Shepherding the Flock

A Comforting Remembrance!

Earlier in December I gathered rose hips and added to the Princess pine and rosemary. As you might recall, in my "Delightful Kindred Spirit Finds" post, I mentioned various old well loved things previously owned by a kindred spirit Martha. This little basket is another one of them.

Rose Hips hanging from the mantel and an old English shepherd's staff alongside.


An old fashioned English smock.


In "The Workwoman's Guide", originally published in 1838, there is instruction on making a smock.
In referencing bunnies and knitted rabbit wool items from Beatrix Potter's stories and a knitting pattern, Tasha Tudor mentioned "The Workwoman's Guide" and wrote to us "Maybe you also own this invaluable work?" Those at Corgyncombe find that "The Workwoman's Guide" is indeed a most valuable guide. It contains information, patterns, and instructions relating to bonnets and caps, collars, stitches, shawls, frocks, sleeves, knitting, household items, and many other things. The book has instructions for making little stitches and "neat" and "neatly" are predominant words.


The real and original Tillie Tinkham, seamstress mouse for the dolls at Corgyncombe.
Tillie Tinkham is in agreement with Tasha Tudor:
"The Workwoman's Guide" is an "invaluable work"!


The sheep in the stable remind me of my own. Raising sheep has long been a tradition in my family for many generations. In addition, my direct family surnames include both Shepard/Shepherd and Angel... puts one in a Christmastide mood!


The Shepard's Barn
I truly like the smell of the unwashed fleece. I love spinning wool in the grease. Spinning in the grease is not for everyone but I do not mind the smell of the fleece, in fact I find the smell comforting as it reminds me of when I was a little girl going into the old barn with the beautiful stone foundation and seeing all the lambs with their mamas.




How I just loved the little lambs!
I have loved old fashioned things since I was a little girl, even before I discovered Tasha Tudor!
The first Tasha Tudor illustrations I saw was when I was a child after the above photograph was taken and they were in "Childcraft Poems of Early Childhood". One of the poems was "Mary's Lamb" where Tasha illustrated an old fashioned schoolhouse with the children working on their slates at their desks when Mary's little lamb appears and tries to enter the schoolhouse. Tasha's illustration also shows the old schoolhouse with the lovely rolling hills in the background. I have always and forever loved rolling hills! The last illustration shows Mary tenderly giving her lamb a hug!
The photograph of me hugging the lamb reminds us of Tasha Tudor's Mary hugging her lamb and of other Tasha Tudor illustrations, as well!
What Tasha has drawn in her illustrations are the same old ways that I grew up with. I find them familiar, comforting, and I am drawn to them.




A basket of Diane's handspun natural colored yarns.


The Shepard's Pasture


Sarah and Daisy the Nubian Goat, we call her Daisy Petals. Can you see why?



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A Corgyncombe Christmas Eve!

Baby Jesus in a Peaceful Corner of the Garden of Herbs

Diane's Grandmum always had an old fashioned table top Christmas tree.
This year we decided to have a tree like Grandmum's to put in the old fashioned kitchen/herbary.
When guests arrived the old Kalliope music box was playing.
Simply magic!!!

The tree is topped with a tin foil star. When Sarah was a baby and we were looking for something to put atop our Christmas tree, we made the silver star out of cardboard and tin foil. We enjoy its simplicity and have used it ever since. There is an old fashioned fence on the table that surrounds the base of the table top tree. Alongside the tree is an old fashioned toy horse on wheels.

Tasha Tudor illustrated some splendid rocking horses and several toy animals on wheels, including a horse, sheep, cow, and dog, in the 1975 version of "The Night Before Christmas". There is two page colour illustration in the book with a Christmas tree surrounded by Christmas toys, such as a rocking horse, a doll house, a doll riding in a carriage, a doll with a trunk full of clothes, a toy sheep, a jump rope, a copper kettle, a doll sofa, a tea set, a miniature wash set and drying rack, a sled, a drum, a wagon with blocks, a Jack-in-the-box, toy soldiers, a cow on wheels, a bubble pipe, a ball, and a toy dog on wheels. What a delightful illustration of a Happy Christmas!

