Just in Time
March 24, 2020
Just as you might be getting a little stir crazy with the ever growing ” stay in place” orders there comes a bright spot to break things up. A little ahead of schedule, and thankfully so, is the Heath Ceramics Summer Seasonal collection. With all of this Covid-19 madness who couldn’t benefit from a little bit of bright Summer color? It’s just whats needed to brighten up a gray day or our gray mood. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite as I am generally partial to neutrals. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. New glazes like Grove, Wave and Desert might be just what the doctor ordered. So, take a spin through the collection online and get inspired, treat yourself or maybe someone else who needs a lift during these unusual times. Yep…feeling better already.
Photos: https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/summer-seasonal-2020
If social distancing has you…
March 17, 2020
dining alone, I’m here to help. Nothing washes over you like a big hug than a comforting bowl of pasta. And, what’s even better is when that pasta dish can be made with just a few pantry ingredients you most likely have on hand. Add in one pot and ten minutes and you’re reading to dig in. Really, it’s just that simple.
Start with a small saucepan with a tight fitting lid. Over medium heat melt a tablespoon of butter and add 4 oz. of orzo pasta tossing to coat. Continue to stir until pasta just starts to toast up. Add 1 cup chicken stock and a good grind of black pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for ten minutes. Set your timer and check at ten minutes, continue cooking a couple of minutes more if necessary until all of the liquid is absorbed. Plate up and dress with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired. That’s it. Done and done. No need to guild the lily here, no Parmesan necessary. How easy was that? All that’s left to do is grab the remote and settle in for a little binge watching.
The original recipe from Sue Krietzman can be found here. https://food52.com/recipes/75234-sue-kreitzman-s-lemon-butter-angel-hair-pasta
While it calls for angel hair pasta, I have found it to work as well if not better with my favorite, orzo, or regular spaghetti broken into 2-3 inch pieces.. Any pasta shape can be used, just adjust the liquid and cooking time as needed.
photos: gp
Lead By Example
March 15, 2020
As this Corona Virus situation was beginning to unfold, I have to say how unbelievably impressed I was with the NBA response to keep their people and their fans safe and healthy. What followed quickly were other sports and entertainment outlets following suit. It’s a crazy, uncertain time to be sure so I think it’s important to follow their lead and lead by their example. While social distancing is going to take a little getting used to, it will be doable. We all need to take a deep breath, check in on each other and use some common sense. Hysterical runs on the big box stores for bottled water and elbowing your neighbor for that last pack of toilet paper helps no one. Panic benefits no one. We have managed through worse…we will get through this.
Let’s start by washing our hands. Â
photo: gp
If it’s March…
March 13, 2020
it’s time for Daffodils. The birth flower for March, nothing can make a simple, more cheerful, Spring-like statement like they can. And, while they’re still available, the Heath Ceramics bud vase is perfect for displaying these shots of vibrant color. I’m thinking multiple vases grouped for mass appeal or scattered about to spread the wealth with their electricity and gentle fragrance. Better act fast, this bud vase in Zinc, from the 2019 Heath Winter Seasonal Collection, is only available until the end of this month. Could a handful of Daffs help you or a friend deal with the new uncertainty of dealing with Covid-19? It couldn’t hurt.
Daffodil photos: gp
Heath bud vase photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019
Look Familiar?
March 10, 2020
Imagine my surprise when I noticed the uncanny resemblance of the pattern on Knoll’s new Billow wall covering and the sample knit of my homespun newsprint yarn from several years ago. Inspired by the fiber arts and large scale knits in particular, this new release for 2020, with it’s allover organic pattern, is the perfect backdrop for any modern commercial or residential environment. While Billow is available in ten colorways, from light and bright to dark, my personal favorite is ” Inkwash” shown below. It doesn’t get any more simplequietmodern than that.
Newsprint knit photo: gp
Billow photos: https://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Billow
Simple Makeover
March 2, 2020
It might not be where you cook, but rather what you cook in that needs addressing. Before you start ripping out cabinets and knocking down walls you might take a look at that mixed and unmatched collection of pots and pans of yours. Sure, everyone means well when they pass a piece off to you and it’s sometimes fun to pick up a saucepan at a garage sale because ” it was only two dollars”, but really, isn’t it time for some grown-up cookware? I think it is. And, this matte black vitreous enamel collection from Crane Cookware will satisfy your simplequietmodern sensibilities. Designed in London and cast in France this group is free of cadmium, PFOA, PTFE and lead, is 100% Vitreous enameled, is made of 30% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable. The Saute’, frying pans and casserole have ergonomically designed handles and will move seamlessly from any cooktop to oven to table. All things considered, you might still want to redo the kitchen but it might take on a new simplicity if you start here as your inspiration.
photos: https://www.cranecookware.com/
simplequietmodern 