For Bale's Sake!

Saturday morning.... Yeah. Here's the other cool round bale creations in Plum Creek. Neat.



Today is the second day of the Kyle Fair and Music Festival. I had to work late yesterday so I missed the festivities. I hope to make it for one or two things today...
Here's the schedule of events. Music starts at noon....yeah!

(This is a Twofer Thursday... since I wasn't able to update yesterday...)


It's A BBQ Thang

This is one of the teams who competed in the First Ever Plum Creek BBQ Contest. I got to sample their stuff... Mmmmmgood.



Bruce Curtis Fallgren (http://cdbaby.com/cd/fallgren) played his classic country covers and originals at the First Ever Plum Creek BBQ Contest. Good times were had by all.

I'll be Frank....

This is one of the three decorated round bales on display in the neighborhood of Plum Creek in Kyle. This one is FrankenBale.... Pretty cool. The Landscaping Volunteers put these together..

I've got a bat and a witch to share soon....

In this part of Texas a major grocery store chain is H.E.B.. Some HEB's also have gas and assorted other things. The one that opened in Kyle is an HEB Plus!...

There's your background.

Here's the fun...

My gas has been bugged...


Aparently HEB has gone great lengths to assure you don't steal gas... even planting a "bug" on the gas dispensers.... Hmmmmm.

(actually this time of year is amazing for the grashoppers and crickets and other little black or green creatures in this area)

What An Odd Name...


What an odd name for a business... I'd NEVER remember that name... "Hey honey.. I'm headed down to 3232! That might work.

Of course this isn't the name of the business... but if someone wants to start a business in this mini-strip center in Kyle... call that number.

This has been a public service announcement. (not really)

Happy Saturday! It's going to be a GREAT day!

#7 in the Series


The Kyle United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall is coming along very nicely... Here's this week's offering... number 7 in the series. You can click the photo or these words to see the previous one.

Happy Friday.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's festivities... There's the Kyle Volunteer Fire Dept. Fish Fry, a BBQ contest (I posted it earlier this week) with live music by Bruce Fallgren, Wildflower Seed and Stomp... and a scarecrow building contest! I've got a cool idea up my sleeve for that one.... I'll show you after I win!!!

If you track my Kyle Daily Photo to the first post I ever made... you'd see Bruce Fallgren. If you're interested...

TAKE COVER!


I thought about posting this sign on a bathroom door.

As I mentioned in my post on September 22 Claiborne Kyle Log House had a fried chicken dinner on that date. We went and had a great time. I thought I'd go ahead and share a photo I took of one of the bands who played.



I wish I knew their name. I know a band by the name of "The Seldom Herd" played before these gentlemen... but not sure if this is just an assembled group of players or actually a band. Anyhow, they are playing on the "middle porch" of the house.

You've got to see a whole photo of the house to understand that. Luckily I have such a thing:

OK... so this isn't a photo... but if you are in the area and consider yourself a BBQ artist... come on out and have some fun..and maybe win a contest or two. Happy (rainy) Monday in Kyle!

Do you BBQ?
First Ever Plum Creek BBQ Contest - THIS SATURDAY 10/13 - Amatuers Welcome (encouraged even)
Who: OPEN to the PUBLIC

What: The competition includes Meat Categories of Chicken, Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, and Chili. Other categories include beans, potato salad, and cobbler or pie! Entry fees range from $5 to $15.

When: Saturday, October 13th

Where: Plum Creek - Fergus Park and Soccer Fields - Corner of Haupt and Fairway

Why: Have fun! Eat great food! Win prizes and more!

How: Complete the attached entry form (click it to download full-page PDF) and send your form and entry fees to Brandee Otto, Plum Creek Recreation Committee, 1251 Fairway, Kyle, TX 78640

Other questions ???
Email Brandee Otto at recreation@plumcreektxhoa.com or call 512-405-0159

Kyle's bridges are fancy.
Happy Sunday.

Six Years of Marriage



We're CRAZY (about each other)
It's hard to believe my wife and I have been married for six years. But it's true. October 1, 2001 we exchanged vows and pledged to be husband and wife forever (or until death... but I prefer forever..it's less tragic). Six years has brought a plethora of amazing memories. I can truly say that I am in love today as much, if not more, than I was when we said "I do."

Happy Anniversary Jodie!

Here's our Wedding Story that ran in the Laredo Morning Times in 2001:

Cale's Bales


For the second year in a row, the Plum Creek Neighborhood's Landscaping Chair, Christina Baese, decided to plan and create and paint and decorate three round bales for the Holiday season. I brought the family out on a Sunday afternoon and we painted the bales. Here is Cale tagging his bale before painting over it. It will eventually turn into a bat. I'll post photos.

There will be a witch, a bat, and a Frankenstein.
Last year there was a pumpkin, spider, and cat.

It's totaly cool y'all.

Mark Jungers


Like I mentioned last week, there was a Happy Hour at Lucky Cup Coffee House in Kyle last Friday. I made it out and watched Mark Jungers (pronounced "youngers") perform. He was really, really good. I'd recommend him highly. This is a shot I got of him while performing.

