Hair of the Dog - or what did I do on St. Paddy's Day??

The best way to cure the hangover from yesterday's St. Paddy's Day revelries, is just a ounce more of the same. You heard that right - give me a pint of Bitter and hand over the aspirin!!

Oh, and speaking of the "Hair of the Dog", here he is - and let me tell you, they refused to serve "his" kind yesterday. Forced to drink at home, alone, yet again.

The Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band was just one of an entire day's worth of entertainment that awaited you at A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub yesterday, I tell you - those bagplayers were hot. They can come save Lady P anytime.

A Shout Out and thanks to Robin, of the fair green hair, and Chandler Wilson for inviting The Picaroon out to play yesterday. Far Right is their mate, Jason.

 

The green beer goggles were rockin' my world yesterday. But just for the record, ladies and gents, it was the eyeware that I was enraptured by and I did go home alone.

Bill and Faye Moss celebrated 56 years of wedded bliss yesterday - and handed out long stemmed green carnations to all they met. The Moss's are shown with their son, Biff on the top right, and Bill Collins, who always manages to get into a photo somewhere. Bill and Fay were married on a Thursday it seems, and they handed out carnations on that first day of marriage as well. A tradition was born. Long live the Moss's!!

And here is my final salute to you all - a cup of the finest from the Green Isle - Guinness. Hope all of you are recovering nicely.

Happy St.Paddy's!!

It isn't easy being green, lamented Kermit the Frog. But today it  couldn't be further from the truth, unless one likes being pinched. Ran into this most lovely Ballower Bouquet ( yes, that is balloon parlance for a pocket full of air blown posies to you uninitiated) from Lulu's Balloons. Laura Lenzi of said business full of smiles and fun, made these especially for Jet City Espresso, corner of 2nd and Main Street and still the home of my  favorite cup of joe.

I am obviously out of touch with the art of balloons, as I find this bouquet quite amazing. I have never seen anything quite like it. Max the Wonder Dog is quite smitten with them as well. He's certain they have food potential, if not something to consider giving a chewing over.

Take it easy out there today, Renton. Live to drink another day, if you catch my drift. 

While you are still green and sober, shout a birthday greeting to the best mail carrier in Renton - our dear Barbara. Today is her birthday and I am certain she'll be seeing some of the wee folk before the day is through!

Renton - where the Shams do Rock

First thing to get proper Green in the town of Renton, you stop off for a bit of the real blarney - a cup of Mike's coffee at Liberty Cafe and a bit of a chin wag. That will set you right in the mood, as it were. Always someone around who wants to have a chat.

926 South 3rd Street  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 235-1400

Then, thinking you're up for the stronger stuff, you head off to see Jenna and Paddy at A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub for a pint and a giggle, You may even stop by their new Irish Market. It has all the tastes and wonders of the green isle herself for you to take home. I have my eye on some tea and a cool shirt me wee self, and it's open all the same hours of the pub. Now that's making it easy.

201 Williams Ave Renton, WA 98057-2106 - (425) 227-3396
Open Weekdays 11am-2am; Weekends 9am-2am

Then, you begin to cry into your cups, thinking of your Irish heritage and all. You think of  your dear ole Mum, whom you haven't called in ages, and head over to Cuigini's Florist Shop to buy her a bit of the green to help celebrate the day.

413 South Third Street  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 255-3900

By now, your head is aching something fierce from all that thinkin' and drinking, and you need a little TLC and a bit of primping. You've heard that a girl can get a great bit of pampering, maybe even a new "do" over at Bianco& Co Salon and Spa
231 Wells Ave South, Renton -(425) 282-5046

 

Maybe feelin' a tad maudlin and in need of reviving, a Pot O'Gold  Guinness chocolate cupcake with Irish cream butter frosting could cheer one up completely. Available right here in our little burg at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes

900 South 3rd St # A  Renton, WA 98057-2710  (425) 235-1717

With a belly full of cupcake wonder, my brain begins to tingle from neglect. Old Renton Book Exchange is just the ticket to restoring some brain cell activity and honoring my Irish roots with a book or two on the homeland. 

