Merry Christmas from Food With Eyes!

When I think of my favorite things, food with eyes and diners immediately come to mind (followed closely by schnitzel with noodles). So what could be better than a diner with anthropomorphic food? How about a Christmas diner with anthropomorphic food? That's just what M&M's was thinking when they released their Official M&M's Brand Christmas Village Diner in 1996.

Here are the M&M's listening to the jukebox and ordering their burgers and fries:

Spinning some platters and playing music:

Sipping an ice cream soda:

Looking cool and hula hooping:

Open 24 hours!

It's all very official:

Apparently, M&M's released a whole series of tins from 1995-2005. You can find them here. Photo booth and recording studio? They were really grasping at straws toward the end. At least they didn't get to nursing home and funeral parlor!

Happy Holidays!

Green Saturday

If you're like most Americans, you overindulged on pumpkin pie, candied yams, and mashed potatoes on Thursday then gorged on shopping on Black Friday. Today, Green Saturday, you can make up for your excesses by returning to a healthy diet of food with eyes. Here are a few activities to remind you what you should be eating (click for full size image):

These activity pages are courtesy of the children's activities table at the year-round Schenectady Green Market.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

Last week, I was surprised with a fantastic birthday package from my sister Maria of Curly Wurly. Inside were some delightful items from artist Modern Radar featuring these happy cupcakes:

Card:

Tote bag:

I'll be the envy of Schenectady with this adorable bag on my arm! Thank you, Maria!

Welcome Home

Welcome home to the Food with Eyes gang who have just returned from an unprecedented two month showing at the Schenectady County Public Library's children's room display case!


I was told by the librarian that many children were delighted by the display, and I did witness at least one child being delighted myself. I would like to think the display stayed up for two months instead of the customary one month because it was such a success, but I suspect they couldn't find another collection for October. I haven't seen the November display yet, but I heard it would be bears.

I had selected two books from the library to tie in with the theme. When I took down the display I checked them out of the library and will share them with you here:

First we have The Talking Vegetables as retold by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert and illustrated by Julie Paschkis:

This is a traditional story from Dan people of Northeastern Liberia.

The story goes like this: all the animals except Spider help to plant a garden. Spider refuses to help, but come harvest time he decides he would like to eat some of the vegetables. So Spider goes to pick a tomato, who to Spider's surprise, vociferously protests.

Next Spider decides to pick some cucumbers, but they, too, tell him he can't since he didn't help with the garden.

Not getting the point, Spider tries for a pumpkin who again castigates him for not helping.

And then the vegetables gang up on him:

I suspect the next scene, which was not illustrated, was something like the tree scene from The Evil Dead.

The second book, Peanut Butter Party by Remy Charlip, lacks a moral about cooperation, as well as a nightmare-inducing vegetable attack.

Instead, this book offers up a host of party ideas centering around peanut butter, such as a costume party:

Featuring a menu of peanut butter on round crackers:

For entertainment, a play where smooth and chunky peanut butter debate their relative merits. The illustration at the bottom depicts the final scene from the all-peanut butter production of Hamlet.

Many thanks to the Schenectady County Public Library for allowing me to share my collection and hopefully inspire future generations of anthropomorphic food enthusiasts.

Food with Eyes: The Exhibit

Today marked the realization of a dream I've had for years: to have a collection of mine on display for the public. I've always loved museums and thought it must be wonderful to donate your collection to a museum for permanent display. I hoped to one day see a placard next to some wonderful exhibit reading "From the Collection of Lushie Peach." That day has arrived, although it's not at the Smithsonian or the Met, but at the Children's Room of the Schenectady County Public Library.

The glass display case there features a monthly exhibit, usually someone's collection or maybe crafts or miniatures. I make a point of looking at it every month. A few months ago it hit me that my collection might be a candidate for the case. I spoke to the librarian who seemed somewhat confused about what I was proposing to put in the case. Nevertheless, she took my contact information. I heard nothing and figured they had a full schedule of the usual collections of frogs or pigs or whatnot. But then I got a call asking if I could bring my collection in for September! Of course I immediately said yes, and gathered my items together.

This morning I installed the exhibit (ok, I put the stuff in the case). I also found a few books to tie in with the theme. So without further ado, Food with Eyes: The Exhibit:

Look for the exhibition catalog soon. I actually changed the setup a little after I took the pictures, using some stands and easels to prop up some things. I'm tempted to go there everyday now and watch to see if anyone looks at the case. I expect the Smithsonian, or maybe MoMA, will be contacting me soon to see about a traveling exhibit.

Stuck in Schenectady

I was walking along State Street in Schenectady yesterday when I came upon this sticker stuck to the sidewalk:

It features Appleby, spokesfruit for MVP Health Care, a regional HMO based in Schenectady. I can only guess a real live Appleby was recently walking around doling out stickers and health care advice.

Last week I visited Hudson, NY, known for its many upscale antique shops. I didn't buy any antiques, but I did spot this adorable picnic basket filled with stuffed food with eyes:

This play set is by Melissa & Doug. Further investigation has also turned up a cute Candy Jar Fill & Spill set. The age range for both toys is for 6 months +. I initially began to rationalize that 440 months is greater than 6 months, making the toy appropriate for me, but in the end I decided to settle for a picture.