Thursday, November 19, 2009

My Grandmother's Apron

I have so many wonderful memories of my dear old Grandmother. I am happy to say that she is still alive, and I enjoy sending her a letter now and then. I have worked alongside my Grandmother for many hours back before I got married and when we were neighbors. I have learned many an important thing about housekeeping and cooking from her. There is so much I could say about her, but I will leave that for another time. O, I feel priveledged to have such a wonderful Grandmother. The one thing that will come to mind when I think of her, is her aprons. In fact, if you have ever wondered where the idea of the black checkered apron comes from that I am wearing in the blog title photo, well, it comes from her. She had a few of those that were worn and stained. When I saw the exact same kind of fabric at Walmart, I just had to buy it and make myself an apron. I don my apron with pride when I work in my own kitchen now, especially when I make her chicken noodle soup. Maybe I can make our home feel just a little like Grandma's if I wear an apron like she does. We are now thousands of miles apart, but when I wear my apron, I feel just a little closer to her, because chances are, she is wearing hers too...

I found this poem about Grandmother's apron, and it explains her so very well. Instead of carrying apples, she would carry mangoes or oranges.


GRANDMOTHER'S APRON

Author: UNKNOWN

THE PRINCIPAL USE OF GRANDMA'S APRON WAS TO PROTECT THE DRESS
UNDERNEATH, BUT ALONG WITH THAT, IT SERVED AS A POTHOLDER FOR
REMOVING HOT PANS FROM THE OVEN.

IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR DRYING CHILDREN'S TEARS, AND ON OCCASION
WAS EVEN USED FOR CLEANING OUT DIRTY EARS.

FROM THE CHICKEN COOP, THE APRON WAS USED FOR CARRYING EGGS,
FUSSY CHICKS, AND SOMETIMES HALF-HATCHED EGGS TO BE FINISHED
IN THE WARMING OVEN.

WHEN COMPANY CAME, THOSE APRONS WERE IDEAL HIDING PLACES FOR
SHY KIDS.

AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, GRANDMA WRAPPED IT AROUND HER
ARMS.

THOSE BIG OLD APRONS WIPED MANY A PERSPIRING BROW, BENT OVER
THE HOT WOOD-STOVE.

CHIPS AND KINDLING WOOD WERE BROUGHT INTO THE KITCHEN IN THAT
APRON.

FROM THE GARDEN, IT CARRIED ALL SORTS OF VEGETABLES. AFTER THE
PEAS HAD BEEN SHELLED, IT CARRIED OUT THE HULLS.

IN THE FALL, THE APRON WAS USED TO BRING IN APPLES THAT HAD
FALLEN FROM THE TREES.

WHEN UNEXPECTED COMPANY DROVE UP THE ROAD, IT WAS SURPRISING
HOW MUCH FURNITURE THAT OLD APRON COULD DUST IN A MATTER OF
SECONDS.

WHEN DINNER WAS READY, GRANDMA WALKED OUT ONTO THE PORCH,
WAVED HER APRON, AND THE MEN KNEW IT WAS TIE TO COME IN FROM
THE FIELDS TO DINNER.

IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE SOMEONE INVENTS SOMETHING THAT
WILL REPLACE THAT 'OLD-TIME APRON' THAT SERVED SO MANY WORTH-
WHILE PURPOSES.



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sunday Project

On Sundays I like to spend special time with Jessica, doing a craft, having tea or doing something else interesting. During the week those things just don't happen, so I've made up my mind that on Sundays I will always try to make that time for her. This is what we did today.

It was a nut box that came from Walmart. We pasted black paper all around, then glued a wide ribbon around the center. Put some glue on the edges of the ribbon for glitter, and tied a ribbon and bow around the big ribbon. Made a small bow for the top lid, and pasted a button in the middle of it. (I was inspired for this and some other ideas by this lady's blog. )

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

What do you think?


The other day I was at a thrift store, and saw this most beautiful ornament in the antique section. A lovely wash basin with matching pitcher, with forget-me-not flowers on it. I had always wanted one, but never come across a good one that I could afford. This one was priced for $38.00. Whew! A lot of money, and I wasn't going to pay that much! But, they had this sale several days later, and I made it happen that I went into the city for some business that day, so I dropped by the store and went right for it; sure enough, there it was. I didn't hesitate. I picked it up and carefully carried it like a real treasure.

So, what do you think? Would you pay $19 for something like this, or would only I do such a thing?

Friday, November 6, 2009

Piano Girl

Here is my little girl, after three piano classes. (Actually that was 4; what was I thinking...)I think she is doing awesome!

I love the way Joseph is listening in. Timothy, no, he's not happy, but that is because of teething; -again.



Yep, that explains all three children's characters very well...