Queen Victoria's Birthday Tea!

Tea, Cake, and Violet Jelly at Castle Corgyncombe!

Queen Victoria's birthday is May 24th, and on May 23rd Canada celebrated Victoria Day! Here at Castle Corgyncombe we started celebrating on the 23rd!
The receipt for the cake is "Becky's Birthday Cake" from the "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook". It is iced with frosting running down like a waterfall in Scotland and topped with violets gathered from the lawns at Castle Corgyncombe. Alongside the cake is "Queen Victoria's Journal: Leaves From The Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, From 1848 to 1861", Edited by Arthur Helps, 1868. Selections from the book were read at tea time throughout the week. Lemon verbena tea, harvested and dried from Corgyncombe Garden of Herbs, was served at tea. Diane won the lovely pink lustre tea cup in the Tasha Tudor and Family Giveaway.

A Currier and Ives print of Queen Victoria.

The Turret at Castle Corgyncombe.
Heirloom sweet peas are on the arbor.

"First Impressions of Balmoral."
Balmoral, Friday, September 8, 1848.
"We arrived at Balmoral at a quarter to three. It is a pretty little castle in the old Scottish style. There is a picturesque tower and garden in front, with a high wooded hill; at the back there is a wood down to the Dee, and the hills rise all around."
"The view from here, looking down upon the house, is charming. To the left you look toward the beautiful hills surrounding Loch-na-Gar, and to the right, toward Ballater, to the glen (or valley) along which the Dee winds, with beautiful wooded hills, which reminded us very much of the Thuringerwald. It was so calm and so solitary, it did one good as one gazed around; and the pure mountain air was most refreshing. All seemed to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils."
from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"

A pretty little frock to wear on a day in May!

Violet jelly made from violets gathered from the lawns at Corgyncombe.
The making of the jelly will be in a later post.

A thistle label from the Corgyncombe Ephemera Collection.

A thistle found behind the big old barn at Corgyncombe, that we call "The Ark".


1844

Wednesday, September 18.
"Blair itself and the houses in the village looked like little toys from the great height we were on. It was quite romantic. Here we were, with only this Highlander behind us holding the ponies (for we got off twice and walked about) - not a house, not a creature near us, but the pretty Highland sheep, with their horns and black faces - up at the top of Tulloch surrounded by beautiful mountains."
from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"

The old shepherd who had the flock of sheep in the above photograph lived to be 98 and for years kept sheep on the hillside a ways down the road from Diane's family cemetery. The old shepherd was related to Diane through an old family line. The trees in the hillside beyond the pasture show lovely shades of violet, pink, and green.

1844
Monday, September 16.
"It is a walk of three miles round, and a very steep ascent; at every turn the view of the rushing falls is extremely fine, and looking back on the hills, which were so clear and so beautifully lit up, with the rapid stream below, was most exquisite." "The evening was beautiful, and we feasted out eyes on the ever-changing, splendid views of the hills and vales as we drove back. Albert said that the chief beauty of the mountain scenery consisted in its frequent changes."
from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"


1847
Ardverikie, Loch Laggan,
Saturday, August 21.
"On the 28th, about five o'clock, Albert drove me out across the ferry, along the Kingussie road, and from here the scenery was splendid: high bold hills, with a good deal of wood; glens, with the Pattock, and a small waterfall; the meadows here and there, with people making hay, and cottages sprinkled sparingly about, reminded us much of Thuringen."

from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"

Displayed at the Corgyncombe Library, on the art stand made by Seth Tudor,
is "Queen Victoria's Sketchbook" written by Marina Warner.
The book is open to a lovely watercolour done by Queen Victoria of the family out for a walk in their lovely old fashioned clothing.

Castle Corgyncombe & Corg'ery is a little farm in the valley where the corgyn dwell. Corgyn is plural for corgi. A combe is a valley, dale, vale, or hollow. Diane and Sarah made up their own exclusive word: "Corg'ery" ....... a corg'ery being a farm where an abundance of delightful corgyn dwell. Some spelling variations of their own word Corg'ery include: Corgiery, Corgi'ery, Corgery, Corg'ry, Corgi'ry.

Past the Turret, through the garden, and then through the arbor leads one down to Corgi Creek.

