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
I made this meal for myself on a day that I made similar meals for friends and family.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Flowers – Nishiki rice shaped in a rice mold, tomato sauce, homemade pesto, cherry tomatoes, lettuce
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Raspberries and blueberries
This year for my birthday I decided to host a dessert party with my parents and friends. 6 of us were available to gather for the occasion. I enjoyed making 4 different individual desserts. I expect that there will be more dessert parties in my future. They are easier to host than a tea or dinner party. The food was mostly make ahead. We all enjoyed this fun, attractive, and delicious party!
Table:
Menu
I made this lunch for my Mom when at my parents Lake House. We enjoy watching the many hummingbirds that use the feeders and flowers on the front deck.
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Hummingbird – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, homemade pesto, Eye – blueberry, Beak – Cheddar cheese, romaine, cherry tomatoes, Tulips – radish cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker, Almond stuffed green olives, blueberries, raspberry
I made this lunch for Takeshi to have in my car when I drove with Yuko and Takeshi to my parents Lake House for the weekend.
Container: ELB Snack Boxes
Contents:
I made this simple Tornado themed lunch for my Dad. Nobody knew it was supposed to be a tornado. My Mom thought it was an upside down sail boat.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Tornado – 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, green peas
Top Right: Blueberries
Bottom Right: Bugles
When I asked my friend Yuko what theme lunch she wanted she said, “Summer Festival“. I represented goldfish, fireworks, and the characters for “Summer Festival”.
Container: Cloud box from Japan (set of 3)
Top Box: NatsuMatsuri – Summer Festival – carrots cut with a Hiragana cookie cutter, peanut butter, celery, peanuts, Goldfish – grape tomatoes, cheese cut with a straw, food coloring marker detail
Bottom Box: Fireworks – Nishiki rice pressed in a round rice mold, soy sauce, spinach slightly wilted a few seconds in the microwave, cheese and food coloring marker details, blueberries, romaine
I made this simple Butterfly themed snack lunch for my friend Yuko on a day we drove from Rochester to my parents Lake House.
Container: ELB Snack Boxes
Contents:
After spending the weekend at the Lake House with Yuko and Takeshi, I was happy to host them overnight at my house. I made us a simple make ahead ravioli dinner. Of course I wanted to make it cute. Yuko likes dogs, so I made a dog themed meal.
Dog Ravioli: I used my favorite pasta dough, filling – Ricotta, Asiago, salt and pepper, (I made and put them in my freezer 2 weeks ahead), boiled just before serving, served with homemade tomato sauce I made and put in my freezer.
Roasted Broccoli: Broccoli florets with a little salt and olive oil, roasted at 400 for 25 minutes.
Chocolate Dog Cookie: I used this recipe and baked the cookies 2 weeks ahead and put in my freezer.
Vanilla Ice Cream
I made this lunch for my friend’s husband Takeshi. They visited me and my parents and we all had themed lunches at my parents Lake House.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Top: Train – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, salsa, black beans and salsa (blended in a food processor), Cheddar cheese, Easy Edamame Salad (I didn’t use the snap peas, scallion, or sesame seeds)
Left Side: Train Track – melted chocolate piped from a zip lock bag over apple, blackberries
Right Side: Rail Road Crossing Sign – Cheese with food marker details, peanuts
I made this meal for myself on a night when I made a similar meal for Carol. It was a refreshing meal on a warm summer evening.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Elephants – Havarti Dill with smoked paprika details, bell pepper, blue potato cut with a cookie cutter, roasted, zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, hummus
Top Right: Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Elephant – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon details, blackberries
I made this meal for myself. I am surprised that this is only my second parrot lunch. When I was a child, my imaginary friend was a parrot.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Parrot – Niishiki rice shaped with plastic wrap and a cookie cutter, Eye – dried cherry, Beak – carrot, homemade pesto, black beans and salsa, carrot
I made this simple but fun meal for myself to add to my Space collection.
