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

Plant a Pancake

84 years later, and McLendon's is still a family owned and run local hardware store serving an annual free pancake breakfast to kick off another year of business and the beginning of planting season. Up and adam early and you'll get a tummy full of carbs and protein to help fuel your day out in the garden.

The lines are long, but the pancake grill is fast and before you know it, you are feasting on a couple of flapjacks, 2 links of sausage, oj and hot coffee. Did I happen to mention that it was free?

Just in case you get the hungries before you make it to the head of the line, there is a cookie stop where you can seek sugar nourishment.

The smell that wafts over from the huge serving dishes full of breakfast goodies is wonderful. Everything is just hot off the grill and fresh, fresh, fresh.
That is a full head of steam rising from what was to become my plate. It was good, in case you were wondering.


This little guy just camped out in the cart, scarfing down as many sausage as were available.

This is probably the biggest store day for McLendon's the whole year, except for Mother's Day weekend when those fuschia hanging baskets just fly out the doors.

The Picaroon had a cart full of flowers and plants to plant, and all save one made it into the ground or pot this afternoon.

Happy 84th McLendon's!

McLendon's Hardware
440 Rainier Ave S
Renton, WA 98057-2401
(425) 235-3555

The Cupcake Sweetheart Box

Sweeties for the sweetheart - an entire box of them. This week at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes get the Sweetheart Box of cupcakes for your special Valentine. Or maybe just treat yourself, in case you just want to make sure that you get your cupcake fix for the week.

Four luscious cupcakes, four different flavors. All enclosed in that nice white pastry box that makes you perk up and say "treats"!

Fortune Cake (green tea cake with green tea buttercream), Have a Heart (raspberry frosting, brownie heart and chocolate cake), Red Queen (cinnamon cake with cinnamon buttercream) and Strawberry Fondue (strawberry cake with white chocolate frosting)

The "Have a Heart" Cupcake.

The "Fortune Cake" Cupcake.

Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years fall on the same day this year - Sunday, February 14th. For me, that is rather a let down, as I like to celebrate both holidays independently. Based upon the lunar calendar, Chinese New Years falls on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. I guess I will console myself with a cupcake. Oops, looks like I already did!

PS - It's the year of the Tiger. " Those born in tiger years are natural leaders and excel as actors, pilots, writers, and managers. They are authoritative, courageous, emotional, and intense."

I say that 2010 sure could use some "tiger" in it's tank.

Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee
900 South Third St.(425) 235 - 1717
www.commongroundcupcakes.com

Open on Valentine's Day, folks!