Local Eats and a place to meet - Week One at the Market

Farmer's Market season begins once again - Tuesdays from 3pm til 7, so you still have time to nip in on your way home from work and get some locally grown and made goodies to add to your pantry.

There are some welcome new comers this year - one being Zaw Artisan Pizza, lovingly made right in front of you for you to take home and bake. Just seeing the pizza dough being rolled out by hand made me smile and salivate.

Dancing and music are always available at the Market. Some people just tap their feet - others, get their friends involved. Check out the wonderful website for Renton's Farmers Market to find out who will be playing next and what vendors you might find.

Ahhhh - and the flowers - who doesn't just want to come for a bunch of floral delight to take home. So reasonable, so gorgeous. These bunches were just $4 at 6pm when I cruised on through.

Little Blue Eyes Mini Munny
Under the loving care of Mary Clymer of Happy Delusions fame, there are crafters at the Market this year just across the street from the Piazza. This little munny was loving painted by one of my favorite artists, Alexandria Sandlin, of the big eye art. I love seeing this addition to the market. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Mary through the link provided above.

Farmers Market means family time - here are Jimmy and Katie out scouting the yummy treats with James, who is giving a resounding double high five to this year's market.

Honey, honey - raw, unfiltered, never heated and delicious, is available again this year. Sweet As Can Bee's Honey is local - and what could be better than that. They had flavors that piqued my interest - vanilla or the creamy habanero honey.

Known to many as Farmer Bill, Bill Provin had his shopping bag full of cherries and Trevani Truffles. I will be dropping by later, Bill, to help you with those purchases.

Forest Fairy Bakery delivers the goods and has been a market staple for the last couple of years. Welcome back!

Devon and little Bella scope the scene for likely purchases. I am assuming that if you can hold your dog, you can bring your dog. I think that sounds fair, right?

Another great addition on the craft side of the Market were these good smelling, locally made soaps by Pepo Park. I was given a sample to take home and it has made a new customer out of me. The lather and scent was just up my alley.


What opening day of the market would be complete without Randy Corman, member of the Renton City Council and our favorite men in blue, Jim Gould (center) and Dave Adam (right)? Our town is not so big as to prevent the Market from being a place to catch up with friends and meet people from City Hall. Gotta love it.

Renton Farmers Market
The Piazza/ South Third St. and Burnett
Tuesdays, 3pm - 7pm

Spring Festival and a run at Poker

Renton is blooming.

Spring has sprung and this Saturday we celebrate it at the Piazza with a festival and some low key poker playing. The Renton Poker Run is a great way to see the sights in Downtown Renton, acquaint yourself with some of the newer additions to the neighborhood and maybe win a prize. There are 34 businesses participating this year - visit them all, get your best poker hand together and maybe you'll get lucky.

Tulips at Liberty Park.

Rather just slowly sip your coffee and shop? Spring Festival also means Farmers Market, arts n' crafts vendors, music, kids activities, just general fun. This is when the Piazza is the way it ought to be more often- full of people and in use.

The look of spring in North Renton.

Personally, I am on the prowl for flower bouquets at the festival and hoping that my favorite snack vendors make an appearance. Mad money well spent, I say.

Veteran's War Memorial in the DTR

Spring Festival and Poker Run
Renton Downtown Piazza
S. Third St. and Burnett Ave.S.
Saturday, April 17th 12noon - 5pm

Poker Run
Sign up at booth in the Piazza - $1 donation or canned food to benefit Renton Salvation Army
Visit all participating businesses, get a poker card from each and try to get the best hand.
12noon - 4pm

Santa is waiting...

You know you want to - so just go on over and have a free photo shoot with Santa today from 5pm til 7pm and Saturday from 1pm til 4pm. It won't hurt, your Mom will love to see you like that once again and it never hurts to see if you can still ask for a present or two. Besides, it is your last chance in the DTR to see the guy up close and personal like.

The Piazza
233 Burnett Ave. South
For more information, contact Alecia Rivas at 206-619-1101.

