Category: Arts/ Home Ideas

The Craft of Carving Fruits and Vegetables

By livelifeandlove on July 11, 2026

Note: The art of carving fruits and vegetables is a skill that combines creativity and precision. This craft allows individuals to transform ordinary produce into stunning works of art that can enhance any presentation

In the past, carving manually was quite a challenge. I relied solely on a small knife to shape fruits and vegetables for decoration. However, this often led to uneven thickness resulting in an unbalanced look. Now, I’ve learned to use the right tools effectively to ensure uniformity in size and proportion. This allows me to create a variety of attractive designs for salads and garnishes with ease.

Fruit and vegetable carving is a creative art that involves turning fresh produce into stunning decorative pieces similar to the examples I’ve shared here. This technique enhances food presentations making them both elegant and visually appealing.

This isn’t my first experience with vegetable crafts where I transform them into animal shapes using carving tools. I’ve already completed two other projects involving Melon fruit bowl and Bittergourd crocodile carvings which I shared earlier for vegetable and fruit art. In the past, I’ve also crafted various fruit carvings, including pineapple boats and bowls, watermelon and melon salad bowls, fruit farm landscapes, hello kitty , bicycles, Pequin eggplants and much more.

I really think that to get to a right level in carving and garnishing, you need the right tools for fruits and veggies which is why I got myself the basic carving tools. I’ve learned from my past carving experiences using the proper tools and techniques with a bit of imagination i can create all sorts of cool designs for my formal presentations. Additionally, the results appear neatly cut, free from any small bits left behind.

Here are the results of my vegetable carvings for the day. Let me show you some cool carving designs I’ve created.

I have discovered fantastic ideas for using the right tools, like vegetable peelers, fruit shapers, flower roll carvers, cabbage shredders, and many more. By using multifunctional tools, I can achieve smooth and visually appealing shapes. In addition, the basic tools such as vegetable and fruit shape cutters are perfect for making rosettes and petal shapes that can be combined into various floral designs.

Carving Tools for Fruits and Vegetables,What vegetables are best to carve?

I can also create stunning fruit and vegetable carving from cucumbers, carrots, radishes, and zucchini, which are great for food decoration and garnishing. Before I start carving, to ensure a smooth process without any interruptions. I ensure my table is equipped with all the essential garnishing tools such as knives, various vegetable peelers, cutters and the specific vegetables I intend to carve.

When I work with courgettes, radishes, carrots, and cucumbers, I often peel off strips of skin or scrape the surface using the same tool.

This tool for carving vegetable rolls is truly remarkable, serving multiple functions and allowing for impressive shaping that highlights the essential design.

I also used rolling techniques to craft a complete carrot flower. You can create a fully formed carrot flower in both single and adjustable double flower styles.

Shredding a cabbage with the right tool is ideal for coleslaw and other salads and garnishes. I shredded the cabbage using a string design.

I applied this method to other veggies like potatoes, carrots, radishes, zucchinis, apples, green mangoes, onions, and cheese.

It’s super fun and truly satisfying to see the fruits of my labor.What are your thoughts on my fruit and vegetable creation? You might want to give this a shot! The carving tools are quite affordable and not pricey at all. Plus, you can use them for an extended period.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

Goodnight!

Making a Bitter Gourd Crocodile

By livelifeandlove on June 30, 2026

During my visit to the vegetable garden, I discovered that bitter gourd was plentiful, climbing across all the trellises and wires. There was more than enough for my cooking and an idea struck me to create a vegetable craft art piece in the form of a bitter gourd crocodile to utilize it. I took my time selecting the best form.

Bitter Gourd Crocodile is a delightful form of vegetable art specifically a popular vegetable carving craft that transforms bitter gourd into a crocodile. The uneven, rough texture and elongated shape of the bitter gourd serve as an ideal natural canvas for depicting a reptile. This is not the first occasion on which I have engaged in vegetable crafts transforming them into animal shapes. Previously, I have also successfully created fruit carvings, such as pineapple boats and bowls, watermelon and melon salad bowls, fruit farm landscapes, beautiful mini fashion dresses, bicycles, Pequin eggplants and many more. I typically pursue this activity during my free time at home particularly while waiting for my beef to cook until tender.

Materials required to make a Bitter Gourd Crocodile:

A long green bitter gourd; I selected a firm, elongated one to facilitate the crocodile shape. A small, sharp paring knife, which I have previously used for my fruit carvings. A small chopping board. A toothpick to keep the mouth open, and instead of using peppercorns, I opted for an old transparent button with a black line around the edge to resemble the eyes of a crocodile. That’s all you need.

I selected the finest gourds to ensure they were suitable for the tail and body. The elongated one was perfect for the tail, while the rounder ones were excellent for shaping the body.The shape was ideal for mimicking a crocodile’s skin and size.