1844
Saturday, September 21.
"As the sun went down the scenery became more and more beautiful, the sky crimson, golden-red, and blue, and the hills looking purple and lilac, most exquisite, till at length it set, and the hues grew softer in the sky and the outlines of the hills sharper. I never saw any thing so fine."
from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"

The Dame's Rocket has just started to bloom this year.
Last night, coming out of the barn at twilight, its lovely scent lingered in the air.
The above photograph was taken in 2006. In several places Corgi Creek splits off and creates little islands. Diane and her husband took such a pleasant walk along Corgi Creek where the dame's rocket can be seen as far as the eye can see. The only thing one can hear is the babbling of the creek and birds singing. The rocket smells so sweet. It is a joy to the senses.... 'tis our own delightful paradise.

"Queen Victoria's Sketchbook" written by Marina Warner, is open to a watercolour by Queen Victoria of her little two year old daughter Alice in her birthday party frock with head wreath. The head wreath that Diane made creates a flower border around the watercolour. Below the art stand, the antique music box is wound up to play several delightful tunes!

Diane made the little head wreath out of ivy, lady's mantle, forget-me-nots, lily of the valley, and sweet woodruff. The little head wreath was inspired by the sweet embroidery on the frock!

"The Flower Vase; Containing the Language of Flowers and Their Poetic Sentiments" by Miss S. C. Edgarton, published in 1844.

Violet Faithfulness The book is open to the Violet page with lovely violets resting atop. The lawn at Corgyncombe was full of blue violets.

The Iris Florentina is now in full bloom at Castle Corgyncombe Gardens.

Out Amongst the Garden and Lawn
A Little Bouquet of May
After milking, Diane gathered a small bouquet of bleeding heart, lily of the valley, violets, and forget-me-nots. Bouquets about the cottage add such a cheer to the day and they are something special to look upon and a delight to smell every time you pass their way!

1844
Tuesday, October 1.
"At a quarter past eight o'clock we started, and were very, very sorry to leave Blair and the dear Highlands! Every little trifle and every spot I had become attached to; our life of quiet and liberty, everything was so pleasant, and all the Highlanders and the people who went with us I had got to like so much. Oh! the dear hills, it made me very sad to leave them behind!"
from"Queen Victoria's Journal: Our Life in the Highlands"

A little bouquet of violets, forget-me-nots, and lily of the valley from the lawn at Corgyncombe, rests atop "Queen Victoria's Journal:
Leaves From The Journal of Our Life in the Highlands,
From 1848 to 1861".

"Becky's Birthday Cake" from "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook" served with a spoonful of Corgyncombe violet jelly with a fresh picked violet atop, was enjoyed at tea for several days at Castle Corgyncombe. Absolutely delicious and so pretty to feast your eyes upon!!!

The photographs above and below:
Through The Castle Corgyncombe Kaleidoscope!

A lovely blue violet on the lawn at Corgyncombe.

Queen Victoria, Diane, and Sarah, it could be said,
all have a fondness for the hills and lovely landscapes!

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Goat Kiddles at Corgyncombe Goatery Go Exploring!

Our "Cup Runneth Over"!

The rains have ceased... for awhile, maybe. Awwwwww... a bit of nice weather and the kiddles are enjoying an outing amongst the dandelions and apple blossom petals!
The pastures are just aglow with dandelions and a bit of sun!

The kiddles are so sweet and cute and soft!
We love to rub our cheeks on their little soft heads!

In "The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Twenty-Third Psalm", illustrated by Tasha Tudor, on the "My cup runneth over" pages, there is a Mama Goat with her twin kiddles, a Mama Corgi with her little Corgyn, a Mama Rabbit with her little Bunns, a Mama Woodchuck with her little babies, and a Hen and her chicks amongst the dandelions.

Corgyncombe Cottage's "Cup Runneth Over", indeed!!!

Sweet Pea and Daisy out to pasture amongst the dandelions.
Doesn't Corgyncombe's new little kiddle remind you of her big sister Daisy?

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Corgyncombe's New Goat Kiddles!

Carmella Lucille Does Herself Proud!

For the last few days we have been keeping an eye on Corgyncombe Nubian Dairy Goat Carmella Lucille as she was past her due date. Yesterday she started going into labor. As time went on and things didn't look to be going as they should, we called the veterinary, he said one of the babies was breech. We were oh, so thankful that the veterinary assisted for safe deliveries. Above and below are a couple of photographs of the two little cuties who still don't have names, yet! Oh, dear readers, they are so sweet and dear and our time is spent attending to their every need!



