Every once-in-awhile I just have to show you the real heart of my kitchen... the apron hanger!
To say I love aprons is such an understatement!!! If you would come to StoneGable you would surely find me answering the door with one of my sturdy bib aprons on! I call it my "uniform"!
Aprons and I have a long and deep history...
Both of my grandmothers wore aprons. I really did not know my dad's mother very well as she lived in Missouri and she died before my dad got out of the Service. So I only remember meeting her 3 times. But I remember pictures. She was a no nonsense farm woman and always had an apron on in all the pictures of her I have ever seen.
Once, when I was 8, while visiting my Missouri grandparents, I killed a chicken by wringing it's neck. And took it to my apronned Grandmother who made quick work of turning it into the most delicious fried chicken I have ever eaten!!!
The next time I visited her, at age 13, she introduced me to the wonderful world of Rhubarb! And yes, she was wearing an apron.
My Nani, my mother's mom, wore aprons too. Her's were the kind that fit over her head... sorta like a jumper. They were a lighter weight than the one's I wear now and were covered with pretty flowers and had fun coordinating cording all around them.
Nani's apron hung on a nail behind the cellar door. It had a special smell... probably from being in the cellar... It smelled safe and loving and peaceful. I can still smell it just by thinking about it... and it brings me to tears. I adored my Nani!
My Nani's young life was enveloped in the Depression. Her life was marked by it until the day she passed away. Nani literally wore her aprons to a thread and then ripped them up for rags.
I have what I call a "bit of the Nani" in me... I have one denim bib apron that went from being a cooking apron...and when I could no longer stain stick the cooking stains out of it... it became my painting apron... and when it got too worn for painting became my gardening apron. It's the first one I grab... it feels like it deserves to be worn! We have gone through so much together!!! I think it takes a long long time to train an apron!!! Sounds strange... but some of you will get it!
My kitchen-paining-garden apron... freshly washed!
My mother wore pretty aprons that tied around her lovely, thin waist... they suited her. I have never seen a more beautiful woman and a more proper lady in all my life! She never spilled things or got a smudge on her! Some of her aprons had small dainty pockets on her hip! Not like the big deep pockets that go from one hip to the other on my aprons.
They are filled with, clothes pins, a cell phone, deadheaded flowers, dog treats, a tissue or two and much more! Digging into my apron pocket is like opening a box of Cracker Jacks... there is always a surprise inside!
My sweet Mother carried one thing in her pretty apron pocket... a delicate hankie! My mother also has a drawer full of hankies. Something I did not acquire a taste or habit for.
They are filled with, clothes pins, a cell phone, deadheaded flowers, dog treats, a tissue or two and much more! Digging into my apron pocket is like opening a box of Cracker Jacks... there is always a surprise inside!
My sweet Mother carried one thing in her pretty apron pocket... a delicate hankie! My mother also has a drawer full of hankies. Something I did not acquire a taste or habit for.
I like to change up my aprons... seasonally. This year it's red, white and blue! Lots of bright patriotic color! Like the season, the aprons change too!
Scamp the photo bomber!
Scamp the photo bomber!
Oh, if my aprons could talk!!!! They would tell stories of a young wife learning to cook... and at first not being very successful at it. And of a darling young husband that ate it all and never let on... and still doesn't today!
They would tell you of being used and abused to gather flowers and vegetables from the garden... caring heavy loads of tomatoes or onions or heavenly smelling peonies!!!
They would get misty eyed as they told you that tiny ones were bundled and cradled and wrapped in their fabric. They were called to dry little one's tears and dirty hands and once in a while they were even used as a hankie for little noses!!!
They would tell of all the dinner parties, and family holidays they attended because I was just too tired from cooking to care to take them off!
One special blue apron would tell you about the first time my daughter put my apron on and how it made me cry because she looked so grown up in it!
They have been called into action as a dish towel and even as a pot holder.
They have been washed and bleached and stain sticked a thousand times!!!
And they would also tell you that they feel important and loved and responsible and needed!
Yes, me and my army of capable aprons have lived a whole lot of wonderful life together!
Remember to
sadly I am not an apron wearer, probably because sadly I am not in the kitchen long enough to cook and get messy.
ReplyDeleteI love aprons too! I have a small collection and I do actually wear them. I love how you displayed them-I might have to copy!
ReplyDeleteOh I love your aprons. I am always in the kitchen but never learned to wear an apron. Maybe I need to start.
ReplyDeleteI love your thinking - I associate with this memory. Aprons run in my family of women, how I wish I had one of my grandma's old ones. Gulp....Okay - so another question - did you make your over the top precious plated hook hanger? Thank you once more.
