on…that I was going to Ben Taub Hospital in Houston and that he needed to come over asap and take care of my two doggies, Pete and Randy.  I told him not to call my Husband as I feared my hubby would have a heart attack and that I would call him as soon as I was calm.  As I paid for my “hairdo”, I got into my car and proceeded to call my husband and I said “I have some bad news that we need to discuss and then told him what had happened.  He said hurry home, I will pack a bag, let’s leave now and so I said okay.  When I arrived home, I quickly packed a few things in a bag and off we went. 

We arrived in Houston 3 hours later Lizzie was in Brain Surgery.  Everyone around me was nervous, understandably, but I found myself weirdly calm.  I attribute that to my Yoga practice.  Yoga helps you to breathe slowly and to stay focused.  After a little while, the Neurosurgeon came out to speak to us and told us she had a rare type of aneurysm, an Artherio Venus Malformation, AVM for short; which basically means she was born with veins on the left side of her brain that resemble a can of worms…at least that is how the neurosurgeon explained it to me.   

He told us we could see her for just a few seconds but not to talk or touch her, they did not want her aroused in any way.  Her head was bandaged but I could see a few staples in her skull and tubes coming out of her head.  She had a breathing tube in her throat and she was hooked up to IV’s and all sorts of machines, none of which I had any understanding of.  She was heavily sedated.  Although still calm, I just prayed and prayed on the inside for her to be okay.  She is only 25 and pregnant with her first baby, due in June.  Please let her be okay.

As we inquired about finding a Hotel room, we were told the Rodeo and the Chili Cook-off were in Houston that weekend and finding a room was going to be a challenge.   The Nursing staff told me I could call for updates…so I told my husband I wanted to go home as there was obviously nothing we could do and to sit in a hard backed chair all night was not going to help us through this ordeal.  And  so, we returned to Austin around 2 a.m. and I was grateful to have my bed to fall into and my doggies around me for comfort. 

The next morning at 6 a.m. I arose, jumped into my clothes and then headed to my car as my husband lay sleeping.  I hollered to him that I would be back in a bit, but that I had to go to see my baby girl.  When I arrived, I was informed that visitation in the Intensive Care Unit, the Neuro ICU, was over, but I told them I drove from Austin, so they said okay just a few minutes.  As I approached her, I could see she was still sedated, but that the bandages had been removed and to my horror, she had a huge crescent shaped incision, with approximately 45 staples in her head and massive swelling.  This was nothing I could have ever prepared myself for and what you see on TV or in the movies doesn’t numb you to seeing your child like that.  But, I told myself I had to face up to this and I walked to her bedside and gently stroked what little part of her arm I could, the part that didn’t have a tube or IV in it.  She did not move and I did not speak.  But I just silently told her how much I loved her and told her I would be there every step of the way to help her recover. 

As the days passed, I drove every day to Houston to be with her, 400 hundred miles every day.  Some days, her Dad would go with me, some days her brothers (she has 3) would take me, but I was determined no matter how tired, no matter how hard, I would not let her go through this alone, I wanted her to know she could depend upon me to help her recover.

The days were hard and long; dark puffy circles appeared beneath my eyes…some days driving to or from Houston, I had to turn the Air conditioner on full blast and cold as cold could be to keep me awake…some days, I just had to reach deep down inside of myself to find the strength to go on, and everyday I prayed. 

Lizzie was in ICU for 12 days, she was moved into isolation on the 6th day due to pneumonia and Staph infection, the kind that eats your skin.  That was the day, I broke down and really cried my eyes out.  I called my Mother, I told her I didn’t think I could take it anymore, that I was losing it (I was afraid a hysterical crying jag was coming on) and she told me to just try to hang on a little longer.  I told her I would and I did.  

Slowly, slowly each day would be a little improvement.  The day they finally got the breathing tube out and when she could breathe on her own, they brought her out of sedation…as I put on the sterile gown, mask and gloves and entered the isolation room, Lizzie asked that nurse if I was her Mom (hard to tell with all the sterile garb on). The nurse assured her I was.  The nurse gave me some applesauce and said to try to get her to eat.  It was as if she was a baby again and we were starting over…and so the days went like that for awhile.  Every day I would come and feed her and bring her nutritious juices…she would heartily partake of whatever I brought.  I would wash her face and put lotion on her to try to comfort her a little. 

Finally, after 19 days she was released to Quentin Mease Rehabilition Hospital.  And so, 21 days after her brain surgery, she was starting Physical Therapy and they put her at the parallel bars and helped her to stand and regain her balance.  And so, another phase of our journey began…the isolation exercises were hard for Lizzie, it was as if her right leg weighed 500 pounds, but with each exercise, I told her come on, you can do it, great job.  I was her cheerleader, and she is my Hero. 

After 21 days at Quentin Mease, she was released to my care.  She could walk approx. 25 steps with the assistance of a cane and she could speak a little too.  I brought her home to Austin, where I could take care of her and nurse her back to health.  That was April 7th…daily I give her 17 pills and help her with her speech and her leg and arm exercises.  Having a ruptured aneurysm is somewhat like having a stroke.  Since it was on the left side of her brain, the right side is affected.  She can walk fairly well now but with a limp , and just as her leg started coming back, slowly her right arm is coming back.  She understands everything she hears, but sometimes finding the words is pretty challenging.

