Bento Booty

Apparently my new hobby has inspired co-workers, friends, and family as well. Nobody meant to coordinate gifts - but I had a very merry bento-themed Christmas! I guess nothing brings out the best in folks like an interest in food - because really, in a way, cooking is spiritual . . . and magical. Why else do we have such a fascination for good food? And good food is made better by sharing with good friends - so THANK YOU to everyone for the gifts! They were very thoughtful - and will be put to good use!

From the bento ring (it's probably closer to a sushi ring - but still SO KAWAII >.< !!! To the premium rice (grown in California - oddly enough), gourmet soy sauce, black laquer bento box with chopsticks, and special peeler (I always wondered how in the heck folks were getting such thin "stringy" veggie strips - my carrot peeler just wasn't cutting it . . . literally) -

To the beautiful sake set . . .

To the matching place settings for a fabulous dinner table!

Minna-san, ARIGATOU!! Kore ga dai suki desu. (To everyone, THANK YOU! I LOVE THEM!) I couldn't have asked for better gifts! Now I just need to buckle down and get back to my fabulous bento creations . . . because I have a feeling it will take a heck of a lot of work to fill that black lacquer box . . . but I'm going to try!