As American as….
July 4, 2022
the flag, burgers and apple pie. However you choose to celebrate the 4th, do it safely.
top to bottom:
If you’ve got a flag, fly it. If you don’t have one, get one.
Nothing more American than a burger on the grill. You might want to ratchet it up with a little Jack Daniels Maple Syrup Ketchup.
And, apple pie? Yes please.
Sparklers and a firecracker or two couldn’t hurt either.
Photos: gp
Don’t Forget
May 8, 2022
Call your Mother. Happy Mother’s Day.
photo:gp
And Not A Minute Too Soon
April 4, 2022
Ready to be put into use immediately is the Summer Seasonal Collection from Heath Ceramics. With Easter right around the corner it seems like a natural to get your order in now. This collection is available now but is sure to sell out quickly. I’m thinking the yellow pieces might be a great way to brighten the days while we’re waiting for Summer to finally arrive.
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A bit of forced rye grass with the addition of a cracked eggshell whispers Easter.
The Classic Heath Modern Cup in Sunflower
A bunch of pink hyacinths would feel right at home in that tall modern cup. And who wouldn’t love to receive the both as a gift?
Sunnyside Tea Towels will make cleaning up after Easter brunch a pleasure.
What’s Easter without the classic yellow Peep?
The Sunflower glaze on the classic Heath Budvase.
All Roads Grid napkins in Fuschia are part of the Heath Summer Seasonal Collection. These will surely get a workout from Easter through Labor Day.
Pink and Yellow. Something tells me with the way the last two years have been it’s a combination we might just be needing right about now.
Heath Plaza Dessert bowls and Sunnyside Napkins, also part of the Summer Seasonal Collection.
A big vase of forced Forsythia brings springtime right in to the table. It’s hard to beat.
All Heath Summer Seasonal photos by Heath Ceramics.
All other photos: gp
As simple as…
February 10, 2022
1 2 3. You can carry in dinner on Valentines day, but make dessert from scratch. With just three ingredients and about 10 minutes time you’ve got the perfect Valentines Day treat, Bruleed Raspberries. Fill an ovenproof ramekin with fresh raspberries, top with a generous amount of sour cream and sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over the sour cream. Pop the ramekins under the broiler until the brown sugar starts to caramelize then serve it up. That’s it. Seriously. Make this.
photos: gp
Happy Anniversary to…
January 6, 2022
simplequietmodern. Yep, ten years down and ready to dig into number eleven. As always, you know what I say about any celebration…there’s gotta be cake. To be sure, there will be cake at some point, but for now I’m thinking a glass of something festive to toast and a box of sparklers will have to do the trick in these uncertain times. It’s not a time to be gathering and I’m not about to polish off a cake by myself. For now I might just dream about cakes from the last decade that are contenders.
After the bubbly, from the top:
What’s more festive and modern than a naked confetti cake? Photo: Bon Appetit
Maybe something simple. It doesn’t get any simpler that chocolate cake with with white frosting.
Mocha Layer Cake with Sour Cream Ganache? I feel a nap coming on. photo: the Hungry Mouse
I’ve been looking for an excuse to make this cake for years. Cake and meringue baked together and stacked with whipped cream. And, did I mention it has walnuts in it? Maybe this year.
Or perhaps this showstopper created by my friend, architect Kirsten Johnstone. Yes, please. photo: Kirsten Johnstone
Photos: gp unless noted.
Wake Up
January 1, 2022
It’s a brand new year. And, with that, comes the hope of a better year. Not too much to ask, is it? Before we get started we might need a little sustenance on this long holiday weekend. Any of the following are easy to pull together in just a little time and pair nicely with a glass or two of something sparkling. Happy New Year!
From the top:
Pop that cork, it’s time to start cooking. Champagne or Prosecco straight or with a festive splash of peach or pomegranate juice will get things started.
If you were lucky enough to have been gifted a Panettone for the holidays, now’s the perfect time to turn it into French toast and serve it up with a big bowl of Cara Cara oranges. Done.
Chilaquiles are a always a fun way to start the day, or the New Year. Rick Bayless will walk you though it here. http://www.fronterafiesta.com/cook/starters-snacks-a-light-meals/355-chilaquiles-with-salsa-and-eggs-
One of my super simple favorites that I don’t make often enough is Salade Lyonnaise. A slab of artisan toast topped with a salad of frisee’, a poached egg and some beautiful thick bacon. My Maple Vinaigrette is easy enough: 2 tablespoons general use olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple Cider Vinegar, 2 tablespoons dark amber maple syrup. For any special breakfast, brunch, lunch or light supper, this is hard to beat.
photos: gp
Mixed Emotions
December 22, 2021
While I hate the coming of the first day of Winter, I do love what follows. Today marks the day of the year with the least amount of daylight…the Winter Solstice. Good news is that tomorrow will be another story. From this point on, each day will have an increased amount of daylight leading us directly to Spring. And, that my friends is worth celebrating. Tradition would have us festooning the place with evergreens, lighting candles in doors and building a roaring fire outdoors and gathering together to embrace hope within the darkness. A good idea once again while the newest Covid variant threatens to squash our holiday plans.
From the top:
A simple votive candle placed in a bubbled glass vase casts a magnified and magical glow.
If you are lucky enough to find my absolute favorites, white tulips, buy them. There is nothing else like them to draw our thoughts to Spring. White Fringed and Parrot varieties are particularly special.
I do not need an excuse like the Winter Solstice to stoke up a bonfire, but it doesn’t hurt.