This is the result of my vegetable art crafts, although it does not perfectly resemble a crocodile.

The bitter gourd plant is where I harvested everything needed to create this vegetable crocodile art. It thrived directly under the sunlight.

Creating this type of carved art was a fantastic idea for the day.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

Fruit Photography/Fresh Strawberry Pictures

By livelifeandlove on September 22, 2021

Strawberries are at their peak right now and my present photography subject today. These fruits have a lot of vitamins and minerals as well as it’s a good source of fiber too. I want to emphasize a very simple setting to show some of my pictures taken during my ‘’Fruit Photography Hour.

My photography setup for inside is significantly more streamlined because everything I need is right next to me. When trying to get a close-up of fruit, I’ve found it challenging to capture the angles that make the fruit look the most natural, appealing, and enticing. Lightning is very important because it will reveal the texture of the fruits My aim is to make strawberries looks fresh even on pictures.

As a food blogger, you get to indulge your interests in cooking, writing, and photography. All of this has taught me a great deal as well. It’s rewarding to watch my hard work pay off in such a satisfying way.

Let’s check out some strawberry pictures

Intrinsic beauty of strawberries

My macro shots

Having a white background makes the image more vibrant and appealing, but this technique has been used before with different caught fruits. Using macro always presents a challenge for me because of the potential threat posed by tiny fruit particles.

To emphasize my point, I am adjusting the light levels so as to prevent any unwelcome shadows from forming. Macro photography requires close-up lenses and setups. Equipped with a 55 mm, 100 mm, or 200 mm macro lens, your camera will be able to perform exceptionally well at close range.

Strawberries on a white plate

The perfect white background for strawberries. My mood will rise and seems active, let me tell you how it was done, I used a white cardboard for the frame to reduce the intensity of light. The white background will make these fruits even brighter and sharp because it was done under full sun. If you know how to control the light by covering both sides using white cardboard to shelter from the wind and extra unwanted shadow reducing the intensity of the bright light or reflectors. The white background exposing the natural freshness of the fruit although, it is sharp.

Having a white background will emphasized more on the subject itself.

Strawberry on Green Background

Other fruits goes well with strawberries

It’s just as much fun to take pictures indoors, and I don’t have to worry about becoming too hot in the sun. It would appear I am trying to conceal anything; oh well, my skin is a pale brown to begin with. After a long day of labor, it’s rewarding to see the results of my efforts. Once I’m done taking pictures of these fruits, you can find them in my stomach.

well folks, it’s getting late, I need to go…

Take Care and Stay Safe

I appreciate you reading my blog posts and considering following it.

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Arts/ Home Ideas | Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Restaurant and Hotel Review | Technology/ Learning Tips

Peking Duck Wraps

By livelifeandlove on September 17, 2021

Sumptuous dishes traditionally prepared and served in a grand style, the Peking Garden, 4th level Greenbelt 5, Makati City serves the best Peking duck in the city, it was the restaurant’s specialty as the name goes well with it. Tonight, is the birthday dinner celebration of my aunt, fabulous dinner served and the most popular choice. From the 10 courses meal served, the Peking duck and the Winter Melon Soup with assorted seafood was my 2 best favorites although meal’s highlight and star on the table is the savory Peking duck.

Winter Melon Soup with assorted seafood

The best comfort soup and our favorite.

The Peking duck is in good shape, well-cooked and the aroma is awesome. It was very tasty, and the skin is crispy. It is bound to reign on the table.

How to carve a whole Peking duck

The Peking duck was neatly carved into even slices by the server. Started with the breast diagonally towards her holding the wing with the fork and cut through the outer layer of the breast into the joint.

Carving the breast in thin slices parallel with the breastbone and repeating with the other side. It looks like very easy to carve because the knife is sharp, that’s the secret of perfect carving.

The thin flesh was carefully arranged in a circular shape following the edge of the plate on a big white plate with the crispy skin at the center or it work both ways. You can see the difference from the photos up and down. The duck flesh at the center and the crispy skin on the edge of the plate or vice versa.

After the carving and preparation, the Whole plate of Peking duck transferred to our table along with the tortilla, stalks of spring onions and the sweet hoisin sauce.

See how it looks, Attractively beautiful !

How to wrap a Peking Duck Strips

Lay one fine strip of Peking duck flesh on a tortilla wrapper, followed by the stalk of spring onions, add a spoon of sweet Hoisin sauce on top and lay another strip of Peking duck.

This is how it looks before wrapping.

The filling looks like this inside.

Hold one end of tortilla and roll it halfway. Fold both borders and roll it again to enclose properly.

Almost done, I’m leaving one end open to show the filling inside and roll it once again to finish.

