I made this meal for myself on the same day I made Frankenstein for Carol. It was delicious!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Christmas Trees – Hand pie – I made my own butter pie crust, for the filling I used frozen ginger and reduced the curry by half (I cut the tree and stars with cookie cutters)
Top Right: Pistachios
Bottom Right: Cherry tomatoes
I took 2 years off after I bought my house, but I am back again making gingerbread for the Eastman Museum. This is my 6th year (non-consecutive). I am happy to participate again and am already planning my creation for next year. The photo above shows my creation and my gingerbread “neighbors”. The other photos are a selection of some of my favorites from the exhibition.
This year was my 6th year (non-consecutive) to make gingerbread for Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. In my continuing quest to try different things, I have a greenhouse attached to the house with a widow’s walk. It is my first time making green grass in gingerbread (my niece did it a few years ago).
The auction to benefit the museum is online. Go here to see all of the creations and to place a bid.
Gingerbread Recipe: I used this recipe.
Royal Icing Recipe: I love using this recipe which uses Meringue Powder. It hardens fast and in works very well.
Templates: My college friend Dan helped me with the templates when his family visited my parents lake house last summer.
HOUSE
Walls: White Flooded Royal Icing
Windows: Royal Icing transfers
Door: Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie, (front and back) Doorknob: Heart sprinkle
Roof Shingles: Extra Pink Lemonade Gum
Widow Walk Flat Roof: Wegmans Wildberry Fruit Strips
Widow Walk Fence: Cookies and Cream Pokey
Chimney: Homemade Rice Krispy Treats covered with Royal Icing and Bubble Gum Jelly Beans
Smoke: White Jelly Beans
GREENHOUSE
Walls: White Flooded Royal Icing
Roof: Heart Shaped Marshmallows
Door: Gingerbread with White Flooded Royal Icing, Glass: Gold quality gelatin sheets Doorknob: Heart sprinkle
Windows: Gold quality gelatin sheets (attached with hot glue)
Floor: Wegmans Wildberry Fruit Strips
Benches Inside: Wafer Cookies
Pots: Rolos
Roses: Brach’s Valentine’s Mellowcreme Roses Candy
Green Plants: Trader Joe’s dried Okra
POND
Water: Blue Royal Icing, Blue Sprinkles
Swans: White fondant, Black Paste Food Coloring, Swan Wings mold
FOUNTAIN
Base: Pink Ice Cream Cone
Water: Blue Royal Icing
Sculpture: Pink Fondant Heart
LANDSCAPING
Heart Pathways: Gimbals Cinnamon Lover Hearts
Gravel Walkway to Greenhouse: Trader Joe’s Valentine Sprinkles
Garden Beds: Osem Wafers, Chocolate, Brach’s Valentine’s Mellowcreme Roses Candy, Leaf Sprinkes
Grass: Green Royal Icing with Green Sprinkles
My Mom and I prepared a Vegetarian Thanksgiving at my home. My mom did the menu planning since originally we were going to have Thanksgiving at her home in Delmar, NY. There were 6 of us this year, Mom, Dad, Carol, me, an old friend and his 14 year old daughter. He helped me take some photos during the meal. It was wonderful since I always struggle to take decent photos and put a meal on the table. My parents made the beautiful turkey themed napkin / place card holders. I created the menu card at my Mom’s request. She wanted leaves and pumpkins on it.
Appetizers:
Soup:
Main:
Dessert:
I made this little Turkey themed cheese ball for myself. I am not sure that it looks like a turkey but it was fun to make and eat.
Turkey – Cream cheese mixed with finely shredded cheese then roll into a ball. Cover cheese ball with chopped pecans. Eyes – Dried blueberries, Beak – Red bell pepper attached with spaghetti, Feathers – Yellow, red, and orange bell pepper
Vegetables – Snow peas, bell pepper
Sometimes I used decoratively cut cheese to decorate food. Here is my collection!
Updated: 2/1/26
CHARACTER
Snoopy
HOLIDAY
Groundhog’s Day
IMAGINARY
FISH
SPORTS
ANIMALS
PLAIN CHEESE CUTOUT (NO DETAILS)
Over the summer when I was in Kyoto, I ate one slice of lotus root pesto pizza. I was with a group and everyone had a slice of the 6 slice pizza. Since that night, I have been dreaming of eating more of that delicious pizza. I finally got around to making it, Wegmans does not sell lotus root so I had to make an extra trip to an Asian Market about 15 minutes away. I invited Carol over to join me for the lotus root pizza. It was her first time eating lotus root. She also enjoyed. I first ate lotus root in 1992 and it is one of my favorite tempura choices. I even made it at the sample food class in Tokyo.
