May 1, 2013

A Carriage Ride Along Corgi Creek!


May Day Delights!
Emma was overjoyed to have her Cousin Lucy come join her to live at Corgyncombe! The girls get along splendidly and share many of the same interests!
Lucy and Emma are Izannah Walker inspired dolls and were made by talented dollmaker Margaret Flavin, who also made their charming clothes and bonnets!

The chosen music to accompany this post is from
"Friendly Persuasion":
Click Here for Specially Chosen Delightful Music
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.

As they take a leisurely carriage ride amongst the daffodils on the banks of Corgi Creek, Emma tells Lucy the story of Diane's grandparents courtship, that Diane had shared with the Izannah Girls.

Charming, Quaint, and Romantic!
Grandfather Goes Courtin'!

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

Some of the photographs and some of the writings on this post are from previous Corgyncombe Courant posts that can be found here on the Corgyncombe Courant.


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!

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.

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."

The Valley in Spring.
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...


May apple blossoms at sunrise down near Corgi Creek.
Later in May the apples trees will burst forth with lovely, fragrant blooms.

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.

As they continue their journey along Corgi Creek,
Emma and Lucy discuss all the fun things to do at Corgyncombe. Emma says "There will be tea parties, lots of fun playing with dollies, watching the birds and little critters, working in the herb, flower and vegetable gardens, making candles, making sweet soothing goat's milk soap and writing stories!"

"We also like reading and have a fine library with many little books! We all enjoy making tussie mussies and pressing flowers, carriage rides about the acreage, and perhaps there will be another sighting of 'Corie Combie, The Curious Carnivorous Creature of Corgyncombe's Corgi Creek'. There are other surprises that you will love, Lucy! I have seen them and I am so excited!"
Lucy says she is excited, too!



When Lucy came to Corgyncombe she brought little Pansy with her in a charming little box! Upon arrival Pansy flitted off to explore the wilderness of Corgyncombe.
Pansy nestles amongst the violas and has found her favorite flower that has pretty colours just like her!


You can see the hollow mossy log behind the carriage.

Whilst riding Lucy and Emma spied Pansy by the mossy hollow log where Miss Elsie Pricklish the Hedgehog makes her summer home.


I (Diane) learned to make May baskets like the May basket above in kindergarten from my teacher. My dear kindergarten teacher Mrs. Platt had also been my Mum's grade school teacher. We make our May baskets out of wallpaper from wallpaper sample books, lined with stiffer paper, in the shape of a cone with a handle. The wallpaper for our baskets is so much fun to pick out from all the samples! Sometimes we also make paper flowers to add to the May baskets, too! Making May baskets is a May Day family tradition at Corgyncombe!

Our dolls and animal friends also make small May baskets of their own!

The May basket above is hung on "A Time to Keep" illustrated by Tasha Tudor! Tasha Tudor has done delightful illustrations of children leaving their May baskets at the door and children dancing around the Maypole with a joyful Corgi herding the children in a circle. In the borders round, there are beautiful spring flowers, robins, barns swallows, and a bluebird.

Twinkle Toes and Pansy on an antique vasculum.
Twinkle Toes and Pansy were made by Margaret Flavin.
In the old days children would go out and about in the woods, fields, hills, and dales and gather plant specimens for studying botany and pressing. A tin vessel with a tight fitting lid would keep the flower specimens fresh. This tin vessel is called a vasculum and has a strap for carrying over your shoulder.



"Song on May Morning"
"Now the bright morning-star, day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire;
Woods and groves are of thy dressing,
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long."

- John Milton

We hope all our dear readers have a lovely May Day!

Here is a link to:
Tasha Tudor and Family
There you can find "Around the Year" and "A Time to Keep", two of the Corgyncombe Library's favorite Tasha Tudor books!

http://corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-carriage-ride-along-corgi-creek.html
copyright © 2013 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson

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March 27, 2013

Return of the Red-Wing Blackbird, Potatoes and Green


Walking the Rows, Again and Again...
March 13, 2013 marked the day the Red-Winged Blackbird returned to Corgyncombe! The joyous o-ka-lee, o-ka-lee could be heard in the old maple trees along Corgi Creek! On my old Derbyshire writing slope I have written out Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote:
"The blackbirds make the maples ring
With social cheer and jubilee;
The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.

