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.

The Temperature of Tea

 

For those of you that have read Delights of the Heart for awhile, you will know that I love drinking tea in the garden.  But did you know when you make tea there are different temperatures for different kinds of tea?
When the appropriate temperature is used, you will have the best of the best in flavor from that tea.  So go ahead, try it and see what you think.


Suggested temperatures and steeping times:
Black Tea:  210 degrees, boiling, steep 2-4 minutes
Oolong Tea:  180-195 degrees, just below boiling, steep 3-6 minutes
Green Tea: 160-180 degrees, steep for 2-4 minutes
White Tea: 150-160 degrees, steep for 2 minutes
Herbal Tea:  Boiling, steep 4-6 minutes

OK, I just had to put my picture here, as it was a challenge by Beth at be yourself - everyone else is taken.
I always like a challenge.  Of course, a teacup had to be in the picture too.

Yummy Scones

This morning as I enjoyed scones with Marmalady's Orange Triple Sec Marmalade and a lovely cup of oolong tea from France, I thought you might like my favorite scone recipe.

Cream Scones

Mix in Food Processor: 
4 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder 
1 tsp. salt
6 oz. unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
Process until butter is petite pea size, set aside. 

In Mixer with paddle:
1 cup cream 
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup dried fruit (optional - I don't usually add) 

Add butter-flour mixture to mixer.  Mix just until it forms a ball.  Pat it with your hands, don't use rolling pin.
Handle dough as little as possible.  Cut into either wedges or biscuit rounds.  Can egg wash top
 (I don't) and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minute, until golden brown. 

Note:  I place the unbaked scones on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then put in freezer bag to keep in freezer until ready to use.  Put them in the oven frozen and bake about 5 minutes longer.  They are great to have ready for that impromptu tea, whether for breakfast or if a friend stops by.

ENJOY!

"Bad Boys"

This is my friend Bob.  I worked with him a few years ago.  We were on the same team.  We laughed alot.  I consider Bob a "bad boy"; though he says he is an angel.  For some reason I am attracted to "bad boys", I always have been.  I loved working with the "bad boys".  They were the creative ones.  We laughed, created, and worked hard.  We made spectacular products.

Now let me explain.  When I say a "bad boy", they really are not bad or naughty.  They just march to a different drummer.  They step outside the box.  They are creative and love to do crazy things.  They make me laugh.  I often told my husband that the reason he married me was because I laughed at his jokes.  My husband was considered a "bad boy" in college when I met him.  I think the reason I was attracted to my husband in the first place was he didn't always follow the rules.  I can remember him being asked to leave because he and his friends had pulled some pranks that were not accepted by the college.  It ended up being a good thing, as he found a college that understood him and was willing to work with him.  Why are there not more schools and employers that will work with these creative souls?  They have so much to offer.

What is it that attracts us to the guys that march or dance to a different drummer?  Or is it just me that thinks this way? I don't think so; though we haven't discussed this, I think my daughter likes the "bad boys" too.  By the way, Bob is a pretty terrific drummer too.  Thanks Bob, for letting me share your "bad boy" pictures, I love them.  Now I hope that was tea in that cup.  I just had to mention.

Colours

Saturday I went in search of colours.
Britt-Arnhild at Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods  was searching for colours in spring time
and it inspired me to go searching with my camera.
The Beaverton Farmer's Market seemed like a good place to search.
There are many farmer's markets around, but I had never visited this one.
I had the opportunity to meet another blogger, Cathy at Wives and Knives.
Cathy sells lovely nuts at the market.
How fun it is to connect with fellow bloggers face to face and also enjoy
the colours of the day.
The peonies particularly enchanted me,
but then aren't the bundles of asparagus just beautiful?
Do you have a farmer's market in your neighborhood?
I love having the opportunity to support our local growers.
What a treasure to find beautiful flowers and produce grown nearby and so fresh.
Enjoy exploring colours of spring time today.

Strong Women - Adelma Grenier Simmons

I couldn't find a good picture to share of my Strong Woman this week.

Here are Lemon Verbena above and Lavender below to represent a herbalist, Adelma Grenier Simmons.

Adelma Grenier Simmons (December 16, 1903 – December 3, 1997) was one of the leading herbal figures in America in the 20th century. A legend for her knowledge of herbal lore and history, she was also a prolific author and sparked an interest in herb gardening across the country. She owned and operated Caprilands Herb Farm in Coventry, Connecticut for over 55 years.  from Wikipedia

Caprilands Herb Farm was developed as a teaching center and business.

Mrs. Simmons was called "the first lady" of herbs by the International Herb Association.

from the NY Times:

An imposing figure given to wearing a cape, Mrs. Simmons lectured authoritatively but with a touch of humor. ''Silver rosemary is good for mind and memory, in case you have need of that,'' she once told a visiting group. ''It's also good in tea. If you don't like that, you can wash your hair with it. If that doesn't work, you can wash your dog's hair with it.''

Some of her books can still be found on Amazon.com.  
http://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Seasons-Adelma-Grenier-Simmons/dp/0452266599

I was introduced to Adelma Simmons in the 1970's when I became fascinated with herbs.

Caprilands Herb Farm had a great catalogue of beautiful herbs, seeds, and herbal gifts.

I understand that Adelma Simmons was quite a character and I would have loved meeting her.

There were three women in the northeastern part of the US during that time that I was fascinated by.

They were creative and had a passion for their special interests.

The other two women I will share in the next few weeks.


******
Starbucks was the Bold brew door.
Sorry Nancy!
The winner of the gift certificate is:

 Jeanne of Jeanne's Bliss Blog

Bold is Brewing

Bold has been brewing in my mind lately.
What does it mean to be bold?
This shop thinks what they serve is bold.
I enjoy a bold cup of Chai Latte here.
What tea would be bold?
Or do you think a cup of tea can be bold?
Do you know what shop advertises a bold cup of?
Guess what shop this is and I will send a gift
certificate for a cup of Chai Latte or any other bold drink.
There will be one winner chosen from the winning answers
and announced Monday morning.
Hint: This shop is probably in your community too.
What is it's name?
Now go out and do something BOLD today.