Start you local shopping engines

Today begins that lovely procession of craft bazaars and holiday shopping suggestions that will become part of our weekends from this time forward. The Renton Senior Activity Center yearly host a Craft Bazaar and fills at least three rooms full of vendors with any type of handcrafted item you can imagine - and, they have coffee and donuts, usually, for the weary shopper to indulge in once there. Musical entertainment and others things to eat will also be available - so scoot on over and check things out.

I always love to go to this local event. The prices are always good, I am bound to see an item or two that tickles my fancy and this always makes the day of some hard working crafter who spent hours preparing for this sale day.

Today from 10:00 am til 4 pm

Renton Senior Activity Center
211 Burnett Ave. Renton, WA

Let me take you to the Market, this one last time

Last call for friends of the Renton Farmers Market - today finished a stellar season for the vendors and visitors with sunny blue skies, warm temperature and sweet, sweet treats to be had by all. The Picaroon will be featuring some of this blog's favorites of the market today. Selfishly, it is all about what The Picaroon has come to love and associate with the market over these last three months. I have even more photos, but I had to limit myself to the task at hand.

These were the wackiest pair of squash, in shapes and sizes akin to small household pets and children. They were for sale - but it was like arranging for an adoption of an unwieldy beast - no one wanted to cart either of them home.

I am sooo gonna miss the fruit. Bags, boxes, bunches - every way you can think of to describe and buy a mess of fresh grown goodies.

Cute hand drawn signs and things to gnaw on - what more could you ask for from your local market?

Boy, when Marcie Palmer, member of Renton City Council told us she did a number on her foot, boy was she not kidding. Here she is keeping Brian Larson, MC of the market and Rocco Fiore company after demanding to be set free from the house for the afternoon and hopping into her wheelchair. Okay, she didn't hop into the wheelchair, and it will apparently still be some weeks more before she can even begin to think about that kind of frivolous footwork.

Some of my favorite market peeps - seen on a weekly basis and always enjoying the market scene - Pam and Lee Chiccoine and Phyl Carroll.

Another pair of my peeps that I love to see - Jim Gould, Renton Police and Linda Middlebrooks, Farmers Market Volunteer Manager. I will miss not seeing these folks on such a regular Tuesday occasion.

I love my flowers - so just get over it!

So do others - like lovely Charlie here with her specially chosen bouquet. Pretty as a picture.

This man and his lovely wife served my Mom I don't know how many servings of Teriyaki Chicken with Rice or Orange Chicken over the past weeks. This was her favorite place to eat at the market, bare none.

Gary Palmer, photographer wunderkind and hubby to dear Marcie Palmer is always where a good photo is to be had - he also tries to sneak in shots of the photo-shy Lady P - arrrrghhhhh!

John aka JJ Springer aka the best dancer and giver of hugs, laughter and smiles in town is the upbeat part of any market outing. I will miss not seeing him weekly. I need my shot of JJ juice to keep me regular and happy.

Oh, the honey was delicious and so sad that some of you will be missing it. Local honey, some infused with local strawberries that is aged for a few weeks before getting to you - it was amazing - called Strawberry Cream Honey. Sweet as Can Bee Honey has a website and some other infused honey flavors, like chocolate, that are not to be missed, in addition to the blessedly good plain old scrumptious golden liquid stuff. It is a 2 person, 60 hive local concern that should be a shopping stop for all of you - online, of course, after today. sniff. (Oh, above with the honey is Cherisse).

Quincy had some incredible music stylins that he was putting down with his electric keyboard and singularly good singing voice! Recent grad of Renton High School, he came on stage to wow the audience after the Rain City Breakers danced.

The Rain City Breakers were break dancing as both a group and then individually for the last of the music and show performances of the Renton Farmers Market season. The group hails from good ole Renton and they were really good. I loved the music too - not hiphop, but soft, melodic R&B like tunes with a great beat. I have some more great shots, so I will do another posting about just them tomorrow. Fun.

The sweetest flower for last. This is Sophie and she has flowers. That and the photo pretty much say it all.

The Last Call - this is your Farmers Market Day

Today is the last day of quite an incredible market season for Renton. Great weather, record turnout and tasty pickins has been the order of the day for the Farmers Market here in our lovely little burg. The Picaroon will be there, and today, will take photos of all of our favorites from so many lovely weeks of visiting and eating and shopping.

