Here we go again.  By Carl and Ceil Winters Over the weekend we were in shorts and flip-flops, even baby marigolds were popping up in the pot plants. Now according to my favorite radio station KGNB New Braunfels and the local and national weather they say the coldest front of the year will be here tomorrow morning when we wake-up here in Texas Hill Country and where we live at Canyon Lake. Don't forget the 3-P's. - PETS, PIPES, PLANTS. By now I'm sure you know the routine. Be sure to inspect items in or around your home that could freeze. I heard Steve Brown a local San Antonio weatherman say we may even see some snow sometime this week. Now do you believe that?                                         Do you think we will get to go.....look down at the picture                           ... 01/31/2011

San Antonio, Texas is one of Texas most famous cities for many reasons.    It is Texas’ second largest city, it serves as an economic and cultural gateway to the American Southwest and it is a festive town that attracts tourist annually.  In fact, tourism is one of San Antonio’s leading industries.  San Antonio has many attractions such as the famed River Walk which is three miles of nature walking among pathways of lined cafes, retail shops, nightclubs and restaurants., the Botanical Gardens and Conservation, the El Mercado, the Aztec on the River, the SeaWorld San Antionio, Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, San Antonio Missions National Histroical Park and more.  For vaction properties, it means one thing.  It is a solid investment in a strong market. San Antonio Vacation Properties: Bander... 01/26/2011

Residents, neighbors and visitors alike all agree that Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard is a premier community with endless amenities and a wonderful, relaxing atomsphere. Hear what our current residents have to say about what makes this Texas Hill Country community so special!   01/17/2011

Dry Comal Creek is a vineyard located on 103 acres of land just outside of New Braunfels, and neighbor to Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard. To understand more about why this winery is so special, you have to go back to the beginning. In the 1970′s, Dry Comal Creek was full of wild mustang grapes and dewberries. In 1992, the land owners, Franklin and Bonnie Houser, decided to plant vines as a retirement project and they produced their first bottle of wine in 1998. After a series of setbacks, Dry Comal Creek starting producing grapes named Black Spanish - aka, Lenoir. A port wine will be produced in conjunction with Dry Comal Creek Vineyards & Winery from the grape. In April 10, 2010, The Dry Comal Creek partnered joined Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard in breaking ground on a new, on-site commu... 01/12/2011

Santa Claus is coming to town! The end of November signals the coming of Christmas time and the arrival of our red suited friend!  New Braunfels Texas knows how to bring in the Season with style!  The kick off of Festage in New Braunfels is heralded by the lighting of the Plaza downtown, the lighting of the giant community Christmas Tree and of course...The arrival of Santa Claus himself on the back of a vintage firetruck surrounded by screams of joy from the children!  Here is Santa preparing to take his seat for photos with the kiddos in the Bandstand on the Plaza!  What a glorious night and yet another great reason to live in such a wonderful place! 12/15/2010

If you find yourself without anything to do beside blog on Active Rain you may want to visit this website. It has really interesting information. http://www.christmastree.org history and facts about Christmas Tree. Infact, I think we may even play a little Trivia Christmas Eve at our house to see how much folks really know about the history of the Christmas tree. Our Wish for You in 2011May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.  May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault yourlips!May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joyMay the problems you had, forget your home address! In simple words .............May 2011 be the best year of your life!!! ... 12/14/2010

Hold this thought...Seller + Realtor + Buyer + Home Inspector = $$$$ for everyone. Right? This week I had a home inspection north of Canyon Lake TX in Hays County, San Marcos Texas. San Marcos is located between San Antonio and Austin, just north of New Braunfels. Anyhow I mentioned to Ceil I had an inspection up in San Marcos and she quietly said I think I'll ride along. Never another word so I figured somethng was up. By the way San Marcos is where Southwest Texas State University is located. My client is a professor at the university and his wife is also in education. Now on with my story. The day of my inspection Ceil was up early and dressed and just mentioned that if I didn't mind I could drop her off at the Tanger Outlet Stores. She would  do a little shopping and when I was fini... 12/12/2010

The Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard community is known for its majestic, 500-year-old oak trees and hill country sunsets. Soon, it will even be known as a popular spot for those who enjoy living the "Vineyard Lifestyle," with a community vineyard right in residents' backyards. But what most visitors may not know is that the property is also home to a gorgeous, Tuscan-style Amenities Center that houses both indoor and outdoor spaces for festive gatherings. The Amenities Center rivals any four-star vacation spot, with a swimming pool complex, catering facility, spacious meeting rooms, dining area and a state-of-the-art fitness center that offers the latest strength and cardio equipment. The swimming complex even has a "lazy river" for cool, summertime lounging in the Texas sun. Just outside ... 11/29/2010

Looking for some holiday cheer in the Texas Hill Country? It never seems to be too early to start celebrating the holidays, and we've discovered tons of fun Texas Hill Country events for the whole family to enjoy. As home to two of our master-planned communities, Vintage Oaks at the Vineyard and Havenwood at Hunters Crossing, area residents already know that celebrating the holidays in the Hill Country is sure to get you in a festive mood! Here are just some of the community events going on in the area: Gruene Christmas Market Days: Nearly 100 vendors offer Christmas gifts, uniquely crafted items, and packaged Texas foods. Perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list. 12/4/2010 - 12/5/2010 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Adobe Verde Parking Lot, 1724 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130. Gos... 11/22/2010

Bluegreen Communities has recently launched a new Facebook contest. There is no purchase necessary and all you must do to be entered to win is "Like" Bluegreen Communities on Facebook. It doesn't get much easier than that! To enter, click here http://on.fb.me/9c3wvQ, fill out the form and 'Like' Bluegreen. 11/22/2010

The Texas wine industry is more than 300 years old, and according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, Texas was the site of the first vineyard established in North America. Hundreds of years before vineyards were established in California, Franciscan priests around 1662 planted grapevines near modern day El Paso to produce grapes for sacramental wine. The Texas Hill Country currently encompasses approximately 63 wineries, and 600 acres of wine grapes are located in the scenic area of limestone hills and majestic creeks. Without a doubt, the climate here in Texas is perfectly-suited for grape growing and wine production. Here at Vintage Oaks, being in the middle of the romantic vineyard scenery seems to lend itself to truly living the "Vineyard lifestyle" to the fullest. In... 11/18/2010

                                                                        Gruene Market Days OLD GRUENE MARKET DAY'SMarket Days has become synonymous with great shopping in an outdoor setting with artists, craftsmen and vendors showing their creative talents and wares. FREE PARKINGLOADS OF PLACES TO EATBENCHES TO SIT AND REST AWHILESODA SHOPS OFFERING COOL DRINKS AND THE BEST HOMEMADE FUDGEANTIQUE MALLA MUST: VISIT THE GRUENE MANSION (This is a photo of the oldest dance hall in Texas - Gruene Hall)                     TIME TO SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS AND GRUENE TEXAS IS THE PLACE TO BE LOAD UP YOUR HUBBY AND KIDS AND HEAD TO GRUENE FOR A DAY OF FUN AND SHOPPING http://www.gruenemarketdays.com Show Hours: 9am-5pm Saturday's 10am-4:30pm Sunday'November 20th and  21st - 20101641 Hunter Road; New B... 11/11/2010

A company called BestPlaces.net published its latest study this week, which ranked the top 10 cities to move to. The company considers several factors, including population, crime, cost of living and job market.  Fort Worth and Austin, Texas placed among the top 10 cities listed. "These days, you want a job and to make sure you can get a house there," said Bert Sperling of BestPlaces.net, which helps people find the best places to live, work or retire. The article states that one of the best things about living right outside of the DFW Metroplex is that you are close enough to the big city to get all of the conveniences that go along with it, but it can also give you the privacy and serenity of country living as well. The Fort Worth area also boasts a cost of living that is 14 percent c... 11/08/2010