Lotus Root Pesto Pizza: Homemade pizza dough, homemade pesto, peeled sliced lotus root, parmesan cheese – bake until crust is golden brown. Toast pine nuts. add after baking as a garnish.
Lotus Root Chips: Thinly slice peeled lotus root, fry until golden
Kyoto Pizza Inspiration
Kyoto Pizza Inspiration
This fun camel theme was for me.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Camel – Nishiki rice pressed with plastic wrap in a cookie cutter, broiled cheddar, dried blueberry eye, mashed cauliflower
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Camels – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – cinnamon attached with a toothpick, Ricotta cheese with cinnamon
For a awhile, I thought about having a birthday banner that matched my dining room to use when I host birthday meals for friends or myself. I finally make one!
Felt: Joanne Fabric’s thicker felt
String: DMC Pearl Cotton
Lettering: Ariel Black, 300 (printed then used as a pattern)
Spacer: Flower that I freehand drew for template
Method: I decided to hand sew the letters onto the felt background pieces since I wanted a hand project that took some time. It did not take a lot of time and was enjoyable to sew.
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 below for what I put in the bag – assorted full size candy, a sticker sheet, and small chocolate. The children and parents were all very polite and thankful. Only one kid asked if they could have more than one bag, and their parent quickly said no. I like giving out bags since the kids are delighted and it eliminates the rare child trying to grab multiple pieces.
Awhile ago, I made the stuffed pepper with a wonderful pepper from my former sister-in-law’s garden. I stuffed it with mashed cauliflower and cheese. Delicious!
Today I got a Halloween cheese tray from Wegmans and enjoyed it for lunch, dinner, and beyond.
I carved my pumpkin at Renae’s pumpkin carving party last Sunday. Photos from the party are below.
I made this meal for Carol. I chose Frankenstein since I previously only had one Frankenstein in my Halloween collection. She enjoyed.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Frankenstein – Hand pie – I made my own butter pie crust, for the filling I used frozen ginger and reduced the curry by half
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Green grapes
I made this skull cheese art meal for myself.
Rectangle Glass Container
Skull – Mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, tomato quinoa (I didn’t use the chili or coriander)
Tiny Round Glass Container
Macadamia nuts
I made this cute bat cheeseball for myself. I was inspired by this.
Bat – Cream cheese mixed with finely shredded cheese formed into a ball. Roll in cocoa powder. Eyes – dried blueberries, Wings – Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
I enjoyed this delicious meal of fresh mozzarella ghosts, pesto tortellini and sweet blackberries.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Ghosts – Fresh mozzarella cut with a cookie cutter, pesto tortellini
Right Side: Ghosts – Fresh mozzarella cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries
Pasta, Blue Cheese and Beets has been a favorite combination of mine for nearly 20 years. I don’t feature it here as often as my favorite Peanut Noodles but maybe I should find more unique ways to prepare this meal.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Pasta with Blue Cheese
Right Side: Prepared purchased beets cut with a cookie cutter, spinach
It is sad that Dame Maggie Smith recently died. Renae and I decided to have a themed dinner together and watch her last movie (The Miracle Club) in my media room. The meal had slight hints from 3 of her performances: Harry Potter, Downtown Abbey, and Sister Act.
Witch Hat Cucumber Sandwiches – Pumpernickel bread cut with a cookie cutter, Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs cheese, thinly sliced cucumber cut with the same cookie cutter (see image below)
Carrot Ribbons with Cashews
Cheddar Scones with Whipped Pumpkin Spice honey – This scone recipe was fantastic! I made it ahead then put it in the freezer until baking. I served them with the Whipped Pumpkin Spice Honey I keep raving about.
Apple Fool with Musical Note Chocolate – No recipe for this one. I sautéed peeled apples with a little butter, cinnamon, and maple syrup. After it cooled I spooned the apples into the bottom of small glass yogurt jars, topped with fresh whipped cream (no sugar or vanilla), topped with melted chocolate musical notes that I set in the refrigerator.
My critique of the meal:
I was impressed how we were able to plan a weeknight themed meal that was doable but special. We enjoyed the meal, movie, and shared time together.