Container: Prep Natural Glass Meal Containers
Left Side: Planet – Sweet Potato cut with a cookie cutter, roasted, peanut noodles
Right Side: Stars – Carrots and cucumbers cut with a cookie cutter
I made this themed vegetable potato salad meal for Carol. She enjoyed it! I think this is my first time to make flies out of food. The idea to make flies to accompany the frogs came from my 21 year old niece.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Frogs – Havarti Dill with smoked paprika details, bell pepper, white potato cut with a cookie cutter, sprinkle with basil and roasted, zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, hummus
Top Right: Flies – raisins with sliced almonds, one is on a strand of spaghetti to make it fly, Macadamia nuts
Bottom Right: Frog – Apple cut with a cookie cutter, cinnamon details, blackberries
I made this meal for my Mom. She kayaks at her lake house. My niece suggested that I add ducks.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Kayak – Niishiki rice shaped with plastic wrap, homemade pesto, Ducks – cheese cut with a cookie cutter, Paddle, carrot, blueberries
Top Right: Marcona almonds
Bottom Right: Bell pepper
Here is my weather themed food collection. My seasonal collections have aspects of weather: Winter – Snowmen, Spring – April Showers, Summer – Sun.
Updated 4/6/25.
CLOUDS / LIGHTNING / RAIN
Vegetable Potato Salad Clouds and Lightning
Cheese Clouds Carrot Lightning over Butterfly Pea Powder Mashed Potatoes
Cheese Cloud and Lightning over Tortellini
Apple Lighting, Black Radish Clouds
Umbrella Vegetable Potato Salad, Cloud Cheese
RAINBOW
Cheddar Rainbow, Apple Rainbow
Bell Pepper, Carrot, Broccoli, Black Olive, Corn Rainbow
HURRICANE
TORNADO
Tornado Mashed Potato
SNOWFLAKE
Rice and Fresh Mozzarella Snowflake
Blue Mashed Potato and Cream Cheese Snowflakes
Tortilla Chips, Apple, Zucchini, and Chocolate Snowflakes
Mashed Potato, Apple, Radish Snowflakes
Keeping with tradition, my niece and my Mom made this breakfast when at the Lake House. This is the first time to use waffles instead of pancakes.
Bears – Chocolate chip waffles cut with cookie cutter
Droppings – Chocolate chips
Snow Covered Ground – Whipped cream
Others in this series:
Bunny, Groundhog, Camel, Cows, Dinosaurs, Ghosts, Moose, Raccoon, Sloth, Squirrels
Today is my 12th anniversary of having this blog. I made this meal for myself. In my yearly goals for 2023, I have two blog related items: explore flavor and create more themed sides. This meal does not explore flavor but it has 3 themed items!
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Candle – Zucchini cut with a cookie cutter, removed the skin from the flame portion, peanut noodles
Top Right: 12 – Zucchini cut with cookie cutters, cherry tomatoes
Bottom Right: 12 – Dried blueberries, plain Green Yogurt
Thank you for joining me on this long journey.
I made this festive sun themed meal for myself.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Suns – Cheddar cheese, bell pepper, sweet potato (roasted) cut with a cookie cutter, hummus
Top Right: Crunchy Chickpeas
Bottom Right: Sun – Cantaloupe cut with a cookie cutter, plain Greek yogurt
I made this lunch for my Dad.
Container: U Konserve
Contents: Dragonfly – Nishiki rice shaped in a cookie cutter with plastic wrap, homemade pesto, blueberries, black beans with salsa, Flowers – carrot cut with a cookie cutter
Here is my Floral Themed Guest Room (2nd Floor). The main projects were hanging floral wall paper stickers and wooden tissue boxes. This is one of the few rooms in the house where I did not paint the walls or change the flooring.
Switch Plates and Outlet Covers: Delicate Yellow Flowers
Bed: I had this in the apartment I lived in before this house.
Bedding: Laura Ashley Nora Collection
Night Stands: I had these in the apartment I lived in before this house.
Tissue Box Holders: I bought these, painted them, and added daisy stickers from Michaels.
Lamps on Night Stands: I had these in the apartment I lived in before this house.
Full Length Mirror: I bought this.
Small Table: This was in my Mom’s childhood bedroom. She remembers it was old when she got it. It had a skirt around it when she was a kid. My Mom painted it for my guest room.
