A little bit of history ...
I was lucky enough to have the most wonderful grandmother. We all (even our friends) called her Grandma, my mother's mother. She lived in a beautiful stone house in the wilds of the Peak District - a region in the northern part of England. It is lonely and lovely all times of the year, and my sister and I would visit my Grandma and Grandad several times a year. But we always went for two weeks during the summer holidays. My memories of her are almost always of her wearing an apron. In fact I think the only times she didn't was on her weekly visit to the local town on market day and when she was at my sister's wedding! In the house she was always, and I mean always, in an apron. She had the most incredible gift for making perfect pastry and most fortunately I have to some extent inherited it - not quite as perfect, but even if I do say so myself, pretty darned good.
The most wonderful thing about her, though, was her amazing gift of hospitality. She always had time for people and for sharing her baked goods. When the milkman or the postman called she always invited them in for a cup of tea and a scone, or a piece of shortbread, a teacake, a piece of sponge or something that was waiting in the tin, ready baked. "Hello Mrs Ball" they would say as they came through the ever-unlocked door and she would reply "Come in - the kettle's on ..."
She was endlessly interested in people and about them and their lives - not in a gossipy unkind fashion - but in a caring and loving way and she genuinely wanted people to be happy and content. It was a busy country life looking after her family, her children and later her grandchildren. My cousins and I so often share memories of our Grandma and they are always incredibly fond ones - particularly her legendary meat and potato pie with the shortest of short crust pastry lids on top.
So my shop is called "My Grandmother's Apron" in honour of her and the values she stood for - family, friends and the spirit of welcome. The creation of aprons seemed to me to honour her memory in the most fundamental way - and wearing an apron in my home connects me to her through the generations.
I invite you to share a part of her when you wear one of my aprons.
I was lucky enough to have the most wonderful grandmother. We all (even our friends) called her Grandma, my mother's mother. She lived in a beautiful stone house in the wilds of the Peak District - a region in the northern part of England. It is lonely and lovely all times of the year, and my sister and I would visit my Grandma and Grandad several times a year. But we always went for two weeks during the summer holidays. My memories of her are almost always of her wearing an apron. In fact I think the only times she didn't was on her weekly visit to the local town on market day and when she was at my sister's wedding! In the house she was always, and I mean always, in an apron. She had the most incredible gift for making perfect pastry and most fortunately I have to some extent inherited it - not quite as perfect, but even if I do say so myself, pretty darned good.
The most wonderful thing about her, though, was her amazing gift of hospitality. She always had time for people and for sharing her baked goods. When the milkman or the postman called she always invited them in for a cup of tea and a scone, or a piece of shortbread, a teacake, a piece of sponge or something that was waiting in the tin, ready baked. "Hello Mrs Ball" they would say as they came through the ever-unlocked door and she would reply "Come in - the kettle's on ..."
She was endlessly interested in people and about them and their lives - not in a gossipy unkind fashion - but in a caring and loving way and she genuinely wanted people to be happy and content. It was a busy country life looking after her family, her children and later her grandchildren. My cousins and I so often share memories of our Grandma and they are always incredibly fond ones - particularly her legendary meat and potato pie with the shortest of short crust pastry lids on top.
So my shop is called "My Grandmother's Apron" in honour of her and the values she stood for - family, friends and the spirit of welcome. The creation of aprons seemed to me to honour her memory in the most fundamental way - and wearing an apron in my home connects me to her through the generations.
I invite you to share a part of her when you wear one of my aprons.
Hi Julia, what a touching tribute to your grandma. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI have to say...wearing an APRON made by Julia...I truly feel like I'm in her Grandma's kitchen...Nothing can't stop me...and everyone appreciate my hospitality!!!!Go check out Julia's shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyGrandmothersApron
ReplyDeleteLovely memories that aprons bring. My grandma always wore and apron, and when I was quite young, I learned to make aprons for Grandma. I always made them with two pockets.
ReplyDeleteWith the change in times, it is nice that some of todays ladies are still wearing aprons.
Julia, that was a very touching article about your grandma, she would be so pleased to know you think of her...in aprons!
Over the years I have had a love affair with aprons and have collected many patterns...I love making them, they remind me of Grandma.