Austin Texas Real Estate & GREEN Happenings & such

Saving Money on Your Bills and Food

2010-12-17T18:01:00.000-08:00

Part of our monthly bills that each of us must pay each month are the bills for our energy use. Propane gas, natural gas and or electricity are some fuels that may be used to cool and heat our homes, cook our meals, wash and dry our clothes; run our televisions, computers and other electronic devices. The more energy efficient our homes are, the lower our bills will be. Many foreclosures are due to people who cannot afford their high monthly energy bills due to a very energy inefficient homes. That is one reason why an Austin, Texas non-profit organization called One House at a Time helps low income homeowners homes more energy efficient. The fine folks at One House at a Time may also plant a garden so homeowners may grow some of their own fresh, nutritious food. There's a saying that "there's nothing new under the sun". When Texas was settled, there were many energy efficient and green homes. The German settlers of the 1800's often times built their homes of thick, hand hewn locally quarried stone blocks adding a lot of thermal mass which kept their homes cool in Summer and warm in Winter. Farms and ranches had a windmill to pump water out of the ground and a cistern or tank to store the water in. Pictured above is a decorative windmill and cistern at Silverado Ranch in Cedar Park, Texas. I took the photo to exemplify a part of our Texas past that we must not forget. Raising your own livestock such as cattle, turkeys, chickens, sheep and goats was common on our early Texas homesteads. Home gardens were also commonplace and before the advent of chemicals they were all organic. Crops were rotated and nitrogen fixating legumes such as Dixie cow peas were planted to add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil naturally.

Today's Texas Homes

In our modern Texas there are many homes in existence with no insulation in the walls and insufficient insulation in the attic. Take some steps to make your home more energy efficient. Start with a good energy audit then get some energy improvements made. There are many modern materials that can substantially increase the energy efficiency of your home. I have had an energy audit on my home and now I am getting bids on energy efficiency improvements. I am very impressed with foam insulation. I would love to show you a home with foam insulation so you can see what a difference it makes over bat insulation. Instead of a tremendously hot attic in the hottest of Texas Summers, there will be a wonderful coolness in your attic if foam insulation is used. In fact, your attic will be considered "conditioned space" so your air conditioner and heater does not have to work so hard and use so much energy. When you store things in your attic, they won't melt in the Summer or freeze in the Winter. Landscaping can also be used to help with energy efficiency. Plant deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the winter close enough to your home to shade it in the Summer. In the Winter, when leaves fall, the sun can again shine on your home to add warmth.

I have also eliminated most water wasting lawn grass and added lots of edibles to my small 60' lot in Leander, Texas. I have peaches, loquats, apples, plums, apricots, pomegranites, figs, asparagus, lemon grass, many herbs and more. For Christmas, my husband just bought me a new edition, a wonderful persimmon tree from McIntyre's nursery in Georgetown, Texas. My yard is also a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat. I garden organicly and have native plants and xeriscaping.

Call me, Betty Saenz GREEN REALTOR with Sky Realty at (512) 785-5050 to see or sell green homes in the Austin, Texas area or to learn how to retrofit your existing home to save money on both your utility bills and food. Visit my Green Blog TexasOrganicHome.com

Leander Texas Summer of 2010

2010-07-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

This summer season of 2010 has been so nice. We have not been in the triple digits once, have had plenty of rain and the grass is still green. I love that! I just had some clients here from California and they loved it here, but what's not to love about this Summer? Conversely, last summer was oddly horrible- we had drought and heat. Very strange and not enjoyable. Then, I remember the summer of 2007, I call it the Monsoon Summer since it rained almost everyday for a month. This summer will go down as one of the best ever!

During the 2007 "Monsoon" Summer, one of my rosemary bushes, the upright, more woody type, said "enough already" and gave up life. She could not stand having wet feet for so long. The creeks, lakes and rivers rose and there was some flooding of low places along those areas. I remember the South San Gabriel River rose up to the Highway 183 bridge. They are fixing that this year with the new Toll Road 183A being higher. Of course I really liked the days of just the opposite- when we had more low water crossings. It just felt so in touch with the earth to drive slowly through the low water crossings and in times of heavy rainfall you knew you had to take an alternate route. One of my favorites was the old Parmer Lane or as it is now called Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Back n the day it was a small road and there was a low water crossing over the South San Gabriel River. Now, Ronald Reagan is a HUGE 4 lane divided highway going north all the way into Georgetown, Texas. You can't even see the San Gabriel river unless you are way up in a high truck or something. There are still a few of those low water crossings left around these parts of the Austin, Texas area. When it rains a lot here, we don't have mudslides like in California. This is because the Texas Hill Country is the Edward's Plateau Ecological Region. There is lots of limestone here in the area along with sandstone, shales and dolomites.

This summer, in 2010, we've had nice rainfall, not too much, nor too little. I started my summer season with apricots, then peaches and blackberries (made peach ice cream for July 4th), then figs, next will be apples then pomegranites. All from my little 60' wide city of Leander, TX lot and mostly all in my front yard. There is nothing like homegrown, organicly raised produce from your own yard! It is amazing how sweet and juicy they are compared to some storebought cardboard tasting ones. No matter children growing up these days don't like fruits and vegetables!

