I made this snowman pizza meal for my Mom.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Cauliflower
Bottom Left: Macadamia nuts
Right Side: Snowman- cheese pizza with black olives and cheese nose (assembled after baking).
I made this sweet potato, cheese and black bean meal for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Moons – cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Stars – roasted sweet potato cut with a cookie cutter, Black Bean Sauce – I did not use the cilantro
Top Right: Stars – apple cut with a cookie cutter
Bottom Right: Pistachios
Happy New Year! I made this fun meal for myself.
Container: Glass Container with Lid
Contents: 2022 – Homemade polenta cut with a cookie cutter, sautéed zucchini, pearl mozzarella balls
As is my tradition, here are my Top 10 Lunches from 2021!
I made this Hug Your Cat meal for my friend’s daughter Natalie.
I made this Ghost Melon salad for myself.
I made this Nutella Bunny lunch with my 19 year old niece.
I made these Tower of Giraffes for myself.
I made this Hippo lunch for myself.
I made these Cauliflower-Potato Planets for myself.
I made this Llama meal for my Mom.
I made this Acorn bread meal for my Dad.
I enjoyed this Mount Rushmore mashed potatoes meal.
I made this Sloth meal for my friend’s husband Jeff.
Happy New Year! May your 2022 include delicious and attractive food.
This year for Christmas dinner, I prepared and served a 12 Days of Christmas themed meal (12 Courses!) My parents, friend Carol, and her son Mike joined me.
Table Decor
Menu
I planned the menu to include some make ahead and freeze and make ahead and refrigerate items. I prepared a lot of items the day before. I tried to keep the courses small since there were 12 courses! We had a set of 4 courses and took a break. I planned it to be a slow meal and it took the place of 2 meals. I was inspired by many of the 12 Days of Christmas themed posts available but I put my own spin on them.
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree.
Mini Poached Pear with Partridge Crisp – I made my own pie crust for the partridges. Their eyes are mini chocolate sprinkles. I served them with Mascarpone instead of whipped cream. We poached the pears a day ahead and stored overnight in the refrigerator in the liquid. These had a wonderful flavor. I reduced the sauce a few hours before serving. I reduced it too much since I was concerned about it being too liquidly.
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me, two turtle doves.
Chocolate Turtles– I used Werther’s Chewy Caramels and Wegmans Cyprus Sea Salt flakes. Delicious! We made them a day ahead. They stuck to the parchment so we put them in the freezer. I thought that they were difficult to eat but my guests had no problem with them.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me, three French hens.
French Onion Soup – I mostly followed this but used Vermouth instead of the Red Wine. I made the soup a day ahead.
Cheese Bread Hens – I made this focaccia without the topping (the day before). My Mom cut the hens with a cookie cutter and then sliced in half. Shortly before serving, I broiled some shredded Wegmans Le Gruyere cheese on top of the Hens and put into bowls filled with the heated soup.
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, four calling birds.
Vegetable Food Art – Daikon birds cut with a cookie cutter, zucchini musical notes cut with a mini cutter, carrot sticks. Served on homemade pesto that I made a week before and put in my freezer. This was a refreshing and delicious course!
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, five golden rings.
Onion Rings – my Dad made his onion rings. Served with Ranch dip made with Hidden Valley Ranch packet and sour cream.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, six geese a laying.
Romaine Macadamia Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette – (click on print to see the entire recipe). I couldn’t find frozen cranberry concentrate. I used unsweetened cranberry juice with maple syrup in the vinaigrette. I used whole macadamia nuts for the “eggs”. I shredded Irish Cheddar for the salads.
Kohlrabi Geese cut with a cookie cutter.
On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, seven swans a swimming.
Swans – Homemade Ravioli cut with a cookie cutter. I used this dough and filled with a mixture of Ricotta, Parmesan, and Asiago cheeses. I made the swans a week ahead and put in my freezer.
Savory Blueberry Sauce – I didn’t use the thyme. This was my first time making a savory blueberry sauce. I would make it again.
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eight maids a milking.
