A Few Fun things on Friday

Happy Friday! I had a little time so I thought I would play with some of my gadgets that I have. I am going to try out my egg molds! I got a set from Ann at Anncoo's Hobby and Wendy from Wendolonia. I have already tried and used my picks and rice molds, and they work great and Maranda loves the rice balls anytime, for lunch or snacks!

For the rice balls in this bento I used a rice and grain blend, that I got the idea from Sheri at Happy Little Bento. She had some red rice and white rice mixed with a few other grains. So when I found some red rice I decided to try it, especially since I've been buying several new rice and grains to try. We had this for dinner and I used the leftover for the rice balls. I really liked it, but Wade thought it needed a little more flavor...okay that's easy enough to do.

Back to the egg mold. One set was all in Japanese and I can't read that yet. The other had instructions in English too. I also checked the great directions that Maki had on her Just Hungry

blog, she also has a Just Bento blog that has a wealth of information if you want to start making bento box lunches.

First thing is to boil and peel the eggs. I hate peeling fresh eggs, they are so hard to peel! Ack!

Then place the warm peeled egg in the mold. (it looks all beat up) I placed it in warm water right before using the mold.

Okay... now I used a large egg in a large mold. I think I need an extra large egg here. These molds should work well for rice balls too, which is what Maranda wanted to use them for. Looks like this one will become egg salad!

The next mold is marked large too...but this was from the other set. A much nicer looking egg.

Close the lid and snap it shut, and put it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.

Ta-Da!! This one worked! That was fun!

I had these cookie cutters that will also leave and impression. I found that Pubix brand wheat bread is soft enough to use for this. Usually you would have to use white bread, so this was nice.

I found this little boiled egg holder. They had a sheep too, but we don't always sit down and eat boiled eggs much so I just got one for photos. It did remind me of my childhood when we use to use egg holders.

Martha from Seaside Simplicity had once said that using ice cube trays are a good way to keep extra lemon, and key lime juice. I ran across these (on clearance of course $2). This will be perfect when our lemon tree has all those lemons I don't want to go to want it to go to waste. Also you won't have this happen to you when you get it mixed up with something else!

Then I picked up these handy storage trays half off at Michael's that work great for my food picks. The other one was for my baran (food dividers).

Best of all it fits perfect in the tiny drawer that I have for my lunch making supplies.
Ho hum...too much for you?

I think that's enough busy work for these lazy days of summer.

My 100th Post

Friendship
It seems kind of unreal to me. I haven't been blogging a full year yet, and it seems like I've been here for so long. This blog sprouted from my everyday, friends and family, places, crafts, travel and photos blog Aqua Sunday. I figured I needed a blog for mostly food and recipes. What I didn't realize was how many great people I would meet along the way. Funny how you can get to know someone halfway around the world via computer and consider them close friends.

I wanted to make this post about them. My friend Robyn who started me on this lives across the country from me, and yet I feel so close. Blogging lets us keep posted on what we each are doing and how our families are. Some day I hope we get to meet in person, I am sure we wouldn't stop talking for quite sometime.

Two other great ladies I want to tell you about are Ann from Anncoo's Hobby and Kristy from My Little Space. Both these women literally live half way around the world from me, if it's 9 AM here it's 9PM where they are. What is special is they are both so talented in the kitchen, not only do they bake like professionals, they can cook too. I am in constant awe of their baking skills. (As you all know I am not very good at baking, but I am still trying). They would both drop everything to help me out in a heartbeat. I don't want to lump them together, but they are both equally talented, creative and kind...and funny too. It's so nice to see blogger's personality shine through. I often get a chuckle out of their comments and blog posts. You should see their photos too!
Now out of the blue for no reason other than that's the kind of person she is Ann sent me this.

She knows I am getting into making bento box lunches. I commented on how cute the picks were in her photo...so she sent them to me! Wow, how great was that? I love them, she also included some egg molds (which I am going to post about shortly) and some baran, which are dividers that you use in the bento. All of this stuff I can not pick up in a local store around here. So needless to say I was thrilled. Can't wait to use it.

Most recently I received this in the mail from Kristy!

For no reason, just because that is the kind of person she is. This too is the nicest thing for her to do. I love it, and was so excited to open up the package. She sent me a beautiful silk bag with a drawstring, some yummy candy treats, seasonings, an awesome tooth brush with some more replaceable brushes! I love it all. You are so special to do this. Now the pressure is on to post what I make with these! :D

I would like to thank you both for such great gifts, and for the inspiration that you give me each day. You are both wonderful people, and they are not the only wonderful people that I have met. So many of you share your talent and creations, and reach out to others. It is so encouraging to see, and experience the friendship. Thank you all!

