Day 17
Sheila’s little loves, rescue dogs Isa and Tux, needed their morning walk. Being first up, followed closely by Brandi, I grabbed leashes and the four of us trekked out. There is MUCH to see right here in the neighborhood, which we attempted but which can be challenging with zig-zaggy leash work. We did our best…..
Then, discussions of what to do about breakfast. That turned out to be a run up to Hacienda for breakfast tacos, and me finishing off the previous night’s tenderloin.
Ready for round 2, we headed to The Pearl, which she loved in February and wanted to revisit.
We started with drinks in the Food Hall; made reservations for 5 to eat at the Boilerhouse, then browsed the shops.
For second drinks we went to Sternewirth’s and as luck would have it got the same waiter who served us earlier this year. We relaxed and caught up, enjoyed the warm atmosphere that feels like a late winter afternoon no matter when you arrive there, and checked out some of the historical pictures.
Boilerhouse never disappoints and this day was no exception. Afterward we stopped at Stone Street Pub up at Huebner and Bitters to visit with my friend Tony, an attorney from the old days and Ford work. We had a few holiday drinks and headed back to New Braunfels to pick up Sheila and head out to Gruene Hall.
By this time it was dark; Aaron Watson was playing at the Hall and it was sold out, so we walked across to Mozie’s for a drink; they had an early last call and we finished the day at Gruene Tini’s with their very decorative and bougie flavored martinis.
The lights all around Gruene and New Braunfels make every drive a holiday treat, and Day 17 was in the books.
Day 18
We really wanted Brandi to take in Gruene in the daytime, so the first stop was The Gristmill for lunch…. (our food experiences have really been on point). I had a Caramel Russian for dessert, if you get up to Gristmill this holiday season do try it. Its Christmas in a glass!
Then, shop after shop of the flavor of Gruene, with entertainment in every little booth and aisle, and some happy purchases. Salted Caramel Mocha fudge at the General Store, glasses of wine two doors down.
The evening plan, meeting friends and family for Lightscape at The Botanical Gardens, required that we make our way to San Antonio in the late afternoon, so we donned our festive wear (Santa onesie for me, ugly sweater for Brandi), and headed to town.
Despite some setbacks for a few members of the group, we did all manage to arrive more or less on time, and the journey began with Bailey’s-and-Kahlua-laced hot cocoa. Lightscape was much more crowded this year than last. Most of the displays are new, though the field of electronic bluebonnets still rounds out the tour. I loved that Pegasus most this year.
Enjoy the fun photos from Lightscape!
Day 19
Today we headed to Fredericksburg to collect a couple of sets of China for the February wedding Sheila’s planning.
As we drove some of the further-back back roads, Luckenbach came to mind. We passed it from a short distance and couldn’t see the little town proper but assured Brandi since it was so close, we’d best get by there on our way back.
Lunch was in a little place called Texas Sunrise; they serve breakfast till they close at 2, and on learning gluten-free pancakes were available my joy-o-meter kicked up a few more notches. Orange cranberry mimosas didn’t hurt, either….
With lunch covered and China in hand, we hit Grape Creek Vineyards for a little wine and Hill Country viewing. The weather for Brandi’s visit has been December-perfect for our part of the world. We enjoyed wine on the patio overlooking the vineyard.
Next stop: Luckenbach. Despite our insistence it was a must-see, and playing the Waylon Jennings well-known “Luckenbach Texas” on the way, Brandi was skeptical, having gained the impression that Luckenbach was entirely comprised of a brush pile we’d seen on the way up.
At first, on reaching the little township, her opinion wasn’t much changed, as we entered, then rethought an empty, caliche covered parking lot with an easel-style wooden sign that said, in large yellow letters, “Park Yonder”.
Brandi had to get a picture of that…..the town is about 6 little wooden buildings in a circle, one of which is the Post Office of Luckenbach, the rest of which are shops doubling as saloons, rounded out with an outdoor stage and a place to play cornhole with soccer balls.
But, once we wandered into the General Store, ordered some beers in the back, and found the little (tiny) stage with 4 small benches to sit and listen to whoever might be playing at any given time; and noticed a 3-man group was setting up, the legendary coolness of Luckenbach became clear.
Those are 3 old guys playing the blues, joined by a 4th who was either running late or just showed up to see if anyone else was playing. It turns out the bartender, another old guy, plays harmonica if he feels like it and he chimed in on a couple of numbers.
Brandi is sitting between the statues of Jerry Jeff Walker and Hondo Crouch, two musicians of at least local renown (LOL).
Once upon a time, in 1970, a newspaper advertisement offering "town — pop. 3 — for sale" led actor Hondo Crouch, a rancher and Texas folklorist, to buy Luckenbach for $30,000.
Luckenbach turned out to be a very joyful stop!
While Brandi stepped out to use the facilities, Sheila and I concocted the plan to wrap up the evening, which was to be: heading back to New Braunfels, freshening up, and going to Gruene Hall for the Two Tons of Steel holiday show. Two Tons plays every Tuesday, well-known as “Two Ton Tuesdays”, and we wanted her to experience that….. But, by the time we made it back to the house, Sheila was ready for her couch and pajamas.
Brandi and I gamely ventured out, only to find the line at Gruene Hall stretched beyond its property line, and we didn’t have it in us to wait that long. So, back to Gruene Tini’s for a nightcap, and Day 18 of Operation Christmas Joy came to its conclusion.
Day 20
Marina’s in New Braunfels for Mexican food, our last meal before Brandi’s flight home. I’m a little sad today, dropping her at the airport. I cried driving away, sentimental as I am - but having her here brightened up an already high-vibing Christmas season!
And now I’m back home in Converse, unpacked, planning tomorrow and the rest of the Christmas Chronicles.
Finally all caught up!
Have you finished your holiday shopping? Not me, a few gifts to go. And some painting and personalizing on gifts already purchased. Plenty of joy yet to be had!
Norma MIGHT say we seem to enjoy a lot of Christmas cocktails, with one eyebrow raised…. She might also partake, if she were here.
Cheers!