Two-fer Wednesday! # 5 and #6 in the Series






Allright.... I got a little behind on my posting of the building of the Kyle United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Here's the next 2 in the series. The steel for the frame came in about 9/12. The frame was begun on 9/26. So those are the dates for those two shots. It's really looking good. When I went to church this past Sunday it looked lie the entire frame was up. I'll have to grab my camera tonight and take a photo or two.

Click the photos to go backtrack and see the last post (from 9/23).

Go Tigers!

This is just about the prettiest Automatic Car Wash I've ever seen. It's at the Exxon just off the highway in town that has KICKKIN' Cappuccinos. I don't drive that way anymore, but last Saturday I stopped in and confirmed they are still awesome.

I don't care about fancy coffee... I actually prefer the $1 gas station cappuccinos. So... while theres probably a lot of folks excited that there's a Starbucks coming to town soon (oh..I'll take pics) I really couldn't care less. Just personal preference.

Anyhow.. this shot reminds me I need to wash my truck.

Street looking for homes...Ready to grow in East Kyle.
This is a street in the Southlake Ranch Neighborhood.
Happy Monday

can you dig it?

Kyle's smallest swing.

Cover Story Worthy!

Adam Donmoyer is in the news
So am I. I wrote an article for the Hays Free Press and it appeared on the front page of the paper this week. It's about the Plum Creek/Lucky Cup Happy Hour tonight featuring Adam Donmoyer opening for Mark Jungers. I interviewed Adam. I also snapped this photo back in April when he last performed in Kyle.

If you are in the area, come on by tonight...and pick up a Hays Free Press (have Adam autograph it!).
If you're not in the area and can't pick up a Hays Free Press... you can read the article online by following this link.

Happy Friday!

I found this old barn across from a neighborhood and down the road from Lehman High School.


-----------
Planning A Trip? Consider Kyle. Here's a couple of fun things coming up... both FREE:
Plum Creek Happy Hour - The Plum Creek Neighborhood and Lucky Cup Coffee House brings FREE live music every month. This Friday (9/28) quirky singer/pianist Adam Donmoyer opens for the always amazing Mark Jungers. Did I mentioned Free Beer? Well.. I should have.

Fair and Music Festival—Friday, October 19 through Saturday, October 20. Come to Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle, Texas to celebrate Kyle's 127th birthday with a FREE music fest featuring Rick Trevino, a 5k Run, a barbecue cook-off, parade, king and queen court, Miss Kyle pageant, arts & crafts, children's games and much more. - More info at: http://www.kylefair.com/

Looks like the vandals left their mark right on the sign... now if we could just find this "City Okyle" guy.
(sorry.... it made me chuckle though)

I may have to sleep on this one...

or

Mattresses missing, but princess and pea are fine.

Water Tower...Go Lobos


In an effort to bring you EVERY water tower in town... here's a pretty sweetly decorated one, located across the street from Lehman High School.

Have I ever told you that Los Lobos is one of my favorite bands? But they're from East L.A., not East Kyle.

East rocks.

Sunday is Church Day - #4 in the series

It seems appropriate to check on the progress of my church on a Sunday. The Kyle United Methodist Church is building a Fellowship Hall (and multi-purpose space) to accommodate the ever growing membership.

If you're in Kyle... come by and see for yourself..
If you're not.. well I'll keep providing photos...

The last post about this build is here - http://kyledailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/fellowship-hall-3-if-it-didnt-rain-just.html

Enjoy. I've got to get ready for church now. I work sound at the 11:00 service... so come say hello sometime.

(Courtesy Information)
Claiborne Kyle Log House fried chicken dinner — 10 a.m. Saturday. September 22, 2007

Dinner served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Benefits the Claiborne Kyle Log House Commission. 2400 S. Old Stagecoach Road, Kyle. Admission and entertainment free. (512) 268-9981.


(Yes, that's my 22 week old daughter.)

Not Corny

No, this photo isn't corny.. it wheat.
Happy Friday!

They'll level Paradise... to put up a CVS


My title is a play on the Joni Mitchell song "Big Yellow Taxi" if you didn't get that on the first read. This is one of the first places I ate in Kyle, The Paradise Restaurant. Apparently (check my facts if you will) the entire lot here, consisting of about 5 places of business, was sold in order to make room for a CVS Pharmacy. I'm pretty happy about the CVS coming in so I'll be able to pick up my perscriptions in town instead of taking an extra trip to San Marcos (about 7 miles south of us) and I think it'll be a 24-hour business.

On a sad note, this restaurant was pretty much a Kyle institution. Many a family ate dinner 'round the table at Paradise. This is the second "old town Kyle" restaurant I've noticed that closed in recent memory. Fonzie'z closed a few weeks ago, the family retired. I took a photo of Fonzie'z here in August 2006. So, Paradise and Fonzie'z will be missed.

Anyhow. I thought I'd capture a photo of this place before its torn down. Happy Thursday y'all.

