One of my very first blog posts here was about the kitchen towel and the many uses this fun kitchen accessory brings to the home. Today, as I reflect on this past year and look into 2024, I write about an accessory that comes in at a close second to my favorite …the apron.

If towels and aprons were humans, they would definitley be friends… partners in crime, living in the heart and soul of a home.  Like the kitchen towel,  the apron hangs out on the sidelines waiting to be put into action. Sometimes they are simple in color and sometimes bursting with flowers or lined with pinstripes & fun patterns. No matter what the pattern or color, the purpose is the same: to protect and to bring the sense of pride that comes along with the preparations that occur in the kitchen, workplace and beyond. And if there are pockets present… even better!

When I paint, I often wear an apron. Tightening the tie around my waist signifies I am ready to get started and I mean business. It is a strength warrior that has me covered for the task … being there to see it through, even if it means hours or days until the project at hand is complete. The apron gets messy…sometimes the  bottom corners are used to wipe a spill or dripping paint. Sometimes it gets worn outside of the house on errands. When my kids were little, the apron was often used to wipe a chocolatey face, dry a tear, or worn to the pick-up line at school. An apron is often worn for really rugged work like the bbq celebration, on the fishing boat, on a farm, in a garden or in a restaurant kitchen.

At the end of the day, the untying of the apron signifies a job well done, the close of a good day. Sometimes off to the laundry it goes, sometimes just hung back up on the hook where it will rest and rejuvenate overnight, preparing for another productive day. I take great pride in wearing an apron! To me the apron symbolizes great strength, hard work, dedication and determination. The roll-up your sleeves type of determination, the let’s get this done and do it well determination!

Cheers to 2024 & to you all! Whatever you do, do it well …with determination …just like the apron!

xo, Jana