There’s something to be said…
October 26, 2014
for the restorative powers of the simplest task. Who knew that the autumnal tradition of raking leaves could be as cleansing as meditation? After a weeklong barrage of premeditated nastiness and disrespect ( yes, I’ve had better weeks ) I look forward to a crisp Sunday afternoon with Jaxon, my rake and my burn pile…an unbeatable combination to help regroup, rethink and get something accomplished. Yep, that’s better.
Soups On
October 20, 2014
Changes in weather…changes in schedule…additional Fall projects…all have me in need of a little break and a little grounding. I can’t think of anything better to get me back on track and slow me down than a big bowl of soup. And if it’s simple…even better. Marcella Hazan’s recipe for Venetian style Rice and Smothered Cabbage soup fits the bill perfectly with just a few simple ingredients. If you plan ahead, prepare enough cabbage to have as a side, then transform the rest into the soup
The recipe can be found here:http://food52.com/recipes/27213-marcella-hazan-s-rice-and-smothered-cabbage-soup photos: gp
It’s a wrap.
October 11, 2014
Well, actually, it’s a poncho…which is a type of wrap, isn’t it? And, just in time to ward off the Autumn chill. When I realized that I didn’t have enough wool to create a blanket or a throw, this was the simplequietmodern solution… a modified and color blocked version of the Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. There you have it. Challenge accepted…challenge completed.
Go here https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/08/17/better-like-this-2/and here
https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/09/19/creative-block/ to get the back story.
The original pattern is available here: http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/
Now that it’s Fall…
October 5, 2014
what’s inspiring you?
top to bottom:
The scale of this burlap weave gives some indication of how tiny this found nest actually is. What might you discover on a walk around your yard or neighborhood? And, if you have an idea as to what small bird called this home, let me know.
The local farm stands are loaded with the seasons bounty. Skip the crowds at the cider mill and pick up an armload of beets, take ’em home and roast ’em up or turn them into a soup for the week ahead.
A chill in the air calls for wool…maybe a cap…maybe in hand dyed Autumn reds.
Starting to collect and recycle packaging materials now will save you from picking up a few tacky rolls of gift wrap closer to the holidays. I’m thinking this expanded kraft paper is going to be the perfect addition to my classic crisp white tissue. It’s looking pretty modern to me.
This Lingham stone always seems to move to a more visible location in the Fall so that I can better enjoy it’s unique natural colorations. A quick spin and edit of your interior accessories will have everything looking new as you start to spend more time inside.
A Coffee Break rose, left to dry to a new kind of beautiful, will continue to add interest throughout the Fall, into Thanksgiving…possibly even Christmas. Start by enjoying then drying them now and they’ll be ready to put into service again when the time comes.
all photos: gp
No chickens were harmed…
October 1, 2014
in the making of this dish. More and more I find myself looking for a way not to handle raw chicken but it’s kind of hard to make Chicken Paprikash without it. For this meal the solution was easy…substitute Baby Portobellos and you’ve got, well, Mushroom Paprikash. Easy, easy, easy to make with only a few ingredients and, you could easily have this on the table in 30 minutes. Make some on the next chilly evening and it’ll be like a big hug from a Hungarian grandma. You will never miss the bird.
Gettin’ Cozy
September 28, 2014
Now that Fall has arrived we find ourselves moving back inside and scoping out our cozy corner…that perfect spot to hang out, warm up or just relax with a book for the next few months. Bernhardt Designs Code sofa , by Jang Won Yoon, could be just that spot. Modern, tight seat and back upholstery surrounded by a fully upholstered privacy wall create an envirnment that is nearly a room within a room. That’s one way to manipulate that open floorplan. This three seater, a couple of chairs and a coffee table or large ottoman will give you a place that you’ll either never want to leave or, you’ll be so pleased with, you’ll be inviting friends over to show them what you’ve been up to.
These Bernhardt Design Apel ottomans, by Jessica Pell are a perfect complement. Now, all of your simplequietmodern basics are covered and ready for the addition of your personality pieces… from American traditional to Mid Century Modern…and everything in between.
They said…
September 22, 2014
it wouldn’t last. It’s been two weeks now and this vase of Rhoadsidiana is still going strong…looking good from every angle. Clearly the secret to long lasting flowers is an impeccably clean container and a fresh cut to every stem. You might try this yourself during your next walk. Gather an assortment of seasonal grasses, twigs, pods or berries and create a pleasing arrangement right there in your hand. Secure it all by tying it together with a piece of twine, trim all of the stems to the appropriate length and drop immediately into your chosen vessel. There you have it…a little simplequietmodern seasonal DIY to gently segue into Fall.
Creative block…
September 19, 2014
to color block. It could be the simplequietmodern solution to the earlier challenge. A richly textured, richly colored new wool blanket split asymmetrically in two. Let’s see what develops.
What Happened?
September 15, 2014
What’s with the cold snap? It was finally starting to feel like Summer. Mother Nature’s way of getting you to think about whats coming I suppose. That said, I could manage with some similar incarnation of this Armani offering as my Fall/Winter “uniform”. Giorgio Armani…does it get much better?
Photo:http://imgmodels.tumblr.com/post/93114844388/ben-hill-for-giorgio-armani-f-w-2014-lookbook
Brand Spankin’ New
September 10, 2014
And, they were something. The rest of the story we know too well. Remember this place and all of the people there, in Shanksville and the Pentagon with a moment of silence, a kind word, a random act of beauty. At the very least, raise the flag…never forget.
These 1970 photos by Andrea DiCastro from http://www.stardustmoderndesign.com/2012/11/new-york-city.html#!/2012/11/new-york-city.html
simplequietmodern 