It's been a long time coming. Today history is made when New Braunfels Texas and Braunfels Germany become "sister cities". Signed, Sealed and Delivered today when they officially sign a "sister city" agreement. It has taken 85 years and today it is official. What better time then during the ten day celebration of Wurstfest that is taking place in New Braunfels TX. This is the 50th Celebration of Wurstfest. German heritage is strong in this community. Wurstfest is a yearly event when folks come from all over the country to attend. Like we say in New Braunfels folks are like family. One of the greatest cities to visit, have fun and continue coming back each year because we treat you like family.                   Visit Gruene  and the oldest Gruene Dance Hall....Schlitterbahn....Wurstfes... 11/01/2010

What do you think when you hear the word CATEPILLAR? My instant thought is... A creepy crawler, crawling slowly along eating your plants. Well this blog is not about the creepy crawler CATEPILLAR INSECT.                                                                                   CATEPILLAR Another type of CATEPILLAR ...   Yellow and Black with CAT indicating large equipment, engines and a number of other consumer and industrial products.                                   Catepillar - is listed No. 66 on Fortune magazines' top 100 companies                                CATEPILLAR IS GETTING READY TO BREAK GROUND NOW IN SCHERTZ TEXAS A global giant in the construction equipment business has chosen Schertz as the site for its new 260,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and plans to... 10/30/2010

New Braunfels TX Residential Real Estate Market Report for 3rdQTR, July through August 2010.  Information gathered from NavicaMLS and  prepared by Laurie Jarrett, New Braunfels TX Realtor®. New Braunfels saw some change in the 3rd Quarter of 2010 in the housing market.  178 residential homes were sold between July and September 2010.  Less homes sold than in the 2ndQTR of 2010 and the 3rd QTR of 2009 and this could be due largely in part to the expiration of the federal tax credit for first time home buyers. This QTR there was a significant increase in the median sales price and sales price per square foot over previous sales quarters. There was little change in the median days on market.  When analyzing statistics, median figures give a much clearer picture of the housing market becaus... 10/12/2010

                           Tye Preston Memorial Library will open the facility  at 9:30 Saturday, October 9, 2010.                                                                    Located on the south Dam access Rd, across from the CRRC at the base of Canyon Dam. The Canyon Lake Chamber will cut the ribbon on the new 19-thousand square foot library on Saturday, October 9, 2010. This is a great day here at Canyon Lake. I can remember when we didn't have schools or even think of a library. We have come a long way.                                                 Wireless access and 27 computer stations will be wonderful for members of the community. Not only will the new facility offer library books but the facility offers an expanded children's area. A bookstore, a new teen room, severa... 10/09/2010

My best friend's Dad turned 70 last Saturday.   She had called me a couple of weeks ago to ask me if I knew someone that could make an well, "unique" cake for the celebration.  I immediately told her that I did know someone indeed. See for the past couple of months I had gotten to know this gal that lives in New Braunfels, Texas  from FACEBOOK.  Yes, FACEBOOK.  Our paths crossed when I saw she was promoting some charity events for the Lion's Club in New Braunfels.  We started chatting since then and every so often she would post these great photos of these cute, decorative, innovative cakes that she was baking.  Hence, the start of a friendship.   So, I went to meet her in person for the first time and pick up the cake.  I was laughing cause we started hugging immediately!  She is just ... 10/04/2010

                                  Where folks are friendly and make you feel Willkommen                                       WURSTFEST 2010 IN NEW BRAUNFELS TEXAS                                      Make your plans now by reserving your hotel.                                      October 29 - November 7, 2010......59th Annual Celebration!                                       (Rich in German culture and full of Texas fun)                                                                            ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE                                                                     OPENING CEREMONIES                                                                     Friday, October 29, 5:00 PM                                                                     (Music begins at 4:0... 09/30/2010

Tomorrow is Comal County Fair Parade  in downtown New Braunfels Texas (September 24, 2010). The big parade will start at 10:00 a.m. What is so great this is truly a celebration for Our County Fair event? The good news is that most folks around here have Friday off. Commonly known as Fair Friday, the city, the county, both school districts, and many local businesses shut down in order to let employees enjoy the parade Friday morning, and to head to the Fairgrounds for the remainder of the day.                                                  Follow the sign and PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES. The carnival is already open and events will get into full swing. Be sure to visit the Comal County Fair Grounds. Go to Comal County Fair link  http://www.comalcountyfair.org for information.              ... 09/23/2010