Mixed Emotions
December 22, 2021
While I hate the coming of the first day of Winter, I do love what follows. Today marks the day of the year with the least amount of daylight…the Winter Solstice. Good news is that tomorrow will be another story. From this point on, each day will have an increased amount of daylight leading us directly to Spring. And, that my friends is worth celebrating. Tradition would have us festooning the place with evergreens, lighting candles in doors and building a roaring fire outdoors and gathering together to embrace hope within the darkness. A good idea once again while the newest Covid variant threatens to squash our holiday plans.
From the top:
A simple votive candle placed in a bubbled glass vase casts a magnified and magical glow.
If you are lucky enough to find my absolute favorites, white tulips, buy them. There is nothing else like them to draw our thoughts to Spring. White Fringed and Parrot varieties are particularly special.
I do not need an excuse like the Winter Solstice to stoke up a bonfire, but it doesn’t hurt.
You might take a modern turn at using a supermarket Poinsettia as a cut flower. White for the Solstice would be my choice. Photo: Gardenista
A hearty warming dish like this Farro Porcini Risotto Comes together quickly and would be a fitting addition to the celebration. I added a little shortcut to this already simple recipe from Martha Stewart, https://www.marthastewart.com/312975/farro-and-porcini-risotto, by using 1/2 jar of Trader Joe’s Pesto Alla Genovese with the parsley and toasted walnuts and an additional splash of olive oil.
Doing appropriate double duty, this white Helebore variety will play nicely with your other seasonal decorations before being planted outdoors to grace the garden with the season’s first blooms next year.
The perfect finish to any Winter gathering might just be a classic Brandy Stinger… equal parts Brandy and white Creme de Menthe. In this case, on the rocks. Cheers!
except where noted all photos: gp
You’ve Got This
April 23, 2018
A few pantry staples…spaghetti, canned tuna, breadcrumbs, Kalamata olives…a bit of flat leaf parsley, a lemon, plus a splash of olive oil. That’s it. A minimal prep while the spaghetts is cooking and you have a simple Springtime supper on the table in under thirty minutes.
Lemon zest, roughly chopped parsley and olives with a squeeze of lemon juice and a splash of olive oil makes the sauce when tossed with the hot pasta and a bit of the cooking liquid. Gently fold in the toasted breadcrumbs and tuna and you’re done. Couldn’t be simpler.
If you’re culinarily challenged let Sarah Carey at Everyday Food walk you through this. https://www.marthastewart.com/920109/edfw1118-spaghetti-wtuna-breadcrumbs-edfwmov
photos: gp
Snow up to here…
January 19, 2018
temps down to there. Makes the idea of slaving over a hot stove downright inviting. So, for this New Year a new entry in the growing arsenal of Meatless Monday recipes. Farro Porcini Risotto with Parsley Walnut Pesto. Rich, hearty, aromatic and best of all, on the table in about 30 minutes. This just moved to the top of my rotation.
I added a little shortcut to this already simple recipe from Martha Stewart, https://www.marthastewart.com/312975/farro-and-porcini-risotto, by using 1/2 jar of Trader Joe’s Pesto Alla Genovese with the parsley and toasted walnuts and an additional splash of olive oil. The weekend’s here, why wait till Monday.
Photos: gp
In the blink of an eye,
January 26, 2017
five years has flown by. It’s hard for me to believe that simplequietmodern is celebrating another anniversary. As I look back I am always surprised that what interests me also interests you…and, keeps you coming back. The appeal of factory inspired windows and doors, black fences, the timeless work of Brancusi, simple landscape statements, and modern seating solutions topped the list. Thank you for regularly stopping by, for your comments, for your inspiration, your friendship.
Oh, you knew there’d be cake didn’t you? This simple chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream can be found here. Perfect for a celebration like this or any day when a little cake is necessary. http://www.marthastewart.com/254376/busy-day-chocolate-cake
Now on to year six.
What a grip!
January 22, 2014
And, it doesn’t look like Mother Nature will be loosening it up any time soon. With another week of temperatures well below the freezing mark, and wind chills in the single digits at best, it make you think twice about venturing out if you don’t absolutely have to. Just a glance outside can have you coming up with a dozen excuses to stay in, catch up on a few things and turn on the oven to help cozy things up. While it’s on you might try my simple adaptation of a Martha recipe for a Winter Salad; Farro with Roasted Red Onion, Grapes and Arugula. Again, not a recipe as much as a guideline and in simplequietmodern fashion, just a few ingredients.
interior photo via: http://www.youaretheriver.com/
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