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!
Last Updated: 4/6/25.
ALIENS / UFO
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
ECLIPSE
Blueberries & Pineapple, Black Bean Tostada with Bell Pepper, Cucumber, Fresh Mozzarella Salad
CONSTILATIONS
PLANETS
Cupcake Earth
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
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 link to the recipe. I think it looks perfect as a peacock.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Peacock – Cheddar cheese cut with a knife, butterfly pea powder painted with a brush and a little water, dried blueberry eye attached with spaghetti, fougasse (ladder) bread, Feet – carrot cut with a knife
Top Right: Peacock Feather – Apple cut with cookie cutters, green tea maccha powder and butterfly pea powder painted with a brush and a little water, blueberries
Bottom Right: Vegan Broccoli Salad – I did not use the onion or cranberries
I made this shaped bread lunch with my 19 year old niece. She made the carrot flowers and Nutella face.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Bunny – Homemade bread, Face – Nutella
Top Right: Raspberries
Bottom Right: Flowers – Rainbow carrots cut with a cookie cutter and sauteed in butter
I made this for my brother on a day I met him and his wife at the Utica Zoo. I asked him for a theme request and he said, “snow leopard”. This does not look exactly like a snow leopard but he enjoyed. I think that 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: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Snow Leopard – Cheddar cheese cut with a knife, smoked paprika details, fougasse (ladder) bread
Top Right: Vegan Broccoli Salad – I did not use the onion or cranberries
Bottom Right: Paw print – Apple and carrot cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
Thank you to my awesome 19 year old niece who helped me out by taking most of these wonderful photos!
In honor of my 50th birthday (today), I hosted a Luncheon Tea (last weekend) for the women closest to me. I love cooking, planning parties, and spending time with the important people in my life. This was the perfect gift I gave myself. Including me, 7 attended my party (Mom, 19 year old niece, Renae, Carol, Deborah, and Beth Ann). I am delighted that they were able to join me for this celebration.
INVITATIONS
I decided to send paper invitations in the mail. I purchased a digital copy of this, modified it for my occasion and printed it on my personal printer.
TABLE SETTING
Menu
SAVORY
SCONES
Served with Strawberry Jam and fresh Whipped Cream
DESSERT
BEVERAGES
DECORATIONS
I transformed my dining room into a paper garden. We were all pleased with the results. It helped add to the atmosphere. I mostly followed these directions but with my own twist. I made a smaller version of these crepe paper roses. I made these birds but did not use the bottom of their bodies or their legs. I made the butterflies with my Cricut machine.
I bought many bunches of assorted pink roses from Trader Joes and Wegmans. My Mom did a fantastic job arranging them in the tea pot, vases, and the individual napkin rings. She even put flowers in my bathroom.
I decorated my entryway with Dollar store tissue pom-poms that I assembled and hung with command hooks.
I ordered balloons from Wegmans and picked up on the morning of my party.
The last time I held a birthday party was for my 40th. For that party I had a children’s theme Sheep party and invited all of my nieces and nephews at the time. My 19 year old niece attended. For that party she helped me make a sheep banner and she put “40” on each of the sheep. I cherish that banner and still have it. This year she came up with the idea to make a sheep banner with 50 sheep. I am delighted that she made it for me.
FASCINATORS
My friend Deborah and I made the fascinators before the party. I got the materials from friends, Michaels Crafts, Dollar Tree, and a craft thrift store in my area. Each guest picked a fascinator to wear. It added a fun element to the party. I enjoyed taking photos of each friend with me.
FAVORS
I bought little boxes put shredded paper from the Dollar Tree inside and added assorted chocolates. On the outside of the boxes, I taped assorted Tea Forte tea.