This tragic event does have a happy ending; on May 20th, 2009 at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, she will undergo a C-Section and my Grandson will enter the world, hopefully healthy.  All signs point that he is doing well, and he is getting bigger by the day and another phase of our life-journey will start.  I will be the diaper changer since Lizzie is still recovering, but that’s okay, I have raised 3 sons and a daughter, one more will be a piece of cake! He will be my little Trooper Turner, and he will always be a Super Trooper to me!

Believe it or not, I have actually worked a little bit through this…I helped a previous client buy her daughter her first home in Tarrytown and I helped a family member lease a wonderful home with a pool in the acclaimed Circle C Golf community.

Hopefully, the worst has passed, and we have all survived.  I have had a lot of support from my family, friends, the business community and the Austin YogaYoga studio where I practice.  I also can’t say enough good things about the Trauma unit at Ben Taub Hospital and the incredible staff at Quentin Mease Hospital for helping Lizzie.  I am so grateful to all.

I wanted to share this with all of you for a couple of reasons.  First, I wanted to let you know where I had been as I am generally an active blogger.  And secondly, all of us experience these type of things, sickness, accidents, illnesses and I wanted to encourage all of you to just stick with it, soldier on, be a ”Trooper” and pray, believe in miracles. 

P.S.  You know what is coming next, right…..photos of Trooper Turner!!! Ha!  Stay tuned now! 

The Falconhead West Subdivisions have incredibly intriguing names: Lantern Ridge and Crystal Creek!  You can almost picture homes in the Hill Country at night with sconces speckling across the canyons; and creekbeds sparkling hither and yon!  It’s true, Falconhead West Golf Homes offer amazing Hill Country canyon views, great trees & green spaces, upscale modern contemporary floorplans, and 60’ - 70′ Homesites right outside of Bee Caves; in the Lake Travis area.  Currently, I am familiar with approximately  20 new homes under construction or nearing completion; that makes for good choice and with varied selections for your consideration.

To learn more about Bee Caves: Check out the City of Bee Caves website here:  http://portal.beecavetexas.com/  

Falconhead West @ Bee Caves is the latest phase of homes located at the old Spillman Ranch, which is home to Falconhead Golf Club. Here’s the link to Falconhead Golf Club:  http://www.falconheadaustin.com 

With a grand entrance off of Hwy 71 West, homeowners can also enter or exit the neighborhood from the main Falconhead entrance off of Ranch Road 620…this cuts down on time to get to Lakeway or Lake Travis, which is Austin’s largest watersport destination; with boating, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tubing…basically I think Falconhead = FUN.

Falconhead West is less than 10 minutes from the new Hill Country Galleria (click here for the info)  http://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/  which is situated on 152 acres with eclectic shopping, dining-entertainment, office and residential apartments surrounded by wildflowers, native trees and rocky streams.  The Hill Country Galleria is a thriving business & residential utopia. With my busy schedule, I tend to shop there often as I  love the ambiance of the natural surroundings; shopping becomes pleasantly relaxing, quite enjoyable and much less stressful.  

Students in Falconhead are less than 10 minutes from the schools of the highly rated Lake Travis Independent School District. Here are the School links: 

Bee Caves Elementary http://www.ltisdschools.org/bce/ 

Lake Travis Middle School http://www.ltisdschools.org/ltms/ 

Lake Travis High School http://www.ltisdschools.org/lths/site/default.asp 

Along with Lake Travis recreation is the historic “Hamilton Pool” Nature Preserve-Park accessed by Hwy 71 West, then turning onto Hamilton Pool Road, it’s a pretty phenomenal spot of Texas.  http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp

Click here for more pictures:

Call Pamela Turner of Austin Golf Homes Realty for Home Availability and Pricing at 512-947-4724 or email Pamela@PamelaTurner.com

Austin’s Master-planned Golf Community at “Circle C”, is surrounded by parks, Greyrock Golf Course, the Veloway Bike Track, and beautiful Hill Country green space. It’s located in Southwest Austin and is one of the most popular golfing communities in our city…It has a reputation for its family friendly environment, shopping and easy access to major freeways. 

However, the Recreational amenities is where this neighborhood  really shines. The initial phase was named Circle C Ranch and construction began in the mid-1980’s.  It has the only heated outdoor Olympic sized pool in Central Texas; and hosts regular swim meets. Tthis incredible recreational complex was placed at the center of the community at the intersection of Lacrosse and Escarpment streets.  As so the growth began…up popped Circle C West, Circle C Park Place, Circle C Vintage Place, Circle C Muirfield and the latest development Circle C Meridian.  Some of these communities are gated.

Greyrock Golf Course is a memorable course with tall towering oak trees, wide generous fairways and a naturally relaxing atmosphere.  A unique two-story clubhouse designed to blend into the natural beauty of the course overlooks the 18th hole and the lake.  The building is constructed with native limestone and tucked into a grove of Oak Trees and sports two giant fireplaces for that Texas down-home ambiance.  This Texas-sized clubhouse of 4,000 square feet also houses the Pro Shop and a Grill aptly named, The Putter’s Grill!  Next to the clubhouse is the Biergarten topping off the inviting forum. Many a party has been held there! I’ve attended a couple and with the tents and lighting, it becomes almost magical… 

Another incredible feature of Circle C is the “LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center” at the eastern end of LaCrosse Avenue and features eco-lifestyle information, conservation with Native flowers and plants, exhibitions, tours, a incredible cafe, and trails. Check it out here: http://www.wildflower.org

As of late, the newly built Escarpment Village Shopping Plaza at the entrance of Circle C Ranch on Slaughter Drive and Escarpment Blvd. features the anchor HEB Grocery store, Bank of America, Waterloo Restaurant, Starbucks, plus a Nail Salon, Dry Cleaners, etc.  making shopping convenient, friendly with a real neighborhood feel to it.

