The History of Aprons

I received this in an email today and it reminded me that I had copied it a long time ago into my homekeeping file.  Thought it would be worth sharing here with you.  It makes me smile for sure.  I for one wear an apron pretty much everyday.  I call mine my work uniform.  

 

The History of  'APRONS' 

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few and because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons required 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 folk 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. 

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...

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Clam Chowder

I know it is late in the day but did not want to miss Lisa's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hook-up.  With the hope of cooler days ahead thought I would share a great recipe for clam chowder.  Very easy and very good.  I always add more clams than it calls for which makes for a happy Precious Husband.  Yum.  Personally I love good soup anytime of the year.

Clam Chowder

2 (6 1/2 oz.) cans minced clams

1 cup finely chopped onions

1 cup finely chopped celery

2 cups diced potatoes

water

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon sugar

salt and pepper to taste.

Drain clams, reserving juice.  In a large saucepan, combine clam juice, onions, celery and potatoes.  Add enough water to just cover vegetables.  Cook until tender.  While veges are cooking combine butter and flour in large kettle and cook over low heat and add milk making white sauce.  Cook and stir until smooth and thick.  Add clam and potato mixture and sugar, salt and pepper.  Heat through about 15 minutes.  Serves 6.

Little Eyes Little Ears

and little feet . . .

 Last Friday I unexpectedly had the opportunity to pick up my 4 little grandchildren for a few days.  I was so thankful to have spaghetti sauce all made up in the freezer - but that info can make another post another day.


It never ceases to amaze me how observant children are.  They are watching and listening all the time.  The question I must constantly be asking myself is what are they observing?  Is it good, is it wholesome, is it encouraging?  Is it beneficial?


My 4 year old TLC #2 brought this to my attention when he pointed to the cup on the kitchen counter and said, "Look Mémère, the cup has feet!"  (This reminded me of the little bible song, "Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go . . .") Kids don't miss a thing.  I want to be a good example to them of all God wants us to be and I also don't want to miss an opportunity to teach and encourage my grandchildren.

Titus 2:6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity . . .

Wahooo Cooler Weather!

When you live in the Valley of the Sun during the summer the gadge often reads 100* at 10 o'clock at night so when we see this in the morning we do get excited.  So glad to see a break in the heat and the hope of cooler days.  

The only thing in my yard that thrives seems to be the lantana and it does take over if you don't watch it.  When it is over 100* you sure don't want to work in the yard but the weeds still need to be removed and the yard tidied that is for sure.

On a bright note it is fun to go out and find morning glories that have popped up in some random place and that sure puts a smile on my face.  They are so lush and green with the sweet little blue flowers.  As I took this photo this morning I was reminded how we must look for the blessings each day because God truly does bless His children daily.  Our attitude does have so much to do with it too.

This morning in my quiet time I read this in a devotional book, "my goal is not perfection but progress".  I like that.  I will never be perfect till I arrive at my eternal home in Heaven but it is very encouraging when I can see progress.  Sometimes my progress is in little baby steps but I will take it and say, "thank You".

God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God.

Proverbs 10:22 (The Message Bible) 

Tweaked Already

Didn't take long to tweak huh?  Choices, choices.  What do you think?  I think this may be the keeper - for now at least : )

Something New

Hey, it is always nice to learn something new.  Can you tell what I learned today?  It more than likely will get tweaked a bit but for the first attempt - I like what I got.

Blessings and Hugs,

Today's Proverb

 What the Lord says about me and what I often say or think about me sure can be different.  More than anything I need to hear and put to heart what the Lord says about me.



*To hear the video go to the bottom of this blog and stop the music. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oOpXLVhBuk

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverb 3

Home Sweet Home

These pictures are of a little box that belonged to my father's mother.  The box is probably 50 or 60 years old and very tattered and worn.  The lid deteriated on the hinged side so now it only sits on top but somehow I think it is such a sweet feminine little box I can't part with it.  On the top it has Memories written across the bottom.

When you look inside on the bottom of the lid I can see where my Grandmother wrote, "Fort Lauderdale, the most beautiful place in the world."  This is a woman that had traveled around the world.  I often wonder what made Fort Lauderdale so beautiful to her. 

I have never been outside of the United States and up until our daughter moved with her husband and family to Kentucky I had hardly seen any of the US.  I was raised in California and have lived all my adult life in Arizona.

The most beautiful place in the world to me has to be the house on Kristal Lane that I call home.  There is just something special about going somewhere on vacation or away for a family emergency and then returning "home".  Home sweet home - no other place I really want to be.