This 2010 year I have been going hiking at places like the Pickett Trail in Georgetown, Texas in the evening. I follow it with a swim in the South San Gabriel River's Blue Hole there. I also walk the wonderful Brushy Creek Regional Trail near Cedar Park, Texas in the early mornings, just after sunrise. That way you are there when it is as cool as possible.

UK Basketweaving Blog and Folk Music

2010-02-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

I am totally enjoying listening to a great radio station in the UK while reading a UK basketweaving, handcrafts, living off the land blog. This soothes my soul after a hard few dissapointing weeks trying to make money as a REALTOR. The Folk Radio UK staion is wonderful. Right now they are playing "When Two Lovers Meet" by Sarah McQuaid - very pretty!!! I got to the lovely UK music via her blog. The site to purchase music is Folk Radio UK Store but the listening link is free and on Hen's blog. The writer of the blog, Hen, spent Christmas on her land in a handmade shelter called a 'bender'. She cooked outdoors over coals in a Dutch oven. Ahh yes..the life!! Hen makes baskets from materials on her land in Exmoor. Follow Hen on Twitter

The Daily Undertaker, a Funeral and Memorial Service Journal

2009-10-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Daily Undertaker, a Funeral and Memorial Service Journal

I Eat Raw Meat: Raw Food Diet, Day 465- True Prey Model Feasting

2009-09-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

I Eat Raw Meat: Raw Food Diet, Day 465- True Prey Model Feasting

Waterfront Acreage on Texas Gulf Coast for Eco-Tourism Business, Build Home, Condos

2009-07-02T12:53:00.001-07:00

Waterfront Acreage on Texas Gulf Coast for Eco-Tourism Business, Build Home, Condos

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Wheel Thrown Pottery Making in Texas

2009-06-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Wheel-Thrown Utilitarian Gray Stoneware & Other Texas Made Pottery

Washington County Texas is considered the Bithplace of Texas. Bluebonnet Pottery near Brenham, Texas at the entrance to Lake Somerville in Washington County say they make the wheel-thrown gray stonewhere in the latest Perdernales Electric Coop magazine but I do not see that type of pottery on their website. I do see lots of beautful dishware and serving ware in great colors. Bonnie Todee & her husband run the shop and make the pottery & have been doing it since 1983. They love for people to come & see them working in their studio.

Marshall, Texas is the self-proclaimed Pottery Capital of the World & where Lady Bird Johnson went to High School, being the first student with a car and graduating third in her class at 15 years of age. Marshall Pottery does produce the handmade old style utilitarian gray stoneware out of the East Texas clay, wheel throwing it as well. Making pottery there for over one hundred years, Marshall Pottery is one of the oldest potteries in the nation & is recognized by the Texas Historical Commission. I call it "crockware" and treasure my Marshall made pieces. The pottery I have is the crock type- thick crockery with the blue lines stamped Yesteryears HAND TURNED Marshall, Texas. Some are sold in pet or feed stores as rabbit feeders, etc. The main pottery body or background is light beige to gray and most times there are blue stripes or bands going around the piece although there are different styles. Marshall Pottery also produces the red clay pot gardeners like myself love. In fact, they say they manufacture more red clay pots than anyone in the United States. They invite the public to free tours to watch the potters & are pet friendly, allowing pets on a leash or in a shopping cart.

Standard Parti Poodle Puppy Retreiving

2009-05-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of my standard parti poodle puppy retrieving. Named Schatzie, German for sweetheart, this was taken May 24th, 2009 after his first full bath. He is a parti poodle. This means he is partly one color and partly another. They are German dogs bred to be in the water retrieving as he is demonstrating here in my front yard in Leander, Texas. Many people do not know that this coloration exists in purebred poodles because poodle clubs began disqualifying parti colored poodles some time ago. The parti poodle can not be shown in AKC conformation classes. However, they can be shown in UKC conformation classes. Parti poodles are now experiencing a comeback. I think they are beautiful and remind me of paint horses. I had a black standard poodle years ago. A great dog, super smart, obedient and calm. I had him out on the farm. People were not real familiar with standard poodles so I'd tease them that I fed him Miracle Grow. What I like about poodles is that they are hypoallergenic as far as that goes in dogs. Poodles don't shed per se. They do shed but the hair stays in their coat. Hence they need brusing but they don't get tons of loose hair all over like many long haired breeds do.

Schatzie's was a planned birth. Please neuter and spay your dogs (and cats) and encourage others to do so if they do not intend to breed, show, etc. There are free & low cost clinics in the Austin, Texas area. Let's have planned cats and dogs and cut down on or eliminate unplanned, unwanted pregnancies that result in homeless animals, overburdened shelters & numerous animals being euthanized because they can't find homes. I have adopted many abandoned and homeless animals. Our German Shepherd "Keeton" was left tied to a tree when his owners moved away. We found him through Blue Dog Rescue.

