Happy Birthday, Tasha Tudor!

         If you’re a Tasha Tudor lover like me, today is a day to celebrate! This would have been Tasha’s 99th birthday. The perfect occasion to have a little tea time celebration, enjoy the flowers, and find some time to “take peace” or “take joy”, or whatever Tasha notion captures your fancy!

     Today when I opened up my copy of Tasha Tudor’s Garden, I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful pressed autumn maple leaf, which I had picked up in the yard of the Tasha Tudor Museum in Brattleboro, VT. last autumn.
    What a fabulous day we had that day! Started the morning off at the museum with Emily and Alyson and met up with Patricia there. Thankfully, Emily and Alyson humored Patricia and I as we walked around squeaking and grinning and overall acting like a couple of fan girls. I wanted to buy all the Tasha things!!! Really, its probably best you didnt see me that day, grinning like a fool with eyes big as saucers. I was in “The Land of Tasha”. And I was with great friends. It was, shall we say, marvelous! 

    Not many people out here on the prairie know about Tasha. But when I do find someone who does, its like finding an immediate kindred spirit. And my kids, of course, know all about Tasha. From taking naps to the soothing sounds of “Take Joy” or “Take Peace” playing on the tv to opening up the season’s Advent calendar, Tasha is alive and well at our house!

   And as we celebrate “99”, I can’t help but eagerly anticipate “100”! I’ll tell you a secret— I’m longing for New England again. Especially now that Autumn is coming back around. I want to go back, and I want my family to come with me. We are dreaming of an epic family road trip….all the way up to New York to where my friend Patricia is, in Albany. I’d love to show Audrey the Tasha Museum— and Robbie too, because he’ll be a little bigger by then— and share the beauty of that part of the country with Will. 
   So fingers crossed, stars aligned, and a prayer said that next year….we might find ourselves on another Tasha Adventure. We shall see!!!

  Til then, I’m thinking I’ll make Tasha’s meatloaf (Will’s favorite!) for dinner tonight, and maybe snuggle up with Take Peace and knit. Yes….a total Granny dream day 😉 I think Tasha would approve though!

  Of course on this special day, I’m not the only one celebrating! Be sure to visit the Tudor Family’s blog “Rookery Ramblings” to see a collection of Tasha birthday posts from around the country and the globe! I can’t wait to see all the other celebrations going on.

   Til next time, Take Joy!~
H

52 responses to “Happy Birthday, Tasha Tudor!”

  1. Hi Heather! I'm sorry to be so late to visit. I was offline on vacation. I love your folk art/illustrator blogs. Tasha's art has timeless beauty. What a sweet story!Since you're planning a trip to Maine, this post might be useful:http://blog.sarahlaurence.com/2012/03/maine-vacation-advice-from-local.html

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  2. This is definitely a treasure, Heather! Lovely photos, too. Thank you for joining us in celebrating Tasha Tudor's Birthday! ~Natalie from Tasha Tudor and Family

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  3. Thank you for including us in Tasha's birthday remembrance . Her stories and art work are so timeless and sweet!

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  4. Happy Tasha Tudor day Heather. Oh Becky Birthday is my all time favorite Tasha book. I mean who would not want a birthday cake floating down a stream! Clarice

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  5. So beautiful- I love that book. I really feel the need to have my birthday cake lit with candles float down the river (though just not the Hudson River please!) 🙂

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  6. What a beautiful book… I love Tasha Tudor. Did you know I own a signed copy of one of her books as well? The Butt'ry Shelf Almanac 🙂 Maybe I'll take a photo of it and display it on my blog later too! ♥

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  7. Hi Heather, A lovely post. I hope to have a floating birthday cake someday ~ maybe next year. I see you are planning a visit to New England next month, you should stop by the the Tasha Tudor Museum and take in the current exhibit \”Unending Delight\” it is truly delightful. I was just there and posted about it on my blog if you would like a peek. This was my second visit to the museum ~ it is just lovely there!I love Tasha so these are great events in my life!!You have a great day.MelissaPs. Congratulations on the baby ~ we seem to have all girl in my little family!

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  8. Thank you for a beautiful post on Tasha.

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  9. Beautiful post about Tasha. I' ve adored her since I read about her Victoria Magazine. She is a true original.

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  10. Thanks so much for the blog link, Sarah! I cant wait to see Maine for myself!

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  11. Thanks so much for your visit, Natalie! Happy Tasha Day! 😀

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  12. How fun that you are remembering Tasha all the way in Norway, Winnie! Hope you're having a fabulous day!

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  13. I know! Who would have thought of that? Tasha was the first epic mama birthday planner 😉

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  14. Honestly, I think I might have a panic attack if my cake was floating down the river 😉 too many chances of drowned cake! And I wouldnt want my cake in the Arkansas river, either 😉

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  15. Gorgeous. I would love to see a hard copy of this book someday.

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  16. Yes, you gotta share Erin! Doesnt it just feel so special to know she held the book in her hands and signed it?

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  17. Do you have the blog link, Melissa? I'd love to see the post!

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  18. Thanks so much for stopping by, Linda!

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  19. She truly was, absolutely!

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  20. I think its out of print, but sometimes you can find used gems on amazon!

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  21. Dear Heather,Thanks for sharing \”Becky's Birthday.\” Now that I have a Becky of my own, I need to get a copy of this book! Tasha's spirit is alive and well in all of us, and we are so blessed by her.Love,Marqueta

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  22. Sorry I thought I added. elegantlyhandmade.wordpress.comMelissa

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  23. Such a fabulous Tasha post! Sadly, I do not have one this year. I was not too familiar with Becky's Birthday – thank you for sharing it. I'm going to celebrate the day a bit late – on the weekend I'll be baking up some stuff. I hope Tasha will like that! Enjoy the day!

