Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Code Name Vagabond

Last night Mommy and Daddy arranged for Silver to come to the house and hang out with me while the two of them headed to Portalis in Old Ballard to partake in a Vagabond Dinner. Vagabond is the brainchild of Gabriel Claycamp, Culinary Communion founder and head gypsy behind the secretive and uber-hip Gypsy Dinners. Tonight's guest chef was Andy Leonard from the newly christened Opal on top of Queen Anne. Joining Mommy and Daddy at their table were the lovely Christine and the funnier than hell Carmen... Apparently she had some stories to tell.

Dinner with Andy


Summer Corn and Bacon Puddin?
Mache, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Sugar Snaps


Chilled Poblano and Plantain Soup
Dungeness Crab Dumpling


Peach-Braised Wild Boar Shanks
Greens and Beans


Dessert: Smokey Blue Cheese Biscuits
Foie Gras Gravy
Onion Marmalade

Monday, July 30, 2007

Daily Report

This Weeks Theme: Camping! (Finally a new theme)
Breakfast: Small All
Lunch: Small All
Snack: Small All
Slept from: 1:20 to ?
Ella shared a story about how "her and Papa set up a black tent outside!" She also glued shapes together to construct a tent and different pictures of outdoor scenes to create a "campsite"!
--Heather Jones

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Mommy Roadkill

As Mommy worked her way the Ragnar Relay, her first event of this kind, she managed to add two roadkills to her list of accomplishments. This might not be the type of roadkill you're thinking of... Apparently when running these types of races, the passing of other people is called a roadkill. And we would proudly like to announce that the forty thirty-something Mommy blazed past TWO twenty-somethings. Way to go Mommy!! Here are some pictures from the race:

Team Pink Bunny at the Ragnar Relay

Team Pink Bunny

Sasha Nosecchi at the Ragnar Relay

Mommy on her first leg

Sasha Nosecchi's roadkills from the Ragnar Relay

Mommy's roadkill tally

Sasha Nosecchi after her 3rd leg at the Ragnar Relay

Mommy after her 3rd and final leg

Team Pink Bunny at the end of the Ragnar Relay

Team Pink Bunny celebrating 2nd place!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Ragnar Relay and Tullycraft

This afternoon I was in for a pleasant surprise as Nana appeared to pick me up and take me back to her house to spend the weekend with her and Papa because Daddy is in studio mixing Tullycraft at Soundhouse Recording and Mommy is runner from Blaine, WA to Whidbey Island as a member of Team Pink Bunny for the Ragnar Relay.

While I was at Nana and Papa's having yummy orange sherbet and sleeping in their trundle bed (my first experience sleeping in an actual bed), Mommy was sending Daddy text messages fast and furiously:
1:21PM - No walking and passed two twenty somethings!
3:48PM - Car sick
5:56PM - 14 Min of schedule...the trophy is at stake
9:20PM - Drama!
9:33PM - Steph had to drop out so can you say Marathon?

Before retiring for the night in the very big girl trundle bed at Nana and Papa's I shared to Ella originals with them...

Ella Beelman's toddler perspective and original drawing of Nana

Nana

Ella Beelman's toddler perspective and original drawing of Papa

Papa

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Zoo Tunes - Pink Martini

Tonight we headed to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo to catch a performance by Portland's Pink Martini. We were in the fine company of the Smith's: Tia, Doug, Carter and Campbell. Also joining us was Tia's mom Carol, or Mor Mor as she's known by Carter and Campbell.