ReplyDeleteI did not... I found it at my favorite store Luckett's in northern VA. I am going to make one in June and do a diy post about it.
DeleteI'm so glad to read you're doing a DIY post. I love your plate apron hooks. This post was filled with love, Yvonne.
DeleteI too am thrilled that you are going to teach us how to make the hangers! I have loved them since you first shared them with us last year (?).
DeleteMy plates are already picked out and I will be able to create an early Christmas gift for my daughter-in-law...she always wears an apron!
I love this post and the special memories associated with your aprons! So sentimental and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your aprons. Please come visit me at Mimi's Magic Apron... Love your story!
ReplyDeleteYippee!!! Thank you for giving a heads up. I really like the long hooks in addition to the plates. Will start looking for plates to use!
ReplyDeleteLove the hangers, love the aprons, love the stories! I love aprons too, and have a little "wardrobe" of them myself!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I have many aprons as well, displayed as yours are. Mine hang on cabinet doors, around a kitchen window, smartly hanging from the dining room door ready to do its duty. I've inherited aprons, bought aprons, sewed aprons. My granddaughter shares my passion for aprons, and picks a different one to wear on each visit. I made both sisters cry at Christmas, as I made each of them an apron made from Mom's "card table" table cloths. They have a new life as aprons, with new stories to tell!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post so much. I grew up in Missouri and my 98-year-old mother still lives there although in a nursing home now. Both my grandmothers wore bib-type aprons and my mother wore the kind that tied at the waist for many years. And, yes, I grew up slaughtering and dressing chickens...hate to contemplate it now...and eating rhubarb.
ReplyDeleteAwe...enjoyed this today my friend. So funny how we remember things. My great-grandmother passed away when I was 9 years old but I can to this day...see her in an apron. She would wear the half aprons with pockets and you never knew what she had in her pockets. Such wonderful memories. My granny would wear an apron ALWAYS when she made biscuits. Such a great post today. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post, Yvonne! I would be like a "kid in a candy store" trying on all of your pretty aprons! When my mother would put on an apron, I knew that there would be some serious cooking going on. I love all of the precious memories that you associate with your aprons. Maybe I need to start a collection that I can pass on to my daughters.
ReplyDeleteOh Yvonne, what a wonderful post!! I love aprons too and have several of my grandmother's hanging in my kitchen. So man wonderful memories you shared:-)
ReplyDeleteLovely post Yvonne! Very sentimental and touching. Makes me want to start wearing aprons - I only have one. But then, every time I read one of your posts, I want to go shopping, decorate, or start cooking. Can you still wring a chicken's neck? If so, I'll call you next time one of my chickens gets sick and has to be put down.
ReplyDeleteCindy
No Cindy, once was enough! I still have the memory of a chicken running around with it's hanging head!
DeleteThanks so much for bringing back wonderful memories of my own grandmother, by sharing your story. I also wear an apron when I cook or paint. If not, way too many clothes would most certainly be ruined.
ReplyDeleteI wear aprons the way you do. They tell a tale about so many things in my life. I have a friend who is a tea drinker and when she's had a trying day or is tired she puts a kettle on the back of the stove and says even if I don't make the tea, the act of putting the kettle on gives her comfort. That's the way I feel when I come in at night after working or on a Sat morning when I get up, just the act of putting on that apron gives me deep contentment and I know that I am about to create something wonderful, or go to the garden. I am making my two grandaughters aprons in hopes that they too will remember their "'nana'' in her aprons and a tradition that they want to carry over. You can never have enough aprons or memories that come with them. I am so thankful that somebody else feels the same way I do about our ''aprons''
ReplyDeleteYes, I get it - my aprons are still pretty young and untrained, but I love the bibbed, butcher-style aprons best!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post so much-best ever. I have always admired your aprons , as well as your apron hanger, when we were lucky enough to get a glimpse. I have several I cherish as well. Keep up the great work. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your darling apron story. It truly brought tears to my eyes with forgotten memories of both grandmas in their over the head aprons . My mom wore waist tied aprons and they too did multi tasks. I do not wear aprons, but my dish towels are my story. I am looking forward to read your apron hanger tutorial. Your blue flowered apron is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI wear my apron when I am doing some serious cooking because I don't want to worry about ruining my clothes! I am so surprised that more women and men don't wear an apron when cooking. Half aprons? For show, sorry, since the bib is usually the place where the biggest messes happen. I don't feel "right" in the kitchen without mine.Great idea to use those cool "card table" table cloths to give them a new, useful life!
