Hot Cross Buns at Good Friday Tea!

Eliza is holding the new dolly that she shares with her sister Bridget.

Tasha Tudor's Welsh Breakfast Tea and Hot Cross Buns from "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook" are served at Good Friday Tea.
In front of the little doll is a basket of marbleized eggs and she has her own little cup of tea.
Daffodils are added to the pussy willows that were gathered on the "Corie Combie" Adventure.
The flowers are so pretty and so enjoyed with tea!
The Dibble Dabble Ducklings are in the enclosure underneath the pussy willow tree behind Eliza.

The chosen music to accompany this post is from "Emma":
Click Here for Specially Chosen Musical Entertainments.
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.
The music is so lovely whilst reading!

Bridget is holding Chickalily in her lap.


Between Bridget and Eliza the Dibble Dabble Sisters can be seen quacking and running about.
Dilley Dibble Dabble is in the front wearing a pink frock.
Bridget and Eliza are so entertained by the Dibble Dabble sisters!
Tasha Tudor sometimes put ducklings or rabbits under her Easter tree.
In Tasha Tudor's book "A Time to Keep" she illustrates bunnies under the Easter egg tree.
In "Seasons of Delight", a pop-up book by Tasha Tudor, a pussy willow Easter tree with ducklings beneath the tree is illustrated in the Spring section.






For Good Friday tea, Eliza decided to wear the antique bonnet that Lydia Corgi has on in the photograph below.
The bandboxes hold bonnets and other delightful gatherings belonging to Bridget and Eliza.
The glass case holds hot cross buns for the sisters and a little bun especially for their little doll.


Lydia Corgi wearing the bonnet whilst watching the goat races on the anniversary of Tasha Tudor's birthday in August.




Cousin Charlotte with Chickalily.
Charlotte reminds us of Tasha Tudor.

Charlotte, Bridget and Eliza were all made by Margaret Flavin.

Bridget, Eliza, and their little doll are Izannah Walker inspired dolls.



Hot Cross Buns made at the Corgyncombe Bakery using the receipt from "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook". The slanted glass top bakery case is an antique from an old candy store.

With the lid open, a reflection of the hot cross buns can be seen.
This case reminds us of Mr. McGregor's cucumber frame in "Peter Rabbit" written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter.
Tasha Tudor used to speak of how she admired that cucumber frame.


A hot cross bun with tea, with blueish eggs round.
The teapot is one of Diane's favorite and has Jemima Puddle-duck and, as Beatrix Potter said, the "foxy-whiskered gentleman" walking about discussing things of importance, such as nesting. The "foxy-whiskered gentleman" was all too interested! Beatrix Potter's Benjamin Bunny is on the teacup.


Eliza's best bonnet.
In "A Tale for Easter", written and illustrated by Tasha Tudor, Tasha writes about how eggs can be found on Easter morn in your shoes and your best bonnet.

We at the Corgyncombe Courant hope that our Dear Readers had a Joyful Resurrection Sunday!

http://corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com/2012/04/hot-cross-buns-at-good-friday-tea.html
copyright © 2012 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson

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Izannah Walker Sisters Discover Creature in Corgi Creek!

A Rare Sighting of An Unusual Phenomenon!

Sisters Bridget and Eliza had been inside the cottage, looking out the window enjoying the birds and squirrels coming and going. Watching the little red squirrel scurry about outside the window, Eliza wanted to go out and about Corgyncombe for a closer look at the little red squirrel!

Whilst out, they hope to find some pussy willows down by the creek.

The chosen music to accompany this post is by Shostakovich:
Click Here for Specially Chosen Musical Entertainments.
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.
The music is so appropriate whilst reading!

Izannah Walker inspired dolls Bridget and Eliza and their clothing and bonnets were made by Margaret Flavin. Charlotte's clothing and bonnet were also made by Margaret Flavin.

Bridget asked her Cousin Charlotte if she could wear her bonnet and cap. Bridget has a superb hood to go with her coat but this time, because Eliza was wearing her bonnet, Bridget wanted to wear a bonnet also. Of course, Eliza wants a coat and hood like Bridget's, only in another colour. Little girl sisters seem to be that way, wanting what the other has. Charlotte allowed Eliza to borrow her brown wool cape for her ride in the sleigh.
As they glide along the ribbons on their bonnets flutter in the wind.
Ah, yes, there he is, the little red squirrel!

See how he blends in with the bark of the old maple tree!
What a red streak he has down his back and tail!
How amusing the squirrel is to watch as he hops from tree to tree and scampers here and there!

How swift and smooth their sleigh glides over the snow!
They love watching the squirrel and think he is so cute even though the proprietress at the old book shoppe calls them rats with tails! Bridget and Eliza think that the proprietress actually is quite fond of squirrels, despite her remark.

'Twas a chilly day and the little ladies had their warm woolen blanket tucked round.
Eliza is so cold that she had to tuck her hands under the blanket.
They will have to knit some warm mittens of wool.

Creekcicles along Corgi Creek
The banks of Corgi Creek beckon them as they think that is where they might find some pussy willows to gather.

