Today I became acquainted with the beautiful tie and dye process of India known as Bandhini and Shibori.

Bhandini is one of the oldest forms of surface embellishment done on textiles with references dating back to the Jain Manuscripts. The meticulous process is created mainly by the Khatri artisans. I was introduced to this meticulous process through a traditional chitarnar (artist / designer) who draws the patterns on the fabric — sometimes floral, abstracted circles and zig-zags, figures, animals, birds or trees. The chitamar I was introduced to works with about 300 women and men to produce her exquisite designs.

The fabric is speckled with tiny square-shaped dots (bindi) typically done by women knotters (bandnari), who tediously pinch and resist tie the silk with thin threads before it is dyed.

 Customarily, the dyeing is done by men — ranganaar or dyer — who dye the textile pieces in either natural vegetable or man-made dyes. Their proficiency is seen in the hues and balanced blending of color that is radiated from the material.

Shibori is another tie and dye method that creates pattern by binding, stitching, folding, twisting or compressing cloth. The method is generally determined by the characteristics of the cloth used.

The gorgeous scarves and shawls shown in a trunk show were from the region of Gujarat, which is renowned for its textiles. Though hard to decide because the colors are so sumptuous, I finally decided on two natural pigmented scarves — one to be a gift. Mine was dyed using purpurin, which is only present in the natural form of madder and imparts an orange/red tone. The other was dyed using indigo. 

Some days are just like that . . . no matter where you go or what you do, you come away so much the richer (or more frustrated) by the experience or information learned.

Today started with a guided walking tour, sponsored by the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, of the newly designated Santa Inés Historic Park with property steward Wayne Sherman. Joining me were friends Deborah (aka Gypsy, for those who followed my Morocco blog) and Joan.

The tour began at the Old Mission Santa Inés, one of California's 21 missions spread out between San Diego and Sonoma that was founded in 1804 by Father Estévan Tapis of the Franciscan order. We learn that much of the original church was destroyed in an 1812 earthquake centered near Santa Barbara. Next, we head downhill through an old Mission walnut grove and past a relatively newly replanted olive grove to one of California's earliest industrial sites — a once water-powered grist mill (1819) and fulling mill (1821). The latter permitted the production of much finer wool cloth.

While the former property owners did a lovely restoration of the old mill buildings, the State Historic Parks, in my humble opinion, were remiss in not replanting heirloom olive varietals that would have been authentic to this property — especially since they are growing olives now in hope of generating some needed funding to offset the expenses of managing the property.

Cindy Douglas, Farm Manager, leads us first through a discussion of the walnut grove, which is one of the cooperative groves that produce organic walnuts and walnut oil under the La Nogalera label. Our friend Mary Jane (aka Mama Rosa on my Morocco blog) is also a walnut farmer / ember of the cooperative.

Next, we head to the Tutti Frutti hoop greenhouses to discuss the organically farmed heirloom tomatoes and other row crops they produce. Unbelievably (and sadly), we are told that 50% of their production is sold through national chain grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Safeway, while 10% is sold through the several weekly farmers markets in Santa Barbara / Montecito / Goleta and the Food Bank, and 40% goes unsold / unused. Incredible. Part of our discussion is the need to bring farmers such as Tutti Frutti in contact with local restaurants, schools, hospitals and other end-users. However, it also seems hard to understand why the cost of their produce at Farmers Markets is priced lower in order to sell more. Or, why someone has not created a local business to use the healthy, yet unsold produce to make commercial sauces, tapanades, etc. And, at this point we are only talking about one farm and one of their crops!

To be fair, the 50% of tomatoes being sold through national chain grocery stores has more to do with their crazy notion that consumers only want certain size and perfectly round tomatoes. Really, Whole Foods . . . get real!

My dear friend (and faux little sister) Andrea Weir has accomplished a life-long dream . . . and I am still smiling over her accomplishment! What is it? The publication of her first novel, "A Foolish Consistency."

According to the back jacket, it is a "passionate love story, a statement on the power of hope, the importance of forgiveness, and ultimately, the joy of redemption." Though the book is dedicated to her two daughters, who are also my late husband's and my god-daughters, the first acknowledgement amazingly is to me — for which I am totally touched.

Andrea has also raised the bar for me . . . no longer can I make excuses to her for not having finished the books I've begun. Thank you, I think!

Summertime is party time . . . entertaining time. So, here is a recipe that sounds yummy and simple to make that I received today from Avant Tapas & Wine, along with a bottle of Longoria 2012 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir.

ARTICHOKE BRUSCHETTA

INGREDIENTS

• Loaf of French Bread
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Marinated Artichoke Hearts
• Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes
• Minced Garlic
• Fresh Basil
• Fresh Oregano
• Salt & Pepper

INGREDIENTS

1. Cut bread into 1/2" thick slices.
2. Drizzle bread with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and grill (or broil) until golden brown.
3. Cut Heirloom cherry tomatoes into quarters.
4. Combine marinated artichoke hearts, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil chiffanade*, and fresh oregano.
5. Add salt, pepper and more Extra Virgin Olive Oil to taste
6. Spoon on top of grilled or broiled bread.

* To make basil chiffanade, stack clean, de-stemmed leaves of basil in piles of three to six leaves; tightly roll the stacked leaves lengthwise; using a very sharp knife, cut thin strips. NOTE: If your knife isn't really sharp, it will bruise the leaves and discolor the outer edges.

Some friends and I saw this really fun and thought-provoking one-woman play last night . . . Manchester Girl. 

It is a mostly biographical piece about escaping life in Northern England via the Tokyo modeling world in the 80s . . . taking you on "a vivid journey of hilarious culture clashes, discos, drugs, and heartbreak. Manchester Girl received a Fringe First Award in Edinburgh and will be opening in New York in September as part of the United Solo theatre festival.

By the way, Sue and her musician husband Robert Cray live in our fabulous Santa Ynez Valley!

I love to fly . . . looking down at the earth's contours . . . the subtle colors . . . and patterns made by nature and by man. Here are just a very few I took while flying back home today . . .

Coming to Montana from the Santa Ynez Valley it is hard to sometimes imagine that other parts of the country have rivers that flow and waterfalls that do more than trickle this time of year.

Having had a very successful board meeting, Robin, Nick, their dog, Jane, and I head off today for a hike to Morrell Falls — just north of Seely Lake — in the Lolo National Forest and at the base of the Swan Mountain Range. It is an easy 4.5 mile roundtrip hike that passes through Lodgepole Pine forest. The falls are beautiful and the sound is thunderous as huge amounts of water cascade down the 90' double drop. It is hard, actually, to photograph as the banks are swollen and the spray is like a cold shower!

Just over a month since returning from Morocco, and I am off again . . . this time to Montana for a Cinnabar Foundation board meeting. A favorite time, as this is when we decide which organizations and projects will receive funding.

I flew into Missoula, Montana last night and spent the night with board president Robin Tawney Nichols and her husband Nick. Today, Robin and I visited the newly renovated Montana Natural History Museum and the Clark Fork Coalition — two of our grantees who share space in a rehabilitated building that once was a dairy and then a brewery. After lunch, we headed north to Big Sky Lake where the board meeting will be held this weekend at the Nichol's lake house. A gorgeous and quiet spot!

A quick trip, I will fly home on Tuesday morning. Too bad . . . since it is the best weather I've had in Montana in several years!