Okay is that too sappy? Just wait until my year anniversary....hehehe!

Pesto Chicken Spinach Wrap - Bento

This one was for the last day of school! I have some nesting stainless with covers, so I have several sizes. This is the second largest. I think they will work well for bento lunches. Here I have leftover rotisserie chicken, with pesto, tomatoes and lettuce in a spinach wrap. Some nice sweet cantaloupe, strawberries and tiny carrots. I know I didn't take much time on it, but I'll work on that this summer when I have the time. I'm not working summer school this year. So...I hope to be posting more.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!!

I Won Some Bento Stuff!!

I found out about this give away that Wendy was having at her blog Wendolonia. I was on twitter with my new bento blogger friends and one had tweeted about it. I find I always love to check out new blogs, bentos and giveaways, that they recommend. I am so glad that I discovered Wendy's blog, she has such a wide variety of subjects that she covers. She reviews products that every mom would love to use, and more. She has projects, crafts, and a weeks worth of bentos at a time, and family fun and photos. You should check her blog space out!

I was thrilled that I was selected, because being fairly new to bento making (although I've been looking into it and checking out everyone bentos for awhile now). I really didn't have much bento gadgets. I had some lunch boxes that would work. I even got a large bento for Christmas from a co-worker, but it's so large for lunch. Anyway when Wendy contacted me and asked what I would like...I told her anything would be great! So this is what I got...

Two egg molds, a bunny and a bear. Now I have to learn how to use it. Rice molds, heart, star, and bear. A nice neutral bento box, that I could even use for my husband. Some dividers and "I tried something new" tags.

Then at I found these cutters clearance at Home Goods! I like when that happens.

They have small shapes that would work well for many things. Bonus, it has little chocolate molds too. Who knows what I could come up with with the letters!

I made some saffron sticky rice and I thought I would give the mold a shot. When Maranda saw it she said "Oh cool can I have one?" and popped it in her mouth. I guess that will work for her lunch. I did this one real quick this morning, just so I could use the bear. Didn't get the nori out to cut yet, but did use the star cutter on a spinach leaf to the star onigri under the bear onigri. She still likes to have sandwiches in her lunch.

Too quick on the photo, didn't get a clear picture, but you get the idea. She even said she like her lunch all on her own without me asking.

Thanks Wendy! You helped my bento box making a little easier and a little more fun! Next...I'm tackling the egg molds!

Venice Beach when we were in Venice for Tucker's birthday.

Chicken Katsu Bento

I made some Chicken Katsu last night for dinner and I had enough left over for Maranda and my lunch today. I packed my new "tropical Bento box" it came with a cute cloth tote too. I love it. It's glittery too. This one you can even use in the microwave if you need to. Inside the large section I have rice with furikakae, chicken katsu, kumquat and green beans. The fruit side has pineapple, grapes and a strawberry.
I packed Maranda one too. I figured I was safe with it and she wouldn't mind eating it at school.

This is what came home, but in her defence I did pack her a chicken and cheese half sandwich too.

I made the chicken katsu a little different than usual, because I cut the chicken breasts up before frying them. I thought it would be easier. I don't know if that was the case though.

Panko bread crumbs with flour and grated parmesan cheese.

After dipping in egg beaten with spicy mustard and garlic ginger paste. Then dredge in the panko mix. I pan fried mine in a little grape seed oil. You can store extras in individual servings in ziplock bags and freeze. Pull them out when you need it for a lunch or snack.

When we went for sunset I saw these kids playing in the water. I just missed the shot earlier when they were both facing each other squatting down looking at the shells and treasures they found.

I couldn't resist. My daughter wears the same size shoe I do now!

Enjoy your Friday!

Spring Flower Bento

Okay, so here it goes, my first "Bento" post. I did make this over the weekend, it it easier to get a nicer photo when it's light out. If I take a picture in the morning after I make their lunches it's still dark out. So playing around a little to see how to photograph bentos. I need a little more practice. But I am learning so much from all my "bento" buddies! Thanks ladies!

This is probably as "cutsie" as Maranda would let me get(for now). I got a set of six flower cookie cutters that range smaller to bigger. The watermelon radish is the smallest. I tried to cut the pickled daikon radish in a small circle for the flower center, but just could find anything to do it with.
Under the radish flowers is some steamed rice with furikake sprinkled on it. To the right of that are fried spam and cucumber flowers, broccoli could of been placed a little better. Strawberries and red grapes with the only small pick I have (for now). Baby carrots with circles (flower buds) of daikon radish (the smallest circle I could do for now).

