That Was Fast
January 12, 2025
Just how many photos can one take in the course of twelve years? Plenty! Almost too many. And, how many simplequietmodern topics can one cover? Well, let’s just say alot. In celebration of the 13th anniversary of simplequietmodern I thought I would simply present here of few of your favorite posts and pics and a few of mine. Starting with the obligatory champagne toast and ending with a celebratory slice of cake, what follows are just a few highlights of the last 12 years. Here’s to another year of living simple, quiet and modern. I thank you for your interest and your friendship.
photo: Portello Iron Doors
Photo: Gardenista
Photo: Leonardo Finotti via Remash Tumblr
Top to bottom
Well you know me well enough by now to know that if there is a celebration there has got to be something sparking.
Any opportunity for fresh tulips and I’m on it. Like any day of the week really. And, Parrot tulips are a particular favorite.
I love a landscape that ties perfectly with the architecture. Might take a little more thought outside the box but it’s worth the exercise.
Seems most of you can’t get enough of Portello iron door and window frames. Hard not to love, right?
My newest partner in crime is all of your favorite, Buster Porkchop. Looking exactly like his brother Jaxon.
A perfect specimen from a quiet walk just spoke to me.
In Winter, this Blonde Ambition grass still has plenty of interest.
We definitely agree, the gardens of Piet Oudolf look as good in Winter as any other time of year.
I can’t help it. I love me some carnations. White is tied with this pale pink as my go-to.
I have never has a post as popular as the one featuring this gift wrap of recycled newsprint, jute twine and a birch stick foraged in the yard.
I have been collecting vintage Christmas ornaments forever it seems. This assortment in pink from the 40’s to the 60’s have come to be everyone’s favorite.
The Basalt glaze on this Heath Ceramics Tall Modern Cup is the perfect neutral. Seems that it’s in service more often as a vase than a coffee mug. Fine with me.
This 40″ inch diameter slice of fallen tree has been the centerpiece in my living space for over 20 years. It thinks it’s a coffee table. I agree.
The simplest Summertime pleasure, a batch of new dills in an heirloom crock.
Funny how many of you have holiday recollections of this cookie favorite baked up by your Mom, Grandma or a neighbor. Perfection.
Crazy right? An abundance of recycled newsprint and too much time being snowed in resulted in this homespun yarn knit up into a rather interesting swatch. Maybe this is the year it becomes something important.
Sometimes Easter needs a rest from all the cliche’ pastel shades and treatments. Sometimes a simple egg displayed simply is in order.
I’m clearly not the only one who spends time daydreaming about a small lovely modern black cabin in the woods.
Yards and yards of doubled black linen yarn salvaged from a project gone wrong and turned into the most luxurious textured blanket. Nap anyone?
No one needs an excuse for cake and this Crazy Chocolate Cake is perfect for this celebration. White frosting on that? Yes, please.
all photos except where noted: gp
Bonus
March 6, 2024
Leap Day, a bonus day for everyone. How did you spend yours?
Me? I spent the day with my partner in crime, baby Buster Porkchop 3000. We made a quick stop at Traders for a few things,
including a couple of bunches of Daffodils to usher in March. Their gentle fragrance and unmatched color can slice through a gray winter day like nothing else.
Another stop and we picked up the ingredients for Baby Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce. I thought it was a good day to step out of my routine and try something new. While Asian food I quite leave to those better suited, this had the simplequietmodern bonus of just a few ingredients cooked up in very little time. I’ll give it a thumbs up.
After dinner a little online shopping was in order before I lost or misplaced again the gift cards. A simple white cashmere sweater seemed an appropriate twist to my signature black for Spring. photo: Naadam
We finished off the day with a little Apple TV + and an episode of The New Look, the dramatic series about Christian Dior. Period costumes and sets? Yes, please. photo: Apple TV+
All around it was the perfect ” day off” covering many bases. I hope yours was as well.
Pick me, pick me, pick me.
January 11, 2023
And just like that, without hesitation, he did. He picked me. And, he picked some big shoes to fill. I’m sure this little bruiser is up to the task. Buster. He picked his name as well. Fitting.
photo: gp
It’s Been 10 Years
December 6, 2021
Yep, hard to believe, but this month marks the end of 10 years since the start of simplequietmodern. Ten years has brought a lot of posts, ideas and pictures. Let’s look back at December 2012 and see what we were up to, shall we? Here are a few favorites of yours…. a few of mine.
Top to bottom:
A makeshift tree of fallen birch from the yard decorated in simple contrast with a collection of vintage glass ornaments in pink.
A tray of Ina Garten’s Gougere straight from the oven. A chilled bottle of champagne can’t be more than an arm’s length away.
Vintage Christmas ornaments… edited to this group of all silver and pink.
Fresh quince waiting to be cooked down into quince paste, or Membrillo. A welcome addition to any holiday charcuterie board.
While I could make them all year round I limit my favorite Espresso Hazelnut Cookies to Christmastime.
And, lastly… but most importantly, the arrival of my partner in crime, Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. Quite simply the best.
photos: gp Revisit all the posts here. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/12/
Already?
August 26, 2016
Yep, it’s hard to believe, but Jaxon is turning four. And, If you thought I might finally get a picture to commemorate the occasion, think again. It’s like trying to ask a tornado to sit still and look at the camera. While he knows exactly what he’s doing…he thinks it’s pretty funny putting me through the motions. And, it is. Good picture or not, there will definitely be treats. Biscuits for him and Brown Sugar Pavlova for everyone else. Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000…Happy Birthday to you.
Photo and recipe:http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/three-layer-berry-and-brown-sugar-pavlova-354211 I’ve made a couple of adjustments to this recipe to simplify things. As abundant as berries have been I used a combination of them all; raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. When making the meringue layers you might find it easier to pipe or spread them directly onto parchment and simply peel the parchment from the bottoms when they’re cooled rather than using the suggested pan technique. It’s a bit difficult getting those layers out of the pan, even with the parchment. The end result will be much more attractive. You may want to keep this as a “go to” celebration cake, it’s that good.
For your four legged family members, why not knock out a batch of these Buddy Biscuits? There have been no complaints here either…ever. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/01/30/ruff-ruff/
Photos of Jax ( such as they are ) : gp
Guess who’s 2
August 26, 2014
Baby (Hambone) Jaxon. Cannoli for everyone! And, his favorite mixed berry treats for him.
A tough act to follow
August 28, 2013
Jaxon, one year old already. He came as such a surprise at the time it’s hard to believe he’s been here with me, making his mark, for nine months. Looking near identical to his brother, Buddy, I’m amazed at how similar and yet totally different he is. Best though are the belly laughs he induces daily… the way he captivates those he meets…his morning ritual of a spritz of Eau des Baux. Time now to drop the ” baby” from Baby Jaxon and get on with our adventures. Like his older sibling, he has been collecting a variety of nicknames, all which have him whirling around like the Tasmanian Devil… Jaxon Pollock, Action Jaxon, Jaxon Mississippi, Jaxon Brown, Jaxon Hole Wyoming, and his latest… and I think his favorite…Hambone Jaxon. As for his birthday portrait, well, he was having none of it. We celebrated with Cannoli anyway.
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