Gettin’ Started
December 4, 2023
OK, Shake it off. Stop the daydreaming about Ghost Ranch and get with the program already. It’s full on December and time to get started with the decorations, the gift lists, the baking and the shopping. With the economy in the state that it’s in I plan to ease the frustration and take the simplest route possible, start early…like now, and recycle to the maximum effect. Here’s a few things I’ve found that get things off to a great start
I can’t help my mind from drifting to the hot, dry desert as the Mid-west Winter approaches. Photo: Ghost Rach
I have collected Vintage Christmas ornaments for years, and this was always one of my favorites… European, turn of the 20th century and light and as delicate as they come. I’m surprised it has managed to survive this long. Even if my decorations take a minimalistic bent, this little gem is likely to be found tucked in somewhere. Would not be Christmas without it. photo: gp
I’ve been getting in the habit of gifting consumables as of late. This Cube of solid maple sugar from Tonewood is a perfect gift.
Foraging the yard always keeps me up to my neck in pinecones. Deck out a wreath, fill up same simple baskets and bowls or tie on a gift. As always, the best part is they’re free. Photo:gp
A Christmas Tree from a sheet of plywood, a couple strings of lights and a handful of screws. A half an hour in and you are done and decorated. Doesn’t get more simple, quiet or modern than this.
Recycled newsprint, coir twine and a bit of foraged accent. This is simply my favorite Gift Wrap” go to” for any season, any reason.
If Elf has taught us anything, it’s that this is one of the basic food groups…Candy canes. And, it can’t hurt to start the day with a pocketful to spread a little Christmas cheer or diffuse an approaching Karen. photo: gp
You can’t go wrong with gifting Amaryllis for the holidays. White, red and apple blossom can usually be found everywhere. And, if you work a little harder you might score this beautiful Charteuse variety.
Some days I’m just not in the mood to bake. But, I have been known to knock out a few batches of Candied Orange and Ginger Bark for gifting without a complaint. It’s just that good. Photo: gp
If I do feel like baking I’m all about the Gougere. Using Ina’s recipe and freezing them means you are always prepared to entertain when the corks start popping! photo” gp
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2022
If you were hoping for a white Christmas, well, wish granted. However you are planning on celebrating the holiday today, stay warm…be safe.
photo: gp
White Christmas
December 24, 2017
Snow, snow and more snow… a Bourbon Egg Nog Cocktail…a favorite place to relax and put your feet up…a cracking fire. Perfect. Merry Christmas.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eZgHTVh2hoc#
Photos: gp
Womb chair photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/womb-chair
Virtual Yule Log: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2017/12/friday-link-pack-263.html
Chop it, melt it…
December 24, 2014
mix it, roll it. Does a classic Christmas treat get any simpler? Perfect if you have a bit of free time before the Christmas Eve festivities start, this recipe for Bourbon Balls found in Garden & Gun. And, if the South doesn’t know their Bourbon Balls…who does? Merry Christmas.
Rhonda Ruckman’s Bourbon Ball recipe can be found here:http://gardenandgun.com/article/bourbon-ball-recipe
Photos: gp
Fair Warning
July 17, 2013
Not exactly Christmas in July, just a little heads up. Now’s the time to start scouting every flea market, garage sale, and church rummage sale you run across. Start early, grab your coffee “to go” and get a great jump on that collection of vintage ornaments you always dreamt of having. The problem has always been that you don’t give it a thought until you’re about to set out to buy the tree in December…then, hind sight is 20/20 vision. So take a few bucks and invest an hour or two on Saturday morning and get your collection started with a few nostalgic pieces. Who knows? You might even run into some 50’s-60’s glassware that would make a kitschy gift for someone special. Two birds…one stone.
May your days be merry and bright…
December 24, 2012
and may all your Christmases be*….well, all that you wish them to be.
Merry Christmas.
*Irving Berlin
Your holiday signature…
December 17, 2012
create it. It’s a simplequietmodern statement that will be fondly remembered year after year by your friends and family. It also simplifies the task of readying your home for the onslaught of revelers each Christmas in the midst of a carrying on with the rest of your busy life. It could be a signature menu for a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day supper that folks look forward to every year … vases of assorted Winter greenery and white tulips, narcissus or Amaryllis to usher in Midwinter…the offering of a signature cocktail like a smart Christmas Manhattan with a splash of Marachino juice…illuminating your Christmas Eve with candle light and a roaring fire exclusively or, simply keeping a bowl full of seasonal Clementines within easy reach. No matter the direction, when repeated every year it will not only become second nature, easily the first thing on and then checked off your holiday to-do list, it will signal the arrival of your Christmas and another season of memories you created simply…seemingly effortlessly.
starting at the top:
White Mink Protea with cut white Pine and Magnolia branches will last for weeks.
Clementines,traditionally the original stocking stuffer, for that blast of vitamin C and natural sweetness.
Nature provided Cardinal’s nest and a scattering of vintage glass ornaments.
“No Brainer” Gingerbread Brownies will kick off the season perfectly. You can find the recipe here:http://www.ohbiteit.com/2012/11/gingerbread-brownies.html
There is nothing like roast pork to anchor your holiday dinner. This lesson from Martha can be found here:http://www.marthastewart.com/920465/bone-pork-loin# My preference is to have the butcher tie two boneless loins together and simply season with garlic and caraway seed.
If you’re not able to secure white tulips you should have no difficulty finding white Phalanopsis orchids in plant form that will last well into the New Year.
Sorting through your collection of mid-century vintage ornaments and separating them in groups of like color can make a modern statement as you revisit and display them each year.
*photo of the roast from Martha Stewart Living
simplequietmodern 