Just in time…
April 10, 2014
to celebrate. As I was trying to make up my mind on the glaze for my order of a modern cup from Heath, they introduce their new seasonal collection. What perfect timing for not one, but two…in a larger capacity…12 ounces…and the perfect finish…Basalt. The tall modern cup. One for my coffee and the other for a handful of white hyacinths. And, as long as this Spring here has taken a decidedly black and white turn…and I have some simplequietmodern basics covered…some tacky birthday cupcakes with a little neon frosting couldn’t hurt.
tall modern cup photo via http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1656/s/tall-modern-cup-pair-basalt/category/3/
Round Three
January 5, 2014
Another year over, indeed, completing year two of simplequietmodern. I need to take a minute here to thank all of you who stop by and check things out and those of you that follow. The sheer number of you still amazes me each day, as does the worldwide reach, making it even easier to share what I see, what I do…what I have to say. I have enjoyed every comment, every email, your support, your friendship. As the world gets more complicated and our challenges seem to get more complex I look forward to writing every post, taking every photograph, testing every recipe, and creating every project to help us all enjoy a life that is moresimplemorequietmoremodern. So, moving on to a great year three I think it might be necessary to fortify our spirit with some cake! And yes, some flowers.
Mocha Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Ganache from the Hungry Mouse…perfect. And, nothing can pull you through a nasty winter snowstorm like a simple vase of cut white hyacinths. ( cake photo: the Hungry Mouse )
http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/04/07/mocha-layer-cake-with-sour-cream-ganache/
Midwinter
December 21, 2012
Odd name for the Winter solstice which is actually the first day of the season. Call it what you will, it is absolutely my most favorite of days. It marks the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight but signals the slow, steady increase in daylight hours as we move into spring. Sure, it might not seem like a big thing to you but trust me, if you live anywhere near the midwest, you will immediately notice that the sky has not gone to pitch at 4:45 in the afternoon. There is a feeling of hope…yes, that spring is just one season away. So, celebrate with me if you care to, with anything ( hell, everything ) that reminds you of spring… and relish every extra minute of daylight.
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
Summer Rocks
August 26, 2012
And, that is the inspiration for this simple “assembled” floral display…a found object…a rock. Well, that and the white-hot sunlight that August brings and lush green lawns. What could be more refreshing on a hot hot day than crisp white and the cooling effect of mossy green? interpreted in Ornithogalum and Dianthus barbatus cultivar…simply arranged in an assortment of clear and frosted glass cylinders, this grouping can stand alone on your dining or coffee table any day of the week or, with a little further augmentation, create a quiet, elegant presentation for some occasion more special. Perhaps grouping the parts on a white lacquer tray or natural log slice, adding more egg rock or river stones and some simple votive candlelight to compliment the star-shaped blooms? Any way you rock it you’ve got simplequietmodern that lasts and lasts ( these flowers in the photo are in week 3) and won’t break the bank.
simplequietmodern 