For Home pricing and availablity and more information, please contact Pamela Turner at 512-947-4724, or email Pamela@PamelaTurner.com

View Homes and the neighborhood photos-video here:    

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7310074995739560106

As we all know too well, as of late, the United States and world-wide markets have taken a huge hit financially.  The daily news of what is happening globally is un-escapable, and it’s tragic.  Not just for Homeowners, but the all across the board the news is dire, over 10 million people out of work and 2.5 million jobs lost in 2008 in the U.S alone.  There is not one industry that hasn’t been affected by the credit crisis.  So, I thought a little good news would be warranted….

I want to talk about the Money situation…at least relative to Home Loans; that will be an excellent subject to approach since I am in the Real Estate Home Sales industry.  Keep in mind that more people than ever own their own home, so it’s not all gloom and doom.                      

CNNMoney.com reported on January 8th, 2009 that Mortgage rates fell to another all-time low, declining for the tenth consecutive week. Yea!

Government sponsored mortgage lender Freddie Mac said that fixed rates on 30-year mortgages averaged 5.01% for the week ending Jan. 8th. That’s down from 5.10% last week and well below 5.87%, which is where the rate stood at this time last year.  The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has not been lower since Freddie Mac started conducting the survey in 1971.  That’s incrediblely good news.   

So, now that we have low, low, low interest rates, let’s talk about the faces & places to go and get that money!

One of my favorite lenders is Sean Hammond….His office (with sweeping Hill country views) is in the beautiful Lakeway Golf community.

 His Office # is 512-306-8502, his company, Envoy Mortgage website is  http://www.loanaustin.com or his personal profile page is

   http://www.envoymortgage.com/envoy_austin/officers/loan_officers.php?id=211 

Not only is Sean very informed about the loan products and what is happening on his side of the industry, he takes great pride in his communication skills and customer service. 

I can tell you that the buyers I have referred to Sean always walk away extremely happy and quite impressed, and that is obviously what I want, Happy Buyers….As for me, what I truly admire is his honesty & dependablity.    

‘Nuff said!  Call myself or Sean and we will work tirelessly to help you purchase a HOME! 

Since 1892 audiences over the world have enjoyed the famous Russian Ballet of “The Nutcracker”…There is nothing that says Christmas more than this popular production.  On Saturday, December 20th, I attended the matinee of Ballet Austin’s 46th Annual Production of the famous “Nutcracker Suite”.  I chose to go in the afternoon as I knew there would be tons of kids attending and I love being around little children (I have 4 kids that are grown and gone…). There is nothing as delightful to see the excitement of little children attending a Theater Production that is geared for them.  Seeing the little girls in their Holiday dresses of red, with big bows in their hair was a sentimental journey…one little girl even had on her “Ballerina” dress and that was worth a big smile!  The little girl that sat next to me knew this Ballet so well she hummed along, and I almost joined in myself, ha!!  

I had a wonderful seat, Orchestra section, 4th Row, I was so close I could see the eyebrows of the Dancers!  I was very impressed with the Costumes, they were classic jewel-toned Victorian-styled with a 40’s twist…the corps had brilliant true Red gowns instead of the often White traditional you generally see and that really stood out!  When I was much younger, I took Ballet, and the teacher was of the Russian school where each and every step is so precise and the choreography of Ballet Austin was superb, and reminded me of my old Teacher, Ms. Machelik.  This choreographer made good use of the young children, you could see the delight of the kids being on-stage! 

The Orchestra was definetly on it’s mark and did not miss a single note…the score by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky who was the first major Composer to make use of the “Celesta” (invented in 1886) in a work for a full symphony orchestra, is complex and beautiful, one of my favorites beside Swan Lake.  However, the Nutcracker did not become widely popular in America until the late 1960’s, and it really took off in the 1970’s thanks to Mikhail Baryshinikov, an incredibly talented & muscular Russian dancer who took liberty with the classical Ballet relative to the story, but still leads the pack with the best selling DVD of the Nutcracker to this day.      

I would also like to mention that the Long Center for the Performing Arts is a wonderful venue, quite new, not even a year old yet.  http://www.thelongcenter.org/ It has no bad seats, it is laid out perfectly…with 2,400 seating, it’s not too big, and not to small…it’s just right and it even has side “boxes” on three levels which is very cool! The acoustics were absolutely perfect!  And parking is easy, $7 for Garage parking, and $17 for Valet.  I did the Garage parking as I enjoy the stroll to the venue, as the excitement electrifies the air, I love the thrill of it all! 

Check out the upcoming schedule for Ballet Austin and their Youth Programs…It’s an incredible learning ground for our young. It’s a true Multi-media experience encompassing all genre’s of Art…Music, Dance, Fashion & Style, Electronics & Lighting, Set Building & Design, and Theater production….it’s Creative Expression at it’s finest!       http://www.balletaustin.org/

As for me, I still have visions of Sugar Plums dancing in my head!  Merry Christmas, y’all!

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Link to the Property Profile: http://www.415MaternCt.com

This Waterfront Estate was designed by one of America’s Top 10 Green Architects, Marley Porter, who has received numerous accolades for sustainable development in environmentally sensitive areas as well as award-winning home designs. He has also been profiled in national print magazines most notably for his design of One World Theatre in Austin, TX. Alongside LBJ Lakefront, Inc, the meticulous Builder Ken G. Martin, two years were devoted to constructing the finest and largest custom Home ever built on a speculative basis.

