Customer Reviews

Forever Christmas

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While we fans of Tasha Tudor (a loyal group, to say the very least) await ANY new book about Tasha, it is with mixed feelings that so many of us view this book. You will note it is wrtten by Harry Davis, and as most of Tasha's fans have heard through various grapevines, Mr. Davis and Ms. Tudor had a not so nice parting of the ways, and rumor has it that Ms. Tudor did not sanction this book. So, while we want to know more, read more, see more about a woman who's art and life we hold in high esteem, we are mixed because we don't want anyone who might be a scoundrel to exploit our dear Tasha! I have seen the book and it is charming, the photos are delightful, especially the one of Tasha serving up her live pet parrot, Hannah, as Christmas dinner (it's a trick folks, don't panic). We Tasha fans never tire of anything new (to us) about this woman we respect, admire and try to emulate in our own personal way to live a fuller, more simple life. Ms. Tudor is 85 and most of us can not do in a month what she does in a day! We love her illustrations, we keep her books and pass them on to our children and grandchildren (well, we let them look at them, but we usually won't give them up!). We are in awe of her multi-faceted talents--her art, gardens to die for, spinning, weaving, keeping goats, and of course, those delightful Corgi dogs! We want this book. But, loyal as we are, we worry that we could contribute to some unhappiness for our beloved Tasha Tudor. Many women today have no Elder or Wise Women to pass down aspects of living that seem lost in this overly hectic world. We don't want to live in the grips of cell phones and palm pilots at the expense of creativity and connections to the earth and to each other. Tasha reminds us. She shows us. She gives us a kind of permission to hold on to,or bring back,the "olden" things, and it is these that anchor us. We want as much of her as we can get without barging in on her actual property! And we don't want anyone to do anything to hurt her.

This is a book I would recommend highly to any of my homesteader, self sufficiency seeker or practitioner of the voluntary simplicity lifestyle, kindred spirits. We own all of the books written by Tasha Tudor and I was so happy to get this one, which is about her and how she and her family do Christmas. Our lifestyle is akin to hers, even though we live in the Sierras of California.

The text by Harry Davis is so wonderful and brings to light how Tasha Tudor does things and how important passing on family customs is and can be. The photographs by Jay Paul are so crisp, clear and delightful and match the text so well. Something that is a rarity.

Chapter on The Animals Christmas which begins on page 38 is something the homesteader person will appreciate and identify with. And we so laugh out loud literally to see her great sense of humor and the whole serving Hannah on a plater. And how nice to be reminded that she like the rest of us who have goats and chickens, decorates their abodes for the holidays. Heck I think her goat set up is the best I have seen.

I also love her section on Christmas dinner and for all you homesteaders reading this, you will notice we all seem to own the same china. And it nice to see a kindred spirit being photographed using their fireplace for cooking food.

For those who homestead or live a lot like Tasha Tudor this is a book you will want because it will provide years of pleasure and in a way a reminder that you (we) aren't the lost breed everyone thinks. Or a novelty or oddity. And you will also glean some wonderful ideas to incorporate into your lifestyle.

a wonderful book to learn of all the christmas joys of tasha tudor. many other christmas books are unavailable because of price etc. i loved reading about the snow lanterns, the raven on her christmas tree and why she has it there, and the advent wreath and the beautiful red ribbons from her mothers wedding. i will surely this year have a raven on my tree just below the star and red ribbon on my advent wreath. beautiful illustrations which i like better that the photographs. wonderful thought for a wonderful christmas if you get in the spirit from this book.take joy!!!!

This books gives a look at the Tudor household Christmas traditions. It somewhat follows the video or DVD "Take Peace," which is also about Christmas at Tasha Tudor's house. Written by Tasha's former business partner, but still a book Tasha Tudor fans would want to add to their bookshelves.

I have almost all of the books that show Tasha Tudor's world, and this is the only one that was not all I expected. I would have loved to learn more of "how" she does things, not just to read about them.

I love Tasha Tudor...lucky to have a half-dozen of her books and books about her in my library...forever. These are stunning photos of her and her lifestyle, perhaps the most recent as I have never seen her more aged as in these....still so peaceful and beautiful.