Now what??

Sun., March 21, 1937 - Left for Pete's at 9:00.  Had a blow-out 3 miles east on the highway.  Met the folks at the South school & went with them.  Went over to Rews for supper.  Jensens, Iversens & we were the guests.  Had a very delicious meal.
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Wed., March 24, 1937 - Howard over to Holtgrews his a.m.  To Wayne this p.m. with Lettman.  Started to snow about 2:30 -- a regular blizzard by evening.
Thurs., March 25, 1937 - Clear and thawing.  Howard went over to Holtgrews to finish working on the tractor this p.m.

I wonder how, in the days before cell phones, that Grandma and Grandpa managed to meet up with Grandpa's parents (I'm guessing) after having a blow-out.  All sorts of ways how it could have worked out, but I'm curious nonetheless.  Problem is, I'll never know.

I titled this "Now what??" because I believe I am at the end of Grandma's diaries from the 1930's.  I know there's nothing more for 1937 in this particular diary because I paged through to the very end.  So, it is up to me to figure out where I left off when I diverged from when she was living in Lincoln to back when she was a young, unmarried lady.  Who knows how long it will take me to find the spot I need and then find the right journal to pick up there I left off.  I vow to try to make it sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, and I do hope it's a short break, here is a photo of Grandma's door tag from the Pioneer House.  As some will recall, she voluntarily took part in a little scheme to check on some of the residents living there.  In the morning, those with tags were to put them on the outside doorknob of their unit.  Then, a volunteer would check all the participating doorknobs to look for tags.  A tag showing would mean the resident was up and about and okay.  If one was not visible, the resident would be called or a knock made on the door just to be sure all was well.  The tag was to be brought back inside each evening.

When we were cleaning out Grandma's unit after she died, I decided to take her tag.  When I see it, I am reminded that everything is okay.  And I rather like that.

Capper's Weekly

Thurs., March 18, 1937 - Howard & Raymond finished hauling wood this morning.  They took the tractor over to Holtgrews this afternoon.  I subscribed for Capper's Weekly.
Fri., March 19, 1937 - Howard at Holtgrews working on tractor.  Started to snow at noon.  Howard went to town this p.m. to get corn for chickens.  Quite a blizzard by evening -- not very cold though.
Sat., March 20, 1937 - Received an apron from Irene today.  We went to town this afternoon.  Clear & thawing today.  Mom has my sweater just about done.  Over to Howard's folks this evening.  Had to walk down the east hill because of the snow that drifted in there yesterday.

I have some fond memories of Capper's Weekly.  I remember looking at it, specifically the recipes and the patterns that you could order.  I had a subscription back in the day, but no new subscription for me now.  It ended publication in 1986.  You can find single edition copies and patterns and cookbooks on eBay, however.  There is a current publication called Capper's Farmer which is under the umbrella of "Grit", as was Capper's Weekly.

I have quite a few of the patterns that Grandma and Mom used to have.  I've made things from them, too, but even if I hadn't or didn't have future plans to do so, I'd probably hold on to them anyway.  It's what I do.

I got nothin'

Mon., December 28, 1936 - Howard cutting wood. Misty & cold.  Helen & Mom stopped for the girls.  I went along to Clara's.  Went to Dane Xmas tree with kids.  Ate our lunch at Alma's.  Good crowd considering weather.
Tues., December 29, 1936 - Howard cut wood this p.m.  He brought a load home with the tractor.  We went to bed quite early.
Wed., December 30, 1936 - Snowed all a.m.  Cleared up this evening.  Howard & I played Pinochle tonite.

Not a lot to work with here.  So, I'll just add a photo and get this posted.

Photo from brooklynpaper.com

A Sunday recipe, finally

Fri., December 25, 1936 - I finished the holders while Howard baked peppernuts.  Were over home for dinner.  All the kids there.  Got some lovely presents.  Spent the evening at home eating nuts & candy.
Sat., December 26, 1936 - Cleaned up the house.  Invited to Jo's for supper.  Those there:  Rews, Iversen kids, Clara's, Margaret's, Alma & John.  Ate too much as usual.  Jean & Marjorie came home with us.
Sun., December 27, 1936 - We got up late.  Between spells we played 500 Rummy.  We all played tonite.  Irene went back to Sunol today.

How fun to imagine Grandpa baking peppernuts so Grandma could finish her handiwork.

I do not recall Grandma or anyone else making this recipe, but it's in her book and in her handwriting.  I'll gladly be corrected if she did make it often and I'm just not remembering.  It certainly is a possibility.  Also possible it was made for Christmas once or twice.