In "The Springs of Joy", illustrated by Tasha Tudor, there are several adorable goat kiddles illustrated. One illustration has Tasha Tudor's grandchildren on a broken tree with a couple of kiddles and the Mama Goat. There are also dandelions on this page, a crop that Corgyncombe now is experiencing the glory of in full profusion! Dandelion jelly next, if I find the time. In "A Time to Keep", Tasha has illustrated one of her grandchildren with goat kiddles jumping joyously about in lovely April. Tasha Tudor illustrated a Christmas card with Sarah feeding the goats in the barn. There is a sweet little corgi at Sarah's feet. The feeding the goats card is featured in the video "Take Peace, A Corgi Cottage Christmas with Tasha Tudor". The goat that Sarah is feeding a bottle to looks a lot like one of Corgyncombe's new babies!

The photographs above were taken after they were born in the barn, yesterday. We have since brought them in the house as it is cold and damp in the barn. There is hay and shavings scattered about the old kitchen at Corgyncombe Cottage. 'Tis just about time for another feeding, so we will stop now and ready their bottles.

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Gathering Violets for Jelly!

The Corgyncombe Courant has received inquiries as to the disappearance of yesterday's, May 12th, post "Charming, Quaint, and Romantic!, Grandfather Goes Courtin'". Due to circumstances beyond our control this post has apparently disappeared for awhile. Blogger hopes to fix the difficulty and have the post back up, soon. In the meantime, the Corgyncombe Courant hopes you enjoy their latest photograph of gathering violets that grow wild on the lawn at Corgyncombe for making jelly on this beauteous day in May! Gathering violets, amongst numerous trips to the goat barn, fills the afternoon for those at the Corgyncombe Courant.

In "The Springs of Joy" and "1 is One", books both illustrated by Tasha Tudor, there are illustrations of violets.


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Charming, Quaint, and Romantic!

Grandfather Goes Courtin'!

An old photograph of Diane's Grandmum in her wedding frock along with an antique camera. Diane aspires to do portrait photography with old cameras such as this using the Corgyncombe Antique Clothing Collection.

May apple blossoms at sunrise down near Corgi Creek.


Diane's Grandmum in her wedding frock.
Grandmum had lovely light blue eyes and long dark brown hair which she put up, which Grandfather loved!

Diane's Grandmum and Grandfather were both of early Quaker descent. Both of their families started out in Massachusetts, north of Boston in the Newbury area and south of Boston in the Dartmouth area. Their Quaker families, known as the Society of Friends, then settled in an area known as the Oblong.

The Oblong was a long, narrow strip of land whose ownership was disputed between Connecticut and New York. In this long, narrow strip, Diane's Quaker families settled and lived.

"The History of Dutchess County, New York" edited by Frank Hasbrouck, published 1909, says the following: "The Oblong Patent, covering a narrow strip along the east borders of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, was ceded to the State of New York by Connecticut, May 14, 1731."


Diane's Grandfather Goin' Courtin' with horse and buggy.
Grandfather had brown eyes and red hair, which Grandmum loved!


Imagine riding in a horse and buggy along the lovely rolling hills, with the only sounds being the horses hooves and the lovely sound of the Baltimore Oriole flying from apple tree to apple tree, along with the other songbirds, and livestock to pasture, the sound of the creek, and ahhhh, the fragrance of the May apple tree...


The Valley in Spring.


The Baltimore Oriole's return and distinguished welcoming call was heard last weekend.
Every year in May, when the apple trees blossom, the welcome sound of the Oriole can be heard as it flies from apple tree to apple tree collecting bugs to eat.
In Thornton Burgess' "The Burgess Bird Book for Children", Peter Rabbit observed Goldy the Baltimore Oriole in the apple tree. Peter "never had seen any one more beautifully dressed and his song was as rich and beautiful as his coat."

Here is a link to the Corgyncombe Courant's post with Grandmum and Grandfather's children:

Childhood Christmas Memories During the Depression!

Here is a link to the Corgyncombe Courant's post about Grandmum's Grandmum.

A Bonnet Grandmum Would Have Loved!

In "Tasha Tudor, The Direction of Her Dreams" by Wm John Hare and Priscilla T. Hare, Tasha Tudor's daughter Bethany Tudor speaks of how Tasha Tudor was inspired by the movie "Friendly Persuasion" to illustrate the endpapers of "Around the Year". The endpapers of "Around the Year" show a couple riding in a horse and buggy, crossing a creek, with lovely countryside round with sheep and cows to pasture.

The movie "Friendly Persuasion" was about a Quaker family amidst the Civil War. The movie's introduction song is so lovely accompanying this post.

Here is a link to:

Tasha Tudor and Family

From there, click on "Books", where you can find "Around the Year", one of the Corgyncombe Library's favorite Tasha Tudor books!

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Tillie Tinkham's Bitty Buttons and Fashionable Fascinators!