Located on one of Horseshoe Bay’s best lakefront home sites, the lot has up to 189 feet of depth, 91 feet of Lake LBJ waterfront, a cherished eastern exposure and an exceptionally panoramic, open-water view. For the Lake enthusiasts, enjoy an Electric Boat Lift, 4 Jet-Ski pads, Grotto-Spa, Tandem Waterfalls, exquisite Swimming and a Reflecting-Sunning Pools and Limestone Fishing Benches.

Matern Court stands out among residential streets in Horseshoe Bay due to the street and adjacent common area being Horseshoe Bay’s broadest - up to 90-feet wide and is the only Live-Oak-lined street with trees that match in size and traverse the island’s entire length. It features a Gated Entrance, and also differs from other streets by having its own private “Lighthouse, incorporating three beautifully landscaped, park-like “islands” with conversation benches within the street’s median. Adding to further distinction, Matern Island has the added prestige of being Horseshoe Bay’s only completely lake-bound subdivision.  In addition, a Private Airport, the Horseshoe Bay Jet Center has a 6,000-foot lighted runway. Aptly named Air Horseshoe, features five Dornier Jets having occupancies ranging from five to 30 passengers that are available for charter.

The Essence of Luxury defines this spectacular Architectural Masterpiece as the Principles of Feng Shui harmonize completely with “Green and Sustainable Building” practices. This artistic design of a Texas Hill Country Contemporary-Mediterranean abode of 10,100 sq. ft. with 8,311 under Roof proudly showcases 92 Loewen windows which casually invite the majestic views of the ever-present and constant level Lake LBJ inside for a relaxing, rejuvenating, inspirational aspect.

This grand Tuscan-flavored Home is a Split-Level having two stories street side and three on the lake side, as well as a 3-story elevator. An open flowing floor plan moves seamlessly from space to space, accented by its tall ceilings, powerful, warm interiors; highlighted by rich textures, fine woods, and other organic materials. There is no paint or carpet inside the Home whatsoever. The timeless design unifies energies into a harmonious, synergistic whole by aligning and balancing the natural elements.Quality of Workmanship and Superior Materials detail the infinite intrinsic value of this captivating Estate located in the private, gated Waterfront community of Matern Island.  The outstanding amenities and features alongside State-of- the-Art appliances, fixtures and electronically advanced home automation systems are virtually unparalleled.

Chef Andrew Brooks, Faraday’s Kitchen Store, and D’Vine Wine…

Recently I attended a cooking class at Faraday’s Kitchen Store in Lakeway (www.faradayskitchenstore.com) 512-266-5666; and it was so interesting and so much fun I just had to share it with you!

Tony at Faraday’s assisted Chef Andrew Brooks, (www.spiritedfood.com) 512-844-1833;  who was cool, calm and collected making it easy for me to learn how to cook more nutritiously and varied. I grew up in the Southeastern corner of N.M. so I only learned one method of cooking: FRIED, which is as we have learned, is not necessarily healthy. Plus, after being married for 28 years, I know I need help to liven up my cooking menus! Ha!

The menu was actually quite simple, easy to learn and truly enjoyable: The Appetizer was a mouth watering Smoked Shrimp Cake with Green Tea Oil and Soy Sauce Powder; the Salad was flavorful and fresh: Basil, Red Chard, Celery and Bok Choy with a scrumptious Red Pepper puree w/Rice Vinegar. The Entree’ was an incredible Steamed Halibut with Porcini Dust and Cranberry Miso served with Pan Steamed Black Kale and Butternut Squash Ribbons, “stuff” I would never try on my own… The Desert was light with mini Ginger Snap cookies and a fun Chai Panna Cotta…talk about being fulfilled without being full! I left with a huge smile on my face and a joyful mood from the experience!

I met new people, some that were not Austinites per se and some that were…and I made some new friends to have “coffee talk” with too! The owner of the shop next door, D Vine Wines, (www.dvinewineofaustin.com) 512-266-8040, stopped by and presented us with a bottle of a specially blended wine (that is what they do rather than sell bottles of “brand names”) so all in all I can’t remember a more enjoyable and intriguing evening!

Austin is full of fabulous things to do and events just like this; I wanted to share with you what is Austintacious (a term you will hear alot here) about living in Austin! We are a friendly and fun city; fit for all ages and backgrounds.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this email or if you or someone you know is needing help with their Real Estate needs…in the meantime check out Chef Andrews’ website for upcoming cooking classes and his weekly delivery business of nutritious and fascinating foods; Faraday’s for more upcoming events + kitchen items, and D Vine wines as well!

Walk into Cafe Monet and it looks just like a “normal cafe” where you sit at a table or a bistro table; a waitress comes over to take your order.  But food is not on the Menu, for you see this is an Art Studio where you become the Artist…It’s a Paint your Own Pottery and Mosaic Studio. 

What I love about Cafe Monet is the importance they place on Children and awakening their artistic nature.  They offer a Kid’s Art Camp and I think that is Awesome!  Creativity is important and to encourage a child and feed their inner Monet is one of the greatest things you can do for a child.  They may or may not grow up to pursue art, but what a fabulous hobby to inspire into a youngster! Plan a Child’s Birthday Party at Cafe Monet, where each child can select their pottery piece, choose a stencil/stamp, paint, sign the pottery and voila a Masterpiece is Born!  They will feel proud and that is a Very Good Thing!

