Along The Way
December 7, 2016
Throughout the year I may stumble upon an idea or an item or two that seem like the perfect gift come Christmastime. If you follow simplequietmodern you may have noticed some of them popping up over the last many months…others just jotted down and slipped into a file until they’re needed. Like now.
Top to bottom:
Set of three natural broom cake testers for you, and two of your favorite bakers. photo via http://lostine.com/collections/kitchen/products/cake-tester
Worse than running out of Champagne is running out of glasses. Everyone could use a specially price set of 8 cylinder flutes at the holidays. The rest if the year they can be put into service as a simple cluster of vases. photo via http://www.cb2.com/set-of-8-cylinder-champagne-flutes/s422283
It reminds me of those great Sputnik inspired Christmas ornaments of the 50’s, but on a much grander scale at 24″. Who wouldn’t love to receive this simple statement? photo via http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-home-decor/winters-night-star
Based on Woodcut by artist Brian Nash Gill is this simplequietmodern set of 12 notecards. We all know someone who would rather put pen to paper than text. Photo via https://www.purlsoho.com/woodcut-notecards.html#
A perennial favorite… the Heath Ceramics Holiday Candle. Their large modern cup, in Linen, is filled with a soy wax candle by Scents of San Francisco in a warm spicy blend of cinnamon and fir. Photo via http://www.heathceramics.com/decorate-items/candles-and-lighting/holiday-candle
A little retro holiday sweet treat might be in order for someone, like these Bourbon Balls. A simple no-bake DIY that is always appreciated. photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=bourbon+balls
Cleaning Up
December 4, 2016
I’m a sucker for a linen dish towel. What can I say? I love natural linen. And, with all the holiday baking, cooking, prep, entertaining and clean-up it seems I can never have enough. A good linen apron doesn’t hurt either. You might have someone on your Christmas list that might feel the same.
Top to bottom:
My favorite Lithuanian linen towel from Fog Linen http://needsupply.com/linen-lined-kitchen-cloth.html
Black linen Garcon apron by Fog Linen http://needsupply.com/life/brands/fog-linen/linen-garcon-apron.html
Black brushstrokes screened on natural cotton and linen by Cotton and Flax is made in the USA http://needsupply.com/linen-tea-towel-brushstroke.html
White dot pattern screened on natural flax by Hawkins New York http://needsupply.com/linen-printed-tea-towel-dot.html
All photos via Need Supply Co.
It’s On
November 27, 2016
The holiday season is officially on. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday help with a kick-start once Thanksgiving has passed but there is a solid month of gifting, decorating and entertaining ahead. If you’ve picked up a cold along the way like I have you might just want to stay in, lay back, gather up some inspiration and make a few lists to put into play in a few days. I’m taking the easy way out today and rifling through the simplequietmodern archives. Easy enough.
As always I like to keep things pared down and neutral, like the common area of this home by Belgian architect Nicholas Shuybroek. Light a fire and you’re ready to get started. And, why not start at the front door. This heavy dried vine coil is perfect.
Top photo via http://www.ns-architects.com/works/architecture/46/ Heavy twisted vine wreath photo from: http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-wreaths/dried-vine-coil
We gather together…
November 24, 2016
to ask the Lord’s blessing. Thanksgiving. The one day we gather our family and friends in groups large or small, enjoy what everyone has brought to the table, give thanks and enjoy the view.
photos via http://www.remodelista.com/posts/into-the-wild-part-ii-a-canadian-thanksgiving/
You Get What You Need
November 20, 2016
It’s true. And, friends have a way of knowing what it is and exactly when it’s needed. Take this gift parcel that arrived the other day… Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Agnostura Bitters, sugar cubes, Luxardo Italian Maraschino Cherries, a big juicy orange and a recipe from a favorite bartender for a simplequietmodern Old Fashioned. Just what I needed at just the right time as a gentle Fall has decided to take it’s seasonal turn, home and work projects ramp up and Thanksgiving in just a few days. There is magic in perfect timing.
In The Dark
November 13, 2016
Evening darkness comes so quickly after “falling back” with Daylight Saving Time. Now is a good time to search out some additional light source so you don’t find yourself shuffling off to bed shortly after walking in at the end of a long day. This mid-century pin-up light, with it’s articulated arm and adjustable shade, might be just right if you can find one. Designed in 1960 by Dutch designer JJM Hoogervorst, the Paperclip Wall Lamp is the perfect solution to shedding some necessary task light on a project or washing your room with a warm glow. Finding one would be nice…a pair even better. It’s going to be dark for a while so you better start looking.
http://massmoderndesign.com/gallery-detail/anvia-paperclip-lamp-jjm-hoogervorst-1960
One thing is certain,
November 8, 2016
at least half of us will be disappointed tomorrow morning. Yet, we still have to get up…go to work…and get along. Might be a good day to quietly reflect or display some random act of kindness. If the good starts at the bottom, maybe it’ll work it’s way up to the top.
It’s almost over. Vote.
Good Witch…or,
October 30, 2016
Bad Witch. In either case a girl needs a stylish ride. Enter the classic Barn Broom in natural or black. Corn husks on a classic wooden handle made in Pennsylvania. Perfect. I’d love to take one for a simplequietmodern spin myself.
photos: http://lostine.com/collections/kitchen/products/barn-brooms
Good To Know
October 13, 2016
I’ll just leave you with this list…and, your own thoughts.
via: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2016/05/zero-talent-required.html
A rainy, sloppy start…
October 6, 2016
to October had me thinking about something quick, filling and a bit nostalgic…Sloppy Joes. While I can’t remember when I had had one last or if I had even made them before at all, it warranted some further study. Easy enough with a can of sauce, a pound of ground beef and some buns, what would happen if I tried to eliminate the meat? Pretty much magic on the first try and it couldn’t be any easier. Starting with a 15 oz. can of low sodium Sloppy Joe sauce and teaming it up with a 17.6 oz. package of steamed lentils I added 4 oz. of baby Portobello mushrooms that I had pulsed coarsely in the food processor and sauteed in a tablespoon of general use olive oil. As things started to simmer I pulsed 1/2 cup of walnuts until coarsely chopped and added them to the pan for additional texture. Doctored with a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup to round out the sweetness, a couple of tablespoons of bottled barbeque sauce for a bit more tang and a final adjustment of salt to taste they were done. Served up on a traditional soft bun with a side of slaw these have moved up to the top of my Meatless Monday rotation.
photos:gp
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