Happy New Year

We've finished with Christmas parties, New Year's parties, and college football.  

Is it time to get back to "normal" around here?  

January is a great month for planting seeds indoors to be transplanted outside when we're sure the weather will cooperate - late April or early March is good.  If anyone is interested in a trip to a nursery, or getting together to plant and plan, let me know.  I'll set it up.  Now is also a good time to prepare beds for those plants that come already sprouted (like at the nursery or Home Depot)  Adjusting the soil and adding fertilizer now is a great way to get quality veggies or flowers later.  If you're thinking shrubs and trees, Natural Gardner just got in some bare root plants that look amazing. 

It's also a great time to get something started back up for the women in the preserve.  

Bunco, cooking, Taboo, monthly lunches - what would you be interested in?  

Crime Report

Ronnie Hill forwarded this report from the sheriff's department about crime in the area, reminding us that we all need to be careful, especially during the holidays when so many are traveling or visiting away from home.

Burglary:  8000 Blk Madrone Trl

12/12/09  between the hours of 7:30 am and 7:00 pm. Person(s) entered the residence without the owner's consent.  Suspects entered through the bathroom window by throwing a rock and shattering the window.  Suspects stole Macintosh desk top computer, .45 Baby Eagle hand gun, Misc jewelry, and prescription medication.

Burglary: 14500 Blk Friendswood Ln

Suspects threw a rock through the master bedroom window and entered the residence removing several electronic game systems and various games, along with 2 guitars.

Burglary: 16300 Blk Sweetwood Trl

Victim advised thy checked the area and saw damage to a window in a bedroom and numerous missing items.

Burglary:  1200 Blk Windy Hills Dr.

Between 12/11/08 and 12/14/08 unknown person(s) intentionally entered the residence and removed numerous items.

If you are interested in more recent area crimes you can contact the Hays County Sheriff's Office at 512-393-7373  or 512-393-7358

One of these address is off 290 between Sawyer Ranch Road and Nutty Brown.  The other three are off Camp Ben McCullough Road (just north of Salt Lick).  

Best Lighting Winners

Best Children's theme 

Best overall - the entire back yard was decorated in red and green!

Very well done and tasteful, this house took Best Holiday Spirit

It's hard to take pictures of houses in the dark -even well lit and decorated houses - but here's the best I got so far.  I hope everyone got a chance to drive around and look at the houses that decorated.  Next year maybe we'll have more.  I've heard a few comments that lead me to believe there will be stronger competition next time around.  

Congratulations to our Outdoor Decoration winners.  

As you drive through the neighborhood, see if you can find the homes with signs in front.  There's one on Drifting Wind, one on Leafdale, and one on Candleleaf Cove.

Adult Party At the Dart's

   

Sadly I didn't get pictures of the Adult party at the home of Dan and Deanie Dart.  If I had you would see how beautiful their home is - what the pictures could not show was the relaxed, enjoyable time everyone had there.  And after the family party, I for one was ready to relax!!  Those who attended sampled a selection of cheeses and wines, enjoyed desserts, and got a chance to visit.  What a perfect end to the day.  

More Party Fun

                                                

Santa visited with the kids at the family party - after which everyone loaded on the wagon for a fun hay ride to see the neighborhood lights.

The girls didn't mind hanging around for pictures - the boys were too busy playing.  

                                                      

And the Winner Is.........

                                                

                                                  

After a good contest with stiff competition, 

Jack Breese took home the trophy again this year - by one vote.

This development led to several vows to do better next year (by those who didn't win)

In all we had 6 entries - all of them good.  We even had a white chili 

- I need to get the recipe for that one.

Mostly, everyone had a good time and we got to know some new folks in the neighborhood.