Liquid Harvest
March 25, 2014
A uniquely North American experience…the tapping of maple trees…is now in full swing. If we remembered that a fresh harvest of maple syrup was the reward after a hard cold Winter, well, I for one would be a little less cranky as Winter seemed to drag on and on. To celebrate I plan on incorporating that amber sweetness into everything possible starting with this Maple Walnut Fudge. In true simplequietmodern fashion,it takes just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand and no power equipment is needed.
I added a cup of rough chopped toasted walnuts to this recipe…that was simple enough.http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/maple_fudge.php
Still,
March 22, 2014
she continues to inspire. Modern then…modern now. Agnes Martin
images via tumblr
Indulge Me
February 16, 2014
I might just have a touch of “cabin fever”. Indulge me this little bit of a simplequietmodern escape. On the grounds of Phillip Johnson’s Beck House in Dallas is this modernist pool house designed by architect Sven Fruit. I can’t think of anything better to meditate on than an afternoon by that pool… warm dappled sun, gentle breeze and a giant Mojito within arms reach.
photos via http://blog.thedpages.com/flash-back-flash-forward-philip-johnson-1906-2005
Valentine’s Day befores…
February 5, 2014
and afters. Instead of dinner why not keep it to a satisfying starter, a complementary salad and of course, dessert. This “before and after” menu will cover all of your bases providing savory, sweet, salty, spicy, warm, cool, crunchy and smooth with a minimum of effort. Begin with a nice Brut Rose…then Maple Sriracha Bacon wrapped shrimp… a salad of frisee, toasted walnuts, blue cheese and pomegranate lightly dressed with a maple vinaigrette and finish up with a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake for two. The first two are near no-brainers and while you are at Whole Foods picking up the wine, bacon, shrimp and salad ingredients, make a stop at their bakery for the cake…layers of dark chocolate cake and chocolate mousse covered in ganache. That was simple enough wasn’t it?
The appetizer recipe can be found here:http://www.inspiredtaste.net/15948/spicy-maple-bacon-wrapped-shrimp-recipe/ and my Maple Vinaigrette here:https://simplequietmodern.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/i-dont-love-brunch/
I might just keep ’em up.
January 8, 2014
Not the holiday lights, no, those are definitely down. But,these stars. I’m liking ’em enough to leave them up for a while. The simplest DIY project ever with the modern appeal of a Harry Bertoia Sunburst from 1960. Each impressively scaled at 25″ in diameter, a stacked cluster of three stood in nicely for a Christmas tree this year, with the added bonus of movement…each slowly revolving independently on the rooms air currents. A couple of packs of bamboo skewers, a few small styrofoam balls and shot of matte gold spray and you have got yourself a statement.
Round Three
January 5, 2014
Another year over, indeed, completing year two of simplequietmodern. I need to take a minute here to thank all of you who stop by and check things out and those of you that follow. The sheer number of you still amazes me each day, as does the worldwide reach, making it even easier to share what I see, what I do…what I have to say. I have enjoyed every comment, every email, your support, your friendship. As the world gets more complicated and our challenges seem to get more complex I look forward to writing every post, taking every photograph, testing every recipe, and creating every project to help us all enjoy a life that is moresimplemorequietmoremodern. So, moving on to a great year three I think it might be necessary to fortify our spirit with some cake! And yes, some flowers.
Mocha Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Ganache from the Hungry Mouse…perfect. And, nothing can pull you through a nasty winter snowstorm like a simple vase of cut white hyacinths. ( cake photo: the Hungry Mouse )
http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/04/07/mocha-layer-cake-with-sour-cream-ganache/
Another year over…
January 1, 2014
and a new one just begun.* The perfect time to be grateful for the good of the last year and set forth on a new and creative path for the next twelve months. Not one prone to the making and breaking of resolutions, I have always found that committing things to paper…notes, bits of inspiration, plans for upcoming projects, events or personal goals…can not only organize your thoughts, but gives you a resource to refer back to and evaluate your progress. A hardbound sketchbook or journal is always my simplequietmodern must have, although a designated project pad can do the trick. Keep it handy to jot down a thought, tuck in a bit of inspiration or flip back to enjoy each progressive step. The clock for 2014 has started ticking. On your mark….get set….
top to bottom
The classic Braun travel alarm clock ,now in gray, will help keep track of those fleeting minutes at home or away. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/classic-bnc002-clock-in-grey.html
What could have been a disaster rose from the ashes of a failed project to become Koishi one… one big, thick and richly textured linen blanket.
This sculpture greets and inspires me daily. Created completely of recycled LA Times newsprint, it brings home the idea that the great beauty can be found in the most humble material.
The found nests in my yard pale in comparison to this Australian example captured by my friend Kirsten Johnstone. It’s easy to see how it’s texture, form and structure caught her architects eye. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/blog/
The best part of my everyday…the “Hambone” Jaxon. The full-out belly laughs he induces daily are the best gift one could hope to receive.
Staring me down from a basket on the corner of my desk, these two yarns in gray and olive seemed to want to work together. Looking good so far.
The beginnings of a great Winter salad of Farro, roasted red grapes and red onions. I’ll post the simplified Martha recipe soon to help you get back on track after the holidays.
Classic. Black Minnetonka moccasins. They help me keep my focus on the warmer months to come.
Raw wood. You can almost smell it can’t you? The simplicity of the design and use of a single material in this space says it all. http://remash.tumblr.com/
A glass of your favorite sparkler for toasting to your perfect health, success and happiness in this New Year 2014
*So This Is Christmas, John Lennon
The Stockings Were Hung
December 23, 2013
Well, I thought about passing Buddy’s Christmas stocking down to Jaxon but decided on a new direction. Something more fitting. A new Wigwam wool crew sock seemed the ticket. In charcoal wool…a simplequietmodern twist on the natural classic, an all time favorite of mine. So, he can nod off for the night…visions of sugarplums or liver treats dancing in his head…comfortably knowing that there’s a suitable receptacle for some treats from Santa.
Merry Christmas.
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
December 20, 2013
If more churches looked like this there would be an end to the myriad excuses used to get out of attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The genius behind this renovation is British designer John Pawson. His collaboration with architect Jan Hobel, through their careful and deliberate refining and editing, has created in this 1,000 year old church near simplequietmodern perfection. You can almost hear the angels voices.
http://blog.thedpages.com/john-pawson-a-new-language-in-church-architecture
Change of Plan
December 18, 2013
Could there be a worse time for your oven to decide to act up than a week before Christmas? Well, better sooner than later, so there is still time to regroup. Instead of cookies, I think candy is going to be the treat of choice this season. As long as it’s homemade does it really matter? I don’t think there will be any disappointed faces when they dive into this…Candied Orange and Ginger Bark.
It’s as easy as gathering your ingredients and melting some chocolate. Make your candied oranges a day ahead and this is simple simple simple. You can find the Canadian Living tested recipe here:http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/candied_orange_and_ginger_bark.php
simplequietmodern 