Hard to believe
June 9, 2014
that this marks the 300th post here on simplequietmodern. I always knew I had a lot to share but what I didn’t know was who I’d reach , how far that reach would be or if there was anyone listening at all. Apparently this audience is global, with every continent covered and most countries checking in. Then there are those of you most special to me…who have been reading and following from the begining…in Australia, Europe, Asia, Canada and of course the States…you know who you are. Thank you for indulging me, your kind words, the laughs. You are all a great gift to me. As I queue up for the next 300 a glance back tells me that of all the photos I have taken and posted the one below was the hands down favorite. I guess I’m not surprised, it just doesn’t get any more simplequietmodern than that.
Isn’t it romantic?
June 4, 2014
OK guys…here’s a plan for ya. You’ve popped the question right? And, now you’re in the middle of a year long drama of planning your wedding celebration. I know. It’s seeming like a let down and you haven’t even selected the venue. One word for you…elope. You heard me right. Presenting the idea to your bride will go down a lot easier if it comes along with a gift for her to wear to city hall…like the best bridal shoe ever. And, a simplequietmodern bouquet that you’ve gathered and made yourself will put it over the top.
What could be more modern than this Betsey Johnson number in Black? http://www.betseyjohnson.com/Item.aspx?id=98536&np=ListSearch&sp=gown
A quick tied gathering of lily of the valley will provide a lifelong memory.
Then off to an elegant lunch and a glass of champagne as you start your new life together…and come up with a plan to break the good news.
Finally…
June 1, 2014
it’s seeming like we might have a Summer…maybe a little different than usual, but Summer just the same. So, what’s inspiring me now?
From the top:
Simple well-edited landscaping and a quiet well integrated water feature. via http://cabbagerose.tumblr.com/
The openwork and texture of my test knit of paper yarn. photo: gp
A great place to fall out and relax on a hot summer day. Does it get any better than affordable teak? Simple seat and back cushions in natural or charcoal duck and you are good to go. via: http://www.shopterrain.com/outdoor-furniture-preserved-teak/slatted-teak-sofa/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
It’ll still take me a while to shake the chill from the last two seasons, so, a little Summer cashmere from James Perse is on my “gotta have some” list. http://www.jamesperse.com/men/collections/summer-cashmere/lightweight-cashmere-v-neck/viewProduct.do?productId=prod1790117&categoryId=cat1230006
Tending to my Blue Dune grass…pretending I’m at the shore even in the middle of the week. photo:gp
And, if I’m lucky, taking off with Jaxon to the shore for a bit of sunny R & R. via: http://remash.tumblr.com/
Should it stay or should it go? Butterbur “volunteers” showing up in the aftermath of Winter’s brutal attack. I’ve promised some to friends, but I may leave a few to buffer the bare spots after the dead have been yanked and buried. photo: gp
The breezy organic shapes of Ruth Asawa’s crocheted wire sculptures. via: https://www.lamodern.com/tag/ruth-asawa/
Festival Season
May 29, 2014
Nothing kicks off the festival season quite like The Artichoke Festival in Castroville, CA… artichoke capital of the world. Castroville…all artichokes all the time. While it’s peak season and they are being shipped to a green grocer near you, celebrate with Castroville and cook yourself up a simplequietmodern lunch of artichokes this weekend. Trim, boil and dip. It couldn’t be any more simple than that.
While the artichokes are cooking make a quick dip of melted butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. It’s the perfect accompaniment.
If you’ve got it…
May 26, 2014
fly it. If you don’t have one…get one. Honor our nations fallen with the simple gesture of displaying the flag today, half staff until noon…full staff from noon to sunset.
For correct flag presentation and etiquette: http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
Reason to Celebrate
May 24, 2014
I thought they were going to be a “no-show”, but, after a couple of 70 degree days in a row this week I noticed a bit of activity on my Dogwoods. Excitedly I clipped a branch to bring inside and by the morning…well… we had bloom. To celebrate I decided a Mint Julep would play well into my Dogwood celebration. It all just seemed simple and modern and southern some how. Perfect.
The Garden & Gun video for this perfect modern take on the classic Mint Julep will have you making one for yourself and wondering why people don’t make these more often. http://gardenandgun.com/media/mint-julep
Just in Case
May 21, 2014
It’s always good to have an alternate plan. So as I anticipate the upcoming holiday weekend I have put into place Plan B…just in case. A little inspiration from a modernist weaving by textile artist Anni Albers and a few skeins of pima cotton have me set and ready to go should the weather take an unpleasant turn.
top photo via http://blueberrymodern.tumblr.com/
A simple, lighter spin…
May 4, 2014
on potato salad. We want to move into Spring and Summer but the weather’s still holding us back. While a side of potatoes is comforting we want to shift into salad mode right? Isn’t it about time? This simplified version of an Everyday Food favorite…Potatoes Vinaigrette…is the perfect simplequietmodern transition salad. Young Yukon Gold potatoes, celery and the simplest Dijon vinaigrette will get you there in no time. Served at room temperature on a cooler day or chilled when the temperatures start to rise and you’ll find that this might just be your new Summer “go to”.
I’ve done a simple adaptation on the original recipe below by using either new white potatoes or small Yukon Gold, as much celery and celery leaves as I like…and I like alot. My vinaigrette uses only Dijon mustard, general-use olive oil and apple cider vinegar… because that is what I always have in the pantry. http://www.marthastewart.com/315005/potatoes-vinaigrette
It’s no wonder…
April 20, 2014
that they were once more valuable than property or gold. What man could even come close to producing anything near the tulip? Some simple…some exquisitely complex, each holds a special delicate beauty that is unrivaled. While white is typically my first choice, after months of gray all Winter long I am opting for a bit of color this Easter. And, lucky me…this bunch of parrots just seemed to evoke the very feeling I was looking for. The eggs? How about let’s leave ’em white?
Just in time…
April 10, 2014
to celebrate. As I was trying to make up my mind on the glaze for my order of a modern cup from Heath, they introduce their new seasonal collection. What perfect timing for not one, but two…in a larger capacity…12 ounces…and the perfect finish…Basalt. The tall modern cup. One for my coffee and the other for a handful of white hyacinths. And, as long as this Spring here has taken a decidedly black and white turn…and I have some simplequietmodern basics covered…some tacky birthday cupcakes with a little neon frosting couldn’t hurt.
tall modern cup photo via http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1656/s/tall-modern-cup-pair-basalt/category/3/
simplequietmodern 