Fudgie Scotch Ring

1 cup (6 oz. pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (6 oz. pkg) butterscotch chips
1 can Borden Eagle Brand Condensed milk
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. walnut halves
Maraschino cherries, if desired

Melt chips and condensed milk in top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water.  Stir occasionally til morsels melt and mixture begins to thicken.  Remove from heat -- add chopped walnuts and vanilla.  Blend well.  Chill 1 hour til mixture thickens.  Line bottom of 9" pie pan with a 12" square of foil.  Place 3/4 cup walnut halves in bottom of pan, forming a 2" wide flat ring.  Spoon chocolate mixture in small mounds on top of nuts to form a ring.  Decorate with remaining nuts.  Add maraschino cherries if desired.  Chill in refrigerator until firm enough to slice. Cut into 1/2 inch slices.

I am guessing once the mounds are in place, you spread the mixture out a bit to also make a 2" wide flat ring.

The lovely 1936 Christmas card is from:  https://the-light-keeper.blogspot.com

Being Danish

Sat., December 19, 1936 - Iny came home today.  Cleaned the house.  Irene, Helen, Bess, & Dorothea came over tonite for our slumber party!  Iny & Bess slept on the lounge.  Howard stayed over home.
Sun., December 20, 1936 - Up to Margaret's for dinner with the folks.  Had a grand dinner.  Tonite we & the Rews were over home and made candy.
Mon., December 21, 1936 - Made some candy.  One batch failed, but the other O.K.  Went to town tonite to lodge Xmas party.  Everybody brought candy or popcorn.  The lodge bought apples.

I can just see Grandpa's reaction to an upcoming slumber party at his house.  I wonder how quickly he beat feet out the door.  Haha.  First no birthday celebration, and now this.

I went to my first Danish Sisterhood of American function this weekend.  It was not a regular monthly meeting, but their annual district convention.  Which was very nice as there were people not in our local lodge there, meaning there were extra people to visit with.  I learned over supper (and it was news to most of us at the table) that back in the earlier days of Danish immigration, there were basically two groups -- Happy Danes and Holy Danes.  The Holy Danes were very strict due to religious beliefs.  The lady next to me at supper was probably in her 70's and she said she was not allowed to go to movies or dances, and there was not a deck of cards in their house until she was in high school when her mother apparently thought she was old enough to handle the temptations and evils attached to playing cards.  She said she played Solitaire, which I imagine was fairly safe.  From what I gathered, the Holy Danes were, for whatever reason, more likely to put aside their "Danishness" -- traditions and history, etc.

The Happy Danes liked to drink and dance and were eager to embrace and preserve their "Danishness".  Based on the above photo (Uncle Nels Petersen and Peter Iversen), and the thousands of hours spent playing cards in just my childhood, I am sure that we are descended from Happy Danes.  I think I will take the photo to the next meeting as my proof.

But back to Holy v. Happy Danes.  When the Danish Museum that eventually ended up in Elk Horn, Iowa was being contemplated, the nearby town of Kimballton thought they should have the museum because they were Happy Danes and were the ones already preserving their heritage.  However, someone gifted land in Elk Horn to the museum (in their will or otherwise, I didn't hear) and that clinched that.  There were hard feelings between the two towns (only about three miles away from each other = awkward) for quite awhile.

But, that is behind them now and the museum, genealogy center, and windmill are quite the big deal for the general area.

Slow down, already

Fri., September 18, 1936 - Raymond and Howard still cutting and fixing the binder each day. We went with Raymond and Helen to a party dance at Hoskins -- Gus Perskes and Ed Schellenbergs among those giving it.
Sat., September 19, 1936 - Howard, Raymond, and Dad ground fodder this a.m.  I went with Helen, her mother, Clara & kids & Jo to Wayne to 4-H Club fair and school exhibit.  Howard and I went to town tonite.
Sun., September 20, 1936 - Chris & Clara, Elmer & Myrtle, Mike, Peter, & the folks were here today.  The men made the silo bigger.  We were over to Lettmans awhile this evening.  Howard wanted to see Ed Heithold.

Seems everyone is quite busy, busy, busy.  Glad there was some down-time involved.

Interesting how Maggie is Helen's mother and not Grandma's mother-in-law or Mrs. Iversen or something like that.  Nothing to infer, but somewhat interesting.  To me, anyway.  Here's an undated photo with some of the many people mentioned in this post.  Who is that with their arms folded in the background?  For that matter, who is sitting next to Maggie/Little Grandma?

