Come away with me and meet my grandmother,Mary Ann Ivie. The plucky little lady,born in the wilds of Idaho in 1878,had seven children to rear,gardens to manage,food to put by,dinners to cook,and tales to tell. Stroll with Mary Ann through her garden and learn how her faith in God and strength of family scaffolded her through trials in life and assured the survival of six generations. Always the practical woman,to make her dresses last longer Mary Ann fashioned cobbler's aprons with pockets marching across the fronts. By end of day, those pockets would harbor collections of odd buttons, weeds with clumps of clinging soil, a snot rag or two, assorted hair pins, a page torn from a catalogue, lint. Errant pins, needles, and the occasional fish hook decorated her left shoulder. Family and friends checked that shoulder carefully before sharing hugs. Mary Ann had a strong willed daughter and one naughty tongued granddaughter. She took to carrying a bit of pepper in one of her apron pockets to catch the nasty tongues and sass that erupted from those two. Quick as a blink, she would catch the little girls before they could run. They never knew if they were being peppered with spice, particles of soil from her weed collection, or lint. All in good time,the wicked little tongues were tamed. Heirloom recipes of English,Swedish,German,Basque,and country traditions accompany each story.