Last weekend, my nearly 26 year old niece came over for a visit and meal. It was the perfect time to use a ginkgo shaped rice mold I bought at Kappabashi in Tokyo. I also incorporated Pumpkin Spice whipped honey into the meal. I found it recently and am a little addicted. On the jar it says, “It’s like a cozy honey hug with every spoonful!”
Ginkgo Leaf – Nishiki rice shaped with a metal rice mold, broiled cheddar on top
Falling Ginkgo Leaves – Sauteed onion, broccoli, snow peas with a little olive oil and soy sauce, roasted sweet potatoes cut with a cookie cutter, parsnips cut with a cookie cutter, cashews
Ginkgo Leaves – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Greek yogurt with a drizzle of Whipped Honey with Pumpkin Spice
I have enjoyed making bread since I was 14. Making fun shaped bread is a particular passion of mine. Here are some of my cute themed bread creations.
Updated: 2/29/25
SPORTS
HOLIDAYS
TRANSPORTATION
MISC
EXTINCT / IMAGINARY
CHARACTERS
BODY PARTS
NATURE
INSECTS / MOLLUSK
Butterfly Bread
ANIMALS
Teddy Bear Bread (I made this as a guest post. It was never published on my site)
Penny Saved Penny Earned (Guest Post)
Continuing in my quest to hasselback everything possible, here is a sweet potato.
Hasselback Sweet Potato – I loosely followed this recipe but used olive oil not butter.
Blueberry Feta Salad with Romaine
I made this simple meal for myself. Go here to see other themed peanut noodles meals.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: River – Peanut Noodles, Fish – cucumber and carrots – cut with a cookie cutter, broccoli
Top Right: Pecans
Bottom Right: Blueberries
In my continued challenge to make different types of waffles, I made this mashed potato waffle meal for myself.
Iced Tea with Lemon
Cheese Mashed Potatoes cooked in a waffle maker, Sour Cream, Chives
Roasted Broccoli
I made this meal for myself, it was delicious and I expect it will become part of my usual meal rotation. I even garnished the side and drink! Garnish elevates a meal. I don’t often take the time to plan / do it but I am happy with the results when I garnish.
Broccoli and Chickpea Parmesan – I didn’t use thyme and used fresh mozzarella. Also, I cut the broccoli into florets, did not use a skillet and assembled into individual portions on my foil lined cookie sheet and baked the cheese and topping on top of the broccoli and chickpeas.
Plain Green Yogurt with cinnamon and Blackberry
Iced Tea with Lemon Slice
When looking for something new to create for my Fall / Autumn collection, I was inspired by this fruit salad.
Contents: Oak Leaves – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Maple Leaves – Watermelon cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries, green grapes, ricotta cheese with cinnamon
I made this cute and delicious meal for myself.
Rectangle Glass Container
Unicorn – Mozzarella cheese slice cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, tomato quinoa (I didn’t use the chili or coriander)
Round Glass Container
Grapes with Ricotta cheese and cinnamon
Today is my Dad’s birthday. Last weekend we celebrated his birthday at my parent’s Lake House. Carol celebrated with us. When I asked my Dad what dessert he wanted, he said, “Peach Pie”. I immediately thought of my ex-mother-in-laws peach pie. It is straightforward to make but special. I actually had her recipe and it came out wonderful! I think it was the hit of the meal. We are still talking about that pie. My family is spoiled by my homemade ravioli – while delicious it has become ordinary to them.
Note: The birds candle holders we used in the pie, are from before I was born. They are historical to my family. The Happy 81 balloons are from the Dollar Tree – they come with little straws to blow air into to inflate.
Dishes: Certified International Mountain Retreat
Homemade Spinach Ravioli with Pesto Cream – I used my favorite pasta dough, filling – Ricotta, Parmesan, Spinach leaves chopped in a food processor, salt and pepper, (I made the ravioli a week ahead and put them in the freezer), boiled just before serving. Pesto Cream – homemade pesto mixed with sour cream.
Garlic Knots – These were easy and delicious!
Broccoli – Boiled
Peach Pie – Peaches, sugar, flour, cream and cinnamon baked in a homemade pie crust.
Here is my giraffe collection!
