September 2019

As September continues, pumpkin everything will start showing up in stores. From pumpkins to candy, and pumpkin spice lattes to muffins, the bright orange globe will infiltrate every store and restaurant you visit. Whether you are a fan of Starbucks signature fall beverage and start counting down for it at the start of summer or just indulge on the first cool day of the year, there is no question that pumpkin and pumpkin spice are everywhere now. If you want to add pumpkin to your life (and home) beyond your morning cup of java, here are some ways to add pumpkin to your Bastrop home in small, tasteful ways.

No matter if you love all things pumpkin or not, you can’t deny that seeing a bright pumpkin on a porch truly signifies the coming of fall. Add one

This is a gorgeous ranch property with multiple homes, storage buildings, a lake and stocked ponds sitting on 293+ acres. With so much space, your dreams are the only limits.

Located just outside of Smithville, 'The Parker Ranch - Los Robledos' offers a stately entrance with a beautiful lakefront setting for you to enjoy. The primary residence was custom designed and includes three bedrooms and three full baths with quality finishes throughout. You will enjoy spacious rooms with library paneling, built-ins, tray ceilings, a fireplace and nice kitchen. The master bedroom includes a spacious private bath. A second residence serves as a guest quarters and includes three bedrooms and one bath with exposed beams.

Additional storage and utility buildings

The 16th annual Down Home Ranch Gala will take place Saturday evening with a Down Home County Fair. The event will take place at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center beginning at 5:00.

The event will begin with happy hour including drinks and appetizers for everyone to enjoy. While you munch and sip, participate in classic fair games and make sure you bid on items in the silent auction. The Blake Torrey Band will entertain guests throughout the event.

After happy hour and the silent auction, dinner will be served by Urban Cowboy Southern Fusion with a menu you don’t want to miss. Make sure to stick around after dinner for the live auction plus more live music and dancing. Individual tickets, couple’s tickets and tables are available to purchase

If you have decided to list your Bastrop home during the fall season, there are many things you will want to do to make sure you home is ready for its open house. Fall can be a really cozy time of year and little touches that make those coming to the open house feel at home will make a big difference. Appealing to a variety of senses is a great way to way to catch the attention and make your home memorable to those that attend the open house.

• Serve a warm beverage such as apple cider. If it is cool outside, a hot drink will be a welcome treat as buyers come inside.
• Turn on soft music in the background. Instrumental music makes the best choice. It shouldn’t be something distracting but just something that plays quietly while buyers wander through

This two story Bastrop home is being offered at a new price and includes three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath, 2,398 square feet, three living areas and a two-car garage for you to make yourself at home. Enter the home through the front porch or through the two-car garage.

Inside the front door, you will find the living room and dining area, which offers a great space for large and smaller gatherings. The main level also includes a family room with a fireplace and ceiling fan and overlooks the backyard. Behind the family room, you will find the kitchen with island, stainless appliances, tile backsplash, abundant cabinets and a nice breakfast area. A sliding door from the breakfast area opens to the back patio. The laundry room and a half bath

Saturday, September 14 is full of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Bastrop in many different ways. Here are some fun activities to enjoy.

Billig Ranch is usually closed to the public but on Saturday you can visit the 667-acre ranch for several different activities between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a birding hike, feral hog management walk and a prairie walk.

The 2019 USCA Aluminum Nationals will take place in Bastrop Saturday and Sunday. The races will start under the bridge at FM 969 and finish at Downtown Bastrop’s Fisherman’s Park. The course will travel 14 miles down the Colorado River. Different groups compete on Saturday and Sunday and there will be a youth option as well.

Saturday afternoon, enjoy the End of Summer

Homes like many things come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There is definitely not a one size fits all approach to buying a home and you should not listen to everything you hear but instead rely on research, an experienced agent and good logic to make the best choice for you. There are quite a few commonly believed myths out there that keep people confused about real estate. Here are some things you may have heard and what you need to know.

You Must Have 20% for a Downpayment to Buy a House

This is an extremely common misconception and keeps many buyers renting longer than is necessary. While some mortgages do require a 20% downpayment and there are many reasons why this can be a good thing, there are a lot of mortgage options that don’t

Perfect home for you and your guests. Do you need space for a live-in nanny, in-laws or anyone else? This home includes a two bedroom main house plus separate guest quarters with handicapped accessible features. The home sits on 2.345 acres so there is room to stretch inside and out.

In the main house, you will find an open floorplan with a large living area, dining area plus space for an office or study. The home includes two bedrooms and two full baths, which both include handicapped accessible showers. The kitchen is loaded with oak cabinets for storage and includes granite countertops. The exterior of the home is a mixture of stone and Hardiplank for a natural and appealing style.

The guest house is setup efficiency-style and includes a private

In it’s final weekend, Helium has two shows at the Bastrop Opera House. This show presents the uplifting and charming story of former high school Chemistry teacher Mrs. Molly Kingsley as she ages with grace, dignity and humor. Mrs. Kingsley takes imaginative flights with helium balloons to relive moments from the past. This show will touch and humor while addressing the sensitive topic of dementia and how families and individuals cope with it.

The Bastrop Opera House is a local entertainment venue presenting a wide variety of shows throughout the year. Pick one of two to see or purchase season tickets so you don’t miss anything. Individual tickets are available for all shows and season passes are available for either five-show or nine-show packages.

As we head into fall and hurricane season, the potential for a disaster may be more on your mind but it really can happen any time of year. Depending on where you live, the potential for an earthquake, ice storm, blizzard, hurricane, tornado or forest fire is always present and the best thing you can do is take time to be prepared. In the wake of a disaster, the chaos that ensues can make it extremely stressful and next to impossible to assess needs and try to maintain household function and many items may be unavailable or destroyed. Putting together a disaster preparedness kit before-hand is essential, especially prior to seasons when severe weather is more common. It’s better to be safe then sorry so a little time on your part can pay off greatly down