Take a deep breath.

April 7, 2013

You can smell it. Spring …the Earth waking up.Time for a big stretch and to clear out Winter’s congestion…first in your environment which will precipitate a release of your physical congestion. It’s time for some fresh air…a fresh approach…a fresh project…a fresh outlook.yelcarn6Flamb_garnista_

Photo above by Theodora Wayte via Gardenistapixiewhtbnkt__purl

Purl Soho’s modern knit blanket in white…photo by Purl http://www.purlbee.com/bulky-knitt-pixie-dust-blanket/espadrlF

Donghia Textiles Espadrille  stripehttp://www.donghia.com/collections/textileschcks2FbRENTANO_EPINGLR_yelF

What’s new at Brentano Fabrics…Tempo http://www.brentanofabrics.com/whatsnew/nw_201302.aspxCopy of Leaves_gray_anat

Leaves scan thanks to Anat Rodan at http://anatrodanblog.blogspot.com/

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Brentano Fabrics Wool Epingle http://www.brentanofabrics.com/fabrics/aspargus3F

Deep green color…great ruffled texture…amazing versatility and ,wait for it,   good    for   you.  Who knew this powerhouse of the leafy greens possessed an unending list of benefits… vitamins and minerals, anti-inflammatory properties, Omega 3’s…and on. If you haven’t been cooking with Kale, start with something simple like this Lemony Kale Salad. The ingredient list is shorter than short…Kale, shaved Parm and Hazelnuts…and the dressing is a simplequietmodern basic…lemon juice and olive oil. You can’t beat it for keeping on track with your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, look better, live longer.kale3Fhzlntz2FlmnyKALEsld2FlmnyKALEsldF

 For the Martha Stewart recipe go here, http://www.marthastewart.com/342168/lemony-kale-salad 

and for the complete list of the incredible health benefits of Kale, go here http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4408/Top-10-Health-Benefits-of-Eating-Kale.html

Hippity hoppity…

March 23, 2013

Easter’s on its way. Now’s the time to gather some sweet treats while the store shelves are packed with your childhood favorites…malted milk eggs ( the original sweet & salty), jelly beans and ( they better only be yellow and shaped like chicks) Peeps… and start getting your list together for Easter brunch, lunch or dinner. Simple glass cylinder bowls filled with sprouted wheat grass will make modern and cost-effective centerpieces with the addition of  cracked egg shells and a few pastel jelly beans and a leather handled galvanized bucket would be the perfect Easter Basket if not otherwise put to use keeping wine chilled. Shake up your usual deviled egg recipe with a touch of cornichon or capers and consider a simple dessert of spring berries and Italian Almond Cookies.  That was easy. You have a look,  the ” befores and afters”…all you need to do now is decide on the main course. grssEgg5FgrssEgg10FgrssEgg8rbneggsFCopy of pnkhyacFpeepsFmain_hero_fullwidth_height_casa-midy-orange-bucketdvleggs5Fstrwbrry2FCopy of easteralmndcookiesFitalianalmondcookiesLeather handled galvanized bucket byCasamidy@ CASAMIDY.COM photo of  bucket by casamidy.

I ♥ Fattoush

March 13, 2013

Really, you’d think I was Lebanese or something.  It’s the Sumac… the Middle Eastern spice… that gives Fattoush its distinctive character. I eat it all year round but it just tastes better when the weather is still cold, like a quick Mediterranean vacation. The assortment of crunchy vegetables, herbs, crisp pita and simple dressing is just what’s needed to lift your spirits on a gray March day. Not a minute too soon, I think  it’s time for lunch.FtoushDressngINGFFtoushVegsFFatoushDnFg's fatoush recipeFatoushDn2F

Who wants pie?