PIZZA
Cheddar and Pesto Pizza, White Carrot Giraffes
POLENTA
Goat Cheese and Paprika Polenta Giraffe
VEGETABLE POTATO SALAD
Sweet Potato, Cheddar, Orange Bell Pepper, Smoked Paprika Giraffes
QUESADILLA
Cheddar and Olive Tortilla Giraffes, Apple and Cinnamon Giraffes
VEGETABLE
Carrot and Food Coloring Marker Giraffes
CRACKER
TORTILLA CHIPS
Paprika Tortilla Chips, Carrot Giraffes
MASHED POTATO
Mashed Potato with Carrot Hearts Giraffe
BREAD
I made this dragon themed meal for my college friend Dan’s daughter Chloe when Dan and his family joined me and my parents at their Lake House.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Large Box: Dragons – Four tortilla with broiled orange and white cheddar, cut with a cookie cutter, carrots, green beans
Medium Box: Dragon Egg – Chocolate covered strawberry with sliced almonds, Dragon Fire – Cheese balls
I made these fun giraffes for myself.
Tortilla Giraffes: Cheddar cheese broiled on a tortilla, after cooled cut with cookie cutter, Markings – Olive details, Eye – Cinnamon
Apple Giraffes: Apple cut with a cookie cutter, Eye and Markings – Cinnamon, blackberries
I made this meal for my college friend Dan’s daughter Anna. Dan and his family joined me and my parents at the Lake House a few weeks ago. When I asked Anna what theme lunch she wanted she said, “Hatsune Miku“. In the photo below, Anna is wearing a Hatsune Miku t-shirt and holding the themed meal. I am happy that Anna was thrilled with this bento!
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Hatsune Miku – Sliced mozzarella cheese, Hair and Eyes – Blue Food Coloring, Eyebrows – Spinach, Tattoo and Mouth – Red Food Coloring, Clothing – Spinach, Musical Notes – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, green beans, rice
Small Metal Container with Lid: Heart – Strawberry, red grapes
Here is another peanut noodle meal I made for myself.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Turtles – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, peanut noodles
Right Side: Dry roasted wasabi edamame
Continuing with my Featured Ingredient meal series – Watermelon. I made this for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Savory Watermelon Salad – I made it single serving and didn’t use the olive oil, yellow watermelon, fennel or basil
Top Right: Watermelon dipped in melted chocolate and covered with chopped pistachios
Bottom Right: Watermelon Cupcake – This idea but I used ricotta on top
I made this for dinner when my parents visited. The tart was flavorful!
Chickpea Caesar Salad Kit
3 Cheese Polenta Tart with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Over the years, I have made many butterfly themed food. Here is my collection!
SNACK
Apple, Cheese, and Crackers Butterflies
Carrot, Tortilla Chips, Cucumber, and Cantaloupe Butterflies
Cheese and Crackers Butterflies
Cheese, Crackers, and Apple Butterflies
RAVIOLI
Ravioli, Vegetable Butterflies
MAC & CHEESE
Mac and Cheese with Rainbow Carrots Butterflies
Watermelon and Bow Tie Pasta and Carrot Butterflies
WAFFLE
Waffle, Cucumber, and Cinnamon Butterflies
PEANUT NOODLES
TERRARIUM
RICE
Rice with Carrots and Beans Butterfly
Rice with Pistachios and Sprinkles Butterflies
Corn-Pea Rice with Carrot Butterfly
FRUIT SALAD
Cantaloupe, Crackers, and Carrots Butterflies
BREAD
Cucumber, Cheese, and Bread Butterflies
Bread with Cream Cheese, Jelly, and Snow pea, Carrots, Watermelon Butterflies
QUESADILLA
Quesadilla with Food Coloring Marker Details Quesadilla
PIZZA
Cheddar Pizza, Carrot Butterflies
MASHED POTATO
Mashed Potato, Blue Potato, Carrot, Watermelon Butterflies
VEGETABLES
Watermelon, Carrot and Cucumber Butterflies
Vegetable and Fruit Butterfly Girl, Peach Butterfly
Rice and Broccoli Butterfly, Yogurt Frozen Butterflies,
POLENTA
Polenta, Cheese, Pesto Butterfly, Kiwi and Carrot Butterflies
CHEESE
Cheese over Tortellini Butterflies
VEGETABLE POTATO SALAD
Continuing with my themed peanut noodles, today I have airplanes.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Large Box: Airplanes – cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, peanut noodles
Small Box: Plain Greek yogurt, blueberries
Today I have easy and fun hasselback tomatoes.