In the 1975 version of "The Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Tasha Tudor, Tasha wrote to Sarah:
"To Miss Sarah who wears fine boots! Love from Tasha Tudor"

One year when Sarah was little, in a peaceful corner of her herb garden Diane placed a manger scene of figures that she painted.
Sarah and her young friends were delighted!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 25!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

A special package that Frizzy's Mummy ordered, arrived just in time on Christmas Eve.
Frizzy opened it on Christmas Day and she is delighted for now she can take her Baby Doll with her as she explores the vast frozen acreage of Corgyncombe with her Reindeer!

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 24!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Elizabeth reads "The Night Before Christmas" to her sisters Violet and Cynthie and Cynthie's little doll, too.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 23!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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Old Fashioned Shoes Underneath the Table Top Tree!

Mama Duck Resides at Corgyncombe Box 507!

Old fashioned shoes and socks under the dolls' feather tree.

Last week we cut a tree for atop the table like the one we always used to have at Grandmum's house!
The shoe box is moved under the old fashioned table top Christmas tree in the old kitchen.


Mama Duck spied the shoe box and started throwing the striped red socks and old fashioned shoes out of the box.



She then found some hay left over from when the goat kiddles resided in the old kitchen and filled the shoe box full of hay to her satisfaction. Isn't she clever with her bill?


Here she sits in box 507, contented and happy in her nest under the Christmas tree!

The Corgyncombe Courant will have to photograph the table top Christmas tree when the decorating is finished!


Diane in her little black Christmas party shoes, not as old as the shoes in box 507, but they give an old fashioned look. The Christmas party dress was red with a white collar.

In the photograph above Diane is at her Grandparents house for Christmas. They always had an old fashioned looking table top tree. Diane's Uncles on both her Father's and Mother's sides always bought her little frocks and then they would take photographs of her in the frocks. On her Father's side the frocks had a more old fashioned look. They were probably bought at charming old country stores that carried older stock. On her Mum's side Diane received frocks from New York City and all over the world. But then, Diane's Father's side has always been more old fashioned! Grandmum on Father's side has always reminded me of Tasha Tudor!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 22!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Lucy looks to see what St. Nicholas has left for her in her wooden shoe.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 21!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 20!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 19!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Tillie Tinkham enjoys her tea and crumbs.
She stirs her tea with her peppermint stick.
The peppermint adds a delightful taste to Tillie's tea.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 18!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Elizabeth piecing together quilt squares on the sewing machine.
Seamstress mouse and fashion designer Tillie Tinkham helps Elizabeth turn the wheel to make the sewing machine sew.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 17!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Frizzy thought her reindeer would look stunning decorated for Christmastide!

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 16!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Quackin' around the Christmas tree, holding paper chains from wing to wing.
Quackenbush is wearing a paper hat like Tasha Tudor showed Diane and Sarah how to make.
Quackenbush is quite fond of his paper hat sporting one of Phidelia Finch's feathers tucked in the side.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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A Christmas Calendar Inspired by Tasha Tudor, Day 15!

"The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things"

Chirpy Cheerful works at Finch Post for Postmistress Phidelia Finch and her husband Post Assistant Bates Finch. Chirpy sorts mail, weighs mail, and delivers mail. Sometimes during the Christmas season the mail is delayed, despite their best efforts, due to high winds, Nor'Easters, and blizzards. Frizzy's Mum hopes that a special package will make it through in time for Christmas for her daughter Priscilla Francelia, or as everyone else knows her as, Frizzy.

For years we have been inspired by our friend Tasha Tudor's doll families. Tasha Tudor made her dolls look so real and we know that they were real to her. Our dolls seem very real to us, too. Our doll families have many children, cousins, Mums, and Aunties who like to do all the favorite things that we like to do best!

Tasha Tudor created many delightfully fun Calendars for Christmas and Valentines Day.

Diane and her daughter Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor's Advent Calendars and delightful dolls, to make this Christmas Calender, "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things". This is the 6th year that Diane and Sarah have made A Calendar to Count "The Days Until Christmas" featuring Amelia's Favorite Things. This edition of "The Days Until Christmas: Amelia's Favorite Things" was originally created in 2008 and we know you will enjoy it also this 2011 Christmastide Season! Amelia and her family like to celebrate all the special days throughout the year!

