I made this cheerful lunch for my Mom. Go here to see my collection of Vegetable Potato Salad themed meals.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Chicks – Potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, yellow bell pepper and Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, pesto
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Raspberries
I made this meal for my parents and myself when they visited me not long ago. We enjoyed it.
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes – I didn’t use the thyme or olive oil
Roasted Broccoli
I made this funny looking dog for lunch at work.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Dog – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Details – cinnamon, cheese tortellini with tomato sauce
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Bone – Apple cut with a cookie cutter (dipped in lemon water), blueberries
Recently, I realized that I did not include Life Events in my themed food archive. I Googled life events to see what is considered a life event. Google AI said, “Life events are significant happenings that can impact a person’s life, including both positive and negative experiences like marriage, birth, death, job changes, and moving, which can affect psychological well-being and require adjustments.”
Some of my favorite posts are when I took time during a life event to make and share themed food and my experience with the event. Making food attractive and giving it to special people in my life is a passion of mine. This collection does not represent my best work since many times it was a stressful and busy time for me. It does represent that I often make an extra effort to incorporate themed food into events.
My wedding was before I started this blog so it is not included here. My divorce was during this blog but I did not create themed food and barely mentioned it. I also did not create themed food for the 2 new jobs I started during the almost 14 years of this blog. Maybe I only referred to a job change once. I did share food for the following events:
FUNERAL
My Grandmother’s Funeral – My Grandmother was a difficult woman but I spent a lot of time with her growing up. She never seemed to think that I was enough but I was one of the few outside my parents who was there for her. At 90, she broke her hip when my parents were out of the country. I traveled alone 4 1/2 hours to be with her in the hospital. The other relatives did not go. She died at nearly 95. I wrote and gave her eulogy at the funeral and made a themed meal for some relatives the night before the funeral. I am guessing it was stress pain but it is not unbelievable to people who know me that I was in physical pain but still put on a themed meal with garnishes and delivered the eulogy at the church! In all my years of blogging, My Grandmothers Funeral post is one of my favorites.
NEW HOUSE
House Search Meal – It took me 2 years of searching (28 houses, 3 offers) to find a house. Many houses did not have enough of my requirements and the prices kept rising. Prices went up even more after I bought my house. During my search, several friends took turns going with me. I only went alone with my Realtor 5 times to see a house. The house I settled on was not the ranch that I wanted for my future but it does have many necessities available on the first floor.
New House Ravioli – Making cute ravioli relaxes me. It makes sense that I decided to make house shaped ravioli during a stressful and very busy transition to my new home in 2022. My parents and I enjoyed this meal.
New to Neighborhood Cookies – These cookies are another thing I took time to do during the transition to living in my new home. After several weeks, I had barely met my neighbors (they did not come over with pie). I made these cookies and packaged them with my contact information and delivered to the houses closest to mine. It made me feel better to meet my neighbors.
House Meal for Niece – When my niece bought a house, I made this simple meal and visited her.
RENOVATING HOUSE
I consider making my current house a home a life event. My parents and I worked very hard to make it a house I love. While it will never be the ranch style home I spent 2 years looking for, in every other way, I made it the perfect home for me.
Switch Plate Cover Food – I grew up in a house with decorative switch plate covers and many of my Grandparents had them too. My last house already had them when my then husband and I bought it. When I bought my current house, all the switch plate covers were the same boring plain almond color. This meal was a celebration when I finished transforming all the switch covers. The meal did not look great but all the switch plate covers in my house look fantastic!
Hope Chest Lunch – In my current house I was able to incorporate many functional and decorative pieces from my Grandparents homes into how I decorated my rooms. My Mom had them in storage. The furniture and accessories were not available to me when I lived in my last house since the Grandparents were still living in their homes. The blog post linked above, shares some history about this particular piece of furniture that is now in my bedroom. I hesitated when my Mom offered me the hope chest since I was always told it would be mine and then not given it. Anyway I am glad to have this beautiful family historical item in my bedroom.
Completed Decorating House Celebration – For nearly the first 2 years of owning my current house, my focus was on renovating and decorating the house to make it the best possible place for me. I hosted a little party to celebrate.
SELLING HOUSE
House Vegetable Potato Salad – I made this for my Dad to post when my parents sold my childhood home.
