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Spiced Coconut Rice Pudding and Broccoli Coconut Curry

November 26, 2012

I’m really excited to go and see the movie the Life of Pi.  So, Sunday morning I visited World Market right when they opened, and because I was one of the first 100 people in the door I got a free movie ticket and a Life of Pi reusable tote. World Market is promoting the Life of Pi with a Sweepstakes with fantastic prizes. A trip to World Market is always like a mini journey to some exotic corner of the world.  This trip to World Market inspired some yummy Indian dishes.  For me, Indian food is about the variety of flavors and dishes and how they all compliment each other. And World Market makes preparing an Indian inspired feast, totally doable.

I have long been a fan of curries and Indian food.  After the tsunami hit Sir Lanka, my parents moved over their to do relief work (they are pretty cool).  We had the privilege of getting to visit them.  We spent a month there, it is an amazing country.  So much natural beauty, wildlife, and culture.  But one of the highlights was definitely the food.  We really didn’t tire of the variety of curry dishes.  Our whole family LOVES curry, so I actual make some sort of curry dish and rice about once a week.

My kids favorite dish at an Indian restaurant is the dessert.  After growing up in the South Pacific (Papua New Guinea), I can’t get enough coconut milk.  So, this is my version of rice pudding.  Lots of cardamon and sweet coconut.

Spiced Coconut Rice Pudding
2 cups cooked basmati rice
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
6 cardamon pods crushed
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup each sliced almonds and raisins (optional)

Remove the black seeds from inside the cardamon pod, crush them with a mortar and pestle. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients.  Cook on medium heat for about 20 mins, do not bring to a rolling boil, just simmer.  The mixture will thicken.  Remove the bay leaf.  Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Cardamon Pods

For this little feast, I really only made two of these dishes from scratch (and no one even knew), so really there was hardly any work involved.  Thank you World Market!  Here’s what I bought: Puppodoms, Coconut Milk, Chana Masala (Chick Pea Curry), Mango Chutney, Tandoori Rice, Milk Curry Paste, Tandoori Seasoning, and Basmati Rice.



I also picked up these traditional hammered stainless steal serving dishes.

I love a vegetable curry.  And once again, the coconut milk made an appearance.  This tasty curry is kid friendly and isn’t overly spicy.

Broccoli Coconut Curry
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1 garlic clove, chopped
3 tbsp. Mild Curry Paste
1/2 cup water
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite sized flowers
1/2 cup coconut milk

In a large fry pan or wok,saute the garlic and onion in the oil until they are tender.  Add the curry paste and cook for 1 min.  Add the water and stir.  Now add the bell pepper and broccoli.  Cook on medium heat, covered for about 10 mins (or until the broccoli is cooked to your liking).  Add the coconut milk, stir and remove from the heat.  Serve with rice.

Beef or chicken can easily be added to this curry dish, just cook the meat after the onions and garlic.  And if you are not a broccoli fan, substitute the vegetables for ones you prefer.  

Life of Pi is the story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper’s son, who survives a disaster at sea and is thrown into an epic journey. While adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another a fearsome Bengal tiger. The movie opened in theaters November 21, 2012. You can watch the trailer for Life of Pi here.
And you should definitely check out World Market’s Life of Pi Sweepstakes that runs from 11/17 – 12/28.
  • Grand Prize package includes: a dream trip for 2 to India and a $1,000 World Market Gift card. There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!
  • If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.
  • Enter online at http://worldmarketsweepstakes.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/worldmarket?fref=ts

You can find out more about World Markets by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.
“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own. http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE.

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Great Personalized Gifts

November 24, 2012

Black Friday – we braved the Mall for a bit today.  We didn’t get there till 11 am, so I think all the crazy shoppers had already gone home.  I really didn’t find anything that I just couldn’t live without.
Sometimes I think online shopping is just the way to go. There are some really great personalized gifts out there this year, and you don’t even have to leave the couch.  These great online stores have fabulous custom gifts for everyone.  I would happily take one of each of the gifts below.
I love the catalogue Red Envelope.  Over the years Lonnie has gotten me a couple great gifts from them and I’ve ordered gifts for others too.  They have the cutest personalized pillows, wall art and accessories this year.  