Cafe Monet uses only certified, non-toxic, food-safe paints/glazes.  Be sure and check out their website here: http://www.cafemonet.org or call them at 512-892-3200.  Below are a few cool kid creations:  A Froggie scrubber, a Butterfly box and a firetruck coinbank! 

Hudson’s on the Bend 512-266-1369 http://www.hudsonsonthebend.com

Each March 14th, my Husband (of a whopping 28 1/2 years) and I make a date-night where we get all gussied up and go to our favorite Restaurant to commemorate and celebrate our anniversay.  My Husband loves this place because of the exotic and unique food they serve such as Venison, Pheasant, Quail and Wild Boar.  My Husband is one of those types that has an adventurous appetite…he’s ”Like Mikey” and will try almost anything!  Me…not so much.  I have things I like and stick to the tried and true, such as Quail or Lobster, Yum! I go as much for the incredible food as for the atmosphere.  Fine art graces the white washed walls of this farmhouse turned restaurant, the seating is intimate and our conversation lends more to the intellectually inspired rather than the normal “let’s hurry up and eat”.  We tend to savor the dining experience more, perhaps because of our annual anniversay acknowledgement but I think the actual amenities of the restaurant assists the quality of our evening. We are never disappointed.

As a Realtor, I eat out with clients, alot.  I’ve been many places around the country as well and have enjoyed the fine gourmet food/chefs in Las Vegas.  Hudson’s on the Bend is Top Notch and ranks right up there with the very best in the U.S.  Be sure to check out their website as they also offer cooking classes with the Chef followed with a scrumptious meal, cookbooks by the Chef and gift boxes for sending to your family or friends (or yourself) on special occasions.     

On Saturday’s, I am usually out showing Buyers prospective Homes…one Saturday I got off work early afternoon around 2:30 p.m. and decided to check out the new stuff at Suzie D’s…So, I called my husband to tell him I was stopping off in Lakeway to go Boutique-ing.  He said what is that???  I told him it was somewhat like “Antique-ing” only instead of shopping for “old stuff”, it was shopping for “new stuff” in small shops.

Karen Atwell and her staff at Suzie D’s are so helpful in finding that special outfit or just for everyday wear.  Mostly, I like the fact that they are only 1 of the 2 stores in Austin that carry one of my favorite lines, Joseph Ribkoff: a designer whose clothing is reasonable priced and incredibly well made with top notch fabrics.  He is known for his use of prints in contemporary designs.  I usually go the the Ribkoff website, pick what I like and call Suzie D’s to order it in for me!  Now that is a service and I have a picky persona, make me smile and I will be loyal to the core! 

I also love the bauble’s Suzie D’s has (affordable but not cheap jewelry with sparkle).  They have a wide assortment of necklaces and earrings to compliment their clothing.  They also carry a fine line of daytime handbags and evening clutches, belts and of course Designer cowboy hats…this is Texas you know.  Add in Tee’s and Jeans and you have a complete shopping experience.

Call Suzie D’s at 512-263-0329; they don’t have website as the inventory changes daily, and frankly it’s personal…shopping by you, for you.  Once you find things you like, they will put your name on a list and give you a call when they get things in they think you will like in your size! You have to love that type of effort.  Go experience Suzie D’s shopping and enjoy yourself; dress your success in style!        

I was admiring the gorgeous May-day.  I was happy as a lark, driving down the road in my little Jag…the sky was as clear and as blue as blue could be, the clouds were like cotton balls, poofy and piled on top of each other dotting the horizon.  All of the foliage was shades of green, even the sides of the road.  As I admired all, I suddenly noticed my Baby’s Safety sticker was expired! Crikey!  This was not the first time I noticed, but  the day was so fabulous, I decided I would get a Safety Sticker so I wouldn’t get pulled over and get a ticket, it was that expired!

Off I went to the local “franchised” oil change place (which shall remain nameless)…However, the attendant told me it was first come, first serve and that there were 9 people in front of me.  He pointed out I was welcome to wait in the “waiting room” which was approximately 3′ x 4′, smelled of burnt coffee and although it had an Peanut M&M machine (which the M&M’s were probably 6 years old), I declined and stated I would come back in a couple of hours; and off I drove.  But I decided I would go to the local tire franchise (which shall also remain nameless). Since it was in a shopping center, I figured I could shop for groceries while my Sticker was being replaced.  The Tire Franchiser told me to come back after lunch as they were all out of Safety Stickers and had sent an employee to Tx. DOT (Texas Department of Transportation) to fetch more.  Okay, fine, I am not going to let a little setback spoil the beautiful day…back in the car and as I’m driving down the road, out of the corner of my eye, I spy a big sign that says Safety Stickers in 15 minutes!!! Ta-Da! Zooming towards the sign, I whip into ”Oak Hill Automotive”!  They have a big parking lot and as I enter the building, I notice what a lovely waiting room furnished with a full length couch, two easy chairs, plenty of up to date magazines and Complimentary refreshments!  Woo-Hoo.  Hank Amor and his staff fixed me right up and in fact I was still pleasantly reading an article when they interrupted me to announce my little red sportscar with current Safety Sticker was ready!  So, if you are thinking there is nothing particularly cool or intiguing about Oak Hill Automotive, perhaps … but if you get stuck on IH-35 on a Friday afternoon around 5:30 because your car overheats and then remember this blog…Hank doesn’t close until 6pm, and they have a tow truck and even better they have a complimentary service which will drive you home and pick you up when your car is ready!  Call the fair priced & friendly folks at Oak Hill Automotive at 512-288-3366 or visit their website at www.oakhillautomotive.net; they will fix you right up and you can depend upon their competent service….Here is a snapshot of their exterior..             