Organic Artichoke Plant

2009-05-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my organic artichoke plant budding out in my organic front yard garden in Leander, Texas. Yes, I do own the book Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn and my front and back lawns have been extremely minimized. I planted artichokes in one of my front yard garden beds & am so happy it is finally bearing fruit!! I am a Native Texan and after almost a lifetime of gardening in Texas this is my first time growing artichokes. I just never have run accross plants for sale until I saw this at a local nursery in Leander a couple of years ago. I love to eat them- they are a delicacy. I hardly ever get sick, but when I have over the past decade, I have found that I get a craving for artichokes and eat a steamed one while soaking in my garden tub! LOL They seem to have a curative power over me! Ahhh, the magically delicious and delectable globe artichoke! I want more in my life and in my garden.

Live Music & Wi Fi & Food in the Texas Coastal town of Corpus Christi, Texas

2009-04-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

I am down visiting the humid Texas coast in Corpus Christi at Starbuck's on Staples near Weber not far from Ocean Drive drinking hot herbal tea. Some people come to Austin from dry climates and say Austin is humid. For those folks I say- come to Corpus Christi- I guarantee you your hair will do funny things and your skin will feel clammy. BUT- plants will grow like crazy, tropicals will thrive all year. Citrus, papayas, roses, Hawaiian Ti plants, bougainvillea, avocado and others grow happily huge with the extremely rare freezes here.

Here at Starbuck's, live music will begin soon- 2 acoustical guitars. One guitarist is playing now very nicely. Hoping other will play soon. A small crowd is here. Beats hangin' all day at the in-laws!! Now both have played several times each. They are both very good. I am impressed! Free live music, paid Wi Fi and a nice cup of tea...Yes, this is the life.

I had to go find Wi Fi which is very hard in Corpus Christi. You see, Corpus is for the most part like stepping back in time 20 years. They just never catch up. We are so incedibly spoiled in the Austin, Texas area- there is free Wi Fi on every corner, multiple live music venues any time of the week, lower humidity, etc., etc. I had to pay for internet here but was glad to find it. Don't count on Corpus Christi's Schlotsky's having Wi Fi, & at McDonald's you have to pay for it too. Aqua Java does have free Wi Fi at 320 Williams St. #C (361)882-0865 downtown near the Executive Surf Club and Water Street Oyster Bar.

Old Meets New at the Leander, Texas Rail Station

2009-02-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

The Leander Train Station in Leander, Texas was the site of a Capital MetroRail Open House Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 to show off its sleek, new commuter Swiss made trains. The old Austin Steam Train came by on its run to Bertram during the Open House. It was like the meeting of the old and the new. The new commuter rail service will start running March 30th, 2009.

The old Austin Steam Train meets sleek new Swiss Trains at the Leander Train Station Open House in Leander, Texas

Ethiopian Food in Austin Texas

2009-02-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

I have eaten at Astor's Ethiopian Restaurant in Austin, Texas a couple of times. Located at IH 35 south of 38th at the corner of Dean Keaton. 512-786-9524 right by UT. Another restaurant I want to try is:

Karibou Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar
1209 E. 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702

512-320-5454

EthiopianRestaurantAustin.com

RECYCLING Electronic Gear

2009-02-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

Radio Shack is RECYCLING electronic gear. Trade-in used, working small electronic items thru RadioShack.com and get a gift card to spend on new electronics. RadioShack.com/tradein

Handicap Accessible Home

2009-01-27T14:13:00.001-08:00

Austin Texas Accessible Home - The most amazing home videos are here

Raw Milk & Dairy in Austin Texas

2009-01-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

I grew up having Ostakaka with Lingonberries with my Swedish relatives here in Austin, Texas. My Austin area relatives were all from the old country, having come here in the 1870's. On the farms at Elgin, Lund and New Sweden, they had raw milk to drink, make the cream sauce for Lutefisk & make Ostakaka out of. Ostakaka is a Swedish cheesecake type dish that is best made with raw milk. I still eat Ostakaka on special occasions, many times ta the Austin Scandinavean Club. In modern, urban society, raw milk and dairy are hard to find. Dyer Dairy, 20 minutes north of Austin in Georgetown has raw milk. The family owned and state inspected dairy is located at 7801 E. Highway 29, Georgetown, TX 78626. (512) 638-0415 You might be interested in these organizations promoting our right to raw milk or " Real Milk " & other natural, non-pasteurized dairy products. Real Milk also has a "where to buy" search engine to search by zip code.

Also, check Local Harvest for dairy as well as other local food.

Public Transportation for the Disabled in Austin

2009-01-24T21:49:00.000-08:00

Public Transportation for the Disabled in Austin and surrounding Areas: Capital Metro, the local transportation service, offers commuter bus service for senior citizens and people with disabilities who wish to ride the bus. They also make accomodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Please check the Capital Metro website and call (512) 389-7583 or e-mail nancy.crowther@capmetro.org for more information. The new Capital Metro trains are ADA accessible as well as each MetroRail station. Commuter rail service from Leander into Austin, Texas will begin running March 30th, 2009.

Austin Texas Makes Top 25 Fittest List

2009-01-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

Austin Texas Makes Top 25 Fittest List in Men's Fitness magazine. Austin, Texas is 17th in the list of the 25 fittest US cities. Nearby San Antonio, Texas was rated #3 in the magazine's list of Top Fattest Cities.

