Take Joy...

“The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy.  Take joy.”

Fra Giovanni

Take joy…this was the motto of the artist, author, and lifestyle icon Tasha Tudor.  I think it’s fair to say she is one of my favorite authors in part because she was such a very real person.  Born in 1915, Tasha lived the life she wrote about in her many beautiful books.  She had a real love for nature and a simple life that included growing her own food, making her own candles, taking care of her chickens and goats, and wearing lovely “frocks” from the 1800’s.

(Here's just a few of the many books I have that were written by Tasha.)

She also had a connection with the area where we live.  She was a friend of a popular restaurant owner and often visited our town in the early 1960’s.  His restaurant had the “Tasha Tudor Room” where patrons could purchase books and prints created by Tasha.

(This is a picture of Tasha I have on display in my office.)

One dark and dreary winter day, I decided to write her a fan letter. (Note:  I have never written a fan letter in my life!)  I told her where I lived and reminded her about her connection to our area.  I told her that I, too, liked to garden and talked about how much I enjoyed her books.  To my delight a sweet little note from her showed up in my mailbox.  It is a prized possession and is always on display in my kitchen cupboard.  

We are even members of the Tasha Tudor Museum, and a goal of mine is to visit there some day soon.   

Tasha died in 2008, but I’m glad her memory lives on in her beautiful books.

Have you read any good books lately?  I would highly recommend visiting Tasha’s world when you get the chance.

All the best,

Kelly