PLAYLIST
I like the idea of creating a party playlist but don’t usually make one. For my 7 Continents Christmas dinner I started it but only finished Africa. I found and used some of the Carol of the Bells songs I selected for my Carol of the Bells Christmas dinner. For my Birthday Tea party, I worked hard at creating a playlist. I discussed it with many people in my life. I ended up selecting 5 songs from decades I have lived. I got a Spotify account to play it. Unbelievably, I was so busy with my party, I forgot to play it!! One of my friends realized after most people were gone that I did not play my songs. Here is my list:
1970’s
Sunshine on my Shoulders by John Denver
Song Sung Blue by Niel Diamond
Piano Man by Billy Joel
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
My Sharona by The Knack
1980’s
The Tide is High by Blondie
Joy by George Winston
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
Storybook Love Princess Bride by Mark Knopfler
1990’s
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants
Broken Arrow by Rod Stewart
Thank You for Hearing Me by Sinead O’Connor
The Memory of Trees by Enya
Here with Me by Dido
2000’s
The Model by Belle & Sebastian
The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Bring Me to Life by Evanescence
Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas
Fairytale by Alexander Rybak
2010’s
Like a G6 by Far East Movement
On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez
All About the Bass by Meghan Trainor
Pale Grass Blue by Enya
Soy Yo by Bomba Estereo
BIRTHDAY PERSON TRIVIA
I made a little quiz about me. My Mom said I should keep it to 10 questions but I ended up with 20. I think it was fun for my guests.
My critique of the party: I had a lot of fun and my guests seemed to also enjoy. The next time I make a playlist for a party, I will put it on my cooking to-do list as a reminder to play it. I like the idea of having smaller tea parties in different seasons. Some of the desserts I served at this tea would be perfect to make again. Maybe I will have a dessert open house when I finally find and buy a house.
I made this bird themed meal for my Mom. It is part of my ongoing series of themed potato salads that often also contain.vegetables and cheese.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Birds – Roasted white and sweet potatoes, orange cheddar cheese, orange bell pepper all cut with cookie cutters, Spinach Walnut Pesto (I also added basil)
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Cherries
I made this for myself on the same day I made the Lizard meal for a friend. This was not as gross to eat as the lizards. The tails are what got to me with the lizards.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Frogs – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter and roasted, roasted potatoes, tomatoes, Asiago cheese
Top Right: Almonds
Bottom Right: Frogs – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
I made this bear themed meal for my Mom at her Lake House. I used her bear cookie cutter.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Fish – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
Bottom Left: Mixed nuts
Right Side: Bear – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Ricotta, Pea, and Leek Quiche
This was planned for when a friend was supposed to come over but she was sick and stayed home. I ended up eating this alone. I found it a little gross to eat zucchini lizards.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Lizards – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter and roasted, roasted potatoes, tomatoes, Asiago cheese
Top Right: Pepero almond chocolate sticks
Bottom Right: Blueberries
My Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese is very popular. When her kids and grandchildren visit, it is one of the most requested meals. I am including the original recipe from Betty Crocker here but over the years, my Mom has made it her own. She uses Seriously Sharp Cabot Cheddar Cheese. Mom adds onion powder and dried mustard to the cheese sauce. Also depending on who she is making it for, sometimes she makes it with a breadcrumb topping and sometimes without. When she uses breadcrumbs, she puts extra cheese on top of the elbow pasta then adds the breadcrumbs. I prefer the breadcrumb topping. We like a brown and crispy crust. Mom bakes it for 45 minutes. Delicious!