One bite, followed by another bite and more pls… I’ve tasted Peking Duck from different restaurants before but these, nothing can equal the flavor, I’ve never tasted like it before. So far, the best among the rest.

Ok guys! you can drop a cute note down there, simple things makes me happy…

Thanks for reading my blog!

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Arts/ Home Ideas | Home cooking/ Delicious recipes/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Home Cooking During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By livelifeandlove on July 31, 2020

The pandemic season has given us more opportunity we never thought we would experience but up to now we are still facing similar crisis following the given protocols and restrictions under each level of quarantine from ECQ—MECQ—GCQ and of all measures, ECQ is the strictest. The COVID 19 stay home orders to keep us safe and minimize the risk of spreading, the great concern to wear mask and comply with social distancing measures to stay homebound but our country cautiously to loosen slowly back to the new normal life adopting to new rules to follow. Since it is impossible to predict when the pandemic will end or how long it will take to recover, people should not be expected to remain indoors indefinitely.

There are many things to ponder in times of great unpredictability, such as the current state of our economy and the hardships faced by those who have lost their jobs or are struggling to make ends meet due to the closure of businesses hit hard by the pandemic. However, I would like to express my gratitude to the government aid programs that have provided unemployed citizens with cash handouts and food packages.

I think I’ve finished up after the lockdown. Since everyone in my family now works remotely, I’ve been spending most of my time seeing to their needs and ensuring their safety. I’m afraid the worst is yet to come. I’ve recently deleted Facebook for five months so that I can devote my full attention to my family and their needs, shop online, and narrow my focus to the bare minimum.

Despite the difficulty of the situation, I was able to maintain a positive outlook by taking pleasure in learning about exciting new cooking techniques and delicious new recipes. The summer season (March–May) was fruitful, with a plentiful supply of in-season fruits at discounted prices, including nearly the best fruits and some of my favorites at their peak. Having a stocked fridge gives me a wide variety of meals to choose from. The only way I know to keep loving and happy while quarantined during a pandemic is to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen. Do you agree that everyone needs a break after being locked up for so long?

Here are the meals I cooked for my family at home and documented with photographs before serving them during the pandemic

Breakfast in the garden (with Frosty, the family dog, joining us, of course).

Cooking from the garden features seafood dishes that can be prepared quickly and easily.

My Chicken Congee with Century egg

We look forward to our favorite breakfast together each and every Sunday. The most important meal of the day is breakfast, and it’s even better when it’s eaten with people you care about.

Bulalo is a dish made with beef, and the bone marrow that is present in all of the bones can be plainly seen in the dish. It has always been a fan favorite.

Steamed Crabs with Black Bean Sauce

Sizzling Sisig They can be made to look like this with some extra work on your part. This is the type of recipe with which I grew up, so I know I can trust the results.

Sizzling Spicy Squid with Vegetables is another sizzling recipe of the day.

Beef Burger with Mushroom Gravy, Additional side dishes, such as steamed broccoli and French fries, are presented in a base formation.

My Japanese Gyoza

My Special Cheezy Morcon is delicious and addictive.

Steamed Shrimps with Fried Slices of Eggplant. Beautifully arranged on a plate, the circular order or rounded form presentation, my family will be able to enjoy the rest of the meal.

Snacks and Desserts

My sister Anne is a registered nutritionist-dietitian, so she is an expert when it comes to calorie counting, but I am not, so I gained a little bit of weight while cooking, cooking, and more eating.

During the pandemic season, it seemed like my family’s meals were specifically designed to be exciting new experiences. It’s easy and straightforward no matter which of the many available simple courses you choose to pursue. What should I do to get ready? Sorry, but you’ll have to wait until your next post to share more photos.

Late afternoon, I’m fortunate to view the sunset from our own garden.

The fact that we have our very own pomelo tree gives us a sense of pride, and the presence of pomelos in our very own backyard is exciting.

I used to wake up earlier on Friday nights so that I could blog, but in order to make up for lost time on Saturdays and Sundays, I made it a point to turn off all electronic devices, including my laptop, my cellphone, and the television, so that I would not be disturbed while I was trying to fall asleep. It’s almost time for me to head off to dreamland now. Good night to everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

Stay Home and Keep Safe Always

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Arts/ Home Ideas | Holidays and Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Grand Opening of Mario de Rivera~Palace of Memory

By livelifeandlove on September 20, 2019

Time and date: 6 PM, Tuesday, September 10, 2019 At the Art Lounge Manila, a new location for Mario de Rivera, a Filipino Asian modern and contemporary painter, to exhibit his work, he just held the Grand Opening of his One-Man Show. Many came to take in the creative display, as it provides viewers with a wealth of visual stimulation.

Nearly a hundred friends, art collectors, and family members attended, including other well-known figures from the art world.

