This flirty, scalloped bottom apron is the perfect addition to any fourth of
July outfit. This reversable apron is created in a medium weight cotton fabric,
has a scalloped bottom with a combination of pleats and gathers for a full,
fun and flirty look. A blue 26" waist band tops this blue and red design
with long straps to tie a nice bow.

Order by June 21st for a 4th of July delivery.

More aprons in this style coming soon. Let us know what you think.

This flirty, scalloped bottom apron is the perfect addition to any fourth of
July outfit. This reversable apron is created in a medium weight cotton fabric,
has a scalloped bottom with a combination of pleats and gathers for a full,
fun and flirty look. A blue 26" waist band tops this blue and red design
with long straps to tie a nice bow.

Order by June 21st for a 4th of July delivery.

Four families came together last month to butcher four pigs that had been raised off the table scraps of the Stokes’ and Mathews’ family land. Though we could have each stressed, worried and worked extra hard to complete this task alone, a community effort was far more enjoyable. We ladies donned our aprons, and the men folk sharpened their knives, and we had ourselves a good ol’ fashioned pig butcherin’, like the Amish.

First I must advertise a wee bit for the gentlemen hog and lady sow. Thought, the sight that comes to mind for most, is not altogether comely and attractive. There is a general mis-conception about pigs. Many feel that they are nasty, stinky, beastly creatures that must be raised on giant feed lots. But, I am here to speak on behalf of this poorly painted breed and put pig raising back on your to-do list.

There are so many benefits to raising a pig or two. They are truly one of the most economical investments you could make living on a small homestead. They require no more space then an outdoor dog and no bonding time. They can survive mostly on the scraps from your table and garden, along with a little bit of corn.(to make good lard) If you have a garden and can your veggies, your pigs will be in hog heaven with all of the leftovers, apple peels and pea shells are just a couple.

Pigs do not stink IF you simply do not give them enough water to make a pig sty out of their pig pen. Some people like to free range their pigs, however I do not really recommend it because they burn up too many calories.

So if I haven’t redeemed this wonderful breakfast treat and sold you on raising a pink pig with floppy ears and a curly tail, go ahead and scroll down and look at all the fun we had. (after all, you can’t eat a poodle.)

All aprons worn for this day’s event were created by Amelia’s Aprons. Pictured are 2 basic kitchen aprons, but also worn were the ruffles and curves apron, and a regency style apron that we did not get pictures of. It is often handy to have extra aprons around for company to wear, especially if you engage in these types of community projects.

This  has all been a new experience for us, however it is good to grow in areas where we are weak. We have learned a lot over the past 10 days about serving others.  In serving others we don’t have time to focus on our own troubles, and our troubles in comparison to many are very small. We witnessed great devastation to the homes of our neighbors and watched as homes and cars washed down the creek in front of our house.  We are grateful for the protection that was on us and continue to serve those who may need our help.

Thank you again for your prayers and patience during this time.

Blessings

Lorrie Mathews, owner

Dear Amelia’s Aprons customers. Due to the recent flooding in the middle TN area, We are currently without power or water and are unable to sew or process orders. (we were able to get out to a neighboring town to send this message. ) Orders placed on or after Friday May 30th will be delayed!! All orders will be filled on a first in first out basis. We apologize for the inconvienance that this may cause. Please be patient with us as we wait for these servises to be restored. Our phone lines are patchy at best, but if you need to cancell an order you may call and leave us a message. 615-429-8355. We will send refunds as we have access to the internet.

Thank you again for your patience,

Blessings

Lorrie Mathews, owner

The Holland Sentinel
Posted Apr 07, 2010 @ 02:23 PM
Holland, MI — “Apron Strings,” the new gallery show which just opened at the Dekker Huis Museum in Zeeland features, what else — aprons.
“Apron Strings” will run all summer.
The museum is located at 37 E. Main Ave. in downtown Zeeland and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free and donations are accepted.

Here is part of the “grandma’s Apron” poem that has been circulating around. It was part of this original post, but just did not make since to have it stuck in the middle.

“The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she had only a few. It dried children’s tears, wiped dirty ears as well as runny noses. It carried eggs from the coop, vegetables from the garden and apples fallen from the tree. When dinner was ready Grandma waved her apron from the porch to summon men folk from the field. “

It’s that time again! The days we all look forward to with such anticipation. The days when the sun shines bright and we can feel it’s warmth on our face. We can wear a flouncy skirt and a floral apron and pick a daffodil which spring has so kindly welcomed into the world!

There is something soothing and surreal about the spring-time. It is comfort for the soul, withered by a long winter. It helps us come to the recollection that it is finally time to bloom again! I think that women every-where have always welcomes with open arms, Lady Spring.

It is pleasant to imagine Laura Ingalls Wilder walking the prairie in calico apron, feeling the same warm thoughts as I do. And it seems to me that the crocuses, daffodil’s, Iris’s and other early spring flowers that can withstand the hardships of the cold nights and last winter frost are the ones that bloom so very beautifully.

“The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I tied my apron strings and waltzed into the kitchen

To do all the things, that cans’t be kept waiting!

And there by the sink waits a mountain of dishes,

And there all just for me,

I just smile and start to sing, cuz I know;

I’ve tied my apron strings!

