Fall Facelift

Check out my awesome new layout courtesy of:
The Cutest Blog on the Block

Farewell, for now....

I also have a bit of sad news to share today.

I originally started this blog with a good friend of mine but due to the craziness we call life, she has been unable to join me in this venture & is needing to take a hiatus for now.

Kimber...You have an open invitation. If you feel you have the time to jump in later down the road you know where to find me.

For now I venture alone.

**BENTO VENTURE ~ WEEK 7**

Well...its Week 7 but technically this weeks bento didn't happen. Not only is this post 2 days late....I don't have a photo of the lunch.

I did pack a lunch and I did make it kinda cute but I was running late to drop it off so that's why I didn't snap a picture.

But I do have some photos to share!

I was running late because I was finishing up these cute little cupcakes to drop off for my daughters class. I cheated a little because I used a yellow cake mix I had in the pantry & store bought icing, but in my defense it took me awhile to layer on all the elements of the design...so that makes up for it...right?

The kids loved them.

Here's a photo of the finished cupcakes & just for fun, a photo of the design process:

**BENTO VENTURE ~ WEEK 6**

This weeks bento was fast and furious.

It's 2:21 am. I've got a mountain of clothes on the floor behind me that I need to somehow fit into one suitcase. Still have laundry going. Gotta get the kids to their co-op classes in the morning. Run errands. Finish packing and catch a flight.

*whew*

Maybe I can get a nap on the plane.

Psh...who am I kidding. I'm flying alone with 3 kids! LOL

*WEEK 6*

Egg Salad sandwich on Wheat Bread (I love the cute little sealing sandwich wrap bags I found at the asian market!) ~ Honeydew Chunks ~ Julienned Carrot Sticks w/ a cup of Ranch Sauce for dipping ~ Homemade Blueberry Creme muffin ~ Not sure what I'm going to toss in for a drink, but hopefully I won't forget in the morning....LOL

**BENTO VENTURE ~ WEEK 5**

We're 5 weeks in & going strong.

This week I opted for a super quick, no frills, kid friendly lunchable-style kit.

Assemble your own pizzas!

I'm positive there will be no complaints about this lunch and every crumb will be eaten. No veggie this week....but, hey, we all eat comfort foods every once in awhile and it's sure better than a burger & fries from McD's....;) The 'dessert' muffin is actually filled with quite a bit of healthy ingredient alternatives so its not too bad.

WEEK 5

* Toasted Whole Wheat Bread (cut into rounds) ~ Pizza Sauce ~ Shredded Cheese ~ Sliced Olives ~ Mandarin Oranges ~ Homemade Muffin for Dessert & Apple Juice *

**BENTO VENTURE ~ WEEK 4**

This weeks bento isn't all that creative or colorful.

Actually its "The Bento That Almost Wasn't" LOL

A lot has happened in my life since last Wednesday and I hadn't had time to plan plus I just wasn't feeling up to the challenge. I wanted to just slap together a pb&j and call it done. But I had recently bought some cute fall themed supplies and I really wanted to use them so I finally talked myself into sprucing up the lunch just a bit hoping to save my fledging tradition and beckon fall into the desert.

Tomorrow's lunch welcomes in the 1st of October and yet we're still breaking triple digits for the highs, so needless to say I am ready for fall to head our way bringing cooler temps.


WEEK 4

*Apple Shaped Turkey & Cheddar sandwich, Leaf Shaped Turkey and Muenster sandwich (4 bite size apple and leaf shaped sandwiches sit under the larger ones) ~ Organic Cinnamon Applesauce ~ Baked White Cheddar Cheeto's ~ Layered on the leaf picks are slices of zucchini and steamed beats cut into leaf and apple shapes and finally, apple juice to drink and two little squares of Asian chocolate treats for dessert*

**BENTO VENTURE ~ WEEK 3**

Welcome to Week 3 of our Bento Venture.

This week was once again inspired through the wonderful Vegan Lunchbox blog.

We chose her asian inspired Potstickers & Chopsticks bento

Most of this had to be cooked/warmed the morning of, so it didn't get as decorated as I'd like...but it is full of her fave foods and I'm sure she'll have rave reviews this afternoon!

*WEEK 3*

~ Ling Ling Veggie Potstickers ~ Panda Sauce bottle filled w/ her fave Yoshida's sauce ~ Garlic Jasmine Rice ~ Steamed Soy Beans in the pod ~ 1/2 of a delicious Utah peach straight from the orchard ~ Chocolate Almond Milk & a couple of special sweet treats from the Asian market ~