Making the Cut
November 29, 2017
Well, it’s time to cull through the stack of Christmas cookie recipes, hold some auditions and see who makes the cut. Sounds brutal, but editing to one selection keeps things simple while still keeping the holiday festive. Espresso Hazelnut Cookies, classic Shortbread and Walnut Horns are being edged out by a twist on last year’s selection…the Chewy Molasses Cookie. By pressing a thumbprint into the center of the cookies while they’re still warm from the oven and filling them with 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry preserves…well, they were simply the hands down winner.
Chewy Molasses Thumbprint Cookies. Chewy, spicy with a little extra Christmas magic.
Photos: gp
Over the River
November 26, 2017
What better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than to be cozied up in a simplequietmodern cabin in the woods? Picture it. You pull up to this simple shape clad in black corrugated, walk into the perfect interior combination of concrete and ply, toss a log on the fire and fall into the view. You’ve just gone from 60 to 0 in an instant, ready to sit back, relax and give some thought to Christmas and the month ahead.
Photos: Felix Michaud via http://remash.tumblr.com/post/167786260574/chalet-grand-pic-appareil-architecture-photos
Give Thanks
November 23, 2017
What a year so far. Terror, uncertainty…for some, unbelievable grief and sadness. Still, we set this day aside to give thanks and give thanks we will. With maybe an additional prayer that moving forward we lead by example, think before we speak and most importantly, simply do the right thing. Happy Thanksgiving.
Photo: gp
Setting the Table
November 18, 2017
And, what a table! In any configuration. As we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving let’s also continue to celebrate the design genius of Florence Knoll. Specifically the dining table group designed in 1961. Simple and elegant in proportion, these tables include shapes, sizes and finishes to perfectly anchor any space and satisfy every taste. Round, square, rectangular or oval…surfaces in laminate, wood or stone, sizing to seat four to ten…the options seem endless. What Thanksgiving feast wouldn’t look even better on any one of them?
Photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop/by-designer/florence-knoll
Chop Chop
November 12, 2017
Whether it’s prepping Thanksgiving dinner or simply assembling a turkey sandwich the next day there’ll be plenty of slicing and dicing going on. Why not pair your favorite chefs knife with this solid walnut Greenware cutting board by Jose’ Reguerio. Having the right tools makes any undertaking easier. Having beautiful tools simply elevates the experience to a new level.
Also available in solid Maple. Photos: http://joseregueiro.com/greenware/
No Time To Waste
November 9, 2017
With Christmas near upon us there is no time like now to get those Amaryllis potted up if you plan on incorporating them into your holiday decorating. If you enjoy giving them as gifts, presenting them now will ensure the receiver will be enjoying them during rather than after the holidays. The clock is ticking.
These selections from Terrain include classic white as well as more modern chartreuse and exotic varieties.
photos: https://www.shopterrain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.enhancedResults&searchString=Amaryllis
Turning Back the Clock
November 6, 2017
Daylight Saving Time just messes with me. The simple act of turning the clocks back each Fall seems simple enough, but the darkness that descends is just too much too early. It’s as if there is no longer a difference between AM and PM…it’s all the same…dark. Maybe that’s why breakfast for dinner is popular with so many. While pancakes or eggs might satisfy some, it’s not as comforting as I’d like after a long day. Enter the perfect mash-up of breakfast and supper…Pasta Carbonara. A simple combination of a few pantry staples; bacon and eggs, half and half, Parmesan and Italian parsley tossed with hot spaghetti has dinner on the table in as little time as it takes the pasta to cook. Now we’re talking. I’m feeling better about the time change already.
I tweeked this already simple recipe from Everyday Food, https://www.marthastewart.com/341240/spaghetti-carbonara, by using the great smoky Black Forest bacon from Whole Foods Market and halving the amount then adding a handful of coarsely chopped Italian parsley. Guess what just moved up into my Fall and Winter recipe rotation?
photos: gp
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