 Alongside the highway amongst the passing cars stands a peaceful park-like Vet house for pets, or so it would seem…truth is, it’s more than a Vet that just “works” there.  Truth is, it’s a place where you can trust the Doctors, the staff, the experience and the expertise of those who give Love & Care to those we Love, our Pets, our Companions…For years, I always got the name backwards, I called it the Animal Companion Hospital, but after what Dr. Margaret Leary did for “Jake the Great” I understood the name fully and with much gratitude.  Dr. Leary; a tall, slender woman with shiny dark eyes that have an inner light beaming from them like headlights in the night and with a quirky sense of humor is the reigning Queen of Compassion….she did everything she could to save “Jake the Great”.  Besides doing everything she knew to do, She personally took him to the A & M Research Labs to try to find a cure for his ever spreading cancer and it was just the heartfelt way she attended him that touched me forever and I owe her more than $$$ could even begin to repay.  I think I realized how much she cared for our Companion-Animal that we named Jake was when she told me she bought him a McDonalds hamburger…something seemingly simple.  But you see, she knew the end was near and why not give him a treat we don’t often do for our pets, she treated him with the same respect as a Human Being.  When Dr. Leary told me it was time to let Jake go to end the suffering, she and her wonderful staff helped me and held me through it as it was the toughest thing a ”Lover of Doggies” ever has to do.  As tears streamed down my face and I bubblered my love over and over, they let me cry and then told me Jake was in peace; that it was over…I will always be grateful to Dr. Margaret Leary and if you love your ”Companions”, make certain you call the “Loving Leary-Doctor” at 512-288-2713.  She, along with the kind and competent blue-eyed soulful Dr. Brown will treat your babies like their own.  Here’s our Jake…our beloved Springer Spaniel who would jump our fence just to sit on our front porch…

and Yes, friends it’s true…All Dogs Do Go To Heaven..

Thankfully and Luckily, Central Texas and the Austin area is such an incredible place to be ”My Three Sons” all choose to  live in Austin although they do not work here in Austin.  I get to see them on a regular basis and they live within 5 to 15 minutes of me… is that awesome or what?!

From left to right, Joshua the Oldest, Thomas the Youngest, and Sammy the Middle one….What Mother could not love those faces, the epitome of happy, healthy, handsome lads and what Austin embodies…fresh attitudes and faces, energetic and adventurous natures…I would have to mention that although I am their Mother, I would absolutely  love these kids even if they weren’t my own, they are that special and they are best friends with each other!

They are super-polite and well-mannered, super-duper nice, and they just have that down-home Texas-friendly nature about them…If you are downtown clubbing or eating at the local haunts, you might run into Joshua, he is well known and well liked, don’t let that long hair full you, he is not wild and crazy in the least, in fact quite the opposite.  He’s a solid fellow, he has opened his home to many a person in need to help them get on their feet or back on their feet, whatever the case.  He’s a sky-diving nut, and he loves his motorcyle rides out and around the Austin Hill Country.

If you are out for a night on the town and like Country-Western dancing, you might run into Thomas, or even more to the point, he might be running into you by asking you to Dance the Two-Step!  Thomas is the Cowboy of the family, generally with a cowboy hat atop his head, a colorful (and I do mean colorful) western shirt and of course a good pair of western boots all shined up to do the Boot Scooten Boogie!  He is also an outdoor type, with hunting being his favorite hobby.

If you are wake-boarding on Lake Austin or out fishing, you might run into Sammy (affectionately known as Sambo)…Or if you are out cycling on the Austin Veloway in the Southwest corridor of Austin, he might be there exercising his wry and dry humor which will crack you up to the point of hilarity. Easy-going and relaxed is his nature…

Home is definitely where my Heart Is! 

Many years ago, when my Husband and I lived in the Southeastern corner of New Mexico a very sweet little ole’ lady named Opal Pearl would gather Pecans from her daughters Pecan trees, crack them, shell them whole and bring to us during the fall, we loved it alot…When we moved to Austin, she would send me a couple of bags; but they didn’t last long with four kids and a husband that would eat them like hotcakes right out of the freezer… I would purchase them at the local grocery store and some were downright rancid tasting and some were okay, but mostly not much on flavor.  Then one day as I was driving out on Hwy 290 West towards Dripping (Springs, that is), exploring some new subdivision, I saw a sign and thought I alone had discovered NAVIDAD FARMS!!! Glory be, Woo-hoo and Hallelujah! I know just how Christopher Columbus felt, ha!

Finally, a place were I could purchase whole or chopped pecans for my precious home-baked au-natural banana nut muffins!!! As I raved to my family about my discovery and they stuffed their rosy cheeks; within a few weeks I had to make another trip to Navidad Farms.  Now there is much going on in that small store, and that is a severe understatement…Owner, Jeanne Roe, is an incredibly talented individual if you were to assess her on the store itself.  The store is all about Texas and that is super-cool…Lucky for us, She has all sorts of Pecans, milk chocolate covered, cinnamon spiced, chili spiced, pralined, carmelized and my personal favorite, White Chocolate-covered (and yes, I can’t eat just one!).  Beyond Pecans, she has a room devoted to Jim Shore and Christmasy type stuff, a room for BBQ type stuff and a room where you can purchase candles or coffee mugs in a gift box that is a piece of art all on it’s own, a box you will not throw away, I guarantee you on that one - Add into that all different kinds of pickles, zesty-tasty jalepeno’s, Texas cavier, Texas cheese dips/dressings/marinades, and you have just walked into a shop for all tastes and all seasons.  Jeanne also has gift-baskets where you you can select your own goodies for shipping to family/friends, etc. and she always makes the package so purty you almost don’t want tear into it! 

