End of an Era

Olaiya and I would like to use this space to thank all of our supporters over the years. We have made the difficult decision that 2010 was our last year of operation. We're proud to have made a large number of donations to Women for Women International as well as our largest gift ever to the Cura Orphanage in Kenya. We hope that those contributions will make a lasting impact in the lives of the recipients... that the world will be a little brighter for it. And we hope that everyone that's ever come to a Little Spark event knows that they fueled that light.

Since our infancy, the Little Spark project was designed to tap into a desire that we shared with many friends: To find small but meaningful ways to help repair some of the damage in this world. We had some energy and some ideas... but none of it would have meant anything if people hadn't turned out. I was constantly amazed and heartened to see friends and strangers show up to our events and gladly contribute money toward the cause. There were many times during the planning process when I thought we would never attract enough participants to make this fly. While I had hope, I also harbored doubts that human beings would care enough about each other to support a project like this. I was wrong. And I can't tell you how happy that makes me. You've helped me repair a bit of damage in my own heart. Thanks.

We hope that all of you will remain in contact as we find new and interesting projects to throw ourselves into. Cheers!

Dog Mountain Dinner a Smashing Success!

Last Saturday was wonderful. Forty people showed up to fill the picnic tables at Dog Mountain Farm and a fantastic crew of volunteers assisted Olaiya in dazzling their tastebuds. The tables were beautifully appointed, and the food sang with spice and color and Mediterranean bravado. All told, we raised over $2,500 for the Orphanage in Cura, making it one of the best Little Spark events ever! We are eternally grateful for everyone's support.

Prepping the Carrots


Kelsey Gathers Flowers for the Centerpieces


Quality Time with Shelby the Farm Dog


Judy and Hayden Set up the Picnic Tables


The Table Settings


Dog Mountain owners Cindy and David Share a Lighter Moment


Judy Returns with Freshly Picked Edible Flowers


Crostini Appetizer with Grilled Haloumi or Lamb


Hayden Takes a Minute to Talk about the Cura Orphanage


Olaiya Introduces the First Course and Wine Pairing


Soup is Served!


The Siel Party Enjoying Themselves


Alex Arranges Salads on the Staging Table


The Entree: Braised Pork with Polenta and Sweet and Hot Peppers


Meredith Smiling


Steve the Sommelier


Keena's Table Shares a Toast before the Main Course


Alex Pours for the Frenkel/Mullins Party


Molly's Table


Linette's Table


Volunteers Man the Dessert Assembly Line


Fennel Ice Cream with Grilled Apricot and Candied Pistachios


Dessert Didn't Last Long!


Unique Farm Dinner Experience: Carrying a Baby Goat

2010 Summer Event Scheduled!

Little Spark is excited to announce its first official collaborative event with the Creative Visions Foundation. We're planning a July 31st dinner at the gorgeous Dog Mountain Farm to benefit the Cura Orphanage in Kenya.

Little Spark got involved with the Cura Orphanage (pronounced "shura") last year after being contacted by kindred soul Hayden Nichols. Hayden has been involved with the Cura Village orphanage project since its beginnings and convinced us that this was the sort of sustainable grassroots project we wanted to be involved with. Thanks to your support, Little Spark made a $700 donation last year to sponsor a young girl named Loise Wanjiku.

Loise, like all the home's fifty children, lost her parents to HIV/AIDS

Olaiya has served several times as the "guest chef" for Dog Mountain's series of summer dinners at the farm. These are wonderful five-course meals complete with a different wine pairing for each course. The menu is seasonal, and largely dictated by what's available at the farm itself, since the goal is to provide guests with a farm-to-table dinner experience.


Olaiya's peach and blueberry galette from a Little Spark in the Park event

Proprietors Cindy and David will also be on hand to give guests a tour of their organic farm and answer questions. They have also very generously lowered their farm rental rate for us. This will allow us to charge the same rate as a typical farm dinner this year ($100) and still manage to donate over 50% of the proceeds to Cura.


Tables set for a farm dinner last fall.
Here's Olaiya's preliminary menu, subject to seasonal availability:

lamb or roasted red pepper crostini with feta and almond-mint pesto

grilled haloumi crostini with lemon and dill

spicy chilled tomato soup with goat cheese croutons

moroccan-spiced carrot salad with avocado and citrus vinaigrette

braised pork with sweet and hot peppers, currants and almonds over creamy polenta

or

polenta terrine with sweet and hot peppers, currants, almonds and blue cheese

char-grilled baby broccoli with lemon and garlic

italian plum tart with homemade fennel ice cream

Hayden and her partner Greg are planning a trip to Kenya early this summer and will be in attendance with new photographs and stories about the village's efforts to create their own sustainable organic farms.

Please consider joining us for this wonderful event, or even becoming a table captain. As a table captain, you will host a table of six for the event... filling it with your friends, coworkers or family members as you see fit. You will be able to enjoy the event with loved ones, and receive recognition and a thank you gift from Little Spark for helping us.

July 31st
3:30 to 8:30 PM
Dog Mountain Farm
Carnation, WA
$100 per guest

If you are unable to attend our dinner, but still wish to make a donation we would be honored to accept your contribution. We will honor you at the event at our "virtual table" for our supporters that weren't able to join us. Contact John for more information.

Please be advised that this is a four-hour outdoor event in a farm environment. Your children are welcome to join us but we cannot make special accommodations regarding the seating, pricing or menu. We trust your judgment as a parent to determine if the conditions and dining environment are appropriate for your child.



Just a few of Cura Orphanage's beautiful children.

