Category Archives: Adventures

Firefly Meal

Posted on August 19, 2025 by eclecticlamb

Without the title, I suppose no one would quite understand what this is meant to be. I made it for myself, as a quiet tribute to the numerous fireflies that lit up this summer. Their soft glow in my backyard … Continue reading →

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Melbourne Florida 2025

Posted on July 16, 2025 by eclecticlamb

I have a tradition that when I return from travel, I select a photo from the trip and create food inspired by the photo. In late June, I went on a business trip to Florida for 3 nights, 4 days. … Continue reading →

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Dumplings Around the World 2024

Posted on December 29, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Last year when I asked my brother what theme he wanted for Christmas this year, he said, “Dumplings Around the World.” My previous Dumplings Around the World dinner was in 2013. For this meal I was not strict with the … Continue reading →

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Christmas 2024 with Niece

Posted on December 23, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Here are some photos and meals from the week before Christmas my niece spent with me and my parents. As is our tradition, when my niece visits around Christmas even if it is not the calendar Christmas we designate a … Continue reading →

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Halloween Treats 2024

Posted on October 31, 2024 by eclecticlamb

It was hot this year. 74 degrees! My first trick-or-treater arrived around 6:10 pm and by 7:40 pm I was out of treats. I prepared 30 bags plus the one wrapped book for my 3 year old neighbor. See photos … Continue reading →

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Tokyo Japan 2024

Posted on August 9, 2024 by eclecticlamb

These adorable rice pandas were inspired by our visit to the Ueno Zoo to see the pandas. Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co. Contents: Pandas – rice formed with this set, spinach details, Bamboo – asparagus, blueberries, broccoli Inspiration photo for … Continue reading →

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Shizuoka Japan 2024

Posted on August 8, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Here is my completed Suruga Bamboo Lattice Vase. I took a class and assembled it myself. I think it is beautiful! When planning our trip to Japan, it was important to me to take some traditional craft classes. My language … Continue reading →

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Tamanoi Ichinomiya Japan 2024

Posted on August 7, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Here is my version of historical buildings for textile weaving in Tamanoi. See the photo below. Buildings – quesadilla made from Swiss and Gyuyere cheeses with flour tortillas, Siding – espresso and water painted with a brush, Windows – cheese … Continue reading →

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Osaka Japan 2024

Posted on August 6, 2024 by eclecticlamb

My moss statue from mashed potatoes and green dyed cornflakes is not great but I am pleased with my espresso dyed radish lantern. To understand my inspiration, see the photo below. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Moss Statue – Mashed Potatoes sculpted by … Continue reading →

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Lake Biwa Japan 2024

Posted on August 5, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Today I have a bento inspired by my photos from visiting Lake Biwa (not far from Kyoto). See the photo collage below. Container: EasyLunchBoxes Left Side: Torii – tomato sauce, lake – mashed potatoes with butterfly pea powder Top Right: Fish – … Continue reading →

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Kyoto Japan 2024

Posted on August 2, 2024 by eclecticlamb

Here is my rudimentary food version of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). The vision in my mind was much better than it is in reality. I had trouble with the shapes, especially the roof shapes. I had other things going on at … Continue reading →

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Fukuoka Japan 2024

Posted on August 1, 2024 by eclecticlamb

I know this is not very good. It was actually my third try coloring and shaping the mashed potatoes. At first a Japanese friend didn’t know what to say when she looked at the photo. Then, she said it looks … Continue reading →

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Niigata Japan 2024

Posted on July 30, 2024 by eclecticlamb

This bento was inspired by the tower at Shibata castle complex in Niigata Prefecture Japan. Castle: Rice, Roof: tortilla with melted chocolate and Pokey, Windows: tortilla with food coloring, Rock wall under castle: cheese painted with espresso and water, Background: … Continue reading →

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Eating Cute Food in Japan

Posted on July 29, 2024 by eclecticlamb

As my long time readers know, I am passionate about creating and eating cute food. Japan is the land of cute food. During my 2024 trip to Japan, my friends and I planned opportunities to try cute food. Here is … Continue reading →

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Japan Travel 2024

Posted on July 26, 2024 by eclecticlamb

My 2024, trip to Japan was unlike any of my prior 6 trips to Japan but each trip is unique in its own way. During this 7th trip I covered more distance and visited more locations in one trip than … Continue reading →

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Halloween Treats 2023

Posted on November 1, 2023 by eclecticlamb

My parents joined me this year for Halloween at my house. We each carved a pumpkin (in the photo above from left to right to right – Mom, Kathy, Dad). Dad made pizza with a face for dinner. I put … Continue reading →