DRIVING
Ready To Drive Bento – I made this for my eldest nephew when he turned 16. He loved my mini bagels so I included many of them in this meal!
Driving Themed Lunch – I made this for my Taco Salad loving nephew when he turned 16. For many years it was my quest to give him the similar food he loved in different creative presentations. I was especially pleased with this meal since it was different and celebrated an important event.
MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
16th Birthday – I made this for my niece on her 16th birthday.
21st Birthday – My parents and I enjoy celebrating birthdays with my niece at the Lake House. I included her 21st in this collection since it is a milestone birthday. Here are some others, 20, 22.
40th Birthday Children’s Party – To celebrate my 40th birthday, I hosted a Sheep themed children’s party for my niece and nephews. I was very new to blogging and put each part of the party in a different blog post. Here I linked to the food segment.
40th Birthday Lunch – I made this lunch for Renae to celebrate her 40th birthday.
50th Birthday Tea Party – I celebrated my 50th birthday with a tea party. I used many of the items I had planned to use for my Mom’s 70 birthday tea that did not happen. I was disappointed to still be in an apartment and not a house so I transformed my dining room with paper to look like a different location.
75th Birthday Tea Party – I hosted a birthday tea party for my Mom’s 75th birthday. It was supposed to happen for her 70th birthday but Covid got in the way.
80th Birthday – We celebrated my Dad’s 80th birthday at their Lake House. We had an Italian food feast including 2 types of ravioli that I made.
Bagels and Chocolate Tradition – Many years ago, I started a tradition of making bagels to celebrate the birthdays in Renae’s family. In January, June, July, and August, I make and deliver bagels. For the daughters, I also give them individually wrapped chocolates the same number as their new age.
GRADUATION
I have celebrated a lot of graduations with those close to me. I get emotional even at Kindergarten graduations. Here is a small collection of graduation themed meals I made for important young people in my life.
Frog Graduate Lunch – This meal was the last lunch I made for my niece before she graduated from High School. Check out the link to see a better image of the Graduate Hat dessert.
Graduation Themed Bread Lunch – I made this meal for Natalie during her last week of High School. I was happy that she wanted one of my themed meals.
Cheese Graduate Themed Lunch – This is a meal I made for my nephew during his last week of High School.
Graduation Snacks for Party – This is part of the snacks I made as a contribution to my niece’s graduation party.
BABY SHOWER
Zoo Baby Shower – In 2014, I hosted a baby shower for my then husband’s Goddaughter. I was not happy with the party photos and never posted it to my blog. I also made some food (Apricot and Oat Scones and Tortellini on a Stick) for her wedding that I did not post since the photos were not great. One of the baby shower photos did make it into my Elephant collection. Above are 2 shower photos never before shared.
BAPTISM
Baptism Food – This is the only time I made Baptism / Christening themed food so far. It was for a niece from marriage. It was a year before my divorce. I did not get to know her but I made attractive food for her baptism party.
NEW RELATIONSHIPS
In 2017, I accidently started a tradition. I took a photo of the back of a new companions head to introduce that I was in a new relationship. So far, I have been in 2 relationships after divorce. There was a 3rd guy I took a photo of his head, but I did not stay with him long enough to be a relationship. I ended up uploading a photo of the cute food but not the man.
Picnic Lunch – This is when I introduced Dennis to my readers.
Penguin Lunch – This is when I introduced Ken to my readers.
Reflecting on the significance of life events, I am glad I created themed food to commemorate these moments. This collection serves as a reminder of the importance of making meaningful memories through food. I hope to continue to celebrate life’s milestones through the art of cooking.
I made this for myself on a day I needed to work in the office.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Large Box: Airplane – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, cottage cheese mixed with blueberries
Small Box: Airplane – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, cottage cheese potato salad
I made this meal for my 22 year old niece. The bread is stuffed with Nutella.
Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.
Contents: Butterfly Bread – Shaped bread with Nutella inside, Raspberries
Five years ago, I planned to host a tea party for my Mom on her 70th birthday with her friends. Covid happened so it was delayed. This year, I gave her a tea party for her 75th birthday. There were 8 of us including me and my Mom. We had fascinators available and a few games about 1950 and my Mom’s preferences (for example would she rather travel or stay home). Her friends knew her very well and got all the questions right. All of us enjoyed the food and spending time together.
INVITATIONS
I texted a photo of an invitation I designed with clipart.
