Dick's Drive In and UW Arboretum

Today's to-do list brought me to Dick's Drive-In on Capital Hill. I can't remember when I last had a Dick's hamburger and fries but they were just as good as ever. I wasn't going to succumb to the urge....but I just couldn't resist. The traffic was very heavy, both on my way there on 405 and up on Broadway so I decided to go home "the back way." I decided to drive thru the UW Arboretum and was glad I did. The flowers were plentiful and it was a great drive through the canopy of trees. I stopped at the Graham Visitor's Office and looked around. They had Master Gardner's on hand to answer any questions one might have and had plants for sale outside the visitor center. I wondered around and snapped a few pictures. There were so many people out and about enjoying this beautiful day....either by walking or kayaking along the lake. http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/index.htm I continued on along Madison Ave. and stopped at one of my favorite places, the Red Apple Grocery Store. I picked up some plants at some good prices and am headed out to the garden to plant them now!

Kirkland Farmer's Market

Last Wednesday afternoon my girlfriend Dinky and I went to Kirkland to experience their Farmer's Market. One of the nice things about the market is that they have relocated it this year to the Marina area. It is a beautiful location and on a warm day (which we had) it was so nice to sit and just enjoy the view of Lake Washington. For those of you who visit the Renton Farmer's Market, there are several vendors at Kirkland that also sell their goods here. In talking with some of the vendors they make the local market circuit which means they are busy 3 to 5 days a week. They all said how much they enjoy it but the packing up and setting up gets a little burdensome. Kirkland's market does allow some local crafts people and I bought a pair of earrings from one of them. We enjoyed tasting the samples and talking with the vendors. We stopped at the Crepe booth and each ordered a crepe. I had the veggie and Dinky ordered the Chicken/artichoke. Both were very good. Later in the afternoon we decided to sit and watch all the people who were now at the beach. I snapped this photo of the young boy who I told Dinky in years to come will be laughing at the fact that he was playing in the lake in his underwear but for that day he didn't have a care in the world! We hope to get to the Columbia City market tomorrow, weather depending, and if not in the near future. It's really fun to see the variety each market has to offer.

5 Alarm Fire in Downtown Renton

A 5 alarm fire destroyed a building on Wells Ave. So. in downtown Renton last night that housed The Comic Den, A-1 Vacuum and Locksmith and several apartments. According to several reports the fire broke out sometime after 7:00pm. Renton Fire Department was joined by SeaTac, Kent and Skyway Fire Departments to help battle the blaze. Several local residents who resided in the apartments located in the destroyed building have been left homeless. The Red Cross was on the scene to help any of them who needed places to stay. All the other tenants who live in adjacent apartments are not allowed to go back to their buildings for 48 hours. According to officials they are excavating the damaged building tomorrow.

Renton Farmers Market

I went to Renton Farmers Market on Tuesday and I have to say that I think it's the best market to date. There were several vendors from years past but also some great new vendors as well. One of my favorite new additions is Bella Napoli. They were offering samples of their famous pasta with marinera sauce but for a real treat you need to dine at their restaurant located at 509 S. 3rd St. in downtown Renton http://www.ciros-bellanapoli.com/ I came home with a loaf of fresh brioche and a pint of the sweetest strawberries. I made French Toast with a strawberry sauce for breakfast yesterday morning....yum! There were many locals at the market and I had fun visiting with them. With the gorgeous weather everyone was enjoying the sunshine and the young were splashing in the fountains. The flowers vendors had great bouquets for sale and the peonies were amazing. Great day....can't wait till next week!

All Things Wine

I attended the Food and Wine Pairing Class last evening at All Things Wine located at 4605 NE 4th St #4 in the Renton Highlands. This class was actually #4 in a series and now I wish I had been able to attend the previous three. Owners Leesa and Wayne Kofmehl are both very knowledgeable and have an obvious love of wine! And Wayne admitted his fondness of beer. He laughed when I told him my kind of beer is "Bud Light." All Things Wine offers free wine and beer tastings and has one lined up for tonight. So if you're looking for something fun to do this evening......stop by. Here's the upcoming tasting schedule: Tonight's Winery is Maryhill.

Wednesdays: 5:00-7:30 pm

Fridays: Beer and Wine Night 5:00-7:30 pm

Saturdays: Flagship Wine Tasting All Day 11:00-7:00 pm

All Things Wine also offers a Wine Club....for more information visit their website at: http://www.allthingswineonline.com/article.espx?SHOW=12263

Retirement......

Well I offically "retired" as of Tuesday night. I am so looking forward to it! I have so many things I would like to do but always had work commitments. I will keep you informed of my adventures!

These first few days include getting out in my much neglected yard and just plain relaxing. I do have a wine and food pairing class tonight that I signed up through Renton Technical College. It's from 7-9:00pm. The class is scheduled at All Things Wine in the Highlands. If you haven't had a chance to visit this great wine shop, you should. They have wine and beer tastings several times a week and usually always free! http://www.allthingswineonline.com/article.espx?SHOW=12263

Friday evening is Mike's official retirement party at the Pavilion. He retired in September after spending 38 1/2 years with the Renton Fire Department (the department has recently been renamed Renton Fire and Emergency Services) http://rentonwa.gov/government/default.aspx?id=644. Mike retired as Battalion Chief. It will be fun to see all the active and retired firefigthers who have been like family to Mike and I over the years. It's pretty special the brotherhood the firefighters have towards each other and their families. - Sue