The old fashioned Rose Geranium, which is usually in a cool room upstairs, has been brought down to enjoy whilst taking tea. The Rose Geranium has a delightful fragrance!
In the book "A Basket of Herbs", illustrated by Tasha Tudor, it is mentioned that Rose Geranium leaves are used for potpourri, tussie mussies, teas, cakes, cookies, and jellies.


The old teapot is decorated with hand painted leaves that bear a resemblance to old fashioned Rose Geranium leaves.
An old collectible Red-Winged Blackbird card rests upon the slope.

In the goat pasture Red-Winged Blackbird nests are hidden amongst the green.

The journal on the writing slope is covered with a reproduction of old wallpaper.

The 2012 gardening season brought about a couple of months of drought. The potatoes were slow but still green.

One day whilst weeding in the garden I glanced at the potatoes and where they were fine the day before, now one row was almost devoid of green leaves, chewed down to the stems!

Immediately I commenced removing the culprit, the Colorado Potato Beetle larvae. In the photograph above, the larva can be seen munching away at a nice green leaf. Many times a day I spent walking the rows, looking for and removing the pests. My vigilance paid off as eventually there were fewer and fewer until they were no more and an abundant potato crop was harvested!

This makes one give thought to the Irish Potato Famine that started about 1845 and lasted several years. The famine was caused by potato blight that ruined their potato harvest that they depended on. My own great great grandmother Bridget emigrated from Ireland in the mid-1800s.


Some Corgyncombe potatoes in baskets.
The potato... most favored here at Corgyncombe!

http://corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com/2013/03/return-of-red-wing-blackbird-potatoes.html
copyright © 2013 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson
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February 20, 2013

Valentine Hearts, Flowers, and Birds!

A Celebration of All Things Lovely!
 At the Corgyncombe Library, displayed on the art stand, along with some antique Valentines, is "Drawn From New England, Tasha Tudor; A Portrait in Words and Pictures by Bethany Tudor".
Bethany Tudor is Tasha's older daughter.

Inside is a lovely original colour drawing by Bethany Tudor of two doves with roses and forget-me-nots!

The dove perched on the art stand carries a bunch of Rose geranium leaves tied with a ribbon. Rose geranium leaves smell so fragrant, like roses! I picked the leaves one morn from the rose geranium that I have wintering over in the cool upstairs.

In the book "Drawn From New England", Bethany talks about how her mother would make Valentine's Day a lovely and delightful day with handmade Valentines, an abundance of flowers, and delicious treats at tea! The dolls would receive and give small Valentines, too!

The chosen music to accompany this post is "Simple Gifts":
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.

Some of the photographs and some of the writings on this post are from previous Corgyncombe Courant posts that can be found here on the Corgyncombe Courant.

Finch Post serves the dolls at Corgyncombe with superb mail delivery service. My daughter Sarah and I were inspired by Tasha Tudor to have our own doll Post. Tasha Tudor's post was named Sparrow Post, where cards and goodies were delivered to her children. Tasha Tudor featured Sparrow Post in her books "All for Love" and "A Time to Keep".

Violet's mittens keep her hands warm as she goes out and about in the cold and snowy outdoors. Violet's antique mittens have pretty pom-poms attached. Carrying a basket of Finch Post mail, Violet has stopped at the Finch Post box.

At Finch Post, Chirpy Cheerful holds one of the official Valentine Dolly Cards.
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.
A little button box can be seen near the base of the scale.



The writing slope at Corgyncombe is very similar to the writing slope that Jane Austen used to write on. Her father gave it to her in December of 1794, near her 19th birthday.
On the writing slope, some beautiful Valentine Ephemera from the Corgyncombe Collection.

The quill feather is from Corgyncombe's Peacock Reuben. Peacocks naturally shed their feathers. On one of the warmer, sunny days recently he had his tail feathers fanned.



Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
2013 marks the 200th year since its publication.

Bleeding Heart in a late May snow.

I made a special Valentine cake using "The Tudor Family's Valentine Cake" receipt in Tasha Tudor's book "All for Love".
It is so delicious at Valentines tea!



An antique peg wooden doll who has a fondness for birds. 
Her old frock, petticoats, and pantalettes are exquisite!
The very small woven Swedish heart was made by my daughter Sarah.
 
 An old doll head alongside a pincushion, atop an old tin box that someone years ago labeled "Receipts" for saving away old recipes. Receipt is an old word for recipe.
 
