Monday, January 18, 2010

Aprons for My Girls

For Christmas, I made aprons for my granddaughters. From left to right: Melissa, Courtney, Isabella and Joy.

Several years ago I also made aprons for my daughters, out of a surplus of pink and white ticking I had on hand. With so much of that fabric leftover even after making my daughters' aprons, I went ahead and made aprons for my four granddaughters for this Christmas. Each one had a different companion print for pockets and trim that complimented the pink and white ticking, as you can see in the photo. I choose those prints according to the girls favorite colors and personalities.

They looked so cute all lined up ready to bake. The photo just does not do the girls justice. Well, being a somewhat partial grandmother, I don't think there ever could be a photo that did capture their charm and character.

Anyway, a friend of mine recently sent me a little blurb about aprons. I also wrote a poem about the lowly apron when I gave my daughters theirs. I offer these two pieces below. First the salute to aprons from my friend. Thanks Jann!

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few and it was easier to wash aprons than dresses. Aprons used less material also.

But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying childrens' 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 folks knew it was time 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 purposes. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I never caught anything from an apron but love!!!!!



 And now for the poem I gave to my daughters along with their aprons:

 The Humble Apron

I wear my apron – it’s a friend,
To help me cook and clean and tend.
It takes the brunt of splats and stains
And saves my clothes from laundry pains.
It helps me sense my duty clear,
To cook and clean for loved ones dear.

Yes, in my apron I become
A servant to the ones I love.
Yet under all the apron’s stains
My clothing bright and clean remains.
Then when removed it hangs unseen,
And I am crowned the household queen.
 SKK

Hail to the humble, protective and useful apron! Melissa, Courtney, Isabella and Joy...may you wear your aprons in good health and good heart. 
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6 comments:
Join the discussionAprons for My Girls

  1. We love, love, love our aprons! Thanks Mom!
    -Bethany

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  2. I LOVED your poem Sharon!!!! Great addition to your blog, it was so good to see you're at it again!
    xo
    Jann

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  3. What beautiful granddaughters and aprons! That reminds me to wear my apron tonight when I make your meatballs!
    Love,
    Anne

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  4. Dear Sharon,

    I enjoyed your story about the aprons, as well as the wonderful poem. Simply beautiful. You really have a great talent. The Lord is very delighted to see you doing nice things for your grandchildren. May the Lord continue blessing you.
    In His name,
    Myrian.

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  5. I just found your blog and I love it. I also love this post. How wonderful - I also love aprons and I have made quite a few for Christmas gifts and I wish I would had this poem to give as well. Thank you for sharing.

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