Don't forget that at 4:30 pm today, the Chef Demo will feature the local restaurant, The Redhouse and then at 5:30 pm there will be music the Rain City Breakers. For recipes and more, remember to check the Renton Farmers Market website.

Renton Farmers Market
Today from 3 pm to 7 pm
The Piazza/ South Third Street and Burnett

Meet me at the Market

Something new to round out your weekly shopping at the Market today - fresh milk and eggs!

"Starting August 25, there will be farm fresh eggs available at the market from the Twisted S Ranch. Bring in your own egg carton and receive 50 cents off your eggs!!"

"Check out Smith Brothers Dairy!!! They will also have eggs, and you can sign up to have local organic milk delivered to your house!! "

This news directly from the Renton Farmer's Market Newsletter. Wanna get the news and the green sheet yourself? Go the the Renton Farmers Market website and sign up now! There are only 4 weeks of the Market left, so make the most of them! The newsletter is also offering a smattering of great recipes and news on how to preserve fruits and veggies as well

Chef Demo at 4:30pm Jack's Pub (sponsored by Renton Tech)
Karaoke for the public at 5:30pm

Renton Farmers Market
Today 3pm till 7:00 pm
The Piazza/ S. Third and Burnett

Market Day!!

Meet me at the Market Today!

From 3:00 to 5:30 pm each Market Day there is a Master Gardner Clinic available for free. If you have any pests or pesky questions concerning your garden or yard, feel free to drop on by and ask an informed individual.

Kid's Fun Patch is held from 3:00 to 5:30 pm each Market Day. Under the cool shade of a large white tent, kids can play and decorate handmade dough and take their creations home.

Today, the Chef Demo will feature The Dog and Pony Alehouse and Grill located in North Renton at 4:30pm, and at 5:30 there will be a Local Artist Showcase.

Renton Farmers Market
Today 3pm till 7:00 pm
The Piazza/ S. Third and Burnett

Let me take you to the Market - Week 11

What a difference a week makes - the Renton Farmers Market was plagued with hot weather last week, and this week, a sprinkling of rain and temperatures in the mid 60's brought people slowly out of their homes, but many came prepared with an umbrella and some rubber boots.

Looking for certified organic fruits and veggies? Head to Full Circle Farm out of Carnation,WA with these lovely beets for a start. Want to learn more, you can check out their farm website.

Cindy was just a vision of market shopping - look at her fresh bread, bags of fruit and veggies and is patiently awaiting her turn for a bit of sugar and sweetness - a Hawaiian Shave Ice. Just desserts for her hard work at shopping.



The market has so many beneficial ingredients to add to our health and life. Yesterday Dr. Lucas and Christopher and Stefeny Anderson held a Cancer Fighting Foods Chef Demo. If you want to be updated on cool and creative recipes from the market and a list of fruits and veggies that are in season, please follow this Renton Farmers Market website link and add your name to receive the email newsletter.

The riotous colors of the $5 bouquet flowers are an amazing find each and every week. Give over to the color and purchase a bit of happiness.

Corn on the cob for dinner? Please!!

John the Market Dancer adds a special bit of movement and marvelment every week and he is sometimes joined by a mirror image of himself. This is the next generation of market volunteers in the making.

Linda Hays of the Forest Fairy Bakery wakes up early on the morn of the market and bakes her heart out for those carb lovers who turn out to her booth. Shirley, her mother, displays a lovely bear-face cupcake and mans the store during the day. All natural, all moist and full of goodness - a great place to include in your market rounds.

I am always pleasantly surprised by the music that graces the market from 5:30 - 6:30 pm each Tuesday. Monday at One was a great duo that was playing some great 80's tunes and kept the shoppers happily humming along with their tunes.

Rain gear was definitely on display Tuesday and was too cute not to relay. Look at these LadyBug Toes - don't you wish you had a pair as well?

I couldn't leave you without one farewell shot of the Umbrellas at the market. For some, merely a device to keep from getting wet - and for others, a mobile fort to offer up to friends, where travel to foreign lands was assured, away from green and "good for you" dinners and adults doing their shopping, and onto lands where sugar and candy coated goodies were the established norm and bedtimes had yet to be set or discussed.