Issaquah Farmer's Market

It's that time of year when Farmer's Markets around the area start up. This past Saturday I remembered that Issaquah's Farmer's Market started the first of April and runs through October. So I hopped in my car and headed out to Pickering Barn (across the street from Costco) where they hold their market. It was a pleasant afternoon but still a little nip in the air. I wandered and admired the many crafters and farmers. I definitely need to go back when I'm hungary because the food vendors had some amazing selections. From barbequed salmon salad to various fresh pastry tents.....it certainly is an ideal place to have lunch on a Satruday afternoon. I learned that one of my favorite Issaquah restaurants recently closed its doors after over 20 years at Gilman Village. Sweet Addition is no more. They had the best salads and desserts and it was always a pleasure to eat there. While I was at the market I stopped at a fresh pasta booth and saw Sweet Addition cookbooks for sale. When I talked to the vendors they were the original owners of Sweet Addition and told me the story. I did purchase some fresh Red Jalepeno Pasta from http://www.pappardellespasta.com/ and am looking forward to preparing it with the enclosed recipe http://www.pappardellespasta.com/recipes/recipe_red_jalapeno.php they provide with each purchase. It's a fun market and they also have vendors inside Pickering Barn. If you're looking for something to do on a Saturday.......head over to Issaquah and catch the market.....every Saturday from 9:00-2:00pm.

Renton History Museum Annual Benefit Dinner

Save the Date! Renton History Museum's http://www.rentonhistory.org/index.html Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at the Renton Senior Activity Center http://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=40. Social Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Silent auction and entertainment to follow. Tickets are $40 per person. For more information you may call 425-255-2330. I attended the auction last year and it was fun time. (I did learn that leaning over and hugging people with a glass of red wine can be trouble!) My friends bid on and won a day on a sailboat and my husband and I were fortunate enough to be invited to go with them on the sail. There were many great auction items and I won a Starbucks basket. Mark the date and plan to attend! I have a special place in my heart for Renton History Museum which is housed in the former Renton Fire Department main headquarter station located at Mill Ave. So. I met my husband Mike back in 1972 and he was a firefighter for the Renton Fire Department. I would come and visit him on shift during our "dating years" and have some great memories at this great old building. Mike had a great career at the Renton Fire Department and retired this past September as Battalion Chief after 38 years. This building is now home to the Renton History Museum which is a wonderful museum and has amazing exhibits throughout the year. If you have not visited the museum, I highly recommend it. One of the great displays they are exhibiting currently is the old Fey's Roxy Theater Neon Sign. That also brings back great memories of my childhood and teen years and the many afternoons and evenings spent at the Roxy! You can download membership forms online to Renton History Museum http://www.rentonhistory.org/pdfs/Membership%20form.PDF

A Great Day in La Conner

My friend Dinky and I started out yesterday having a delicious breakfast at Cafe Lure. There are so many great items on the breakfast menu but I still haven't broken away from my usual eggs benedict! We then headed North to La Conner. When we arrived we noticed immediately that the tulips were not totally in bloom. Infact, many of the fields are still awaiting the amazing burst of color. I'm sure it's due to the extremely long cold winter we had here in the Northwest. Usually at this time of year the daffodils have bloomed....but not this time. They were still in their glory and many fields had yet to bloom. We then ventured into town and stopped at the La Conner Pub for a cold one and I had 2 of the best oyster shooters! The streets were packed with Harley Davidson riders out enjoying a great day in the sunshine. We also stopped in to the cutest dress shop called Cotton's. They had the best selection of purses and jewelry.

La Conner is definitely a great day get-a-way and they also have several hotels and B&B's should you decide to kick back and stay for a night or two!

Downtown Renton Spring Festival and Poker Run

My son Jeff and I had a fun time today attending the Spring Festival at the Piazza on 3rd and Burnett. There were several vendors selling their goods from homemade honey to jewelry and live music for entertainment. Jeff and I signed up for the poker run and headed off to collect our best poker hand. We stopped at every business that was open to hand out cards. Jeff ended up with 4 of a kind which beat my measly straight! We stopped at DC's Bar and Grill along the route for a hotdog that they were selling outside. On our way to Renton History Museum we stopped at Veteran's Park where Jeff located his Grandpa Hal's name on the memorial wall for his service during both World War II and the Korean War.

