THE TASHA TUDOR MUSEUM

Located in the Jeremiah Beal house in Brattleboro, Vermont you will find the "temporary" home of the Tasha Tudor Museum...

Climb the steps to the second floor and you will soon be greeted by Leigh, the museum curator. A lovely young women with a wealth of information regarding Tasha Tudor... The museum is small, just two rooms. The first room holds various items belonging to Tasha, as well as some reproductions. Also found are many Tasha Tudor items for sale...books, note cards, cookie cutters, flower seeds, mugs...a gift shop perhaps, however, tastefully done.

This exhibit's main feature was Tasha's favorite dresses...those worn and made by Tasha, as well as dresses that represent the Romantic Era, Tasha's favorite period in history...

This is a familiar outfit worn by Tasha in many of her books...Leigh informed us that Tasha had worn the sleeves out and new ones had to be made...note Tasha's familiar neck scarf and apron...

This is the first dress Tasha made...

Just a sampling of the many dresses on exhibit, being that the museum is small, and other patrons were visiting, it became difficult to take photos. This museum is child friendly, there are a sampling of frocks and bonnets for children to don, with pages to color, the Tasha Tudor "Take Joy" movie was playing off to the side. If you are a Tasha Tudor fan, I would recommend a visit, it is worth the five dollar admittance fee. Vermont is such a beautiful state to tour, with it's wonderful cheddar cheese and maple syrup, you just can't go wrong!

TAKE JOY~TASHA TUDOR~PART #2

Beautiful Vermont... The Green Mountain State...

As our group of eight was ushered into the connecting barn, her well worn garden implements now lay idle. Her yokes, scythe, pitchforks, tree barrels and enormous baskets remain exactly as she might have left them. In my mind's eye I visualize Tasha milking her Nubian goats, tending to her Fantail doves, cats, chickens or perhaps calling to Megan and Owyn, the last of her beloved Corgies. Her pets are gone now, Megan, the last of Tasha's Corgies, passed away this past spring while in the care of Seth and Marjorie. The antique birdcages that once held Tasha's exotic finches, cockatiels, parrots, and canaries are now empty- Tasha's presence is dearly missed. Next, we found ourselves placed in the hands of Winslow Tudor, Tasha's grandson. First on the agenda was Tasha's secret garden. The focal point being a large flowering crab apple tree which is encompassed by forget-me-nots and a wooden hexagonal bench built by Seth. It soon became apparent that Winslow had a special bond with his granny with a shared love and knowledge of gardening. A water lily pond is surrounded by azaleas, a red hawk had built her nest high in a tree close to the pond, being respectful we did not invade her territory. If you are a fan of Tasha Tudor you know she was very boastful of her gardens, and rightly so. Corgi Cottage is a place of enchantment, heirloom plants found as far as the eye can see...it was everything and more than what I had expected and hoped for...Tasha's family were very generous and patient with us as we made inquiries...goat's milk for health...manure tea for plants...tea in the afternoon...barefoot when possible...and always in the company of animals both inside and out...In my humble opinion there will never be another Tasha Tudor...but while she was here on earth I feel she made this world a better place. If you are a fan I know you would agree. place...Part #3~tomorrow: the Tasha Tudor Museum...

~TAKE JOY~ TASHA TUDOR~PART #1

Take a turn off the beaten path, follow down a dusty dirt road...
Seth Tudor, son of Tasha, and Winslow Tudor, son of Seth, await our arrival...

We are a group of twenty or so and are quickly gathered together at the "Rookery" a home base to the Tasha Tudor and Family business...we are divided into three groups and assigned a leader- ours is Seth; Seth's wife Marjorie, and their son Winslow lead the other two groups.