On a spiritual note when I think about how much I love my home then I am quickly reminded that my Heavenly Father is building a mansion custom made for me and  I am just awe struck at what that must be.  Thank you Lord that You know me and You love me so very much.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Quick and Easy Cobbler

This is my go to recipe for quick, easy and wonderful. Such a nice recipe because everything is usually stocked in the pantry for a quick dessert.

Fruit Cobbler

1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
can of cherry pie filling (or 3-4 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches is good)

Melt butter in 8x8 glass pan. Mix sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and milk together and pour over melted butter. Don't mix. Top with fruit and again don't mix. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

As usual I am linking to Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/ to join the other fun ladies with fantastic recipes.

Labor Day Cookout

Remember how I have shared I only make my delicious coleslaw when we have company cause Precious Husband doesn't care for coleslaw?  Well, whoppee I am fixing coleslaw next Monday.  Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to make this mémère happy.

We are having the pastor and his family along with the young men living in our Pampa house all down for a big cookout.  Emmit, one of our young men prides himself on his BBQ and his secret sauce so he is in charge of cooking the meat.  I will be making lots of salads, baked beans and of course the heart attack special cheese bread that everyone loves.  Jason, our son who also lives in the Pampa house will make his signature hot sausage and cheese dip.  Anthony will be here too and he does love his mother's coleslaw : )  So all in all it should be a very great cookout.  Plan to challenge Pastor Eddie to a game of Wii bowling to make the evening complete.

Wahooo!

It isn't much but at this point I will take what I can get and say, "Thank You Jesus!"  Can you tell the hot Arizona summer is getting to me?

Feeding of the 5000

  

 At the beginning of August I blogged that I may have a modern 2010 version of the feeding of the 5000 as told in John.  Well this is that anticipated blog.   I had signed up to help in any way needed at our VBS.  Our young and very small church held vacation Bible school with the goal to minister to children living in the projects near the church.  Our pastor's desire was to feed the children both breakfast and lunch along with snacks and then at the end of the week to send them all home with a backpack filled with school supplies.  Of course this was in addition to the main purpose of telling them about Jesus through Bible lessons, music, games and crafts.  I was assigned kitchen duty and given the responsibility to make sure we could serve breakfast, lunch and a snack to about 60 children.   "Oh my goodness" was my first response and panic quickly set in.  BUT GOD - the source, the answer to my puny faith was there to meet every need and amaze us all with how He supplied our every desire.  It truly was a week that ministered to me along with many children.  Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding and to acknowledge Him and He would direct our path.  He graciously did!  We had food, water and juice in abundance and actually in excess.  At the beginning of the VBS we did not know where or how we would supply backpacks only to have them given by another church who had more than they had needed. 

  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

  

John 6:5-145 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.   Truly children's lives were touched during our VBS and I know for a fact that my faith was strengthened once again.  Thank You Jesus!!

How To Recognize a Blogger

You know you are a serious blogger when you carry the camera around with you wherever you go.  Precious Husband told me he smiles when he sees the flash go off in another room because he knows there will be a new post up soon.

Never thought I would enjoy blogging so much but I do ; )

An encouraging Word for today:  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:21-23 

            

 

 Grandchildren having fun making ice-cream this summer.  Yum!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Blueberry Muffins

Sharing a recipe today that I received from Prairie Flower Farm blog for blueberry muffins.  Precious Husband loves blueberries and quickly let me know these were "a keeper".  Along with a wonderful recipe please check out Linda's blog for a real treat that will encourage your heart for sure.

The Best Blueberry Muffins

1/3 c. oil
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
2 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin cups with paper cups or grease them. In medium sized bowl beat oil and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla, baking powder, salt and then milk. Fold in flour, then blueberries. Spoon into muffin cups. Make the topping: I use my food processor. 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tea cinnamon and 3 tbl. soften butter. Blend until into crumbs. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.  Makes 18 muffins. 

Good Advice

 Yosemite June 2010 

So refreshing to remember this beauty we enjoyed.  

Somehow it helps remind me that this AZ heat will pass.

Today I would simply like to copy and paste here something very good I read on Courtney's blog, http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com.  I needed to hear this today and maybe you do too. 

D. Gordon, says in his book Quiet Talks on Prayer "Waiting means steadfastness, that is, holding on; patience, which means holding back; expectancy, which means holding the face up; obedience, holding oneself in readiness to go or to do; listening, holding quiet and still so as to hear."

The Old Paths

Lots to do today around the homestead and I really have no creativity either so with that said I am posting an email I received this week.  

THE OLD PATHS

I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work. Brothers went into the  army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay; Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave.

Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.

Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.

People loved the truth, And hated a lie.

They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored; America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.

To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called an American was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!

I still like the old paths the best!

'The Old Paths' was written by a retired minister who lives in Tennessee. 

 

 

Great Quote For The Day

I was out and about today and ran across this great quote:

"A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings

and forget the day's troubles."

-author unknown

Even hotter at supper time tonight but I will choose to remember the fact that we have beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous winters here in Arizona. 

Arizona in Word Pictures

The temperature at supper time tonight!

Our skies last night - gorgeous!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Oriental Chicken

I seldom make anything without a recipe and I follow that recipe to the T.  I can not credit my mother for any culinary ability I may have because she is the kind of cook that just throws it together.  I smile when I remember asking her how she could forget the sugar in a muffin recipe I gave her.  The first thing the recipe says is blend the sugar and shortening.  Her answer was she just throws it all in and mixes it up.

It was my Aunt and my Grandmother on my Dad's side of the family that taught me to cook.  My Grandmother I especially remember following the recipe and measuring things accurately.  My Aunt taught me cooking in 4-H and that was a special time in my life remembered very fondly.  My Aunt had a new home and her kitchen seemed so modern and professional to me as a ten year old.  Why even her cookie sheets had their own custom made storage space.  This was all very inspiring as a young girl. 

I say all that to say this, the recipe I am sharing today is one that you can adapt totally to what you like or what you have in the fridge at the time.  You most certainly don't have to follow this recipe exactly.  Use it as a base and go from there.   I originally found this recipe in 1985 on the Rita Davenport TV show (a local program at the time).  Precious Husband really enjoys this meal and we have it quite often. 

Oriental Chicken Stir Fry

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut in small pieces
1 large green pepper, diced
1 cup celery, sliced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
15 ounce can chicken broth
3 tablespoons corn starch mixed in 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce

Sauté in some butter or oil the chicken and then remove and sauté the veges.  Remove from pan and pour broth in pan and add cornstarch mixture.  Cook till smooth and thick then add soy sauce and return chicken and veges heating everything through real well.  Serve over rice.

That is the original recipe but as I said use what you like or have on hand.  My favorite is onions, mushrooms, little miniature peppers, and broccoli.  We like food with a little kick so I also add red chili flakes and also almonds for added crunch.  I always serve it over brown rice.  Colorful, attractive and nutritious meal in a bowl.  Very easy too.

As always on Tuesday go see Lisa and check out all the other bloggers great recipes.

Cupcakes and Saturday

Probably 26 years or more ago a special aunt gave me a big picnic basket full of candy molds and a nice box of Wilton's decorating tips.  I use the candy molds often and have added quite a few to the basket but I never have tried my hand at decorating a cake with the tips.

This last Saturday was I believed the birthday of one of our young men that had lived in our Pampa house.  He has left the house to return to COTS so Precious Husband and I planned to attend the Saturday evening service so we could give our birthday wishes to Cliff.

Rather than a cake that would be hard to serve I made Cliff birthday cupcakes and I decided after all these years to retrieve the Wilton tips and try my hand at decorating.  It was great fun and quite easy actually to take my plain cupcake and make it so festive.  I think I am hooked and am even considering taking a Wilton class at Michael's sometime soon.

We got to church and after the service we tracked down our birthday boy only to find out his birthday is the 14th of September not August.  Oh well, the young man is in need of extra love at this time so the cupcakes and accompanying hugs and kisses were still much appreciated.  He said he will look forward to September 14th now knowing what he can expect : )

I got to use this vintage cake carrier that I wrote about here to transport my cupcakes.  Lots of fun!!

Fear Not

We are living in very difficult times.  People all around us are struggling with various needs.  Great fear threatens to invade our homes.  As wives and mothers we must be strong and grow in our faith so that we can come against fear in the name of the LORD our God.  

 

One of my favorite verses is Psalms 20:7 which says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."  We can't put our trust in things or people because they will let us down and inevitably disappoint us.  But God has proven Himself over and over again and greatly desires to daily prove Himself faithful to us.

 

Look up some of the names of God and be encouraged by their meaning.  Which name do you need to stand on today for strength and encouragement?  El-Shaddai is waiting to meet the needs of your heart.

 

A Few Hebrew Names and Their Meanings

 

El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Amen!

"Lord, help me to pass on my strengths to my children 

and not burden them with my weaknesses.."  