Tillie Opens Shoppe in New Location!

Tillie's friends clap their hands, pat her on the back and tell her what a good job she did fashioning the marbleized buttons! The buttons are sewn to cards and labeled:
Tillie Tinkham's Bitty Buttons
4 b. Corgyncombe Currency

The "b" on the tags stands for buttons. Tasha Tudor had the children use buttons to buy goods for their dolls and animals. The currency for the dolls at Corgyncombe is buttons, as well.



Tillie has also added a millinery department to Tillie Tinkham's Frocks & Fashions which has brought squeaks of joy from her Mouse friends, as they like to spend their time trying the hats on in front of the mirror.
Tillie Tinkham started Tillie Tinkham's Frocks and Fashions over 4 years ago.
Tillie has opened her shoppe in a new location that she will sometimes share with other businesses at Corgyncombe!


Closing in the late afternoon sun.
Tillie's friends are wearing some of the inventory home.

Tillie Tinkham's Frocks & Fashions has added Fascinators to her inventory, some imported and some she has also made for her own line of Fascinators!

Below, Tillie models some of the Fascinators.

Tillie in an imported Fascinator, to which she has added one of Phidelia Finch's feathers.


Looking in the window, a dress form can be seen.


Yesterday, whilst scurrying about the garden, Tillie came across one of the earliest flowers to appear at Corgyncombe, Cowslip, also called Lady's Keys.

Upon seeing this flower a lady from Britain exclaimed with joy "Oh, it's Lady's Keys!" In Britain Lady's Keys is a favoured flower. Fascinators are also favoured!


The Lady's Keys makes a very stylish Fascinator as it has a natural drape.
In "The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady" by Edith Holden, she has illustrated the cowslip photographed above.
In the book, Edith Holden included the poem "The May Queen" by Tennyson:
"All the valley, mother, 'ill be fresh and green and still;
And the cowslip and the crowfoot are over all the hill.
And the rivulet in the flowery dale 'ill merrily glance and play,
And I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother, I'm to be Queen o' the May."

In "The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady", on May 1st, Edith Holden speaks of going to Bristol and how lovely it was. She wrote: "The Primroses are still thick on the banks, the hedges are all green, many of the Apple orchards in blossom; and the Oaks showing the first signs of golden, bronze foliage: In Somerset the meadows were yellow with cowslips"
On May 7th, Edith Holden wrote in her diary:
"I was stooping down to gather some cowslips, when a robin fled out over my hand, from under the roots of an Alder tree, growing close beside me."

In John Milton's poem "Song on May Morning" he wrote the following lines:
"The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose."

In Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse", Beatrix wrote the following lines about Mrs. Tittlemouse as she is gathering things for her meal from her storeroom:
"I smell a smell of honey; is it the cowslips outside, in the hedge?"

In Beatrix Potter's "Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes", Cecily Parsley the rabbit is illustrated making cowslip wine.

In Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Mr. Tod", old Mr. Bouncer, father-in-law of Flopsy Bunny, was supposed to be bunny sitting her little Bunns. When purposely distracted in conversation by Tommy Brock the Badger, Mr. Bouncer invited Tommy Brock in to have "a glass of my daughter Flopsy's cowslip wine". He also gave Tommy Brock a cabbage leaf cigar whilst he smoked his pipe. Whilst they were smoking and drinking, Mr. Bouncer fell asleep and Tommy Brock took advantage and stole away Flopsy's sweet baby bunnies!
When Flopsy discovered her babies were missing she slapped Mr. Bouncer whose foolishness had allowed Tommy Brock to steal Flopsy's babies. Foolishness that old Mr. Bouncer would not soon forget!

In the photograph above, Tillie has fashioned a Fascinator featuring a Johnny Jump Up from Corgyncombe Gardens.
Tillie looks forward to fashioning many more Fascinators using flowers, paper flowers, feathers, and whatever doodads strike her fancy. Quackenbush and the Dibble Dabbles are very interested in Tillie's new Millinery department.

Violet is measuring Quackenbush for a new spring vest. Violet complains to Elizabeth that she is having difficulties getting the proper measurements due to the constant movement, paddling about, and quacking. Elizabeth sternly says "Now Ducky, You must hold still for measuring or the finished garment will pinch your underwing feathers and restrict your wing movement!" Elizabeth has been looking at "Mouse Mills Catalogue for Spring" by Tasha Tudor. It is a book of fashions for dolls, bears, and ducks.
Elizabeth especially likes Mouse Mills' motto:
"Good, Better, Best, Never rest, 'Til Good be Better, And Better, Best."

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