I made this fun meal for myself.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Dinosaurs – Sweet potato cut with a cookie cutter and roasted, mashed cauliflower with ricotta cheese, walnuts, chocolate chips
I enjoy making themed mashed potato meals. Here is my collection!
Updated: 4/6/25
WEATHER
Tornado Mashed Potatoes
FLOWER
ANIMAL
BIRD / FLYING THING
Japanese Crested Ibis Mashed Potatoes
FISH
HALLOWEEN
Jack-o-lantern Mashed Potatoes
DAY OF THE DEAD
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Tree Mashed Potatoes
NEW YEAR
VALENTINE
Conversation Hearts Mashed Potatoes
ST PATRICK
EASTER
4TH OF JULY
PRESIDENTS
George Washington Mashed Potatoes
Abraham Lincoln Mashed Potatoes
CHARACTERS
Snoopy and Woodstock Mashed Potatoes
Charlie Brown and Lucy Mashed Potatoes
JAPANESE CULTURE
Emperor and Empress Mashed Potatoes
Reclining Buddha Mashed Potatoes
IMAGINARY / EXTINCT / ??
LIFE ACTIVITIES
TRANSPORTATION
TOY / GAME
MISC
I made this snowman bread lunch for my Dad on the day that my parents, niece and I went on a little daytrip to the Buffalo Botanical Garden greenhouses.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Snowmen – Shaped bread with food marker details (I served Cheddar on the side)
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Snowflakes – Radish cut with a cookie cutter, spinach
Keeping with tradition, my niece and my Mom made this breakfast while at my house for Christmas.
Kangaroos – chocolate chip pancakes cut with a cookie cutter, Nutella
Others in this series:
Bear, Bunny, Groundhog, Camel, Cows, Dinosaurs, Ghosts, Moose, Raccoon, Sloth, Squirrels
I made this fun and seasonal meal for my parents and me. We LOVED the wonton snowflakes!
Roasted Potato Snowflakes – cut potato slices with a snowflake cookie cutter, rub with butterfly pea powder, roast until tender
Snowflake Wonton with Blueberries
Happy New Year! I made this festive meal for myself.
2024 – Nishiki Rice pressed into cookie cutters with plastic wrap, dried parsley
Roasted butternut squash
Happy New Year! Here is my collection of New Years / Year themed meals. As with my other collections, I will update when I create something new.
Updated: 1/1/26
My niece made a gingerbread greenhouse while visiting me this year. I suggested it because I always wanted to make a greenhouse out of gingerbread and I thought she would like it. It is beautiful!
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.
Windows: Gold quality gelatin sheets
Candy Cane and Gingerbread Men: purchased icing decorations
Green Path: Sweet tarts
Gingerbread Men Gardens: Mini gingerbread men sprinkles with candy rocks borders
Snow: Royal Icing
Poinsettias: Pink fondant cut with a mini star cutter, silver decorating balls, spaghetti
Pots: Rolos
Bench: Chocolate Wafer Cookies
We had a special Christmas with several rounds of guests. My parents joined me from December 21 – December 31. My brother and his wife joined us from December 22 – 25. My 21 year old niece was here from December 27 – December 31. My Dad did a lot of cooking this year since everyone requested his specialties: pizza, stuffed mushrooms, onion rings, and blueberry blintzes.
I posted some meals separately: Christmas Eve Appetizer dinner and French Christmas dinner. Previous Pig Scone Christmas breakfasts are posted here, here, and here. The only difference this year was Cranberry cheese from Aldi.
My parents, my niece, and me enjoyed a soup and bread meal with cut-out cookies on the evening of her arrival.
Christmas Hand-Pies – pie crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella
Asparagus – Boiled asparagus with butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt
My niece made this gorgeous Buche de Noel.
On December 24, we prepared an appetizer dinner for 6 (Mom, Dad, Carol, Andy, Kerry, and me). My Dad did a lot of cooking since many of his specialties were on the menu. I think we all had a great time!
