Dear Reader Column 11-18-08

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Dear Reader,

There's a new fence in my yard. I know, it doesn't sound like such a big deal, but the fence has brought a sense of cozy to me--and cozy is important. I do a lot of writing sitting in my sunroom. Surrounded by windows, my flower gardens are an inspiration and now there's a new cozy wooden fence that frames two sides of my property, with just enough of an opening, so I can watch people walking by on the sidewalk.

Wearing an apron makes me feel cozy, too. People extend a warm-hearted smile when they see me wearing an apron. Yeah, okay, part of those warm feelings might be sympathy because they're thinking, "Look at that nice woman, she's probably lost part of her mind and that's why she wears an apron to the market. But she does look sweet." and so they smile.

It's practically impossible to swear, or think bad thoughts about someone when I'm wearing an apron. Instead I'm surrounded by the smells of a warm apple pie, right out of the oven, I'm biting into pieces of left-over crust that Grandma Hale put a little sugar and cinnamon on before she baked. Or I'm basking in the sun, it's summertime, no school, my parents are at work and for two hours I can do anything I want, be anybody I want to be. When I'm wearing an apron, those are the memories I visit.

Most of the aprons I own were worn by someone else. And most of the "somebodies" I never knew. A light stain on an old apron doesn't bother me a bit. It's character. It's history. It's a chance for me to imagine who used to own the apron. Of course only great cooks and loving mothers used to own the aprons I wear today. Nobody was a grump, or regularly burned their chocolate chip cookies.

Today I'd like to share some of my "cozy" with you. I have 10 vintage aprons, that I've worn myself, to give away to readers. (You'll receive the apron in time for Thanksgiving.) My husband pinned them up on our new fence! Take a look and feel free to hint at your favorite when you enter the drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/695pdh

And don't forget to enter the last Chocolate Chip Cookie giveaway of the year! Go to: http://tinyurl.com/5z4cko

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

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*This month's Penguin Classic book is: The Lost Estate by Henri Alain-Fournier. To start reading and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=Q1AFEFEEF19E&c=CLASSICS

 

 

Comments

[Tavita Kurochka]

Suzanne, It certainly looks like you are starting a trend. After growing up in the former USSR and having to wear and apron everyday to school as a uniform, I was pretty fed up with aprons, however, when you started showcasing your vintage aprons, I developed a fondness for them all over again and can't walk by a single apron without thinking of you.
My mother is a daily apron wearer and she just recently presented me and my seven year old daughter with matching aprons. Mine has the inscription "Diva" on it and my daughter's says, "Diva in training."

BTW, the second apron (yellow) from the left would look really cute on me, I think. LOL

[Susan K]

My memory isn't really a memory. This year I have an exchange student from China who loves cooking. We attended a local craft show when she decided she wanted to buy an apron. One exhibitor was an elderly lady who had a small table filled with hand embroidered goods: tablecloths, pillowcases, and aprons!
When I began talking with her I noticed her accent. I asked if she was German and she replied that she was Polish. I told her about my unusual maiden name which is Wajda and mispronounced by everyone.
Wonder of wonders, her last name was the same! I found a long lost cousin. :-)

[Carol Childress]

I too can see my precious grandmother standing at the stove whipping up the most awesome dinners for the holidays- always a big smile on her face, laughing as she did he kitchen chores- always a cookie for the kiddos and a cup of coffee or tea for the adults- she could whip up a meal in minutes after you surprised her with a visit and always with an APRON on! Thanks for evoking those wonderful memories for me!