Well, I'm getting confused

Sat., August 22, 1936 - Over to the folks all day.  The men dug silo.  I cleaned up the house.  We went to town tonite.
Sun., August 23, 1936 - We were alone all day.  Quite warm this afternoon.
Mon., August 24, 1936 - We went over to the folks this a.m.  Howard and Raymond took the tractor and paraphernalia to our place to dig a silo.  Elmer and Myrtle came.  They got some apples.  They all came here for dinner.  Myrtle helped me dress two chickens for dinner.  Howard killed a chicken hawk this a.m.  I went up home tonite while Howard and Raymond went to lodge.  Raymond took the car tonite.

Grandma surely didn't foresee some snoopy granddaughter reading and sharing her diaries, or she surely would have distinguished between Ola and Dorothea, and Peter and Maggie when she says, "the folks."  In this case, she might be referring to both for all I know.

Lots of digging, lots of family

Wed., August 19, 1936 - Howard helped dig silo over home.  The men came over here for dinner.

Thurs., August 20, 1936 - Went to town for Old Settlers Picnic.  Had dinner up home.  Rained good about 6:00 this evening.  We were home by 12:00.

Fri., August 21, 1936 - Howard went over to the folks this afternoon and they dug silo.  I washed up the dishes for Raymond.

I cannot begin to imagine how much digging would be involved to install a silo.  Big around, and I imagine fairly deep to be sure the darned thing would stay put in a high wind.

How interesting that Old Settlers should pop up, given that the weekend before last was our every-three-year family reunion.  Grandma and Grandpa both would have really enjoyed it.  For the first time, I believe, our branch of the family tree was represented via the youngest in attendance; Tanner was 5 weeks old over that weekend.  The number 17 on his onesie says that he is the 17th Iversen born here, from Peter and Maggie's children to Tanner.

As usual, I talked too much to the people I see often and not enough with the people I do not see so much.  Lots of Aunt Helen's family came back for the interment of Uncle John's ashes.  It was a nice service.  I learned quite a bit I did not know about Uncle John when the minister read his obituary.  For example, I had no idea he played in the band for Truman's inauguration.  How cool is that?

In all, a great reunion -- lots of people said so.  And as I said, Grandma and Grandpa would have enjoyed it, probably even more so than some.

Off to western Nebraska

Sun., August 16, 1936 - Had the dinner with Bess, Dorathea, Irene, Raymond, Helen, Alma and John B. here.  Everything just fine.  Pete's stopped awhile late this afternoon.
Mon., August 17, 1936 - Howard away bailing.  Went over to the folks.  I ironed while they packed.  Helen & Mrs. I. are taking Irene to Sunol tomorrow.  They're going to visit relatives in Colorado, too.  Stayed home while Howard went to Lodge.
Tues., August 18, 1936 - Went to town to wash.  On my way home Stopped to see Florence.  Emelia, Marcella, and Dallas were there.

There is a Sunol, California but, after confirming with Mom, I can say with confidence that Grandma is talking about Sunol, Nebraska.  It is in the Panhandle and therefore, close to Colorado.  And, Aunt Irene taught there.

I am not confused about that, but now I have Grandma calling her grandparents and her in-laws "the folks" so I may be confused every now and then about that.

Photo is of Sunol, Nebraska.  There's not much to say about the town, I suppose.  The population as per the 2010 census was 73.  It was platted in 1909 and a post office was established at Sunol in 1910, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1973.

Credit:  By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14957510

Poor planning on my part

Sat., May 23, 1936 - Didn't do so much -- were tired and had to rest.  I took the car and went to Jones' for Ray.  We went to a dance at Uncle Hans'.  Howard, Helen & Clarence Davis came about 10:30 -- went home with them about 2:00.
Sun., May 24, 1936 - Ray and Willie came about noon.  They mowed the lawn.  About 5:30 we went out to the place and then over to Iversens.  Tonite Mom and I took Ray to Jones', stopped at Ola's on way home and Willie stayed there.
Mon., May 25, 1936 - Mom worked on Cora Brodd's dress.  I went to Norfolk on the train to get my slippers and other stuff.

Here it is, Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary in 2018 and I am not yet to the wedding day in 1936.  Would have been neat planning on my part to have both days converge on this blog.  But prior, proper planning is not my best suit.  I will save pics for the corresponding post on the actual day.

Slightly confused at first, but worked it out

Sun., October 6, 1935 - We went to church and S.S.  Talked some more this p.m.  Ray came after me about 5:00.  He took me out to Goodlings.  Fritz Weible died last nite from the accident he was in Friday nite.  Howard and his folks went to a silver wedding anniversary this weekend.  He didn't come home in time to bring me here.
Mon., October 7, 1935 - Started giving out parts today.  We've decided to have our Halloween program Oct. 25.  Copied parts tonite.
Tues., October 8, 1935 - I had Mr. Goodling take me down to Irene's tonite to get her typewriter to type parts for the program.  Elmer and Myrtle came back Sunday.  I met Myrtle tonite.