Betty Crocker’s Cookbook Eighth Printing 1989
I want to buy a house. I’ve been searching for nearly 2 years. A house that meets my requirements, lists less than once a month. Last weekend 2 houses that mostly fulfill my requirements listed on the same day. The last time a house listed for me was the end of April!. Last weekend my friend Renae went with me to see the houses. Since we had appointments at lunch time, I packed identical snack lunches for us to eat in the car.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar, Sugar Snap Peas, Skinny Pop Popcorn Mini Cakes Sea Salt
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Red Grapes
I made this Alligator on a quiche themed lunch for my Dad. I don’t make quiche very often since I don’t eat it. My Dad loved the quiche!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Fish – Radish cut with cookie cutters, blueberries
Bottom Left: Toasted pine nuts
Right Side: Alligator – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, Ricotta, Pea, and Leek Quiche
I made this mashed potato and smoked paprika sheep for myself. It was delicious and fun to eat.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Sheep – Cheddar and garlic mashed potatoes cut with a cookie cutter, broccoli
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Flowers – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, pink sanding sugar, blueberries
I made this skunk themed meal for myself. It is my first time to use this cookie cutter. I have no idea why my skunk is orange and has no stripe. Next time, I should make one that looks more like a skunk. But I enjoyed eating it.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Skunk – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Italian Broccoli and Quinoa Pilaf
Top Right: Brazil nuts
Bottom Right: Chocolate bread
Today is my 10 year blogiversary! To celebrate, I made this meal for myself.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Large Box: 10 – Cinnamon tortilla chip – flour tortilla cut with a cookie cutter, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with cinnamon, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, popcorn
Medium Box: 10 – Cinnamon tortilla chip – flour tortilla cut with a cookie cutter, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with cinnamon, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, romaine, cherry tomatoes
Small Box: 10 – Blueberries, Greek yogurt
I show my love for the people in my life by making fun food for them. I aim to please so I often ask their food and theme preferences. People usually don’t like that question. I am happy when I know what they like and can make them especially pleased with my efforts. I love being challenged with a new theme. Sometimes people inspire me to try something I would not have thought about on my own. Such as tapping maple trees, wood burning in a fireplace, historical weapons, or field hockey. It is also fun to see how many different versions of elephant meals I can make (elephant is my most requested theme).
Over the past 10 years my life has changed; relationship status, jobs, dwellings. Throughout it all I make cute food for the people closest to me at the time.
I looked at past posts to see how many different people I gave my cute themed food. Over the past 10 years, I prepared themed boxed lunches for 49 different people!!
Of those 49 people, I looked at the top 10. I am actually number 1. The other 9 are not a surprise (ex-husband, nephews and niece from marriage, both my parents, friends Carol and Dennis).
I don’t show many photos with recognizable people. I show parts of faces and lots of hands and arms. My image only appears in 3 posts (Hans, Easter, Helicopter).
Having my blog and what I create for it makes life more fun. I have a tradition of announcing a new companion with a photo of the back of his head while about to eat one of my cute themed bentos. In the 4.5 years after divorce, the backs of 2 mens heads appear on my blog (here and here). There was a 3rd new man I made a meal for (between the 2 pictured) but we broke up before I was ready to post. This is life and I can see the humor in it.
I am grateful for the 49 people who were close enough to me to eat my fun food. It gives me so much joy!
I made this gorilla themed meal for myself. I wanted a gorilla cookie cutter with 4 legs that was not 3D. My friend Renae made it for me with her 3D printer. I think that it turned out very cute. Looks more like a gorilla than this one I made last year.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Gorilla – cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – spinach cut with a mini cutter, lentil salad (I loosely followed this but did not use the onion, bell pepper, bay leaf and parsley. I cooked the lentils in vegetable broth.)
Top Right: Toasted walnuts
Bottom Right: Palm trees – celery cut with a cookie cutter, mango, blueberries
I made this zucchini, tomato, rice and cheese casserole for my friend Dennis and myself. It was a last minute dinner and easy to throw together.
Zucchini Tomato Casserole – I used the recipe as a guide but did not exactly follow it. I used spring onions and zucchini from my CSA. I baked the casserole in individual portions and sprinkled Asiago cheese on top.
Sliced Strawberries with Ricotta – My portion has plain ricotta. Dennis has sweetened ricotta with sugar and vanilla.
My critique of the meal: We both enjoyed this meal. This is an easy meal and it has a lot of different flavor possibilities. I don’t use these individual dishes very often but I should. They are very attractive and fun to use. The only problem was that I should have served it after cooling down awhile. It was very hot in temperature!
I made this loon and baby themed lunch for my Mom. I enjoy seeing and hearing the loons on my parents lake.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Loons – Cheddar garlic mashed potatoes cut with cookie cutters, sprinkled with paprika, dried blueberry eyes, blueberries
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Loon – apple cut with a cookie cutter, sprinkled with cinnamon, mixed berry Greek yogurt.
This year I am enjoying making different themed ravioli. I made these cute ravioli stars for dinner with my parents at their Lake House. It is not obvious in the photos but there is a black bean sauce under the ravioli.