The Crossings in Austin Texas

2009-01-24T11:14:00.000-08:00

The Crossings in Austin Texas is a great place to take a class, enjoy a workshop or event, eat, relax, spend a few days, get a massage or much, much more. A 200 acre facility on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve in the Texas Hill Country overlooking Lake Travis, The Crossings offers Holistic services (including Ayurvedic, Muscle testing, Iridology, Hypnotherapy, Weight Management) eco-friendly practices, a Sweat Lodge, Labyrinth, a sanctuary, miles of nature trails, and Watsu Aquatic Massage pool. The Crossings is a member of the Green Hotels Association and uses green building principles. Stop in and visit the bookstore, Cypress Creek Dining Hall or Treehouse Cafe. To get there take 2222 (aka Koenig or 290) west past FM 620 (It becomes Bullock Hollow). At the T- take a right on FM 2769/Volente Rd. The Crossings is located a short way down on the left. You will see the low stone wall and flag poles on both sides of the driveway. Just take the one way concrete driveway up the hill. 13500FM 2769, Austin, TX 78726 (512) 258-7243

Live Theatre in Northwest Austin

2009-01-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

The Way Off Broadway Community Players in Leander are in their 12th season offer a wonderful live show. The current offering "Steel Magnolias" is sold out so they are adding a special performance Thursday, January 29th at 8pm. Make your reservations early. The Way Off Broadway Theatre is located at 10960 E. Crystal Falls Parkway in Leander, Texas. (512) 259-5878 Tickets are sold at the door but reservations are suggested. From Austin take the new 183/Research to 183-A . Exit the East Crystal Falls (aka CR 272) exit. Take a right (head east) for 1.1 miles, the theatre will be on your right. (.4 miles west of Parmer Lane, 2.2 miles east of old Hwy. 183)

Contra Dancing in Austin

2009-01-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of or tried Contra dancing? There are a lot of groups all over and Austin has an active one. Contra dancing in Austin is a lot of fun. I have been to one dance that was held at Carpenter's Hall that a friend and her husband (Richard & Sarah Goss) were involved in. They have since moved to the Portland, Oregon area and Contra dance up there as well.

Environmental Building & Design Discussion at The Crossing

2009-01-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

January 30th there will be a Om Home MeetUp about environmental building and design at The Crossings, 13500 FM 2769, Austin Texas 78726 (512) 258-7243 http://www.meetup.com/The-Om-Home/calendar/9244263/?a=cr1o_grp Shellie Jones is the organizer.

To buy or sell a green home call Betty (512) 785-5050

European Dining in Pflugerville Texas

2009-01-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

Pflugerville is located just northeast of Austin, Texas. I have lived there and love it. If your hankerin' for some great European dining go see my friend Anni at the European Bistro there. Authentic European food - American, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Russian food. Schnitzel, Knockwurst, French Fruit Soup, Borscht, Albanian Salad, and much more. Located in an OLD, OLD 2 story building right in the heart of Pflugerville at Railroad Avenue and Pecan Street (aka 1825). This restaurant is sure to please- I love it! Say "HI!" to Anni!

Anni Zovek, owner

European Bistro, 111 E. Main Street, Pflugerville, TX 78660 512-835-1919

dine@european-bistro.com

For Homes in Pflugerville- call me Betty Saenz REALTOR (512) 785-5050
Sky Realty

African Children's Choir Performs Sunday

2009-01-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

The African Children's Choir Performs Sunday January 18th at the Bethany United Methodist Church at 10010 Anderson Mill Road in Austin. The hope of the children's performance is that it will raise awareness of the plight of destitute & orphaned children in Africa & help raise funds.

Milago Downtown Austin Texas Condos

2009-01-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Downtown Austin Texas Condos are a great investment for people who like the downtown urban lifestyle. The Milago on Rainey Street is away from the hustle and bustle of the main downtown thoroughfares but near IH 35. On one side of the 240 Unit complex you can see Ladybird Lake in all its glory. The hike and bike trail is literrally just right out the door. The units on the other side of the building are less costly but without the great waterview. Out on a Milagro waterview balcony you don't even notice the buzz of IH 35. I took the Ladybird Lake & jogging trails photo above from an 11th floor balcony on a January day. January and February are Austin's coldest months but people were out jogging, bicycling and rowing on the lake & trails around it today. A freight elevator makes moving in easy. Nearby quick shopping is available at convenience stores or Royal Blue in the 2nd Street District. The pool and grill are located on the top, the fitness area is on the 2nd level. Current units are available in the Austin MLS for about just over $200,000. up to just over $600,000.

