Wipe Your Feet

September 24, 2018

It’s Fall. We’ll be reluctantly moving our lives back indoors, dragging along any and all types of dirt, dust or yard debris. To the rescue is a simplequietmodern favorite, a no border, plain woven cocoa fiber doormat. This dense woven fiber with its natural mold and mildew resistant properties, will trap and hold dirt and debris below the surface of its deep pile. Most commonly used in commercial settings, cocoa fiber mats are a perfect choice for the most heavily trafficked areas at home, indoors and out.

Mats are available in standard sizes from 2×3′ to 6×12′, as well as custom sizing. Classic natural cocoa fiber tan, as well as six additional colors, all have the 3/4″ woven fibers secured in a heavy-duty vinyl backing. I’ve decided that the charcoal, both at the front door and in front of the kitchen sink, should keep things tidy enough.

photos: https://www.americanfloormats.com/cocoa-mats

 

I Didn’t Know Jack

September 17, 2018

Jackfruit. I had no idea that this Asian superfood is an everyday staple in South and Southest Asia. Used in both its green and ripe forms, from savory dishes to desserts, Jackfruit is a great source of protein, potassium, calcium and iron. Benefits of eating JackFruit include improved energy, regulated blood pressure and better cardiovascular health, improved digestion, cancer prevention and enhanced vision. That said, I thought it was time to try to integrate some Jackfruit into my Meatless Monday rotation. My early simple plan was to cook it up in barbecue sauce as a pork-less pulled pork. Then I got sidetracked by a suggestion from one of the guys at my local Trader Joe’s to use it in place of crab in crab cakes. That did it, I was off and running. Starting with the crab cakes, I offered the first couple of test batches to friends. Their response was unanimous …” Wow, these are fantastic”. Who’s going to argue with that?

Then I went back to my original thought and whipped up a little faux “pulled pork” using Trader Joe’s recipe and their Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce and Marinade. Could not have been simpler. Piled on a brioche bun topped with some slaw and chopped onion?  Another meatless Monday winner. See for yourself. Looks just like pulled pork, doesn’t it? Recipe here: https://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/lunch/pulled-jackfruit-sandwich

Photos:gp

 

Yeah, Baby

September 14, 2018

Nothing like a good sale, right? Now that it’s Fall and we’re all starting to move back inside it’s the perfect opportunity to get inspired and save a little in the process.

The Knoll Annual Sale runs from September 14-25 offering 15% off and free delivery on all furniture. A great opportunity to treat yourself to a classic, like the Saarinen Executive Arm or Side Chair, or explore some of their new textile introductions like Double Agent shown in Vocabulary (top) and Embassy (bottom). I’m thinking this large scaled 60’s inspired plaid might be just what’s needed to take the chill off.

photos: https://www.knoll.com

 

so it might be a good idea, to honor those lost that day, for the country to come together now. Just a thought.

9/11  Never forget.

 

 

photo: gp

 

Like A Blur

September 10, 2018

One minute it was the 4th of July and the next it’s nearly the middle of September. I know it was Summer because it was plenty hot, but it came and went like a steamy blur. I guess a heavy schedule had me focusing daily on the seasons simplest pleasures, squeezing some Summer fun into every day. And, now that Fall is growing closer, I’m glad I did.

Top to bottom:

The best peach ever tossed to me one day at lunch. Does it get any better or simply scream Summer than a big ripe juicy peach?

A little maintenance on the  climbing Hydrangea and hedges, and the addition of some new annual material had the yard pulled together in no time.

Visiting the farmers markets regularly for local Midwest Gladiolus and vegetables. The glads make a simple modern statement for 2-3 bucks and will last all week. The locally  grown produce, when transformed into G’s Chow Chow, will carry that Summer brightness right into Fall.

For the recipe…https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/06/16/quite-the-pickle/

A little daydreaming on a summer afternoon never hurt. I seemed to frequently drift to visions of a small Modern house in the desert. This one looks just right.   Photo: https://www.thrillist.com/home/gorgeous-prefab-homes-and-cheapest-land-for-sale-in-every-state-for-building

Six years old…Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000.  While he was treated to his favorite mixed berry treats, cake for his friends and fans is definitely in order. And what could be more fitting of the Puli personality and sense of humor than a modern naked take on a confetti cake from Milk Bar? Photo: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/momofuku-milk-bars-birthday-layer-cake

Linen in Summer, wool for Fall. The best qualities of both can be found in Flax Down and Linen Quill Yarn from Purl Soho. These three skeins in Kettle Black will produce their Swath Wrap, the perfect transition to Fall and Winter.  Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/

photos: gp (unless otherwise noted)