Tea Time Stories
Today on St. Nicholas Day, the Tudor family Christmas celebrations begin. Our homemade Advent wreath awaits the evening lighting. We use boxwood, as Tasha did, for it doesn't drop needles in the teacups like balsam and spruce do.
In 2007, Tudor fan Sandi shared with us that her daughter Alanna had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Without hesitation, we sent her two books: Tasha Tudor’s Garden and The Private World of Tasha Tudor, hoping Tasha’s wisdom might provide moments of comfort through the difficult days ahead of them.
As Tasha Tudor's birthday of August 28th approaches, we are talking and dreaming about how we will celebrate this year. In 2008, Clarice Fox-Hughes anointed August 28th as Tasha Tudor Day saying “Really I would love if the whole world would stop and remember her. This could simply be sitting in your garden with a cup of tea, reading her books, doing a sketch or just stopping and smelling the roses. Let us all on Tasha Tudor's birthday remember her and all she has inspired us to live.”
The Tasha Tudor tradition of pampering beloved pets continues. A stone’s throw from Tasha’s house, her grandson Winslow lives with his wife Amy, two children Ellie and Katie, three dogs, three fish, and fifty-two chickens. Being much too delicate to live outside, two special chickens have taken up residence in a room just off the kitchen: Dove, a Japanese bantam, and Cami, a Porcelain d’Uccle.
At Tasha's home in Vermont, there are three wheelbarrows. One is small, red, and modern with a pneumatic tire and metal tub. She used this one little, later in life.
It gives us the greatest pleasure to announce that corgis have returned to the Tudor homestead, this time in the care of Marjorie Tudor, Tasha's daughter-in-law. Read on for a look back at what corgis meant to Tasha and for a look forward through the eyes of two nine-week-old puppies.
Tasha is well known for her love of corgis. In describing them she said: "Corgis are not unlike foxes, except for short legs and no tail. I believe they are enchanted. You only need to see them by moonlight to realize this."
Tasha Tudor had a natural gift of making holidays and celebrations magical for her family, friends and loved ones. One way she made Christmas such a joyful time was building up anticipation long before the day. Today we’ll share Tasha’s tradition of creating Advent Calendars.
In the fullness of summer, on the longest day of the year, Tasha threw a party. Late June was always peak flower season so at this time of year Tasha invariably heard from friends and admirers requesting a visit to her exquisite garden. Always one for mixing efficiency with pleasure, Tasha decided to host an event every year on the summer Solstice where friends, family, and admirers could come marvel at her vibrant garden while also enjoying live music, dancing, food, and more!