Star Salad – Cucumber stars cut with a cookie cutter, tomato, black olives, romaine
Star Ravioli – I used my favorite pasta dough cut with a cookie cutter, filled with a mixture of ricotta, corn, basil, Asiago, black pepper, and parmesan cheese
Black Bean Sauce – I did not use the cilantro
My critique of the meal: This was delicious! The only thing I would change is maybe the plating. I find it difficult to make a plate of ravioli look great.
I made this simple meal for myself. It was fun to serve it on my Great Grandmother’s snack plates (Indiana Milk Glass White Orange Blossom Snack Plate).
I made these festive tacos for my parents and myself. They are easy to make. The only part that takes some time is cutting and roasting the sweet potatoes. I enjoy cutting food with cookie cutters. Its relaxing for me.
Ingredients:
How to Make:
Enjoy!
My parents and I had a delicious 4th of July themed meal at their Lake House.
Red, White, and Blue Appetizers – Red Stars – red bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, White Stripes – blueberry white cheddar, White – this onion dip but with dairy sour cream, Blue – blue homemade potato chips.
Red, White, and Blue Ravioli – I added butterfly pea flower powder to 1/2 of my favorite pasta dough, the filling was ricotta, parmesan, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Red, White, and Blue Dessert – Sliced strawberries, blueberries, fresh whipped cream.
My critique of the meal: We all love my homemade ravioli. Everything was delicious.
I made this Mount Rushmore themed meal for myself. My friend Renae was kind to make a 3D cookie cutter for me!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Mount Rushmore – Cheddar and garlic mashed potatoes cut and imprinted with a cookie cutter, snow peas
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Watermelon and blueberries
This week, I visited my 22 year old niece at her new house. I made this meal for her to celebrate her buying a house! It was delightful visiting with her and her sweet dog.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: House – cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, Heart – red bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, black beans, corn, salsa
Top Right: Key – tortilla chips cut with a cookie cutter, lightly brush with olive oil, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, pistachios
Bottom Right: Dog – watermelon cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
I made a woodland themed dinner at my parents Lake House when my Aunt and Uncle were visiting from Atlanta. I am sorry that my Aunt was not feeling well and could not join us for the meal. But the rest of us enjoyed.
Woodland 3D Appetizer Plate – Fresh mozzarella balls and tomatoes with basil, tortilla chip bear, fox, and deer – cut tortilla chips with a cookie cutter, lightly brush with olive oil, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp
Fresh Mushroom Salad with Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
Tree Ravioli – I added spinach powder to my favorite pasta dough, the filling was ricotta, parmesan, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I cut the tree shapes with a cookie cutter. Since I did not want it to look like Christmas trees, the sauce is a cheddar cheese sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Forest in a Cup – Chocolate cups, Greek yogurt with peanut butter powder, cinnamon tortilla chip trees – cut tortilla chips with a cookie cutter, lightly brush with olive oil, sprinkle with cinnamon, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, miniature peanut butter cups
My critique of the meal: I think we all enjoyed everything. I especially liked the 3D Appetizer scene and hope to make different scenes in the future. I don’t eat mushrooms but my parents and Uncle enjoyed them. As usual, I want to improve my ravioli plating but the trees were cute and delicious. I was concerned that my parents and Uncle would think that the dessert was not sweet enough but the sweetness of the chocolate off-set it. I used unsweetened yogurt and peanut butter powder in the filling. The tortilla tree had only cinnamon on it. I think it was a perfect complement to the chocolate cup and peanut butter cups.
I made this lunch for my Uncle while he visited my parents at their Lake House. It was the first time I made a themed meal for him. During his employment days, he worked on airplanes. This theme was a natural choice for him. He was excited that I made a 3D carrot airplane and said that it even had landing gear!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top Left: Airplane – 3D carrot airplane cut with a cutter set, blueberries
Bottom Left: Mixed nuts
Right Side: Airplane – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Ricotta, Pea, and Leek Quiche
I made this meal for my friend Renae’s 13 year old daughter Elizabeth. I am happy with how the cheese bananas and celery look together. I attached the bananas to the trees with spaghetti and left one at the bottom on purpose.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Monkey – tortilla chips cut with a cookie cutter, lightly brush with olive oil, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, Bananas – cheddar cheese cut with a cutter cutter, celery
Top Right: Cherry tomatoes
Bottom Right: Strawberries
I made this sloth meal for my friend Renae’s husband since I wanted to use a different cookie cutter. It was on a day I made themed meals for each person in their family.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Sloth – cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes & Nose – spinach cut with a mini cutter, Tree Branch – celery, lentil salad (I loosely followed this but did not use the onion, bell pepper, bay leaf and parsley. I cooked the lentils in vegetable broth.) Asiago cheese is under the lentils.