-- Andrew Attaway

My New Pets

I want some chickens but Precious Husband tells me no.  Now in his defense he doesn't tell me no very often at all but to having chickens in the backyard he said no.  So the next best thing I guess are these two cutsie roosters I got yesterday at The Dump in Cave Creek.  Aren't they the cutest thing ever?

My sister,  niece and I had a great time Monday and Tuesday shopping and looking for treasures.  Today we met my oldest son for lunch and then they hit the freeway to head for home.  We had a great time together and shared lots of laughs!!

Precious Husband likes my chickens too.

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Waffles

Sharing this wonderful make ahead recipe today for waffles.   Linking again this week with Lisa at http://www.blessedwithgrace.net

Belgian Waffles

2 2/3 cups all purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup butter

3 eggs

In large bowl combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, mix well.  Heat milk, water and butter until very warm  (120*).  Add to flour mixture.  Add eggs.  Using electrcic mixer beat one minute at medium speed.  Cover and refrigerate over night. 

During my stay with Dallas and Michelle when grand-daughter Ava was born I bought Michelle a waffle iron because Tristan wanted waffles.  This recipe came with the instruction booklet.  They are great waffles – Dallas loved them – and I like the recipe because I can make them up the night before.

Company Fun

My sister and her daughter arrived last night about 11:45 PM.  Had fun today running them around to craft stores and thrift shops.  My sister is a shopper to say the least and it is fun watching my cute little niece try to keep her mother corralled.

Tonight I made my chicken enchiladas for dinner tomorrow night and just finished making waffle batter for breakfast in the morning.  Precious husband is loving having the company because it means more than cereal and fruit for breakfast : )

Having fun sharing recipes with my niece who is a newlywed.  This is the niece that was born 2 nights before I got married making it impossible for my sister and brother-in-law to attend our wedding.  My sister and niece both live in California. 

Gotta Love Little Boys!

Picked up my camera last weekend to download some pics and found this darling, cute, sweet, loving little face on my camera. 

I am not the kind of grandmother that lets her kids run wild or gives them anything they want.  I am a grandmother that knows little boys do like to tinker and investigate with what has been left out instead of put away where it belongs.  Just gotta love little boys!!

I Need A Maid!

Do you think Precious Husband is trying to tell me something?  Hey I will getter done - you just gotta give this Mémère some time.  Right now VBS is first priority this week and in all honesty a tad bit more fun than dusting would be.

Take A Minute

and be blessed as you watch this video. 

And while I am at it here is a favorite verse for today.
I will bless the LORD at all times ; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday - Earthquake Cake

Off today to get ready for VBS in Mesa.  May have a story to tell about 2010 version of the feeding of the 5000 when this week is over.  Fill you in on that later : )  

Sharing a simple recipe with things easily kept in the pantry which makes a wonderful cake!  Go see Lisa for more recipes this week.

 

Earthquake Cake

Mix 1 cup coconut, 1cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)  together & place in bottom of greased 9x13 dish. 

Mix 1 box of German Chocolate cake mix according to directions and pour over nuts/coconut. 

Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 box powdered sugar, and 1 stick melted butter together and pour over cake batter. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

Cake will be crusty & cracked like an earthquake fault.

Very good and very easy!

Oh My Stars! Am I Old?

God's creation viewed at Mooney Grove Park, Visalia CA June 12, 2010

The little girl was taken to Sunday School each Sunday by her grandma.  One Sunday morning the teacher was asking the children about creation.  "Who made the moon?" the teacher asked.  "God did" came the children's replay in unison.  "Who made the sun?" asked the teacher next.  Again, "God did" came the quick answer.  "And who made the stars?" asked the teacher.  This time the little girl quickly answered, "my grandma!"  When grandma came to get her little grand-daughter the teacher shared with the grandma the cute story to which grandma replied with jolly laughter, "Well, my stars!"


You gotta love grandmas - cause I is one : )  And acting a little older, stranger and more feeble brained every day I am afraid.


When we went to Disneyland I was constantly looking around and accounting for all 4 grandchildren.  Now it was late in the day and I was tired but this was my senior moment to top all during our trip.  I had Thomas in my arms and had hold of Tyler.  I looked around counting heads and asked, "Where is Tyler?" to which my daughter answered, "you are holding his hand Mom."  Oh my stars!  Am I really this old?


Now today I look over my blog and am thinking about which recipe to share on Tempt My Tummy Tuesday only to find out I shared the same recipe recently.  Oh my stars!  Am I really this old? 


Thanks to modern technology I quickly deleted the duplicated post.  Wish there was such an easy way to correct some of my other senior moments.

How do I label this post?  Under humor of course, cause some days you just have to laugh so you don't cry.