"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is.
Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!"--Tasha Tudor



Thursday, August 28, 2008

Celebrating Tasha Tudor Day

We started this morning like any other, having a good cup of coffee, feeding all household residents (human, furry and feathered...) Here is Josephine. Isn't she getting big? Does anyone know what kind of chicken she is?


She really would like to know....
(we have since found out that she is a Silver Laced Wyandotte!)
















What kind of Tasha Tudor blog post could this be without including a Corgi first? Here is our eldest Corgi, Bailey, wearing a flower wreath in Tasha's honor. Doesn't she look smashing? She knows she does.



















Any Tasha Tudor fan knows that it is perfectly OK for a grown woman to play with dolls and miniatures! To that end, I will show you my little country mouse house. The mice decided to whoop it up and send calorie counting to the wind today. They had a glorious feast of lovely desserts. I overhead part of the conversation, something about a great grandmother who was a seamstress at Mouse Mills, a mercantile from which Tasha would order lovely doll dresses. The afternoon tea was just divine....for a while, anyway....

















Shhh....did you hear something?

















Oh no! A tea-time kitty saboteur! Someone save us!





Cute saboteur, but saboteur nonetheless!
















I enjoyed watching this video for the millionth time...




















and I lit a candle in memory of Tasha and had a cup of tea in an antique pink lustreware teacup in her honor...
















This card drawn by Tasha is very special to me; not only because it is in her own hand, but because looking at it always inspires me. I remember hearing somewhere that the Amish always put an intentional flaw in their quilts to remind them that "Only God Is Perfect." Whether this is true or a myth, I still love the idea of it. Looking at Tasha's quick drawing; it appears that she was not entirely happy with it. (Like, what artist is EVER completely happy or satisfied with their work?) "Unfortunately this didn't turn out too well. It is supposed to be a deer" she wrote. The card arrived with the stains you see and the tiniest flecks of paint splattered on it. I LOVE THIS. It reminds me that even Tasha Tudor wasn't perfect. God only knows what artworks we will never see because perhaps she wasn't satisfied with the way they turned out. In our eyes they may have been masterpieces. She may not have been perfect, but as the expression goes, she was "keeping it real" in her daily life. She lived authentically because she lived the way she wanted to. Was she perfect? Of course not. Who is? She even said herself that like the moon we all have our dark side that we don't want seen. All families have their share of troubles, even when things seem practically perfect on the outside. Things don't always go the way we hope or plan. But I think in the end it is not how many squabbles we may have or how many times we fall or fail; but what matters is how many times we get back up to try again. To make amends, to love again. My grandmother always said, 'Where there's life, there's hope." What matters is taking each day as a gift. If life gives you lemons, you go and make that lemonade! Make some lemon meringue pie, some lemon ice and lemon cookie bars while you are at it! Make the most of your own little corner of the world. I guess what I'm trying to say is that life comes with its joys and sorrows, its trials and triumphs. Even when things are not perfect, I hope I can always choose to focus on the good, the joy in a situation, to "Take Joy." When you remember Tasha, I hope you will, too. Warmly, Cathy ^..^

P.S. Thanks to Clarice, Cay and Suzanne for getting the word out about TT day! ^..^

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Little House Envy








Anyone who knows me knows that I have always been a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. Who isn't? I grew up reading the books and loving the TV series. Yes, I have a Laura Ingalls doll, a LHOP lunchbox and a Little House board game. Truly, I really do. We even named my daughter Laura Elizabeth (now 17) after Laura Ingalls Wilder; but my Laura was truly a 'Half-Pint' as she was a preemie born 3 1/2 mos. early! We wanted her to have a strong name as we knew she was in for a fight to survive. Laura means crowned with laurel leaves, or victorious. Elizabeth means consecrated to God. Add that to my love for Little House and there you go. Right now I wish I lived in Minnesota because Little House On The Prairie, The Musical is making its debut to sold out audiences. And, bonus? The lovely Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura on the original TV series) is playing Ma. I am so jealous of everyone who has tickets. Boo hoo. Has anyone seen it? I'd love to hear all about it. Kara Lindsay will play Laura in the musical. The role of "Pa" Ingalls will be played by Steve Blanchard, who starred for eight years on Broadway as the Beast in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." (saw it, awesome!) Last August we took my daughter and her friends (left to right above on the blurry photo: Laura, Christine, Laila and Jennie) to The Lion King for her Sweet Sixteen. Completely awesome show. But I think Broadway could use a dose of Little House. If only it will make its way to New York. I'll be first in line for tickets should my wish come true. Anyone else wanna go? -CS ^..^