This year, the theme I selected for my main meal on December 25 was “French”. Six of us feasted on this meal: Carol, Andy, Kerry, Dad, Mom, and me. My Mom made the beautiful arrangement. I printed the menus. I made the holly felt napkin rings a long time ago.
Vegetable Crepes – with sautéed onions, red bell pepper, and zucchini
Individual Potato Galettes – I didn’t use the herbs
French Cheese Course – Mild Cremeus de Bourgone – Marcel Petite Comte, Saint Agur Blue, Petite Toasts
Mini Buche de Noel Stump – I had to make the cookies since they are not sold anymore.
Apricot Tartlets – I made my own pie crust and used apricot jam and a sugar orange slice from Trader Joes.
Chestnut Trifle – I made the Chestnut Puree.
My critique of the meal:
The French onion soup was great! It is a recipe I have made for many years. The only problem was my oven, it doesn’t broil without shutting off. Usually I broil in my toaster oven but 6 would not fit. The Shaved Carrot Salad I would not make again. The drinkers loved the French wine. My Mom wants the crepes again soon. I don’t know if I ever made them for her. I usually make them for my niece from marriage. The cheese course was amazing. I did a consult at Wegmans. Everyone was so excited for it that nobody took photos of it until it was mostly gone. As usual for special holiday meals, I made a dessert trio. The stump was an icebox cake but since the thin chocolate cookies are no longer sold, it was more effort to make the cookies. It was worth it! The apricot tarts were enjoyed by all. It was easy for me since I often made jam tarts for my niece and nephews from marriage. I don’t have a lot of experience with chestnut desserts. This was sophisticated and delicious! I bought the chestnuts in the European section at Wegmans.
As is my tradition, here are my Top 10 Lunches from 2023! It was my second year renovating and decorating my house and a special project at work took a lot of my time. I did not put as much effort into planning and making cute meals as other years, but I still created and shared.
I made this cheese and mashed potato crown for King Charles Coronation.
I made this pesto rice parrot for myself.
This camel vegetable potato salad was for my friend Arna.
This cute polenta bird meal was for my Mom.
I made this cute tortilla windmill meal for my Mom.
My 21 year old niece made this mushroom and rice cow.
I made this bread diploma for Natalie when she graduated from High School.
My Mom ate this cream cheese and polenta snowman.
I made this fun fairy meal for myself.
I made this Santa cheese lunch for myself.
I haven’t posted a yearly cookie tray since 2015. In the years since, I often made at least one type of cookie (usually a cut-out sugar cookie). This year, I will make cut-out sugar cookies with my niece. Last year my Mom wanted an assortment so I attended a cookie exchange. Mom asked me to make my own assortment of cookies this year since she prefers mine. It was my first time since I was married to make 5 different types and freeze. I hope that my family enjoys!
This year because I was busy on a special project at work, I was unable to make gingerbread in time for the Eastman Museum (they need it in the beginning of November) but I was able to make a small easy creation for myself in December.
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: I used this.
Pathways: Blue Sweet Tarts
Doors: Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie, Doorknob: Rainbow Coated Chocolate Chips
Walls: Pink Royal Icing
Windows: Royal Icing transfers
Roof: Pink and Green Sweet Tarts
Roof Line: Peppermint Marshmallow Twists (Dollar Tree), Green Apple Wiley Wallaby (Dollar Tree), Green Dinner Mints (Dollar Tree)
Greenery: Spearmint leaves, royal icing covered ice cream cones (the taller tree has 3 stacked cones)
Fence: Mini pretzels
Snow: White royal icing
New techniques I tried this year:
My Gingerbread Collection: Go here to see most of my gingerbread creations.
Merry Christmas! Here is my collection of Christmas themed meals.
