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I thought I was ready to bind off my Shaelyn shawl but decided to add another pattern repeat because I want to use more of my yarn. This has been a comforting knit, but I’m excited to finish it and move on to something else!
I’m about a third of the way into Possession and don’t have a real opinion of it yet. I’ve enjoyed parts of it, but not all. I think a lot of this story is lost on me, but I’m sticking with it. So many people love it!
I finished reading Drawn from New England a few days ago. I love Tasha Tudor’s art and am fascinated by the way that she lived, so I really enjoyed this book. I found myself Googling around after reading it and was sad to read about what happened with her children after she died. There was a dispute over her will and even over what was to be done with her cremated remains. One of her sons wrote that he didn’t enjoy his unconventional upbringing. That made me pause and examine our own slightly unconventional life. I’m not quite as eccentric as Tasha Tudor, so I’m not too worried about it. Yes, I love animals and growing things, but I like my modern conveniences as well. And I don’t expect my children to have the same interests that I do. I have one son who will probably move to the city as soon as he’s able, and two daughters who are feeling a little deprived because I’ve never sent their birthday cakes floating down a stream with candles blazing like Tasha Tudor did for her kids. Everyone is different! (I’d be afraid to try to float a cake down a stream. I’d surely end up with a ruined mess.) I’ll always love Tasha and her art and the lovely home she created. I watched this little movie featuring her last week and will most likely watch it again. It’s included with Amazon Prime right now and perfect for watching while knitting a few rows!
Carol in Texas says
I too love Tasha Tudor. I used to love Victoria magazine…..the original…..and they often featured stories about her. I have a book of her crafts. I will certainly watch that movie, and I will look fir the book you read. How sad that her children should fight over her after her death. I always felt like she was a national treasure!
Brigitte says
Thanks for reminding us about Tasha Tudor. I realize some of her faults, but we all have them, right? What I took away from her was that you don’t have to just accept what society defines as “real life”. She created the life she wanted. This inspired me as a Christian and a homeschooler. I was fortunate to be able to take a tour of her property and be in a group meeting with her before she passed away.
Susan Kuhlman says
I know that you have posted this before, but can you give advice and suggestions for home schooling, It seems that school systems are inconsistent regarding day to day instructional plans.
Sue M. says
Ginny, thanks so much for sharing the documentary/movie about Tasha’s life! I’ve loved her for years, but didn’t know about this being available. Just finished watching it — it’s awesome to see her move around on her sweet little homestead & talk etc. Obviously, she lived a very happy & peaceful life. To be able to be her age and say she has no regrets is quite amazing, actually. How many people can truly say that?
I do agree that in most families not every child will have liked their upbringing.
Anyway, I love her books and have a collection of 16 of them thus far! It all began for me in the 1990’s when I discovered one book of hers, “All For Love” at the herb shop where I was working as a “dried” floral designer. I purchased the book and was very intrigued by it — love especially her wonderfully detailed borders on the pages of that book! (and others as well)
Kate says
Yes, I think her lack of a mainstream religious belief is problematic. When you make up your own religion and code of conduct how do explain to your kids the reasons for doing what you do other than “I like it this way.” That can build resentment. She was divorced twice, so she may not have been an easy romantic to live with. We can all still love her art despite her personal life.
Erin says
After many years of Tasha fandom, I too, came to a similar conclusion. Interviews with her adult children reveal more of her character, specifically that they could not “talk about anything real” with her. I wonder about her own upbringing and lack of family connection (she was raised by family friends) and how that may have affected her mothering and ability to connect outside of her fantasy world (made concrete). She also sent her children off to boarding school… That too, may have affected her children and their relationship with her. I speculate, of course.
Her exterior life is certainly captivating and deeply appeals to me, but the allure ends there for me personally.
Kate says
I have a friend whose aunt said she hated growing up in a large family because she never had any privacy. Her siblings loved being in a large family. Each person’s experience is so individual, influenced by temperament and personal impressions. Also, someone who has a strong personality or is charismatic or driven often doesn’t have any problem demanding others conform to their way of life.
caroline says
I love her art and gardens but when we started looking deeper into the life, I had the very similar thoughts as regarding her children and my own.
But honestly, I have never heard of a family where every child had only positive things to say about their upbringing. Even small families! Some farm kids run to cites, yes, but these things will go both ways. My hubs was one of two kids, raised on tidy military bases all over the world, and we now live in the woods with our brood of 9 home schooled kids.
Also, Tasha Tudor lived by a strange made up religion and never claimed to live listening to the Holy Spirit. You are treating your children as individuals and you see them as Gods children first. That is the very best we can aim for as mothers.
Bonnie J Kramer says
Thank you for giving me such a lovely movie to enjoy during these days of confinement. A chance to dream of such a place and such a lifestyle. I have always loved Tasha Tudor and it was nice to visit her again. We all need to keep that magic alive within us. During hard times and good times. I ordered the book also. I found it so inspiring. Thanks. Bonnie
Susan says
I just watched the movie about Tasha Tudor. Loved it! Sad to hear how her children were after her death. I’ll have to Google info about her. I will probably watch the movie again, too, soon.
Cas says
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-c5s8-gAuM/?igshid=1ctbxtr28q7j9
Emily DeArdo says
Tasha Tudor is one of my favorites!
Katie @ The Cozy Burrow says
Thank you for the info about the Tasha Tudor movie. I love her and think I’d love this film!