Slung Low
Old Stagecoach Rd

O, Glory
Sledge Rd

Steeplechase Park and Plum Creek Clean-Up
http://www.kylechamber.org/EventCalendarItem.php?Events_ID=77
This was one of the four kids I dragged with me to this important event. This one is my own spawn, but two other sets of parents let me subject their offspring to three hours of mist and filth to get this delicate hydrological area spiffed up. The head of a watershed is a spot in which all the drainage of a region eventually finds itself. And Plum Creek is an especially beautiful watershed, host to a delicate ecosystem and the subject of the first official watershed protection program approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. To me, it is the creek where my children hold races with leaf boat and count waterbugs and explore surface tension break when they whack the creek with sticks. To me, this is home.

Paper Cranes
Lehman Rd

Lone Star Kettle Corn. YUM!

Chris Halenza from Lone Star Kettle Corn makes a new batch of Kettle Corn at the Java Cup grand opening. I could quite possibly eat Kettle Corn every day. It's one of the best things in life... and Lone Star makes is right.


Try it yourself.... come out to Kyle Market Days this Saturday and getcha some. Oooh.. it's also the Fajita Fiesta!

The Hunger
In orbit, over Kyle, Texas

Texas Blind Salamanders @ The Java Cup Grand Opening.

Target - Kyle, TX

Target - Kyle, TX, a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This looks artistic... it's just the Target logo shot from the rear of the store in Kyle.

Happy Basketball (Kyle, TX) a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Ever read "The Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein?

 This ball reminds me of that... it was on the side of the road in Kyle, TX.

I paid $3.33 per gallon in gas the other day. It's $3.38 as of this morning.

FoulkRod in Kyle, Texas

FoulkRod in Kyle, Texas a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Now that Kyle has moved the exit to 1626/HEB Plus! back about a mile (which is going to make someone who owns a bunch of land really rich because by doing that you just created a mile of retail space) I drive by this building every day. It's the Foulkrod building.

Foulkrod Custom Drywall, Inc
3080 Kyle Crossing
Kyle, TX 78640
http://foulkroddrywall.com/

Of course, I've always read the sign as "Foulk Road" and thought it'd be a great name/place for a bluegrass / Americana / folk club. Kyle really needs a dedicated dance hall / bar.

But that's just me.

Go that way in Kyle, Texas

Go that way in Kyle, Texas a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Just in case you were wondering where to go.

Happy 3.14! It's Pi Day y'all! My wife made me my favorite. Peanut Butter Pie. Mmmmm. The crust is Golden Oreos. Yum.

As opposed to security guards with silly string.

Sidewalk Closed.

Today is the first day of Lent, so yesterday was the annual Pancake Supper at the Kyle United Methodist Church.

Thirsty?

This is the beverage choice from a new Mexican fast food restaurant in town... "Su Taco" (this is their Yelp). I found out this place is owned by the same family as another Mexican food place in Kyle, the Mexican Seafood place, Piscis (whom I featured a few years ago).

I'm looking forward to a nice cold glass of Horchata sometime soon.

Jeremiah 6:16

Hill Top Center for Cancer Care 3/3/11

Kyle Chamber B.A.S.H. @ Hill Top Center for Cancer Care 3/3/11 a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

This is the "big machine" that will allow cancer patients to have their treatments in Kyle, Texas... no longer will local folks need to go to San Antonio or Austin for treatments.

Pretty neat.
(Visited during the Kyle Chamber B.A.S.H.)


Hill Top Center for Cancer Care
1180 Seton Parkway Suite 150
Kyle, TX 78640

Prosciutto vs. 3 year old.

Prosciutto vs. 3 year old. a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

My daughter found the prosciutto at the Kyle Chamber B.A.S.H. last night.
She was a happy camper.

Texas Pie Company a photo by seanclaes on Flickr.

Funny... Texas Pie Company 2 days in a row. This is a photo I have from a Kyle Chamber Ambassador's B.A.S.H. from 2009. That one was a downtown Kyle BASH.

It was the shot I could find quickly.

Why post it now?

Well, there's a BASH tonight.

"Ambassador's B.A.S.H. stands for Business Advancement Social Hour and is a FREE Networking opportunity for all members of the Business Community!  Everyone is invited to join us.  Just bring plenty of your marketing materials and your smile and get ready to network!"

Tonight's is at:

Hill Top Center for Cancer Care

1180 Seton Parkway Suite 150

Kyle, TX 78640

5:30p - 7:30p

I'll be there.

Need more information?

Here's the event from the Chamber Website:

http://www.kylechamber.org/EventCalendarItem.php?Events_ID=472

Want some PIE?

Pie_TexasPieCompany.JPG
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

Julie Albertson & Spencer Thomas are awesome.

Why?
They make pie.
PIE?
Yes. Pie.
What is why.
You can't sigh when you've got pie.
I tell no lie. Not to girl nor guy.
You can't help but smile when You get pie.
Texas Pie.
That is why I dare to defy this post, oh my.
To share the pie that does lie in the city of Ky... le.

