I told you I would come back today for our little chats. So here I am! Trying to get back into the swing of things. First off, before I forget this wonder, I have posted the most wonderful recipe (my recipe of the year) to the Treats section of this page. It is for a red onion and cilantro chutney or salad or whatever. You can eat it on its own, or dollop it on burgers or a side for a cool veggie plate. It embraces the constant wonder of fresh lime juice/cilantro and cumin. Make up a little batch and see how long you can keep it in your fridge. Not long is my guess. The book, Asian Pickles: India by Karen Solomon is filled with these gems and I plan on trying quite a few this summer.

The mid-century modern hanky designer du jour is Tammis Keefe, born Margaret Thomas Keefe (1913-1960) and was one of the first designers to sign her work. The Keefe site quickly gives us a terrific bio:

"Originally a math major in college, she transferred to the Chouinard Institute of Art, now part of the California Institute of the Arts. As did many Chouinard graduates, Keefe worked for the Disney studios, and later became art director of the influential periodical Arts and Architecture, a publication renowned for innovative layout and graphic design. Next followed a stint in the California studio of textile artist Dorothy Liebes, who mentored many young designers.

Keefe became one of the first women to sign her name conspicuously on her work and to achieve name recognition. Lord & Taylor Manhattan even took out a full-page ad in The New York Times for a "Meet the Designer" day to introduce Keefe and a new line of furnishing fabrics. At the time, the major department chains, such as Lord & Taylor and Wanamaker's, were still temple complexes to the gods of mercantilism, with their own home furnishing departments whose buyers had national clout and influence.

Before her death at age forty-six in 1960, Keefe produced approximately four hundred designs for handkerchiefs and at least one hundred for dishtowels, all featuring her trademarks of unexpected color and subtle wit."

The Tammis Keefe website sums it up (go there to see broad selections of her work) . Gorgeous, whimsical, happy, imaginative, and celebrating the ordinary (such as hankies about housekeeping) and cocktail time. She is of her moment (Disney, Chouinard, Mary Blair, Morris Lapidus)--the incredible decorate and pattern everything with a particular, and distinct style. Her work and scope resonates with me...and I am sure there is lots to learn by looking.

Work awaits. I thought you might like the Tammis gumdrop. More later.