Somehow I started collecting aprons. I was traveling in Spain a few years back and saw flamenco style aprons and bought all that I could find and gave them as Christmas presents along with a cookbook "The 100 Best Tapas". Of course I had to keep one for myself and that started what turned into a collection.
My most recent addition is from the Chef Charlie Collins Cooking School. Charlie just took me and Barbara through the wonderful experience of cooking and selecting for a delicious meal. More to come on the cooking school ...
Here is the current display and you see the flamenco on the right. To its left is a gift from my friend Mary Anne, world traveler. She has been everywhere - almost - and is working on checking off any countries left on the world map. She is a member of the Travelers Century Club and hit her 100 country mark on our trip to Spain, home of the first apron! On that trip we flew to Barcelona to see the Gaudi, visited Andorra on a one-day bus trip, then flew to Madrid where I had business, continued by train to Costa del Sol. While I was in meetings, Mary Anne took another day trip, this time to Gibraltar. Another day we took the ferry to Morocco, passing through Spanish Morocco before entering Morocco proper. So she picked up 5 countries: Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar, Spanish Morocco and Morocco. She has since skyrocketed and picked up 50 + and going strong! I picked up my 50th country on that trip but my progress is not like hers (nor is my pocketbook!)
Back to the apron 2nd from right - it is a MATRYOSHKA, a Russian stacking doll! A beautiful apron with lots of trimwork and beautiful fabric.
My favorite apron must be Santa. My grandmother McClenahan embroidered this and somehow it ended up in my kitchen. Whenever I wear it at a Christmas party, someone offers to buy it right off of me! It's a real classic holiday hostess apron but I'm keeping this one. If anything, it will get passed along to a family member.
Did I mention cookbooks? See next blog about a few on my shelf.