Highlights of the exhibition include hand-drawn Champagne toasts, a discussion by artist Mario de Rivera about his inspirations, a live performance by a ballet couple, and a slide display of his son Lorenzo’s breathtaking paintings. Creativity appears to be inherited. It was hoped that Lorenzo’s artistic prowess would one day be on par with that of his famous father.

Artistically, Mario de Rivera is well-established at this point. Since then, he has participated in both solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Many auctions have featured his creations. In 2003, de Rivera beat over over a thousand international competitors to take home the Excellence Award at the Beppu Contemporary Art Exhibit in Japan, and in 2000, she was named one of three finalists for the Phillip Morris Award in Manila.

Art Lounge Manila Ground Level Podium ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

A catalog richly detailed that shows all exhibition pieces of de Rivera.

The variety of de Rivera’s paintings on display here exemplifies the appeal of modern visual arts.

The patronage of art enthusiasts and private collectors, in addition to the notoriety of numerous exhibitions in the mainstream media, social media, and blogs, has expanded in recent years, contributing to the paintings’ robust structural quality.

To your achievement, we raise our glasses! Mario (second from right) and his wife Luz are the toastmasters. To keep up with the growing demand, I wish you the best of luck. Cheers!

Thanks to Mario de Rivera’s keen eye, we are able to perceive the hidden reality of objects side by side, thanks to the contrast created by the whirling colors and the dazzling accents on the pure color. Style and form, rather than subject matter, are what make a photograph beautiful.

Me with the Filipino Asian modern and contemporary painter Mario de Rivera and Ninica del Rosario (Mario’s cousin).

Taken during the Grand Opening of Mario de Rivera’s Palace of Memory at Art Lounge Manila. (right ) Mario de Rivera, Ninica del Rosario, Me and Edgar Pazziuagan.

Added entertainment that evening, a Ballet duet live performance.

Stunning Paintings of Mario de Rivera

The scope of the whole collection, de Rivera produces the kind of art that suits the purposes of its particular time.

”The Black Dragon River”

”The Dry Season Afternoon”

”Between Sumba and Shanghai”

”Between Diu & Makassar”

”Anapolas Indias”

Atty. Baniqued, (left) Ninica del Rosario, Dr. and Dra Lim also graced the Gala opening of Mario de Rivera Palace of Memory.

Impressive Table Setting full of fantastic party appetizers and tasty finger foods.

Champagne and sparkling wine on the table

Having a solo show of artworks marks the achievement of huge success! The power of art inspired the viewers. I was enjoying the evening with friends around; Ninica (Mario’s cousin) and Edgar P., we all enjoyed the accomplishment of seeing Mario de Rivera’s work on display.

Thank you so much Ninica del Rosario for your kind invitation.

Congratulations to Mario de Rivera on his solo exhibition at Art Lounge Manila!

Art Lounge Manila proudly Presents Mario de Rivera’s Palace of Memory Grand Opening: September 10, 2019/ 6 PM / Exhibit runs until September 24, 2019/ The Podium Ground Level, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

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Arts/ Home Ideas

My First Cross Stitch Creation “Ice Boating”

By livelifeandlove on October 3, 2018

It’s just a simple pleasure to share something that includes time and talent that’s sure to be cherished. I’ve been keeping this precious item for such a long long time, I’m happy to show my first cross stitch creation 15 years ago, it’s fun and exciting to feature it here.

I always had a love for stitching but this one, It took some time to finish it. Way back years ago, from tens and thousands cross stitch photos and illustration showing sample design, I’ve chosen,’’Ice Boating’’as my first creative hand-sewn project. My pattern is simple but to work for it? It is a complicated complex.

Ice Boating, a scene of winter delights come to life, it looks frosty and delightful.
Striking design techniques used to show beautiful blocks of winter colors using a pattern of different cross stitch variations that covered the background completely. What a tough journey to finish this item and dealing with time restraints, I almost gave up.

Cross Stitch is a form of embroidery and absolutely, a satisfying pastime. The best way to display your finished cross stitch is to put them in a frame. Finally, my hand-sewn works of art is here, you can see my creation in the living room perhaps, you’ll see more if time permits…

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Arts/ Home Ideas | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Technology/ Learning Tips

Man Carrying an Orange

By livelifeandlove on July 29, 2013

”Man carrying an orange” is a creative craft using a whole piece of an orange including the skin designed for the man carrying the fruit.

This is a funny fruit art that makes you laugh. This is my own illustration of a worrisome sign of a man depicting a situation living in a highly stressful situation, Is it a pandemic world? This small boy carrying something which is too heavy for his own weight is an example on how man can tolerate the hardship of a slow growth, more dependent on themselves in order to get a good juice, we are still working on how to live with it. Probably, it’s a difficult world to live in so we need to get stronger, safer and smarter to get in there.

Stay safe and healthy everyone!