Hasselback Tomatoes – sliced small tomatoes, fresh mozzarella ball slides
Pasta Alla Vodka
Roasted broccoli with garlic
I made this meal for my parents and me at their Lake House. It was fast to prepare and delicious! This recipe is a keeper!
Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad
I made this meal for my Mom as part of my Vegetable Potato Salad series.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Boats – Roasted potatoes, orange cheddar cheese, orange bell pepper all cut with cookie cutters, blue cheese mixed with some cream cheese
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Life Preserver Ring – Radish with paprika, blueberries
This year around my birthday, I decided to host a Fruit and Vegetable themed party with Appetizers and Desserts. 6 of us were able to attend (Mom, Dad, Carol, Deborah, Renae and me). I asked my Mom to make a floral arrangement in a carved cabbage as a vase. She did an amazing job!
TABLE:
MENU
Drinks
Appetizers
Desserts
My critique of the meal:
I put more effort into garnish than usual and my guests noticed! The pistachio butter was easy to make but was a surprise hit. I tried many new recipes for the first time including adding dried cherries to my normal bagels. I loved the baked zucchini. The only thing I would not make again is the carrot fritters. They had a nice flavor but I wanted them to be crispy and didn’t enjoy making them. As usual for a party with frozen desserts, we scooped and portioned ahead of time and put back in the freezer. It made it easy to serve the dessert course. I think that all in attendance enjoyed this unusual themed party!
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 my Panda bento
Here is a bell pepper and tortilla pagoda set against the Tokyo night sky. See photo below.
Pagoda – red bell pepper, Roof pieces – tortilla brushed with espresso and water, Sorin – tortilla with circles drawn with food coloring marker, Night Sky – mashed potatoes with butterfly pea powder
Inspiration photo for my Senso-ji pagoda food
After a wonderful day trip to Takumi-Shuku (Traditional Hand Crafts Art Center) in Shizuoka, we took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. A language partner Maho met us and spent the evening with us. After checking into our hotel, she brought us to Senso-ji. It was my first time there and beautiful at night!
Wednesday July 10
Thursday July 11
Friday July 12
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 partner Mariko found Takumi-shuku (Traditional Hand Crafts Art Center) in Shizuoka. Mariko was kind to make our initial reservations for us by phone. I fine tuned our reservations with the staff via email. We reserved 3 classes each. They offered classes in Suruga bamboo lattice ware, fabric dying, wood working, lacquer, ceramics and plastic models. The center was beautiful and the staff were helpful and friendly. I loved this place! It would make a nice side trip between Kansai and Tokyo (we did it between Nagoya area and Tokyo).
Wednesday July 10
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 with food coloring marker details, Foliage – broccoli
Inspiration photo for my historic fabric buildings quesadilla
We left Maki’s apartment in Osaka and traveled to my language partner Mariko’s home in Aichi prefecture. We have met weekly over video to practice language for nearly five years. For lunch we all went to a traditional café with a former language partner who is friends with Mariko and lives nearby. We stayed one night at her home and spent time with her two sons and young dog. It was a fun time!
Tuesday July 9
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 hand with crushed corn flakes dyed green, diced carrots
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Stone Lantern – Red radish peeled and cut and carved into lantern shaped, attached with spaghetti, brushed on espresso powder mixed with water, spinach leaves
Inspiration photo for my Moss Statue Bento
I am very happy with my Hedgehog cheeseball bento! I was inspired by this cookie recipe.
Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.
Contents: Hedgehog – cream cheese mixed with finely cut shredded cheese formed by hand into a hedgehog shape, melted chocolate, chopped pecans, butter lettuce, green beans, blackberries, honey roasted peanuts
Inspiration photo for my Hedgehog Bento
We checked out of our hotel in Kyoto and took a train to Osaka to meet my language partner Maki. She was kind to meet us on the platform of first train station in Osaka so we did not need to transfer on our own. We stayed with Maki and her cat Kinchun at her apartment for two nights. Before the trip I provided Maki some things we wanted to do in Osaka. Maki planned an itinerary for all of us that included my ideas and added other unique and fun experiences to do together! It was an enjoyable and memorable two days!
