Blog | Apron Memories

A New Thanksgiving Tradition

On November 18, 2016 By EllynAnne In Blog

Put the "give back into Thanksgiving! — Put the “give back into Thanksgiving! click **HERE !** to learn more & enter to win!

It is especially gratifying to learn of families incorporating Tie One On Day as part of their Thanksgiving. By participating in TOODay, this mom and her young daughter made many people’s day brighter:

carton

“My 9 year-old daughter heard about this unique day and wanted to participate so we baked muffins together, wearing matching aprons, to give to neighbors and friends. She wrote notes thanking them for their friendship and we delivered them together, explaining Tie One On Day to each recipient. We even gave treats for the dogs! Some we wrapped in scarves instead of aprons to mix it up a bit. Each person was touched and thrilled. Think we have a new tradition!” Mindy C.

Inspired by this mother and daughter, I invited two sisters to participate in Tie One On Day. In the 3 hours between drop off and pick up, we made up mini peach pies and cookies from scrap dough, worked a puzzle while the pies were in the oven, created note cards for the pie recipients, ate the cookies and packaged the pies for delivery.

There is no perfect pie crust, except for dough rolled with lots of laughing and flour everywhere!

The scraps of dough are perfect for cinnamon sugar cookies — The scraps of dough are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar = yummy cookies

Handmade notecards for their sweet sentiments

Jam-topped cookies made from dough scraps — Jam-topped sugar cookies made from dough scraps

Ready to deliver their TOODay sweet offerings — Ready to deliver their TOODay pies

Tie One On Day is an annual opportunity to bring joy to the lives of others through gestures of kindness, no matter our age.

xxxellynanne

ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER!

The sponsors of TOODay Giveaways encourage your participation because the more who are involved, the more who experience the love that is at the heart of Tie One On Day. ENTER the giveways and share how you will participate in TOODay!

TIE ONE ON DAY 2016

On September 2, 2016 By EllynAnne In Blog

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

On the eve of Thanksgiving some years ago, I wrapped a pie in an apron with a handwritten note of sympathy slipped into the pocket, and delivered it to a neighbor experiencing more heartbreak than should be. Her response of delight and warmth was unexpected and very touching.

In offering a small gesture of recognition to the family’s situation, I was surprised at the unexpected joyfulness that I experienced. The win-win of the exchange was so memorable, I knew it had to be shared. So I created TIE ONE ON DAY™.

Celebrated on the eve of Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 23rd this year – TIE ONE ON DAY is an annual opportunity to share our good fortune by wrapping a loaf of bread or other baked good in domestic cloth and tuck in a sweet note; then tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the offering to a neighbor, friend or charity in need of a bit of kindness.

ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER!

To encourage y’all adding TIE ONE ON DAY to your holiday tradition and embracing its message of sharing and gratefulness, a dedicated group of generous SPONSORS are putting some fabulous “give” into the TOODAY 2016 Goodie Giveaway!

To enter the TIE ONE ON DAY Giveaways, leave a comment at the end of this blog posting, sharing with others how you plan to be a part of this year’s TOOD. Your comment is your entry into the November 23rd drawing for the giveaways. Four (4) Giveaway winners will be randomly selected and contacted via their provided email.

*TIE ONE ON DAY Giveaways are open only to entrants living within the United States

Thanksgiving is a holiday known for recollection, making new traditions and sharing. The apron symbolizes these concepts. A small bit of your time will make someone else’s day brilliantly brighter. And the more who participate, the more who receive. Such is the win-win of TOOD.

So please join me and tie one on…an apron, of course! and through Tie One On Day, make a difference in someone’s life.

Tie One On…Give from the heart…Then give thanks

xoxEllynAnne

To accompany your Tie One On Day delivery, this complimentary note card is available to download HERE.

TOOD 2016_NC

*** PLEASE INCLUDE AN EMAIL WITH YOUR COMMENT, SO I CAN LET YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A GIVEAWAY WINNER! ***

Tie One On Day 2015 Lucky Winners

On November 25, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

When tying one on (…an apron, of course!) for the happy task at hand – selecting the 4 winners of the Tie One On Day giveaways via a number generator – a tad of distraction on my part proved not a smart move, as my internet connection suddenly went kaput and stayed so. Apologies to all that I am a day late with the announcements.

Tie One On Day participant Susie Kroll has won the giveaways courtesy of Cultivar, the American Sewing Guild, Colonial Patterns & Taste of Home/Country Woman.

Tie One On Day participant Linda Kernodle is the winner of the generous giveaways from Cultivar, Schmetz, MikWright & Craftsy.