There never done, there never thru,

There’s always some, just for you.

But tis a happy enterprise

One that makes you ever wise,

I don’t complain;

Nope, it’s against the rules.

You might think your work is awfully cool;

But the perks of my job

Make me feel like a queen,

Once I’ve tied –My Apron Strings.

~ Renee Stokes

 To view other apron styles that are available vist our products page
here. 

 To view other apron styles that are available vist our products page
here.

We have created these aprons with Mrs. Chancey’s permission and offer it to
you in a light weight natural muslin fabric and a soft cotton broadcloth that
is sure to blend with any attire. The full bodice design of the Edwardian apron
keeps more of your clothing protected, whether you are in the kitchen or on
the farm. This apron features 2 nice sized pockets and a fitted bodice for a
feminine yet functional design. To purchase this apron please visit our "Edwardian
apron" page here.

To view other apron styles that are available vist our products page
here.

To view other apron styles that are available vist our products page
here.  

Back view

To view other apron styles that are available visit our products page
here.  

To view apron styles that are available visit our products page
here. 

The pattern for this apron is also available in our store
here.

I have made these donuts many times. They are great!!

Dunkin Doughnuts
1 pkg. regular or quick−acting yeast
1/8 cup warm water (105−115 degrees)
3/4 cup lukewarm milk (scalded then cooled)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/6 cup shortening
2 1/2 cups all−purpose flour
Dissolve yeast in warm water in mixing bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, egg,
shortening and 1 cup of flour. Beat on low speed while scraping bowl for
30 seconds. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes.
Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Cover and let rise in warm place
until double, about 50−60 minutes. Turn dough onto floured surface.
Roll dough 1/2− inch thick. Cut with round cookie cutter. Cover and
let rise on floured baking sheets until double, 30−40 minutes. Heat
vegetable oil in deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350. Slide doughnuts into
hot oil. Turn doughnuts as they turn golden brown, about one minute on
each side. Remove carefully from oil (do not prick surfaces) and drain.
When cool, make small hole to insert vanilla frosting. Take a sharp
knife and carefully make a large cavity inside of the doughnut to hold
the frosting. Fill the doughnuts generously with vanilla frosting and
dust heavily with powdered sugar. Makes: 12 doughnuts

 Aprons have been a part of our culture for hundreds of years. If you take a look back in history, you will see that aprons were used for many practical purposes and were worn by both men and woman. They were worn by blacksmiths, farmers, shopkeepers, and millers and used in daily chores like gathering eggs, working in the garden, cooking and cleaning. The main function of the apron was to protect the clothing and keep trade tools handy. Whatever you were doing on the farm or in your profession, the apron extended the number of days that an outfit could be worn before washing and extended the life of the clothing underneath. Most aprons were long and made of durable fabrics; some were even made of wool to protect women from burning when cooking over an open hearth. As the years progressed, apron styles began to change to meet the needs of the wearer. With the end of World War II came a boom of home entertainment and dinner parties. It was the “Leave it to Beaver” era, and moms were in the kitchen. Homemade pies and breads awaited hungry children almost every afternoon, and mom enjoyed her daily task of home management. The apron then took on a new look. It was no longer worn for just practical purposes; it was now worn for style. Aprons were soon known as the symbol of the homemaker, and every mother and hostess had one, if not several. There were hundreds of styles and colors, and most moms had fancy, decorative aprons to match outfits for special occasions. Then, almost overnight, the apron was gone. Not quite without a trace, but gone as far as the fashion industry was concerned. I have heard the apron called an icon of the past, so where did it go? With the dawn of the women’s liberation movement, more and more jobs became available to women, and women slowly began to leave their homes. There was no longer a need for feminine fashion statements that had such close ties to the home and hearth. There was no time to bake or entertain–no time at home to do many of the things women once enjoyed doing. Many of the homemaking skills like cooking, baking, sewing, and even cleaning were looked upon as drudgery. We hired maids, cooks, and childcare professionals to do our jobs for us, and the skills of the home manager were all but lost. Our young maidens no longer had moms at home to teach them how to be homemakers, so they, in turn, went off to work, too. You could say, “We’ve come a long way baby”, but I think we have been traveling in the wrong direction. However, I do not despair, for I see a change in the tides. There is hope on the horizon, because the apron is back! I know the apron by itself cannot help women reclaim their home and once again embrace motherhood. But, statistics show that sales of aprons are on the increase. If more women are buying aprons, that means more women are once again embracing God’s design and returning to the home–returning to raise their children, cook the meals, clean the house, be helpers to their husbands and managers of their homes, therefore having a need for functional, feminine aprons.

Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits
Dough:
1 1/4 lbs. Bisquik
3 Oz. freshly shredded cheddar cheese
11 Oz. cold water
Garlic Spread:
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teas. garlic powder
1/4 teas. salt
1/8 teas. onion powder
1/8 teas. dried parsley
To cold water, add Bisquik and cheese, blending in a mixing bowl.
Mix until dough is firm.
Using a small scoop, place the dough on a baking pan lined with
baking paper. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until
golden brown. While biscuits bake, combine spread ingredients.
Brush baked biscuits with the garlic topping.