One of my all time favorite things in my kitchen is my collection of aprons. Yup, aprons. I have quite a selection from half aprons to full aprons and use them all. Besides the sensible, logical aspects of an apron like -- keeping your clothes clean and having a socially acceptable place to wipe your damp hands … they’re cute. Darn cute.
While most of my aprons have logos or patterns on them, I have one favorite apron that was made for me by a friend. On it, there is a retro image of a woman holding a pie with a quote next to her, “I’ll share my pie with you, but that doesn’t make us friends.” The gift was presented to me and while I chuckled, she reminded me that I was the one who said it (not for nothing does my license plate say SNARKEE). She had to recall for me the story of how I’d uttered those words when, at a restaurant, total strangers talked us into sharing my birthday pie (that she’d baked for me) with them. Not one of my prouder social moments, but I happen to realllly love my cherry pie. Home baked cherry pie. Crust from scratch cherry pie. Once-a-year cherry pie.
Normally, I am not so stingy with baked goods. Because, there is something very satisfying and nurturing about the entire process of baking and presenting baked goods to people. Throughout the centuries, baked goods have symbolized warmth, sustenance and comfort and just about every culture has their own holiday treasure chests full of recipe cards to honor specials dates and times. During everyday times of stress or sorrow, the oven is also put to work to produce soothing items to share with those in need.
On November 25th I’d like to invite you to join me in celebrating the 4th Annual National Tie One on Day. This event was created by EllynAnne Geisel which encourages people to wrap up a loaf of bread, or baked good, in an apron and add a note of encouragement. Then “tie one on” -- your own apron, of course! -- to deliver the bundle to one in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, acknowledgment and a kind word. It doesn’t matter whether you buy it or bake it. It’s the thought that counts. To learn more about Tie One on Day, visit Apron Memories: www.apronmemories.com
In addition to the cozy products that baking creates, it’s also hard work and messy. I’m not a big fan of messy, but I have always been a fan of the apron. In my first kitchen located in the tiniest apartment known to man, or in my case three petite women, there was no need for aprons. If meals weren’t eaten out in restaurants they were consumed standing over the counter and usually something requiring a spoon: soup, ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, frosting, cookie dough batter … chick food is spoon food. We have a thing for spoons. Go ahead, take an informal poll, you’ll see I’m right. I have a lot of theories on this, so email me if you want to chat.
By the time I had my own place, the apron became a necessity. In an equally tiny kitchen, I managed to produce some not-so-tiny meals for friends and neighbors, and the apron was more about me announcing, in a fun way, who the chief cook and bottle washer was in the five by five foot kitchenette of my apartment.
As a wife and mother, aprons still let everyone know who is really in charge of those appliances in there. But, they’re also still very much about being cute. Darn cute. Old fashioned, maybe – but I haven’t met a man or woman yet who doesn’t find my aprons charming and sweet (especially the UPS man, he just gets all pink-cheeked and “Y-y-yes, m’am” when he shows up during the dinner hour). Heck, I might be known for my occasional snarkiness, but if my time in an apron has the power to evoke a moment or two of charming and sweet … and cute. I’ll take it.
Gentlemen, I’m not just all girly about my opinions on aprons either. In fact, there’s nothing quite as cute as man in a bib apron getting down to the business of the barbecue (sparing those khakis from wayward sauce) or stirring the ridiculously difficult rice cereal treats for us (honestly, those things require about 40 lbs. of torque once the marshmallow is added). The way to man’s heart might be through his stomach, but a woman worth her weight in salt will buckle at the knees at the sight of you in an apron. Trust me.
Hope to see many of you ‘round the neighborhood on November 25th in your own aprons for the 4th Annual National Tie One on Day as you deliver your bundles of sustenance, acknowledgment and kind words.
P.S. -- If you’re looking for an apron to add a bit of charming and sweet to your kitchen, I’d like to encourage you to visit www.apronelegance.com and see what designer Rachel Hart has created or can create just for you.