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Sunday, October 24, 2010

savoring late october

Hi bento pals! This was a weekend of savory, foliage-bright food and fun. As is my custom, Saturday morning included a walk to the farmer's market...
Some market selections, back home
We spent Saturday afternoon making some nice appetizers to bring to a get-together that evening. One was a decadent squash, Gruyere and cream casserole, from a recipe I heartily recommend! Everyone seemed to enjoy this combination of rich and savory tastes.

Here's the butternut squash before being layered with cheese and cream:
Fresh from the oven...comfort food indeed
Today was warm and clear, a perfect day for ambling around outside and exploring. We visited Old Town Leesburg to try a Cajun restaurant recommended by friends.

Housed in a charming old building, The Cajun Experience serves up hearty homestyle fare...
A starter of crispy crawfish
Jamison's savory seafood gumbo
The Oyster Po' Boy was really delish
 This meal has me inspired to pore over my Cajun/Creole cookbooks!
Jamison's capture of a crow-filled tree, observed from our table in the courtyard
An 18th century stone building just up the street from the restaurant
Many antiques shops line the streets of this cute town, plus a bounty of cafes I'll want to explore when the weather turns cold...
I think I'll need to return to a sweet boutique of imported French items for this "Brown Bear" honey:
Tomorrow's bento features a variety of colorful and autumn-spiced foods. A purple pepper is filled with sauteed mushrooms, garlic, shallots, parsley and bread crumbs and keeps company with bright pomegranate seeds. In the upper right section, chicken in spicy red pepper-eggplant sauce with Greek yogurt, topped with dill and little butternut squash decorations.

Red stemmed spinach, walnuts, radish and baby marigold in the big section, to be dressed later with walnut oil for extra fall flavor...

26 comments:

Robin O said...

What a wonderful Saturday experience! I can imagine walking along side and enjoying the day. Great photos, good looking and stylish bento!

tinyskillet said...

Ok first I love the pumpkin photo with the stem all knotted like that! Next I love the yellow door peaking out in the The Cajun Experience pic. The market selections are such deep vibrant colors that is so much reflected in your beautiful bento! I have little Halloween picks like that too! So cute! I also love the yellow tree with the blackbirds in it! You have so much to look at...I love it! That's not even mentioning the awesome food you made! I have butternut squash in the oven right now, but yours looks scrumptious! Our doors are open and it is still too hot, I'd hate to have to turn on the A/C!

Sounds like you had a lovely weekend! Thanks for sharing!

Emily Ng said...

Nice bento, nice fresh fruits and veggies, nice photos, and nice foods...everything just so beautiful like an artwork. You are so talented, Jenn. :)

Mommalina said...

OMG ... looking all those pictures making me so hungry!!! ... love it!

Bentobird said...

Hi Robin! Many thanks for your sweet comments, happy you came along for this little tour :D!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lyndsey! Your thoughtful and detailed comments always give me a cool new perspective on a post, thanks so much! I'll bet your butternut squash dish was yummy...

These picks were a little experiment, combining a cute kitty sticker with a nicely orange flag pick...have a great week :D!

Bentobird said...

Dear Emily, you are so kind. Thank you and can't wait to see your adorable bentos this week!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lina! Thanks so much!

tata | bonitafood said...

Always love to read your "report" in your post :D. Jenn, I never eat raw bell pepper and you often has it in your bento, how does it taste? Hehehe *just curious* :D

KidsDreamWork said...

Love to "follow" you with your walk through all these stunning photos Jenn! And you made that cute kitty food pick? :D

Lunch Buckets said...

Oh, now I -really- want fried oysters. Badly.

OhayoBento said...

Thank you for the beautiful autumn adventure. I feel like I was able to go with you :) Your stuffed pepper is making my mouth water!

Bentobird said...

Hi Ta! And I love sharing them with you :D I love raw red or purple bell pepper, especially when really market fresh like this one was! Green I don't care for raw, however...

Bentobird said...

Thanks Ai Ping, so sweet of you :D! The pick itself was sent by a bento pal, and I gave it a Halloween-kawaii feel by adding the black kitty sticker....

Bentobird said...

Hi there LunchBuckets! I can relate--I had these yesterday and am already thinking about going back for more...or more scarily, learning the art of oyster frying at home. Help!

Bentobird said...

Hi Heather, a pleasure to share bento and fun food notions with you! Must go see what's new at your colorful blog. The pepper stuffing works great for mushrooms (roast in hot oven with olive oil and a little white wine)!

cherry bento said...

Lovely colours in your bento. It's nice to share in your Saturday excursion with you.

Bentobird said...

Hi cherry bento, lovely to have you visit, thanks for coming along! Interested to see spring unfolding in your bento creations :D!

Happy Little Bento said...

I want to live your life! I love everything in all your pictures! Especially love the witch's cauldron> super super super cool idea. Want to try this cuz it's so awesome Jenn!!
Have a wonderful time enjoying your east coast Fall!

Bentobird said...

Hi sherimiya! Thanks for such delightful comments! Your Halloween bentos have been soooo fun and inspired :D!

Kuusou said...

Your blog is always such an eye-opener first thing in the morning! I love the colors of each picture. Bento looks so beautiful and delicate.

Bentobird said...

Hi Kuusou, aw thanks dear! This is such a colorful time of year, I love it! Have a lovely Tuesday :D

Lia Chen said...

Jenn, I should say WOW again ... Good photo explosion to enjoy. Lucky you!! Beautifully presented bento and I really love what you did with purple paprika. This bento really captured all of autumn's colors :)

Ena said...

Hi, thanks for dropping by my blog! Your blog is really wonderful. Every bento you make is so beautiful and looks so delicious!

*Ena*

Bentobird said...

Hi Lia! Thank you my friend for your encouragement and support. I've been enjoying your uniquely beautiful Halloween bentos so much :D!

Bentobird said...

Hello Ena, what a treat to have you visit :D! I look forward to following your latest bentos, love your blog!