Cookies and Cocoa?
December 24, 2015
Maybe for Santa. Now that the decorations are up, the shopping is done and dinner for tomorrow is ready for the oven it’s time to relax with a Christmas Manhattan. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
The perfect simplequietmodern Christmas cocktail. Fill a rocks glass about 2/3 with ice, add a couple shakes of bitters, 1/2 oz. of sweet vermouth and 2 1/2 oz. bourbon, a maraschino cherry crushed against the side of the glass and give it all a quick stir. Recipe by Andy Ward for Bon Appetite.
Merry Christmas!
Photo:gp
Candlelight the Night
December 20, 2015
The Winter Solstice…Dec 21 2015. Take advantage of the longest night of the year to relax in the glow of candlelight. Even a simple supper can take on a magical quality when lit with a single flame. Tomorrow? More magic. A little more light each day until Spring.
A modern sixties inspired clear “dot” vase + one clear votive cup and candle. That’s it.
photos: gp
Deconstructing the Tree
December 18, 2015
This year, a vase full of white pine boughs, another of frosted cones and a pile of lights. Separate elements, yet still giving you the modern equivalent of a fully decorated tree. A few minutes to set up…a few to take down when the festivities are over. That simplifies things doesn’t it?
Photos: gp
Small Gifts
December 15, 2015
Small gifts always seem to make the best gifts. You are thought of fondly by the recipient with every use. Better yet, small gifts don’t need to break the bank to make a lasting impression. Here are a few simplequietmodern suggestions should your shopping list have a few entries that need to be checked off. There’s still time…get crackin.
Conifer chart tea towels ensure one won’t run out of evergreens during the holidays. And, if you help cleaning up as well the cook will love them even more. Photo: http://www.shopterrain.com/best-bets/conifer-chart-tea-towel
This natural birch muddler will make short work of prepping the next Mojito, Cuba Libre or Mint Julep.photo: http://www.cb2.com/wood-muddler/s552025
A pinch of salt is always at hand in this small ramekin in linen from Heath Ceramics.photo: http://www.heathceramics.com/small-ramekin
A pair of fingerless mitts will be a welcome gift that you made yourself. There’s still plenty of time to crank out a few pair with the pattern found here. This photo: gp http://www.afriendtoknitwith.com/2008/09/toasttoasty.html
If you don’t know a baker who needs one, you might gift yourself this modern take on the classic bundt pan from Nordic Ware. The bundt might just be the new cupcake. photo:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/heritage-bundt-cake-pan/?cm_src=AutoRel
It’s not a sweater, but it’s a start. 100% cashmere that looks like it was spun right off the goat. photo:http://www.purlsoho.com/newoooh.html
Always On Hand
December 11, 2015
Parsley, walnuts, Parmesan and Bucatini…simplequietmodern pantry staples. And, just what you need for Walnut-Parsley Pesto with Bucatini… a perfect Meatless Monday supper to give you a break from all the holiday party fare. Hearty and satisfying, you won’t be missing the moo, cluck or baa.
This deconstructed pesto variation, adapted from the Chris Morocco original found in Bon Appetite, will serve four and can be whipped up at a moments notice. Gather your ingredients: 12 oz package of dried Bucatini, 1 cup of toasted walnuts, 2 cloves of garlic finely grated, 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley and a couple good pinches of red pepper flakes. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped and add to a bowl containing the chopped parsley, parmesan, garlic and pepper flakes. Stir in oil to combine and season with salt and pepper. Cook the Bucatini according to package directions. Drain, reserving about a cup of the pasta water. Add pesto to the pasta adding small amounts of pasta liquid as needed until until the pasta is well coated. A glass of wine and a bowl of clementines and dinner is done.
Photos:gp
Silver and Gold
December 8, 2015
Good. You’ve been diligent about collecting white tissue, newsprint and recycled kraft bags to re-purpose as gift wrap. And, still following my simplequietmodern lead, you’ve been tying those packages up with jute cord or sisal twine. Let’s up the ante this holiday season with a bit of shimmer for those gifts that might just need a special touch. Loose weave ribbons of natural cotton and metallic threads are the perfect complement. Designed by Angela Ligouri for Studio Carta, these ribbons are available in fourteen styles that I’ve edited down to my three favorites…the natural with gold, natural with silver and the gravel with gold.
Ribbon photos courstesy of http://www.shopangelaliguori.com/collections/frontpage/products/new-metallic-loose-weave-ribbon Other photos: gp
Eight Nights
December 5, 2015
If you are celebrating Hanukkah, this cast iron menorah will have you observing in simplequietmodern style. Brilliantly designed and executed by Josh Owen, this menorah has found a place in the permanent collection of the national Museum of American Jewish History.
Photo: http://joshowen.com/projects/product/menorah
Setting the Tone
December 1, 2015
Your entry should set the tone of the holiday the moment guests arrive. A lush wreath of Magnolia can hint at the simple treatments ahead of natural evergreen boughs and cones. A vintage inspired wreath of shiny glass balls can play nicely with a collection of ornaments in shades of 60’s pink. If a little matte gold is what you’re craving, this wired garland of pressed metal leaves will take on a Calder-like playfulness when coiled loosely into a circle. I can see any of these options working for me, each taking on a quite different character against the Chartreuse paint color of my front door. I’m leaning toward…
Wreath photos: Terrain http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-wreaths/?cm_sp=Top-Nav-_-Holiday-_-Holiday-Decor-Wreaths other photos:gp
Simply put…
November 26, 2015
If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.* And, if there was a better day than another to take that for a spin, today would be that day. Happy Thanksgiving.
*Meister Eckhart
On The Side
November 22, 2015
A happy accident. While cooking up a few slices of bacon to season something else entirely, I found myself left with a foil lined baking tray coated with a bit of bacon fat and all of that beautiful bacon fond. It took but a minute to wash and prep a stalk of Brussels sprouts to roast off using that same tray and all of that residual bacon goodness. A quick toss with a bit of salt and pepper…30-40 minutes in a 400 degree oven…and you’re ready to serve them up with a big bowl of mashed and a bit of cranberry along side a big ‘ol smoked turkey. As Thanksgiving menus go, it doesn’t get any simpler.
Top three photos: gp
Carved smoked turkey photo: http://thedomesticman.com/2013/10/01/perfect-smoked-turkey/
simplequietmodern 