Friday, August 22, 2008

Puppy Breath


Reinwood Corgis is proud to present Halo and Darby's brand new puppies, born on Tuesday. 5 girls, 2 boys. She is such a good mom and just loves her puppies. Have a happy weekend, everyone! CS ^..^

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Leah!


Is it prideful to boast about a lovely Corgi you've bred? Oh well, here I am, guilty then. Anne Bowes just sent me this photo of "Leah," Heronsway Showboat. She is from the Darby x Bridget litter that we (myself, Mary Elizabeth and Anne) bred; and we all couldn't be happier about how she is growing up. Here she is under judge Mr. Houston Clark winning Best of Breed at the Southern Adirondack show in Ballston Spa, NY. Readers of this blog may remember her from her puppy pictures (you can see them all in if you scroll down through the 2007 archives, links to the left!) She is such a pretty, happy, give-you-lots-of-Corgi-kisses girl. Actually, the little pup in the middle of the banner at the top of this blog is Leah. I know that Leah and Anne will continue to be a great team in the show ring and beyond. Bridget and Darby are so proud! -CS ^..^
p.s. Do click here to read Anne's interview when she was honored as Herding Breeder Of The Year. When she talks about being a 'walking encyclopedia' of pedigrees, I can personally tell you that she is most assuredly that! We are thrilled to have had Anne share not only the best of her line when she entrusted Bridget to us, but also the knowledge that she so generously shares. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a wonderful friend in Anne Bowes.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Spoonflower



Having received one of the coveted invites from Spoonflower a few weeks ago, I finally played around with one of my images to create this sweet hedgehog fabric with my little Hedgie Fashionista. You have no idea how happy this little piece of fabric makes me! Tiny hedgies all over...joy joy joy!!! I am so excited about this and I wish Spoonflower much success. They are in the Beta stages right now and moving etc. Next will be some Corgi fabric. Now, what will I do with it? I've got a million ideas rolling around in my brain. This will NOT be like the time I bought 200 tiny plastic white mice just because they were on sale and I thought "I just know I will do something with them!" This is seriously cool. Seriously. -CS ^..^

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Celebrate Tasha Tudor Day!


Clicking on this photo in my sidebar will bring you to Clarice's blog where you can read more about joining in the celebration of Tasha Tudor Day on August 28th. You can copy this banner or the one in the sidebar to add to your own blog to help spread the word. Kindred spirits everywhere, join us, to celebrate the life and work of this dear heart. -CS ^..^

Monday, August 11, 2008

Katy & Gary

I just had to show you these photos of my lovely Sister-in-Law, Katy McCaffrey and my brother, Gary. This photo was taken at a recent wedding in one of those photo booths that seem to be pretty popular right now. Aren't they just the cutest? And, that little baby bump that Katy has is my soon to be niece who they have named Hayley, due next month. We are all so excited! Look what they did in the baby's room! The black walls are actually chalkboard so they created this mural with colored chalk. What a lucky baby, eh?










The bottom two photos are of Gary's awesome band Candygram For Mongo ...you can hear them on their website and check them out live on the West coast right now in only the coolest places, radio stations and TV appearances...their latest CD is fantastic!

Happy Monday, everyone! -CS ^..^






*band photos by Heather Harris


(p.s. Gary, you are still a nerd :)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Corgi Picnic Photos!

Stella had a great time at the Mayflower Corgi picnic on Sunday! Here are some photos we took of the fun. Sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words so I will let them do the talking! Enjoy! -CS ^..^