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Picnic at Griffis Sculpture Park

Posted on June 29, 2023 by eclecticlamb

Deborah and I went on an adventure to Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto, NY (it is about 2 hours away). It was a beautiful day to walk around and explore. This was my second time to the park, I … Continue reading →

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Picnic at Chimney Bluffs

Posted on June 5, 2023 by eclecticlamb

Deborah and I went to Chimney Bluffs State Park along Lake Ontario near Sodus, NY (about an hour from my home). We parked in the alternate parking lot near the steps to the top and a path to the beach. … Continue reading →

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Halloween Treats 2022

Posted on November 6, 2022 by eclecticlamb

This was my first Halloween in my new home. It was also my first time to have trick-or-treaters since I last had a house in 2016. I don’t have a prominent porch as I did before. Maybe in future years … Continue reading →

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Birthday at Lake

Posted on August 12, 2022 by eclecticlamb

This year I celebrated my birthday a little early (last weekend) at my family Lake House with my parents and 20 year old niece. When I woke, a “birthday fairy” was there overnight. The table and fireplace were decorated and … Continue reading →

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Bug Snack Tortilla Chips

Posted on August 1, 2022 by eclecticlamb

I made this for my 20 year old niece. My niece, my brother, and I hiked up a nearby mountain. In the photo below I asked her to hold out the snack box so I could get her back, the … Continue reading →

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New to Neighborhood Cookies

Posted on January 31, 2022 by eclecticlamb

Since I am new to my neighborhood, I wanted to meet my neighbors. I thought it would be easier to ring their bell if I had something to give them. At first I considered making my mini bagels. My Mom … Continue reading →

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New House Ravioli

Posted on January 30, 2022 by eclecticlamb

On January 4, I closed on a house. I moved in on January 21. It has been a whirlwind of stress, planning, and hard work. The house needed a large amount of somewhat cosmetic work that does not seem minor … Continue reading →

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Goats on Bread Lunch

Posted on September 6, 2021 by eclecticlamb

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 … Continue reading →

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Peacock Bread Lunch

Posted on August 20, 2021 by eclecticlamb

I made this for my sister-in-law on a day I met her and my brother 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 … Continue reading →

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Pontoon Boat Christening Party

Posted on May 31, 2021 by eclecticlamb

My Mom had a boat christening party for my parent’s new Pontoon Boat. The weather did not cooperate as we had planned. It was cold and rainy. We adapted and still held the christening ceremony and party but instead of … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Vaccine Themed Lunch

Posted on March 19, 2021 by eclecticlamb

This week I received my second COVID-19 vaccine. It seemed fitting to make a themed meal for myself to honor the occasion. I was excited to use the COVID-19 cookie cutter made by my friend Renae. She now has a … Continue reading →

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Europe Inspired Christmas Meals 2020

Posted on December 26, 2020 by eclecticlamb

I was fortunate to spend 5 days at my parents house for Christmas this year. When my Mom and I planned the meals, she wanted to have themed nights celebrating different countries. My Mom planned the tablescapes for each of … Continue reading →

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Gingerbread Castle

Posted on November 17, 2020 by eclecticlamb

This year I made a gingerbread castle for Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. I used a slightly smaller board (14 x 16) and created an easier to assemble design. In the past I relied on an extra pair of hands … Continue reading →

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Online Reypenaer Cheese Tasting

Posted on June 15, 2020 by eclecticlamb

My Dad wanted a fun social distancing activity for us so he ordered cheese from Amsterdam for an online cheese tasting. It took 3 weeks to arrive because mail is not as good these days but the cheese arrived! We … Continue reading →

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Walk Brighton Project Week 5

Posted on May 1, 2020 by eclecticlamb

I am nearing the end of this project. I expect that Week 6 will be the last week. Friends ask me what I will do next. It is not as fascinating as Walking Brighton, but I will start training for … Continue reading →

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Walk Brighton Project Week 4

Posted on April 24, 2020 by eclecticlamb

Another week of my Walk Brighton Project completed. I am guessing that it will take 2 – 3 more weeks to finish. I don’t want it to end but I am also looking forward to completing this project. Of course, … Continue reading →

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Walk Brighton Project Week 3

Posted on April 17, 2020 by eclecticlamb

It is spring and I am falling in love…with my town, Brighton, NY. I liked it before but now that I am getting to know it more intimately, it is love. Spring is a special time of year to spend … Continue reading →

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Walk Brighton Project Week 2

Posted on April 11, 2020 by eclecticlamb

Walk Brighton Project Welcome to Week 2 of my Walk Brighton Project. It is bringing a lot of excitement into my life of working from home and social distancing. I am always looking forward to walking new segments of my … Continue reading →

