Worth the Wait
May 4, 2015
April showers bring May flowers…indeed. Looking like some sweet floral confection, these pink Parrot Tulips prove that Spring is definitely worth the wait.
photos:gp
In like a Lion…
April 9, 2015
out like a punch in the face. As if another brutal Winter and fourteen weeks in a sling with a fractured wrist and elbow weren’t quite enough fun for one season…Bam!… a two-week bout with some new strain of Spring virus. I might be delirious or just have cabin fever…or, it might be that I just can’t seem to get warm that has me dreaming of the desert. Any desert, the hotter and drier the better. Ahhh…I can almost feel the sunlight baking the chill right out of me.
top to bottom:
A simple branch parched by the sun and sanded smooth by blowing sands. photo: gp
A T shirt and linen pants. What else do you need to loll around on a 100 degree day?http://madebymuku.blogspot.com/
Ocotillo, or Devil’s walking stick. I’ll have to wait for my get-a-way in the desert to put it’s sculptural qualities to good use.http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/trans-p/nature/images/ocotillo.html
Georgia O’Keefe knew simplequietmodern when she saw it in her Abiquiu home and studio early in the last century. Not hard to get inspired here I’m sure. http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/abiquiu-home–studio.html
“Sitting quietly,
March 19, 2015
doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” *
*Lao Tzu
photo:gp
PS
March 12, 2015
Crack the cover and you’re almost there. Close your eyes for a second and feel the hot desert air. Palm Springs…get-a-way to the rich and famous for decades documented in this reissue of Palm Springs Modern:Houses in the California Desert. Explore the best examples of midcentury design at its most glamourous from the 1940’s to the 60’s. This could be the best spring break ever at $40.
http://www.rizzoliusa.com/book.php?isbn=9780847844104
Phil or no Phil…
February 1, 2015
shadow or no shadow…the official first day of Spring is still the 20th of March. Mother Nature has her own schedule and if past Winters have taught us anything, there is no point in forcing the issue. You can, however use the next six weeks to get a jump on any new design plan , changes or additions you’ve been contemplating for your yard and garden. To soften Winters grip right now, arm yourself with a pair of pruners, head out and gather up an armful of Forsythia or Quince branches to force into bloom indoors.
photos:gp
There’s no time like now,
January 27, 2015
to zero in on a new pair of sunglasses. Or, more accurately, eye protection. Could they get any more simplequietmodern that this? Handsome wood frames in ebonized cherry…black polarized lenses offering 100% UV protection…made to order…and, made in the USA. San Francisco based Capital Eyewear has covered all the important bases here with Alex.
It goes without saying…
January 5, 2015
there’s gonna be cake.What celebration would be complete without it? And today, on the occasion of simplequietmodern completing its third year, this Walnut Variation, found on Food 52, seems to be the perfect combination of cake and dacquoise. A toast to you today as well…my readers, followers and friends…who take the time to stop by, get inspired, leave a comment and inspire me. I’m always surprised by what articles or photographs have been the most popular and favored by you each year. In 2014 it looks like you’ve surprised me again with black fences, quinoa kale and pear salad and baby Jaxon. So with a pop of the cork let’s see what year four has in store.
Walnut Variation: A Cake : photo and recipe via Food52 http://food52.com/recipes/28118-the-walnut-variation-a-cake
Black Fences photo: via Gardenista. revisit the post here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=black+fences
Quinoa , Kale and Pear Salad photo: gp Revisit the recipe here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=pear+and+quinoa+salad
baby Jaxon photo: gp
Like an Early Gift
December 21, 2014
Today marks the Winter Solstice…the longest night of the year. And, in the morning, the rebirth of the sun. Each day grows lighter, guiding us through Winter with the promise of Spring. Definitely a reason to celebrate by decking the halls, building a roaring fire inside or a bonfire out and enjoying a little reminder of what’s to come.
Where’s that list?
December 12, 2014
I find it’s easy to refer back to gifts that I have received and have enjoyed when trying to come up with a gift idea for someone else. While most of them could easily fall into that “stocking stuffer” category budget wise, you’ll hear down the road that their impact was greater than something more extravagant. Really…it’s the small things that make the difference, don’t you think?
A journal or sketch book…always a clean sheet at hand. The perfect place to record a thought, a plan, a sketch, a dream.
Ras el Hanout…Mix up a batch of this Moroccan spice blend from the recipe found here.http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/ras-el-hanout While great in meat, vegetable and cous cous recipes, you might include this recipe for Roasted Cauliflower soup to get things started. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/2012/10/roast-cauliflower-soup/
Heath holiday tall modern cups…ruby red inside, red suede outside. Peppermint hot chocolate will feel right at home, as would coffee, tea or a fistful of tulips or winterberry. You’ll be thought of with every use.
Clementines, cloves and snow…really. “Winter” fragrance 3 wick candle at Bath and Body Works.
Deerskin gardening gloves…indispensible. Protection for your hands when gardening or to keep in the car in the event you make an unplanned stop at the nursery. I’m never without a pair…or two.
Luxurious yarn in a gift card from Purl Soho, Jimmy Beans Wool or Yarn.com. Who wouldn’t be excited with a gift of cashmere, merino wool or alpaca? And, for the fiber freak…it’s all about the picking. It’s almost like two gifts.
The mini wisk. I received this one as a gift years ago and it’s still in my top 5 favorite utensils.
The “Ropey”…who’s special kid wouldn’t love a new one?
Modern cup photo: Heath Ceramics. All other photos: gp
low cost / no cost
December 9, 2014
As you start stockpiling your gift purchases also start giving some thought to your gift wrap while a treasure of free materials is staring you in the face. The crisp white tissue, softly rumpled newsprint and” green” packing materials are a great place to start getting creative. And, at no cost. The addition of a $2 ball of sisal twine and a few found objects…twigs, leaves, cones…will have you presenting gifts that will be almost too pretty to open.
Top to bottom:
Softly rumpled newsprint bound with sisal twine says simplequietmodern Christmas to me.
Maple and Oak leaves, free in nearly every yard if you want a little something extra.
The graphic black and white images of Korean comics are fun tied up with smooth white crochet cotton…just pennies at an Asian market.
Whisper thin red pine veneer from Habu Textiles makes an unforgettable impression when complimented with a simple tie of raffia and a hand marbled note. http://habutextiles.com/NK-6
If you’re looking for an extra bit of “holiday” in your presentation…give your completed packages a quick shot of gold paint. Psst…done. And gorgeous.
all photos: gp
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