It would be interesting to know just how far we walked to reach all the businesses because we were both a little tired by the end! It certainly helped that the weather cooperated too! Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make it a very enjoyable event!

Downtown Renton Poker Run and Spring Festival - April 18

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family this weekend? Head on down to the annual Downtown Renton Poker Run and Spring Festival located at the Piazza located at S. 3rd St. and Burnett from noon to 5:00PM. Admission for the festival is free and all activites begin at noon. Register for the poker run at the piazza (cost to play is a suggested donation of $1 or a can of food for the local Renton Salvation Army) and then visit the sponsored businesses to collect a card. The first 200 registrants will receive a great "goody" bag. You then use your best five cards to make your best poker hand. There are great prizes for the winning hands donated by the local businesses. You can also enjoy all the other fun at the Spring Festival. There will be vendors for arts, crafts, flowers and produce. Also on hand for your entertainment there will be live music. And if finding a bargain is your thing don't miss the Piazza Attic rummage sale.

Opening Day at Safeco Field

One day back in February I received an email asking if I'd like to sign up for information on ordering single game tickets to the Seattle Mariners. I replied and was able to purchase Opening Day tickets on April 14th.

My husband, son and sister headed out to the ballpark for a fun day. We started by having lunch at The Showbox located at 1700 1st Ave. So. in Seattle about 2 blocks south of Safeco Field. We had great hamburgers and service by Derek! We were also able to enjoy the Seattle Times live Webcast from the Showbox. The Times had several of their sport reporters to answer questions from the patrons and online viewers. After the webcast, they held a Trivia contest about the Mariners. I actually won a pair of tickets to this Friday's game!

We then headed over to Safeco. For a day that started out with a forecast of rain, we couldn't have asked for a better day. The sun was shining and they were opening the roof as we reached our seats. You could just feel the excitement in the air as the fans were anxiously awaiting the return of Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariner line up. It had been ten years since we saw Number 24. The crowd burst into cheers, claps and whistles as Griffey approached the batter's box. He stepped out of the box and tipped his hat to the loyal fans! And to make his first at bat even sweeter he got a hit to right field which sent the crowd into even louder cheers.

The Mariner's managed to pull out the win in the 10th inning and everyone on hand for that special Mariner's home opener went away with a great memory. Griffey hit his first home run at home last night and Ichiro hit a grand slam - the Mariner's currently have a 7-2 record!

Here's to a great season!

Fun to Collect Old Jars and Bottles

We finally have had four days of spring! I actually sat outside in the sun yesterday....it's been so long! As I was doing my bathroom cleaning today I thought I'd share the old jar collection I've started in my main bathroom. I'm not sure what originally came in any of the jars, but they look interesting on my antique marble top washstand. I had them under a cloche during the winter but I thought it was time to let the clean glass of the jars shine through. Hope you're all enjoying this wonderful weather!

Final Four Fun

It's finally here. We've made it through the March Madness....now it's game time for Michigan State, UConn, Villanova and North Carolina. I'm picking UConn.....what about you?

Roving Renton Returns - April 7, 2009!!!

I was so happy to receive an email this morning with the news that Roving Renton returns April 7th! I know I have missed the fun on Tuesday's since it ended back in February. All four restuarants are returning and they have included gratuities in the cost this time.....great thinking! Tickets are now $25.00 per person.....here's the schedule for the start and ending places. See you soon!

Purchase a $25* ticket at the starting restaurant and enjoy a wine and appetizer tasting at all four restaurants. Due to seating constraints, ticket purchases will be limited to the first 60 guests. Please arrive early!

Tuesday, April 7th Start at Armondo's End at Blossom Asian Bistro Tuesday, April 14th Start at Red House End at Melrose Grill

Tuesday, April 21st Start at Melrose Grill End at Red House

Tuesday, April 28th Start at Blossom End at Armondo's

*For the convenience of our guests, gratuity is included in the ticket price

Is It Really Spring????

This is what I woke up to this morning!!?? Is it really spring? Is it really April?? I don't know about you but I'm ready for some wamer days and warmer nights! This is getting really old!

Hopefully by the weekend we will have some sun and dryer weather. One can only hope!