Yesterday, I visited the Selma, Alabama Daily Photo and she posted a fantastic close-up of a cotton ball (is it a cotton ball when it's still on the plant?) so I was inspired to post my cotton photo. I shot this Monday night in East Kyle. There are a few cotton fields bordering the east side of the city, I snapped this one of a "closed" bud with an open one in the background. Hope you enjoy!

Lobos!



The Lehman Lobos practice on a Monday afternoon.

The Lehman Lobos are the football team of Kyle's Lehman High School

Want to learn their Fight Song (mp3)?

I swear I'll have some shots from the East Side of IH-35 starting tomorrow... I just don't have time to post one today. Sleep is calling.

Yes.. it's a pretty flower... but beware, it's still a cactus.

File this under "truck stop."

Ponder this


Why do they call them butterflies when they don't look, smell, or taste like butter?

Mmmmm Pie


The Texas Pie Company.... You've got to try their Peanut Butter Pie... and their Macaroons.

Utterly Good


On August 24, 2007 Marc Utter and the Blackland played a free show at the Lucky Cup Coffehouse in the Plum Creek neighborhood. Since there's a little concert happening in Austin (just up the road) starting Friday.. I thought I'd post this shot.

Some Assemblly Required Part 5 - Behind Shot

I'd been following the construction of a home in the Plum Creek neighborhood... and the final posting I had was in January...You can see it here.. and track back and watch it disassemble.

Well... I wandered by the house the other day and saw something I hadn't seen before... a BIG three-car garage. Wow... I'm guessing one of those garages is for a boat.




I swear I'll take some good shots of the East Side of I-35 in Kyle soon... (I-35 kind of splits the city and I live on the West side so most of my travels have me on that side...so most of my photos are of that side.)

Thanks for reading!

p.s. I shared my reflection on 9/11 (a different perspective) on another blog - http://seanclaesdotcom.blogspot.com/ if you care to read.

Please indulge me... as the photo you'll see is actually from San Marcos, Texas... not Kyle. But I wanted to share some great news... Everyone needs great news for a Monday, don't they?
Thanks,
Sean

---
For those who don't know... this "Daily Photo" thing was a new adventure for me. I've spent many years in the dark of clubs and venues shooting music (and still do, if you visit - http://www.seanclaes.com/musicphotos.html). What got me started shooting "landscape" or outdoor photography was the San Marcos Naturescapes Photography Contest and Exhibition. It was held for the first time three years ago. Like the Kyle Daily Photo (which I really enjoy doing) it was a way to force me to get out there and take photos.

So.. this year was the 3rd Annual San Marcos Naturescapes Photography Contest and Exhibition. And...for the third year in a row, I've entered. Every year, I've been excited to find that some of my photos were chosen to be displayed in the Exhibit.

The first year, I actually got 3rd place for a photo I took of some canoers (that my wife has hanging in her office now). Last year I had 3 shots in the show, but nothing placed.

This year's contest winners were announced on Friday September 7, 2007 with a reception at the San Marcos Recreation Center. I was very pleased to have two shots in the show. A photo of some tubers I took, and a photo of a flower I saw down by the river.

After they went through the "Honorable Mention, 2nd and 1st Place" of each catagory, I thought the night was over except for the Best of Show... so I thought "At least the fried mushrooms rocked and I enjoy seeing everyone's photos and chatting with folks" but then My name was called along with 3 others.

My River Flower won the "Award of Excellence" meaning it was the top rated photo in my category of "Wildlife and Plants." I'm amazed. I almost didn't enter the photo... but my wife pretty much begged me to. I should listen to her more often.

So here's the shot.


You can see it in person at the San Marcos Activity Center Walker's Gallery until October 26... for details, go to: http://www.smgreenbelt.org/PhotoContest.htm


You can also see some of the winners from the last 2 years (including my Canoers shot.. and a root photo) on that site.


Oh.. my other shot in the show hanging right now - "Tubers Tubing":

Went for a walk yesterday and happened upon the pool near the house. Well... the Hays Swim Team Club () was holding their Swim-A-Thon fundraiser. They were raising funds for pool and equipment upgrades. Not sure how much they raised, they were going after $5,000. Many members swam 200 laps. Pretty amazing to watch.

Head back in the clouds for a Saturday Morning.

Finally got back to Luviano's Mexican Restaurant (804 W. Center Street ) for dinner last week... I was their 2nd customer when they opened. I have a thing where I'd like to be someone's first customer... but I missed it by about 5 minutes on this one. Someday. Anyhow... went to dinner there and love the atmosphere... they built a big deck and have some cool decor. I took a shot of these little dolls that were in the corner of a window.

OK... no more clouds... I'll moon you for a Wednesday.

Don't mind me... my head's been in the clouds lately.
I really dig clouds... I've been noticing them recently. Maybe it's because of the new Simpson's movie... I enjoy "Simpson's sky"

This, and yesterdays post, is photos just before a rainstorm.

Hays Performing Arts Center


The Hays CISD Performing Arts Center opened about 2 years ago. It's a pretty striking building. Good acoustics inside as well.