Here’s a funny story…One time, I bought a texas-shaped basket and stuffed it with various items to welcome a new client to Austin…well, the client-buyer was not able to make the trip to Austin and my husband snuk downstairs to the garage-refrigerator where I had it stored (hidden), he opened the basket and then he munched out!  Man-oh-man, I have to admit I was a little hot under the collar when I discovered he had opened the client’s gift-basket, but the comical aspect of it got the best of me and I just had to laugh at the “Taste Bud Thief” aka husband Tommy over the whole thing.  After all, Jeanne is just a call away for another gift basket or for more Pecan-shopping…Please do yourself a “Flavor” and visit Navidad Farms at www.navidadfarms.com or call Jeanne at 512-288-1196 and tell her Pamela sent you!  She has her big annual Open House coming up in October and it is comparable to Market Days in Dallas, one you do not want to miss!

Here is an amazing songwriter/singer, who is a well known long time local musician that appears quite regularly on the music scene.  I was blown away by his Saturday morning performance….so here I was just a-strolling through the Farmers Market when I heard some guitar pickin’ that was quite good.  As I continued to listen I was very impressed thinking “Wow”…is that Robert Earl Keen or Jerry Jeff Walker bestowing upon us their music?   So I proceeded to find out…and started walking towards the sound of the deep voice singing a song that reminded me of the incredible John Prine (who has a knack for story-telling).  As I finally found a huge tent there was Jimmy Joe Natoli (see photo, far right) just a-pickin’ & a-grinnin’….even though it was not Jerry Jeff or Robert Earl, I was not disappointed in Jimmy Joe!  His classic “Mango Song” had me rolling with laughter and delight!

Austin is quite famous for being the “Live Music Capitol of the Southwest”, and Jimmy Joe is just one of the many artists that bring us that title with great pride.  Check him out here: www.myspace.com/jimmyjoenatoli

#9: The good ole’ backyard BBQ, a gathering of families and friends with nuttin’ but a good time to be had by all!  Austin is famous for BBQ, casualness and the outdoors…oh yeah and the cooler full of beer which can be used as a spot to hang yourself for a while.  There is nothing more fun on an evening than to enjoy some chicken legs, babyback ribs and Elgin sausage over a mesquite wood-fired flame.  Trust me on this one, you will throw your inhibitions to the wind and just relax, sit a spell and exchange recipes for potato salad, brownies and the like…check out my funny silly wacky son here…he loves to make me laugh with his posing…     

YogaYoga is one of the most renowned studios in the U.S. and rightfully so.  They have four locations around Austin and offer several disciplines of Yoga: Hatha, Kundalini, Ashtanga & Restorative.  They have classes every day, over 300 offered weekly so the opportunity is there…They say do Yoga once a week and it will change your mind; do Yoga twice a week and it will change your body; and do Yoga daily and it will change your life.  From the classes I’ve attended, most people were there not only for their body, but for the restlessness of the mind and the stresses of life.  It has been written that Yoga is the Science of well-being that ensures health on all levels by restoring inner harmony and balancing the physical body.  It balances your physical, emotional, mental and spirtual body, it is absolutely amazing.  And this I can tell you with all earnestness; my arch on my right foot was in pain from walking, jogging on the treadmill and I was looking for a way to alleve that pain without going to a doctor or taking pills.  So I signed up for the beginner series of Hatha Yoga.  The next day after class my foot was not 100% pain free, but at least with each step I take, it is not in constant pain.  I did also buy a very good pair of tennis shoes for support but I wore those for two weeks prior to Yoga class with minimal results…so for me, being pain free and exploring the practice has been truly Transformational! 

They also serve a Chai Tea after each class putting that personal touch to the experience!

Check this studio out here: http://www.yogayoga.com  I think you will benefit one way or another! 

Hey, Cupcake!

Call me a kid at heart and I will not be insulted!!!  I L-O-V-E this funky South Congress business that sells nothing but good ole’ fashioned hearty heavily frosting topped Cupcakes, what an American Classic….Yes, out of this silver-bullet styled trailer just a few blocks from the State Capitol and in the artsy district laced with antique shops and cool little eateries, this whimsical and popular food source thrives.  If you are within shouting distance, they also deliver!!! As you can see on the top of the Silver bullet is a revolving Cupcake!!!! How cool is that?!? Way cool in my estimation and by the number of cupcakes they sell; I think many are in agreement…plus they give you a little magnet so you can order ahead for parties, etc….Check them out here: http://www.heycupcake.com

 The infamous Austin Vibe: 

I moved to Austin 20 years ago and discovered an eclectic, progressive, friendly and social city-or more aptly put it’s like several cities in one, from the barrio to the bourgeoisie. South Austin is all types of funky & retro ’60s hip / it’s wavy-gravy, Central Austin is  cooly upscale and historical heritage types, East Austin has a chips-and-salsa belt and North Austin is corporate and techno-savvy… They’re all here, frosty-haired church ladies to the last remnants of blue haired punksters, conservatives to liberals. They come for the atmosphere, the many recreational pursuits, or maybe just the BBQ, - but mainly for each other, a celebration of their city’s growing diversity. Warning: summer time in the Texas sun heats up; bring a hat.