ReplyDeleteI am still trying to wrap my mind around the wringing of the chicken's neck. OHMYGOSH! You were a brave little girl
ReplyDeleteYes, I am an apron wearer. Mine hang in the pantry. Your display and sweet, sweet sentimental story makes me want to pull them out and proudly display. I am enjoying watching my GrandBella put on small ones I used with my boys. None of my Grants were apron wearers, so I have no such sweet stories to share. But I am hoping my grandchildren will remember my aprons and have memories such as yours.
Thanks for sharing your aprons.
Hugs, Gee
I loved your stories about your aprons, from your Grandmother's, Mother's and to your own. I am sure that your daughter has as many wonderful memories from you as well. Very sweet and moving recounting. I am not a big apron wearer. (Although I should be for as much as I cook!!) But I may try to sew one since you gave us your tutorial. I loved that all the women in your family have left such a lovely legacy. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post very much. Very sentimental! My grandmother's also wore aprons. Looking forward to the diy plate hanger post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to your old girlfriends- your aprons! How sweetly you speak of them. I was never an apron kinda girl- Mom wasn't either- I guess maybe that's why. But then again, I really don't enjoy the kitchen, cooking that is, but I do love to clean up after my husband cooks. I was recently in HobLob and was eyeing bolts and bolts of such lovely home dec fabric and all I could think of was pillows, but that wasn't moving me at all. APRONS! I think I will try my hand at sewing one- I know I will be able to do the sewing without a problem. The harder part will be to remember to put ON my new apron when I do work in the kitchen. And who knows- I may make a new friend and maybe I'll like to cook better! Probably not, but I'll look good trying! Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial- lovely fabric you chose- love the touch of rick rack too.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a stash of aprons. I can remember my mom wearing them a lot. She also was a hankie and a headscarf gal. Thanks for sharing your beautiful aprons and stories with us. What a treat.
ReplyDeleteThis brought back fond memories of my grandmother, Mama Smith. She always wore an apron with a safety pin pinned on the pocket. On the safety pin was the key to her bedroom. She kept it locked because my grandfather kept a loaded pistol in the room. She was protecting her grandchildren...I remember I was in my teens before I ever was able to look in that room! This is what I think about, though, when I think of her apron! Thank you for that.
ReplyDeletejudypimperl.blogspot.com
Great blog, I too wear an apron. It all started as a pre-school teacher and has continued on in retirement. I am messy, so I really need an apron while cooking and probably eating. I do end up wearing it eating as well. I also you use mine when crafting, sewing and DIYing. I love an apron with a bib and a pocket, as the most interesting things end up in that pocket. Thanks for the tutorial, I think I will make myself another wonderful apron.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading the story of the "family history of aprons". . . they are all so very wonderful and love that your favorite is the blue denim one that has seen cooking, painting and planting. I do not have any memories of my grandmothers as they passed away before I was born . . however, I have great memories of my mom wearing her aprons over her "house dress"...she was, and still is, always in an apron. When I traveled to Japan with my mom, I noticed that the older generation and even younger, always wore aprons over their street clothes when they were going to "market"...I did not bring many things home from Japan, but I did bring a wonderful Japanese apron that I use and treasure!...I think I shall hang them as you do...Great stories ... and I love your peonies Yvonne!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, such a wonderful story! Love the surprise tutorial at the end--wow. I wear aprons often as well, but I don't know where it came from, :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother grew up on her family's farm in Oklahoma, but I don't recall seeing her wear one but a few times.....maybe that could be it. As always, beautiful and thank you for sharing!
What a pretty collection of aprons. I love aprons too.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day,
Lisa
Me too, Yvonne. I get teased because half the neighborhood hasn't ever seen me NOT wearing a bib apron.
ReplyDeleteI use my white chef ones while gardening too - keeps one so much cleaner.
LOVE your pretty summery red white and blue pic of your awesome aprons.
Hugs.
Thank you for such a sweet post remembering all your grandma / mama experiences!! and Thank you for reminding me to get my aprons out (most were my mothers, who sounds a lot like yours!) and wear them - especially with my little granddaughter. "Todays" are her memories!!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this post! Have the people who come to my door have never seen me without an apron. I, too, pass them along to painting and gardening. I have many of my mom's delicate waist-tie aprons that she always wore during the 50s and looked amazing in and my mother in law's sturdy waist -tie aprons from travels she made but I always wear the bib style ones that my 93 yr old aunt made for me. Having gardens and cows, grandmother wore hers constantly except for church and going to town. I am so excited you are going to make the plate apron hanger because I was going to try to figure it out for myself! Pamela oh, love changing them out seasonally!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!!! I love and also wear aprons and buy vintage ones at antique places and I also collect plates. Never thought of combining the two, but you can bet I will be copying your idea! Thanks and I will send a pic of my finished product.