Updated: 12/27/25
THEMED CHRISTMAS MEALS
7 Continents Dinner (2018)
12 Days of Christmas (2021)
Carol of the Bells (2020)
Dumplings Around the World (2013)
Dumplings Around the World (2024)
White Themed Christmas Meal (2022)
French Christmas Dinner (2023)
Gingerbread Man Dinner (2025)
Candy Cane Dinner (2025)
CHRISTMAS COOKIE TRAYS
REINDEER
Carrot and Kohlrabi Flying Reindeer
CHRISTMAS TREE
ANGELS
GINGERBREAD MAN
Soy Sauce Rice Gingerbread Man
Vegetable Potato Salad Gingerbread Men
CANDY CANE
Vegetable Potato Salad Candy Canes
Mashed Potatoes and Red Bell Pepper Candy Canes
Bread Cherry Juice Candy Canes
Bagel Tomato Paste Candy Canes
Polenta Smoked Cheese Candy Canes
HOLLY
WREATH
Rice Broccoli Red Pepper Wreath
SANTA
SNOW GLOBE
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Poached Pear with Partridge Crisp
Pumpernickel Sandwich Calling Bird
Vegetable Food Art Calling Birds
POINTSETTIA
BELLS
I made this festive lunch for myself. It was a delight to eat!
Glass Container with Lid
Santa: Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, Green Goddess Ricotta Pasta, cherry tomatoes
I made this cute breakfast for my Mom.
Glass Container with Lid
Angels: Pineapple cut with a cookie cutter, cottage cheese, cinnamon, mixed nuts
I made this fun pesto polenta holly themed meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Holly – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, homemade pesto, cucumber skin, cherry tomatoes, cheddar mashed cauliflower
Top Right: Holly – Melon cut with a cookie cutter, dried cranberries
Bottom Right: Holly – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, Radish
My friend Deborah and I celebrated our 5 year friendiversary with a dinner at my home. I made the tart and salad. I would make both again! The small tarts were fun and delicious and the Almond Lime dressing was Wow! Deborah made the attractive and delicious cake. It was a fun evening.
Butternut Squash Tart with Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Salad with Almond Lime Dressing
Vegan Honey Nut Winter Squash Cake with maple syrup and pumpkin pie spices topped with a cream made of cashew butter, maple syrup, dates, vanilla, and coconut milk. Decorated with the last flower from Deborah’s garden.
My Mom and I prepared a Vegetarian Thanksgiving this year in Delmar, NY. My friend Carol and I drove the 3.5 hours to the Albany, NY area on the morning of Thanksgiving. My brother and his wife were supposed to join us Thursday evening but my Dad’s 91 year old Aunt died so all of our plans changed. Carol and I only spent one night and my brother didn’t come since my parents had to leave early on Friday to drive out of town for the wake and funeral. Our menus changed but I still had a nice Thanksgiving with Carol and my parents.
As usual, my Mom set a beautiful table. She spray painted artificial pears and added names at each place setting. She made the floral arrangement in a antique family ceramic turkey that my Mom’s grandpa gave her Mom.
Breakfast: Pumpkin French Toast (recipe at end of this post) with Turkey shaped butter and maple syrup
Appetizers: Assorted cheese and Wegmans Entertaining crackers
Soup: Pumpkin soup (with vegetable broth) served in small pumpkins, Cheese bread with Turkey shaped butter
Main:
Dessert: Pumpkin Pie with fresh whipped cream
Happy Thanksgiving! Here is my collection of Thanksgiving themed meals.
Updated: 11/30/25
TURKEY
CORNUCOPIA
VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING MEALS
While preparing my Thanksgiving collection to share next week, I noticed I had never made a rice turkey. The lack of a rice shaped turkeys inspired this meal I made for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Turkey – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, brushed on soy sauce, roasted broccoli
Top Right: Hazelnuts
Bottom Right: Turkey – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – Cinnamon, blackberries
In my quest to try more vegetable forward meals, my parents and I tried roasted cabbage steaks for dinner. We served it with a lemon and maple ricotta. It was something different and we would have it again but the cabbage slices should be thinner so they cook faster.
