Getting To Know The Gingham Apron Gals

If you have been a reader at The Gingham Apron for long, you know that we usually post about our four favorite things: our food, our farm, our faith, and our family. Today, I thought I’d do a little bit different kind of post. I’d like to tell you a little bit more about the five women who make up the Gingham Apron.

(Sorry close friends who already know us well… this one is more for our readers who we’ve met through this blog.)

Let me introduce myself.

I’m Annie, and I am a wife to my best friend (we met in preschool!) and a mother of five wonderful, energetic  kiddos. I used to be a junior high social studies teacher, but when my first baby was born, I left that profession and never looked back. I love home schooling, books, and sweets of almost any kind. I grew up on the farm , and because we live close enough to visit often, I get to share my childhood farm with my kids. I consider this to be one of the greatest blessings in my life.

A few of Annie’s posts: Chicken Tetrazini, Homeschooling with a Promise, Favorite Adventure Books

Random fun fact: Some of my babies have been very big babies. At the time of his birth, our fifth child held the record as the largest baby at the hospital where he was born!

Next, I’ll introduce my Mom, Denise.  Mom grew up as town kid, but after marrying my dad moved to the farm and has happily been a wife and mother here for over forty years now. Mom is fun, energetic, and completely optimistic (a trait she gained from my Grandma Betty). My mom taught me what I consider to be the most important things in life: how to love God and how to love a family. She is now a grandma to 10, and all of the kids adore her.

A few of Denise’s posts: Poppy Seed Bread, The Gentle Ways of a Beautiful Woman, Hope.

Random Fun Fact: Denise wears an apron everyday. She has a big collection of fun, cute aprons from her kids and grandkids.

Next up is Molly, my brother’s wife. Molly also grew up as a town girl, but after marrying her high school sweetheart (my brother), she made the switch to being a farmer’s wife. Molly earned a degree in interior design and worked for a corporate design firm before becoming a mother. She has a keen eye for lovely decorating, and her home is elegantly comfortable. We love her posts about beautiful home ideas and beautiful food. More importantly, she has a kind, soft spirit and is a wonderful wife and mother of two precious kids. We are so blessed to have her in our family.

Random Fun Fact: Molly once lived in Italy for 4 months (maybe this is why she makes killer pizza?!?).

A Few of Molly’s Posts: Charleston Green, French Chocolate Pie, Bucket Bread

Shelby is my other sister-in-law. She grew up in a nearby community and we were sports acquaintances in high school. I won’t forget when my brother began dating Shelby; we were thrilled. Not only was she a great catch, but also she had been raised on a farm, so we knew she would be a perfect fit for him. Shelby has degrees in health and wellness, and knows so much about healthy eating and fitness. Right now she mostly keeps fit by chasing her three little ones around.

Random Fun Fact: Shelby met and dated her husband (my brother) briefly in college, but another eight years passed before they reconnected, dated seriously, and married.

A Few of Shelby’s posts: Cranberry Orange Muffins, Chicken Rice Salad, Fishing At the Pond

Jenny is my sister, and Denise’s daughter. As an avid animal lover, she has always fit in so perfectly on the farm. Jenny loves spending time with her family, and she is a terrific aunt to lots of busy nieces and nephews.  She loves traveling, serving at her church, and whipping up delicious and quick dishes in the kitchen.

Random Fun Fact: Jenny’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and friends.

A Few of Jenny’s Posts:  3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies,  and Chocolate Toffee Saltines.

So that’s us: a mom, two daughters (sisters), and two daughters-in-law (sisters-in-law). We are all so different from one another in our personalities and preferences, but we are all part of a common… unique…  loving… farm family. .We know that family is a gift from God and that we are blessed to have each other in our lives.

Last year, we decided to start the Gingham Apron together. We have learned so much and have had a lot of fun sharing our lives with you. Our desire if that The Gingham Apron is a place of encouragement and joy for you, dear reader. Thanks for reading!

p.s. We want to get to know our readers. Please comment on this post and let us know a little bit more about you! Where do you live? What is a random fun fact about you?

Psalm 126:3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

All photos taken by Two Sisters Photography, a very talented local photographer and friend.