Sunday July 7
Monday July 8
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 – radish cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, aquarium rocks – Brazil nuts, slivered almonds
Bottom Right: Blueberries, slivered almonds
Inspiration photo for Lake Biwa Bento
My language partner Yuri and her husband offered to show us around their area of Lake Biwa. I had traveled to Kyoto many times but it was my first time seeing the lake. We had a wonderful time seeing their area of the world and meeting their young family (2 year old son, 6 year old daughter). Besides seeing Lake Biwa and area, other first experiences for me were visiting a tea farm to learn how to pick and make tea with a tea farmer, served lunch by a robot, and spent time at the Lake Biwa Museum (Aquarium).
Saturday July 6
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 the time of making this (my central air conditioning unit died and I was dealing with quotes for replacement – big $$) so I did not spend a lot of time with this creation. Hopefully you can tell what it is supposed to be before seeing the inspiration photo below.
Pavilion: polenta, Bottom of Pavilion: cheddar brushed with espresso powder and water, Roof Pieces: tortilla brushed with espresso powder and water, Background: spinach
Inspiration photo for Kinkakuji Bento
We stayed at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto Station hotel for 4 nights but we only had 2 days to tour the city. We arrived at night and one of the days we toured the Lake Biwa area with my language partner Yuri and her family. I have been to Kyoto many times but we were able to do some things for my first time and several were only my second time seeing them.
Thursday July 4 – AM Arashiyama
Thursday July 4 – PM Arashiyama and Kyoto
In the afternoon a language partner, Ayumi who I have known for over 10 years and met in person in 2017 toured with us and showed us her city. We reserved a taxi to take us around for the afternoon. It was the best way to see many sites in a short time and easier with the heat and potential rain (we had almost no rain!). We topped off the day with a delicious pizza dinner with Ayumi’s family at a beautiful restaurant!
Friday July 5 – Nara and Kyoto
We spent the morning in Nara, the afternoon walking around Kyoto, and in the evening my Niigata friend’s daughter Erisa who lives in Osaka joined us in Kyoto for dinner and shopping.
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 sexy/naked. That was not my intention, I created lines to indicate the folds of cloth. I asked if it appeared disrespectful and should I not use it. She then said that it was cute and I should use the photo. This is not my first time attempting Buddha in food, years ago, I made a quesadilla Buddha. Another time, I used a cookie cutter to make a Buddha shaped tortilla chip on top of a Buddha Bowl meal.
Reclining Buddha – Blue and green food coloring – it also has specks of spinach in it since I first tried to dye it naturally, Peanuts
Inspiration photo for my Reclining Buddha Food
When we first started to plan our trip to Japan, my language partner Maki lived not far from Fukuoka so we planned to visit her for 2 nights. My niece researched places to visit in Fukuoka and found the reclining Buddha which we became excited to see. Then, my Maki’s work transferred her back to Osaka. In reorganizing our trip, we still wanted to see the reclining Buddha and I was excited to get off the island of Honshu and visit Kyushu for the first time. We decided on a day trip to Fukuoka. Therefore we left Niigata, flew to Fukuoka, visited Fukuoka for about 5 hours, then took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto all in the same day!
Wednesday July 3
Add Katriel’s wall photo
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: roasted broccoli
Inspiration photo for Castle bento
After landing in Tokyo, my niece and I took the Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) to Niigata to begin the first leg of our trip. My long time friends (since I was 19 years old) live in Niigata. My friends kept us on a very busy schedule touring their area, especially since we lost our first day in Japan due to a flight being cancelled. I visit them every time I am in Japan, but I was especially touched by their hospitality and efforts to show me and my niece their beautiful prefecture of Niigata. Our first night they made reservations at their favorite conveyor sushi restaurant. Every 5 plates, customers are eligible to win a prize. It was fun! They even found cheese sushi for me!
If I write details for everything we did in Niigata Prefecture, I will not complete my Japan series in only a few weeks. I will simply list the locations and websites if applicable.
Sunday June 30
Monday July 1
We took the 6 am Car Ferry to Sado Island. Friend was kind to drop us off at the Ferry terminal. I rented a taxi to take us around Sado Island for 5 hours as it was my second time to Sado Island and I knew that it would be the most efficient way to spend our time. The time passed quickly. Our driver was kind and escorted us around the beautiful island. We returned to Niigata by the Jet Foil (faster boat). Then we spent some time at a Niigata Summer festival before returning back to my friends home.
I didn’t take any photos of our picnic lunch near the cliffs. It is a special memory.
Tuesday July 2
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 a sampling of the cute / attractive food I looked at and ate during my 2024 trip to Japan.