Cabbage Steaks with Ricotta cheese mixed with a little fresh lemon zest and a drizzle of maple syrup.
I made this Hurricane themed mashed potato lunch for my Dad. He enjoys weather so I often make weather themed food for him.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Hurricane – Mashed potatoes with garlic and cheddar cut with a cookie cutter, black olive, green peas
Top Right: Spiral carrot
Bottom Right: Red grapes
I made this dinner when my parents visited in October. The salad went well with the gratin. The Butternut Squash Gratin was delicious and I expect to make this meal again.
Spinach Salad with apple, toasted pecans and a simple maple vinaigrette
In less than 2 years, I completed renovating / decorating all the rooms in my house. I am proud of the work my parents and I did. To celebrate I hosted a small open-house style housewarming. I never thought of myself as a decorator and I still don’t but I was able to decorate my house to fit me and make it my dream house. I am glad the renovations are over, I will have more time to focus on other things. When guests visit my home they are impressed with my organization and decorating. I get a lot of comments that my house should be on HGTV.
DRINKS
Orange Water – Water with ice and sliced orange
Mulled Apple Cider – Used apple cider instead of juice, didn’t use maple syrup or rum
SWEETS / SNACKS
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls – I used white chocolate with blue food coloring and a sandwich bag to pipe on little butterflies.
Leaf Shaped Cookies – I made a paper template from the leaf on my Dining Room wallpaper. Frosted it with buttercream.
Mini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Funfetti cake mix with homemade frosting and a sprinkle of pink sanding sugar.
Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes – I halved the sugar in the cheesecake, did not include the brown sugar in the filling, didn’t use the sugar in the topping, and didn’t use the caramel sauce.
Buttered Popcorn – My mom made these with oil in a pot and added salt and butter. We served it in little paper containers I found at Hobby Lobby.
Apple Grape Cheese Kababs – I found the adorable squirrel picks at hobby lobby. I made an assortment of combinations.
ACTIVITIES
I gave tours to guests who had not seen the entire decorated house.
I made a list of questions about the decor for guests to search for the answers.
THANK YOU FAVORS
I printed out labels, attached to small paper bags and filled with assorted chocolate.
My parents joined me this year for Halloween at my house. We each carved a pumpkin (in the photo above from left to right to right – Mom, Kathy, Dad). Dad made pizza with a face for dinner.
I put the trick-or-treat items in individual bags because it limits greedy kids taking two or three. Even with full-sized candy last year I had the issue last year of some kids grabbing multiples. I was not as prepared as usual this year so I only had full-sized candy for five — Nerds (put in the jack-o-lantern bags). All of the bags received candy rings, Utz Halloween pretzels, and Haribo Gummy Bears. I bought a Halloween book for my 2 year old next door neighbor. We wrapped it in tissue and added a pack of pretzels on top.
I had 27 treats prepared. The first kids arrived at 6:30 pm and by around 7:30 pm I was out of treats but it seemed like just stragglers at that point. Last year I only received around 30 kids. I was impressed at how polite the kids were. It was cold, around 39 F, but it was fun.
I made this dinner for my parents and myself. It was an easy make ahead dinner. I prepared it the night before. When I wanted to serve it, I only had to reheat.
Twice Baked Potato Jack-O-Lantern – cut baked potatoes in half, scope out cooked potato (careful to leave some shell), mix the scoped potato with a little butter, shredded orange cheddar, salt, and pepper, fill shells with potato mixture, garnish with pumpkin seeds to look like a Jack-O-Lantern.
Tomato Soup – This was easy to make and delicious!