Chair: The former owners left it with the house.
Folding Tray Table: I had this for a long time.
Floral Wall Paper Stickers: No longer available where I bought it but this is similar. Elizabeth helped me install them. They were relatively easy to attach.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
My parents and I celebrated my niece’s 21st birthday a little late with her this year. It was special to be able to celebrate her birthday at the Lake House.
Decorations: My mom and I had various decorations. We had fun assembling them.
Flower Napkin Rings
Tablecloth and Napkins: Floral
Paper Centerpiece: I found a unicorn centerpiece at the Dollar Tree. I removed the unicorn and made my own round out of cardboard, paper, and stickers. I attached my round to the honeycomb paper round.
Menu:
Mushroom Bourguignon
Brown mushrooms in olive oil in 2-3 batches, remove from pot.
Add butter to pot and melt, once melted add the flour and whisk.
Add wine, stock, tomato paste, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Simmer until sauce thickens a little.
Add mushrooms and rainbow carrots back into the sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes.
My parents, 21 year old niece, and I celebrated the 4th of July at the Lake House.
Drinks: Assorted drinks with maraschino cherries
Red, White and Blue Salad: Romaine, Cherries, Blueberries, Cheddar stars cut with a cookie cutter, assorted dressings
Fireworks Pizza: Homemade pizza dough cut with a Firework cookie cutter that Renae made on her 3D printer, tomato sauce, mozzarella, tomato sauce drops after baking to represent fireworks. I planned to also make pesto drops but I forgot my homemade pesto at my house.
Star Pizza: Homemade pizza dough cut with a star cookie cutter, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese
Flag Pizza: Homemade pizza dough cut with a flag cookie cutter, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce stripes after baking
I made this patriotic meal for my Dad.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Flags – Tortilla chips cut with a cookie cutter, brushed with olive oil, brushed with Butterfly Pea Powder, Paprika – bake in 375 over for about 10 minutes, hummus, cherry tomatoes, radish, cauliflower
Top Right: Cashews
Bottom Right: Stars – Strawberries cut with a cookie cutter, blueberries
Deborah and I went on an adventure to Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto, NY (it is about 2 hours away). It was a beautiful day to walk around and explore. This was my second time to the park, I went with my oldest niece in 2008.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Black Bean and Corn Salad (I used salsa and diced red bell pepper), blueberries, lettuce
Top Right: Spiced Peanuts
Bottom Right: Corn tortilla chips – cut into triangles, brush with olive oil, bake at 350 for about 10 minutes until light brown
Not Pictured: Deborah made Hibiscus iced tea
My quest is over! I updated all of the switch and outlet covers in my house. I am not accustomed to living in a house with plain outlet plate covers. I am used to decorative ones that serve as art. My childhood bedroom had a ceramic light switch cover with pink roses. The last house I lived in had special covers probably installed by the previous owners. When I bought this house all were plain almond color. It took me over a year but I changed all of them! Some I bought and some I made. To celebrate I made myself a light switch cover themed meal.
Container: Book Bento Box
Contents: Chipotle Lime Edamame with Sunflower Seeds, Naan with strawberry cream cheese, and food coloring cream cheese details
Below is a collage of many of my fancy outlet and switch plate covers. Some of the rooms are not on my blog yet because I am waiting for something to be finished. I probably have to wait months until the French Doors for my library arrive. Go here to see my home decoration posts.
I made this for Renae’s oldest who is graduating from High School. This is only my 3rd time to make a Graduation themed bento. I previously made this and this. It was requested that I make this for Natalie and I was happy to do it.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Diploma bread, Cheddar cheese, blueberries
Top Right: 2023 – Carrot cut with a cookie cutter, cucumber
Bottom Right: Graduation Hat – Caramel milk chocolate square and mini peanut butter cup, attached with some chocolate and chocolate detail on top, almonds
Happy Summer! This is my collection of Summer themed food.