Leaders in Water Conservation & Protection

2009-01-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

Lance Armstrong and a few other famous and wealthy water hogs were named recently in the Austin American Statesman for being the biggest water wasters. At the Barton Springs & Edwards Aquifer 2008 Groundwater Stewardship Awards luncheon, several people were honored for their efforts in water preservation and conservation proving that some people do "get it". Jack Dahlstrom and his family were honored for preserving 2,200 acres of their land for water quality protection as well as setting aside 370 acres for public access and education. The Grenga Family os Sunset Valley were honored for their low water use- the lowest in Sunset Valley. The family credits their "home-spun" rainwater collection system which includes both non-potable and filtered and purified water for drinking. Nico Hauwert was honored for his years of work in research. Bill & Shirley Burrell were honored due to exemplary operation of their well in conserving water as well as participating in consrvation education activities & town hall meetings. see the complete JANUARY - APRIL 2009 AQUIFER BULLETIN

Excercising Your Dog

2009-01-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

We have a rescued dog from the great organization Blue Dog Rescue. Keeton is a German Shepherd who, sadly, was left tied to a tree when his owners moved. Thankfully, he was found and cared for by Blue Dog Rescue, and even had some obedience training prior to his re-homing. He has lots of energy- way more than me. This can be frustrating for both animal and human owner. Caesar in the Dog Whisperer many times uses a treadmill or roller blades to excercise his dogs. These are great as well but here are a couple of alternative easy ways to excercise your dog.

The Stairs Run

One is running him up and down the stairs- not me, him. I stand in place and tell him what do do. Gosh, I sound bossy! LOL "Keeton, up" and I motion with my hand if I have to up the stairs. He gallops at a fast, high energy speed all the way to the top. Then I say, "Keeton, down!" and as fast as he went up he runs all the way down. I repeat this over and over until he wavers halfway up, tired of the game, and I have to remind him with more verbal cues and or hand gestures to finish and go "to the top". I know he is getting worn down then. Now I would not recommend this to someone who'd dog has hip or other movement problems or whose home has laminate or wood stairs. Ours stairs have carpet floor covering so the dog has good traction. I know this creates wear and tear on your stairs' carpet BUT on bad weather days, this may be an alternative means of releasing your dogs energy when you can't get out.

Biking With Your Dog

Another really great way to excercise your dog is biking with your dog. This way you get in on the act too and your dog gets a great cardio vascular workout. I use a leash that is long enough for me to loop around and fasten at my waist and still have enough slack to let the dog run by my side. You don't want it too long where the dog can get out in front of your bicycle, just enough so the dog is a comfortable distance to your side. I traveled with the leash around my waist so my hands were free to steer, switch gears, brake, etc. My dog is ALWAYS on the right so he is furthest from traffic and by the curb. Practice slowly. Once you and your dog get the hang of it, it is fun to let your dog run as fast as he wants on a safe, no traffic stretch. I like using a harness best so the dog does not experience discomfort around his neck if he pulls some. You cannot do this with a totally wild, untrained, huge dog. Your dog needs to have some obedience cues down already.

Turning With Your Dog: The hardest part of biking with your dog are the turns. You need to verbally cue your dog slightly in advance to make him aware that you are turning right, into him. Train him to match the verbal cue words "turn right" with the fact that he needs to turn right to be out of the way of the bike. Remember to warn your dog to "turn right, turn right" before you make a right hand turn towards your dog so he can move to the right out of the way of the bike.

Once I excercise Keeton, he becomes a "new" dog. I can then walk him after our bike ride and he looks and acts like a polished show animal, minding his p's and q's!

Need a home or ranch for you and your dog? Search here Would you like a hard copy of dog friendly places to go with your dog in the Austin, Texas Area?

Call me at (512) 785-5050

Leander Open House Sunday January 18th

2009-01-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

I had a home for sale at 833 Eagles Way in Mason Creek North It was pre-inspected, staged, has 3 bedroom, 2 baths, HUGE workshop, LOTS of storage, extra parking, approx. 1600 square feet for $112,900. I had an Open House Sunday January 25th, from 1-4. I had snacks, beverage....The day before, for the Leander REALTORS Property Tour I had hot mulled apple cider and 2 pineapple upside down cakes so who knows what I'll bring.

(512) 785-5050 Call if you need directions-

The Austin Real Estate Market

2009-01-15T05:42:00.000-08:00

The national media is sometimes better not listened to at all! Based on sensationalism, they make it sound extremely dismal like nothing is happening at all in Real Estate ANYWHERE and that is simply not true. Our Real Estate market in the Austin Texas Metro Area IS a little soft but not DEAD. Real Estate is cyclical, always. We are always slower around Christmas and then we start the upward swing again afterwards, peaking in the Summer. There is more inventory now- more homes for sale. This makes prices go down a bit- not a seller's market. So, the market is indeed a little soft & a buyer's market, especially now, but not dead. Interest rates are fantastic- a great time to buy or re-finance. Builders are suffering and making great deals. Buyers need to be careful and be sure of all costs that are included before they sign on the dotted line. Sod, fencing, any upgrades- be sure they are in the deal. The existing new homes are the worst competition for resale homes. There are also a lot of bank foreclosures, HUD homes and short sales. These are usually in some degree of bad shape and the sellers usually will not do any repairs or negotiate much if at all. You are not dealing with humans in these cases but an entity- never too good for any negotiating or concessions.

I am grateful to be in Austin and not so many other areas of the country that are suffering tremendously. Call me to buy or sell your Texas home or ranch! (512) 785-5050

Activities for Senior Citizens in Leander Texas

2009-01-08T19:25:00.000-08:00

The City of Leander offers a variety of activities specifically for senior citizens.