Mini Milkshakes – talenti Peppermint Bark ice cream with whole milk, sprinkled crushed candy canes on top. This was delicious and the candy cane gave it a special touch!
On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, nine ladies dancing.
Ladies Dancing Tortilla Chips – cut flour tortillas with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. I planned on making Salty Ladies but I forgot to salt them.
Cheese – I did a cheese consult at Wegmans.
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, ten lords a-leaping.
Lords Sugar Cookies – I made my own cream cheese frosting (cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, little heavy cream) with some cocoa powder added for the hats and boots. Eyes – blue sprinkles. I made the cutouts with ninja (did cookie surgery for the second arm) and snowman hat cookie cutters and put them in my freezer a week ahead. On the day of the meal, I frosted them.
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, 11 pipers piping.
Cheats Eclairs with decorations to look like pipes. I made these shortly before serving.
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, 12 drummers drumming.
Pound Cake Drums frosted with Strawberry Frosting, pretzel sticks. I used strawberry frosting since we loved it at my Tea Party. I struggled with frosting these. They looked like shag carpet. My Mom saved the day with a tip from her Mom (she died years ago). After setting the butter frosting in the refrigerator, she used a knife dipped in warm water to smooth the frosting.
I served the last 3 courses as a dessert trio since I am fond of making dessert trios.
My critique of the party: I think that everyone enjoyed the food. I am impressed that I pulled off a 12 course meal! I had a spreadsheet with courses and the plates I planned to use. Also, my Mom was an awesome help.
Other Christmas Meals
7 Continents (Santa’s travels around the World)
I made an easy to prepare but festive Christmas Eve meal that I enjoyed with my parents.
Asparagus Christmas Tree tarts – Puffed pastry with asparagus, Boursin cheese, Cheddar cheese stars (cut with a cookie cutter)
Blue Cheese Dip – with celery and bell peppers
Grapes
Marcona Almonds
Christmas Cookies (not in photos)
My critique of the meal: This was easy to prepare and enjoyed by all. Maybe it will become a new tradition.
I made this for my 19 year old niece. She had more pizza with this meal that we didn’t photo.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Santa – Pizza cut with a cookie cutter, mozzarella, Eyes – spinach (cut with a straw), Mouth – black olive, Hat – tomato sauce
Top Right: Green beans
Bottom Right: Raspberries
I made this meal for my Mom. She loved the blue cheese sauce.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Pistachios
Bottom Left: Hershey Kisses
Right Side: Bell- Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon stripe, Bells – Sweet Potatoes cut with a cookie cutter and roasted. Blue Cheese Sauce.
I made this festive meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Wreath – Fresh Mozzeralla with pesto and red bell pepper, Livera Italiana Pasta
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Honeydew melon wreath (cut with cookie cutter), pomegranate seeds
I made this meal for myself. It is fun to think of how many different foods I can make into candy canes.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Candy Canes – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, smoked paprika on cheddar, sautéed spinach with onions
Top Right: Kidney beans
Bottom Right: Greek Yogurt with cinnamon stripe
I made this meal for my Dad. I gave him more than one candy cane bagel but one alone looked better in the photo.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Candy Cane – use the dough from this recipe. Break off desired portion of dough and make two equal sized balls. Knead tomato paste into one portion. Make two ropes. Twist the two ropes together to form a candy cane, romaine
Top Right: Sundried tomato cream cheese
Bottom Right: Pistachios
For the 5th year in a row, I made gingerbread for the Eastman Museum’s Sweet Creations gingerbread show. Just like last year, all of the creations have covers. The auction to benefit the museum is now online. Go here to see all of the creations and to place a bid. To see the gingerbread in person, visit the Eastman Museum by January 2. Reservations are required.
Here is a sample of my favorite creations this year.
This year was my 5th consecutive year making gingerbread for Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. This is a concept I have considered since 2016. I am glad that I finally made it. It will be on display at the museum until January 2, 2022. Reservations are required. For the second year, the auction to benefit the museum is now online. Go here to see all of the creations and to place a bid.
Gingerbread Recipe: I used this recipe.
Royal Icing Recipe: I love using this recipe which uses Meringue Powder. It hardens fast and in works very well.
