de Laat Family 2.0

Thursday, June 17, 2010

My mom came across this entry in my Gandmother Phoebe's "memoirs" regarding aprons. I loved it, so thought I would share it here...

14 April 2002 Aprons

One rarely sees a woman wearing an apron now-days. We more often see an apron on a son as he barbecues.

My grandmas wore long aprons gathered onto a band that tied in back. Usually they were removed when she was done in the kitchen. My mothers apron covered all the front of her dress and much of the back. Made with a straight front and straps that crossed in the back. Mamas were made on her sewing machine of bright prints and circled with colored bias tape. When laundring (sic) a bit of starch was used so they had body, and were clean and fresh looking. Mama always wore an apron over her dress. They matched the color of her house dresses. Mama was a heavy busted woman and I learned in the last years of her 88th yr of life that most of the reason she always wore an apron, after she no longer worked in the kitchen was a clothing one. She was uncomfortable in a bra and the apron over her slip & dress was an added cover up. Aprons had many uses. They were used to gather vegetables from the garden or eggs from the hen house. Hands were dried at the side or the bottom raised to whip (sic) a sweaty forehead and I’ve seen some women whip (sic) a childs nose. Often on a cold evening or windy day it was raised to wrap around ones arms to keep the chill away. Many a time I lifted the corner of my mamas apron to hide behind when a very unexpected stranger came to our prairie home door. They wiped a dish or dust from a table. Often Mama used a corner of hers to clutch the handle of a hot pan or lift a hot dish from the oven. My grandmas or Mama always had clean aprons to begin any job. In my day aprons became fancy and were more of a show item. I have a picture of Aunt Maud & I (sic) showing off our aprons. They had bibs or just came to the waste (sic). Of course they were shorter because dresses were, but often barely covered the front of ones (sic) skirt. They were made of print organdy or crocheted! Had unusual pockets. Most of the time we looked like we might be working but were really showing off.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Avocado w/ Vinagrette

Also super easy and goes well with the mango salsa...

1 Avocado
1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
shaved parmigian cheese

Make Good Seasons dressing according to instructions on box, using balsamic vinegar. Shake well. Slice avocado in half and remove pit. Places halves on salad plates. Pour desired amount of dressing into the hole left by the pit in each slice. Sprinkle with shaved parmigian, and garnish to the side with mango salsa.

Super yum!

Mango Salsa - Super Yum!

All the credit for this one goes to my friend Jamie. It is super good with fish, or with an avocado, or alone! I think this will be a new summer favorite. Very fresh and light. Thanks Jamie!

Mango Salsa

1 cucumber, diced
300 g. (about 1 regular pkg) red and/or yellow cherry tomatoes
1 avocado, cubed
1 small red onion, diced
1 ripe mango, cubed
juice of 1 lime
1 small can sliced pineapple, diced (optional)
sugar to taste

combine all cut ingredients (try about 1/2 the red oinion first, then add more if you think it needs it) in a bowl or ziplock bag. Add lime juice and sugar to taste. Let sit in fridge at least 2 hours so that juices and flavors marry.

Our beautiful daughter... Süss!

On Saturday we went out to a nearby guesthouse for lunch. It is called Süss which ironically means "sweet." After eating Luna had a little extra energy, so she ran around in the parking lot for a while and I snapped these pictures. I just loved them too much not to include them all! Wie Süss!

And this is a special invitation (Einladung) that Luna brought home from Kindergarten last week. It's for their Sommerfest or summer festival in the town forest. It was too cute not to share!