First of all there is the Active Adult Morning Club for active adults 50 years or better. It is held in half of the Parks and Recreation Dept. at 406 Municipal Drive in Leander.

Then there are Morning Day Trips into places like the Scottish Rite Theatre in Austin, Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, shopping in Salado, downtown Wimberley, Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, the beer brewery in Shiner or others.

The Bagdad Activity Center is another place to enjoy the company of other seniors and offers meals on wheels- meals delived to homes of the disabled or lunch there for a $2.00 donation to seniors 60 years or better. There are also activities like Dominos, Bingo, Painting & Crafts alng with the occassional guest speaker.

The Bagdad Activity Center is located at 351 N. Bagdad Road Leander, TX 78641 and also serves Cedar Park as well as Liberty Hill. The Center can be reached at (512) 259-0288

Williamson County Senior Assistance

Firewise Landscaping

2009-01-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

The Williamson County Chapter of the Texas Native Plant Society will be hosting a meeting about "Firewise Landscaping" at the Georgetown Public Library from 7-9pm on Thursday, January 8th, 2009. The speaker will be Texas Forest Service member Jan Fulkerson and the goal of her presentation will be in reducing loss of lives, property and resources.

2009-01-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite photos. Me, Betty Raetzsch as a child on our ranch with a fawn, a Whitetail Deer. I have always loved animals and nature. Now I sell ranches and acreage homes in the Hill Country around Austin, Texas. I still see plenty of Whitetail Deer. Our family name was Rätzsch but was changed to Raetzsch.

2009-01-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite picture. It is of me as a child, Betty Raetzsch, at our ranch, the Raetzsch Ranch in the Sand Hills about 15 miles from Seguin, Texas. I was riding Black Pete, our ranch horse. Everyone else said he would try to scrape them off under tree branches but he did not do that to me. I can't remember exactly when I started riding horses but I was young, as you can see from my photo. We raised a few head of cattle, white faced Herefords and Santa Gertrudis. My Uncle Alvin Pieper helped with the ranch a lot.

Handicapped Accessible Home For Sale

2009-01-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

I love helping people. I especially feel honored when I can serve those who many times are underserved in our society. I have a great home for sale that is a wonderful home at a very reasonable price. It is also a handicapped accessible home for those with physical limitations, who are disabled, in a wheelchair, etc. Some clients I have served have had to spend over $8,000. to remodel just their bathroom to be accessible by adding ADA type features, so this one is a BARGAIN since someone else has borne that expense as well as many others. It is all the rage right now for baby boomers to buy or build a home for "aging in place" so they do not have to leave their home if adversity in health strikes.

Accessibility Features

smooth, wide driveway
extra off street parking available so handicap accessible vehicle always has use of large smooth driveway
smooth sidewalk from driveway to front door
smooth doorways to enter & exit home
roll-in oversized shower of easy to clean Corian type material
wheelchair accessible tetherball court
smooth back covered patio and walkway
covered front and back porches for shielding from sun or rain
hard floor surfaces for easy rolling
wide doorways to accomodate a wheelchair
open floor plan
one story home

The house looks very attractive and mainstream, so those not needing the accessible features will like it too. The home is located just outside of Austin, Texas in the suburb of Leander just northwest of Austin at 833 Eagles Way, Leander, Texas

Energy Efficient Features include:

Trane Super Efficiency Heat Pump
New weatherstripping just installed in 2 exterior doors
Ceiling Fans in all Bedrooms
Wide eaves/overhangs to shade windows
Large covered porches to shade exterior doors
Large trees

Check my Website or call/e-mail me for price and availability at : http://www.bettysellsaustin.com/ or (512) 785-5050

Kerby Lane Restaurant in Austin Texas

2009-01-04T16:10:00.001-08:00

Since 1980 Kerby Lane in Austin Texas has been known as a great local eatery. The original restaurant is located, true to its name, on Kerby Lane off 35th east of MoPac. I more frequently visit the northern Austin location which just moved from west of 183/Research near Spicewood Springs to slightly further north on the east side of 183 Research. Their new location is just south of Anderson Mill at 183 in the old center that used to be anchored by Albertson's. I also noticed their pancake mix is now at my local HEB Plus in Leander for $5.79. I bought the Gingerbread Pancake Mix which says "All Natural, No Trans Fats" and advises you to "Make plenty. They go like hotcakes". It also makes the claim that if you took all the pancakes ever served at Kerby Lane and placed them side by side that they would stretch from Austin to Denver but that would be a "colossal waste of a whole bunch of really great pancakes." Peace through pancakes!

Magnets as an Alternative Health Therapy

2009-01-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

I have used magnet treatments for mine and my children's health on and off for years. I went to an alternative health treatment center in Killeen for years in the early 90's. They used magnets in their practice by taping them to your skin to wear as in a "Band Aid". Nikken sells a comforter with magnets embedded in it...http://www.nikken.com/sleepcenter/comforter.cfm A Nikken rep. lent us one- neither my husband nor I could sleep because of the strong chemical smell. My opinion was that the fabric needed washing before use yet you were not supposed to wash it.