Torii (Gate): Cardboard frosted with royal icing (I made several gingerbread cookies in this shape but most broke)
Wall near rock garden: Pretzel sticks
Rock Garden: Royal icing with shredded unsweetened coconut
Moss Balls: Moss cookies
Pathway: Lemon pez frosted onto cardboard to make placement easier
Tree: Gingerbread with green royal icing and coconut dyed green
Stream: Royal icing with blue sanding sugar, lined with candy rocks
Bridge: Gingerbread
Red Koi: Mini Swedish Fish
White Koi: Fondant with black food coloring
Stepping Stones: Candy rocks
Moss Ground Cover: Coconut with green food coloring
Fox Statues: Fondant on top of caramels
Stairs: Wafer cookies
Hill for Shrine: Rice Krispy treat made in a loaf pan, covered with grey fondant
Shrine Roof: Gingerbread baked with small foil balls underneath to bring up the corners, black Royal Icing, licorice tires
Shrine Balcony: Gingerbread covered with edible gold leaf
Shrine Sign: Fondant wrote with toothpick with paste food coloring (I wrote the word “Shrine” in Japanese)
Shrine Curtain: Fresh lasagna noodle cut, used a small stamp and food coloring market to print design on the noodle.
Shrine details: White fondant
New techniques I tried this year:
My Gingerbread Collection: Go here to see most of my gingerbread creations.
This year I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my friend Carol. It was supposed to be 3 of us but a co-worker had to cancel that morning because of side effects from his 3rd booster shot. Carol and I had a wonderful meal and visit.
Table: I borrowed my Mom’s harvest plates that she bought at Wegmans many years ago. Carol made the beautiful flower arrangement. I used the cornucopia napkin rings that I bought in NYC in 1999. I made simple place cards with this leaf pattern. I used my Great-Grandmother’s sterling silver flatware. Brown table cloth.
1st Course: Pumpkin Apple Soup with pumpkin seeds garnish, Cream Cheese Chive Rolls from Martha Stewart Baking (I prepared the rolls few days before and put in my freezer. I baked them right before serving.
Main Course: Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts (I used mild Wegmans creamy blue cheese.), Roasted Green Beans, Homemade Cheese Tortellini (made and put in freezer a few days before) with Vodka sauce.
Dessert: Apple Turnovers with homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream. I baked the turnovers right before serving. The ice cream I made a day ahead and pre-scooped that morning to make it easy for serving.
My critique of the meal: Everything was delicious! The sweet potatoes were a repeat from last year’s Thanksgiving. I would do the dessert again – delicious but easy and the ice cream was make ahead.
I made this turkey themed meal for myself.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Turkey – Melon cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – cinnamon, blueberries
Right Side: Turkey – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Body – Broiled Cheddar cheese, Eye – Dried blueberry, Wattle – Tomato, white beans and zucchini
I made this fox themed polenta meal for my Mom.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Fox – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, face – cinnamon (drew with a toothpick), sautéed spinach with onions
Top Right: Cottage cheese with cinnamon
Bottom Right: Apple Crisp
I made this snake themed pizza lunch for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Snakes – Pizza with Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese (cut with a cookie cutter)
Top Right: Green beans
Bottom Right: Brazil nuts
My 19 year old niece styled and ate these dinosaur pancakes.
Dinosaurs – Chocolate chip pancakes cut with cookie cutters
Snow – Whipped cream from a can
Droppings – Chocolate chips
Meteor – Chocolate chip pancake, whipped cream with food coloring
Others in this series:
I made this adorable giraffe polenta and bean meal for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Giraffe – polenta (cut with a cookie cutter), goat cheese with smoked paprika, kidney beans with salsa
Top Right: Pecans
Bottom Right: Clementines
I made a cat themed meal for my friend Renae and her family. Even the lentil soup had cats in it! Her oldest daughter Natalie helped me style the meal.
