Pleasurable Elements About Tasha Tudor {And Apple Torte Recipe}

My dear friends, 

I thought today would be a lovely time to spend a few minutes sending out some inspiration in consideration of living a joyful life. To relish in the simple, quiet moments of what I am presently pondering.


This thought came upon me yesterday as the gardener and I was out for a scamper collecting our supper. I feel quite like the Europeans while we have been engaged in the selling of our home. Most of my essentials are packed, so when it is time to prepare our meals each day, we must go to the market. My mother would recount to me when I was a small child living in central Europe that we did the same. She would bundle me up, and we would walk to the local food market and bakery every day. Eating freshly baked foods is a regular occurrence. I think that's why I love the farmer's markets here in the US. My mother said that preparing daily with fresh foods was a natural way of life in Europe.

I love the notion exceedingly. I am using my time wisely while in a state of suspension of our move. I have become enthralled and densely embroiled in research for my novel Deceit and Dissension. Once, I heard that writing nonfiction is more complicated than fiction. I wholeheartedly disagree with this. In my experience, I think that to get a story accurate (for instance, I am writing in the Victorian era and in a culture, European, that I have not lived in before.} To create a believable story, details are absolutely paramount. I recount reading a series of British love stories many years ago, and the stories were rubbage. Do not ask me why I read the entirety of the books; I have no earthly idea. {heh} I can tell you I haven't done it since. If a book is dreadful, I say get out while the gettin' is good. {smile} I am genuinely enjoying all of the history lessons and research that I have come upon. As a writer, it is quite common to spend just as much time, if not more, sifting in the study as it is in the actual writing of the novel. I'm speaking from my own experience, as this is the first time I've begun writing a fictional book {Deceit and Decension}. Indeed, as a writer, I am using many pieces of my life experiences and dispersing them into my characters. Writers write what they know and to a degree, what they have experienced. It is similar to when I am painting. I tend to paint myself into my artistry. I am very aware that I do this.

I thought to shed some light on some pleasurable elements about Tasha Tudor. It's always a delight to learn about our heroes, especially when we have similar experiences.

I have planned shortly to take a tour of Tasha's Corgi Cottage. 

I think it's important to stress here that I think when we as women see our dear heroes and desire to emulate them, that is a beautiful thing. However, I think it's paramount to remind oneself that every person has their own journey. Tasha was in her mid 50's when she finally purchased her land and began building Corgi Cottage. It took years. I think most often, people look at the final result and are quick to feel inadequate. Let us remember even Tasha had a process along her personal voyage. She built her stone wall herself. Tasha spent hours upon hours and months using a wheelbarrow to carry the rocks up the hill. She was mindful that for her bountiful flower gardens to make a splash, she would buy loads of the same flower and haphazardly place them in clumps here and there. She said to make your flowers look natural; this is an important reminder.

Did you know that Tasha, just as with Beatrix Potter, froze animals to use as models for her art? She'd then thaw and pose them in positions for her paintings in her books.

I am planning to do this, too; however, I have to wait until we find our forever home and can purchase a small freezer.

A few things that I have in common with Tasha:

~I wanted to be an artist and author since childhood.
~I was married for the first time in over 24 years, the same as Tasha. I am in my second marriage. Tasha was married twice.
~Her first husband didn't like her choice of lifestyle. My ex felt the same.
~I have four children.
~I changed my name back to my maiden name after my divorce.
~I am a spiritualist.
~I love to garden.
~I love to sew.
~I write childrens storybooks.
~I live on a farm.
~I live in a cottage.
~I love taxidermy animals and paint from real life and not photographs, only if it's necessary.
~I love the Victorian era and live that lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
~I felt as a young girl that I wasn't pretty.
~I love reading poetry.
~I love animals.
~I love Corgi's
~I make my own candles.
~I dress in Victorian clothes. ,

TASHA TUDOR RECIPE FOR APPLE TORTE

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts are all good.
• Use macadamias for a real treat!)
• 1 egg

Directions:

Beat the egg and sugar together. 

Add the remaining ingredients in order, stirring well as you go. 

Turn the mixture into a buttered pie plate.

Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 325-degree oven.

Cool on rack. Serve with whipped or vanilla ice cream!