Domestic affairs
I've noticed a recent proliferation of apron posts spreading across blogland and can resist no longer. About 15 years ago, I stumbled upon the estate sale of a seamstress who had sewn and stockpiled a bunch of classic cotton aprons, all trimmed with the requisite rickrack. Made of wonderful 40s and 50s prints, I scooped them all up with the intention of using the fabric in quilts. But when scissors met cloth, I didn't have the heart to disassemble more than a few. Several have sat, folded and pristine, in my stash. And several have gotten heavy use over the years. (Molly's friends often had a chuckle on sleepover mornings when they'd come down to the kitchen to find M making his fried eggs, protected by some wild, floral creation.)
I love how the scalloped apron edge mimics the little pear bottoms!
When I visited Japan for the first time 10 years ago, it was hard not to notice the aprons. They were everywhere...on my hosts, featured on mannequins in store displays and donned by every housewife I glimpsed in my wanderings through city back street neighborhoods. So when I came across this book in Nagoya, I snatched it up!
'Aprons and Kitchen (small things)' Life Sewing Series
ISBN 4-579-10581-8
These are just a sampling of the 34 aprons patterns, not to mention several potholder and placemat instructions that are included as well. I didn't notice this book when I was in Japan recently, but I did see others in the series so I expect it's still available.
On a personal note, today's our 30th anniversary. Wow...where did that time go? We met in high school and got married two weeks after our college graduations. M's generous to a fault, the best Dad ever and about the most patient person I know. The family often jokes about how he's (uncomplainingly) spent half of his life waiting for me outside shops and museums around the world.
National Gallery, Washington DC
To top it off, he's never once in all these years asked, "Don't you think you have enough fabric?" I'd call that a match made in heaven!
what a good guy!
what a nice couple!
and, it would appear, the only people on the blogosphere married longer than K and I (23 years).
Well done. I hope you do something special.
Posted by: blackbird | June 21, 2005 at 11:46 AM
Congratulations!!
He sounds like the right guy;-)
Celebrate well.
Posted by: Margene | June 21, 2005 at 12:15 PM
Happy Anniversary! Ours is next week (19 yrs) and we have several other things in common- my hubby's name starts with M, we met in high school and also got married 2 weeks after college graduation! Mine doesn't complain about the fabric and yarn either, though he makes up for it with the golf stuff.
Posted by: Kristin | June 21, 2005 at 12:21 PM
Happy Anniversary!!
(And I have to say that great minds think alike! My apron post will be up tomorrow.)
Posted by: Julie | June 21, 2005 at 01:56 PM
Wow, congrats on 30 years of marriage! We just celebrated our 20th in March. Somehow I don't FEEL that old. Anyway, I hope you do something special together today in honor of the occasion.
Posted by: Leslie | June 21, 2005 at 01:58 PM
Congratulations! 22 and counting here...
Love the aprons...there really HAS been a proliferation of apron posts, eh? That is one really special vintage collection you have there.
Posted by: Norma | June 21, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Happy anniversary! Since he's a great guy, when I kidnap you and demand your stash as ransom, he'll hand it over.
Posted by: A.J. | June 21, 2005 at 05:13 PM
Happy Anniversary! I think it's MORE than half his life. Can't wait to see you both again soon!
Posted by: molly | June 21, 2005 at 06:02 PM
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! That's wonderful. I love that photo.
Posted by: Mariko | June 21, 2005 at 08:45 PM
Congratulations to you and M who sounds like a good man to wear vintage aprons in front of your children's friends. I am all for men in aprons!
Posted by: Jane | June 22, 2005 at 03:43 AM
yes M sounds like a great guy.
does he have a little brother?
:)
Posted by: carolyn | June 22, 2005 at 07:28 AM
What you say about M reminds me of your comment about fabric: "If you see it, buy it!"
Luckily you saw M and knew what to do.
The estate sale aprons and the Japanese book are fantastic.
xox Kay
Posted by: Kay | June 22, 2005 at 08:30 AM
Happy Anniversary! I hope you are able to do something special and truly enjoy each other! Here's to many more happy years!
Posted by: kelly | June 22, 2005 at 09:57 AM
Happy Anniversary! It sounds like you caught up just the right fella in your apron strings!
Posted by: Julie | June 22, 2005 at 10:19 AM
Happy Anniversary! I've got a guy like that myself. We are lucky girls!
Posted by: Cara | June 22, 2005 at 11:58 AM
Congratulations! I think mine must be okay, he has rarely (and certainly not recently) asked if I have enough yarn. I am not sure if he is turning a patient eye or has just given up. Here's to 30 more!
Posted by: Teresa C | June 22, 2005 at 04:26 PM
Happy Anniversay! It sounds like a match made in heaven :) I love the aprons, lucky you, so cute, and that's a very cool Japanese craft book too.
Posted by: Cassi | June 22, 2005 at 04:45 PM
Thanks for sharing about the aprons. I love Japanese aprons, especially the type that looks like a painters smock.
Happy Anniversary, here's to 30 more! :)
Posted by: myra | June 22, 2005 at 05:59 PM
reading this post of yours from last yr I see your anniversary is approaching again - mine is 2 days later - 33 yrs this yr - we also met in high school, on the bus - married when I finished & then did college together while having babies - sounds like we are both fortunate in the marriage dept - i have to be the apron wearer in my house as I am the designated "toddler" - always ruining perfectly good shirts with grease or bleach splatters - when will I learn - so have started my own collection of utility aprons - when 1 of my daughters asked what I would like for mother's day I asked her to make me an apron from some of my stash because I like the soft quilt weight cotton better then the heavy almost canvas weight aprons available in the stores
Posted by: catherine | June 16, 2006 at 02:31 AM