ReplyDeleteLoved your story on your aprons. My mom always wore a bib apron. (I have saved several of hers) and I can see her wearing it now...either standing at the kitchen stove cooking or canning, or bringing tomatoes in from the garden. She'd also used it for gathering up her baby ducks or chicks or bringing in an "apronful" of eggs from the chicken house. There was always something in the pockets as well...tissues, toothpicks, a pretty stone she may have found or a nut or bolt or nail she may have picked up off the road. Lots of good memories associated with her aprons. Thankyou!
ReplyDeleteHaving recently lost my Nonna, I can relate to your story about Nani. I adore your apron collection and their stories. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post. You have so many wonderful memories with your aprons. I have some aprons that my grandmother made. They are gingham and cross stitched....so pretty. I wish I wore aprons. I love to cook, but never got in the habit of wearing an apron. Maybe your post will inspire me to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Sending prayers for you tomorrow
ReplyDeleteLove your apron story. I can remember my mum wiping our tears with her apron. Also used for carrying the eggs inside, wiping the dust of the hall table before she went to the door and some times used as a pot holder if it wasn't in reach. Also on the farm she would take her apron off and wave it in the air so the men in the paddocks would know it was lunch time.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kay
I love my aprons and mostly wear them when I am cooking or baking downstairs. Most of mine are white from back in the day when I used to cater. There is something about an apron that heightens my passion for being in the kitchen. Yours are so colorful and so "you!"
ReplyDeleteLove the apron collection. I wear aprons too not only because I need one but I like the feel of days of old.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post!. Good for you for causing us to remember and cherish our mothers and grandmothers, and what a creative way to tell their stories and give insight into their personalities for the next generation. You inspired me to write a little piece about the women in my family, using the apron as a theme to tie it together, My mother made all her little half aprons, and had them in many colors to match whatever dress she was wearing. She sometimes did the ones made out of gingham with cross stitch in the squares for a border. She used to make them to sell at the Church Bazaar every year. Easy to make up they were a way for her to express her creativity and love of color. Teens and young marrieds often want something new and fresh. So I switched to bib aprons, but I wish I had kept a few of mom's to remember her by. You are right, since they always wore them, our memory of them is in an apron.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful touching story, my friend! My grandma and mom both wore aprons but I've never been much of an apron wear until recent years when I get more messy! My dad even had one when he did the dishes which said "Kiss the Cook!" I still have it as a precious reminder of our extended family dinners, which I now host in my home. Thank you for the sweet memories! My son gets married tomorrow so they are all the sweeter!
ReplyDelete~Yvonne~
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story ! Brings back childhood memories of my grandmothers and mom cooking for holidays! I have a few aprons in a drawer , hehee. Maybe I would wear if I had a lovely plate hanger for them , can't wait for that !
Have a blessed evening.
Paula
IN
I'm with you, Ivonne, I love aprons and always wear one while I'm cooking. I've also added a couple of aprons to my craft room for when I'm working in there. I hopped over and have now pinned your adorable apron tutorial. Thank you so much for all of the awesome things that you share on your blog!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that hits me like a ton of bricks about this post is tha you had such a WONDERFUL childhood and Motherhood. I do remember my Grandmother in an apron but she died when I was 10 and then life got very complicated to say the least. I loved hearing your memories my friend. You are SO blessed.
ReplyDeleteI believe its a must to wear an aprons while you are cooking. Love this idea and will share this among my friends.
ReplyDeleteLove the story, love your pictures, love your blog.........wish you lived around the corner.....:)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home
ReplyDeleteThis might by one of my favorite posts on your whole blog! I adore personal stories like this one.
I"m so happy you shared!
Sending a big hug,
Suzanne
Yvonne, I wear an apron every time I cook. I love your collection.♥
ReplyDeleteI shared my apron hooks filled with aprons at Katherines Corner too. Big Hugs!
I love your aprons hanging together just like mine and the story was so cute. I have the same red striped one.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I absolutely LOVE your Aprons!!! Just was over @ Anita's Scoop and had to pop over to tell you so. Love the Peonies, too!! Gorgeous. No surprise from you, though. Everything is always so Lovely here!!
ReplyDeleteHugs and Blessings,
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance
What a beautiful post - loved reading about your grandmothers Yvonne ( I did a post last month on mine too :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I especially loved reading about the aprons - really lovely!
XOX
What a beautiful post about your family.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura
Such a wonderful and sentimental post! Love your writing! Nice aprons too!
ReplyDelete