Tasha’s Hearth print from the Tasha Tudor and Family website
It is snowing here as I write; a crisp, clean sheet of page with a crisp white blanket of snow outside. I’ve been waiting for snow. It has been so long since we’ve had any here on the Cutoff. Downy snowflakes have been falling as I’ve critiqued a bit of writing for a friend, wrote up minutes for recording secretary duties, checked the availability of a few books in our interlibrary loan system, started a pot of chicken soup, and played around in cyberspace.
I found something, whilst playing, that I think you will enjoy. I promise, I will move on to something other than Tasha Tudor soon, but, so many of you had interest in her that I thought I should at least provide the link to the Tasha and Tudor and Family website, which is just a click away here. There is some Tudor history at the site, newsy information in grandson Winslow Tudor’s newsletter, receipts (old term for recipes), an online store with all sorts of wonderful items to buy, and, well, somewhere to go and while away an hour or two.
On my way to the website, I called upon Mr. Google to see if there was a video of Tasha Tudor. I do have two tapes (yes, tapes) that I purchased eons ago. They are now available on  DVD at the website. One is about her garden and home, aptly named Corgi Cottage, the other was filmed at Christmas, including roasting a turkey in a tin kitchen. I was hoping to find a clip of one of these to share.
Instead, I found this beautiful video that kept me entranced, as most things Tasha Tudor do, for a few moments in time. I thought you might enjoy it as well.
Some background information is needed. While Tasha Tudor is known and loved in the States, especially in New England, she is revered by many in Japan, whose citizens would often travel to hear Tasha speak or visit her garden. There are books about Tasha Tudor in Japanese; some are translations and others are written, photographed and published in Japan.
I always find it enlightening to see things as I know them through the eyes of others. This video does just that! It is in Japanese, but one doesn’t need language to enjoy it. I invite you to view it at your leisure, perhaps with a cup of something warm, or cold for my friends down under. You won’t need any music as it is beautifully orchestrated in the video. Whatever subtitles there are in the piece are in Japanese as you will hear Tasha speaking in English. I was elated to find this via the internet and my heartfelt appreciation goes out to its producers. Please, dear reader, enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zU-15to8d4
What a beautiful little video. I think the Japanese language lent itself to it perfectly and added something quite wonderful. It also made me hungry for getting out and spending time in the dirt among the flowers. I’m so looking forward to getting past this cold snap and moving into spring.
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I hoped you would see this, Teresa, and enjoy its beauty. I have that same yearning for getting outdoors and playing in the dirt. Still February to get through . . .
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What a treasure you found. Tasha grew old gracefully, and to hear her voice. I’ll bet you felt like you struck gold. Enjoying her illustrations is one thing, but to walk through her garden is a gift. I’m smiling thinking of you finding this. .thank’s for sharing.
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I did, indeed, Sharon; pure gold. I’m smiling, too. It was a gift to discover this and one I just had to share. You are so very welcome.
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Loved the video and hearing her voice. Is that a tin kitchen in one of your pictures and also shown in the video? Thanks for making us think and learn a bit more about Tasha Tudor. Brightens a gloomy day – no snow here – my daffodils have been up at least 3 inches for awhile. We’re still desperately in need of moisture. Envy your having snow. I had hoped it would snow while I was home this week.
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Yes, Joyce, those are both pictures of tin kitchens. I’m so pleased that you noticed both of them. What a nice thing to say. Thank you so much. We only got about an inch, which is better than none, and I worry about the bulbs and plants that need the snow cover. Still, I’m enjoying the crisp whiteness of what we did get. I know you need the moisture there. I hope you get some this weekend to finish out your winter vacation, though it doesn’t look like any is coming your way. It has been such an odd year for weather.
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I am coming back to look at the video, because I was just checking in while I’m waiting for dinner to finish ;>)….fascinated that Tasha is venerated in Japan. But perhaps not surprised because Japan is known to honor the ancients (as I have honestly always felt we all should, even before I was one!)
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I’ve felt the same, Sallie. I grew up in a multi-generational household and have always felt I was blessed to have my grandmother with us. I think the Japanese example to “honor the ancients” is one to take to heart. I hope you had the time, after dinner, to see the video. I think you would enjoy it.
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Oh, that was lovely. It is wonderful that it is narrated in that quiet Japanese voice. As you said, there is no need to understand the words. I love the music background and the lovely outdoor sounds. I now have a case of spring fever. Actually hearing Tasha Tudor herself was such a treat. She has such a sweet smile and obviously enjoys her garden so much. I also love the snippets of her illustrations. Ok, I am gushing over this. This was such a gift on this cold winter night. Thank you so much for sharing.