TABLE SETTING
SAVORY
SCONES
Served with Strawberry Jam and fresh Whipped Cream
DESSERT
My Mom’s friend Theresa made everything for the dessert tier.
I made this meal for my Dad as part of my tortellini and weather series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Cloud with Lightning – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, tortellini with olive oil, red wine vinegar, black pepper, black olives, grape tomatoes and fresh spinach
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Mandarin orange
I made this easy and fun meal to take to the office for lunch.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Moon – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries, Marcona almonds, Rocket – Cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, spinach leaf, cottage cheese potato salad
I made this meal for myself. I was happy to use a rice mold that has been in my stash for awhile.
Crab – Niishiki rice shaped in a mold, tomato sauce on top, Eyes – Cheese cut with mini cutter, cinnamon
Fish – Cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – Cinnamon
Roasted broccoli, toasted hazelnuts
Here is another simple meal to continue with a recurring food theme – tortellini.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Bunny – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – cinnamon, cheese tortellini with olive oil, red wine vinegar, black pepper, black olives, grape tomatoes and fresh spinach
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Mandarin orange
l made this meal for myself. It is early in the year, but maybe it will make my top 10 list for 2025.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Buffalo – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Dried blueberry, snow peas cut to look like grass, soybeans
Top Right: Toasted Walnuts
Bottom Right: Checkered apple, blueberries
Here is my collection of cute camel shaped food.
Updated: 4/6/25.
Camel Cheddar Mashed Potato, Camel Apple
Vegetable Potato Salad, Cantaloupe
Carrot and Apple Camels
Polenta and Cheese Camels
Camel Cheese
Carol joined me for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner. We enjoyed everything but especially liked the Colcannon Cakes. They were easy to make and delicious! Maybe they will become a St. Patrick’s day tradition for me.
Sour Cream with Chives
Kerrygold Cheddar
Irish Whiskey Carrots (I didn’t use the sugar and reduced the vegetable stock)
I decided to make a themed apple-peanut butter sandwich to add a new shamrock to my St. Patrick Themed Food Collection. It is a technique I think I only used once before in my over 13 years of this blog. It was delicious and I hope to use this technique again before another 13 years elapse.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Shamrock Apple and Peanut Butter sandwich (cut two slices of a green apple for each sandwich, spread peanut butter on bottom layer, cut shamrock shape into top slice of apple with a cookie cutter, gently press the two layers together), pistachios, blueberries
Today I have an easy and fun lunch I made for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Camel – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Dried blueberry, shredded cabbage
Top Right: Hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Camels – Cheddar, Eyes – Cinnamon, blueberries
Once again, I created some Lion and Lamb themed food to celebrate March. This year has been colder and snowier than the last few years. I am ready for March. Hopefully we will have a gradual warming and less snow.
Lion: Yogurt, Mandarin orange slices, dried blueberries
Lamb: Cottage Cheese, dried blueberries, white chocolate chips, sliced almonds
Continuing with my Peanut Noodles series, here are some camels.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Camels – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – cinnamon, peanut noodles
Right Side: Camel – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, yogurt, cinnamon
Over the years, I made many hot air balloon, airplane, train, car, boat, and bicycle themed meals. Here is my Transportation themed food collection.
HOT AIR BALLOON
AIRPLANE
Cheese Over Shepherds Pie Airplane
Carrot and Cheese Quesadilla Airplanes
TRAIN
Food Coloring on Tortilla Train
BULLET TRAIN / SHINKANSEN
Mashed Potato and Spinach Bullet Train
CAR
BOATS / ANCHOR
Mini Potato with Green Pepper Anchors
BICYCLE
I made this meal for myself to continue with my never ending quest to show peanut noodles with as many themes as is possible.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Bamboo – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, peanut noodles
Right Side: Panda and Baby – Cheese cut with a cookie cutter with cinnamon details, mixed greens
I wanted to make our 16th president out of a different food than I have tried for him before so I made him out of mashed potatoes.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Abraham Lincoln – Cheese mashed potatoes chilled then cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Cinnamon, Hat – Cheese mashed potatoes cut with a cookie cutter and covered with cinnamon, peas
Top Right: Macadamia Nuts
Bottom Right: 16 – Dried blueberries with Greek Yogurt
Other Lincoln Meals:
I hosted a small Galantine’s Day themed tea party. The idea came about last summer when Renae, Natalie, and I went to a Tea Party at Sonnenberg Gardens. I said I could do a Valentine themed tea party. Of course, I pulled it off and we were thrilled with the result! Renae, Natalie, Jeanine, and I enjoyed the beautiful and delicious food.