You might take a modern turn at using a supermarket Poinsettia as a cut flower. White for the Solstice would be my choice. Photo: Gardenista
A hearty warming dish like this Farro Porcini Risotto Comes together quickly and would be a fitting addition to the celebration. I added a little shortcut to this already simple recipe from Martha Stewart, https://www.marthastewart.com/312975/farro-and-porcini-risotto, by using 1/2 jar of Trader Joe’s Pesto Alla Genovese with the parsley and toasted walnuts and an additional splash of olive oil.
Doing appropriate double duty, this white Helebore variety will play nicely with your other seasonal decorations before being planted outdoors to grace the garden with the season’s first blooms next year.
The perfect finish to any Winter gathering might just be a classic Brandy Stinger… equal parts Brandy and white Creme de Menthe. In this case, on the rocks. Cheers!
except where noted all photos: gp
Deck Those Halls
December 15, 2021
Even if you’re still keeping a low profile during our second Covid Christmas, it’s important for our over all well being to keep those holiday traditions alive. Now’s the time to deck those halls and get into the spirit in earnest. Whatever direction you choose, do something…a string of lights…a vase of seasonal branches…a bowl of ornaments. The simplest modern touch can still say Merry Christmas.
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A sheet of plywood, a string of lights and a few screws. Boom! My absolute favorite Christmas tree alternative. If you don’t have the space for a fresh tree, then this is the simplequietmodern next best thing. Photo: https://apairandasparediy.com/2015/12/diy-string-light-christmas-tree/
This wreath of simply assorted cones makes a lovely modern yet natural statement that could take you from Thanksgiving to the Spring thaw. photo: https://www.shopterrain.com/
Gettin’ groovy with a modern Christmas color scheme? These brightly colored glass ornaments can help inspire a vintage Christmas look be it the 50’s , 60’s or 70’s. https://www.shopterrain.com/
A quick edit from a box of vintage mid-century ornaments will add some nostalgic modern charm. photo: gp
Like a Bertoia sculpture fabricated on a dime. These large 60’s looking stars are simply a handful of bamboo skewers stuck into a Styrofoam ball with the quickest spritz of gold paint. You could knock out a dozen of them and make a simplequitmodern holiday statement for just a few bucks. photo: gp
Nothing says simple and Christmas like an unadorned Magnolia wreath. https://www.shopterrain.com/
If you have vases to fill, fill them simply and lavishly with the selection of one simple material. In this case, Ilex. These striking branches studded with bright red berries arranged in clear glass cylinders will certainly inject Christmas cheer into any modern interior. Photo: gp
More holiday color play, this time in a 60’s blue-green direction. I remember as a kid thinking this look was pretty swanky. More solid color glass ornaments from https://www.shopterrain.com/ , the assorted vintage ornaments photo: gp
Look around. A big box of beautiful pine cones can be had for free if you know where to look. In my case it’s right outside my door. And, if the holidays have me running behind, a quick forage will fill multiple bowls, providing a simple natural beauty that only Mother Nature can provide. photo: gp
Sweet Treats
December 9, 2021
When it comes to the holidays, sweet treats seem to take center stage. They also seem to take over, as we hurry to try every new recipe or explore every popular new trend. We end up scrambling to gather our goods and eke out the time in the kitchen to get things done. Now, with both supply chain issues and increased prices throwing a wrench into the works, it might b a good time to limit your holiday offerings to just one or two, just to simplify things. I’ve pulled a few favorites from the last ten years that will not only give you a a great result… no one will be disappointed.
From the top
Nothing says simple in a holiday cookie than shortbread. Sugar, butter and flour plus a little simple decoration if you’d like and you’re done. https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/12
These classic nut horns are every grandma’s secret recipe. Until now you thought it was lost. You’re welcome. http://www.afriendtoknitwith.com/2016/12/mrs-donatos-nut-horns.html
Nothing says retro Christmas like a Bourbon Ball. This recipe from Garden and Gun magazine could not be easier. https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=bourbon+balls
While you can enjoy these Maple Glazed Walnuts all year long, they are particularly welcome with a holiday cocktail. The original recipe can be found here, http://www.fifteenspatulas.com/
A spicy Molasses Cookie can’t be beat at Christmastime. Gild the lily if you must with a bit of raspberry or apricot preserves and turn them into thumbprints.
When I was having oven issues several years ago this amazing recipe for Candied Orange and Ginger Bark kept everyone happy. What’s not to love?…dark chocolate, candied orange, candied ginger and pistachios! http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/candied_orange_and_ginger_bark.php
photos: gp
It’s Been 10 Years
December 6, 2021
Yep, hard to believe, but this month marks the end of 10 years since the start of simplequietmodern. Ten years has brought a lot of posts, ideas and pictures. Let’s look back at December 2012 and see what we were up to, shall we? Here are a few favorites of yours…. a few of mine.
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A makeshift tree of fallen birch from the yard decorated in simple contrast with a collection of vintage glass ornaments in pink.
A tray of Ina Garten’s Gougere straight from the oven. A chilled bottle of champagne can’t be more than an arm’s length away.
Vintage Christmas ornaments… edited to this group of all silver and pink.
Fresh quince waiting to be cooked down into quince paste, or Membrillo. A welcome addition to any holiday charcuterie board.
While I could make them all year round I limit my favorite Espresso Hazelnut Cookies to Christmastime.
And, lastly… but most importantly, the arrival of my partner in crime, Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. Quite simply the best.
photos: gp Revisit all the posts here. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/12/
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