Top Right: Toasted walnuts
Bottom Right: Cotton Candy grapes
I made this lunch for my friend Renae to celebrate her birthday. I also gave her chocolate bread and sliced strawberries but forgot to photograph.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Cupcake – Cheddar cheese (cut with a cookie cutter), lentils inside a cookie cutter, Candle with flame- cheddar cheese with food coloring marker, Italian Broccoli and Quinoa Pilaf
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Cupcakes – carrot (cut with a cookie cutter), celery with almond butter
I made this meal for my friend Renae’s 13 year old daughter Elizabeth. I asked her what food she wanted. Since most of it is a similar color, I used a fun silicone lettuce cup to add some contrast.
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Large Elephant – cut with a cookie cutter, lightly brush with olive oil, put on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp, Small Elephants – cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter.
Container: ECO Lunchboxes
Contents: 3D Elephants – carrot cut with a 3D cutter, cherry tomatoes, strawberries
I made this themed meal for my friend Renae. Awhile ago she came up with the theme idea to help me use some letter cookie cutters. I enjoy using my collection and am on a continued quest to use all of them.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Big E and other letters – cheddar cheese cut with cookie cutters, lentil salad (I loosely followed this but did not use the onion, bell pepper, bay leaf and parsley. I cooked the lentils in vegetable broth.) Asiago cheese is under the lentils.
Top Right: Eye Glasses – tortilla cut with a knife, brush with olive oil and bake at 375 until lightly browned. Prop up on some foil while baking (see image below), toasted pecans
Bottom Right: Eye – apple dipped in water and lemon juice to prevent browning, Eyeball – skin of the apple, blueberries
To celebrate Hug Your Cat day, I made this meal for my friend Renae’s 15 year old daughter. Natalie was a natural choice to make this meal for since she eats a variety of food and often hugs / holds Joy, her Russian Blue cat.
Glass Containers with Lids
Left Container: Hair – peanut noodles, Head – water chestnut, Eyes – spinach (cut with mini cutter), Mouth – radish, Body – cheddar mashed potatoes with garlic, Cat – cheddar mashed potatoes with butterfly pea flower powder (cut with a cookie cutter), green peas
Right Container: Hug Your Cat – carrot lettering (cut with cookie cutters), cream cheese, celery, blueberries
Awhile ago, I came up with the idea that I wanted to have a meal by a waterfall. My friend Deborah was happy to join me in this adventure. We met at the Holley Canal Falls. I made this vegan meal for Deborah. I made a similar but themeless meal for myself with nuts instead of the cookie nest. I think it was my first time to make a carrot salad. I loved the flavors, especially the curry and maple syrup! Deborah brought along a tablecloth and flowers. It was the first time for both of us to visit this waterfall. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed it so much that we stayed there for 3 hours! Now we are planning our next adventure.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Birds – Kohlrabi cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – spinach cut with a mini cutter, Bombay Carrot Salad with Cashews and Almonds with maple syrup
Top Right: Blueberries
Bottom Right: Nest – No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Nest, Eggs – Cotton Candy grapes
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 having the boxed meals on the boat, we had them in the house. My Mom had a small speech prepared and broke the special ceremonial bottle. She allowed me to participate by pouring a small amount of red wine into the water. I enjoyed attending this special ceremony and look forward to many rides in the boat. It is very comfortable!
They named the boat, “The Smiling Fox”. The name was a secret and I did not know it until the ceremony. It has special meaning for my family.
We toasted with Asti and enjoyed these appetizers. I mostly used the idea from this but filled it with vegetable hummus and garnished with mini green pepper anchors cut with a cookie cutter. Everyone enjoyed!
