This Week's Blog Post

New Earrings
These pretties are garnet and iolite. Both beads are handcut giving them character!

All metal is sterling silver. Available at Miss Val’s Creations.

Coconut Curry

Jim and I love coconut curry and have eaten is at Thai restaurants, Indian restaurants and P.F. Changs. However we have never attempted recreating it!!! If you love coconut curry but have never cooked it before it is really easy and super healthy to make at home!!!

We made a HUGE batch with this easy sauce.

• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 8 tablespoons of soy sauce (we used light to keep the sodium count down)
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 4 tablespoons of brown sugar (more could be used if you like saucers sweeter)
• 8 teaspoons of rice vinegar or cider vinegar
• 2 cups of peanuts (yummy)

Just mix them all together. I looks totally disgusting but tastes heavenly!!!

Then we sautéed our veggies of choice in olive oil. This could include:

• carrots
• sugar snap peas
• regular potatoes or sweet potatoes (we prefer sweet since they are more nutritious)
• mushrooms
• bell pepper (green is really good in this)
• cauliflower
• broccoli
• peas
• onions

• 
 After sautéing for a few minutes, then add in the sauce and cook further. Then taste test. You could add more curry, maybe cumin, black pepper….whatever suits your fancy. It is ready when the veggies are at the texture you prefer.

While this is going on, cook up some basmati rice to serve with the dish.  The first time we made this we used regular white rice, but what a difference when using the “correct” rice!!!

It really tasted like we got take out from the local Indian restaurant!!!!  Unfortunately they may not see us anymore since we are now confident in our Indian cooking!

The Walled City

My town is a bit walled! These structures look like they belong in Europe.

I could not find information explaining these online. There is a street with high walls that go on for quite a length!

There were a few key wealthy families in town back in the day that had some fabulous structure built so I am sure this was the brainchild of one of them!

They certainly add character to the town!

If you live in the U.S., have a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is my first year going to Thanksgiving on a gluten free diet which kind of stinks but at least I can still eat my mom’s sweet potato casserole! Cranberry sauce it still my friend too.   ~Val

Pretty New Items!

I made a couple of new items this week! This bracelet has sweet little garnet pebble beads and multi-faceted citrine and peridot. I love this little toggle clasp that was crafted in Bali. It is the perfect size for a delicate design.

Fun stone notes:
Garnet is associated with health, removing negativity & awareness.
Citrine is associated with intuition, comfort, protection & mental awakening.
Peridot is associated with warmth, friendliness & understanding.

Not much is happening in the garden world. Things are between blooms!
My Rose of Sharon survived the winter with no problem! This shrub is only a couple of years old and produces variegated leaves and very pale pink flowers. I am waiting patiently!

This shrub is called Pinky Winky. Yes I purchased it partly because I love the name! It is a form of hydrangea which produces really neat blooms. Pictures to follow when the blooms arrive! The several feet of snow which sat on it over the winter did affect the plant but it seems to be bouncing back.

Thank you for reading! Be back next week! ~Val