Friendly banter soon filled the air as we plodded along field and trail leading to Tasha Tudor's beloved Corgi Cottage. Seth opened an old wooden gate, and the world of Tasha Tudor was at our fingetips...Corgi Cottage is a timber frame New England style cape home. It is adorned in weathered clapboards and moss covered cedar shakes, built by Seth for his mother forty years ago. Upon entering the home you soon have the feeling that Tasha is home, perhaps out working in her garden...her china teapot and cups are waiting, everything appears to be left just the way she would have had it, or as the books about her portray...The rooms are small, cool and dark, indeed the feeling of a chipmunk's nest. We are respectful of her home and belongings, however, it is not a museum and we were allowed to "touch". Once in her kitchen, I stand at Tasha's sink, I gaze out the window as my hand touched the old hand pump, her tin kitchen still placed in front of the fireplace...her art work space, along with pencils, paint and brushes set by the north window, also a small bed for napping...down a narrow hallway we discover the room that holds her loom, treaded and left just as it was when Tasha passed away. A steep narrow stairway leads us to the second floor where two small bedrooms and an adjoining alcove are found. The bedrooms lovingly decorated with the style we reconize as "Tasha Tudor" We return downstairs and soon discover that Tasha had a real bathroom (flushing toilet) her dressing table set with all her lovely antique brushes, combs and hand mirror. Wild flowers placed in vases are scattered throughout the house. There are shelves from floor to ceiling filled with books and smalls. Tasha Tudor was a collector of many items, among them being books, beds, old photographs, antiques and dishes. Every nook and cranny of Corgi Cottage is filled with items that delight the eye...

Next we are taken into Tasha's bedroom, a small room, bright with the afternoon sunlight. This room too is filled with antique furnishings, her bed is adorned with a white quilt, there are bed curtains and window treatments that coordinate. This is the room that Tasha Tudor passed away in. Seth speaks so lovingly of his mother, to the world she was known as Tasha Tudor but, to her family.... Granny...

TOMORROW IS THE DAY~

Finally, the day is almost here...tomorrow morning Mr. Dog Trot and I will head to Vermont...to the private world or Tasha Tudor...
First on our agenda is the Tasha Tudor Museum...this museum is still in it's infancy, but not to be missed. Next, The Vermont Country Store, a unique store where one can find items and brands "from the good old days" do you recall the shampoo, "Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific or Lemon Up?" How about Lanz nightgowns and good old fashioned penny candy, this is the place to go. Next on to The King Arthur Baker's Store... how I love this store, a baker's nirvana...On Sunday, rain or shine...with instructions sent to wear appropriate clothing and footwear we will tour Tasha Tudor's beloved Corgi Cottage and her many flower gardens, we will visit the Rookery, and to top it off our tour will be given by members of the Tudor family. There is no photography allowed on this tour, and I shall be respectful of this request. For two and a half hours I will live in the private world of Tasha Tudor, I told Mr. Dog Trot he may have to pinch me, just to make sure I know I am not dreaming...most importantly I have to thank my parent's who are making this all possible by coming to house sit, administer Winslow Homer's around the clock medications, keep an eye on Sadie Mae, and tend to sixteen chickens...but I have assured "Nanny and Papa" they will have plenty of time to rock their great grandson Travis Lloyd, such is life at Dog Trot Farm....

A PERFECT FIRST DAY OF SUMMER~

Summer-like weather arrived a day early here in Maine, yesterday the temperature soared to the mid nineties...today, the first day of summer was a repeat...so what do we do when the weather is hot, humid and sticky...we head to the Neily family camp at Hancock Pond in Denmark Maine...this location is Maine's beauty in her finest...surrounded by majestic pines, it's water is clear and bright...we appear to have the lake to ourselves on this perfect first summer day... we are welcomed by the cry of the loons...and the croaking of bullfrogs...

little one's are quick to test the water...it is a day to savor...to remember...

also a day to introduce Travis Lloyd to the Neily family camp. A place where his grandfather came as a boy and his dad and uncle Kristopher played each summer. A place which holds many fond memories for family members near and far...

Travis soon learned...life in the fast lane ends as you hit the old bumpy dirt road...

and a wonderful location to enjoy a mid afternoon nap...whether on the beach under an umbrella...

or safe in the camp...t'is the beginning of many happy days to be shared at Hancock Pond...the cycle of life continues...

