Friday, January 16, 2009

Vintage Aprons




I had a friend forward this to me in an email, so I thought I'd share it here:

"I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

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

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

We would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron ..... but Love !!"

17 comments:

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I love vintage aprons! Yours is very cute.

Jennifer @ Her Southern Charm said...

Oh that's gorgeous! I just LOVE vintage aprons!!!

Anonymous said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your post and great words of wisdom there too

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful apron, and vintage, yea! Great post about aprons and so true.

Belinda said...

What a delightful, cheery yellow vintage apron! So cute. :-)

Stephanie said...

That's a great little apron! I've read that apron quote before and I just love it. I don't have vintage aprons, but I do have a few aprons that are just great for when I'm baking - I always seem to spill the flour!

Unknown said...

That's a very cute apron, and I love the quite. I've never read it before.

Pink Slippers said...

I LOVE aprons...I wish I could or had time to make them. My Mom makes cute ones that look vintage. But she does not have the time either.

teachermomof2 said...

Your apron is very cute! I loved your post and my 3 yo got her first apron for Christmas. She loves it!!

Blessings,
Lisa

akawest said...

Your apron is cute. I like the sentiments about aprons. Drying tears...aw!

Anonymous said...

Nice sunny apron! I do like the ones I have too-so stained, but that means I made lots of goodies with it one, especially cookies!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Your apron is fabulous! I love the "history" of an apron too. I lost my grandmother (only one I knew) when I was just 4 years old, but my memory of her is of her being in the kitchen, rolling out tortillas and wearing her full body apron, which always seemed a little to long, lol, but then again, she was only 4'10 so anything would have been a little long.
I give you a huge pat on the back for taking on the responsibility of that play. I hope it's great! According to my nephew (the Thespian) it's bad luck to say "good luck" so instead he says to say Break a leg!

Carla said...

Pretty apron, love the story, have fun with the play!

Linda C said...

I love your vintage apron and the memories in you invoked with it! I remember my mom bringing in eggs from the hen house in her apron or lovingly showing us a baby chick wrapped up in her apron... you never knew what would be rolled up in her apron:) but for sure like you said--lots of love:))

Thanks so much for posting this.

Linda C

Lady Katherine said...

Love the apron! I need more! lol Your story brought back so many memories to me, for my grandmother was the same.

The Muse said...

that is cute...love the smocking...
miss that type of craftsmanship today :(

Anonymous said...

that apron is great! good luck with the play!
Missy