Author Archives: eclecticlamb

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Heart Salad Bento

My husband ate this as part of his dinner (he also had vegetable soup and additional french bread). Container: EasyLunchBoxes Salad: Romaine, spinach, toasted pecans, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper (cut into hearts), cheddar cheese (cut into hearts), and sugar … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Pasta with Heart Beets Bento

This was a quick lunch to make and it could easily be made from dinner leftovers. If you want to heat the pasta in a microwave, you could use different sides or take them out. Usually I cook my own … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Groundhog Day Bento

Will the groundhog see it’s shadow or will spring come early? This was a quick, easy, and fun bento to make. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Background: Terra Blues potato chips Groundhog Sandwich: Peanut butter on wheat with dried blueberry details Fruit: Blueberries … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Seahorse Pasta Bento

This was a fun lunch to make for myself. I don’t mind cold pasta. Container: ECO Lunchboxes Pasta: Shell pasta with fresh pasta sauce (I cooked minced garlic, tomato, and some vegetable bullion) tossed with pasta and some Parmesan cheese … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Homemade English Muffins

I have wanted to make my own English Muffins for a long time. Great Breads by Martha Rose Shulman has a recipe but the issue of rings prevented me from making them. I do not eat tuna fish and it … Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Frog Bento

This is my second lunch using the CuteZcute cutter. Awhile ago I made a Panda lunch. Sometime in the future I will make the cat and pig. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Fruit: Grapefruit Waterlily: Cheddar cheese with yellow bell pepper Frog: I … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Bear Bento

This lunch was quick and easy to put together. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Main: Pita Bites, celery, cheddar cheese cut into bear shapes (sprinkle eyes and dried blueberry nose), Lindt milk chocolate bears Dairy: Wegmans Strawberry Greek Yogurt with bear sprinkles Fruit: … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Lego Pirate Bento

My 8 year old nephew and I made this today. He built the pirate raft to use in the photo shoot. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Cannon Balls: Black olives Lego Bricks: Hummus with carrots Sky/Water: Blueberries Pirate Ship: Cheese quesadilla, chocolate lego … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Benjamin Franklin Birthday Bento

I had fun creating this bento in honor of Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. He was born on January 17, 1706. Please take a look at this awesome Benjamin Franklin bento from my friend Sarah of Zoe’s Lunchbox. Container: EasyLunchBoxes 100 Dollar … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 28 Comments

Small Plates Appetizer Dinner

I am finally getting around to posting this amazing meal. For Christmas Eve dinner my family enjoyed a small plates appetizer dinner. My Mom and I decided on the recipes and coordinated the plates/shooters/bowls we wanted to use. Yes we … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Party Planning | Tagged , , , , | 33 Comments

Potato and Fruit Breakfast Bento

I continue to be interested in the idea of breakfast for lunch. I made this breakfast bento for my husband to take for lunch. He enjoyed this meal! Container: EasyLunchBoxes Fruit: Grapefruit with mint sugar (I put some fresh mint … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Salad Star Bento

For this lunch I had fun with my assortment of star cookie cutters. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Star Sandwich: Baguette with cheddar cheese stars Fruit: Apple stars with cinnamon Salad: Boston lettuce, apple stars, bell pepper stars, toasted almonds (served with ranch … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Snowman Bento

Container: ECO Lunchboxes Vegetable: Broccoli Snowman: Onigiri filled with vegetable filling, pumpernickel bread (hat), dried blueberries (eyes and mouth), carrot (nose and scarf)  Snowflakes: Cheddar cheese (used star pastry tip) Fruit: Apples cut using snowman cutter (arranged in snowflake shape) … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Pancake Breakfast Bento

My 14 year old niece was over for the day. We decided to make breakfast for lunch and pack it into a cute bento. It was fun and delicious. Container: Bento box from Japan Fruit: Orange slices and dried cherries … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Farm Themed Quiet Book

My 14 year old niece, my husband and I made quiet books as Christmas gifts for our 2 youngest cousins/nephews (in different families). We designed and created two identical books. One book has a blue cover, the other red. We … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Un-Fried Rice Bento

This is the second lunch I made from the  Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Easy Lunch Boxes by Kelly Lester. The book features recipes from many contributors. The Un-Fried Rice recipe (page 166 ) is from Lisa of 100 Days … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 9 Comments