And of course, West Elm is always my favorite.  I love these simple monogramed linen napkins, this is not stuffy, fancy pants monograming.  It’s modern and crisp in white.  And these striped hand towels are pretty fun.

And how great are these photo iphone cases from Shutterfly?  The options are endless – they have every color, layout, pattern possible.  They are all under $30, that’s not anymore then the generic ones you can buy.  

Did you go black friday shopping?  And did you find any great deals?  

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Window Painting

November 21, 2012

I’ve kind have been fascinated with window painting.  I love when shops do a really great job with it.  Not the wild neon SALE signs, like actual art.  I have had plans to paint a wintery scene on my front window come Christmas time.  But, I thought I’d give it a test run for Thanksgiving.

One of my favorite blogs to read Wit and Whistle, posted about her DIY window art.  It was so absolutely lovely.  She used a chalk pen and traced her image and had fantastic results.

I decided I wanted to use a paint brush, so I bought a glass marker, pulled off the applicator top and just dipped a little brush in the paint.  I kept my first attempt very simple, so I just free hand painted on my lettering and leaves.  It was really easy and I’m excited to try something more elaborate for Christmas now.

Olivia was not impressed that I was outside without her.  She would much rather be outside most of the time. You can see her little face in the window.

We are heading to LA this afternoon.  We got a Hotel room for the night, so I think we’ll walk around Santa Monica tonight.  I need a West Elm fix.  We fly out to Idaho in the morning.  We get to spend Thanksgiving with Lonnie’s family, we are really excited.  I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.  I’m thankful for all my faithful readers.

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Chalk Board Gift Tags

November 19, 2012

I obviously can’t get enough of chalkboard paint.  I’ve painted eggsrocks, and walls with chalkboard paint. And this weekend I made these chalkboard gift tags.  I’ve decided I must love chalkboard because I’m a teacher and I miss having a classroom.  Or maybe I’m drawn to graphic and high contrast images.  That white on black does pop.

I wrote on these with a chalkboard paint pen to get the nice crisp lines.  I have plans to tie them to my Christmas gifts this year, and we’ll be able to use them year after year.  I also think they would look cute as ornaments on a Christmas tree.  And why not use them as napkin rings and write everyone’s name on them.

I even tied one around my Birch Wood Candle Holders with a nice little Thanksgiving message. My Fall decor this year is pretty minimal. Here’s a peak at my dining room. I have my candles on my Ikat Tray and on the buffet I filled some silver vases with dried wheat (that decorated with last year), and hung my little Fall Acorn Garland in front of the mirror.

I picked up the rectangle shaped wood pieces at Michaels.  They were in the wood section and cost only 29c each.  I also found the round wooden pieces at Michaels too, but they were in a package of 5 for about $3 and I had to drill the hole in them.  I painted them with one coat of chalkboard paint on each side and then tied some natural twine through them.

As you can see, I’m starting to get ready for Christmas. But, I just can’t post a “Christmas” post until after Thanksgiving. Is that weird? I just kind of think after Halloween, Thanksgiving is forgotten and people move on to Christmas a little too early. Believe me, I’m excited for Christmas, but let’s just have our turkey and pumpkin pie first. What are your thoughts?

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Birch Wood Candle Holders

November 16, 2012

It seems like I’m making or attempting to make things all the time.  My projects don’t always come out the way I envision them in my head, but this one’s a winner!  I LOVE how these turned out. 
When our birch tree died, I cut up some of the smaller branches and put them on our mantel in the living room.  I’ve been trying to figure out how to use the rest of the tree.  I decided some sort of candle stick or tea light holder would be great.  So, this is what I made.

Last week I started working on these candle holders.  I made them in sets of 3.  I cut an 8″, 6″ and 4″ piece of a branch and then I drilled out the top with a 1 1/2″ bit.  I had to figure out how to clamp them down for the drilling, so the I bought a large C clap, that only cost $12.  Then I just fit placed a tea light in each one.  Now when the candle burns out, I can just replace it with another one.  These are going to last for years and years.  I’m just so pleased with myself.  Do you ever do that?  Surprise yourself with a “Wow, I did it!”.