Everyday, starting December 1st, a new photograph should appear for the Christmas Calendar, however we ask your patience dear readers, as sometimes there might be a delay due to the weather (such as blizzards, ice storms, high winds and snow), technical difficulties, Finch Post delays, etc.

The Corgyncombe Courant doesn't have a set time when we add the photograph of the day to the Calendar, as there are many other tasks to do and animals to care for.

As it is a Christmas Calendar of Amelia's Favorite Things and Amelia is a doll who lives at Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, the photographs in the calendar are appropriately small.

How we look forward to celebrating Christmastide traditions and the many surprises as we

Count "The Days Until Christmas" with Amelia!

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Delightful Kindred Spirit Finds!

Baskets, Quilts, Birds, Gardening, and Gazing at the Stars!

I seem to have, when visiting antique shops, an ability to pick out items all previously owned by the same person. Things that I treasure, they treasured. That is what happened recently when I visited one of my favorite antique shops.
I looked up, hanging from the ceiling was this wonderful old basket, a basket that you could take into the garden and gather flowers in, be they wild flowers or home grown.

On the shelf I found a delightful old quilt of mellow colours of blue, salmon pink, and brown. This quilt was old and well loved, all hand sewn. The quilt reminds me of quilts I used to have tucked in around me when I was a little girl. I just love its warm, soft colours. I also found a linen dish towel with green and peach stripes. The quilt, the basket, and the linen towel had belonged to the same lady. I found out that she lived without electric and running water! She did her cooking and baking on an old wood cook range. I had to find out more about this lady! Later I found out that Martha was a gardener, loved watching the birds, looking at stars in the night sky, dolls, genealogy, and teaching Sunday School! I wish I could have known her, as true kindred spirits are a delight to find! We would imagine that Martha would have known and loved Tasha Tudor's illustrations, too!

There are more delightful finds of Martha's that we will share with you later!


I has always loved watching birds, too. In grade school one of my teachers loved birds and always fed them in a tree outside the window. I always liked to watch the birds instead of concentrating on school work. I received an award for perfect attendance which was a certificate to be redeemed at the bookstore. The second I walked in the bookstore I knew which book I wanted... a big wonderful book about birds. The book included a recording of all the lovely bird songs.

The Corgyncombe Courant encourages their dear readers to feed the birds throughout the winter and never forget to feed them daily as our little winged friends depend on us! The birds are always such a joy to watch and to hear! They can also be amusing to watch, like the nuthatch who likes to perch upside down.


A beautiful Tufted Titmouse in flight!


The colours of the quilt remind us of the winter birds at Corgyncombe.


A lovely Mourning Dove.

The old quilt and garden basket that belonged to Martha.
In the basket are kissing balls to be hung on the porch. On the log, near the bottom of the chair, grows some Herb-Robert. Herb-Robert has lovely pink flowers when it blooms in the spring through autumn.


This is the nest of the Red-Winged Blackbird in June.
'Tis hidden away near the ground in the goat pasture.
These nests are very hard to find but there were many of them nesting in the pasture and the meadow.
The colours of the eggs and nest also remind us of the old quilt.



This old tintype was found for 99 cents at another antique shop a little ways away from the other antique shop. It was full of mud and you could hardly see the portrait inside. It looked like it had been through a flood! At home I carefully took apart the tintype, glass, and case and cleaned everything. A lovely lady's portrait emerged! What a pretty frock she is wearing! We wonder who she was!


On St. Nicholas Day one year, Diane took this photograph of this lovely chickadee.
The morn dawned snowy, sparkly white.




On Day 14 in "An Advent Calendar from Tasha Tudor", behind the doors, right above St. Nicholas and his sleigh pulled by owls, are two chickadees resembling the chickadee in my photograph. We are loving our new Advent Calendar that was a delightful find this summer "From Tasha Tudor, An Advent Calendar, Christmas Comes But Once A Year". Day 10 had the cutest little mouse in a cornucopia that reminds us of our Tillie Tinkham! We always open the doors on the Advent Calendars on the appointed days because not to open them would be missing half of the joy!

Take Joy in the simple things, this delightful Christmastide!!!

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