Rain, Rain, Go Away

I won't be at the Chesterton European Market this week because once again it's raining and windy. I don't know which one is worse--rain or wind. The rain ruins my products and the wind blows away my tent!

I will be in Fosston, MN Nov. 7th for the Swim Team Crafts Fair.

Remember the Mistletoe Market on Dec. 5th at Bailly Elementary School in Chesterton--800 Fifth Street. 9-3 pm.

If you can't make the market, or live out of town, there is free shipping on orders over $50. So don't delay. Christmas is just a few short weeks away!

Dirt Soap

Ahhh--the woodsy, dirty smell of freshly turned earth. . . who would have thought it would be such a popular scent!

I made Dirt Soap thinking kids would have fun with it. I loved the thought of telling my kids to "go play in the dirt". But to my surprise, the kids didn't like the scent--but their parents did! It is one of my best sellers.

One person emailed me and said that dirt soap will work perfectly for hunters. Deer are not afraid of dirt, so the dirt smell will cover the human scent and--voila--venison for Thanksgiving!

Many people call this Hunter's Soap--but in deference to my vegan friends, I'll just call it Dirt.

History of Aprons

Aprons are often seen as old-fashioned. But we are seeing (and selling) a lot of aprons. I don't know why the cooks on Foodnetwork don't wear aprons. How in the world can they do all that cooking and not get grease spots and flour all over their clothes?

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath. She only had a few dresses. Aprons used less material, so it was less espensive to make an apron than a dress. Back in those days, the grain, feed and flour sacks were made from printed cotton. So when Grandpa went to the feed store, Grandma would say, "Now Alvin--pick out some pretty prints. I have to make Margaret a new dress."

Aprons only used about a yard of fabric and dresses used 2-3 yards of fabric. When the dresses and aprons started to show wear, Grandma would cut them into squares and make quilt tops out of them. I have one of Grandma's quilts and my mother can point out the fabric that were her dresses when she was a little girl.

Other uses for the aprons:

Drying children's tears.

Carrying eggs and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

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, as were vegetables from the garden, and apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it ws 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 knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.

Grandma would change from her "work" apron to a fancier "dinner" apron. The only time I remember my Grandma not wearing an apron was on Sunday--going to church. But when they served dinner at church (for a funeral or wedding or other event), all the ladies pulled out an apron!

And Grandma's apron always had a pocket--for her hankie.

Our aprons are made from the same pattern as Grandma's from the 1880s. We also put in pockets--two of them. I don't put a hankie in my pocket, but I do put a kleenex in one and my cell phone in the other!