This is supposed to be a bat. I think it does not look like one because I have the eyes in the wrong place. I made this for a night I had Carol over for individual themed dinners.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Bat – Mashed potatoes with Mexican cheese blend cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – dried blueberries, cinnamon, 20 Minute Mole Sauce (modified to be mild)
Top Right: Bat – Reese’s peanut butter cup cut with a cookie cutter, peanuts
Bottom Right: Stars – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries
I made this Candy Corn themed meal for my Mom. She enjoyed it!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Candy Corn – Pizza with mozzarella, cheddar, and gouda
Top Right: Candy Corn – Carrots, radish, and bell pepper cut into triangles, hummus
Bottom Right: Fruit – Fresh pineapple, coconut, Reese’s Pieces
I made this festive meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Spiderweb – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, Black beans and salsa mixed in a food processor and then piped with a zip lock bag, black beans, salsa
Top Right: Spider – Cheddar cheese rubbed with smoked paprika, roasted green beans
Bottom Right: Spider – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, rubbed with cinnamon, blackberries
Today I am revealing my renovated hallways. I am happy with the end results and am glad it is finally done. The last item was the carpet runner for the stairs.
FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY
Switch Plates and Outlet Covers: English Garden Aged Bronze Cover Plates from Wallplates.com, Floral from Etsy
Tile Floor: Merola Tile Harmonia Grove Green from Home Depot
Brown Mat: Waterhog Boxwood Doormat from Pottery Barn
Bench: I bought this from Touch of Class but can’t find it on their site.
Light: I found this unique light from Tuthill Lighting in Brighton, NY. I bought a can light conversion kit so my Dad could hang this light for me.
Butterfly Hook: Melody Towel Hook from Anthropologie
Flower Hook: Floral Solid Brass Double Coat Hook from Signature Hardware
Bird Hook: Underbrush hook from Anthropologie
Window Film: I bought it from Lowes. Elizabeth helped me to install. It was a 2 person job.
Stairs Runner: I bought this from a local store. It was a struggle to find something to match my floor. It actually looks better in-person than in the photo. It is not perfect but at least I have a fresh clean runner that is comfortable to walk on.
Corner Shelves: I can’t find this anymore but my Dad installed them for me shortly after I bought the house. I wanted a location for seasonal decor. I enjoy decorating for the holidays and this location is visible from my kitchen and is outside my bedroom. I have space between the 2 shelves since for Christmas and Easter I put trees on the bottom shelf.
SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY
Switch Plates and Outlet Covers: Vincent Van Gogh fromWallplates.com, Vincent Van Gogh 3 from Wallplates.com
Floor: My parents and I removed the carpet.
Decal on Laundry Shoot Door: Lily of the Valley cut with my Cricut (Elizabeth designed it).
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
Once again, my dining room is decorated for fall. This year, I added a garland. I love having holiday decorations I can bring out each year!
Stuffed Mini Roasted Butternut Squash – with rice, apple, pecans
Roasted Broccoli with Asiago
Over the years, I created many Japanese culture themed food. Here is my collection!
Updated 8/4/24.
SHRINE
Red Bell Pepper and Tortilla Tokyo Pagoda
Polenta Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
WAGASHI (TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SWEETS)
Mashed Potato and Strawberry Yogurt Wagashi
Spinach Pancake with Mashed Potato
MT FUJI
Purple Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese Mt Fuji
JAPANESE FLAG
Rice and Cherry Tomato Rice Flag
JAPAN TRAVEL
Mashed Potato Japanese Crested Ibis
Bell Pepper and Blueberries Miyajimi
Lake Biwa
Mashed Potato Reclining Buddha
Mashed Potato Coming of Age Day Kimono
Quesadilla Monkey Arashiyama Monkey Park
Mashed Potato Spinach Shinkansen
SETSUBUN (BEAN THROWING DAY)
HINAMATSURI (GIRLS DAY)
Rice ball and Crepe Emperor and Empress
Garlic Mashed Potatoes Emperor and Empress
Radish Rice Ball Crepe Emperor and Empress
Broccoli Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Bell Peppers Emperor and Empress
Melted Chocolate on Toast Emperor and Empress
Spinach and Tomato Sauce Pizza Emperor and Empress
KODOMONIHI (BOYS DAY)
Pie Crust Konobori and Kabuto Hat
TANABATA
Alfredo Pasta Pie with Pepper and Cheese Hikoboshi & Orihime
Lasagna Noodles Hikoboshi & Orihime
MISC
I made this cute and simple Kangaroo meal for myself.
