Monday, May 31, 2010

Strong Women - Tasha Tudor

Tasha Tudor (August 28, 1915-June 18, 2008) is one of America’s best-known and beloved illustrators. Her first little story, Pumpkin Moonshine, was published in 1938.

She illustrated nearly one hundred books, the last being the 2003 release, The Corgiville Christmas. She received many awards and honors, including Caldecott Honors for Mother Goose and 1 is One. Many of her books are printed in foreign languages and distributed around the world. She also created thousand of Christmas cards, Advent calendars, valentines, posters, and other works throughout her 70 year career.

Corgiville FairCorgiville Fair was published in 1971 and introduced everyone to the wonderful, idiosyncratic world of the Corgi dog. Tasha Tudor was devoted to Corgi and kept them for years having as many as 13 at one time.

Her Vermont home, though only 30 years old, feels as though it was built in the 1830's, her favorite time period. Seth Tudor, one of Tasha's four children, built her home using hand tools when Tasha moved to Vermont in the 1970's. Tasha Tudor lived among period antiques, using them in her daily life. She was quite adept at 'Heirloom Crafts', though she detested the term, including candle dipping, weaving, soap making, doll making and knitting. She lived without running water until her youngest child was five years old.

From a young age Tasha Tudor was interested in the home arts. She excelled in cooking, canning, cheese-making, ice cream making and many other home skills. As anyone who has eaten at Tasha Tudor's would know, her cooking skills were unsurpassed. She collected eggs from her chickens in the evenings, cooked and baked with fresh goats milk, and used only fresh or dried herbs from her garden. Tasha Tudor was renowned for her Afternoon Tea parties.

Once summer arrives, Tasha Tudor would always leave her art table to spend the season tending her large, beautiful garden which surrounds her home.

Visit Tasha Tudor and Family to see delightful pictures, stories, and receipts (recipes) from the family.  The above story was copied from this website.

Tasha Tudor was the second Strong Woman I was introduced to in the 1970's.  I was intrigued by her love of the garden and the "Heirloom Crafts".  She inspired me to learn to make hand dipped candles, can produce from the garden,dig in the dirt, and take afternoon tea.  I had the rare privilege of meeting her about 2 years before she died and saw just a touch of her beautiful home place in Vermont.  There are many fascinating stories about Tasha and her family, very much worth exploring.

15 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Good morning, Marilyn. What a marvelous choice for this week's Strong Woman. I love Tasha Tudor. Lord, who could NOT? I visited her site shortly after her death and then forgot to bookmark it. Out of sight, out of mind. Thanks for the reminder. Happy Monday.

somepinkflowers said...

i am
wondering how scones taste
when made with fresh goats milk?

:-)


me?
i will never know
but
still....


yes
Tasha Tudor--->a Strong Woman
who lived Life
by her own terms,
doing her own thing...


we should all be so fortunate.

Jeanne said...

How lovely and beautiful indeed
Blessings
Love Jeanne♥

Bernideen said...

I love this post! I started selling her books in the late 80's in Texas and am so glad I kept the pop-ups! She was and is still enfluencing people!

Anonymous said...

She has always been one of my favorite children's book authors/illustrators. Very good choice for your strong women series!!

susanna said...

That photograph certainly captures the essence of Tasha Tudor, as you've described her here. Thank you for the posting about her...I hadn't heard of her before.

parTea lady said...

Thanks for including Tasha Tudor in your strong women series. That is a nice photo of her in the garden.

Laurie said...

Fascinating! The website is one I'll return too, never heard of her til now so thanks for sharing! I'll be looking for her books.

Cathy said...

What a beautiful photo. I've always admired her and enjoyed visiting her website. Lovely post, Marilyn.

Angela McRae said...

Wow, I didn't know you actually got to meet Tasha Tudor! I know you're a Victoria magazine fan like I am, and I so enjoyed the many features they used to do on her. I think I'm smitten by her way of life -- it would be so nice to live in a self-sufficient manner that's far from the hustle and bustle of life today! (Except I would always want running water, heat and an internet connection, ha!)

Relyn Lawson said...

Victoria magazine loved Tasha Tudor, so I know about her and have loved her for a while. I love women like her who have a strong sense of self and live on their own terms. I think of Amelia Earhart, of course, and Mary Jane Butters, too. I am loving this series. I can't wait to see who's next.

jabreb said...

I cried when learning of Tasha Tudor's passing - have collected her books for many years and admired her greatly. In my herb garden I have a very tall and old bay tree that I've named Tasha Tudor - it's just a reminder to me of this talented, independent Lady.

Anonymous said...

Oh no...I did NOT know that Tasha Tudor died almost two years ago! I am stunned. I loved watching a video of her life entitled, "Take Joy" that I used to get at my library. They no longer have the video. I will look for it online. I always said I wanted to have her life for my own. Thanks for making me aware of her passing.

Donna and Miss Spenser said...

Hi Marilyn...I learned of Tasha about the same time you saw her in person...such a strong and intriguing person. When we were out of electricity 2 years ago for about 4 days...I couldn't help but think how she would have been totally unaffected! ha. I have incorporated her easy flower beds in my front gardens...I love them.

Donna

Sheila said...

I first learned of he work in the early 70's when my baby son was given a book illustrated by her. I loved the little characters she created and it nudged me to look for more of her work.
I was delighted to learn about the way she lived, down to sewing her own clothes.
I envy her, her way of live..for although it was simple it was probably very hard work.
I was saddened by her death, but I'm sure her memory will live on for many years.
xx