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  24. It makes me so happy that we share Tasha Love together, Miss Heather! WHY don't I own this book?? I have to own this book.

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  25. A lovely tribute to a beautiful, creative lady !Amazing how, we as women, can have an impact on others, most of the time not even knowing it.Rose

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  26. That looks like a cute book. I just requested a bunch from the library after reading your post.

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  27. Such delightful detail in her work, as you say, an inspiration 🙂

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  28. I grew up in Vermont (where Tasha Tudor lived and died) and keenly remember her sweet illustrations from my childhood. ♥ She was a true artist.

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  29. Happy Tasha Tudor Day!! Last year was wonderful- visiting the museum with someone else who felt the same way I do about the endlessly fascinating and wonderful Tasha Tudor was brilliant. 🙂 And here's hoping that we are able to celebrate Tasha next year together for her 100th birthday in Vermont….Corgi Cottage tour! 🙂 Enjoy your granny dream day today- we will be doing something very similar here!

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  30. So happy to join in the celebration for Tasha Tudor's 99th birthday! Such a creative artist and such an amazing life she lived! I hope that next year you will be able to visit New England in the Fall with your family too! Tasha's holiday traditions were a part of my children's life when they were young and we all enjoyed her books together! Enjoy your day of all things Tasha!

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  31. Yes!!! I so so hope we can make next year happen and celebrate \”100\” together. Here's to Vermont and Tasha! Happy Tasha Tudor Day, my friend! 😀

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  32. Thank you Winnie! I hope you have a wonderful day too! I am starting off with my first cup of Pumpkin Coffee for the season 😀

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  33. The new issue of Yankee Magazine has a really good feature on Tasha Tudor. Now I have one other place to add to my \”bucket list.\”

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  34. I loved your post, I have been doing the same knitting & reading. I have been celebrating today with my five year old twin girls, we have been very creative.Happy Tasha Tudor day from England.Fondly Michelle

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  35. Happy Tasha Tudor day Dearest Heather!! What a wonderful day that must have been!! I completely understand the squeals of excitement you must have had!! I shall be doing the same very soon!! (Thrill thrill ..thump thump) (thats my heart..hee) Your plan sounds like a marvelous one and I hope it shall become reality!! 😀 Family road trips are the best!!Enjoy the day! Many many Blessings, LinniePS you should be a charter museum leader for your area!! Nod,nod nod..yep I think you should! Smile smile..http://tashatudormuseum.org/membership-and-giving/volunteer/society-chapters/

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  36. Yes!!! A friend is sending me a copy and I can't wait!! 😀 You must get up to Vermont, its beautiful!

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  37. So nice to meet you, Michelle! I visited your blog and it is just lovely! Im so glad you got to stop by 🙂 happy Tasha Day!

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  38. Oooh I hope you post all about your visit to the museum when you go! It is just wonderful to go and see all her things in person, the dresses…the artwork….her spining wheel and loom. All just treasures!

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  39. Hi, Heather … hope you don't mind that I shared the link to your post on my FB page this morning; I enjoyed reading it and thought some of my friends might, too. Another FB friend, Cathy at http://cathy-morningmusings.blogspot.com/ hosted a gathering today to celebrate Tasha's birthday and discuss starting a Maryland Chapter of the Tasha Tudor Museum Society. Now I'm off to 'visit' Rookery Ramblings! Blessings from Alabama …

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  40. Happy Birthday Tasha! To a lady who has inspired us so much, and reminded us of the importance of cozy art, a good meal, and family. Lovely post Heather!

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  41. Oh, no I dont mind at all! That is so nice of you Sharon, thank you for sharing! And YES I just stumbled upon Cathy's blog not too long ago and saw her post about her garden tour. Hope you had a wonderful Tasha Tudor Day! 😀

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  42. Thanks so much, Jennifer! You are so right– she was one inspiring lady for sure 🙂

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  43. Happy belated TT day. How exciting to go to the farm. I am hoping to go one day. Autumn would be a great time to go!! Clarice

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  44. Hi Heather. I love that you rediscovered the hidden leaf in Tasha's Garden Book. According to the Museum website there is a TTMS chapter in development for OK! It's a big state, so I hope it will be near you. I'm loving my new group and we've only just met the one time yesterday. One of the ladies is also a Susan Branch fan, so I'm eager to explore that connection with her, too.

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  45. Hi Sweet Girl!I'm a little late to the party but so glad the celebration continues:) I am now in Vermont mode, as the trip to the Vineyard has come and gone. I cannot wait for October to arrive…Fall in New England and Tasha's darling Corgi Cottage and Gardens and farm. I will be dying over everything as well…so don't feel so foolish…you are not alone!! Thank you for such a beauty-filled post!Much love!

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  46. You will love it, and Autumn is the most gorgeous time out there. So, so lovely and lush with color. I long for it again!

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  47. I didnt know there was an Oklahoma chapter forming! I'll check out the site and see where its out, that is fabulous! Wish I was closer to Maryland so I could stop by your chapter, you all have such fun!

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  48. Christie, I'm so excited for you to go and see all the Tasha magic for yourself! Its amazing. And you get to tour the house!!! Ahhhh!!!! I cant wait to hear what you think of it!

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  49. I Promise I will…and about the tour!

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  50. OH MY GOSH I am going then too!!

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About Me

I’m Heather, a folk artist, mama and wife; I’ve loved to make art since I was a little girl, and I am inspired by historical travels, heritage crafts and faith. Here I share my latest artwork, adventures, crafts, good books and good tea!