Table Decor:
Tea: Twining’s Raspberry & Lemon
Tea Tiers:
This year I made another Be Mine themed meal since in the over 13 years of this blog, I only made one before. See my whole Valentine collection here.
Hearts: Waffles made in a heart shaped waffle maker, strawberry cream cheese
Be Mine Lettering: Plain cream cheese mixed with cocoa powder and a little milk, piped
Garnish: Strawberries
Here is another meal to add to my Peanut Noodle Collection.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Hearts – Radish cut with a cookie cutter and dipped in frozen raspberries microwaved until soft, peanut noodles
Top Right: Cherry Tomatoes
Bottom Right: Strawberries
Today as a continuation of my Featured Ingredient meal series – I have Grapefruit. I made this for myself and it was delicious!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Avocado Grapefruit Salad – I didn’t make the dressing and it was still wonderful!
Top Right: Grapefruit with Mint Sugar (use food processor to combine fresh mint and some sugar)
Bottom Right: Cottage Cheese Grapefruit Bowl – I did not use raisins or any of the optional ingredients.
Happy Groundhog Day! I made this delicious meal for myself.
Groundhog: Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Cinnamon
Ground: Ricotta Cheese
Shadow: Cinnamon
Before putting together this collection, I did not realize how many different types of bird meals I created over the years. I was impressed! Here is my huge collection.
Some birds reside in other collections:
ASSORTED BIRDS
Cheddar Mashed Potatoes with Butterfly Pea Powder Bird
BIRD HOUSE
Cheddar Mashed Potato Birdhouse with Carrot Birds
BIRDS NEST
Angel Hair Pasta with Peanut Sauce, Cucumber Eggs
Potato Nests, Birds Nest Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella
TOKI (CRESTED IBIS)
Mashed Potato Carrot Toki Bird
HUMMINGBIRD
Cheese with Food Coloring Hummingbird
4 CALLING BIRDS
SEAGULL
CARDINAL
Red Bell Pepper and Apple Cardinal
Salsa Rice Cardinal, Blackberry Tart Nest
Tomato Paste Mashed Potatoes Cardinal
Vegetable Potato Salad Cardinal
PARTRIDGE
SWAN
DUCK
EAGLE
Focaccia with Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Eagle
White and Pumpernickel Bread Eagle
DOVE
PARROT
LOON
Cheddar Mashed Potato Paprika Loons
Focaccia Cream Cheese Cinnamon Loon
HEN/ROOSTER
Carrot Rooster with Cucumber Hens
PELICAN
Cheese Mashed Potatoes Pelican
FLAMINGO
Black Radish with Butterfly Pea Powder Flamingos
Naan with Strawberry Cream Cheese Flamingo
PENGUIN
Vegetable Potato Salad Penguins
Blue Potato Cream Cheese Penguin
Olive and Mozzarella Pizza Penguin
PEACOCK
Fougasse and Cheddar (with Butterfly Pea Powder) Peacock
Two of my close friends have the same birthday. This year I had each of them over for their birthday dinners two days in a row. I was delighted to use my new birthday banner. I gave Deborah a pot of flowering tulips. For the table, I used two bunches of daffodils from Trader Joes.
For Deborah’s birthday dinner, I asked her for food or theme ideas. She responded, “Tropical”. I don’t think I ever did a tropical themed dinner before so I was delighted to try something new. I made Vegan Tropical Tacos and Vegan Mango and Lime Cheesecake garnished with a mint leaf. I still have a living pot of mint left over from Christmas. The fresh flavors temporarily transformed us to a tropical climate. It was a refreshing change from cold and snowy Rochester in January.
Carol’s birthday was a few days ago. I made her favorite meal – Vegetable Wellington with Citrus White Wine sauce. I also made roasted broccoli with fresh lemon and Parmesan cheese. To keep things easy for me on a worknight, I bought a small Tiramisu from Wegmans. The powdered sugar stencil was more beautiful in the store, it did not travel well. Carol’s gift from me also served as a table arrangement.