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Walk Brighton Project Week 1

Posted on April 6, 2020 by eclecticlamb

What is the Walk Brighton Project? I live in Brighton (Rochester, NY). Due to COVID-19, I am currently living a life of social distancing and working from home. When I brainstormed ways to keep things interesting for myself, I remembered … Continue reading →

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2019 Gingerbread Sweet Creations

Posted on December 7, 2019 by eclecticlamb

For the 3rd year in a row, I made gingerbread for the Eastman Museum’s Sweet Creations gingerbread show. I enjoy seeing the variety. Here is a sampling of some of the creations that were memorable to me.

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Iceland

Posted on June 30, 2019 by eclecticlamb

In May, I went alone to Iceland for a few days. It was a time of transition (leaving one job and starting a new one) so I planned a last minute adventure to a new place. It was fantastic! Iceland … Continue reading →

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1000 Islands Day Trip Lunch

Posted on October 4, 2018 by eclecticlamb

Last Saturday, my friend Dennis and I went on a day trip from Rochester, NY to the 1000 Islands. It was the first time for both of us. We took the Boldt Castle and Two Nation Tour. It was a … Continue reading →

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2017 Gingerbread Sweet Creations

Posted on November 28, 2017 by eclecticlamb

I am excited to have a gingerbread creation in a museum! I am part of the 2017 Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. This year there are 60 different submissions. I have visited this exhibit at least 5 times in … Continue reading →

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Gingerbread Row Houses

Posted on November 26, 2017 by eclecticlamb

My place smelled like gingerbread in October this year. I decided to enter a gingerbread house in Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. In September, I was accepted as a participant. My gingerbread had to be delivered by November 1. … Continue reading →

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Picnic Lunch

Posted on August 3, 2017 by eclecticlamb

I made lunches for a new companion Dennis and myself. His work is not far from mine so we met for lunch at a park along the Erie Canal. You can see both lunches in the last photo. I think … Continue reading →

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Daffodil Lunch and Walk

Posted on April 22, 2017 by eclecticlamb

This week one night after work, my niece and I took a walk to a daffodil meadow and had this themed meal (I made 2 identical bentos). We ate our dinner sitting on a log under trees. It was a … Continue reading →

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Tokyo Travel and Bento Lunch

Posted on April 10, 2017 by eclecticlamb

Today I have my last post in my 2017 Japan travel series. After Osaka / Kyoto, I took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. I stayed with language partners in Yokohama, Tsukuba, and stayed overnight at a hotel near Disneyland with another … Continue reading →

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Osaka – Kyoto Travel and Bento Lunch

Posted on April 6, 2017 by eclecticlamb

Continuing in my 2017 Japan Travel and Bento series I have Osaka and Kyoto. After Niigata, I flew to Osaka. A language partner who lives in Ibaraki City graciously invited me to stay with her and her family for a … Continue reading →

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7 Lucky Gods Tour Kyoto

Posted on April 4, 2017 by eclecticlamb

This is the third in my 2017 series of travel photos and food inspired by my trip to Japan. When I looked for things to do in Kyoto in January, I found the idea to visit each temple of the … Continue reading →

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Sado Island Travel and Bento Lunch

Posted on March 16, 2017 by eclecticlamb

Today I have the second in my 2017 series of travel photos and bento inspired by my trip to Japan. I am sharing photos from Sado Island and a Toki, (Japanese Crested Ibis) made from cheesy mashed potatoes. The Toki … Continue reading →

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50 Summer Activities

Posted on June 8, 2016 by eclecticlamb

Last year my nephews and I completed 100 Summer Activities. This year it was requested that we only do 50. I was surprised but it might end up being easier for me. Some of these activities are repeats from last … Continue reading →

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100 Summer Activities for Tween and Teen Boys

Posted on June 5, 2015 by eclecticlamb

Update: See the end of this post for an update on the changes we made to the list. We completed 100 activities but we did make many changes along the way. This summer I will have my nearly 11 year … Continue reading →

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Bluebells

Posted on May 18, 2015 by eclecticlamb

Saturday May 9, I went on a hike to see bluebells. I am not sure if I had ever seen a bluebell before that day. This is the description that I read before attending the hike, “This walk is 3.5 … Continue reading →

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Lunches for the Zoo

Posted on July 10, 2014 by eclecticlamb

My husband and I took our nephews to the zoo. Of course I made themed lunches for each of us. They were quick to make with cookie cutters. The only template I had to make was for the flamingo. My … Continue reading →