Changing Colors
October 1, 2018
Heath Ceramics started producing its first dinnerware line, Coupe, in their factory in Sausalito in 1948. Seventy years later, this iconic collection of plates, bowls, cups and accessory pieces, designed by Edith Heath, is still being produced in the original factory. To mark this milestone, Heath is refreshing the Coupe line with new colors and glazes while archiving and retiring others. It’s a great time to pick up on those before they are gone or to experiment by mixing some of the new palette into your existing collection. Some of the fresh modern neutrals include rosemary, salt/shadow and zinc… with brighter shades like moonstone, yuzu/fawn and persimmon/ pumpkin adding a little simplequietmodern punctuation if your feeling so inclined.
Photos: https://www.heathceramics.com
The country came together then…
September 11, 2018
so it might be a good idea, to honor those lost that day, for the country to come together now. Just a thought.
9/11 Never forget.
photo: gp
Like A Blur
September 10, 2018
One minute it was the 4th of July and the next it’s nearly the middle of September. I know it was Summer because it was plenty hot, but it came and went like a steamy blur. I guess a heavy schedule had me focusing daily on the seasons simplest pleasures, squeezing some Summer fun into every day. And, now that Fall is growing closer, I’m glad I did.
Top to bottom:
The best peach ever tossed to me one day at lunch. Does it get any better or simply scream Summer than a big ripe juicy peach?
A little maintenance on the climbing Hydrangea and hedges, and the addition of some new annual material had the yard pulled together in no time.
Visiting the farmers markets regularly for local Midwest Gladiolus and vegetables. The glads make a simple modern statement for 2-3 bucks and will last all week. The locally grown produce, when transformed into G’s Chow Chow, will carry that Summer brightness right into Fall.
For the recipe…https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/06/16/quite-the-pickle/
A little daydreaming on a summer afternoon never hurt. I seemed to frequently drift to visions of a small Modern house in the desert. This one looks just right. Photo: https://www.thrillist.com/home/gorgeous-prefab-homes-and-cheapest-land-for-sale-in-every-state-for-building
Six years old…Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. While he was treated to his favorite mixed berry treats, cake for his friends and fans is definitely in order. And what could be more fitting of the Puli personality and sense of humor than a modern naked take on a confetti cake from Milk Bar? Photo: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/momofuku-milk-bars-birthday-layer-cake
Linen in Summer, wool for Fall. The best qualities of both can be found in Flax Down and Linen Quill Yarn from Purl Soho. These three skeins in Kettle Black will produce their Swath Wrap, the perfect transition to Fall and Winter. Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/
photos: gp (unless otherwise noted)
A simple setting…
July 9, 2018
for the entire summer. A spacious table with coordinated bench seating that satisfies my minimalist taste. Steel construction finished in matte black powder-coat make it equally at home outside or in. The Supermetal Table and benches, by Chiara Ferrari, is currently only available for delivery in Southern California. That won’t stop me from adding it to my wish list just in case that changes sometime soon. Besides sitting down to burgers and potato salad outdoors all Summer, how great would this be indoors come Thanksgiving?
Photos: http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/furnishings/supermetal-table-by-chiara-ferrari/
Thank you for your service.
May 28, 2018
Photo: gp
Elementary
May 2, 2018
As its name implies, the Elementary Wrap from Purl Soho is just that…easily dealt with, straightforward, uncomplicated. Three skeins of Purl Soho’s Linen Quill, a blend of Highland wool, alpaca and linen, a US #4 circular needle and the free pattern is all that’s needed to get you into a little Zen knitting. This time next week you’ll not only be totally chill, but you’ll have created a Mothers Day gift that’ll be hard to top.
Photos: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/05/02/elementary-wrap-in-linen-quill/
Uncle
April 19, 2018
OK… new plan. While it’s already the middle of April and the snow, ice and frigid temperatures continue, I’m thinking a jump-start on next Winter might be a good idea. I’ve started some cuttings of yellow twig Dogwood to work into the landscape as soon as I’m able to get a shovel in the ground. The bright chartreuse stems should brighten things up when the world has gone all black and white. Added bonus…bright green leaves with white blossoms in Spring, clusters of white berries through the Summer and the bark turning bright red through the Fall.
Mid April…really?
Top two photos: gp
Bottom photo via: https://www.thetreecenter.com/yellow-twig-dogwood/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIooCriYnG2gIVl7XACh2IyAQsEAQYAiABEgIcM_D_BwE
Which Came First?
March 15, 2018
Clearly, these special chickens lay special eggs that require special packaging. And, that’s exactly what Catherine Delphia and Aaron Dunn of The Fancy F provide. Their collection of rare breed chickens produce eggs in colors from mint and olive to pink and brown. If the colors weren’t enough, Catherine designed the minimalist packaging to showcase each dozen beautifully…in mixed or single shades. With Easter around the corner can you imagine the look on a recipients face upon receiving a gift of these? It could be worth a road trip to this Hudson Valley farm to find out.
Photos: https://www.thefancyf.com/ and https://www.gardenista.com/posts/colorful-eggs-and-designer-egg-cartons-from-the-fancy-f-farm-hudson-valley-ny/
Give a Bunch…
March 1, 2018
keep a bunch. How about spreading a little joy while waiting for Spring to officially arrive on March 20th? Nothing heralds the advent of Spring quite like Daffodils. Their bright sunny yellow and gentle fragrance are like nothing else. And, at just a couple of bucks a bunch nearly everywhere, you can afford to treat yourself as well as a friend or two. It’s been said that presenting a bunch of Daffodils to another will ensure happiness and good fortune. Who’s going to argue with that kind of return?
Photos: gp
Everyone loves…
February 11, 2018
a happy ending. No matter what your Valentine’s Day plans are for Wednesday, finish things off with these Chocolate Raspberry Champagne Truffles. Gather your handful of ingredients and it’s as simple as melt, set, cut and dust.
G’s Chocolate Raspberry Champagne Truffles
Prep an 8″ loaf pan by buttering it lightly and lining with a piece of parchment leaving a couple of inches of overhang on the long sides.
Gather your ingredients:
20 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
a pinch of kosher salt
1/2 package Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Raspberries ( 1.2 oz package) lightly crushed
1/3 cup Champagne or Prosecco
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted, for dusting finished truffles.
In a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water combine chocolate, cream and salt until smooth. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.
Remove from heat and stir in champagne until thoroughly incorporated and then mix in the freeze-dried raspberries.
Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth top.
Refrigerate to set up at least 8 and up to 24 hours.
Remove truffle loaf from pan using parchment sling after loosening edges with a knife warmed in hot water, then dried.
Cut the loaf in half crosswise. Cut each half into sixteen pieces, re-heating and drying the knife as needed. Toss the individual rectangular truffles in the sifted cocoa powder to coat.
Yield: 32 two bite truffles
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Photos: gp
My inspiration was Cindy Rahe’s recipe for found here: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/champagne_chocolate_truffles/
simplequietmodern 