Tie One On Day participant Margie V. is the third winner of giveaways by sponsors Cultivar, Mary Mulari, Bernina, SewNews & Heirloomed.

Tie One On Day participant LuAnn will receive goodies from generous sponsors Cultivar, Amy Barickman, Raw Materials Design & Nancy Zieman.

TOOD 2015_x360 — TOODay’s sponsors give from their hearts to encourage participation.

Thank you to all who entered this year’s giveaway and for inspiring others to make Tie One On Day a part of their Thanksgiving tradition. Your gestures of kindness made someone’s day so much brighter.

The sponsors and I send all our best wishes for a Thanksgiving of gratefulness, graciousness and plenty of pie.

xxea

Tie One On Day and Ellen March

On November 19, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

In 2009, I put together a mini-exhibit of my aprons and vintage domestic goods at the American Sewing Guild’s conference in Albuquerque. There, my path crossed with the sweetie pie editor of Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery, Ellen March. Tying one on (…an apron, of course!), we discovered a shared passion for celebrating women of earlier generations and their talent in expressing themselves through needle and thread.

Ellen March_ea asg albu — Ellen March and EllynAnne first crossing paths at the 2009 ASG conference.

Two years later, Ellen invited me to appear as a guest on the inaugural season of her new venture, SewItAll TV. I was thrilled, very nervous and much relieved when Ellen brought her sewing skills to the Awesome Apron, and together we completed the project.

Ellen’s support of my love of aprons extends to her traditional sponsorship of Tie One On Day, my annual call-out to tie on an apron and bestow gestures of kindness to those in need. Responding to my yearly request for a TOODay goodie giveaway, she always provides…this year with a packed box of SewNews and Creative Machine Embroidery publications.

It was but a day or so after our TOODay giveaway emailing that I learned of Ellen’s concerns for her health and family’s well-being through her posting HERE. Please take a read, then take a look at this beautiful girl.

ellen m pic — Ellen March is asking for our **support** in her fight against breast cancer.

Wife, mama, daughter, sister, friend, colleague – Ellen is much-loved, admired and deserving of the very tenant of Tie One On Day: imparting gestures of kindness and especially in this situation, donations to her campaign: Ellen’s Breast Cancer Fight.

When considering kindness as a dollar point, imagine the campaign as the March family’s Thanksgiving dinner – instead of baking Ellen a pumpkin pie, donate the cost of the ingredients; in lieu of taking her a sweet potato casserole, donate the price of a sack of potatoes. I “fed” the fund a turkey dinner. Whatever your contribution, any amount will help to set the table.

The sooner the campaign’s goal is met, Ellen’s financial worries ease and she can completely concentrate on kickassing her cancer. So, please Tie One On (…an apron, of course!) and give from your heart and wallet to Ellen’s Breast Cancer Fight.

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

Thank you, everyone, for sharing this blog posting, participating in Tie One On Day, and putting the give back into Thanksgiving through acts of kindness to those in need.

xxEllynAnne

Nourishing Fare for TOODay Delivery

On November 11, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

I’m sure it’s the time of year that has me preparing soups for Tie One On Day deliveries. A hearty soup with a side of corn bread and jam made up today’s basket of comfort and friendship.

TOOD bskt spbrjam — The simplest fare wrapped in bright kitchen cloths will brighten someone’s day.

“From scratch” is one way to put together a basket of comforting fare, but honestly, a quick mix with grated cheddar stirred into the batter bakes into a delicious cornbread. The same goes for repackaging a gourmet jam into a petite jar.

TOOD repackaging — Whether made from scratch or repacking of store-bought, a basket of comforting foods will be appreciated.

Participating in Tie One On Day is a way to put the “give” back into your Thanksgiving, and in doing so, bring joy to the life of someone in need! Supportive sponsors encourage your spreading the word and the love of TOODay with fabulous giveaways that will be won by four lucky participants. To Enter the Giveaways, click HERE.

When making a pot of soup to nourish others, I always set aside for us, too. Tripling the recipe will still have it a one-pot fixin’, and the extra can be frozen.

Sweet Potato Bean Soup

1 can (15 oz) chicken broth, 2 large sweet potato (peeled cut up), 1/2 medium onion, chopped, 3 celery thinly sliced, 1 carrot cut into small pieces, 1 T tomato paste, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cumin, s&p to taste, 1 can (15.5 oz) white beans drained (1 nitrate-free beef sausage sliced and diced)

In a large pot over high heat, pour in broth and add sweet potatoes, onion, celery, tomato paste, paprika and cumin and bring to boil. Reduce heat and summer until vegetables are tender, 20-25 minutes. Stir in beans (& cut up sausage) until heated through.