It is so hard to get much bento anything around here. I got the idea to use this from Target thanks to Debra of hapa bento. I got a blue one for Maranda but it's all blue, then I saw this multi color one and I couldn't resist. Just leave the spoon out and it works well. So there you have it. Thanks for looking!

I just had to share this long overdue bathtime. Talk about the Monday blues! Could he look any more miserable or sad?

Blossoms, Pollen and Still Needs Help Bento

Springtime is different here in Florida. We do get some flowers that bloom in the spring and not at other times, but we get flowers all year here. So here are a few that are in bloom in my yard right now. The Hibiscus is a double bloom.

My bougainvillea really took a beating this year with the cold winter we had. It's still bloomed though, can't complain, but some years my neighbor tells me I should take a picture because it was so full.

This cactus bloom is not that impressive. Our San Pedro Cactus is the one that has huge white blooms all summer and only at night!

I think they call these Johnny Jump Up they came up all on their own in my Plumeria's pot.

After it rained all this came out of the Live Oak trees. This is where all our pollen is coming from now. You should see our lanai furniture and my car!

Okay, here my car! The back window, this is after we got caught in a rain on the way to church on Sunday! All that pollen...yuck! Now wonder my allergies are killing me!

We have Star Jasmine blooming outside our bedroom window. Our Confederate Jasmine is not in bloom yet! But the citrus is and it smells wonderful! Both the the Jasmine and the Citrus blossoms smell so good! It so nice when sitting out on the lanai!

I got this shot a little late, the bloom is too far open. I do have another photo of my Passion Flower that is open just right! Stunning flowers!

Even our Elephant Ear Plant is is bloom!

Okay here is where I need help. A quick look at one of hubby's bento lunch. He had quinoa salad in another box, this is one of those Fit and Fresh lunch boxes that have frozen piece that sets on top of this before the lid goes on. I am still learning so much from my fellow bento packers and am having fun doing it. I just won a give away for some bento items....I found out this morning. I am so excited, and will let you know what I get and how I will put them to use. So bear with me, I'm still learning to BENTO!!!!

Saturday Farmer's Market-Downtown Sarasota

It is a beautiful day here in Sarasota! Crystal clear, blue skies, high today of 77° F, a great day to be outside and enjoying anything! Maranda and I were up early and went downtown to the farmer's market, about 7 mile from where we live. The have it every Saturday rain or shine. This morning was full of shine, but still not too hot yet!

We still have lots of strawberries. The cold didn't get all of them. I think they held up fairly well.

We picked up some locally organic ones that are pretty small. Maranda says "Oh those are perfect to make my smoothie". Perfect for her lunch too.

We like the variety of veggies and sizes. Any size potatoes, perfect for anything you want to do with them.

We headed over to the organic tent, not here....

On the way we pass several areas doing up some good smelling street food. Here they serve ribs, sausages, and other meats grilled to perfection! We just ate breakfast so we kept on going.

Yum! but they were too busy just now!

Everyone likes to bring there dogs to show them off. You wouldn't believe how many different breeds we saw.

They were so cute! I guess they need to socialize too!

I usually get my fennel at the farmer's market. Love it!

They have several booths of goods to sell. Flowers, candles and essential oils. Spices, cheese, and jewelry.

All sorts of tropical plants.

Now I know why it was so crowded. I know it was a nice day and all, but last Saturday was gorgeous too. They had an art festival going on downtown too!

On to the organic booth!

We got some butter lettuce, watermelon radish (for Wade bento lunch) kumquats too. Swiss chard (now I have to figure out what to do with that). Carrots, lemons, sweet potatoes, broccoli, champagne mangoes, strawberries... Good thing I'm off all week, and that we have an extra fridge in our garage!

We had a lot of fun, Maranda even said so!

All the color, and smells, and people! Not that the people smelled, it was the booth selling seafood! After that I took Maranda to the mall to meet her friend, then I went to the Italian shop for some cheese, pasta and sausage. Then to the Asian shop which is just yards away. I am eating my veggie Korean sushi right now while I'm posting, but I have to save some for Maranda, it's her favorite!

This week I'll be working on making a bento that is worthy of posting about. See this one needs help. I did give him some broccoli in another container, that would of looked good if I shoved some in here. This container has an ice pack that fits right over this, then the top cover.

Overall it's been a good start to spring break. It's supposed to rain tomorrow and Monday (Wade's days off). So I'll get to cleaning the house when it rains. I think I'll go out and sit on the lani, and enjoy!

You all have a great Saturday!