A colorful apron from Leah Durgin

Happy New Year to our friends and readers—we’ve missed you. Like so many families, we’re trying to get back to our regular routine after a busy holiday, while mentally preparing for the long winter ahead.

When it’s too chilly to play outside, one of our favorite housebound activities is to cook or bake something new. That’s why we love these child-size aprons from Quilt and Quest in Sabattus. Grandma Potato gave them as Christmas gifts, and CP #1 and #2 couldn’t wait to give them a test run. Apron designer Leah Durgin includes seven easy recipes for little ones to try. We didn’t even have to crack open a cookbook. Our personal favorite? No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

Durgin’s aprons are only $10 each, and the pockets are easy to fill with cooking accessories (Grandma Potato included a wire whisk, wooden spoon and spatula). Visit the Quilt and Quest site and you’ll also find art and gardening aprons in fun, vivid prints.

Now all we need are coordinating chef’s hats….