first spring farmer's market bento

Hi bento pals! This weekend, our local farmer's market opened for the spring season. How refreshing to walk on over and find many fresh, delicate spring treats, like these asparagus and herb plants...

Last evening was so beautiful--we ate outdoors in the breezy, filtered twilight and enjoyed a simple dinner of arugula and cheese ravioli with a topping of mushrooms, market chives and asparagus, olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese:

Today's bento also built upon market bounty, with tender lettuce, spicy French radish, asparagus and sugar snap peas. The quiche was inspired by a wonderful post from talented Robin of What About the Food, an edible poem to the spring-spirited onion family...chives, leeks, red and white onion combine with rich cheeses for a lush yet refreshing dish!

This adorable pair was waiting outside a favorite cafe yesterday...so sweet!

Happy cooking, happy spring!

pink soba and japanese chicken salad bento

Hi bento pals! In today's bento, pink soba with ume/plum flavor and a tangy chicken salad I concocted to echo the taste of the plum noodles...

 Chicken Salad with Japanese Pickle for Bento

 Dice one cooked chicken thigh and combine with a tablespoon of diced Japanese pickled vegetables (I used pickled eggplant seasoned with perilla and plum vinegar), two thinly sliced scallions, a tablespoon of Japanese sesame-ginger salad dressing and a little bit of mayo (to taste).

Avocado and green beans lightly drizzled with sesame dressing and almonds rounds out lunch. This is the first year I noticed these darling pink maple seedlings on our bronze Japanese maple tree...

Radiant iris swaying in the breeze...there are several thriving stands of Japanese iris in our sunny neighborhood park

 

Jamison's capture of fragrant lily of the valley

A neighbor's kitty was also out enjoying the day...

spring visit to shepherdstown wv

Hi bento pals! Saturday was gorgeous, cool, and bright blue so we decided to take a day trip to Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The trip there was half the fun: country roads were lined with yellow wild flowers and contemplative cows, while the air smelled like honey and hay.

Shepherdstown offers a lively array of independent shops, cafes and bookstores--perfect for strolling on a mild spring afternoon. Founded in the 18th century and saturated with Civil War history, it is brightened by the youthful presence of a vibrant liberal arts college. Some scenes from our breezy amble through town:

This pretty, slightly spooky house caught our eye, with its lacy ironwork and violet iris in bloom:

This nicely detailed shot is by Jamison...

Lunch at a local pub included a very yummy crab cake sandwich

Goodies at a farm stand just outside of town:

A quick bento for Tuesday includes ripe strawberries, owl and pussycat-cut fish cakes on a bed of Trader Joe's mixed grain pilaf with okra and fresh oregano accents. A romaine wrap holds shrimp and dill. Korean strawberry milk comes along, too.

Have a super week!