May your days be merry and bright…
December 24, 2012
and may all your Christmases be*….well, all that you wish them to be.
Merry Christmas.
*Irving Berlin
Midwinter
December 21, 2012
Odd name for the Winter solstice which is actually the first day of the season. Call it what you will, it is absolutely my most favorite of days. It marks the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight but signals the slow, steady increase in daylight hours as we move into spring. Sure, it might not seem like a big thing to you but trust me, if you live anywhere near the midwest, you will immediately notice that the sky has not gone to pitch at 4:45 in the afternoon. There is a feeling of hope…yes, that spring is just one season away. So, celebrate with me if you care to, with anything ( hell, everything ) that reminds you of spring… and relish every extra minute of daylight.
Gougere…I think it’s French for
December 18, 2012
really simple, really impressive. A basic Choux pastry flavored with cheese, Gougere is the savory version of a cream puff. Traditionally served with Champagne or a glass of wine, these two bite wonders are perfect for holiday entertaining. Make ’em now…freeze ’em…pull ’em out and reheat when you need ’em…anytime someone stops by or pops a cork.
Your holiday signature…
December 17, 2012
create it. It’s a simplequietmodern statement that will be fondly remembered year after year by your friends and family. It also simplifies the task of readying your home for the onslaught of revelers each Christmas in the midst of a carrying on with the rest of your busy life. It could be a signature menu for a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day supper that folks look forward to every year … vases of assorted Winter greenery and white tulips, narcissus or Amaryllis to usher in Midwinter…the offering of a signature cocktail like a smart Christmas Manhattan with a splash of Marachino juice…illuminating your Christmas Eve with candle light and a roaring fire exclusively or, simply keeping a bowl full of seasonal Clementines within easy reach. No matter the direction, when repeated every year it will not only become second nature, easily the first thing on and then checked off your holiday to-do list, it will signal the arrival of your Christmas and another season of memories you created simply…seemingly effortlessly.
starting at the top:
White Mink Protea with cut white Pine and Magnolia branches will last for weeks.
Clementines,traditionally the original stocking stuffer, for that blast of vitamin C and natural sweetness.
Nature provided Cardinal’s nest and a scattering of vintage glass ornaments.
“No Brainer” Gingerbread Brownies will kick off the season perfectly. You can find the recipe here:http://www.ohbiteit.com/2012/11/gingerbread-brownies.html
There is nothing like roast pork to anchor your holiday dinner. This lesson from Martha can be found here:http://www.marthastewart.com/920465/bone-pork-loin# My preference is to have the butcher tie two boneless loins together and simply season with garlic and caraway seed.
If you’re not able to secure white tulips you should have no difficulty finding white Phalanopsis orchids in plant form that will last well into the New Year.
Sorting through your collection of mid-century vintage ornaments and separating them in groups of like color can make a modern statement as you revisit and display them each year.
*photo of the roast from Martha Stewart Living
The Dreaded Gift Exchange
December 16, 2012
Dirty Santa, Yankee Swap, Chinese Auction…you know them…you have come to hate them. C’mon, it’s Christmas…and there is really no getting around them. So how about a fresh take? Keep your dollar amount to ten and keep the gifts limited to something consumable. At first thought it seems like it can’t be done but these limitations provide the incentive to really crank up (or down) the creavitity factor. I’ve used this format for family gatherings and everyone , from teens to the oldest generation, had a blast. Oddly enough the shopping portion seemed to be the most fun for everyone…resulting in items like smoked sea salt, Amish butter, vintage sodas and an assortment of Hostess pastries ( which to me was the funniest). In the end, when all of the picking, swapping,opening and trading is done everyone will have had a great time, no one went into debt and no one had to make a trip to the Dollar Store. Yippee!
Small plates…
December 14, 2012
Appetizers…Bocas…or simply snacks, a single hor d’oeuvre or an assortment can be a prelude to dinner or actually be dinner. Grazing for me has always been preferable to the large meal. “Befores and afters” make for simple uncomplicated entertaining during the holidays. Small plates , when given a little thought before hand, can be gathered or prepared ahead in many cases leaving you free to enjoy hosting a smart soiree without a pocket full of Xanax. The relaxing task of preparing one item, quince paste for example, can be done a few days in advance and the accompanying bread, Manchego cheese, olives and Marcona almonds can be gathered in one quick stop at the market. Some wine and perhaps something of chocolate and you are ready to entertain a handful of friends on the fly any night of the week. 
I used the recipe for the Quince Paste ( Menbrillo) here:http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/membrillo_quince_paste/
Dear Santa,
December 11, 2012
…I’ve been pretty good. I’m just sayin’.
Stop the madness.
December 8, 2012
Well, at least the cookie madness. Where is it written that one must make dozens of variety of Christmas cookies to have a festive holiday? It’s tempting, sure, when they are pictured everywhere starting in October, luring you in with their exotic ingredients or a clever (?) twist on the classic. Well, keep it simple and keep your sanity. Limit your cookie baking to one or two recipes that you’ve made before, are familiar with and that you know your family and friends enjoy. These Hazelnut Espresso cookies from the kitchens at Everyday Food are at the top my list. And, even though I could make them all year-long, I keep them as a special holiday treat along with a simple shortbread or Ina’s Rugelach.
http://www.marthastewart.com/341852/hazelnut-espresso-cookies
If you’d like to receive it…
December 5, 2012
chances are you know someone who would like to receive it as well. Small personal indulgences are a great start when putting together your gift list. Most of us have what we want or need but sometimes hesitate when it comes to purchasing for ourselves something small that is pure pleasure. These are exactly the items we need to help get us through tough economic times…or really just take the edge off, no matter how simple. When gifted, items like those I have selected here are really most welcome. And, to make a simplequietmodern exercise of it, see if you can select an item that crosses age and gender lines and purchase in multiples. That was easy…check , check , check and check… four down…
Small batch Ginger Syrup for a kick ass Moscow Mule.http://www.morriskitchen.com/product-lists/ginger-syrup
Something “green” for the skin touched with the essence of Winter.http://www.shopterrain.com/gifts-under-50/winter-greens-bath-collection/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
A holiday bud vase providing that great shot of red everyday of the year.http://www.heathceramics.com/cook-dine/bud-vase.html
The perfect ice cream bowl in a quiet matte glaze. http://www.heathceramics.com/cook-dine/cafe-bowl.html#p68
From where the craze started, Sprinkles, gourmet cupcake mixes.http://www.sprinkles.com/cupcake-gifts/cupcake-mix/
Modern wooden spreaders to spread it around.http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/search/search.jsp?searchPhrase=wooden+spreaders
Bourbon barrel maple syrup to glaze up some bacon.http://mikuni.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/tonic-01-tuthilltown-bourbon-barrel-matured-maple-syrup
Purl Soho Learn to Knit kit. If they’re knitting, they’re not texting you.http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2012/11/13/new-purl-sohos-learn-to-knit-kit.html
It’s a miracle…
December 2, 2012
and it’s a boy! How this happened is just bigger than I could have imagined. Grandson of Jack, son of Jaxx…brother of my Buddy, nearly a twin (11 years later) right down to the tiny white tuft on that ball of black fluff. Unbelievable. And, I am unbelieveably grateful. Baby Jaxon.
simplequietmodern 