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Across the Fence:  The History of Aprons  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 06:37:08 AM
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oh thanks dear jackie ... for this sweet reminder .. i'll forward it to all the gurlfrenz! xoxo
Frannie,
I thought of you when I received this email.
Jackie
The History of 'APRONS'
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
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 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.
Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.
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.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs was on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron--except love.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Marcy
True Blue Farmgirl
2701 Posts
Marcy
Tiverton
Rhode Island
USA
2701 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 06:47:06 AM
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This is so wonderful, Frannie. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Farmgirl #170
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 06:54:11 AM
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Frannie, that is beautiful and so true. You are just magical with words!
Annika
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 07:48:19 AM
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Frannie, do you suppose aprons will ever make a comeback? Why is it that something so useful can be replaced so easily. Has to do something with the automatic washer and dryer. And, we don't wear dresses any more. I would look funny wearing an apron with my jeans/shorts and a tee shirt that says that I've been some where.
I have 2 aprons. Both packed away. One is my GreatGrandmother's. I have a picture of her wearing it. And the other is the one I made 60 years ago. My first 4-H project. |
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downbranchroad
True Blue Farmgirl
374 Posts
Joy
Southern
KY
USA
374 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 08:07:01 AM
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A poem written by a friend.
GRANDMA'S APRONS
by Donna Ledford
My Grandma’s handy aprons,
Were used in many ways;
For cooking, cleaning and baking.
She used them every day.
I’ve seen her use her aprons
To wipe her sweaty head.
Then use it as a hot pad,
To remove her homemade bread.
She wore them in the garden.
And wore them to the shed;
To milk the cow and haul the corn,
With which the hens were fed.
She used them in the garden
To carry away the weeds;
Then swat at flies and fan her face.
In the pockets she kept her seeds.
They carried fruit and vegetables,
The kindling and the eggs.
They wiped the tears and cleaned the ears,
Then dried a grandchild’s legs.
When canning time was coming
She filled the aprons well;
Shucking corn and snapping beans.
And then there were peas to shell.
She’d use the aprons to dry the jars;
Then to put them in the water.
And after they had cooled awhile,
To carry them to the cellar.
She could wave "hello" when company came.
Then call them all inside.
With the flurry of the apron
She could wave them all "good-bye".
When Grandma got to Heaven,
I’m sure they weren’t surprised;
She traded in her angel’s wings,
For an apron with ties.
Appalachian Girl
Jem
*If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.
My new blog!
http://downbranchroad.blogspot.com |
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bushelnpeck
True Blue Farmgirl
262 Posts
Debbie
Sparks
Nv
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 08:27:03 AM
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Thanks Frannie and Joy, enjoyed reading these...I remember my Grandmother and her aprons, and it's all true.I am so happy to wear my aprons and it is surely a source of comfort and joy for me, not to mention I am a MESSY cook! ...Debbie
Farmgirl Sister #324
duty makes us do things, but love, makes us do things beautifully... |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 08:46:09 AM
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| This weekend my sister and I were cooking for the corn roast and of course I had on my apron! She came out in her "good" clothes for picnic and I offered her an extra apron I brought along. She didn't answer me - You know, I'm the "weird" one...anyway, a little later she remarked that she was going to get stuff all over her clothes. I walked to the bedroom and came out with the apron for her. She put it on (I always use bib aprons) and used it the rest of the day, and remarked how much she liked it! Why don't women just "get" it...I am so used to my aprons when I'm home that now I'm considering wearing them when I go to the farmers' market...I need those pockets!!! Anyways, that's what she is getting for Christmas! |
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Back Home Again
True Blue Farmgirl
584 Posts
Audrey
Albuquerque
New Mexico
USA
584 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 09:27:05 AM
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I am always happy when the topic of Aprons comes up because as I have said on some of the other threads ..... Aprons have always been near and dear to my heart! My Dear Mother was definately an apron wearer........she wore one everyday as she worked in her beloved, very busy kitchen (she was a wonderful cook) ....... Actually, we ALL loved being in the little cozy kitchen with its wonderful smells and fun commotion!!! .....an apron was part of my Mothers wardrobe at home. As a result, I have always had warm and fond memories of aprons. I have really enjoyed making them (and wearing them) and giving them as gifts for years!
I have been busy working to get enough ready for some Holiday Craft Shows I plan to do.
Aprons are connected to very Happy Memories for me....both Past and Present!
Until Later,
Audrey
~ Side by side or miles apart....dear friends are always close to the heart ~ |
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countrygrace
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Grace
Salkum
WA
USA
1181 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 04:45:50 AM
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Thank you Frannie for sharing.
I can see my grandma in the kitchen baking, or in the garden picking her harvest.
I love this story.
Grace.
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. ~Albert Einstein
"From Our Heart With Our Hands"
http://home.earthlink.net/~daveandgrace/ |
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Across the Fence: The History of Aprons |
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The History of Aprons
