12/13/06

3 GENERATIONS OF APRONS

I grew up with my Mom wearing aprons. Some of her aprons were used for everyday work like cooking, baking or canning. Some were fancier and reserved for special occasions like serving guests for a Sunday or holiday meal. My fondest memory was of her handmade red and green one that she wore every Christmas.

Grandma Dubs (mom’s mother) wore an apron too, the kind of apron with wide straps that went over the shoulders, and with deep, large pockets. We’ve often wondered what she kept in those pockets. Was it her hankie, money for the market, medicine for the cows’ eyes, her pocket Bible? She used her apron for carrying eggs, chips and kindling wood for the fire, all sorts of vegetables like a half- bushel of snap beans or three-dozen ears of corn. Grandma’s apron was part of her farm attire!

Later in life, when Grandma was in her 90’s, she would still wear her apron, puttering around the house and out in her yard. She’d wipe the perspiration from her face and fan herself with it. She’d tuck her napkin into it like a bib before eating a meal.

I’ve followed suit. After my Mom passed away, Dad let us girls go through her closet and divide up her tablecloths and aprons. The white islet apron was my favorite, especially for entertaining! While in the kitchen my apron is the great protector, as the original use of an apron was to protect the dress underneath. But along with that it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It’s a new day and age where aprons may not be used in the same way or even as often, but I’ve learned that aprons are not just accessories! Even though there seems to be a new trend in fashion of cute, hip and fun aprons, they each have their own story, as memories fill my mind each time I tie them around my waist. My bright pink dingle-berry one reminds me of my friend Anne who brought it back from New York, and my Valentines apron reminds me of my friend Barb, and her daughter Joy, who sewed it for me! I also love my see-through holly Christmas apron that I got at Hoppi's garage sale. And then there is the blue Pampered Chef apron that I wore into over 150 kitchens. That one got washed the most!

I have a servant’s mentality when I wear an apron and my whole family reaps the benefits of my hands at work.

My prayer is that what Mom taught me, and what Grandma Dubs taught Mom, will flow over to my children and ultimately the next generation, as they see me working cheerfully in my aprons.

12 comments:

Barb said...

That is SO cool! My grandmas always wore aprons, my Mom wore them more when I was younger, and I've just kind of grasped the full value of them in recent years. I remember my grandma wearing an apron like your grandma has on, in fact, but in good ol' I-o-wah!

Anonymous said...

I love the photos! Especially that one of you- how pretty you are! I so agree with the "servant" mentality that occurs when putting on the apron. In this day and age, there are many women who would not see that as a good thing, but I do. My aprons help me to stay focused on what is important to me.

Sandy said...

My friend Jenny just emailed after she wrote this and said she pulled her apron out of the closet to iron it!

Come on, girls! Get your aprons out!!

Bettsi, I am having a hard time commenting on your blog (computer won't let me), so I hope you see this. I love the silver/gold wreath you made! Really fun, I may try with my Faithgirlz next yr!

Anonymous said...

Your post always touch such a cord with me. I'm going to get my apron out and put it on with a servants mentality. Thank you Sandy :)
The picutre of your grandmother looks so much like my grandma Mamie. She wore that kind of apron and straw hat, also around the farm.
How beautiful you are!!

Deeanne Gist said...

My favorite apron is red-and-white striped with a bright red appliqued apple on the pocket. I'm not really sure who's it was to begin with, but it's been around a long time.

I must confess, though, I don't get to wear mine nice and pretty around my waist (though that's what it was made for). No, I have to tie mine right up under my armpits. I'm a splatterer and need full coverage, but I prefer the short aprons to the full-length long ones.

(My husband sometimes wears a canvas one when he is grilling that says: "Who invited all these tacky people?" Isn't that awful?!)

Love your pics, Sandy. Such precious things, moms and grandmoms, eh?

Dana said...

What a nice entry. I used to wear an apron while sewing. I would never lose my scissors, tape measure or pencil. My Mother just gave me a pretty apron that I will wear now while I cook. Have you seen Tie one on? A monthly theme of aprons? Thanks for visiting me.

Sandy said...

Dee, you wear it up to your armpits? ha! I'd like to see a picture of this!

Dana, I've never seen, Tie One On ...

Autum, maybe you should post a pix of Grandma Mamie on your blog :)

Anonymous said...

I am sooo excited that you commented on my blog... because now I have found yours! And I am loving it! I will for sure read all the past posts and get caught up!
Looking forward to 'knowing' you better!
linda t
lindathompson.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I bought a Christmas gift to myself this year -- a cute little apron! I'm having fun getting back into wearing aprons -- something I hadn't done since childhood and baking with Mom. I'd send a photo of me modeling the apron (http://www.jessiesteele.com/pages/catalog.html), but I am no Sandy Coughlin! :) (You look lovely, as always, Sandy.)

Sandy said...

My white islet apron would be boring to most people, but of course it has sentimental value to me. Uh .. Eliz, I have your Christmas pix in front of me and you could MODEL aprons! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love seeing the photos of your mom and grandma, Sandy!!!

Eliz

La Tea Dah said...

You look so much like your mother --- just a younger version. Very pretty, both of you! And I love the aprons!