Friday, January 13, 2012

Little Lunches

I've been asked recently if I still pack bento lunches for Little K.

The answer is Yes - although they have become less creative (and therefore requiring less time) lately, so I don't often take any pictures.

I find it harder during the winter months - when the fruit and vegetable selection is not as varied - to come up with new ideas. Not to mention that my Bento Stash is much in need or re-organizing.
note to self: put that on the To Do List

Here are a few pics I took over the past few weeks.

Bologna and Cheese Stacks

My favorite Laptop Lunch container. It's not in the true Bento style - but the little compartments kind of qualify it as a bento.

I was excited to see cherries at the grocery store - yay - something different than the usual carrots and grapes.

The cut outs on the bottom are bologna and cheese with crackers. She's not a bit cheese eater (that's why they are small ovals).

One tiny little begonia blossom that hasn't been frozen out yet - added as a garnish (not to be eaten).


Fruit Veggies and a Spotted PB & J


These are my other favorite containers. I got them at the Daiso store when we were in San Francisco last year.
Everything just seems to look better in a round container.

Fruits, veggies and another begonia flower blossom.

The top round has a Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (cut into a round) with polka dots from cinnamon sugar (left of after making breakfast that day).

I'll get back to making more fancy lunches soon, but in the meantime...You can see more of the lunches I have made over the years - over there ------> in the Bento Lunch Gallery (it's links to my flickr set).

You can even find one of my creations published in the Laptop Lunches (Dec 2011) Newsletter in the "from your kitchen to ours" section.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year

Hello Again. I'm Not Lost. Still Here.
Just Spending Time with the Family

December kept us busy, but we managed to have some great times together. I did get quite a few pics of all the Holiday projects we completed, but didn't get around to blogging about any of them.

I know lots of you have already taken down your decorations, so the last thing you want to read about are Christmas Activities and Crafts.

Maybe I'll wait and post about them next year.

As for me - we'll keep the trees up for at least another week. I'm not ready to move on just yet.


Place Setting

We ended up celebrating New Years Eve with an impromptu Neighborhood Progressive Dinner. Usually I plan for months in advance - but this get together was decided on just days before (as in 2 days before).

5 families - 9 adults - 7 kids

Petite Flower Bouquet

I was in charge of the Entree Course:

Boeuf Bourguignon
Pureed Root Vegetables
Mushroom Ragout
Sourdough Crustini
Parsley Buttered Noodles
Chicken Nuggets

An individual Petite bouquet at each place. Mixed white flowers in a mini beaded vase (they are dollar store votive holders, painted, rolled in glue and beads).

Beaded Napkin Ring

Silver napkin rings - wired with glass beads.

Clock Place Card

Sparkley Clock Name cards.

Marshmallow Snowballs

Marshmallow Snowballs in a cellophane bag tied with silver, pink and purple ribbons.

The Table

Dinner (for the adults) was served in the dining room which is decorated for Christmas in pastels, silver & pewter. You can peek at it here. It was a nice change from the traditional Red and Green Holiday decor in the rest of the house, and an easy transition to a sparkley New Years.

In case you are wondering how I pulled this of with just 2 days notice - when I am known to plan and work for months before an event....

I Cheated!

I have used this color scheme in the past, and had the napkin rings and votive/flower holders already made.

There has to be a benefit to moving a lot....you can re-use your decor and No One will ever Know.

Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Ten on Ten: December 2011

Joining in on Rebekah's monthly Ten on Ten project.

One Photo Every Hour - for Ten Consecutive Hours - on the Tenth of the Month.

Adding my own personal challenge to look for all things White and Wonderful because...

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"

(are you singing along in your head with me)


Cotton

Snowflake

Marshmallows

Dove

Father Christmas

Hydrangea

Ballet Bodice

Archangels

Snow Queen

Church Bokeh

Hope you are having a wonderful December so far.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Gratitude Project: November 2011

The Fall Season, Thanksgiving, November all seem a distant memory. What a whirlwind month for us.

It is only the first few days of December - right? We are already into full Christmas Mode at our house. Holiday music playing - trees up and being decorated a little bit every day.

I wanted to share our final recap of the many things we are Grateful for - our November Gratitude Project.

26 Days of Gratitude

I hit a few bumps - and didn't manage to get something posted EACH day - but 26/30 isn't bad.


Photography

Photography


My creation

1. The Skills and Talents of my Mother, 2. The Crazy Carpool Schedule, 3. Collaboration, 4. Fall Temperatures, 5. Helping Hands, 6. The View from my Kitchen Window, 7. List Making, 8. Time With Friends, 9. Breakfast, 10. Healthy Eating, 11. Time with Family, 12. Entertaining, 13. The Colors of Fall, 14. Amazing Teachers, 15. Modern Medicine, 16. Great Neighborhood, 17. Friends and Friendships, 18. Indoor Sports, 19. Being The Passenger, 20. Our Family of Three, 21. Flannel Sheets, 22. Dedication, 23. Silent Phone, 24. Family

(click on the links to read more about each day)


Bokeh

Bokeh

I hope you all had a wonderful November.