7 people attended the party. Before the ceremony I gave the guests their meal choices. My Mom and I prepared bento boxes with their choices. I labeled the lids with their name written on masked tape.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Sandwiches:
Sides: (guests had a choice of two)
We had blueberry cheesecake as dessert. I did not get any photos of it before my Mom cut it into slices.
In honor of Vesak day, I made a Buddha bowl with a tortilla buddha. I love this Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowl recipe! I made it several times. I make three servings at a time and eat it three days in a row. Healthy and delicious!
If I don’t have chickpeas, I switch out with another type of beans. I use broccoli instead of broccolini. Also I use raw spinach leaves instead of kale and serve the spinach raw.
Buddha tortilla chip – 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,
I made this cheesy rice dove lunch for my Mom. She enjoyed this meal, especially the asparagus!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Dove – cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter, cheddar cheese broiled on top of the rice. Eye – spinach cut with a mini cutter, roasted asparagus
Top Right: Toasted hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Blueberries
I made this meal for myself as part of my emoji rice series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Sunglasses Emoji – cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a round emoji cookie cutter, cheddar cheese broiled on top of rice. Sunglasses & Mouth – spinach cut with a mini cutter and free-hand, peas
Top Right: Toasted hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Blackberries
In October 2020, my parents and I planted over 100 daffodils at my parents lake house. The three of us made quick work of the planting. My Dad used my bulb drill bit to drill the holes and my Mom and I planted the daffodils. I loved the idea of a special daffodil dinner to celebrate our planting. For a few months, I enjoyed planning a daffodil themed dinner. My friend Renae was awesome and agreed to make a daffodil cookie cutter for me with her 3D printer! I was excited to see the results of our efforts this spring. The daffodils opened up just in time for Mother’s Day. This was a memorable Mother’s day meal.
Daffodil Cheese Ball – mix cold cream cheese with shredded cheddar, garlic powder and freshly ground pepper. Shape into petals. Mix a small amount of the cheese ball mixture with some turmeric. Shape into small balls and make a cup to resemble the center of a daffodil. Arrange on a small plate with snow peas.
Daffodil Onion Feta Tart – I made these larger than the recipe indicated and added a pastry daffodil garnish.
Daffodil Cream Dessert – soften 8 oz cream cheese, whip a small container of heavy cream with some vanilla and a little sugar, whip cream cheese with some sugar, fold cheese mixture and whipped cream together with a spoon. Put some blueberries on the bottom of each individual container, spoon the cheese / whipped cream mixture on top, garnish with lemon cut in petal shapes, roll thin pieces of lemon for daffodil center and hold together with a piece of wooden toothpick. Sprinkle green sanding sugar on top.
Note: most people will probably not eat lemon zest but warn your guests that there is a small piece of wooden toothpick in the lemon garnish.
My critique of the meal: We enjoyed everything. The onion feta tarts were a nice change from other tarts I have made. My parents already requested that I make them again. The daffodil desserts ended up being cute but they did cause me some stress. Originally my plan was to make mango daffodils but I was unable to make them look right. My Mom suggested that I use lemon peel. It is not edible for most people but looked very cute. I am already thinking about other flower themed meals to make.
I made these cute thistle pesto pizzas for myself. My Mom bought the cookie cutter for me when my parents when to Scotland in 2019.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Thistle – pizza cut with a cookie cutter, with homemade pesto and butterfly pea flower powder, spinach
Top Right: Hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Greek yogurt with frozen berries thawed
I made this Kodomonohi (Children’s Day Japan) themed meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Koinobori – cucumber, radish, carrot with food coloring marker details, peanut noodles
Top Right: Dried soybeans
Bottom Right: Strawberries
I made this camel themed meal for myself on the night I made a soft dinner for Carol.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Camel – mashed carrots (shape made with a cookie cutter), Eye – spinach cut with mini cutter, garlic cheese mashed potatoes
Top Right: Pumpkin seeds
Bottom Right: Cottage cheese with blueberries
I made this lunch for my Mom. She likes cream cheese. I think maybe jam cream cheese with mashed potatoes is a strange combination but she did not complain.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Flowers – cream cheese with raspberry jam (put in zip lock bag and snip off a small corner), dried blueberries, snow peas, garlic cheddar mashed potatoes
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Strawberries and blueberries
Eclectic Lamb 
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