These are going to go really well with all my Christmas decor.  I have a lots of woodsy, pinecone and nature like decorations with some sparkle of course.  I love natural elements in my home.

I’m selling the sets at a craft fair tomorrow and my family might be getting some for Christmas.  Don’t birch trees just have the most beautiful bark?

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Thrifting Thursday: Miniature House

November 15, 2012

I picked up this little miniature house display for $1.  It was just so charming.  I decided I could make it into some sort of Christmas display.  I have these tiny bottle brush trees to start with, but I’ll be on the look out for more miniature thinks to put in it.  

Olivia really likes it.  She spent quite a while taking out the little trees and then putting them back in, over and over.

Do you think it has possibility?  Should I maybe paint it white or paint all the rooms different colors?  I’d love to hear your ideas.  

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Salt Dough Ornaments – How to video

November 14, 2012

Are you ready for Christmas?  Because I think it’s here.  I’ve heard Christmas carols in shops, I’ve had a red cup at Starbucks,  and there is definitely Christmas decorations everywhere.  I’ve put together a how-to video for one of my most popular posts, Salt Dough Ornaments.  These are easy and inexpensive to make. I hope you find this helpful.

I’m getting ready for our Church’s Craft Fair this weekend (Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene – 8am- 2pm, Sat. Nov 17th).  I’ll be there with lots of yarn wrapped wreaths, some of my prints and other little treasures.

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Give Thanks Plate

November 12, 2012

I had so much fun making my Ceramic Beakers that I’ve been looking for something else to paint on ever since.  Then I decided just a simple plate would be fun.  This Give Thanks plate was simply a dollar store white dessert plate.  Wouldn’t it be fun to make these for everyone’s slice of pumpkin pie?  But, it’s also just sweet as a decorative accessory.

I sketched out a couple ideas first on paper, so that I had a guide to follow.  I decided to add a leafy garland, similar to the one on my October Memory Verse.  And then as easy as could be, I just drew on my design with a Sharpie Oil-based Paint Pen.  Let it dry at least 24 hours and then it’s ready to go.

What other fun things could be written on plates for this Season?  I’ve been sketching acorns and bunches of wheat.  I’ll share some of my other designs with you soon.

If you like what you see, BE A FRIEND!  Leave a comment, follow Oleander and Palm by email, PinterestFacebook, or Twitter.

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Setting the Thanksgiving Table

November 9, 2012

How about something fresh for this year’s Thanksgiving table?  Here’s some of my fave finds for a crisp, clean Thanksgiving look.  I do love Fall colors, but I’m just drawn to simpler color palette right now.  If you remember, I shared how I was drawn to unique designs for Halloween with the modern pumpkins I made and found.

Be sure to visit these links and share some love with a friendly comment or some pinning.  Are you starting to think about Thanksgiving?  How do you like the decorate for this family feast?   

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Fall Acorn Garland

November 8, 2012

I recently saw a cute acorn garland at Paper Source.  I thought it would be a fun to make one for our home. Once Halloween is over, I’m not totally ready to dive into Christmas decor. I still like to enjoy a little Fall decor until Thanksgiving.  But, I am a tired of orange and black.  
This color combo is one of my faves – gold, grey and linen. Using a couple pieces of scrap booking paper (2 shades of grey, metallic gold and silver, linen, and glittered gold paper), I cut out 12 acorns and 12 acorn caps. I quickly drew an acorn template on Adobe Illustrator. I made it into a downloadable file for you too. Just print it off and cut away. I really did nothing fancy with the assembly. I just taped the two pieces of the acorn together ad then just taped them all to a piece of bakers twine.  
Get the free printable template and instructions HERE.

Are you still in the mood for Fall, or are you just ready for Christmas?  I’ve heard that people are playing Christmas carols already. I’m not there yet.  But I am starting to think about Christmas present shopping.

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