Spa at the Lake:

For the past several Syears I have been a frequent & familar face at the Spa at the Lake which is located at the entrance of Lakeway (the little town that sits on the South shore of Lake Travis) on Ranch Road 620 South.  They take great care of me and offer the best products for Haircare (Kerastase), Skincare (Dermologica) and Makeup (Jane Iredale)…I can get my hair styled, my back massaged, my face scrubbed, as well as nails & pedicures. Basically anything that has to do with Spa or Salon services, they can handle, plus they are super-understanding of my busy often changing schedule!  Fellows, if you think this place is just for girls, think again!

Check them out here…. http://www.spaatthelake.com/

Lady Bird Johnson, who was the wife and “First Lady” of our 36th President of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson did way more with her life than this blog can mention, but what I what like to showcase is the Wildflower Center in South Austin.  Intended to preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes, my belief and affirmation is that it also encompasses the restorative power of nature on the human spirit…I enjoyed the casual browsing the gardens and especially the sculptures positioned within the displays.  There were benches everywhere so you could sit, think, look, meditate at every juncture.  Volunteers were also tending to the plots of wildflowers throughout the Center.  As I enjoyed the freshness of the morning and the cool breezes, there was a class of youngsters being educated about Texas landscapes! There is also a Wildflower store, a cafe’, and a visitor’s gallery with art exhibits and videos for more in-depth learning.  I am a huge fan of the Texas rock, Sandstone, which along with Limestone is used exclusively in the architecture.  One of the best features though is the Free Cell Phone Audio Tour..it’s easy, using your cell phone you dial in and enter the corresponding code as your pass through the tour (you’ll see the codes displayed in a red circle). For more information here’s the link: http://www.wildflower.org/

 The variety and incredible Asian inspired Buffet Palace

Since I eat at least once daily  the Buffet Palace is a favorite spot for myself and many other Austinites…this has been called “the Mother of all of Austin’s Asian buffets”!  With an interior that is casual & comfy with an obvious Asian-inspired theme, the menu features a large selection of food to appeal to college kids, families looking for an inexpensive evening out or someone like me who wants to get the most bang for the buck and eat well at the same time! I enjoy the variety of chicken dishes that are battered, fried, or served in a spicy sesame sauce. Buffet Palace also has an assortment of salads, stir-fried vegetables, soups, yummy daily made Sushi rolls, and at least 10 different deserts including soft-serve ice cream…I see just as many adults as youngsters getting ice cream! Here’s their link, eat and enjoy!     http://www.buffetpalace.com/

       The Hill Country Galleria, it’s called Shopping Outside the Box.  And yes, the Hill Country Galleria is located in the Hill Country, in a little community that is growing by leaps and bounds called “Bee Cave”.  The locals (me included) call it “Bee Caves”; plural, but the official name is Bee Cave; as if there is just one “bee-cave” out there in them ‘thar hills…it is a little suburb just a hop, skip and a jump Northwest of Austin towards Lakeway and the Lake Travis area.  The whole concept of the Hill Country Galleria is to have all the same stores & shopping conveniences you have at the mall located in a town square type atmosphere where you can stroll down the street like we used to do way back when (the old days)…Hence, the ”shop outside the box” slogan…You have City Hall located at the entrance with the Library in the same building.  Across the street from City Hall is an open pavilion area, more aptly termed Ampitheater with hillside seating on local-area quarried limestone blocks where they have weekly musical & art happenings.  The ambiance and casual-ness is very “Austintacious”, a word you will hear quite a bit around here…and the interpretation of that term is as individual and unique as the Hill Country Galleria.        

 Local & Organic Food.

As a much desired place to live and work; Austin is always on somebody’s list for something!  Eating Well Magazine has rated the Sunset Valley Farmers Market in Southwest Austin as one of the Top Ten in the United States due to the large readers poll taken.  Sign up for the online newsletter which comes each Friday to let you know what is happening, what veggies are available, which musicians are strumming,  etc.  You can also shop at Whole Foods or Central Market for Organic Food, but the Sunset Valley Farmers Market is fun for the entire family.  You can just walk around if you like and soak up the atmosphere, the sunshine, meet new people. listen to live music and enjoy the fresh air…there is not much pollution in the blue skies of Austin and Austinites are some of the friendliest people on the planet! Check it out, here’s the info…

Sat., 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the Tony Burger Center | http:sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org

Welcome to Pamela Turner’s “Meet the Faces & Place of Central Texas” Blog!  I wanted to do a blog that was different and too real estate-centric, the internet is abundant with that….I wanted to bring you something that was 100% original and utterly authentic, just like Central Texas! As a Realtor, I specialize in Golf Homes, New Home Construction, Eco friendly-Green Homes in and around the spectacular  Golfing Communities of Austin, Lakeway and Horseshoe Bay, Texas.

As I journey through my daily excursions & work, I happily bring to you my blog!  This is my photo-journalistic effort to inspire you, to encourage you, and to motivate you towards a Home Purchase with my assistance, of course.  It is my singular and sincere effort to bring you into my community, from my eyes…I want you to meet the people, places and things I see and to fall in love with Central Texas as I have.  So, Sit back, relax and enjoy these tidbits of interesting happenings in and around Austin, Lake Travis and Horseshoe Bay, Texas.