December came and went and nothing wonderful happening around here. Before Christmas we got 18” of snow, which made for some slipping and sliding and anxious moments for many. I didn’t go out because of the cold. The weather and cold has wreaked havoc on my asthma this winter, which is partially the reason there has been no blogging or anything for that matter.
I had a Christmas dinner for my family about 30 people and we did it in Charlie’s shop. Set up tables and fed everyone out there. Went well. No spectacular presents given or received, actually a rather boring Christmas. With help from the Piccadilly elves we did manage to produce 8 quilts and 7 checkerboards for presents. Too busy to photograph anything so out the door they went. Actually all were very nice and should have been photographed but here again I forgot.
We went to GA for a visit with my son and his family. Always enjoy spending time with them. My two granddaughters, Josie Gayle and Carly Grace are my heart. It was a cold in GA as it was here, in the 20’s. Mitzi, the girls and I went to a fabulous quilt shop somewhere in or near Emory GA while we were there. The shop had only modern fabrics, which is right up my alley. Bought a backing for a quilt I am working on now. Josie got her first quilting book…so cute at 6; you just want to hold them tight.
Lots in the works, but first thing first. I need a new sewing apron the one I have been using for the last year hangs weird and has a hole in it. Seam ripper fell through and dived into the floor. It could have been my foot. So first things first a new apron with designated pockets for tools. Quilted for strength, sharp points and body. Designed for the needle maniac. I will post instructions for it here when finished.
I can’t even begin to work without an apron on, puts me in the work mode I suppose. Vye has one here as well. I have different aprons for different tasks. I have an old apron that is covered in paint smears that I wear when painting, somehow it keeps me focused or leashed to my work. I never know when one of the smears is fresh and can ruin furniture or other garments so if that apron is on I steer clear of anything I could ruin with paint. Heck, you can’t even eat with it on so no snacking because it is nasty looking. If the apron is on then you are reminded when you sit down or sprawl out in the recliner that you are supposed to be upright working. The stuff in you pockets bunches in your lap and constantly reminds you to get up if you want it out of your lap.
Take the kitchen apron, designed to keep food stains off clothes, right? Not so, I believe it is a professional badge, a stop sign, glittering armor, that identifies the one who is really in control of her/his domain. Others entering the area are immediately at a disadvantage. They take direction from the one wearing the apron. Usually they fire lots of questions, and one may be the one that most cooks don’t need to hear. What can I do to help? That is a stupid question that doesn’t even have to be vocalized in my world. If you step over the line into my world I am going to give you a job. My world is built on the premise that all men and women are created alike to share in the joys and tasks of our wonderful existence.
So my question to the world at large is what happened to the lowly apron, why did it go out of fashion and use? There may be a doctoral paper here for a socialogist. Why did the apron disappear from kitchens? Why do most artists and craftspersons soil their clothes and then wear them over and over again becasue they are all ready soiled. "That is my painting shirt!" My question is when was the last time it was washed? Fortnately aprons are so designed that they rarely are exposed to body odors. Washing is optional except for aprons used in food preparation.