(All apologies and respect to Dr. Suess on his birthday)

See this Pie on Center Street when you come into downtown Kyle, Texas.


The Texas Pie Company
202 W. Center, Kyle, Texas 78640
HOURS:
M thru F 10:30am - 6:30pm
Sat 10:30am - 4:00pm
http://www.texaspiecompany.com/
ph.512.268.5885

I don't know if you know this about me or not, but I'm the coach of my church's kickball team. 

The Kyle United Methodist Church Co-Ed Kickball team, PRAY BALL, has been playing in the Kyle Parks and Recreation Department's Adult Kickball League for the last 6 seasons. We've had some amazing times being able to hang out with some great people and praise God while playing a kids game.

This is our logo:

The Spring 2011 season is starting this Friday. PRAY BALL has a new team (we change out about 1/2 of our members each season) and a game at 9:30p. Hope you can join us... if not this Friday then maybe one of the other season games.

Here's our schedule

PRAY BALL

Spring 2011 Schedule

Fri 3/4 at 9:30pm  vs. Got Balls?  (Home)             

Fri 3/11 at 9:30pm vs. Intimidators  (Home)           

Fri 3/18 at 7:30pm vs. Homecourt Ballers  (Home)           

Fri 4/1 at 8:30pm vs. The Kick Starters (Away)

Fri 4/15 at 6:30pm vs. The "B" Team (Away)

Wed 4/20 at 6:30pm vs. Texas Swag (Away)

Wed 4/20 at 8:30pm vs. Alcoballics (Home)           

Wed 4/27 at 9:30pm vs. My Bad (Away)

Wed 5/4 at 9:30pm vs. Shut Em' Up (Home)           

Fri 5/6 at 8:30pm vs. Silver Bullets (Away)

TOURNAMENT – SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011

The Winter 2011 PRAY BALL players

Find the KyleUMC online here: http://www.kyleumc.com
On Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/kyleumc

This past Thursday I donated my time to take photos for an organization that many Kyle, Texas citizens have donated their time to over the last 5 years. Hope & Love 4 Kids was born in this city.. and with a lot of volunteer work and dedication has been a pretty great thing.

For more information on this charity, or the 5th Birthday Party which I took photos, visit their site - http://hopeandlove4kids.org/blog/2011/02/26/hope-love-4-kids-celebrated-five-years-of-service/

Ribbon Cutting for Hope & Love 4 Kids

Happy 5th Birthday Cake

Hope & Love 4 Kids honored some people and businesses who have helped them over the

If this had audio you'd hear "GOOOOOOOD MOOORRRRNNNIIINNNGGG!"

This is the kids who participated in the Children's Time at the Kyle United Methodist Church at the 9:00 service a few weeks ago. My favorite part of Children's Time is when all of the kids yell GOOD MORNING to see who is louder.. the adults or the kids.

Hint.. it's always the kids. Young lungs scream the loudest.

Dinnertime!
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

This photo is from July when Hope and Love 4 Kids launched their 2010 school supply drive at the Whataburger in Kyle. My church, the Kyle United Methodist Church partnered with them for this effort. Here's by Daily Photo about that - http://kyledailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/07/

--

Why post that now? Because Hope & Love 4 Kids just turned FIVE YEARS OLD and there's a party going on tonight.

Hope and Love 4 Kids is a non-profit group that was founded by Mia Hendricks five years ago in order to serve the children of the Kyle area.

Mission Statement: Helping children in our community by providing basic necessities, comforting them in their time of need and uplifting them through service and outreach. (From: http://hopeandlove4kids.org/)

It's been 5 years and tonight Hope & Love 4 Kids is celebrating with a charity event at the Plum Creek Golf Course.

Details here: http://hopeandlove4kids.org/blog/



Happy Birthday Hope & Love 4 Kids!

Here's the flier for tonight's event:

Stops and Backs Frequently

Stops and Backs Frequently
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

I don't know what made me take this photo... the phrase "Stops and Backs Frequently" under the big CAUTION caught my eye.

This is the back of a sanitary vehicle (garbage truck) as it makes its rounds in Kyle, Texas.

Yesterday was trash day for me.
It's also recycling day. Do you recycle?
If not, it's pretty easy... throw a box outside your back door... and when it gets full of glass and plastic.. drop it off to a recycling center. (If you don't know where one is.. google it).

Look at me... all public servicey.

Congratulations to Texas Swag

Saturday was the Kyle Parks and Recreations Winter 2011 Adult Kickball Tournament. My team, PRAY BALL received 7th place. I didn't make it to the final game, but I did get to watch the team who ended up winning, TEXAS SWAG, play earlier in the day. They did not lose any games in the tournament.. and ended up having to beat The Intimidaors 2 times in order to take the championship.

Congrats Texas Swag. We'll see you in 2 weeks for the Spring 2011 Season.