A PHONE CALL~

Isn't it funny how even the best laid plans can get waylaid...all it can take is one phone call...
the coop yard was to be tilled...hanging plants were to be fertilized...

and gardens weeded...

Gladys wondered what was up...and why was morning snack late...

a morning phone call...my day rearranged..."might I be able to watch Travis?"...

" honey, you don't have to ask twice"...

my morning sunshine...

and my evening sunset...

one month old...looks are changing...a personality developing...and a smile that melts his granny's heart...

DO YOU GAMBLE?

I don't get off the farm much...I enjoy my own backyard...and my own company...but last Friday my girlfriend and I decided to take a field trip...travelling the back roads of Western Maine...a bit of combined plant shopping with thrifting...
I became intrigued however, when we came upon this parking lot...a casino parking lot...yes, we now have a casino in western Maine...At ten o'clock in the morning the lot was full. I, being the curious sort wanted to see for myself who the gambling cliental might be... especially at such an early hour...WOW...this place was hopping...loud...bright and full of energy...I've never been inside an establishment such as this before...the fever appeared to be quite contagious...my friend and I walked around taking in the sights and sounds and it soon became apparent this gambling was serious business...

The vast majority of people were the older population and the remainder young adults...we sat ourselves down and gave the one armed bandit a run for it's money...okay...I am not a gambler, but I admit I lost three whole dollars...I quit...my girlfriend on the other hand won a total of twenty dollars, but how quickly that one armed bandit regained it's loss...I was so absorbed in watching her win..lights flashing...music... it took me a minute to realize that someone was giving me a neck massage...I quickly turned to see who this person could be...I looked right into the eyes of an elderly gentlemen..."OH... I AM SO SORRY, said he... I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY WIFE" Oh, my friend had a good laugh over this one....we quickly departed... spending a total of twenty minutes in the place...I soon realized I am much better off staying in my own backyard...keeping myself out of trouble...but, you know... I keep wondering what that gentlemen's wife looked like...do I have a twin? do I look older than my age? or possibly was he someone's SUGAR DADDY? My bet is on the sugar daddy!

SADIE MAE~

The story of Sadie Mae...

Soon after my kitty Sweet Emma Lou passed away I attended a fostering class for cats and kittens offered at our local animal refuge league. (In my humble opinion, a house is just not a home without a kitty.) My heart was still in the process of healing and I realized I was not ready for a permenant feline resident, fostering seemed to be the optimal solution. At the end of the class we were asked our preference in fostering, I voluntered for the older or senior cats, those who might be in need of a little extra TLC. A few months passed by and I received a call about a petite kitty named SADIE. Sadie was ill and in need of a care giver who would administer her daily meds and offer a quiet home in which she could recover in. Sadly, Sadie remained with me less than 24 hours, she was just too ill and in urgent need of vet care. Six weeks passed by and I often thought of little Sadie but felt she had more than likely succombed to her illness. Yesterday, out of the blue, I received a phone call from Anne, the shelter cat coordinator at the refuge league informing me Sadie did indeed survive and was healthy enough to be adopted, was I interested? I offered Anne a lame excuse and said I needed to check with Mr. Dog Trot, but honestly I needed to check with Sweet Emma Lou...in less than two hours it was decided, Sadie Mae can now call Dog Trot Farm her forever home. I feel quite confident that Sweet Emma Lou is pleased with my decision...and our house feels like a HOME once again...

