The Story of the Apron!

I don't think kids today know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron....... I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron........but love!!

Thank you Cindy L. for sharing this with me...I love aprons!

After Last Week All I Want To Do Is...

Take a Bubble Bath

And Relax!

Summer's Getting Closer!

The temperature reached above 90 degrees here in Southeast Ohio, which can only mean....Lake Time!

Today, the guys all got together to get the docks set in anticipation of launching and docking the boats. This is about the last step to complete before evenings and weekends are spent relaxing at the fire ring.

We have quite a few new neighbors in our area...Which is always welcome. We have a great and friendly area... One of the big events is Ronnie's Fish Fry...Hope you're planning on catching lots of fish this summer.

Another Big Surprise is Shelly Blackburn - a previous co-worker, and a joy to be around - is the new activities coordinator. That should make for a fun and creative summer....

I can't wait for Trick or Treat in August...Always a favorite of mine - we hardly get any kids where we live, so it's always a lot of fun watching the kids enjoying themselves.

Amish Friendship Bread

The starter recipe for Amish Bread is being passed around the office at work. It's delicious and so easy to make. It's well worth the 10 days of waiting!

Picture: Allrecipes

The Recipe


Important Note: Don't use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.


Required Main Ingredient:


1 cup live yeast starter


day 1:
Do nothing with the starter.


days 2-5:
Stir with a wooden spoon.


day 6:
Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon.


days 7-9:
Stir with a wooden spoon.


Day 10:
Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends.



To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.


1 cup oil

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla


In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:


2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 - (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup nuts (optional)


Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

Tyler's 17 months old!

Yesterday, I spent the day with the most wonderful little boy in the world!

We had car races, built bridges, and spent hours just having fun! I never had so many hugs in one day!

Amazing how fast he's grown...Not getting to see him weekly, makes him seem so much older, when we do get to see him.

A Mexican Lunch Rememberance

One of my co-workers has moved to Virginia, and accepted a great position. One of her favorite places to eat lunch was Tlaquepaque, a local Mexican Resturant. We usually start planning lunch around 9:00 am~ It is our favorite time of the day!

Miss you Trista...Mexican for lunch will never be the same!

New York City

The Red Eye to New York...That I said I'd never do again, well I did again!

The bus ride again was the most uncomfortable ride ever...Even worse then the one before. We spent most of the day walking, walking and did I mention walking! People must find it amusing giving tourists wrong directions and getting them lost. This city doesn't seem so confusing when you look at it on the map.

Favorites of New York City...

Top of the Rock ~ Loved the view of the city and Central Park. Would have loved to see it at night.

Rockefeller Center ~ Loved the Skating Rink and the atmosphere!

The Taxi ~ after walking for block after block, it's was the best site ever!

The ferry ride ~ to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! The view of the city is amazing!

Ellis Island ~ Took the mental test - putting the square puzzle together - Told my children, they're luck to be born here....cause I failed the test! Can you believe I couldn't put the square together....I would be sent back if I couldn't do it...Thanks Bubba for the brain you were given, obviously, I didn't inherit it! Amazing, what our ancestors went through for the freedom, we take for granted!

Spending time with my three children!

This is how I felt after my first workout with the trainer. Truthfully, I'm just that much out of shape. I wasn't sure if my legs would hold me afterward.

Happy Easter - He Has Risen

Today, during church, I did a lot of reflecting on a decision I need to make. I'm still undecided on what choice I plan to make. I've spoken to friends, co-workers, and family - I've dedicated a lot of my life trying to make life easier on other people. At one point I thought my prayers had been answered. Now I'm second guessing myself. I know I'm the ultimate person to make the decision...But what if I'm Wrong!

The bird hitting my window has been taken care of. Superstition tells us that it's a bad omen for a bird to bang into windows...Of course my first thought was someone close to me was going to pass. Now I believe the omen was a passing of a dream!

Leaving the Wynter Blues Behind!

I love that spring is here and new life is budding all around!

Marla and Nonnie have shared really cute and easy crafts with me this past month.

Marla shared this Egg-citing Wreath!

Here's Nonnie using her hot glueing talents (Not one burn)...To me that's an accomplishment, since I am notorious for a burn...You're my idols Nonnie and Marla!

Jar candles using napkins and deco glue...These turned out really cute, and super simple to make!

Nonnie also shared her decorating idea of using twigs and berries as a border around her bed room. Yes, she even painted each and every berry to match the color scheme. I'm on the lookout for some twigs to copy this idea in my bathroom!