Raw Vegetables and Hummus – carrot, cherry tomato, celery
Lentil Soup with Cat Shaped Carrots (cut with a cookie cutter)
Cat Bread – I used the same recipe as the Groot Bread. I shaped the bread as cats and added chocolate details – chocolate and white chocolate with food coloring
Individual Cat Cheesecakes – details with Hershey kisses, M&M’s large and mini, melted chocolate put in a zip-lock bag with corner cut off
My critique of the meal: I think that everything was enjoyed by all. The cat carrots in the soup were a delight to eat and the bread and cheesecakes were adorable and delicious!
I made this easy pizza meal for my friend Carol.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Unicorn – homemade cheddar pizzas, Eye – spinach leaf cut with a straw
Top Right: Grapes
Bottom Right: Blueberries
I made this festive lunch for myself. I used natural colorings on the mashed potato skull.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Sugar Skull – Cheddar mashed potatoes shaped with a cookie cutter, Green – maccha powder, Purple – butterfly pea powder, Yellow – turmeric, red nose – red bell pepper, soybeans
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Gherkins and black olives
Happy Halloween! My 19 year old niece and I enjoyed planning and preparing this Halloween party. My Mom also helped. My parents, niece and I had a memorable meal!
Table Decor
Room Decor
Menu
Individual Chocolate Pies
Ingredients:
Preheat over to 350.
Crust – Press mixture of graham cracker crumbs and melted butter into bottom and up the sides of individual pie plates
Filling – In a pan combine condensed milk and chocolate. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and milk. Keep stirring. After it cools, pour into crust. Bake for 30 minutes.
Chill for several hours.
Jack-O-Lantern Whipped Cream – Whip heavy cream with orange food coloring. Sweeten as desired. Spoon into a small plastic bag, snip off a corner, pipe face onto chilled chocolate pies.
Lighted Menu Cards – This was a hit with party attendees. I mostly followed these directions.
My critique of the meal: We all enjoyed this Halloween party! I was delighted to collaborate with my 19 year old niece. All of us keep talking about the menu cards and the homemade creamed corn.
I made this today with my 19 year old niece.
Ghosts – Pancakes cut with a cookie cutter
Eyes – Chocolate chips
Snow – Whipped cream from a can
Droppings – Chocolate chips
Others in this series:
My parents and I enjoyed a pumpkin shaped and themed ravioli dinner.
Pumpkin Ravioli – I used my favorite pasta dough with a little canned pumpkin added to the dough for color, cut with a cookie cutter, filled with a mixture of canned pumpkin, brown sugar, parmesan, and nutmeg.
Blanched Snow Peas with Parmesan Cheese
Sage Butter – Melt butter with a few fresh sage leaves, remove sage leaves
Toasted Walnuts
Pumpkin Truffles – I somewhat followed this recipe but I used wheat flour and did not cover with chocolate. I only used a little bit of chocolate for the jack-o-lantern faces.
My critique of the meal: It was fun and delicious! I enjoy making ravioli days or weeks ahead of the meal to freeze. It makes preparation easier on the day of the meal.
I made this space travel meal for my friend Dennis. I used my space shuttle cookie cutter. For my meal, I also ate the Cuban Black Beans and rice. It was delicious.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Space Shuttle – cheese (cut with a cookie cutter), Cuban Black Beans, basmati rice
Top Right: Apples
Bottom Right: Earth – I made the easier version described and bought the peanut butter cups.
I made this Boo, Eek themed meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Boo, Eek – Flour Tortilla cut with cookie cutters, Baked Cauliflower Potato Patties, I mostly followed the recipe but did not use egg or any egg substitute.
Top Right: Blueberries
Bottom Right: Cashews
I enjoyed this attractive ghost melon salad for lunch.
Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.
Contents: Ghosts – Honeydew melon cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – Mini chocolate chips, Romaine lettuce, chopped cucumber, tomato, black olives
I made this roasted potato and cheddar cheese ghost themed meal for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Ghosts – roasted potatoes and cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes -smoked paprika added with a toothpick, black bean sauce
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Ghosts – apple cut with a cookie cutter and dipped in water and lemon juice to prevent browning, Eyes – cinnamon added with a toothpick, blueberries
In September, I had oral surgery. September 14, I had surgery on one side of my mouth, September 29, I had surgery for the other side of my mouth. I usually do better handling challenges when I have a plan. In the weeks before my surgery, I spent quite a bit of time preparing meal plans and cooked freezer food to enjoy after my surgery. Some challenges I needed to plan for: eat smoothies with a spoon since no straws allowed in first days after surgery, eat soft foods for two weeks after each procedure, avoid nuts, seeds, and crunchy food for around 6 weeks after the second surgery.