The sundial in the Corgyncombe Garden of Herbs
with wind blowing glistening, sparkly snow.

On the art stand made by Seth Tudor, son of Tasha Tudor, is the "New Cyclopaedia of Botany and Complete Book of Herbs", an advertising card with a lovely dove delivering a letter and a rose, and a trade card with forget-me-nots from an Apothecary in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

On the art stand, "Queen Victoria's Dolls" by Frances H. Low and illustrated by Alan Wright. When she was a girl, Queen Victoria collected small peg wooden dolls and the book has drawings illustrating their many fashions. In the illustration of two dolls in the book above, the doll on the right wears a dainty ballerina frock sewn by Princess Victoria, with a pink rose head wreath.



At Finch Post, the Tweet Sweets are holding a
Valentine Banner of Love!

Lucy has a fondness for hanging things on the line and she thinks her hearts look very pretty.
The prickly laundress, Mrs. Tiggywinkle the hedgehog looks on.
Mrs. Tiggywinkle was named in honor of the hedgehog in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Mrs. Tiggywinkle".

Early in the morn, 'tis so sweet to find dear little bird feet lead right up to my door. They are awaiting my coming forth with a bucket of bird seed, nourishment against the wind and cold.
The other morn 'twas 29 degrees below zero wind chill!

We hope our Dear Readers had a
lovely Valentine's Day!

copyright © 2013 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson
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January 16, 2013

"The Night Before Christmas", Tasha Tudor!

Cozy, Warm, Handwoven Woolen Blankets
 The old English tall clock at Corgyncombe Cottage.

Lovely Music to accompany this post:
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.



In "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, illustrated by Tasha Tudor, 1999, the page showing the bedroom is illuminated by a beeswax candle in a tin candle stick. The tin candlestick was a gift to Sarah from a tinsmith who admired her old fashioned tin lunch pail. When she gave him a homemade cookie out of her tin lunch pail he gave her the tin candle stick. Every year, in exchange for a cookie, a gift made out of tin was received.

In the "The Night Before Christmas" illustration, on the bed pushed aside when Father "sprang from his bed to see what was the matter", a blue and white plaid woven blanket can be seen. On the previous page it shows Father and Mother in their big canopy bed and the little children in the trundle bed both with a blue plaid top cover. The canopy bed was the same bed in the same room that I had the joy of waking up mornings at Tasha Tudor's Corgi Cottage. Of course, how could one wake up in the morn without an admiring glance out the window!


Above are some antique handspun, handwoven wool blankets. These blankets were woven in two sections and then sewn together down the middle to make a good sized blanket to cover a bed.
Ahh, wool, so warm against the winter's chill!



Christmas morn, after coming in from feeding the birds the Izannah Walker girls gathered round the old fashioned table top tree.


The little English Robin took the little sifter handle in its beak and is sifting flour around the table to look like snow.



Emma wanted to try on Bridget's delightfully stylish coat and hood.
In her hand she has cradled the little English Robin.


 The Advent wreath from the outside looking in through the old wavy glass.



The Robin has decided to take a taste of the doll sized apple pie. Its tracks can be seen in the dusted white flour snow.


 A clip on bird ornament in candlelight on the old fashioned Corgyncombe table top tree.



Little Twinkle Toes arrived in the post, a handmade gift from a sweet friend, who shared a special memory of making little Elfin girls such as this in Christmases past. Little Twinkle Toes is absolutely exquisite as is her little turquoise pouch dotted with gold!





Wool blankets that Diane wove are warming on the rack by the stove.
In Tasha Tudor's 1999 version of "The Night Before Christmas", plaid blankets can be found on the parents bed and covering the children in the trundle bed and hanging on the settle bench by the fire with St. Nicholas.



The deer, stars, and trees on the cookie sheet tell a true story of one twilight when I stepped outside. Seven deer came winding through my snow covered lawn by the creek looking amazingly like reindeer, all in a line, flying over the creek, curving as they ran following each other in the cornfield. Really it was much like the reindeer pulling Saint Nicholas' sleigh in Tasha Tudor's "The Night Before Christmas".



Trilly Tweet Sweet seems to have a natural sparkle about her!


 An Angel made of plaited straw.




 The candle is blown out.

We hope all of our Dear Readers had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

copyright © 2013 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson
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