My dining room is already decorated for Valentine’s Day since I put those decorations up right after Christmas decorations come down. I am glad that I now have a birthday banner that coordinates with my dining room, I hung it for the occasion.
I made this meal for my sister-in-law. I supplemented it with popcorn.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Charlie Brown & Lucy – Cheese mashed potatoes cooled then cut with cookie cutters, paprika details, peas
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Snoopy – Cheese cut free hand, paprika details, raspberries
I enjoy designing and printing menus for special meals I prepare at home. Sometimes they are very basic (words and images on paper), other times I have made a menu that lights up when the menu is pressed (to complete the copper tape circuit). Usually I think I am more impressed by my menus than my guests but maybe it makes them feel cared for that someone bothered to make a menu for them. Or they think that Kathy is just doing Kathy things.
As I do with my other recurring themes, here is my collection of homemade Menus. I will update here when I create new menus.
Updated: 4/4/25
LIGHTED MENU
Jack-o-Lantern Light Menu Card
INTERACTIVE MENU
Earth with Shrinky Dink Santa and Velcro Dots
3-SIDED MENU
SHAPE MENU
Bunny Shape with Honeycomb Paper Ball Tail Menu
CUT OUT ON COLOR PAPER
Printed Paper Glue On Cardstock Menu
Printed Paper Glue On Cardstock Menu
ICONS MENU
BASIC MENU
PLACECARD / MENU
I made this lunch for my Mom. Go here to see my collection of Vegetable Potato Salad themed meals.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Snowmen – Potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, red bell pepper and Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter (cinnamon details), cream cheese with blue cheese
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Strawberries
I made this cute rice meal for my Dad. Here are my other themed rice meals.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Penguin – Cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, Brie broiled on top until melted, cinnamon, peas
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Penguin – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, Greek yogurt, cinnamon
In my continuing quest to make new themed Vegetable Potato Salad meals, I made this meal for my Mom.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Cardinal – Roasted potatoes, orange cheddar cheese (Eye – cinnamon), red bell pepper all cut with cookie cutters, hummus
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Raspberries
I have a tradition with my friend Renae’s family. (For all the years I have done this, I am surprised that this is the first time to share it here.) For Renae, her husband, and two daughters, I make and bring bagels (more recently sometimes scones for Renae and the older daughter) for breakfast on or near their birthdays. For the daughters, I give them individually wrapped chocolates for their new age. In 2023, the oldest turned 18 (I gave her a box of chocolate with 18 pieces). My plan was that I would continue with the bagels as long as she was nearby but stop the chocolate. It was not a popular idea so I agreed to continue the chocolate until 21.
This family has been there for me in my times of need and I know I can always call on them. This is just a small thing I can do to show my appreciation to the family.
I made this lunch meal for my Mom. Go here to see my fun bread collection.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Hippo – Homemade bread, dried blueberries details, blueberries
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Hippos – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – food coloring, celery with peanut butter
My parents and I enjoyed leftover soup with the addition of these adorable snack boards.
Snowman Snack Plate: Snowman – Goat Cheese Rounds, Hat – Tortilla rubbed with cinnamon, Face & Buttons – Black Olive, Nose – Piece of orange shredded cheese, cauliflower, macadamia nuts, sour cream dip (all on a palm plate)
Broccoli Cheddar Soup: with Vegetable broth
Happy New Year! I made this festive meal for myself.
2025 – Cantaloupe and Watermelon cut with cookie cutters, blackberries, ricotta with cinnamon
I have a tradition each year to share my top boxed lunches for the year. Sometimes when I deem the others worthy, I also feature non-boxed meals in their own post. This year, is one of those years.
ON A PLATE
PARTY
For nearly 2 years, I have done a lot of thinking and talking about Jimmy Carter. It seemed fitting to make a simple bento meal in this theme.