Stitched Lamb Valentine Card

It has been awhile since I shared some embroidery. TAST 2012 is done. This is a simple piece that I stitched many years ago. I made it into a paper Valentine’s Day card and mailed it to friends and relatives. … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Winter Bento

I made this lunch for my 23 month old nephew. He enjoyed it, especially the apple snowmen. Container: Easylunchboxes Snowflake and Snowman: Peanut butter sandwiches on wheat bread (I used this cutter set) Fruit: Clementine and apples Cheese and Crackers: … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Dumplings Around the World

On Christmas day my family feasted on dumplings from around the world. I came up with this idea because I wanted something fun and unusual for 5 adults celebrating Christmas day together. Each course was served 1 to 2 hours … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Party Planning | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

2012 Top 10 Favorite Lunches

I thought it would be fun to identify 10 of my favorite bentos from 2012. It was a challenge because I have many favorites. I placed bentos on this list for many reasons. Some made the list for exceptional taste. … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 17 Comments

12 Drummers Drumming Bento

Day 12 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Vegetable: Spinach Fruit: Pomegranate seeds Background: Lettuce Drummer Drumming: Hand pie filled with tomatoes, herbs, and cheese, Wilton candy eyes and spaghetti Drum and Drum Sticks: Pie crust, pretzel … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

11 Pipers Piping Bento

Day 11 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Main: Vegetarian Shepherds Pie Piper Piping: Sweet potatoes piped using this picture as a guide. Fruit: Clementine Dairy: Wegman’s Greek Maple Yogurt with sanding sugar Related Posts Partridge in … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

10 Lords a Leaping Bento

Day 10 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Main: Trader Joe’s Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips with Wegman’s salsa Lord Leaping: Cheese hat with carrot accent, brussel sprout head, cheese eye and mouth, cucumber body, carrot arms … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

9 Ladies Dancing Bento

Day 9 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Main: Baked risotto Lady Dancing: Paprika Fruit: Blackberries Vegetable: Mukimame (shelled soybeans) Related Posts Partridge in a Pear Tree 2 Turtle Doves 3 French Hens 4 Calling Birds 5 … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

8 Maids a Milking Bento

Day 8 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… My 14 year old niece helped me with this one. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Cow: Almond butter sandwich on wheat bread, fruit roll up details, sprinkle eye, cheddar cheese udder Milk Maid: Almond … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

7 Swans a Swimming Bento

Day 7 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Fruit: Blueberries Swan: Rice (pumpernickel and carrot details) Vegetable: Sugar snap peas Protein: Wegmans Cashew Blend – Cashews, Almonds & Pecans Related Posts Partridge in a Pear Tree 2 … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

6 Geese a Laying Bento

Day 6 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Background: Lettuce Goose: Potato wafers (pages 26 and 246 Martha Stewart’s Hors D’oeuvres Handbook) Nest: Spinach linguini served with marinara sauce Eggs: Almonds dipped in white chocolate Vegetable: Carrot … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

5 Golden Rings Bento

Day 5 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… a golden theme. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Golden Ring: Bagel sandwich with horseradish cheddar and lettuce Vegetable: Yellow pepper Fruit: Dried pineapple Related Posts Partridge in a Pear Tree 2 Turtle Doves 3 … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

4 Calling Birds Bento

Day 4 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes Calling Bird: Peanut butter sandwich on pumpernickel bread, dried blueberry eye, red pepper wing, pretzel sticks legs, finger potato branch Background: Lettuce Vegetable: Cauliflower served with ranch dip Fruit: Kiwi … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

3 French Hens Bento

Day 3 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos… Container: EasyLunchBoxes French Hen: Croissant Cheese: Trader Joe’s Mini Brie Bites Lettering: Carrots Vegetable: Green beans Fruit: Grapefruit Related Posts Partridge in a Pear Tree 2 Turtle Doves 4 Calling Birds 5 Golden Rings … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

2 Turtle Doves Bento

Here is day 2 of my 12 days of Christmas bentos. I decided that I will only feature one of each item. So my turtle dove is alone but I have some vegetable hearts. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Turtle Dove: Cheese quesadilla … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

1 Partridge in a Pear Tree Bento

I decided to make 12 bentos to represent each of the gifts from the 12 Days of Christmas song. Today is the first day because I want to end on Christmas day. This one turned out sparse and modern looking … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Christmas Appetizer Party