For a creamy soup, puree 1 cup in a blender/mixer/processor and pour back into the pot.

The sponsors of Tie One On Day give from their hearts without expectation of payment – only that you help to spread the word and love of TOODay. So, thank you for that!

xxEllynAnne

“Let us live well, simply, economically, healthfully and artistically.”

Good Things to Eat (1909), A Blessing

Tie One On Day 2015

On November 4, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

November 25, 2015 - Tie One On Day — Tie One On…Give from the heart…Then give thanks

On the eve of Thanksgiving some twelve years ago, I wrapped a pie in an apron with a handwritten note of sympathy slipped into the pocket, and delivered it to a neighbor experiencing more heartbreak than should be. Her response of delight and warmth was unexpected and very touching.

Celebrated on the eve of Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 25 this year – TIE ONE ON DAY is an annual opportunity to share our good fortune by wrapping a loaf of bread or other baked good in domestic cloth and tuck in a sweet note; then tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the offering to a neighbor, friend or charity in need of a bit of kindness.

ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER! ENTER!

To enter the TIE ONE ON DAY Giveaways, leave a comment at the end of this blog posting, sharing with others how you plan to be a part of this year’s TOOD. Your comment is your entry into the November 24th drawing for the giveaways. Four (4) Giveaway winners will be randomly selected and contacted via their provided email.

*TIE ONE ON DAY Giveaways are open only to entrants living within the United States

So please join me and tie one on…an apron, of course! and through Tie One On Day, make a difference in someone’s life.

Tie One On…Give from the heart…Then give thanks

xoxEllynAnne

To accompany your Tie One On Day delivery, this complimentary note card is available to download HERE.

PLEASE INCLUDE AN EMAIL WITH YOUR COMMENT, SO I CAN LET YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A GIVEAWAY WINNER

Southern Ties – Jan. 24 thru April 5

On February 6, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections is a traveling exhibit that utilizes storytelling as a tool of remembrance and connection through the guise of the humble apron. Just as with every family’s best storyteller, the exhibit holds the attention of child to adult while piecing together the human experience, all at a languid pace, never in a rush to the end.

January 24 through April 5, 2015 at the West Baton Rouge Museum

Touring since 2004, Apron Chronicles presents the American experience through 50 photographic portraits, apron memories and an outstanding collection of 100 vintage aprons. West Baton Rouge Museum curator, Angelique Bergeron, has added a local Louisiana touch to the exhibit by including collections of work aprons from chefs and blacksmiths, to a collection of aprons from the Port Allen Holy Family Church worn by women staging the annual St. Joseph’s Altar. In addition, LSU Textile Museum is loaning their display “Feed Sack Fashions” to be included in the Apron Chronicles exhibit.

Through the interpretation of the apron as more than just a domestic utility, the exhibit inspires us to recall our own apron memories and the lives of those who “tied one on…an apron, of course!”. In doing so, we find ourselves tied together more through our commonalities than differences.

Of all my apron projects, Apron Chronicles is my greatest joy. That the humble apron should continue to bring into my life such bounty of trust and friendship is simply amazing.

The contributors to Apron Chronicles and their stories changed my life forever. I hope you, too, are so affected.

xo EllynAnne

101 Things To Do With a Pickle

On August 7, 2014 By EllynAnne In Blog

I enjoy a cold, crunchy pickle as a side to a sandwich, but never pickle as an addition to a recipe. So it appears an odd pairing that I’m reviewing this book:

My receipt of the book was generated by a six degrees of separation thing – although Eliza and I haven’t met, we have a mutual author friend, Irene Rawlings, through whom I learned of Eliza’s latest cook book project. Serendipitous was my coming across a pickle compendium within the pages of an old, old issue of a woman’s magazine, which I thought Eliza would enjoy, and so offered it via Irene. Such circuitousness led to a gracious response, as well as a complimentary copy of “101” and the opportunity to review it.

Straight off, it is a cute book, in size not much larger than a big pickle jar, with the convenience of a spiral binding, so it lays flat when open. Appreciatively, the recipes are of handy ingredients, nicely spelled out, and accomplishable. If one can read, one can cook from this book without fear of failure.

My hands-on review of “101” is based on two dishes, CHICKEN PICKEN SALAD and DILLY HUMMUS. Served with wine as a light repast, these recipes were hits with my husband, a guest, and to my surprise, me.

In using the pickle to spice up the familiar (chicken salad) and add piquant to the bland (hummus), Eliza is introducing the pickle as a non-scary additive. Her recipes are like invitations to new and exciting places (Scandinavian Open-Face Sandwich), familiar by-ways (Pickle Cheeseburger Pie), and off-road adventures (Sweet Pickle Ice Cream).