Jimmy Carter (President # 39) is the first president that I remember. I remember the Iran Hostage Crisis and that there was a child in the White House (Amy). After he was president, I don’t think I thought much about him until around 2007. I played a trivia game with a nephew. The answer was “Jimmy Carter”. The nephews father overheard the name and became angry at the thought of Jimmy because he was against his politics. Then, I didn’t think much about Jimmy until 2023 when he went on hospice. I expected him to die soon since it is common when someone is under hospice care. Then he turned 99. It is somewhat of a tradition in my family to make it to 99 and not 100. So I wondered about Jimmy. Then his wife died. I know many elderly couples who die somewhat close to each other. Then he was in hospice for a year. Then he turned 100 years old. Jimmy kept living longer than I expected. Today he died so I will finally post this meal I made over 7 months ago.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: 39 – Cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Habitat for Humanity – Blue house drawn on cheese with food coloring markers, Nobel Peace Prize – Food coloring details on cheese, rice with soy sauce
Top Right: Jimmy Carter – Carrot cut with a mini cutter, hummus, celery
Bottom Right: Peanuts in the shell
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 definition of dumpling. I did not want more than 5 courses and we had a planned break after the first 3 courses.
7 of us enjoyed this meal – Mom, Dad, me, Andy, Kerry, Carol and her son Mike.
Each course used a different type of plate, a sauce, garnish and was paired with a non-alcoholic drink. My brother served the drinks for each course and lead a toast from each country.
Menu Card: I bought canvas boards (8 x 6 inches) from Michaels. I designed the menu using Microsoft Word and printed with my home printer. My sister-in-law used glue stick to attach the menu to canvas boards. Santa and Reindeer – printed out image, traced onto Shrinky Dink sheet with black colored pencil. Colored in image then shrank in toaster oven. Attached adhesive Velcro dot to back of Santa and to each location on the menu. We used mini easels to display on the table.
Place Card: I bought these small earth pencil sharpeners and printed names with my labeler.
Arrangement: My Mom made the arrangement and used paper flags from each country that I printed with my home printer.
My critique of the party: I think that everyone enjoyed the food. The Gado Gado rolls were on the table when we started the meal. I prepared the Pakora before we started the Gado Gado rolls. The ravioli and empanada courses were prepared ahead and in the freezer. I had a spreadsheet with courses and the plates I planned to use. I am not good about allowing help in my kitchen but I did allow my brother to help with the drinks and serving and my Mom did some plating and made the Gado Gado cabbage rolls and dessert. As usual, I did not do great with photographing and it is difficult to get photos without showing the people. Overall, I consider it a successful meal!
A few days after my niece left, my brother and sister-in-law joined us.
DINNER SUNDAY DECEMBER 22
(no photos of pierogi dinner because everyone was only focused on eating the delicious pierogi)
I think it was over 10 years since I last made homemade pierogi. I made them this year because when my brother sent me a list of 10 dumplings he wanted for the Dumplings Around the World Dinner, he gave many filling possibilities for Pierogi and I thought he really wanted them. I didn’t include in the Dumpling Around the World menu since I made them for the same dinner in 2013. I was right! Andy and everyone all enjoyed the pierogi. They disappeared.
BREAKFAST MONDAY DECEMBER 23
I often say I can make my mini bagels in my sleep. My guests enjoy and they are easy for me.
LUNCH MONDAY DECEMBER 23
Instead of making themed lunches for everyone, I made mushroom quiche for the mushroom eaters and cute bento for me and Kerry.
DINNER MONDAY DECEMBER 23
(once again, no photos of this dinner because everyone was excited to eat)
BREAKFAST TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
LUNCH TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE APPETIZER DINNER TUESDAY DECEMBER 24
There were 7 of us these year for our Christmas Eve Appetizer dinner. Mom, Dad, me, Andy, Kerry, an old friend and his 14 year old daughter.
BREAKFAST WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25
There were 5 of us for Christmas day breakfast – Mom, Dad, me, Andy, and Kerry. This year, I added a cheese plate to our normal menu. My crowd ate some of the cheese but I think they are just as happy without it.
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 day to be Christmas Eve and a Day to be Christmas.
CHRISTMAS EVE SOUP AND BREAD DINNER
WAFFLE BREAKFAST
Waffles with candy cane shaped apple cut-outs, raspberries, maple syrup, and Tree Shaped Butter
REINDEER PACKAGE
Last year for some of my niece’s gifts I made a snowman stack. This year I decided to make a reindeer present stack. My Mom and I collaborated and my Mom, Dad, and I assembled. You can see in the photos below our method. My Dad used a drill to attach the neck and head to the body. I made the antlers by hot gluing felt onto cardboard. I made the eyes out of cardboard. I used a flashing nose from the Dollar Tree. We used brown and white fake fur for the tail. We wrapped the boxes in brown paper. The legs are wrapping paper rolls that we cut and hot glued to the body box. I hot glued ribbon and Hershey kisses for the harness. We added wrapped presents in each section of the body. I love how my mom styled it to look like it came down the chimney. It was a lot of fun for all of us!