The photo above was from Cafe de Pojagi in Korea Town – Osaka. The bear is ice cream, the base is shaved ice with chocolate. It was delicious and a joy to eat!
I wanted to try 3D Latte Art. I found the Saryo-Suisen Cafe in Kyoto that had Green Tea Lattes with 3D art.
I ate this delicious Peach Parfait at Saryo-Suisen Cafe in Kyoto.
My niece ate this Tiramisu Parfait at the Saryo-Suisen Cafe in Kyoto.
My friend in Niigata took us to the Penguin Bakery from Hokkaido with lots of cute shaped bread. The above photo and three below are bread I looked at but did not eat. The penguin bread is the one I tried.
This Penguin was a beautiful, soft, and delicious chocolate bread. From the Penguin Bakery.
In Arashiyama, my niece, friend, and I ate cute Miffy bread along the river from the Miffy Bakery. Mine had red bean jam inside.
I found This is Shizen in Kyoto with beautiful Wagashi flowers on top of ice cream. My niece and I shared it since we had other cute food locations planned that day. I choose Morning Glory. They also has Hydrangea and Rose.
I ate the Bing Cherry parfait on the left. My Niigata friend’s daughter lives in Osaka and met us in Kyoto. She ate the one on the right. At the Sir Thomas Lipton Teahouse at Kyoto Station.
Delicious pudding cake from a cafe near Kappabashi.
Cheese bread from Anderson Bakery Ueno.
Panda cookie from Anderson Bakery Ueno.
Panda shaped cream bread from Anderson Bakery Ueno.
Walnut bread from Anderson Bakery Ueno.
I took this photo in a department store in Osaka. It was a sweet for Tanabata.
This trip to Japan has inspired me to recreate and create new cute and attractive food. I expect to feature inspired creations here in the coming months.
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 ever before. Also, I took longer to plan it and planned it in more detail than in the past. The main reason for my extra planning was I went with 25 year old niece. I wanted to provide her with the most experiences possible and show her what I love about Japan. As with my cute food creations, I often put in more effort when it is for someone else.
I created experience and food bingo pages for my niece. It was difficult to keep them to only one page but I did. For the food, I am a vegetarian and she is not. I wanted her to try a variety of Japanese food. I think that we were successful with that.
In the coming days / weeks (goal is to be done by August 12) I will share photos from each location and my inspiration food if applicable. Similar to what I have done with past travel. When the post is live, I will link to it in the list below.
FLOWERS / NATURE
Usually I go to Japan in the winter. It had been awhile since I was in Japan during a green month (1992). I was impressed by the beauty of nature in the summer. I took more photos than usual of rice fields since they were full of living plants. Regrettably, we were unable to see Mt. Fuji (cloudy) but that is more typical in the summer. I have seen it many times in the winter.
In the winter, I visited gorgeous daffodils at a festival and viewed beautiful plum blossoms. I hoped to see hydrangea and lotus flowers during this trip. I was concerned that we would be too late for the hydrangeas and too early for the lotus. My concerns were unfounded. The hydrangeas and lotus were gorgeous!
HYDRANGEA
LOTUS
MANHOLE COVERS
While in Japan, I like to photograph manhole covers. This year I was in more different towns than ever before during one trip. I took a lot of photos of manhole covers.
STAMPS
Before our trip, I asked my niece if she wanted to collect stamps while in Japan. Rubber stamps and ink pads are at many train stations and other tourist locations around Japan. She said yes so we ordered Eki (station) stamp books from Amazon and had them in hand when we started our journey. I had noticed stamp tables during past trips but didn’t collect them. We easily filled up our books.
Our stamp books. Mine is on the left.
Niece testing a stamp at Niigata Station. Below I include photos of some of my favorite stamps.
Keeping with tradition, my niece and my Mom made this breakfast when at the Lake House.
Bees – Chocolate chip waffles cut with cookie cutter
Bee Hive – Chocolate chip waffles cut with cookie cutter
Others in this series:
Bear, Bunny, Groundhog, Camel, Cows, Dinosaurs, Ghosts, Moose, Raccoon, Sloth, Squirrels
Continuing with my fascination for hasselback food, here are some strawberries. I was inspired by a salad Renae made for me awhile ago.
Hasselback Strawberries – Mascarpone between the slices
Spinach, toasted almonds, feta cheese, Wegmans Poppyseed dressing
Eclectic Lamb 
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