I hate all the chemicals put on fabric that go next to our skin. It's the smell in the air when you go into a clothing or other textile store. I have even noticed that smell in some new homes that are supposedly GREEN. I always wash my new garments and towels before use. I do not use any fabric softener either. Our water is softened which helps the water clean better. Rainwater is great too for having naturally occuring SOFT water in your home. It can be used for drinking, washing clothes and all home purposes.

Eat Local but South of The Border in Austin Texas

2008-12-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

South of The Border Style Food

Today is our 6th Wedding Anniversary. For lunch we ate at

Casa Chapala at 3010 W Anderson Ln # D Austin, TX 78757 (512) 459-4242 http://www.casachapala.com/

You always fell warm and welcome at Casa Chapala. They make your hot sauce at your table the way you like it. Big leather menus remind you of the fine leather craftmanship in Mexico. After we ate a bowl of chicken tortilla soup we had a tequila shot to celebrate our anniversary. Our server mixed it with soda water and banged it on the table to make it fizz. It was a great smooth, easy to swallow tequila. They have over 150 different kinds.

This evening we will eat at
Casa Columbia
1614 E. Seventh St. Austin, TX 78702 http://www.casa-colombia.com/ (512) 495-9425

It is WAY south of the border Columbian style food. I am anxious to try it. Located in East Austin, East of IH 35, I drove by it the other day on my way to J&F CARPETS at 3301 E. 7TH ST., AUSTIN,TX 78702. I found some $5.00 a yard remnant carpet for a home I am selling in Leander.

FREE Christmas Tree Recycling in Leander Texas

2008-12-21T21:15:00.001-08:00

The day after Christmas, the City of Leander, Texas will start accepting Christmas trees for recycling. You will need to remove all lights, ornaments and hooks from your tree and take the trees to Robin Bledsoe Park at 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander, Texas 78641 during regular park hours. For more details on the recycling program, call the City of Leander Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 528-9909 The service ends January 11, 2009.

Ecological Literacy Day at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory

2008-12-21T08:24:00.000-08:00

There will be an Ecological Literacy Day at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory in Austin, Texas on January 31, 2009 at 9:00am.

The event will involve a few hours of work at the Bird Observatory doing things like trail maintenance, etc. and end with an educational session on local ecology. Attendees are advised to bring binoculars and wear work clothes.

For more information see: http://www.hornsbybend.org or
http://www.austinparks.org/ and call Kevin Anderson at (512) 972-1960

Austin's New Urban Eco Village MUELLER

2008-12-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

I was one of only 3 local Austin area EcoBrokers® to attend the special EcoBrokers® tour of the green Mueller development in Austin, Texas December 4th. Located between 51st and Airport at IH 35, look for the blue metal mesh solar sunflowers along IH 35. These solar energy producing flowers are the largest public art project in Austin's history. I personally am glad the pink buffalos did not win the contest as I do not think they spit out clean energy. Mueller was the site of the old Austin Airport, hence it is a brownfield project. Mueller is on the cutting edge of 2 modern planning trends- New Urbanism and Green Building. Mueller is an innovative mixed use development consisting of residential, retail as well as commercial and is considered a TOD (Transit Oriented Development). The Capital Metro Commuter light rail line will begin its runs in March 2009, going from Leander to downtown Austin. Connector Rail and bus will service Mueller. All Mueller buildings- whether commercial or residential must be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC (new construction) Green Building Standard or Austin Energy's Green Building Standard. All commercial must have at least a 2 star rating but many are way above. Home Depot for instace, has a 4 star rating. Austin Energy has an on-site power plant that helps in the Mueller Green certifications and of course, helps the environment using natural gas, recapturing the steam byproduct as well as using a chilled water system.

The 2009 Parade of Homes will showcase 5 Mueller Austin Energy green building five-star rated homes (the highest rating). The architects involved are Barley & Pfeiffer, Architecture 365, Cornerstone Group Architects, Michael Hsu Design & Texas Four Star Architects. The Parade homes are $1 million or more and 3,000 to 4,500 sq. ft. What is amazing is that the beginning price point at Mueller is $120,000. and are available through a shared appreciation program with a soft second lien. So far, homes from the $120's to over $700k have sold.

Mueller includes (or will include) a restored blackland prairie area, ultimately a 5 mile hike and bike trail, a 24 hour Town Center- an entertainment district including shops, eateries, & entertainment venues; a 30 acre lake park; 140 acres of public space (which is 1/5th of community) for greenbelts & parks, fields, trails and plazas; amphitheatre. Mueller is designed to be a walkable, get out and enjoy the community community- dog-walkers, bikers, joggers & baby strollers as well as diversity are welcome! You don't have to get in your car and drive accross town when you live at Mueller. The "green necklace" around the perimeter of Mueller will also connect with many other parks and trails of Austin such as Patterson & Bartholomew Parks and Morris Williams Golf Course.

Employment Centers will include the University of Texas, the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and the Austin Studios film production complex.