It seems like forever since I've seen my pal Campbell. The Smith's were in Colorado slumming at the Broadmoor for a family vacation before having to take their show on the road to visit Doug's ailing father in Texas. A trip that was supposed to be 10 days unexpectedly ballooned to a little over three weeks! It was super great to see my friends again... It's been too long.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Daily Report

This Weeks Theme: Marine Life cont...
Breakfast: Small All
Lunch: Small All
Snack: Small All
Slept from: 12:55 to 2:15
*Read Back!!
Supplies Needed: (x) Blanket ( ) Sheet ( ) Clothes ( ) Diapers ( ) Other
Ella, Sofia, and Ruby set up & "cooked" an elaborate meal in the kitchen area for Tommy and Benjamin. She also sponged painted coral!
--Heather Jones
On the back:
*I gave Ella an ELDC blanket in addition to her blanket for nap time today. She gets very frustrated when she can't cover up her toes & head completely during nap. You can just keep her blanket here & wash the spare at the end of the week or bring a bigger one. Thanks!
--Heather

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Cosmo Gathering at Owen's

Tonight Lynn Burgess, Joe Moriarty and Owen Moriarty invited us over to their lovely home along with Don, Amy, Audrey and Henry Light for a casual Cosmopolitan Kids summer reunion BBQ. Bailey Stumpf, Sidney Stumpf, Brandon Stumpf and Sam McKnight were invited too, but were sadly lost to the demanding schedule of summer.

In spite of Bailey and crew's absence, we uncorked a few bottles of wine, and a few more bottles of whine while Joey and Lynnie put out a great spread as the consummate hosts. The adults even braved the tropical rainshower while us kiddies tried to escape the overbearing and freakishly un-Seattle humidity by hanging out in the basement watching movies and eventually being serenaded by Owen... Apparently one of Seattle's most promising aspiring singer/songwriters.

Don Light rocking the funny grin

We'd like to thank Joe, Owen and Lynn for providing their home as the backdrop for a nice night among the what is likeliest the most disgruntled former Cosmopolitan Kids alumni that Ballard ever did see. If you want to hear a few negative rants with their cross hairs aimed squarely at Shawna Smits and Steph Roberts, just drop me a line and I'll be sure to fill you in... A couple of ladies with SERIOUSLY dubious business practices.

Thanks too to the Lights for whipping up a wicked bread pudding and for thoughtfully providing a berry crumble for Mr. Lactose Intolerant, a.k.a. Daddy.

Audrey Light

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Family Photos

Tonight the fam and I met photographer Ann Chadbourne at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard for a family photo shoot with the hopes of getting an image or two fit for framing and perhaps a Christmas card. Daddy and Mommy first came aware of Ms. Chadbourne and her photographic skill through an hour of photography services she generously donated to the silent auction fund raiser for my school way back when.

After an iffy weather day, all of us were pleased to see the heavens part and bathe us in gorgeous evening light. After shooting at the botanical gardens, on a pedestrian bridge and in a sun-kissed meadow, we relocated from the Locks to Golden Gardens for dramatic mountain backdrops to the fun beach views.

Ann fired shutter click after shutter click while we walked up and down the beach. Every few feet I had to take a time out to return a wayward shell to the sea. And to promote an atmosphere of fun, Mommy had us lay down and make sand angels. The gal is wacky!

Ella Beelman, Sasha Nosecchi and Kip Beelman at Ballard's Golden Gardens

Thanks to Ann... We couldn't be happier!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Get Ready... It's Coming

Late yesterday a rather mysterious email arrived in Daddy's inbox from Papa Jack:
Squad:
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of a small but nasty village called O'Sullivans Sportsman's Resort (T1) as well as a particularly vicious little organization called Potholes Golf Resort (T2). The reasons are classified, but most of you are aware of these two groups' offences to human dignity.

Tools: an unlimited amount of beer, rum and tequila will be supplied; Human-to-ball interface implements are currently in your possession. Upon completion of your mission, no residual of these supplies and other "implements of havoc" shall remain at the scene to be used as evidence.

Timeframe: August 4 and 5. By August 5, the inhabitants and employees of T1 and T2 must have been adequately dealt with.

Logistics: No later than 0900 hours on 8-4-07, casually congregate at 4453 190th Ave SE Issaquah (ORIGIN) and link with COMMAND. The inhabitants have been apprised or your arrival and have created a plausible explanation for your assembly. At 0900 hours, launch mission on Othello WA, code name OPERATION LIVER. Upon commencement of LIVER, recall is not an option - Proceed until mission accomplished.