I like crunchy food. Years ago, a coworker remarked that I like crunchy food. I guess he was aware that I enjoyed snacking on pretzels in the afternoon. But, I also enjoy creamy food. Many years ago, when I worked in NYC, I dated a man who actually did not like creamy food. I am glad that I like creamy food since it made life easier after oral surgery.
I designed a meal plan that covered a month of meals. I made modifications before the second surgery with what I especially liked (yogurt in pottery or glass) and didn’t like (pumpkin oatmeal). Overall, my plan worked and it made a difficult time easier.
I created smiling tooth stickers to indicate oral surgery approved meals in my freezer.
Goals:
Notes:
After my second surgery I remained on the mostly liquid diet (smoothies for breakfast), one day longer than I had planned the first time. My mouth and jaw were sore and any movement on one side of my mouth impacted the other side.
Freezer Meals
Other Soft Meals
I did not take photos of all of my meals during this time. Included in this post are a sampling.
I ate this melon Hippo salad for lunch.
Glass Container with Lid
Hippo – Honeydew melon cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Mini chocolate chip, cottage cheese, blueberries, Brazil nuts
This is a simple meal I made for my friend Carol when she returned home from vacationing on her island. This is my first time to use the new EasyLunchBoxes 4 container box.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Almonds with mini chocolate chips
Top Middle: Birds – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, homemade pizza
Top Right: Broccoli, cherry tomatoes
Bottom: House – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, Island – Pesto pizza, blueberries, blackberries
When I was a child, I had an imaginary friend. He was a parrot named Tippy. I called him Tippy since he sat on the tip of my finger. This is my first time making a parrot lunch. My friend Renae made some parrot cookie cutters with her 3D printer. I am excited to explore other Tippy themed meals. Hands are part of this meal since young Kathy held out her hand to the large green bird.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Parrot – zucchini (from CSA) cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – dried blueberry attached with spaghetti, Beak – orange cheddar attached with spaghetti, pasta with sautéed onion (CSA), zucchini, and cheddar
Top Right: Hand – flour tortilla cut with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray cut-out with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp,
Bottom Right: Applesauce with cinnamon
I made this volcano tortilla chip with salad meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Volcano – Flour tortilla cut with with a knife, red sanding sugar, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray cut-out with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, lettuce, broccoli
Top Right: Pecans
Bottom Right: Dinosaur – Kohlrabi cut with a cookie cutter, black beans and salsa
I made this lunch for myself on a day I met my family at the zoo.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Llama – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Face – cinnamon, cottage cheese, lettuce, cinnamon, Brazil nuts
Top Right: Homemade bread
Bottom Right: Vegan Broccoli Salad – I did not use the onion or cranberries
I made this easy melon fox themed lunch for my Mom. They don’t exactly look like foxes but it is cute.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Fox – cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – spinach cut with a straw, cottage cheese with blueberries
Top Right: Pistachio nuts
Bottom Right: Green bell pepper
I made this squirrel themed lunch for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Squirrel – Cheddar garlic mashed potatoes cut with a cookie cutter, sprinkle with smoked paprika, broccoli
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Acorn – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, sprinkle with cinnamon, blueberries
I made this lunch for myself on a week that I had my favorite combination of beets, pasta, and blue cheese for lunch.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Oak leaves – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, sprinkled with cinnamon, blueberries
Right Side: Oak leaves – Beet cut with a cookie cutter, pasta with blue cheese
I made this acorn themed bread lunch for my Dad. I think it is my first time to cut a peach with a cookie cutter. My 19 year old niece had the idea.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Acorn – Shaped homemade bread with Nutella and Chocolate Pocky
Top Right: Marcona Almonds
Bottom Right: Squirrel – Peach cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
I made this flower themed lunch for myself. I love the combination of beets, pasta, and blue cheese.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Flowers – Apple cut with a cookie cutter (half are sprinkled with cinnamon, half show their skin), blueberries
Right Side: Flowers – Beet cut with a cookie cutter, radish cut with a cookie cutter, center of flowers attached with spaghetti, pasta with blue cheese
My friend Deborah came over for dinner and a long walk on a workday. I wanted something easy for dinner so decided on falafel waffles. We served them with tahini sauce, tomatoes, and cucumbers from Deborah’s garden. Falafel waffles are so much fun to say and eat. We each plated our own. Mine is the first photo and Deborah’s is the second.