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Kangaroo – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Eye – cinnamon attached with a moistened toothpick, assorted lettuce leaves, macadamia nuts, blackberries
I made this dinner for myself. It was my first time making butternut squash steaks. I enjoyed it and expect to make other versions in my future.
Butternut Squash Steaks with almonds
Ricotta Spinach – Fresh spinach leaves finely cut in a food processor, Ricotta, Asiago, salt, pepper
I made mole sauce with mashed potatoes on a night that I also made a themed meal for my friend Carol. Since Carol does not like spicy food, I made a mild version of mole. It was good and added variety to my normal menu of themed food. This was supposed to look like the Big Dipper.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Stars – Cheese cut with mini cutter, mashed potatoes with Mexican cheese bland, 20 Minute Mole Sauce (modified to be mild)
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Stars – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, blackberries
I made this fun and colorful lunch for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Fairy – Polenta cut with a cookie cutter, Eyes – cinnamon attached with a toothpick, Mouth – red food coloring marker, Wand – pretzel stick with Star – cheese cut with a mini cutter, peas
Top Right: Rainbow – Red, yellow, green bell pepper
Bottom Right: Butterflies – Carrot cut with a mini cutter, fresh mozzarella balls
I made this because of my goal this year to explore flavor. It was something different to try but I don’t expect a lot of onion marmalade to be in my future.
Ciabatta
Onion Marmalade – I used red onion, reduced the portion and sugar.
Mild Blue Cheese
Toasted Walnuts
I made this fun meal for myself.
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Alligators – Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, homemade pesto Eyes – Dried blueberries, cherry tomato, roasted green beans, almonds
This is my basement storage room. I did not plan to reveal it here but I had several requests from people who knew I worked on it. From July to August, I spent a lot of time working in this room (and complaining). The old carpet was glued to the concrete floor. It was a lot of work to remove the carpet, and adhesive and prepare the floor for painting. My parents helped me at the end of the project to sand and paint the floor.
Floor: Concrete Floor Paint Epoxy in Rio Rust
Switch Plates and Outlet Covers: I decoupaged scrapbook paper onto the covers.
Curtains: I removed the doors and added 2 shower curtains. Because the ceiling is low near the closet, I couldn’t have doors that opened out. It was difficult to access the full closet. Now with the curtains, it is easy to access my holiday decorations stored in this closet.
Wire Shelves: I already had these.
Small Table: Folding table from Target. This table makes it convenient to look through my holiday decorations.
White Cabinet: I had this cabinet in my apartment.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
I made this squirrel themed meal for my Dad at the Lake House. We decided that we would not make the Blueberry salad again. It was not special enough.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Squirrel – Cheddar cheese cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker details, Spinach Blueberry Salad with Feta
Top Right: Mixed Nuts
Bottom Right: Acorns – cut flour tortilla with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet with parchment, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle caps with paprika and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.
I made this lunch for myself as an addition to my Fall / Autumn collection.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Apple Tree – Cooked Nishiki rice pressed into a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, Top of Tree – homemade pesto with dried cranberries, spinach leaves, Trunk – soy sauce brushed on top
Right Side: Diced apple, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, plain Greek yogurt
Today is my Dad’s birthday. Over Labor Day weekend we celebrated my Dad’s birthday at my parent’s Lake House. My brother and sister-in-law celebrated with us. Our celebration included the birthday breakfast he requested (part of my traditional Christmas breakfast) and a multi-course Italian dinner. My brother and sister-in-law made the birthday banner at my request since Amazon lost the one I ordered.