Post logistics: Upon completion of LIVER, regroup at best possible speed at ORIGIN. From ORIGIN take individual paths to safety and recuperation. Report to COMMAND when ready for next mission.

Acknowledge receipt prior to commencing mission.

END

COMMAND


Do you know what this is all about? Operation Liver? Origin?! Command?!!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Daily Report

This Weeks Theme: More Marine Life
Breakfast: Small All
Lunch: Small All
Snack: Small All
Slept from: 1:20 to 2:35
Ella painted a coffee filter with watercolors and glued on "tentacles" to create her jellyfish. She told us all about seeing a jellyfish & some starfish over the weekend!
--Heather Jones

Friday, July 13, 2007

The Lights (Sans Don)

Last night as part of the Beelman-Light Summer Family Picnic Series, the parents elected to meet at our house so that us kids would be better wrangled since daddy Don Light was in Boise, ID for work. The uber-brave and seriously unflappable mommy Amy Light brought baby Audrey and mi amigo Henry over for some play time and picnic-inspired fare.

Daddy was beyond excited to fire up his new grill and show a salmon fillet who was boss. The adults were smooth-sippin' some summertime white wine while we did a little painting in the backyard, feigned interest in Madagascar on TV, and had a couple of ice pops before the heat and some tired kiddies took their toll. By the end poor Hennie was begging to go home.

Our next one is now not slated until August 2nd... I vote for the Wallingford Playfied wading pool and an old-fashioned picnic outside and on the grass. You with me people?

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Wallingford Playfied

Today Daddy got an email from Mirta Villaran asking if we might be interested in joining her and the Villaran-Tiritilli family at the Wallingford Playfield wading pool after their parent-teacher conference at ELDC for Sofia. On a day like today when it's 90 degrees outside, I couldn't have thought of a better idea.

It was our first trip to the Wallingford Playfield and we were quite impressed. Not only did it have a great playground, the wading pool far, far less chaotic than the one at Green Lake. Even little baby Leo dipped his toes in the water. Super fun and thanks to Mirta for thinking to include us!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Daily Report

This Weeks Theme: Marine Life
Breakfast: Small All
Lunch: Small All
Snack: Small All
Slept from: 1:05 to 2:45
Ella built a "sunscreen bottle" out of small Legos and applied it all over me & most of her friends! She fingerpainted her crab and named him Sebastian.
--Heather Jones

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Grillions

Today Daddy's boss at IQ Beats, Michael Berlin, drove themselves northward from their Jingle Sweatshop downtown in an aim to rendez-vous with Mommy and myself at the Phinney Ridge Farmer's Market. We were all excited to get some vittles and check out the fresh food offerings.

While en route, Mommy phoned Daddy to inform him that plans had changed due to her getting a bounty for the BBQ from Whole Foods, and that they were to just meet up with she and I at the crib. She also asked us to stop and get some tonic water and limes along the way. This call and request came in just as Michael and Daddy were pulling up to the house, so Daddy jumped in the white car to head out to Safeway to pick up the items on Mommy's list along with some more charcoal for the grill and a six-pack of Pacifo for Michael.

As soon as Daddy fired up the Korean Rocket, Mommy and I came pulling into the driveway in Grammy Sam's car. Daddy explained to Mommy that he and Michael were already to the house when she called him and that he would head out and get the stuff... No big deal. Michael elected to stay at the house with Mommy and I.

Little did Daddy know, that while he was haunting the aisles of Slaveway on 85th, Michael was making frantic phone calls to ensure a surprise that he and IQ Beats co-owner Steven Scalfati lined up was on it's way to proper execution. Daddy running this errand was the perfect opportunity Michael needed.

Shortly upon Daddy's return Mommy got the margaritas going and put out the chips and salsa. Even I knew about the surprise and it was hard to hide my excitement waiting for the ring of the doorbell. Must stay focused... Just color, color, color and show my masterpieces to Michael.