ALL IN GOOD TIME~

My mild mannered, even tempered, petite banty beauty Josephine has gone BROODY. A broody hen might be compared to a MENOPASUAL women or one experencing a bad case of PMS. Josephine has recently decided she perfers her own company and would greatly appreciate the coop to herself and all that enter should BEWARE...especially ROOSTERS...Now being that I, a kind hearted, loving coop keeper...but not wanting anymore chicks...and certainly not wanting to take the chance of more roosters joining our little flock...I quickly and quietly placed three lovely wooden eggs in the nest box...Josephine is tolerant...and appears quite content... Thrifting 101... Cathy of the wonderful blog Acorn Hollow, shares with her readers the wonderful items she discovers FREE at the DUMP STORE. She has scored big time over and over again and recently found a Salmon Falls Pottery Lamp, which originally sold for $150.00.Really big score... I have never been so lucky and we do not have a DUMP STORE in my area, however, some weeks ago I saw this lamp at Goodwill... it is a pottery lamp from L.L.Bean and the Goodwill price of $2.50. BIG SCORE...

Last week, at a flea market I stumbled upon this book, the classic The Night Before Christmas, but what is special about this book it is illistrated by dear Tasha Tudor, also $2.50.

and last but certainly not least, a child's size Radio Flyer wheelbarrow.

It is not old nor vintage, but brand new and fifteen dollars less than what I had expected to pay for a new one at Tractor Supply. Someday I anticipate a little boy pushing it along the dirt driveway, possibly filled with frogs or snakes, trucks and tractors, saying "Granny, Granny look what I have found." All in good time, all in good time.

BLAME IT ON THE SUN~

Good Monday everyone...my fair ladies, my girls, my hens, have been scurring about the yard on this fine sunny day... yes... SUNSHINE...so full of themselves they are...why Gladys is a perfect example...with all the rainy weather we here in Southern Maine have been enduring over the past few weeks... we are a bit moldy to say the least...time to shake out the feathers and let the sunshine do it's magic...Oh, the feeling of warm sunshine, it does a body good...especially a middle aged body such as mine...With caution thrown to the wind my hens decided to rearrange the vegetable garden...if you are a hen and spy an open garden gate why it only makes sense...to hens anyway...to scratch around a bit...and being that the sun is shining of course you get carried away...needless to say... I do realize what is in store for me tomorrow...reminder to self...a new latch on the old garden gate is needed SOONER rather than later...
Mr. Gnome tiptoed out of the wood and found a perfect spot to air himself out...safe and sound in the arms of a crab apple tree...shhhhh don't let on...there might be fairies in the air...do you believe?

Petunia's have been dead-headed and are beginning to recover from the cold wet weather...

butterflies have been in abundance...

perennial gardens are filling out...now, in my humble opinion... Lady's Mantle is one perennial no gardener should be without...don't you agree?

Our sunshine... Travis Lloyd made his first offical visit to Marmee's house...soon asleep in the arms of his grandfather, Mr. Dog Trot...

and in the arms of his great-grandmother...Nanny

and finally, my turn, Marmee...

three weeks old...shhhhhhh....I let you in on a little secret...this afternoon while changing his diaper...I was informing Travis of all the wonderful adventures he and I were to have...I referred to myself as "Grannie J" and he looked in my eyes and SMILED.... sunshine and magic...with a bit of fairy dust...he believes...

OWLS AND MONKEYS, OH MY

Hip Hip Hooray a bit of sunshine found us today...flowers bowed their soggy heads in thanks
while others stretched their arms and legs, hanging out over the old tub container...

I have discovered The Land of Nod...and what an enchanting land it is...

The Land of Nod is an eye popping catalog filled with quality items and decorating ideas for a baby's nursery...a child's room... wall decals...how cute...

or a teen's retreat...how lovely is this Jenny Lind bed...painted in the prettiest shade of teal, complimented by an embroidered wildflower quilt...and accessorized with the sweetest little touches.

Recently I have been looking for unique ideas to create a welcoming space for baby Travis...a space that will grow with him...a cozy nook to call his own...one filled with lots of books, handmade toys, hanging animal lanterns, unique storage containers... a bright rug...love the one below...

the challenge...to pull this project off on a tiny budget... the color theme, chocolate brown and teal ...there will be owls...

and monkeys...

which are beginning...

to make an appearance...

life is just a barrel full of monkeys...

even on rainy days...