Monday, February 6, 2012

Thrown-Together Bento

Thrown-Together Bento by sherimiya ♥
Thrown-Together Bento, a photo by sherimiya ♥ on Flickr.
This bento is from last week: it includes oven-baked "mochiko chicken" (method and recipe here) and kabocha in one tier, and a rainbow assortment of fruit and veggies in the other tier (strawberry, blood orange, carrots, yellow pepper, blueberries in a cucumber cup, grapes, and Okinawan sweet potato. I call it thrown-together because if you look closely you'll notice that I threw the kabocha chunks in there without roasting them! I usually roast some veggies when I make the oven-roasted chicken, since the oven is already hot and all. But my mind was out-of-sorts because I had received a phone call that afternoon; the kind a parent dreads: Your daughter was playing on the play structure, and we noticed her arm is a little swollen. When I got there I saw her cradling her arm gingerly. This girl never does anything gingerly! I rushed her to the hospital and we discovered she had sustained a supracondylar fracture at her elbow joint. She had surgery that night and is now wearing a cast for the next 3-6 weeks. We were worried and nervous, but surgery went well and we are hoping for a quick and successful healing process. TinySprite handled the whole ordeal like a pro, never complaining of pain or feeling afraid of her operation. In fact, the surgeon remarked on her loquaciousness and inquisitiveness about the procedure and the equipment. Even now, 4 days later, she hasn't lost her smile or dampened her high spirits. I've really gained a new appreciation of her fortitude and strength. And don't worry - after the picture I noticed the raw kabocha and quick-microwaved and pan-fried them in butter and shoyu for MisterMan. ^_^
Added to What's For Lunch.

40 comments:

  1. Oh dear, that's the worst thing a parent want to hear from school.. she is such a brave little gal..
    Wish Tiny Sprite a Speedy Recovery!

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  2. I am so sorry to hear what happened. Have a speedy recovery baby girl!! I love her spirit!
    Love your colorful bento BTW ^__^

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  3. just found your blog! I was inspired and just ordered my first benot box to bring to work! I can't wait to make my lunches more cute and fun to eat- and i'm not even a little kid!

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    1. Tammy,
      So happy that you found me, and hope you can find lots of ideas here. I did the same thing when I started, and got lots of inspiration for the bentos I make for my kids now. "Kids" of any age can enjoy a pretty lunch bento :D

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  4. A beautiful lunch!! Even your thrown together lunches are so bright and lovely! TinySprite is a little champ to go through all of that and be so sweet and smiley! :)

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  5. Ow...wish her a speedy recovery...no one wants to get into this kind of situation :)
    So colorful bento, Sheri !

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  6. love your colourful bentos! wishing your daughter speedy recovery.

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  7. Glad to read the surgery went OK and that she's still in high spirits. I wish her a speedy recovery. And as far as the bento goes, lovely as always.

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    1. Thank you Ceinwyn; I appreciate all your inquiries about her! xo

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  8. Always love your colorful bento. Have a speedy recovery, TS. ^^

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  9. Poor Dear! May she heal quickly and with no complications!

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  10. Oh is she ever sweet!! Kids are so incredibly resilient and positive in their attitude. For reals this won't stop her! Look at her up there.. That is one sunshine smile! Here's wishing a speedy recovery for Tiny Sprite! Lots of hugs to her.

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    1. You're so right Chantale. They amaze me. We could learn a thing or two from those little munchkins, I think. Thanks to you and K!

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  11. Poor Tiny Sprite! Glad to hear she is on the mend! Your "thrown together" bento couldn't be more beautiful!

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  12. very cute

    Aarthi
    http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/

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  13. Wishing Tiny Sprite a speedy healing!! All scary things aside, is this little lady a complete doll or what!!? And that "thrown together" bento ain't too shabby either!!

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    1. Awwwwwww! Thank you berrygirl! That sparkling smile makes my day all right.
      Appreciate your sweet comments!

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  14. She's a tough one! I'm sure it was a lot worse for you than it was for her, lol. I hope she heals fast, broken arms are a pain in the behind. Hugs!!!

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  15. *huuuug*, and *huuuug* and *squeeeze hug* to all of you! Tiny Sprite is my all time favorite hero-fairy! Look at her smile, *swoons*. We wish her a speed recovery and strength to mama!! Raw kabocha-no-more! ;)

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    1. Yes, love that kabocha, but not raw!
      Thank you dear L, always and every time, for all your kindnesses and sweet encouragement.
      Love you!

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  16. So very gorgeous, your radiant Tiny Sprite and beautiful bento. Warm hugs and well wishes to your darling girl!

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    1. Many thanks for your well wishes and sweet thoughts Jenn. I'll pass them along! xo

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  17. What a strong Sprite! She is so brave and has a million dollar smile :) Wishing her a fast recovery!

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  18. Despise all what just happened, I'm glad to see her smiley face. She was so brave! I remembered when Audrey got her arm broken too. I don't know whether she was brave or what ... she didn't cry at all although her arm already looked like jelly. I don't even want to picture it again. Wish her a speedy recovery! Until the cast is open, just take care so the bones will heal perfectly (^.^)

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    1. Oh, gosh I know what you mean Lia... I have pictures of her arm but I can't bear to look at them. When I broke my pinky bone I was such a baby (even though I was in my 20s) that I took pain medication and still couldn't sleep at all that first night. These kids are very strong. I'll try to make sure she stays gentle with her cast... it's hard to keep the sprite down though :D

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  19. OH MY GOODNESS! must have been such a scary moment when you got the call; i'm SO glad to hear TS was such a trouper and is on the mend (looking cute as ever in her cast, i might add). amazing that you are back to beautiful, colorful bento -- that's the indomitable spirit that TS inherited from you! sending you both much love :-)

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    1. Thank you so much for your supportive and encouraging words megan. It is indeed a relief that she handled it all so well; I still can't believe it. In fact, I'm a little worried that she might hurt the healing arm again without even realizing it -- so I've made sure the teachers keep her indoors for recess so she won't be tempted.
      Even broken bones can't keep the bento away!
      Love back to you megan! xo

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  20. I am SO lovin' these cute little Bento lunches! Something new to me! I made one for my son for our lunch out today (between activities) and he loved it! Very simple of course...but MUCH better than buying take-out or those Lunchables! So sorry to hear about your little girl's arm though! :(

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    1. OS of the M : So glad to hear you've stumbled upon bentomaking for your little one! When I started it was because of convenience between activities too; and I've been hooked ever since. I agree it's a better choice for your child and a lot of fun and satisfaction for the parent as well.
      Thanks for your kind words :)

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