LAMBERTON CONSERVATORY
Once again, we all enjoyed the poinsettia show at the Lamberton Conservatory. This year in addition to the turtles, the quail were back!
As is our tradition, when my niece visits around Christmas even if it is not the calendar Christmas we designate a day to be Christmas Eve and a Day to be Christmas. For our Christmas day this year we enjoyed a Snow Globe themed dinner.
Arrangement: Snow Globe – my Mom planned this and niece helped her create it.
Special on Table: Christmas Crackers, Scratch Off Lotto
Snow Globe Favor: I came up with the concept. When I went to the Dollar Tree to look for something to use, I found snow globe kits! I also found mini trees at the Dollar Tree. I used my labeler to add names. I made Royal Icing and assembled with a Lindt Chocolate Snowman, mini tree, and shredded coconut. The Royal Icing did not get a hard as usual (maybe since I put the globe on before drying). It made it easy for people to remove and eat their chocolate after the meal. Afterwards, I was able to easily wash off the icing and can use in the future with something else.
Tablecloth: Embroidered Christmas tablecloth given to use by an old neighbor
Dishes: Blue Floral
Drinks: Snow Globe Cocktail – we did our own version of this with plastic glasses
Garlic Bread: We bought bread from Leo’s Bakery and then added butter, garlic powder, and a little dried parsley. Wrapped in foil and baked in oven while lasagna was cooking.
Lasagna: Niece made her delicious lasagna with homemade ricotta she made.
Lemon Asparagus: Boiled asparagus with butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt
Snow Globe Dessert: Vanilla cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (I use less sugar), Snow Globe cookie with this cookie, and these directions for snow globe – we used blue Jolly Ranchers and Pineapple Life Savers.
My critique of the meal:
This was a memorable meal! We all worked together to make it beautiful and delicious. It is fun to take time loved recipes and add a twist with themed table decorations. As usual, it was special for the four of us to spend time together.
No scratch off lotto winners amongst us this year.
When my niece visited before Christmas we bought this cute Woodland Animal Gingerbread house kit. She seemed to enjoy decorating and assembled it. I made Royal Icing. My Mom helped with styling the fake snow and provided lights to use. It looks festive sitting on the buffet in my dining room next to my Log Cabin.
Look here to see all of my past Gingerbread creations and the creations others made with a little assistance from me.
I did not make this house. I gave guidance and facilitated the making of it by the 16 year old daughter of an acquaintance. She did a fantastic job! In my Gingerbread Repository it is after my creations in the section titled, “OTHERS”.
Gingerbread house: She took this template and modified it a little.
Gingerbread Recipe: We used this recipe.
Royal Icing Recipe: I love using this recipe which uses Meringue Powder. It hardens fast and works very well.
Decorations: White and Blue Royal Icing, Fresh Rosemary
Continuing in my Vegetable Potato Salad series, today I have Gingerbread men I made for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Gingerbread Men – Orange bell pepper, Cheddar (smoked paprika details attached with a toothpick and a little water), sweet potato cut with a cookie cutter then roasted, pesto
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Gingerbread Man – Peach cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon details attached with a toothpick and peach juice, blueberries
I made this jolly meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Santa – Cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, Hat – Tomato sauce, Eyes – Cucumber skin cut with a straw, Nose – Black olive, Mouth – Radish, peas
Top Right: Green grapes, Brazil nuts
Bottom Right: Ho Ho Ho – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, Romaine lettuce
My parents and I enjoyed this cute and delicious meal. I planned the concept several years ago but finally got around to making it. If I made the exact same meal again the only thing I would change is to add a garnish of face and body details to the gingerbread men.
Ravioli: I used my favorite pasta dough, filling – Ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan, salt and pepper, (I made and put in freezer), boiled just before serving, served with an apple cider reduction (apple cider boiled until reduced).
Shaved Parmesan Brussels Sprouts: I somewhat followed this. I chopped the brussels sprouts in a food processor and didn’t use the panko. Garnished with Parmesan cheese and toasted pecans.
Eclectic Lamb 
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