Ring It In
December 30, 2024
No matter how you plan on ringing in the New Year, there is always a place for a little something bubbly. Added to a simple menu of ” befores and afters”* and you have the makings of a great celebration, large group or small. Cheers to all of you that have checked in here this year. I am very grateful. Happy New Year!
Ya need glasses and these modern cylinder flutes are perfect.
Photo: CB2
You can’t go wrong with a classic Champagne Cocktail.
Someone is always asking if there will be Greek Meatballs, so yes, there will be.
Same goes for these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates.
Someone might be in the mood for a French 75. Photo: Epicurious
My personal Champagne accompaniment for as long as I can remember, classic Gougere.
As pretty as this is, as long as there’s Champagne it’s hard not to include a Bitter French. Photo: Epicurious
Made in advance and so easy to plate up, a Peppermint Semifreddo caps things off with the perfect sweet note.
*any combination of appetizers and desserts served instead of a traditional meal when entertaining. Unless noted, photos: gp
Fa La La La La ,
December 24, 2024
La La La La *. Merry Christmas.
photo: gp * Deck The Halls, lyrics by Thomas Oliphant 1862
I Was Thinking
December 23, 2024
Santa has been making his annual rounds for centuries with each stop providing a few carrots for the reindeer and a plate of festive cookies for the big guy. That’s a lot of sugar and a lot of carbs. Would Santa appreciate a treat that was a bit healthier? I think he would. Enter the Three Ingredient Shortbread , gluten free with no refined sugar. Tossed together quickly with butter, almond flour and maple syrup they will be done by the time that last favorite ornament is hung and your first Christmas Eve Manhattan is poured. Santa’s going to push you to the top of the Nice List for sure.
G’s Three Ingredient Shortbread
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix together 1 1/2 cups of fine almond flour and 1/2 stick of softened unsalted butter. Add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, a couple good pinches of kosher salt and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Cream all together with a wooden spoon until a dough comes together. If the dough seems dry, add an additional bit of maple syrup and if too moist, add a bit of almond flour. Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Sprinkle the tops with a pinch of turbinado sugar if desired and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake on center rack of oven for 12-15 minutes. Check the bottom of a cookie at 12 minutes. If it’s browning, take them out. The cookies will be pale even if the bottoms have color. Cool on the tray for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack to avoid breaking. Makes 10 cookies.
photos: gp
Here’s your punchlist
December 19, 2024
for celebrating the Winter Solstice which arrives this coming Saturday. And, what’s not to celebrate? Additional minutes of daylight each day until Spring? Yes, please.
Photo: Gardenista
Photo: Graypants
photo: Epicurious
Top to bottom:
As with any celebration a little something sparkling is a must, be it Champagne, Prosecco or sparkling water.
Then you need to deck the halls in true ancient form with a lovely collection of evergreens. My choice this year is white pine and yellow twig Dogwood.
Next, carry on tradition by building a roaring fire; outdoors, indoors or both!
White flowers to remind us of Spring is a must. I generally go for something of the bulb variety like white tulips but cut white Poinsettias or Helebores will do nicely and carry through to Christmas.
A simple supper of Spaghetti with Mixed Herbs reminds us of the season to come.
Additional ambient lighting is always appealing, from flickering candlelight to this modern LED candlestick, Wick.
This Brown Sugar Pavlova with its mixed berries brings the celebration to a sweet end.
Unless noted, photos by gp
What Are The Holidays Without Chocolate?
December 16, 2024
And, if your going for chocolate, why not go for the best? I first discovered Vermont’s Lake Champlain Chocolates year ago, picking up an occasional piece or small bar as a little personal indulgence. I quickly came to be a regular and headed to Lake Champlain chocolates whenever the holidays rolled around. Assorted holiday boxes, truffles or chocolate covered fruit and nuts, it was always hard to choose as everyone had their hands down favorite. The dark chocolate Evergreen Mint and Maple Crunch are my personal choice, but you can’t go wrong with a box of assorted truffles or almond butter crunch. The clocks ticking but there is still time to satisfy every sweet tooth on your list.
photos: Lake Champlain Chocolates
Still Lovin’ It
December 15, 2024
I loved this cast iron menorah when I first saw it over 10 years ago. And, I still love it today. This award winning design by artist Josh Owen will have you celebrating Hanukkah in simplequietmodern style for decades. I think we’re talking modern heirloom here.
photos: areaware
Low Cost, No Cost
December 11, 2024
While you’re waiting for your online purchases to show up you might start organizing your thoughts regarding your wrapping strategy. I am all for recycled and natural gift wrap, most notably with a modern edge. Softly rumpled Kraft paper or recycled newsprint tied up with natural sisal twine is my ” go to” any time of year. The addition of a foraged leaf or pine cone hit with a bit of gold metallic spray gives a decidedly festive shot of ” holiday”. Occasionally I’ll have saved up a bit of ribbon to add to the collection. There is nothing better than the contrast of an elegant double faced satin ribbon or grosgrain tying up a box wrapped in softly reused newsprint. And, in every case the cost for these wrappings is minimal if not free. This year I’ll be adding a little something new to the mix, matte wrapping paper in black and red and double faced satin ribbon to match, both currently on sale at CB2. I’m adding a package of gold metallic pine needles from Terrain as well, just to switch up my assortment of cones and leaves. These new additions will combine beautifully with my existing stash and make short work of a perfectly coordinated pile of presents.
Matte Black gift wrap photo: CB2
Matte Red Gift Wrap photo: CB2
Red Satin Ribbon photo: CB2
Gold Metallic Pine Needles photo: Terrain
Black Satin Ribbon photo: CB2
A little Winterberry couldn’t hurt either. Who wouldn’t love an intense red on red on red combo?
Unless noted, photos: gp
Thoughts?
December 6, 2024
Yeah, I’ve got nothing. After the year the world has just experienced, an international panel of color experts has come up with Mocha Mousse as the Pantone 2025 Color of the Year.
Ok. Yeah, still, I have nothing.
Image: Pantone
Looks Like Christmas
December 4, 2024
While I might just be the only one left who prefers whipping things up with a whisk, stirring things up with a wooden spoon or kneading dough by hand, this KitchenAid Artisan Design Series Stand Mixer might have me rethinking my position. I don’t like a cluttered kitchen countertop which is where this machine will surely make it’s home. And the clean-up discussion we’ll save for another day. But, look at it. It just looks like Christmas with it’s matte Evergreen finish and gorgeous walnut bowl. I’m getting a vision of cranking out a big batch of gingerbread in some upstate farmhouse. How bout you?
KitchenAid Artisan Series Evergreen Stand Mixer photo: Crate and Barrel
photo: Crate and Barrel
Photo: Crate and Barrel
Unless otherwise noted photos by gp
simplequietmodern 