Betty Saenz REALTOR® EcoBroker®, GRI, SRES®
http://www.texasgreenhomes.net/

Daily Juice Cafe in Austin Texas

2008-12-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

The Daily Juice Cafe is now open in Austin at the corner of 45th and Duval in Hyde Park. The hours are from 11am to 9pm every day. The cafe is 100% gluten free for Celiac clientele and others. They are Austin's first Living Foods Cafe.

The Grand Opening Party is Saturday, December 13th from 7pm until ??? If you are longing to have some durian, a Southeast Asian fruit; raw chocolate, marine phytoplankton and MUSIC then come and enjoy !!!!

the Film FOOD MATTERS

2008-12-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about or seen the new film FOOD MATTERS?
http://foodmatters.tv/ or on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/foodmatterstv The film looks at our current state of health and then about natural healing and optimum health through great nutrition, NOT pharmaceuticals. The film says that in America, we have been taught to be consumers of pharmaceuticals all our lives. Fix everything with a pill. There are lifestyle changes that can reverse chronic disease trends according to the film. You are what you eat, food does matter.

Eliane St. Marie, in her Weight Loss for Women MeetUp Group in Austin, Texas will be showing it to group members Dec. 17th. Find the group here: http://www.meetup.com/WalkandTalk-Weight-Loss/

Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe in Austin Texas

2008-12-07T17:57:00.001-08:00

The Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe in Austin, Texas is a place you don't go to unless you or someone you know- knows it is there. A great setting- right down on the water. Sandwiches, burgers, shrimp, fish, salad, vegetarian fare, imported beer, wine, soft drinks. To get there- take 2222 west of 360. Head south on City Park Road like you are going to Emma Long Metropolitan Park. Take left at Pearce. You will find it down at the end at 2905 Pearce Road.

http://www.skishores.com/

Hiking the Reicher Ranch in Austin Texas

2008-12-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

Chapel ceiling & window

Chapel

I just came back from the “Warblers, Wildlands & Water” hike at the 820 acre Reicher Ranch led by volunteers from the City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division. Today, Sunday December 7th, 2008 was a perfect day for a walk in the great outdoors. I wore a sweater over a short sleeved thin top but stripped my sweater off once we got moving. The Reicher Ranch road is located off RM 620 at the traffic light at Home Depot Blvd. near Falconhead. It was a relaxing way to get some exercise, learn more about the local ecosystem and see the Colorado River below the Mansfield Dam. The ranch was the home of Louis Joseph Reicher, first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Austin. The City of Austin obtained the Reicher Ranch in 1994.

To learn more about the City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division see http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ click “water” on the left, on the Water Programs page select “Wildland Conservation Division” or call the Environmental Conservation Information Specialist at (512) 263-6443. There are many volunteer opportunities and you get to enjoy natural, protected areas not open to the general public. On the city’s website there is a great photo (and sound) gallery of plants & animals such as endangered species, karst species, non-native invasive plants; also karst features, water features & other geological features of our area. Besides the guided hikes available on the Wildlife Conservation, Water Quality Protection Lands and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve properties, there are also educational presentations, school programs and community events held by the division.

Low Cost Organic Foods Coming to Austin Texas

2008-12-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

A new natural foods chain is coming to Texas that promises low cost organic and other natural foods and products. The Boulder, Colorado based Sunflower Farmers Market "touts its rock-bottom prices, convenience and wide selection of produce". For those who feel Whole Foods is too pricey, that you, as the longstanding joke says, have to use your "whole paycheck" to shop there, the new market offers an alternative. The first Texas Sunflower Farmers Market opened in Plano November 12th. In January, a market is planned for Austin located at William Cannon Drive and Manchaca Road. Currently in Austin, the major natural food stores are Whole Foods, HEB's Central Market, Sun Harvest and Wheatsville Coop. What I find interesting to is that Sunflower was started by Mike Gilleland of Boulder who co-founded Wild Oats in 1987. At one time Whole Foods CEO John Mackey sent his Wild Oats rival Gilleland the board game "Risk" and Gilleland reciprocated with "Twister" in a competitive showdown. The two now, no longer talk but both companies became publicly held anyway. There was no longer that sense of ownership. Then in 2007 Whole Foods bought Wild Oats, its largest competitor but "the Federal Trade Commission is still contesting the purchase on antitrust grounds". I am excited to see a new place to buy great healthy food .

The Austin American Statesman's Business section ran a great article on Sunflower Farmers Market Nov. 23, 2008

Job Creation is Increasing in Central Texas

2008-12-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

The Austin Business Journal reported that U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics showed employment actually increased 1.9 percent in the Austin, Texas; Round Rock, Texas area in the last year between October of 2007 and October of 2008. The Austin area added approximately 14,700 jobs whereas Nashville & Memphis TN, Seattle and Phoenix lost jobs. San Antonio, Texas also added 17,900 jobs, again, showing the strength in the Central Texas Region.

Buzzards in Cedar Park Texas

2008-12-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

Driving down Lakeline Drive in Cedar Park, Texas Tuesday, Dec. 2nd was this sight. The roosting buzzards looked kind of ominous—like the impending doom the nation’s economic naysayers are spewing. But I am happy and feel blessed to be in the Austin, Texas Area. One of the least affected areas of the US. Homes are still selling, people still have jobs.