Tasha Tudor, A Birthday Celebration!

Celebrating A Kindred Spirit

Sarah in one of the Corgyncombe Cottage gardens in her frock from Tasha Tudor's antique frock collection.

Tasha Tudor is pictured in "Drawn from New England" playing a dulcimer. Diane's mountain dulcimer is very similar to the one that Tasha hung in the library at Corgi Cottage.

This morning whilst out gathering wildflowers along Corgi Creek, I saw a little wren on the woodpile and a little Chippy Hackee (Beatrix Potter's name for a chipmunk) scampering about. One can feel a coolness in the air now and Corgi Creek was pleasantly babbling in the background. There is an apricot glow that starts in the wildflowers and the tops of the cornfields that eventually will work its way to the trees as autumn approaches.

When I came inside I smelled the cake on the table that needs frosting that will be enjoyed later at Tasha Tudor's Birthday Tea.

By this time, the corgyn were more than ready for breakfast and a necessary outing.

In the old barn, 'twas nice this cool morn to sit on the milking stand close to Carmella Lucille and feel her warmth as I did the pleasant required task of milking. The goat kiddles are so cute and friendly, they even still want to sit on our laps after breakfast. They always enjoy our version of the story of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff"... but that is a tale for another time.

All these daily things remind us of Tasha. We had so many things in common.

How grateful we are to have been her friend and kindred spirit.

The illustrations by Hugh Thomson in "The Vicar of Wakefield" written by Oliver Goldsmith, inspired Tasha to become an illustrator. Sarah made the bobbin lace bookmark in the photograph above.

"The Real Pretend" written by Joan Donaldson and illustrated by Tasha Tudor.
Sarah was Tasha's model for the illustrations of the little girl Kathy in "The Real Pretend". It is a true story about a little girl who goes round to her neighbors, taking pretend orders from the Larkins Catalog.

Tasha Tudor milking.

"Corgiville Fair" written and illustrated by Tasha Tudor.
What a delight the book is with the lovely, detailed paintings and the story where Tasha's wonderful sense of humor comes shining through. Tasha Corgi stands in front. "Corgiville Fair" is amongst the all time favorites at The Corgyncombe Library. It is some of Tasha's best work! If you haven't seen "Corgiville Fair" you are missing out!!!

Diane made the above photograph of Sarah and Tasha Corgi into a Valentine card that Tasha Tudor was delighted to receive. Tasha Corgi was named after Tasha Tudor, and Tasha Tudor was very honored and declared herself to be Tasha Corgi's Godmother. The Johnsons have had six corgyn: Tasha Corgi, Katrina Corgi, Ethlyn Maria Weaver Corgi, Emily Jane Jones Shepard Corgi, Eliakim May Corgi, and Lydia Rebecca Sly Corgi. The Johnsons are so grateful to Tasha for showing us through her illustrations how delightful corgyn can be!

Sarah down by the creek in her Tasha Tudor frock, standing near a chair that resembles Tasha's mustard chairs. In "The Real Pretend" Sarah is illustrated by Tasha sitting in a similar chair.

The cake at last year's celebration of Tasha Tudor's birthday.
The cake receipt, "Becky's Birthday Cake", is in "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook".

Charlotte enjoying the loveliness of the garden. Like Tasha's dolls, our dolls share our love of old fashioned things.

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