In "First Poems of Childhood" illustrated by Tasha Tudor, there is a poem by Kate L. Brown called "Pussy Willow". Tasha has illustrated a girl and a boy with school books and lunch bucket, on a stone wall collecting pussy willows.

The last stanza of the poem "Pussy Willow":

Happy little children
Cried with laugh and shout,
"Spring is coming, coming,
Pussy Willow's out."
by Kate L. Brown

Oh, the little squirrel has popped out of the door of his little house!

He is looking left and right in rather a nervous manner!

"How curious, I wonder why?" they both think.

The creek is a beautiful sight with all the rocks covered with snow!

They find some pussy willows and gather them.
They will make a fine display inside the cottage!

Across the bridge, the water glistens and looks as smooth as glass before it shoots and rushes down the falls!
Bridget and Eliza were startled by something going UP the falls!

(The music at 2 minutes, 20 seconds with the trombone is perfect for viewing this creature!)

Eliza says "Look, there is some sort of creature coming UP the falls! Do you see it, Bridget?"

There is a lot for imaginative little girls to ponder!

"Yes, I do!", replied Bridget,

"It looks to have a broad duck bill with nostrils,
large round eyes on either side of its head, and flippers!"

Eliza disagrees and exclaims,
"Oh, no, sister, that sounds too duck-like.
It is clear to see that it has a snout of a more carnivorous nature!"

The Squirrel is thinking
"A Carnivorous Nature!?!"

Bridget says, "Oh, yes, NOW I see, it is as you say!
Oh, how frightful it is, to be sure!"

Eliza continues to describe the sight before her!
"The creature has bumpy scales, fins, wings, and feet, and its tail fin flaps!
One can actually see how its nostrils are creating paths of air in the water!
One can see the motion of the water as the creature is making its way through the water!
One can see the steam rising from the hot springs as it hits the cold air!"

The girls are quite sure that the creature must live in the gloomy, eerie, creepy cave in the back of the photograph with stalactites hanging down!

Concerned, Bridget asks Eliza "Do you think it eats squirrels?"

"Oh, I'm sure it must!" says Eliza.

A Creature of a Carnivorous Nature...
Eats Squirrels...
Do they mean ME!?!

A negative is studied during the investigative process to analyze the creature (and its lair) further!

As Bridget and Eliza have tea in the Corgyncombe Library, they check to see if anything similar to the creature had ever been seen before and checked through their books.
They had heard rumors of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland and Champ of Lake Champlain.

As nothing quite like it has been observed and described before,
they think they have discovered a never before seen in recent history, long forgotten species which they declare to be a:

"Corie Combie"
The Curious Carnivorous Creature
of Corgyncombe's Corgi Creek

Subsequent investigative strolls along the creek since the thaw have revealed nary a sight or trace of Corie Combie, so far.
The girls are positive it is something, somewhat of an unusual phenomenon, but they are not quite sure what!

This is not the first time (and, we trust, not the last) that unusual discoveries have been made around and about Corgi Creek! Several years ago a petrified frog was found washed up along the banks after a flood! The petrified frog was named Phineas T. Frog (T. is for Taylor). It has since been on exhibit at the Corgyncombe Hall of Oddities and Curiosities, much to the thrill of all who view it!

Eliza and Bridget are considering opening an inn and observatory overlooking Corgi Creek for Izannah Walker dolls and other dolls, where they can patiently wait and observe, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Corie Combie! The girls are sure they can provide some shopping opportunities for those wanting souvenirs of this rare phenomenon (post cards, perhaps, or other knickknacks bearing the striking image of Corie Combie as photographed by Diane Shepard Johnson)!

http://corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com/2012/04/izannah-walker-sisters-discover.html
copyright © 2012 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson

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The Izannah Walker Sisters Bridget and Eliza!

Ooooh, What a Lovely Bonnet!!!

The Exciting News that Trilly Tweet Sweet shared with Melissa!
'Twas a joyful reunion when Bridget's sister Eliza arrived in the beautiful, sparkly new fallen snow!
Bridget and Eliza are Izannah Walker inspired dolls and they both were made, along with their wonderful clothes, by talented doll maker Margaret Flavin!
Eliza looks like the breath of spring in her exquisite bonnet with yellow feather flowers and blue capelet!!!

The chosen music to accompany this post is "Edelweiss".
Click Here for Specially Chosen Musical Entertainments.
Return Here to Read the Corgyncombe Courant.
You might want to replay the music more than once as it is so lovely whilst reading!

Izannah Walker (1817-1888) made dolls using a special technique.
Izannah Walker lived in New England and her Walker ancestors lived very near where Diane and Sarah's Walkers came from.
You can find more information about Izannah Walker dolls and the technique used in making them in the Christmas 2011 issue of "Early American Life" magazine and in the August 2011 issue of "Antique Doll Collector" magazine.


A chickadee one beautiful morn at Corgyncombe Cottage.

Eliza and Bridget love to look out the window at the birds at the feeder.
As it is snowing and blowing they wonder how the birds keep warm in the cold.
Snow and rain have covered the window with an icy glaze. 
This photograph was taken outside, looking in to the sisters reading from
"The Child's Bijou". Bijou is a Jewel.
Willy Nilly Tweet Sweet has fluttered onto Eliza's lap and listens to the poetry reading. As they are reading, a dappled bit of sunshine is coming in through the window onto the book.

