"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! ^..^

16 comments:

Suzanne said...

What a wonderful post Cat, I was with you in spirit:-)

Jenna Z said...

What a lovely post! Bailey is adorable, what a lovely corgi tribute! And of course it's perfectly fine to play with dolls! I do every day! I would say your chicken is a Silver Laced Wyandot. And thank you do much for your comment on my pinnie, I tried to email back but you must be one busy girl because your email was full! I had seen so many aprons in this style for toddlers but NO ONE was making them for adults! So I created a pattern my darn self! I love it, I've made so many and put one on as soon as I get home from work most days. :)

Paula said...

Dear Cathy,

Thank you for you kind comments. My son was delighted you liked his Boggart!

I loved your tribute to Tasha Tudor, so did my husband and son. Your hen is so pretty. Oh, the mice dolls are the sweetest things and your little kitty too. I love the story you wrote along with it. Bailey is just adorable and she looks so pretty in her floral wreath! Tasha would be so pleased!

I love all the wonderful and encouraging thoughts you shared. You blessed me so very much! Thank you!!!!

Blessings,
Paula
P.S. I bookmarked your lovely blog too!

Spinneretta said...

I'm with Jenna... that's what your hen looks like :) My daughter's chicken poster says so ;)

It is a lovely tribute to Tasha... and what a precious card :) It is true... most artists are never satisfied- after all, perfection *should* be in our reach!!

Marilyn Miller said...

I love hearing more about Tasha Tudor. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

And if I had a dog it would definitely be a Corgi. They are adorable.

homespun living said...

Cathy, thanks for your comment at my blog. Your chickens look just like my silver laced wyandottes.
Deb

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes! Your girls are Silver Laced Wyandotts! They are one of my favorites! I even order 2 roosters in that breed this year! I can send you one! :-)

I love your Tasha post. It's so well-said. I don't think I need to d a thing but send people to your post!
LaVonne

Gumbo Lily said...

I'm guessing your hen is a Silver-laced Wyandott. Wonderful post about Tasha. Thanks for sharing.

Jody

Ivy@PaperElixir said...

What an inspirational and timely post! I was just chatting (online) with someone about feeling insecure from our creative "failures". It definitely helps to know that "even Tasha Tudor isn't perfect"! I also like the quote re: even moons have a dark side that don't want to be seen.

I wonder if some people just "get it" from the beginning, while others (like me) struggle with it from time to time?

Anonymous said...

A wonderful post! And your photos are so lovely. Thank you very much!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the invitation! The tribute to Tasha is wonderful, as is your blog. So many sweet things to see and read about. Loved the story about the card and the mice. Where did you find those two? I have one like them that is over 30 years old, didn't know they were still around. Would love to find more. Bailey is so cute--what a darling pup. I truly enjoyed my visit with you--thanks again sharing! xox ~Vicki

Lorie said...

Cathy what a beautiful post-Your blog is always so enjoyable and such an inspiration. Tasha would be proud. I just recieved your tile of "another day in paradise" it is fabulous and is right at home in our tiki room-thank you.
I also wanted to mention to some of your bloggers a new book I just picked up,"the day I ate whatever I wanted" By Elizabeth Berg, she is such a great writer and truly speaks in a woman's voice, this particular book is short stories, about how as women we are so hard on ourselves. Always striving for that perfection. I hope you'll take a look and enjoy.
Live in this moment, this moment is your life
Thanks again XO Lorie

Anonymous said...

That is a great tribute! I still have the mouse house I got as a little girl but the occupant and her possesions are missing. Your story brought bacl fond memories

Anonymous said...

Love your tribute to Tasha post. Your hen is just beautiful---and I adored your little mice, their story and their intrudor! (How precious). How lucky you are to have a card drawn by her--I know you must cherish it. Your cup of tea and your post no doubt made her smile. dana

Tanya said...

I love your posts.

I was so excited when I found your blog...I'm a huge Corgi lover (and we have a 10 month old Pembroke also) and your blog is awesome! I love the artwork and had no idea who Tasha Tudor was until I read about her here. I love her illustrations and can't wait to get her Corgi books.

How fun!

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

This is TOO CUTE Cathy... I am SO SURE Tasha is "Smiling"! Your dog is such a cutie and I LOVED the little mouse tea, I think Kitty just wanted a cup too!
I'm SO happy I found your blog too, be sure to follow me, I LOVE visitors and ALWAYS "Keep the Kettle On"! Hugs, Donna@Conghaile Cottage