So, I missed a day.. so here's 2 for you.

1. Trash truck on I-35 headed North. Taken while driving. Hey, at least I don't text. :)

2. This is a wall I've never been able to figure out. I'd love to get the story behind it someday. It's located just across the street from Seaton Hospital, but it's been there since before Seaton was an idea for that location. Right now it's just a "Wall to Nowhere."

The CAUTION made me think...Isn't that a dance? The "Stop and Back?"

The Wall to Nowhere

Horsehead Mailbox

Horsehead Mailbox
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

When I see a mailbox like this, I get a little sad that my neighborhood's HOA doesn't allow for a big-ol concrete animal head to be perched atop my mailbox.

I think I like the house-number-tattoo on its neck the best.

Snow/ice in Kyle 2/11

Snow/ice in Kyle 2/11
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

We may have had snow the week before, but on the 11th I found ice crystallized on our car window. I thought it looked pretty neat...like snowflakes... so I took a photo. Here it is.

Blasting Area...

Blasting Area...
Originally uploaded by seanclaes

I drive past this every day on my way home from work now. The city is moving closer and closer to this, which used to be pretty far out in the country... Wondering if the blasting area will soon become a residential neighborhood where the only blasts that will be heard will come from boom boxes.

PRAY BALL WINTER 2011 Team Photo

It's Valentine's Day.. so I thought I'd show you love.
These people (and a couple more who couldn't make last Friday's game) are fantastic. They are the current members of the Kyle United Methodist Church adult kickball team, PRAY BALL.
I am their coach (I'm the one kneeling in jeans FYI).We play in the Kyle Parks and Recreation League.

You will not find 14 more loving and caring people in the world like these folks here. They choose to spend their Friday nights representing the church by playing a kids game. Now, that seems like something that is simple and easy... but the character they display, the prayers that they say, and the way that they play is amazing.

PRAY BALL may not be the most talented group of players, but they do have the biggest heart and love for others... and our Lord. That is to be said for all former members of PRAY BALL as well (as we change out about 1/2 our team each season).

"LOVE"  isn't always the Hallmark definition.. and it most definitely doesn't fit on a candy heart. LOVE comes from the heart... not on one.

So.. Happy Valentine's Day everyone...

If you'd like to come out and see PRAY BALL in action (as well as all of the 10 other awesome co-ed kickball teams) come on out to Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle, Texas this Saturday (2/19/11) starting at 9:00a. I think PRAY BALL will have our first game at 9:50a. We do accept donations of coffee... well at least I do as coach. :)

I think the car on the right envies the truck on the left... THAT's why it's labeled itself "Special."
(Used car lot on the corner of Center and Burleson in Kyle, TX).

FYI.. I've never actually seen anyone at this car lot. At all.

Cash Box Motors
210 West Center Street 
Kyle, TX 78640-9461

Shed/House/Empty Room?

This has always been one of my favorite "old Kyle" buildings. I have no idea what it is... if people have ever lived there, if it's a storage building, if it's for sale... but I've always wanted to get a good photo of it, and never have been able to since it's on a busy Burleson Road. Well... last Friday is was ice all around, so there were no cars on the road. I was able to stop, focus, and snap a few shots.

This dosen't even look like Kyle, Texas to me... but I assure you... it is.

Me "sledding"

Since I missed yesterday, I'll give you a bonus shot. This is me "sledding" down a ditch near my house. I'm sliding on a Bilibo. It's a toy that has no instructions... so it's whatever you want it to be..
My sister gave one to both girls... and I have got to say... they make good sleds.

Hometown Kyle in the snow 2/4/11

There's two things to note about this photo. 

1. It sure looks pretty in the snow.

2. The sign is now painted on, not put on with raised letters... so they will not have their "m" stolen anymore. Yes.. for a year or two, they were known as "Hoetown Kyle" (1/19/10 Kyle Daily Photo)

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Sean Claes, founder of KDP! I'm a day late, but that's the cool thing about being a grownup... you get to celebrate your birthday for as long as you want!

Average Use

I know, I know. We're a daily photo site. But it snows so rarely here, that I just have to throw my frosty impressions into the foray. Stay snuggly, fellow Kylites!

SNOW DAY!
It hasn't snowed in Kyle for a few years (December 2008), and I can't remember the last time it actually stuck.  I think I made a snowman in 2004. But.. this is something folks in central Texas aren't used to.. so... work is closed, school is closed, and MY kids are asleep still.

I'm off to pick up a friend's kids (they're both nurses... they don't get the option of not working) and I'll see about snapping a few more shots. I'll put them up on my flickr page if you'd like to see them.

Mr. Gnome says.. Hello snow.

How do you get a kid up and dressed before 7a? SNOW! Zach here is NOT about to his his mom with a snowball.

Don't assume that because I'm in TX that I'm a Cowboys fan.
Go Steelers!

I like the Green Bay Packers. Just not this Sunday.
:)
Hope you have your Superbowl plans set.