February 24, 2013

It held me in good stead as a decorative object from early fall right through the holidays. Now this gorgeous Winter squash, the Hubbard, is about to be transformed into a simple comforting treat. This recipe for Brown Sugar Hubbard Squash Pie claims to be heartier and more flavorful than canned pumpkin, but equally creamy. Even with the added process of cutting this monster up and baking it off into the master roasted squash puree could not have been simpler or more economical.  One finished pie down and there is enough puree to freeze that will make 4 more or anything else you can conjure that requires cooked squash…Gnochi, Soup, Lasagna?  That said, the end result looks fantastic. I think it’s time to put on some coffee and start cuttin’. Copy of hbbrdsqsh2FCopy of bkdHbbrd2FpiePrepFpiePourF

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Cupid Cooks

February 9, 2013

OK, here’s the plan. After a quick trip for a well priced Brut Rose’, start with Gougere, always the perfect accompaniment to a dry sparkling wine. Follow with a dinner of  roast cornish game hen, orzo with peas and mint and finish with an Afogatto of coffee ice cream topped with espresso and some toasted almonds ( or, as shown here,with a shard of  Brulee Almond Brittle) for dessert. The Gougere can be made the weekend prior and frozen until needed. Roast the game hens while you’re making the orzo over a glass or two of wine.  Now, how simple was that? A  mid-week celebration that took no more time than a regular weeknight dinner.brtroseFgougepltTWOF https://simplequietmodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/inas-gougere.jpgorzoWpeasNmintFgamehenVdayFbrntalmdbrttlFaffogatow_brttl4FValDayGameHenrecipe

Chemex…modern then,

February 6, 2013

modern now. The simplequietmodern way to a great cup (or two if you have the time).You love it when they offer you a “pour over” at Starbucks…well, Chemex has been offering that tasty option since it’s introduction in1942.Included in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian, the Chemex Coffee Maker has found its permanent home in the annals of  modern and industrial design. Why a Keurig when this can do the trick at a fraction of the price and without the  landfill waste that comes along with it… plastic pods, cardboard packaging, etc?   So go grab yourself a bag of beans…it might just be time to revisit this timeless symbol of gracious living and brew yourself a cup.Chemexhistory_schlumbohm_07_largeChemexhistory_sugar_01_large

http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/chemex/history.html

The Homies 2013

February 4, 2013

Apartment Therapy’s 5th Annual Homies…and simplequietmodern has been nominated in the category of  “Best Home Design And Inspiration Blog”. It’s pretty exciting. The voting will continue until February 8, 2013. For those of you that follow and have voted…a big Thank You. If you’d like to cast you vote now, please do and feel free to share sqm with your friends and associates. There’s always something new here, and as I like to say…simplequietmodern… read it, learn it, live it

homiescrop2113http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-home-design-inspiration-blog-the-homies-2013-183531#nominate

Pumpkin X 2 Part 2

January 28, 2013

Before you forget you have it, it’s time to put that pumpkin puree that was left over from the earlier soup recipe to good use. We’ve made it through January so why not treat everyone with a batch of these Iced  Pumpkin Cookies. A soft drop cookie with no fancy ingredients…you probably have everything you need in the pantry. And, if you leave out the machinery and stir these up by hand, they are not only simple, but quiet as well.pumpkcookiereciprev

Bowled Over

January 22, 2013

I  was recently put to the task of finding for a client something made of wood for the center of their Saarinen dining table. In keeping with the classic mid-century aesthetic of the home I immediately thought of a Dansk bowl or tray of some type  because of the classic modern lines that Dansk produced in wood…particulary in the 60’s and 70’s. I thought I knew exactly what I was going to find until I stumbled upon this piece…I had never seen it before. In this beautiful pale finish it would complement the pale wood veneered walls of the dining area as well as the Calacatta marble top on the table, with its pale tan and gray variegation. The softly sculpted sloping shoulder on the thick wall of the bowl created an object that was elevated far above “salad bowl” status while mimicking the shape of the George Nelson Bubble Lamp hanging above it. Even though it was designed and produced to serve up a mean Caesar, I love the way it looks empty.That was simple.Danskbowlwood2_theOverstkCopy (2) of orgcrnsmrnoFCopy of gldmnDR4F

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dansk-Torq-White-Wood-Bowl/7300604/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}