I helped my parents host a Christmas themed party for their neighbors. We served hot and cold appetizers. Our guests brought desserts. It was a fun party to host. Special Touches: Candy Cane vase with flowers (My Mom was inspired … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Party Planning | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Gingerbread Men Bento

Container: EasyLunchBoxes Fruit: Seckel pear Vegetable: Red pepper cut into gingerbread men shapes Sandwiches: Wheat bread gingerbread men with Sunbutter (I received a free sample). I decorated the men with Wilton candy eyes and cinnamon decorations. Dessert: Pepperidge Farm Ginger … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 32 Comments

Holiday Bento Blog Hop

I am thrilled to join my Bento Bloggers and Friends on a Holiday themed blog hop. Please follow the button at the end of this post to continue on to the next blog and follow the hop until you return … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 78 Comments

Week 48 Arrowhead Stitch

The stitch for week 48 of TAST was the Arrowhead stitch. This was a fun and easy stitch to learn.

Posted in Embroidery | 9 Comments

Panda Bento

The theme this week (starting Friday Dec. 7) at the Bento Blog Network is copycat. I was inspired by bentoriffic’s – CuteZcute panda lunch and decided to copy her sandwich and clementine. I was also inspired to put a grain … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Week 47 Portuguese Border Stitch

The stitch for week 47 of TAST was the Portuguese Border stitch. The sample here is my third try and it still does not look like the example. My tension is off. But at least I completed a sample of … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 11 Comments

Bagel and Granola Bar Bento

This was a very quick bento to make. I was inspired by breakfast leftovers. My 8 year old nephew came up with the idea to add the animal picks. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Vegetable: Sugar snap peas Fruit: Red grapes Cheese: Cheddar … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 10 Comments

Waffle Pizza Bento

This was the first bento I made from the Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Easy Lunch Boxes by Kelly Lester. The book features recipes from many contributors. The Waffle Pizzaaaah! recipe (page 152) is from Corey of Family Fresh Meals. She … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Pumpkin and Corn Centerpiece

My garden club has a tradition of making 36 arrangements for the Thanksgiving meal at our County Skilled Nursing Facility. The design and assembly of the arrangements was a group effort. A garden club member came up with the concept … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Sports Bento

My 8 year old nephew and I planned and made this bento. It was his idea to do a sports themed lunch. We had a great time making this and he enjoyed eating this lunch. Note: It was his first … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 18 Comments

Week 46 Checkered Chain Stitch

The stitch for week 46 of TAST was the Checkered Chain stitch. It was a quick and fun stitch to learn!

Posted in Embroidery | 13 Comments

Thankful Bento Blog Hop

I am pleased to join Bento Bloggers and Friends on this “I’m thankful for…” blog hop. After viewing my post, please click on the Thanks button to continue on to the next blogs to see the many bento interpretations of … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged , , , | 55 Comments

Week 45 Open Base Needlewoven Picot

The stitch for week 45 of TAST was the Open Base Needlewoven Picot stitch. It is similar to the Closed Base Needlewoven Picot but it has a wider base. I enjoyed learning this stitch.

Posted in Embroidery | 11 Comments

Mickey Bento

This was a quick and easy lunch. In the time that it took to cook the pasta, the rest of the meal was ready. The Mickey pasta was a gift from my 10 year old niece. The watermelon was inspired … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 12 Comments

My First Flower Show Entry

My garden club district held a flower show during their semi-annual meeting. I am glad that I entered. It was a great experience. I made the above three brooches and picked the one to submit in the parking lot of … Continue reading

Posted in Crafts | 12 Comments

Cornucopia Bento

Container: EasyLunchBoxes Vegetables: Sugar snap peas and carrots Bread: French bread shaped as cornucopia (see note) Fruit: Seckel pear Protein: Colby jack cheese cut into fruit and vegetable shapes Note: Over the years I have made many cornucopia shaped breads. … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | Tagged | 2 Comments

Week 44 Closed Base Needlewoven Picot

The stitch for week 44 of TAST was the Closed Base Needlewoven Picot stitch. As is typical when I learn new stitches this stitch took some practice. My last try worked out the best. The Closed Base Needlewoven Picot stitch … Continue reading

Posted in Embroidery | 1 Comment

Italy Bento

This was made in the summer. My niece and I made this easy lunch. She was 13 at the time but is now 14. Container: Sistema Klip It to Go Main: Penne with Wegmans Pasta Sauce Decoration: Italy flag and … Continue reading

Posted in Bento / Cute Food | 5 Comments