I made this shaped waterwheel bread meal for my Mom. My 19 year old niece came up with the idea.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Waterwheel – Shaped homemade bread with cinnamon spokes, blueberries
Top Right: Brazil Nuts
Bottom Right: Vegetable bundles tied with chives
My 19 year old niece and I made this trio of raccoons. She picked the theme and styled the raccoons.
Others in this series:
I made this for my Dad on a day I met family at the Utica Zoo. This was actually my first time making fougasse. I had to significantly modify the recipe from the original so I won’t link to the recipe.
Container: U-Konserve
Contents: Goats – Cheddar cheese cut with cookie cutters, fougasse (ladder) bread
Container: LunchBots Trio
Top Left: Red Grapes
Top Right: Vegan Broccoli Salad – I did not use the onion or cranberries
Bottom Right: Strawberries
Over the years, I created many space themed meals. Here is my collection!
ALIENS
STARS
Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chip Stars
Cheddar and Tortilla Chip Stars
MOON
ASTRONAUT
Sandwich Astronaut (this was published as a guest post but the host site no longer exists)
Toast Astronaut with Pizza Stars
ROCKET / SPACESHIP
METEOR
CONSTILATIONS
PLANETS
I made this fun space themed meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Space Ship – flour tortilla cut with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray cut-out with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, lettuce (from CSA), pearl fresh mozzarella balls
Top Right: Brazil nuts
Bottom Right: Stars – Cheddar cut with cookie cutters, black beans
I made this planet themed meal for myself. I enjoyed trying the Cauliflower Potato Patties for the first time.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Planets – Baked Cauliflower Potato Patties, I mostly followed the recipe but did not use egg or any egg substitute. Earth – sprinkled with Butterfly Pea Powder and Spinach Powder, Mars – sprinkled with smoked paprika, Venus – browned, Saturn Ring – cut flour tortilla
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Blueberries
I made this giraffe themed meal for myself. It is part of my ongoing series of themed potato salads that often also contain.vegetables and cheese.
Note: A group of giraffes is called a tower.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Giraffes – Roasted sweet potatoes, orange cheddar cheese (red pepper flakes and smoked paprika), orange bell pepper all cut with cookie cutters, Spinach Walnut Pesto (I also added basil)
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Apple with cut check pattern, blueberries
I made this lunch for my Mom. I was happy that she requested fruit and cottage cheese. It inspired me to make a lighthouse theme meal.
Containers: U Konserve
Rectangle Container: Lighthouse – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon details, cottage cheese mixed with blueberries, brazil nuts, lettuce
Round Container: Lighthouse – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon details, homemade roll
Almost 2 years ago, I started looking for a house. I think everyone who knows me will be glad when I finally find one. Then they won’t have to hear me complain about prices and the lack of houses that meet my criteria. Last week, I actually looked at two houses! Before I looked at a house after work with my friend Dennis, my 19 year old niece asked if I was going to make a house search themed meal for him. I was not planning on it but thought it was a great idea. Dennis enjoyed it!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: House – Flour tortilla cut with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray cut-out with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, food coloring marker details, For Sale Sign – Cheddar cheese, carrot, food coloring marker, rice with spinach, onion, garlic, and Asiago cheese
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: $ – Ishtar zucchini (from my CSA) cut with a cookie cutter
Eclectic Lamb 