227 Wells Ave. South  Renton, WA 98057  (425) 430-2665

One must ask - do I really have enough of the green for the day? For a little creative pick-me-up and a whole lot of fun in general, always head off to Happy Delusions, where Indie crafters are well represented.

924 South 3rd Street  Renton, WA 98057-2734  (425) 255-6078

And finally, a shout out to our resident a winner of a $1,000 math and science Carson scholarship for her college fund, Ms. Samantha Goetz-Granquist. Local Rentonite nominated by her school, with a high grade point average, an interest in geology and an active participant in her community, this lovely young woman is loved by all.

ALSO Look at the next best thing to sliced soda bread - AllRenton.Com - check it out!!

A bit of the Irish

Here at The Picaroon, we like to celebrate our Irish roots. First, comes the nontraditional but highly welcome, espresso to jet start the day (to help mellow the beer that is soon to come after :) ) This lovely cup of caffeine brought to you by:

Jet City Espresso
at the corner of 2nd and Main in the DTR

Next, Irish Soda Bread made by me wee little self this a.m. - just like the ancestors made it.

Lastly, the bit of "flair" for the day to make sure everyone knows not to pinch me, and that we Irish have always been known for our sense of humor.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Out and about at the "Dog"

Scott and Marian(top), Jimi and Katie(bottom),Aimee and Lindsay(top right),Charlie(middle) and Big Bob. The Dog and Pony Alehouse and Grill - St. Patrick's Day.

If you're Irish and you know it...

David at the Antique Mall is wearing a sweater straight from Ireland today, and that's no blarney! His has the lucky shamrock right there, emblazoned on his chest to prove it.

The Eagle's Club on Wells St. is a great place to get a casual well drink and play some poker, hang out with some old time Rentonites and probably a few Italian/Irish.

Today only, Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee are featuring Green Velvet Cupcakes - and I stopped by already to do some inspection - and I give them the official green light for goodness.

Pinching may occur today, so sport your green. Or, go one step further and get your Irish Accent Breath Spray, available today while supplies last at Happy Delusions on S. Third. Tell Mary that The Picarron sent ya - maybe she'll take pity on you and pronounce you "Irish" for the day, and still pinch you for such blarney 'cuz with as many Irish immigrants having 12 kid families back in the day, we are
ALL a little Irish!

The Dog and Pony will feature Leprechaun Throwing (Aimee says that Lindsay goes first) and Jay, the owner, will be cooking up some Irish food favorties. The Tapestry Saloon will be having Guinness for $4, rueben sandwiches and the other cornbeef wonders. DC 's Bar and Grill will be having some fun and games tonight, like shuffle board, and special snacks, no cover. Caution to be had it you think to head for Finnegan's as they will have you dish out $20 if you arrive anytime after one this afternoon - ouch!!
Those are just a few of the highlights for our zipcode today, my friends - drink wisely and drive safely - Happy St. Patricks Day!

Irish Soda Bread

This is one of our family favorites. I make it throughout the year, but especially at this time of the year - can't deny those Irish roots! You know how I love to bake - I just had to share this with you. It isn't green, but its lovely.
Irish Soda Bread
2 cups flour
2 Tbs chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1 Tbs granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup buttermilk (if you don't have that, take the "fatest" milk you have and sour it with vinegar/lemon juice and let it sit for a minute)
1 large egg
1/3 cup dark raisins or zantes
2 tsp skim milk (this is only to make the tops shiny - not essential)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat baking pan with oil or use parchment paper. Using a pastry cutter or just your handy fingers, combine the butter,flour,sugar,baking powder and soda and salt, until well mixed and the butter is like small peas. In a small bowl combine your buttermilk and egg, which you then add to the flour mixture. Work until it forms a soft dough -again, don't be afraid to use your hands! On a slightly floured surface, sprinkle dough with the raisins and knead for 2 minutes. Divide dough in half and shape into a rounded loaf. Place loaves on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross in the top of each loaf and brush with milk. Bake until golden, about 40 minutes.
Adapted from Healthy Meals recipe.