Some two or so years ago Sarah gave me an extra apron that she had. I would sometimes wear the apron on a lark, but only if the idea struck me just as it was also convenient to do so.
On one fateful evening I was up to my elbows in dishwater when the phone started ringing. It was late and Eric was at work. I didn’t want to let the phone keep ringing and wake the kids, but I also didn’t want to get the phone all wet. I make a quick look around the kitchen and see no dish towel handy and suddenly remember that I am wearing an apron.
My hands are dry and the phone is answered on the second and a half ring. That sealed the deal. I became a housewife who wears aprons.
For all over house work, I prefer a full on bib apron. My clothes stay dry and clean. Even when precious children with sticky fingers come at me for hugs.
Over time my collection has grown from the one that Sarah started me with. For my 30th birthday Susan gave me six or so aprons and for Christmas Dianne sent me four that belonged to her Aunt Francie.
Several years ago I got into the Fly Lady website. Fly Lady gave great tips and advice for getting on top of housework. My hold out was her insistence that I “dress to [my] shoes“. I hate wearing shoes and never really feel at home if I have them on. At the same time, I understood Fly Lady’s approach was to make me feel prepared to go about the business of homemaking.
Aprons make you prepared. In fact, I think an apron might prepare some better than shoes. I find it almost impossible to lounge in an apron and I hate to take it off in order to lounge if I know there is work to be done.
When you’re wearing an apron, you’re telling the world (and yourself), “I am either about to do, or just finished doing, something pretty awesome. You can tell on account of the apron I’m wearing to protect my clothing from the awesome.”
Just yesterday I had to climb the fence to recover a lost ball. When I swung my leg back over the fence, a woman drove by real slow and looked at me like I was a nut. That changed when she saw my apron and she gave me a smile and wave that said, “Oh, I get it. You’re one of those awesome Moms in aprons who scurry over fences to retrieve lost baseballs all before the timer dings on the awesome that you got going on in the oven. You go girl.”
I smile and give her a nod that says, “Yes, I am. And yes, I will.”
Pryncss Briana says:
Though I don’t wear mine for everyday housework(reconsidering this now) my apron is donned on those occasions that I am making something really special/trying out a daunting new recipe. I love my apron, it’s bright red, sturdy, and covers from my collar to my shins. It’s made to take the abuse that a peppercorn crusted tenderloin and all the five-star fixins can throw at it.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Sarah says:
You know I am envious of your apron collection. There are some I’ve been eyeing on etsy.com, but they cost money
Maybe I should start posting on my blog a lot about how much I love my two aprons.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Amy says:
Yes, Briana, you should reconsider. Aprons are simply fabulous items in any homemakers arsenal.
And Sarah! I can’t believe I didn’t link to any cool sites that actually sold aprons! Good call. I just hope somebody with deep pockets and a yin for happy homemakers reads my comments. Blog on!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Ruth Ann says:
Here you go Ladies: We could have an Apron Sewing party and prob make the most beautiful aprons ever out of our old scraps…here are even some free patterns!
http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/
March 29th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Ruth Ann says:
Oops, my link didnt work…dont have my hubby home to show me the tricks..lol! Anyway, there are some great patterns there.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Amy says:
An apron sewing party! And then you guys could make me all kinds of aprons!
Oh, wait. You meant for everyone. I see. Well, that could be fun too.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:32 am
deleise says:
I really want an apron. I really do. I never knew it until now.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Amy says:
Someone should start an apron making business. I would totally advertise to all eight of my readers. This post reeks of ad revenue!
March 29th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Ruth Ann says:
Its not a business, but I found a blog that hosts an Apron Swap two or three times a year…I am going to sign up for it. I have found the exact apron I want, but have been unable to find a pattern for it. I may buy the apron just to make a pattern.
March 30th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Alyson says:
I have to admit, I rarely wear an apron, except for when I’m doing my Pampered Chef Cooking Shows… and even then I sometimes skip it. I think if I had a cutie one that was just worn at the waist (no bib) then I would be more into it at home. I was doing a show two weeks ago and the girl who was hosting had the CUTEST apron (and matching towels) that her realtor got her as a closing gift… they were from Anthropologie. Which probably means they were expensive? At any rate, after hearing what Amy has to say about the advantages of aprons, I must say that I’m thinking I need one for housework.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:54 am