To cut…or not to cut.
November 18, 2014
Could this be the year for a living Christmas tree? I know it always sounds like a good idea and your “green” intentions are always good, but somehow in the crush of it all, those good intentions take a back seat to the easiest, last-minute option. Well, take a some time to think about it now and I’ll get ya on the right path…avoiding that 11th hour visit to the tree lot or a pre-lit artificial produced in China. Many local garden centers in your area are offering potted spruce, pines and firs specifically sized for use indoors. After you’ve made your selection you need to ascertain the final planting location and pre-dig the hole before the ground freezes. My nursery suggested no more than 14 days use indoors, with gentle watering every other day, keeping the tree in a temperate location and using only cooler mini lights or LED s for illumination. Planting your tree on New Years day might even start another new tradition. While that row of perfect firs is gorgeous, my choice…Eastern White Pine. That was simple.
You might pay a visit here for additional information.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2017.html
Artful Departure
October 29, 2014
Halloween. I don’t get the fascination. ” Christmas ” lights in purple and orange, tacky decorations and even tackier costumes all based on the annual preoccupation with death and dying and all things “spooky”. The Dia de los Muertos is something else completely…honoring and celebrating the lives of those who have passed and staring death straight in the face. I’m all for that. It wouldn’t hurt to have an exit strategy in place before it’s your turn to shuffle off and save yourself from being interred in a location of someone elses choosing in a recepticle that is, well, lacking. A little preplanning can insure your artful departure.
A couple of simplequietmodern options to consider to put the final puntuation on a life well lived:
Tom Kundig’s ” Final Turn” blackened steel funerary urn http://lundgrenmonuments.com
Space burial via Conastoga: http://www.celestis.com/conestogaFlight.asp
There’s something to be said…
October 26, 2014
for the restorative powers of the simplest task. Who knew that the autumnal tradition of raking leaves could be as cleansing as meditation? After a weeklong barrage of premeditated nastiness and disrespect ( yes, I’ve had better weeks ) I look forward to a crisp Sunday afternoon with Jaxon, my rake and my burn pile…an unbeatable combination to help regroup, rethink and get something accomplished. Yep, that’s better.
Soups On
October 20, 2014
Changes in weather…changes in schedule…additional Fall projects…all have me in need of a little break and a little grounding. I can’t think of anything better to get me back on track and slow me down than a big bowl of soup. And if it’s simple…even better. Marcella Hazan’s recipe for Venetian style Rice and Smothered Cabbage soup fits the bill perfectly with just a few simple ingredients. If you plan ahead, prepare enough cabbage to have as a side, then transform the rest into the soup
The recipe can be found here:http://food52.com/recipes/27213-marcella-hazan-s-rice-and-smothered-cabbage-soup photos: gp
Now that it’s Fall…
October 5, 2014
what’s inspiring you?
top to bottom:
The scale of this burlap weave gives some indication of how tiny this found nest actually is. What might you discover on a walk around your yard or neighborhood? And, if you have an idea as to what small bird called this home, let me know.
The local farm stands are loaded with the seasons bounty. Skip the crowds at the cider mill and pick up an armload of beets, take ’em home and roast ’em up or turn them into a soup for the week ahead.
A chill in the air calls for wool…maybe a cap…maybe in hand dyed Autumn reds.
Starting to collect and recycle packaging materials now will save you from picking up a few tacky rolls of gift wrap closer to the holidays. I’m thinking this expanded kraft paper is going to be the perfect addition to my classic crisp white tissue. It’s looking pretty modern to me.
This Lingham stone always seems to move to a more visible location in the Fall so that I can better enjoy it’s unique natural colorations. A quick spin and edit of your interior accessories will have everything looking new as you start to spend more time inside.
A Coffee Break rose, left to dry to a new kind of beautiful, will continue to add interest throughout the Fall, into Thanksgiving…possibly even Christmas. Start by enjoying then drying them now and they’ll be ready to put into service again when the time comes.
all photos: gp
They said…
September 22, 2014
it wouldn’t last. It’s been two weeks now and this vase of Rhoadsidiana is still going strong…looking good from every angle. Clearly the secret to long lasting flowers is an impeccably clean container and a fresh cut to every stem. You might try this yourself during your next walk. Gather an assortment of seasonal grasses, twigs, pods or berries and create a pleasing arrangement right there in your hand. Secure it all by tying it together with a piece of twine, trim all of the stems to the appropriate length and drop immediately into your chosen vessel. There you have it…a little simplequietmodern seasonal DIY to gently segue into Fall.
It ain’t pie…
September 7, 2014
but it’s close…it’s Crostata. A little late summer fruit and a single crust and you can have this rustic dessert complete…start to finish… within an hour. To keep it extra simple use a prepared crust to hold the nectarines or peaches, baking it in a pie dish instead of a flat baking tray. I’m not generally a fan of pie a la mode but my arm could be twisted here if there was some ginger ice cream involved.
The Ina Garten recipe found here: http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=171&S=0 ,will have you making these in any and all combinations of summer fruits and berries.
Over? Not yet
August 31, 2014
The afternoon shadows may be longer and more pronounced, but summer my friends is not over yet. While Labor Day may mark the “unofficial” end of summer I’m taking full advantage until Fall steps in on September 24…and, that’s a month away. Whether your’re staying in town or getting away for the long weekend, I recommend you do the same.
top to bottom
We should all be so lucky to have a summertime courtyard space like the Brody house in LA photo via:http://midcenturia.tumblr.com/
What more is there to say? Local farmstand produce…get some, support your local farmers. photo: gp
Large body or small, being near the water on a holiday weekend just makes it more special. From a tiny cabin view -photo gp- to a broader shoreline view -photo via http://remash.tumblr.com/, try to get yourself some.
If you haven’t yet made this salad with your local summer corn you are missing something special. http://food52.com/recipes/17913-charred-corn-and-avocado-salad-with-lime-chili-and-tomato
A simplequietmodern nap could be good. Photo via: http://www.improvisedlife.com/
While I always prefer white, an armload of locally grown color will brighten things up should the clouds roll in. And, what could compliment those peaches better than these dahlias and celosia? iPhone snap: gp
Quinoa, Kale and Pear Salad
August 6, 2014
How can you not be inspired when you spot a pear like this at the market? And, with that you have the start of a 5 ingredient / 5 minute salad, barely needs a recipe. Crunchy, protein packed, phytonutrient rich, slightly sweet and a little bit salty. The simplequietmodern way to pack a lunch. OK…who’s hungry?
I’ve tried to re-create here a similar salad that I love from Simply Good Kitchen. This is so good and so simple that I might just be dragging this into the Fall by adjusting it a bit. Adding a touch of walnut oil to the vinaigrette and swapping out the pistachios for toasted walnuts could be the ticket. A bit of blue cheese couldn’t hurt either.
case study: Van Keppel Green
August 3, 2014
From the Case Study houses of southern California then to your own backyard today, nothing will have you relaxing in simplequietmodern style like these iconic pieces by mid-century modernists Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green. Faithfully reproduced to the original 1939 specs in UV powder coat over stainless steel and wrapped in marine cord…the Case Study #22 Chaise and Lounge chair and ottoman.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/products.php?sid=3995 all photos: Hive Modern
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