Whiskey a Go Go

Little Spark was proud to warm up the oven and our spirits with a Southern Comforts party last January. We came in out of the cold rain to enjoy whiskey-based cocktails, cornbread, baked ham, braised greens, buttermilk biscuits with marmalade and soft cheese, New Orleans spiced shrimp, and succotash. John played bartender, mixing up Old Fashioneds, Mint Juleps, Manhattans, Sazeracs, and the star of the evening: The Brier Patch.

Oktoberfest Pictures!

The group sits down to an opening round of German lagers and Olaiya's pretzels


Judy sitting, Olaiya "mugging" with her Bavarian stein


Jenny and Steve looking adorable

Riley and Larry (the cocker spaniel) showing that youth is but a blur

Kristin, professional cake model

Judy and Christie discuss the upcoming Little Spark event!

Fall and Winter Dinner Events

O and I are pleased to announce two events for the Fall and Winter. Our palettes change with the seasons, and we're actually excited to bring summer to a close and start thinking about the warm flavors of autumn. Please consider joining us for one or both of these happenings. RSVP quickly as space is limited.

Octoberfest at Olaiya's House with Backyard Bonfire
Saturday, October 17th
$20 Donation

Homemade Soft Pretzels with Coarse Salt & Mustard
Grilled Sausages/Veggie Brats
Braised Cabbage with Apples
Plum Kuchen
Selected German Beers and Hot Apple Cider

John is happily sampling various brews to complete the menu. So far, Weihenstephaner's Hefeweissbier Dunkel is the only given, as John is completely smitten with this rich wheat beer, full of flavor without being overwrought with hops.

And

Southern Comforts Party
Beat the rain and the post-holiday blues with comfort foods and the warm embrace of artisan bourbons and rye whiskeys.

Straight whiskey tasting will be available for the intrepid.
Otherwise, rounds of cocktails will be served with appetizer courses.

Saturday, January 16th
$35 Donation

Sweet Potato Hush Puppies with Pimento Jam
Cornbread with Braised Collards and Cayenne Creme
Buttermilk Biscuits with Marmelade and Ham or Soft Cheese
New Orleans Spicy Shrimp or Blackeyed Pea Fritters

It Only Seems Quiet

Actually, we've had quite an interesting buzz this Summer. First, Olaiya and I were contacted by a wonderful woman from The Garden State looking to initiate her own Little Spark organization. We traded tips and gave her our hearty blessing to create a similar project in her own home town of Princeton. Over the years, we've had a few suggestions/offers to expand our project. While we've always been flattered, part of the appeal is to keep this a small, intimate backyard affair. After having spoken with this woman (who will hopefully keep us apprised of her progress) our new theory is that Little Spark doesn't need to grow into a big organization with a board of advisers and charity auctions, etc. But if people want to copy our model and Little Sparks pop up around the world doing similar work... then we'll be thrilled!

Secondly, we were contacted by some local folks that are involved with a wonderful project: an orphanage in Kenya that takes care of children who have lost their parents to HIV. They have sent us some incredible materials detailing their efforts and photographs of the site. Olaiya and I are hoping to meet with them soon and talk about the possibility of Little Spark contributing to their cause as well as Women for Women.

Much of this attention came our direction after the last Little Spark collaboration. Brandon and Molly were fabulous hosts... seating 20+ folks at their new restaurant Delancey. And Molly even gave us some ink over at her fantastic blog Orangette. We both owe them a big debt of thanks and have been very happy to have heard from excellent strangers in Seattle and beyond that want to get involved.

As autumn approaches, O and I will roll out a couple of new Little Spark dinner events. Stay tuned for details in the upcoming Little Spark newsletter. We hope to see you soon!

Delancey Event Photos

Little Spark/Delancey Collaboration!

We are excited to announce that our good friends and long-time supporters, Brandon and Molly, are about to open their own restaurant. Delancey will feature wood-fired pizzas, inventive salads, house-made pickles and rustic desserts. Little Spark will be teaming up with Delancey to bring you our next event: an exclusive pre-opening dinner! We think you are going to love Brandon and Molly's inspired cooking and hope you'll join us for an evening of food, wine and company. Here's what's in store for the evening:

What: Wood-Fired Pizza Dinner

When: Friday, July 10th, 7.30 PM

Where: Delancey (1415 NW 70th Street in Ballard)

Cost: $35 per person

Menu:

seasonal roasted vegetable plate

assorted wood-fired pizzas including:
shaved porcini, fresh mozzarella, and thyme
brooklyn-style with tomato sauce, two mozzarellas, parmesan, basil, and zoe's pepperoni
creme fraiche, fingerling potatoes, and chives

homemade ice cream with chocolate chip-sea salt cookies

red and white wine

Update: This event is sold out!

May 30th Open Invitation

Dive into the new season of locally farmed produce! Come and join Olaiya and me for this once-a-year explosion of early summer bliss. Sweet, fresh and tender flavors mix it up with rich herb and mushroom tones. This dinner features my personal favorite appetizer: Olaiya's morel and asparagus melange served with a light cream sauce atop locally baked artisanal bread. I can't wait!

morel and asparagus toasts

arugula salad with roasted apricots, pistachios and goat cheese
wild mushroom crepes (vegetarian entree)
or
rack of lamb with fresh herbs and garlic
spring vegetable sautee
washington state rosé

strawberry rhubarb tartlets with buttermilk ice cream
coffee and tea

$45 per person

RSVP soon to secure your spot!

Fondue Dinner in the Books

The first guests arrive and enjoy a traditional cherry cocktail


Olaiya prepared sumptuous platters of fine things to dip in cheese


Stringing the molten cheese across the table was just part of the fun!


We enjoyed a delicate riesling with our feast


And, as always, we finished with a delicious flourish!