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Wasn’t it, Janet? I was so excited to come across this and hoped you would be able to watch it, too. When the birds were chirping, our bird, Maya, started up, too. Gush all you want, for the world of Tasha Tudor is gush worthy. I love seeing her in her garden, but, also enjoyed the glimpse of her painting and of her by that fabulous fireplace. You are very welcome. It was a gift to all, especially me.
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This was a little feast to sit and enjoy tonight, Penny. I would never have thought to look for a video and to have the opportunity to hear her voice! She just brings to mind simple pleasures and her attention to a by-gone era, and I felt relaxed just watching her move about! 🙂 I now have a desire to go back through my children’s books to see if I can find some that are illustrated by her. I feel that they need to be treasured. I am so glad to have seen this video. And I’m also so very happy the snow finally came to visit. The day as you describe it sounds just wonderful! 🙂
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A feast I am pleased you were able to enjoy, Debra. It was a relaxing video, helped by the mood of the music and the soft voice of the narrator. I hope you find a Tasha Tudor book, or more, in your own book collection. I’ve found so many over the years in second hand shops, and friends have even found them and gifted me with them. One I found actually had a photograph of her that I treasure. The original owner of the book must have met her at a book event at some point.
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Thank you for From Japan: Tasha, written on the date my mother was born in 1909. She began my love for Tasha by reading the books of hers to me, mentioned in my last comment. What a sweet surprise.
I sat watching the video with cat Sunny on my lap and he was also charmed by the sounds of the birds and the music. I went back in the comments and made sure I saw you mention your bird Maya, news to me!
I will make use of the web site as I had not seen it.
Stay warm and button up your overcoat if you have to be out in the cold. Have a special week.
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You are welcome. How nice it is to hear of that date and book connection to your mother and her reading Tasha’s books to you. What a nice memory for you.
Tasha charms all the animals, doesn’t she? Maya is our cockatiel, quite a talker and gets chirpy when he hears other birds. I’m glad Sunny was charmed.
We have an ice storm predicted. I don’t mind the snow, but, oh the ice. That I don’t like at all.
Thank you, Marilyn. A special week to you as well.
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Sadly our broadband connection is playing up again, Penny, and won’t let me watch even 10 minutes of video. It’s one of the penalties of living a couple of miles away from the telephone exchange at the end of a fairly old and battered phone line. Sigh….. I console myself with the fact that our snow has gone and my Tasha Tudor book should be delivered very soon. 🙂
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As Winnie the Pooh would say, oh bother! Sorry you are having more connection woes, Perpetua and hope all will start behaving soon. You will find the video more breathtaking once you’ve perused the book – so, one more thing to look forward to when the time is right.
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Thankfully our first postal delivery for 10 days (because of the snow) brought the book this morning, Penny and I’m really looking forward to reading it. It’s an ex-library copy in good condition. I’ll bookmark this post to see the video once the line improves
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So glad t hear the postal service made the delivery, Perpetua, and that DH didn’t have to go trudging through the snow. I have quite a few ex-library books and they are good editions, as you well know as a former librarian. The bindings are good. The one I have of Little Women, illustrated by TT, is such a book. It even has the check out envelope in it. I had to read the names, and there, on December 5, in a bygone year, was the name of a young girl named Penny. Tickled me as my b-day is December 5. Enjoy your little adventure with Tasha.
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Penny, what a quiet meditation to begin my day. I love that there are few words to distract from the images. The narrator’s voice, the music, and the birdsong all blend together to make for a most soothing background. Thanks for sharing this.
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You are welcome, Belle. The video is a quiet meditation and thank you for that insight. Have a good day.
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Beautiful, thank you Penny. I’ve just returned from 4 days at the bach, immersed in nature, and this seems like a sweet continuation now that I’m home. I loved wandering amongst the flowers of Tasha Tudor’s garden.
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Welcome back from your bach, Juliet. I hope it was restful for you after that final push for your book’s publication, not to mention your computer woes. I’m sure you will have a calming, contemplative post on it soon, and I will by to check.
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Oh, what a beautiful piece of film. Now there was someone who captured happiness for huge swathes of her life, I’ll be bound. I love the shot of the dog pottering round the garden with her. And the garden: peerless!
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She loved corgis, Kate, so much so that she named her extensive property Corgi Cottage. I would love to visit that garden. The house is only about 30 years old. Looks much older, doesn’t it?
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It does: but I find a beautiful cottage garden does that to a place….
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Indeed, it does!
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