Updated: 5/1/25
SUN
Vegetable Potato Salad Sun
SUNFLOWER
Turmeric and Hot Paprika Sunflower
WATERLILY
Tomato and Pesto Pizza Waterlily
Radish and Broccoli Pizza Waterlily
Cheddar Cheese and Bell Pepper Waterlily
BEACH
Vegetable and Cheese Tart Beach
CRAB
Cantaloupe and Chocolate Crabs
SUMMER SPORTS
Teddy Grahams Swimming in Blueberries
ICE CREAM
BOATS / ANCHOR
Mini Potato with Green Pepper Anchors
Titanic
Kayak Rice
SUMMER CLOTHING / ACCESSORIES
Cheese and Apple Summer Dresses
Dresses – Vegetable Potato Salad
Spice Rubbed Cheese Dresses over Pesto Tortellini
WATERMELON
Here is my Ocean Themed Bathroom (2nd Floor). The main projects were assembling the bench and finding and hanging art.
Shower Curtain and Hooks: This and this.
Bath Mat: This
Trash Can: This
Toilet Paper Holder: This
Tissue Box: This
Switch and Outlet Cover Plates: This
Bench: This
Whale Art and Frame: This and this
Seahorse Art and Frame: This and this
Mermaid Tail and Frame: This and this
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
I made this snack meal for Elizabeth on a day that she helped me install a lot of home decor decals. Recently she crocheted this cute fox for me so I made a fox themed meal.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Fox and Kits – tortilla chips cut with a cookie cutter, brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt – bake in 375 over for about 10 minutes, Cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Strawberries
I never had a dedicated movie room before but it was on my wish list when I looked for this house. I don’t like having a television in my main living area. I did not have one at all in my last apartment. I used my laptop to watch programming. Some visitors and an ex-boyfriend sometimes complained that I did not have one. Now I have a dedicated room for viewing. I don’t consider the white folding table and wooden activity table part of the room since they don’t coordinate well. I could remove them if I wanted but it is how I am living with the room now so I kept in the photo. The decor in this room is simple since the main focus is the tv.
Flooring: Contractors removed the carpet and installed vinyl plank flooring.
Walls: I did not paint the walls and kept what was there when I purchased the house.
Art: I bought this frame and assorted movie posters. It was difficult to find the size I wanted in a movie I was okay with and liked the image. These are not necessarily my top 4 movies but I like all of them.
TV: Samsung 75 inch
Reclining Soda and Individual Recliners: These have power recline and I love them! I ended up getting them from Raymore and Flanigan.
White Folding TV Table: From Walmart. The exact model is no longer available.
Small Wooden Table and Chair: I had this for a long time in many apartments and in my last house.
Switch and Outlet Cover Plates: I bought these from Etsy.
Storage Bench: I had this in my apartment
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
“Before” photo.
Deborah and I went to Chimney Bluffs State Park along Lake Ontario near Sodus, NY (about an hour from my home). We parked in the alternate parking lot near the steps to the top and a path to the beach. It was my first time there. I was in awe at the beauty! I made a picnic dinner and Deborah brought chairs and delicious homemade iced tea made with lemon balm, spearmint, and some raspberry juice. It was a delightful adventure!
I made two of these, one for Deborah and one for me. The Thai Peanut Potato salad was okay but not good enough to make again.
Container: EasyLunchBoxes
Left Side: Spicy Thai Potato Salad over Romaine
Top Right: Peanuts
Bottom Right: Fresh Pineapple
This is my first time to live in a house with a basement bathroom. One of my Grandparent’s houses had a basement bathroom when I was a kid. It was next to the bar. My basement bathroom is adjacent to my movie room. I did not do much to decorate this room. My Dad installed a new toilet paper holder since the previous was broken and he changed the ceiling light bulbs. Other than buying a few things, the biggest project in this room was to decoupage the switch and outlet plates.
Shower Curtain with Rose Hooks: Bed Bath and Beyond (no longer available)
Bath Mat: From my last apartment
Trash Can: From my last apartment bought at Home Goods
Tissue Box: I bought this.
Hand Towel: I bought this.
Cup Holder: I bought this.
Paper Cups
Switch and Outlet Cover Plates: I decoupaged scrapbook paper onto the covers.
“Before” photo.
Eclectic Lamb 
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