Pilgrim Modern
November 21, 2014
What a perfect setting for Thanksgiving dinner, followed by an evening around a roaring fire. The large gathering space and minimal yet ample kitchen bridged by a simplequietmodern favorite, the planked table. You can almost smell the aromas, hear the logs crackle. It’s inspiration like this that reminds me…there is always something to be thankful for.
photos: http://remash.tumblr.com/
To cut…or not to cut.
November 18, 2014
Could this be the year for a living Christmas tree? I know it always sounds like a good idea and your “green” intentions are always good, but somehow in the crush of it all, those good intentions take a back seat to the easiest, last-minute option. Well, take a some time to think about it now and I’ll get ya on the right path…avoiding that 11th hour visit to the tree lot or a pre-lit artificial produced in China. Many local garden centers in your area are offering potted spruce, pines and firs specifically sized for use indoors. After you’ve made your selection you need to ascertain the final planting location and pre-dig the hole before the ground freezes. My nursery suggested no more than 14 days use indoors, with gentle watering every other day, keeping the tree in a temperate location and using only cooler mini lights or LED s for illumination. Planting your tree on New Years day might even start another new tradition. While that row of perfect firs is gorgeous, my choice…Eastern White Pine. That was simple.
You might pay a visit here for additional information.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2017.html
A gift a day…
November 14, 2014
might just take the edge off the burden of shopping this holiday for those larger, more impressive items. When you see what an impact the gifting of a small item has, you’ll be able to put some newfound perspective on the task. More thoughtful, more meaningful, less stressful, more genuine. It could be as simple a gift as a bit of your time…a piece of chocolate…a cup of coffee. Try it for the next month and watch the rewards, after the initial grateful smile, come back to you multiplied.
To Whet, Not to Sate
November 10, 2014
Appetizers. A savory little something to the whet the appetite…a prelude of what’s to come. On Thanksgiving there is always plenty, so the idea of keeping these little bites simple makes sense. With a cocktail or a glass of sparkling wine there could be no better paring than Frico…a baked Parmesan crisp. If these were any easier in fact, they’d make themselves. And, only one ingredient…parmesan cheese. Pre-heat your oven to 375 and drop tablespoons of shaved Parmesan cheese onto a parchment lined baking tray. Spread the mounds to a uniform thickness approx 3″ in diameter. Bake the trays one at a time for about 8-10 minutes, watching closely, until golden. Remove trays from the oven and cool slightly before moving the Frico to a rack to cool completely. These can be made a few days ahead and stored in an airtight container getting one task out-of-the-way earlier in that busy week. Why not check the fridge, turn on the oven and knock out a batch now? Think of it as a little taste test for the holidays ahead.
Night Shift
November 7, 2014
Still adjusting to “falling back” with the Autumn shift to Daylight Savings Time? It’s hard to believe how dark it is once you arrive home after a full day. And yet, there is still a lot of evening left, and plenty to do before hitting the hay. You’re halfway there if you can tackle some reading, work up some holiday to-do lists or do a little online shopping while propped comfortably in bed. Add the perfect over the shoulder bedside lighting and you are good to go. My pick ?…either of these beautiful mid-century pieces by master of lighting design, Serge Mouille.
Top photo: http://www.sergemouilleusa.com/Serge-Mouille-One-Arm-Double-Swivel-Sconce.php
Bottom photo: http://cabbagerose.tumblr.com/page/9
Show Me Your “Ugly”
November 2, 2014
Less than a month until Thanksgiving and Christmas right on its heels. Still, you have no idea how to handle your ugliest interior design dilemma before the crush of holiday revelers start popping in. Well, help is here. Take a quick snap of an area in your home or garden that could benefit from a new set of eyes and send* it to me. I’ll select one submission at random, come up with a plan and post the simplequietmodern resolution. There’s no time like now…I spotted my first installation of Holiday lights only yesterday.
Keeps the pics to a few… add any detail that might help… and get them to me by midnight November 8, 2014 at gpettyint@comcast.net with SQM in the subject line. Your place looks great but your holiday cooking or entertaining skills have you in a knot? I’ll take that submission as well. Let’s get started.
Artful Departure
October 29, 2014
Halloween. I don’t get the fascination. ” Christmas ” lights in purple and orange, tacky decorations and even tackier costumes all based on the annual preoccupation with death and dying and all things “spooky”. The Dia de los Muertos is something else completely…honoring and celebrating the lives of those who have passed and staring death straight in the face. I’m all for that. It wouldn’t hurt to have an exit strategy in place before it’s your turn to shuffle off and save yourself from being interred in a location of someone elses choosing in a recepticle that is, well, lacking. A little preplanning can insure your artful departure.
A couple of simplequietmodern options to consider to put the final puntuation on a life well lived:
Tom Kundig’s ” Final Turn” blackened steel funerary urn http://lundgrenmonuments.com
Space burial via Conastoga: http://www.celestis.com/conestogaFlight.asp
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/
simplequietmodern 