Song of The Snow-Bird
 
The ground was all covered with snow one day,
And two little sisters were busy at play,
When a snow-bird was sitting close by on a tree,
And merrily singing his chick-a-dee-dee.
 
He had not been singing that tune very long,
Ere Emily heard him, so loud was his song;
"O, sister, look out of the window," said she,
"Here's a dear little bird singing chick-a-dee-dee.
 
"Poor fellow, he walks in the snow and the sleet,
And has neither stockings nor shoes on his feet;
I pity him so, how cold he must be!
And yet he keeps singing his chick-a-dee-dee.
 
"If I were a bare-footed snow-bird, I know
I would not stay out in the cold and the snow;
I wonder what makes him so full of his glee?
He's all the time singing that chick-a-dee-dee.
 
"Oh, mother! do get him some stockings and shoes,
And a nice little frock, and a hat, if he choose;
I wish he'd come into the parlor and see
How warm we would make him, poor chick-a-dee-dee."
 
The bird had flown down for some pieces of bread,
And heard every world little Emily said;
"What a figure I'd make in that dress," thought he,
And he laughed as he warbled his chick-a-dee-dee.
 
"I'm grateful," he said, "for the wish you express,
But I have no occasion for such a fine dress;
I had rather remain with my limbs all free,
Than be hobbled about, singing chick-a-dee-dee.
 
"There is One, my dear child, though I can not tell who,
Has clothed me already, and warm enough, too;
Good morning, oh, who are so happy as we!"
And away he went, singing his chick-a-dee-dee.

~ Woodworth

Before coming to Corgyncombe both Bridget and Eliza lived with their dear sister Jane and their dear Mother Flavin (as they fondly refer to Margaret Flavin) who made them all. Margaret Flavin named Bridget, Eliza, and Jane after Izannah Walker's real sisters.
Bridget came first to live at Corgyncombe Cottage and her sister Eliza soon joined her.
When Eliza told her sister Jane that she also was to be leaving, Jane was in tears at the thought of their parting!

Eliza brought her delightful peacock blue traveling box with her own name beautifully framed on top. Inside the box were cards from Jane to her sister Bridget and to their Cousin Charlotte.


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.


The card to Bridget has a loving message from her sister Jane.
Tucked in the envelope with the card, Bridget received the pressed rose.
She will find a special place for the rose in her Herbarium.
Eliza brought with her a gift from Jane, for Bridget, a splendid pincushion edged in lace!
How she treasures the card, the rose, and the pincushion!


This Herbarium in the Corgyncombe Library Collection is one of the most exquisite that we've seen.
2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the compiling of this quaint and charming Herbarium, made in 1862.


The adorable girls Eliza and Bridget are so happy to be together!


Burgundy Rose. Language, Gentle and Innocent.


Bridget (in the right of the photograph) is rather quiet and shy,
whilst Eliza, as Margaret Flavin says, and we agree, is more adventurous.


Sisters Eliza and Bridget are holding hands.
Jane has written Bridget's name on the bottom of the pincushion.


The dried pressed flowers are attached to the paper with delicate tiny stitches.


Eliza's darling shoes and stockings, made by Margaret Flavin!


A Remembrance Book
with beautiful script written in 1849.

Several views of Eliza's beautiful bonnet made by Margaret Flavin!

Flowers gathered and arranged at Corgyncombe.




Eliza and Bridget love the peacock's feathers!


The Herbarium Endpapers

Bridget and Eliza enjoy going outside to visit the peacock.
Doesn't he have a lovely crown?


Bridget holding one of the Peacock's feathers.Bridget tells Eliza "See, sister dear, this is how the birds stay so warm; 'tis the fluffy, downy feathers underneath. They do not need stockings, shoes, a frock, nor a hat."


Edelweiss under glass looks like a sweet little sleeping face.


Whilst antiquing we found this darling little bodice that fit Bridget perfectly!


Eliza is wearing an antique bodice that was already part of the Corgyncombe Clothing Collection.


Bridget is holding a mirror that reflects one of the flowers on her bodice.


Bridget and Eliza's doll.
They want Tillie Tinkham, Corgyncombe's Seamstress Mouse, to help them fashion her a frock.

Edelweiss


Valley in Winter

Blowing winds and drifting snow in the high altitude of a Corgyncombe winter.


A tufted titmouse in flight at Corgyncombe.


Eliza holds Tillie Tinkham, the seamstress mouse at Corgyncombe.

The Corgyncombe bird watchers report the
Return of the Red-Winged Blackbird on March 2 and that the first Robin was seen on March 12!


As the window has cleared and their reading is over,
Eliza thinks she sees a little red squirrel out near the bird feeder.
She thinks she would like to go out about Corgyncombe and see more of that little red squirrel...

http://corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com/2012/03/izannah-walker-sisters-bridget-and.html 
copyright © 2012 Diane Shepard Johnson and Sarah E. Johnson

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