Tiny Hippo Bento

I know, I haven't graduated to cutting out a hippo fro cheese or egg sheets yet, but using this container as a guide I might just be able to pull it off. I found this cute little container perfect for dips and dressings, so I filled it with Jason's Deli style fruit dip, you can get the fruit dip recipe here. I also tucked in some veggies, steamed romanesco, carrots, snow peas. A little arepa sandwich with salmon, cream cheese and dill. Sharing a little of my work place. Some of the kids artwork that is hanging in the office next to the health room door (where I work). I love these... ...it's painted on crumpled up brown paper bag paper. The colors are so vivid. I should take some more photos of it I was in a rush when these were taken. We have so much beautiful art that the kids do hanging around the school.

The colorful crazy socks of one of our regulars that we see each day. She comes in to check her blood sugar and to get some insulin after she eats lunch. When I first saw these I told her I wanted a picture of it...she giggled. I bring my camera quite often to work, so this time when she wore some crazy sock I was ready. She loved posing, I wish I could show you her cute smiling face!

Here is Marina Jacks at Sarasota Bay front, we like to go here and have breakfast, there is a park, fountains for the kids, beautiful view, and dogs are welcome to tag along with their owners. There are always plenty of dogs and it's so nice we can take him to breakfast at O' Learys. I think I've already posted picture of that before, if not I'll be sure to. It's so nice that in outdoor restaurants we can bring our dogs with us We do have to follow the rules, but of course our dog is well behaved. :D

Tucker met a new friend, she is just under a year old and very well behaved too. Tucker has mellowed in his old age. When we are finished eating breakfast we have to take him around a little bit more... ...after all there are so many good dog smells to check out.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!

There will be more to come...

Dukkah Crusted Salmon Bento ~

I grabbed a shot of my Bird of Paradise and the sun was already setting when I noticed it. I wanted to get a picture before the freeze if we should get it. The colors were so vibrant, and I got it in the bloom before it had some of the die offs. I love how it has the purple which looks brighter in person.

I just popped in to let you know that I am still here. I've have been posting more on my recipe blog, but my heart is here on my bento blog. For those of you who read both I hope you don't mind if you see a few repeat photos.

A little while back I posted my Dukkah Crusted Salmon and it was quite a large piece of salmon. For bento makers this is okay because you can always use it in a bento for lunch. I make my own dukkah and it makes a lot so I keep it in the freezer and just pull it out when I want to use it. It is great with some crusty bread dipped in a good olive oil, or toss it on top of a salad. It works wonderful with chicken too you can check out my chicken breast with goat cheese and dukkah.

The left over salmon was what I used for this bento.

I have here broccoli, apple half, star fruit (which is so nice for bentos) I loved this one the flavor was so good. In the pink flower cup I have a handful of umbrella cookies from the Asian store, I love these because they are not very sweet.

The salmon and grape tomatoes are sitting on a watercress salad ! In the side dish I have My mom's rice pilaf . I didn't realize I had used so many recipes that I've already posted. Well that makes it easy if you want to make it yourself!


We've had some very clear days this winter, which I guess we usually do. The summer is when all that warm air builds up the clouds that come across the land and afternoon showers come falling down. Not now though...crystal blue skies, over white sand beach, what could be better? Crescent beach is the closest beach to our house, about 5 minutes away. We really should ride our bikes there.

For some reason this time of year is when we can find the sea urchins washed up on shore. Then I need a bag to carry these. They are not alive, the ones that I take home.

My mom's rice pilaf has sliced almonds and rosemary, vermicelli and broth make it oh so nice, perfect for company, and great for leftovers!

There were a lot of sponges and little conch shells on the beach too that day, but I didn't take any conch since they were still alive.

I thought the seahorse pick would work well here, it came with a coral, and shell pick...you'll see those another time. Actually they are corn cob picks, or holders.

Last year I made this "jellyfish" from a sea urchin shell, I've made many into sea urchin shell snowmen.

I've added a photo of my sea urchin "snowman"

Shell angels I make from the scallop shells that I collect throughout the year...I have many of those too.

Another sea urchin shell, but not from around here. I picked this up at The Green Turtle, it was so pretty and pink!
The shells are so pretty when the lights shine through all the little dots and designs that nature gave it.

I hope to be around more often or you can see what I've been up to on my other blogs!

See you soon!

Tropical Bento

I know everyone is into Fall and Halloween right now, but since we don't see any color change in Florida I decided to do what is close to home! I have a lot of shells and flamingos and even some palm trees in my decor. Okay I know, but it is coastal living! Next I am working on incorporating shells into a bento, besides shell pasta!

I found these adorable glass picks at a Florida inspired store. I can find a use for these palm trees and flamingos in many things. Just picture them stuck in some tropical appetizers sitting out on the lanai next to the pool!
Or stuck in an olive or lychee in a martini!

I have snap peas, tiny clementines, starfruit, large grapes, natal plum, and smoked salmon cucumber and goat cheese on whole grain baguette!

Bottom layer is saffron rice, smoked salmon and gouda butterflies, (thank you so much Jenn for the beautiful butterfly cutters) and sugar snap peas.

How about this background?

Just a glimpse, of what my husband picked up this weekend. He can fix most any watercraft. It's in rough shape, but he figured why not? For that price he couldn't pass it up. He is playing redneck with his brother (in the back) and good friend drinking beer in a boat that is now a lawn ornament. No offence to anyone!

I first caught them standing around our friend's vintage Bronco engine with the hood up! I had to laugh, because we would always drive by this house where they were always leaning over the bed of a pick up truck drinking beer...like every time we drove by they were out there doing this! I thought it was funny...
Ya'll have a wonderful weekend...ya hear!