Grandma’s Salad – Iceberg, tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt
Garlic Bread – Italian bread with butter and garlic powder, wrapped in foil and baked for 25 minues.
Eggplant and Zucchini Rollatini – We loosely used this recipe but did not use spinach or egg and made a zucchini option. My Mom made the sauce.
4 Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce – I used my favorite pasta dough, filling – Ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan, Mozzarella, salt and pepper, (I made and put them in the freezer), boiled just before serving, served with my Mom’s homemade tomato sauce. Locatelli cheese garnish. I made 4 cheese filling instead of my normal 2 or 3 cheese to make it special. The family requested that I make 4 cheese all the time now.
Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with Butter Sage Sauce – I used my favorite pasta dough, filling – Ricotta, Asiago, Spinach leaves chopped in a food processor, salt and pepper, (I made and put them in the freezer), boiled just before serving, served with butter melted with fresh sage leaves.
Italian Cheeses, Grapes, Chocolate Covered Figs, Asian Apple-Pear
Mini Cannoli with Chocolate Chips – I bought the mini cannoli shells online, and used this filling but reduced the sugar.
Pignoli Cookies – My Mom made these. I had to tell many people not to eat them before dessert. They kept disappearing.
DINNER
BREAKFAST
When I asked my Dad what food he wanted to celebrate his birthday, he requested my traditional potatoes with dijon dip, and citrus with mint sugar that I make for Christmas. We also served scrambled eggs.
When my paternal Grandma was 94, she said that she wished should could be 80 again. My Dad smiled when I told him what she said. Happy Birthday Dad!
Here is my blue and white themed home library. My parents and I did a lot of work in this room. It took longer to complete than other rooms since I needed to wait for the carpenter to build the shelves (took a year from when I ordered them) and I had to wait for the new French Doors (6 months from when I ordered them). As you can see in the “before” photos, I completed transformed this room. I love it!
Paint: Hinting Blue from Sherwin Williams
Switch Plates and Outlet Covers: Imperial Bead Brushed Nickel Cover Plates, I painted the outlet plates the same color as the walls
Bookshelves: A carpenter built them for me.
Library Ladder: The carpenter built the ladder.
Sofa & Loveseat: I had these in my apartment.
Peacock Pillows: I can’t find them online.
Lake Como Art: This is from my maternal Grandparents. I remember it hanging in their homes. My Grandpa bought it in Italy.
End Tables: My maternal grandparents had these in their first apartment. My Mom painted them to coordinate with my home library. I love that they have blue glass.
Lamps: I had these in my apartment. I bought them at Marshalls.
Blue and White Storage Ottoman
Blue Rug: This.
Desk: This was my childhood desk. It was my Uncle’s before mine. My Mom painted it to coordinate with my home library.
Desk Chair: This chair from Target. My Mom spray painted the legs silver.
Brooklyn Bridge Art: I bought from this Etsy store.
Central Park Art: I bought from this Etsy store.
Fabric Art from Japan: A friend gave this to me. I ordered a custom frame.
Round Marble Table: I bought it from Raymore and Flannigan but it is no longer on their website.
Curtains: I bought these from Ballard Designs but it is no longer on their website.
Console Table: This.
Tray Tables: This.
Rocking Chair: This was my maternal – paternal Great Grandmother’s.
Upholstered Chair: This was my paternal Grandma’s chair. My Dad and I reupholstered it using fabric I bought from Hobby Lobby.
Bench: This was my maternal Grandparents. Sometimes I use it in my Dining Room.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
Books Tissue Box: This.
Blue Photo Frames: This.
Tanuki: Clay art made by a friend.
Cherry Blossoms in Blue Vase: I bought the blossoms at Michaels. My Mom gave me the blue vase.
Wild Boar: A friend gave this to me years ago.
Window Cling: Used my Cricut to cut their window cling material.
Blue Mat: This.
Globe: This.
Bird Bookends: This.
Blue Agate Bookend: This.
