My Many Aprons

This time of the year I start baking more and baking makes me think about aprons. There's just something about putting on an apron that makes me feel empowered not suppressed like some women's lib groups would lead us to believe. I wore a heavy, sturdy apron this summer as I canned tomatoes and made apple sauce. Wearing an apron makes me feel connected to the women who have gone before me. Cooking, baking, tending children and doing laundry in their ever-present apron.

I love vintage aprons and you can see a few from my collection above. They vary from thin wispy material with hand-embroidered designs to sturdy full-body aprons meant for a good day's work. But my favorite aprons are the ones my grandmother wore.

There are now several books out on the topic of aprons and there's also a travelling apron exhibit. If the exhibit ever gets to the east coast again, I wanna go see it. Aprons tell a story and the aprons in the exhibit tell their stories too... whether they're laundry day aprons with big pockets to hold clothes pins or frilly aprons a hostess would wear over her good dress.

While visiting my friend, Shannon, in New Jersey, I got to see her apron collection. She has the same feelings toward aprons as I do.

So, when you get a chance, tie one on and see how much you get done. Feel the magic of wearing an apron!

Running, running, running....

I started a running program yesterday. And I'm announcing it here so I'll be accountable to someone. I used to run when I lived in Florida. I did a couple of 5K's. The last one was in the pouring rain and wind. That's when I quit running. So, now I'm starting from the beginning with a 10-week program. At the end of 10 weeks, I'm supposed to be able to run 30 minutes continuosly. It was my little friend, Christopher who got me motivated to try again. He's training for a half-marathon in Texas in January and he's not even a teenager yet. Sure, he's got youth on his side. But with some training, I think I can give him a run for his money!

How You Live by Point of Grace

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don’t hold in your anger
or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and
make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don’t spend your life
looking back
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won’t regret it
Looking back from where you have been
Coz it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live
So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don’t run from the truth
Cause you can’t get away
Just face it and you’ll be ok
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won’t regret it
Lookin’ back from where you have been
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live
Oh wherever you are
and wherever you’ve been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E’en when you don’t think that you can‘
Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
‘Cause in the end there’s nobody else
Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
‘Cause you won’t regret it
Lookin’ back from where you have been
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
It’s how you live

Going Green!

I don't mean all natural, eco-friendly either! I mean green nail polish! Isn't it cool?? I don't know what happened. I was looking at the nail polish choices and I just felt like choosing an unconventional color. This isn't the first time. I once painted my nails blue! Someone told me I'm spending too much time with my teenage daughter. I don't think that's possible. Because I think she's the coolest teen girl in the world! In any case, my nails are green! For how long, I don't know. I may be repulsed by it tomorrow. But for now, it makes me smile!

Poem

This poem was found in our house. It is hand-written by the lady that lived here for 55 years!

BEAUTY

Beauty is the hills and mountains seen from far away.

It is also a country farm place; a place where I would stay

and flowers all around this farm by the hills so green

looks like a place of paradise when happened to be seen.

To go to this enchanting place, I certainly would not stall.

It's beautiful every season of year summer, winter and fall.

I did not mention spring for that season is a gem.

With flowers growing everywhere and birds on every stem.

Now if you ever see a farm like this, to you I hope will seem

that what I just have said certainly was not a dream.

Bumper Sticker

If Dolly Pardon was a farmer, she'd be flat busted too!