I’m happy “101” came my way, and I hope my review spurns you to investigate if it should join your cook book library.

xx EllynAnne

“101” is published by Gibbs-Smith and available wherever books are sold.

Mother’s Day Keepsake

On May 7, 2014 By EllynAnne In Blog

An estate sale purchase of a box of vintage goods contained the most wonderful surprise: a telegram dated May 8, 1938.

Wired 76 years ago, the paper is softly faded, yet bears not the slightest tear. I imagine this telegram was stored safely in a scrapbook or empty Russell Stover candy box by the recipient, Mrs. Foquet. Perhaps Beth was her daughter, and had become a mother for the first time during the past year or the message was her way of sharing the news of her first pregnancy. Whatever the reason to Beth’s sending the telegram, Mrs. Foquet deemed it a keepsake.

My mother also kept the Mother’s Day cards she received from her six children. Following her move from the family home to a small living space, she returned to each of us the cards we’d sent her throughout our entire lives.

Such an amazing gift, to see in my own handwriting a note declaring my love and admiration for her. Written when I was nine, I shed a few tears for the days when our relationship was not so loving. With Mama long gone, it’s these Mother’s Day love notes that bring me comfort, as keepsakes do.

In kinship with Mrs. Foquet, I, too, deem Mother’s Day a keepsake occasion. I’m eternally grateful to my sons’ primary teachers for making sure I received their handmade gift efforts of a pencil holder/decorated orange juice can, handwritten poems copied word for word off the chalkboard, and my favorite – magnetized clothespin holders bearing their first grade school pictures, which are today still clamped to the refrigerator.

It’s interesting to note that Anna Jarvis, the creator of Mother’s Day, wouldn’t have been happy with the commercial gift-giving that is a part of today’s Mother’s Day celebration. Over 100 years old, the first Mother’s Day was organized by Anna in 1908, as a way of memorializing all mothers and their dedication to nurturing their families. As the celebration became a retailer’s holiday, Anna was known for berating those she deemed too lazy to write a personal note to the woman who’d raised them. At one point, she was arrested at a Mother’s Day celebration and charged with disturbing the peace.

Anna never married and spent her elder years in a facility. She died in 1948, without the knowledge that her care was paid for by the florist industry.

Flowers are lovely and on Mother’s Day, practically de rigueur. But when it comes to the accompanying card, Anna had it right – there is only one true gift: a handwritten note.

xx EllynAnne

a Macaroon Epiphany

On April 17, 2014 By EllynAnne In Blog

Until the gluten free movement put the flavor back into flourless foods, Passover bakery goods tasted like sawdust. For forever, the only Passover-approved cookie available at the grocery was an almond macaroon. Like a beloved family tradition, those icky sweet orbs have been passed off from one generation to the next as the holiday’s go-to sweet. Falling into the ancestral way, I’ve been serving almond nuggets for over 30 years, until this year, when I experienced a macaroon epiphany.

Ever so sick and tired of the packaged cookie, I turned to my cookbooks for a macaroon review.

A 1913 recipe for a Cocoanut Macaroon called for 1 grated cocoanut, 1/2 its weight in sugar, and the white of 1 egg. A mixture like a paste was to be worked into balls the size of a nutmeg and baked fifteen to twenty minutes in a slow oven.

While a perusal of recipes from later decades provided a tad more direction, apparent was the macaroon is no newcomer when it comes to the homemade treat scene.

More of a surprise is the simplicity of ingredients that are a modern macaroon.

You’ll Need: 14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

The Mixing Directions: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed until firm peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.
Using 2 teaspoons, take generous dips into the mixture and drop onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper. Don’t smooth or compact into neat cookie “balls.” Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool, then store airtight to maintain freshness.

Step it up a notch: After cooling, dip 1/2 of a macaroon into melted dark chocolate; then place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. To harden the chocolate, set sheet in the freezer or refrigerator. Store airtight.

The resulting cookie is a Passover game changer. Irresistibly yummy, it’s impossible to eat just one, so smarten up from the get go and double the output.

It would seem no contest between a delectable macaroon and a macaroon with a shelf life

of two years, but not so, according to my tradition-besotted husband. Each bite of almond,

he says, is a sensory memory trigger, taking him back to a time when his parents were alive and as a family, they gathered at the Passover table.

His response gave me pause.

Perhaps when it comes to tradition and our holidays, a tastier macaroon isn’t necessarily better.

xx EllynAnne