Christmas Countdown: Tie One On

Day 12: Tie One On

Apparently this means something that I don't know.  The picture shows part of a person wearing an apron (over their clothes) and holding a plate of cookies, but the text made sure to clarify that an apron is what was meant.  Any innuendo has been lost on me.

But, speaking of getting in the baking mood, I am.  I walked into the kitchen earlier and thought my mom was making oatmeal cookies.  I was very excited, and oatmeal aren't even my favorite.  Turns out the only ingredient for oatmeal cookies she had on the counter was oatmeal and she was really just making bread.  I know, I know.  I shouldn't be allowed to say, "just making bread," but it happens regularly around here.  And it's always fantastic when it comes out of the oven, and rarely do any of us complain about having to have homemade bread all the time--when we were little now, well, that's another blog post.

Back to baking.  A few years ago I found a very pretty apron at Ross.  I didn't have the money for it that day though, but I planned on saving for it. (No, it was not much, but I have my money budgeted down to pennies, so that I am able to stay debt free).  When I went back I couldn't find one like it, but I described it to my mom as I was flipping through the selection.  She told me not to buy one, just to look through our fabric, pick one I liked and she'd make me one.  WOOHOO!  Free and handmade is even better that "not much." 

I picked out a piece of material that was left over from a Southern Belle costume she had made for me in high school.  I still think it's a beautiful fabric.  She took my measurements, drew a pattern on a paper sack (that's what she's used as pattern paper for as long as I can remember), cut out the fabric, picked out some satin ribbon and lace, and made me a gorgeous apron.  In my opinion life is to short for necessities not to be beautiful.  If I'm going to wear an apron (and if you know me at all, you know I should probably wear one for most of the day) it shouldn't be just functional, it should also be beautiful.  If I'm going to drink coffee, my mug shouldn't be just another mug, it should be something I like.  There are times I'll drink my coffee from a china teacup, just because it's pretty.  But pretty things should also have a function, which is why my china gets used.  Everyday is special enough to make it feel like a special occasion.  I don't need to save those things just for a holiday, or even just for company.  So what if they get dirty or chipped, I got them at a thrift store anyway and there are other beauties just like it waiting to be picked up for a couple of cents.

So go get your apron on (pretty or not), pull out a mixing bowl, bake some cookies (they don't have to be oatmeal), and serve them to your family on your prettiest tray.  Make today a special day--don't wait until Christmas.