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!!

The city freezes and the blog block melts

Snow - again? Three times may indeed be the charm, as this is the third time this day that the flakes have fallen and this time they may even stick. I did not get what I needed this Winter where snow was concerned. I like the blanketing of white, the crunch under foot and the chilly breath that comes with snow.

The views of North Renton as I sloshed home tonight were dipped in pearly white and slightly mushy around the edges. My camera somehow made the cut into the new handbag and voila! instant Kodak moment.

A snow blizzard feel as I made tracks in the unmarked lanes about town.The blue light here stands out in a wonderfully weird way.

The houses wrapped in snowflake batter were what drew my eye.

 

While the city became drowsy with cold, a hearty group of bloggers met to discuss the plans for a new blog in the offing. One that brings a confluence of assets and efforts and helps lapsed writers reenter the land of the web and Renton news.

So stay tuned and I will help spread the word. There is a new voice in town ( well, a few voices pulling together under one gleaming banner head) and we mean to make a difference.

I sitll heart you, Renton

I got an email for Valentines Day from a faithful reader telling me that four months was too long to wait for a Picaroon update. And I am still late in saying, I still do heart you, Renton.

The walkers of Coulon Park have better holiday attire than most. Artfully contrived with Velcro and a few safety pins for good measure, these clothes are all made to order for each occasion by some costumer of witty talent.

Can you believe the blue skied wonderfulness of the day these photos were shot? The weather is a mix of Spring whipped up into an occasional Winter cool fest. I never know how to dress when I get up - unlike our statue strollers here, who can wear the hell out of anything.

I still think of the days of old, blogging away about the town I love. My Valentine to you, dear Renton. A photo of your winning colors.

Last look at October

Halloween began with a great brewing of Halloween Tales over at the Renton History Museum. Dorota Rahn (pictured above)  helped conjure up a crowd to come see the free speaker program that I am so fond of over at the museum. Why weren't you there?

Bea and her well known talent of a mother, Naomi Baltuk, regaled a rapt crowd with tales of Halloween at the museum. Storytelling is a craft and form of entertainment that is good for the soul. Get away from that TV and video game when the opportunity presents itself. What a great duo! 

While out on the streets of Renton, some dressed for the holiday - and others, just dressed in the tie dyes that comprise the greater part of their wardrobe. Phyl Carroll is a grandma who dressed as a granny and Richard Stout is a man who loves color, especially the swirly kind.

Halloween can be a great time to experiment with possible new looks and hair colors - like Bill Provin here, who I must say, has a flare for purple. So does Brandy.

 How could I get away without one last fond look at jack o 'lanterns? They should somehow be an acceptable use of a pumpkin all the way up to Thanksgiving.

North Renton as a neighborhood completely rocked - with the Schelgel's Home on Williams Street hosting a Haunted House in their backyard - which was awesome.

Across the street, Halloween craftsmen, Evan and Dave created their own ghoulish destination for the more intrepid trick or treaters.

 

It was a great Halloween season - sigh.

Wanna know why I started to blog again today? I read my horoscope over at Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology and it said - blog. I kid you not. I was gonna try to be lazy a little longer, but I was shamed back into it. Really.

The North Renton Picnic rocked - again

Sorry for the lame "pet" ad - just click on the "X" right away, and that pesty little thing with vamoose!

Join the Renton Picnic today

Feel like a little picnicking and  meetin' the neighbors and that sort of thing? Join the North Renton Neighborhood Association and my wee self this evening between the hours of 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Jones Park on Wells Street for some free hot dogs and convivial surroundings. We won't frown at a little potluck activity from your kitchen, if so inclined. Norma is said to be collecting recipes of any dish that you happen to bring. So come along and share - whether it be just you, or you and a dish or two. All comers welcome.

My favorite part of the evening is seeing people from all walks of the City of Renton's many departments out cooking up dinner at the grill.Check us out last year.

While you are at it, check out the newly formated North Renton Neighborhood Association website, thanks to a local figure known to many as Renton Ben.

North Renton Picnic
Tonite! Jones Park on Wells Street
5:30 - 7:30 pm   FREE!