Ding - Dong. The doorbell rang and Daddy guessed that it was Michael's girlfriend and bon vivant Carrie Palk finally arriving from her class on some discipline of Indian spirituality. Much to his surprise, instead he found a delivery person from Magnolia's Ace Hardware carting in a shiny and mammoth new Weber Genesis grill courtesy of Michael and Steven from IQ Beats because Daddy conceived, designed, implemented and maintains the new blog for IQ Beats.

Weber Genesis grillCarrie eventually did join us and a grilled feast was had: portobello mushrooms, ahi tuna steaks, corn and some juicy New York steaks. Mommy got a luscious bottle of Owen Roe to go with the grillectables alongside a yummy salad and her dish of heirloom tomatoes with basil, salt, and olive oil. I rocked a hot dog and my juice.

With the addition of a gas grill in the house, Daddy now had no excuse to fire it up nightly. And all year round too... The thing is so big, Daddy can stand at the sliding glass door in our living room and reach the grill without even having to step outside to the deck. The only thing better would be if he could reach it from the couch.

From all of us here at Chez Beelzecchi,
THANK YOU IQ BEATS!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

The 5th of July

Yesterday started like any non-work or non-school day by meeting Amy Light and her brood of Henry and Audrey at Green Lake Park's wading pool for a good ol' fashioned play date. By 10:30AM the weather was a nice 75 degrees and Hennie and I were ready for some kiddie splashing action.

We waded around, back and forth, for about an hour before a certain clock-minded daddy thought it was a good time to go and procure some ice cream before we parted ways for toddler nap time. The ice creamery of choice for this day was the nearby Mix, right across from the wading pool. It was only 11:15AM and sadly we found out that they don't open until noon... Too much time to wait with two toddlers and an infant. Drat!

Daddy and I did manage to get our ice cream later by a visit to The Scoop at Walter's near Sunset Hill in Ballard. I had the peach while Daddy had the mojito sorbet. Poor guy can't have actual ice cream. But with Ben and Jerry's frozen yogurt, dude ain't missing out on much.

When Mommy finally made it home from her training, empty-handed she was not. After her workout she stopped by Whole Food and picked up some beef links, a chicken link, a spicy sausage link and some burgers for later. Daddy quickly fired up the grill, made a rum and coke and was officially in business to fully enjoy the holiday.

Contrary to the way Mommy usually runs the calendar, we basically just had a day to ourselves after our morning play date. During my nap Mommy and Daddy sat in the backyard sipping their cocktails and playing games. Mommy smoked Daddy in a heated round of Scrabble before Daddy reciprocated with lashing her at Boggle. After my nap we headed to the zoo and checked out the few animals that were up for braving the heat. As it was an hour before closing time on a popular holiday, the place was essentially ours. Fun!

We migrated to the playground where I had fun playing alongside a girl that was from Germany. She spoke English without an accent and her parents knew their stuff too. It was remarkable to watch the girl effortlessly switch back and forth between German and English. Daddy claims he can too... But he's talking about beer.

Inevitably the loud booms and strings of firecracker pops jarred me out of my sleep and had me pretty worked up. Mommy walked in on me sitting up in my bed, shivering in fear. Her maternal instinct kicked in and she moved me to her bed since Daddy was likely to be sleeping solo on the sofa as a result of his night owl hijinx. Mommy dreads doing this as she knows she'll earn another sleepless night since I'm a CONSTANT mover while I sleep. But no matter... We had a great day together as a family.

Happy birthday America. Enjoy yourselves. Just keep it down while I'm trying to sleep!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Beelman Family Portrait

Family portrait of Kip Beelman, Ella Beelman and Sasha Nosecchin done in the Simpsons style

Monday, July 2, 2007

Daily Report

This Weeks Theme: The Ocean
Breakfast: Small All
Lunch: Small All
Snack: Small All
Slept from: 12:53 to 2:30
Ella, Sofia and Henry gave Alan the 'spa treatment' this morning! Ella cut his hair & trimmed his beard, Sofia washed & rinsed and Henry "dried off" his hair with a blanket.
--Heather Jones