Lion-ish bento

Don't you hate the times when your lovingly crafted bento just doesn't quite hit the mark? This morning A-chan took one look and asked, "What is it?" With a second look I got a, "Is it a seal?" My response, naming the animal in question as a lion, was met with one of those looks that should be reserved for sixteen year olds. It clearly said, "Oh sure, mom. Whatever you say." Sigh. She did think it was cute and said that she would enjoy eating it, but I still feel somehow unfulfilled. I really did think it looked like a cute lion and was perfect for the zoo theme, lol.

This past Saturday was the very first time we'd ever gotten to see the lioness at the zoo. We'd seen the lion several times but she was always hiding. But it's easier to make a lion than a lioness!

In the bento: Lion-ish shaped cheese sandwich, veggie hot dogs with corn, steamed broccoli, a huge wedge of blood orange, a heart shaped container of black eyed peas, a lion shaped rice pasta, some black olives. On the side is a muffin cup of raspberries which eventually got wrapped up in cling wrap to make the journey to school.

The lion's mane was cut out of bread using a cutter and the center circle for the face was cut with an upside down flower cutter. The facial details are nori. The center part of the bread was then cut in half and stuffed at the bottom of the muffin cup to make paws. A long thin cut of bread made a tail with a 'fluff' of cheddar cheese at the end.