Lily of the Valley: This.
Celtic Knot Bookends: This.
Blue and White Pottery: The one on the left was from my Mom. The others were from Home Goods.
Whale Bookends: This.
Blue Agate Bookend: This.
Blue Metal Flowers: From Home Goods.
Blue Floral Sheep: I can no longer find it online. Polish painted.
Plant Bookend: From At Home.
Blue Bird on Books Bookend: From Home Goods.
Mountain Bookend: I designed it, my Dad cut the wood, I painted it.
My parents and I had this lunch at their lake house. My Mom made the Tomato Gratin, she based it on this recipe but assembled it on large tomatoes and added mozzarella cheese. They were delicious! We served with mixed nuts and crunchy green grapes.
My niece made this while we were at my parents Lake House.
Container: Wooden box purchased in Kyoto at Bento&co.
Contents: Mushroom rice, broccoli, Bear & Snail – radish cut with a cookie cutter, mushrooms
I enjoy making themed rice meals. Here is my collection!
Updated: 8/13/24
BIRDS
MOLLUSCA
INSECTS
Butterfly Sprinkles Pistachio Rice
ANIMALS
UNDER THE SEA
EMOJI
Sunglasses Emoji Cheese Spinach Rice
JAPANESE CULTURE
Summer Festival Spinach Covered Rice
DAY OF THE DEAD
HALLOWEEN
Rice and Black Beans Spiderweb
THANKSGIVING
CHRISTMAS
Gingerbread Man Soy Sauce Rice
HANUKKAH
HEARTS / VALENTINE’S DAY
ST PATRICKS DAY
EASTER
FLAG
Flag Cheese and Red Pepper Rice
FOOD / TABLEWARE
FLOWERS
EXTINCT / IMAGINARY
DINOSAURS
TRANSPORTATION
Hot Air Balloon Spinach Carrot Rice
Train Salsa and Black Bean Rice
TEDDY BEAR
STARS
Star Corn Rice, Star Peas Rice
GAMES
CHARACTERS
Spider Man Salsa Spinach Cheese Rice
Storm Trooper Paprika Rice, Vader Black Sesame Rice
PEANUTS / SNOOPY
Woodstock Turmeric Rice, Snoopy Rice
Charlie Brown Spinach Rice, Lucy Spinach Rice
RICE BALL
LEAF
BUILDINGS
WEATHER
When my parents were here, one night I made Dirty Martini Pasta. My maternal Grandpa drank martinis so I thought it would be a fun meal to make and explore flavor. I miss him sometimes. I used Lemon Vodka. I added too many green olives but it was nice to make something different. I served it with a simple Caprese Salad of fresh mozzeralla balls, tomato, basil, salt and pepper.
As part of my yearly goal to explore flavor, I made the vegan version of BLT’s. In 2019, I ate coconut, tomato, and lettuce sandwiches at a restaurant. I loved it, especially the coconut bacon. The restaurant where I had the sandwich is no longer open so I finally decided to make my own coconut bacon and serve the sandwiches to my parents when they visited. We all enjoyed!
I have been a vegetarian since I was 2, I don’t know if I ever ate bacon but I have always enjoyed smoky food. As a child my Grandpa let my sister and I pick out candy at the store after church when he bought a newspaper. I always got smoked nuts instead of candy. I often put smoked paprika in recipes. I used Hickory smoke with this coconut bacon but I wonder if I will like any of the other liquid smoke flavors. It is an interesting flavor to explore.
Coconut Bacon (I used Hickory liquid smoke – it is wonderful to keep the coconut bacon in the freezer and use as desired)
Iceberg Lettuce
Wegmans Multi-Grain bread toasted
Tomato Slices
Mayonnaise (I was going to make vegan garlic aioli but I got lazy and knew that my parents like mayonnaise)
Cantaloupe fresh from a farmers market
Crinkle cut zucchini and carrots
Eclectic Lamb 
You must be logged in to post a comment.