It sounds as if Grandma is saying this is the first time she met Aunt Myrtle.  From what I can see, she and Uncle Elmer were married in Madison in February 1934 but moved to Arkansas.  Oddly enough, the 1940 census asked where people lived on April 1, 1935 and that's where that piece of information comes from.  So, maybe it was a small private, short-notice ceremony like I understand many were those days and the new couple moved south before lots of family introductions.  This makes extra sense since this is the Iversen-Nielsen side of things.  Grandma and Grandpa were possibly not the exclusive, head-line making couple then that they were in 1935.  That's my guess anyway.

I probably should have used a photo that included Uncle Elmer, but I just had to use this one.  I love my stylish footwear.

Trench chicken

Fri., September 27, 1935 - Warmer today.  Robert came after his assignments this morning.  He has trench mouth.  Howard came after me tonite.  We had chicken feed at lodge.
Sat., September 28, 1935 - Went to Norfolk with Irene, Helen, Mrs. Iversen, and Theola Nuss.  Got a new coat, dress, and slippers.  Annie and Ola here tonite.  Adolph and Alvina Nelsen stayed here tonite.  Uncle Hans here a little.
Sun., September 29, 1935 - Adolph and Alvina left this morning.  I went to S.S. and church.  Ray was home this afternoon.  Tonite Mom and I played Squeak and put a jig-saw puzzle together.

Poor Robert with trench mouth.  I had heard of it, but that was the extent of my knowledge until now.  As uncomfortable as the term may or may not sound, it is far better than the technical name, Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis.

From merckmanuals.com:

The term trench mouth comes from World War I, when many soldiers in the trenches developed the infection. Trench mouth is now rare, but minor gum infections involving just a few teeth probably occur relatively commonly. The severe form usually affects only people with an impaired immune system. Trench mouth is not contagious.

Trench mouth is a painful infection of the gums, causing pain, fever, and sometimes fatigue.  If the normal bacteria in the mouth overgrow, the gums can become infected.  The gums hurt, and people sometimes have extremely bad breath.  A professional cleaning, sometimes followed by hydrogen peroxide rinses and antibiotics, plus good oral hygiene are effective.

The infection is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of the bacteria that normally exist harmlessly in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene usually contributes to the development of trench mouth, as do physical or emotional stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep. The infection occurs most often in people who have gingivitis and then experience a stressful event (for example, final exam week or military basic training). Trench mouth is far more common among smokers than nonsmokers.

So there you have it.

I hope it was a chicken feed at lodge and not just chicken feed.  Gracious.

Well, no wonder

Thurs., May 30, 1935 - Decoration Day.  Went to the cemetery with Irene and Mrs. Iversen.  Ola and family here for dinner.  This p.m. Mayme, Uncle Hans, Meta, and Lilly were here.
Fri., May 31, 1935 - Rained hard this morning.  Cloudy all p.m.  Grussmother in bed all day.  During the past week she remodeled the hen house and cut weeds in front of the house.  Now she has a backache!
Sat., June 1, 1935 - Cleaned up the house today.  Howard came up tonite while I was cutting quilt blocks.  Looked as if it might rain but it didn't.

I looked and found out it wasn't until 1971 that Decoration Day (Memorial Day) was changed from May 30 to the last Monday in May.

By my calculations, Grussmother was 82 at the time she was remodeling the hen house -- I wonder what that entailed -- and pulling weeds.  I'd have a backache at my age, let alone if I was over 80.

I was looking for photos of Grussmother that I maybe had not used yet and came upon these two.  Obviously taken the same day, with Grandma Anna and another relative likely trading places to be the photographer.  The kids change positions but I think it's the same bunch in both photos.  Help in identifying everyone welcome.

Puddle jumper?

Sat., April 6, 1935 - Sun shone a little today.  Didn't do much of anything today.  Mom and I played Squeak tonite.  Rained this p.m. and evening.
Sun., April 7, 1935 - Didn't go to S.S.or church.  Snowed last nite and cold this morning.  Howard's folks weren't back from Fremont when he left this evening, so we rode in the "puddle jumper".  We played High Five at home with Mom and Granddad.
Mon., April 8, 1935 - Cloudy most of the day.  Marian asked me if I could stay with them Wednesday nite.  Went to bed early.

Darn it, but we really do need to start playing cards again at family gatherings.  We had so much fun doing that over the years.

I am guessing the reference to Grandpa and the car is because Grandpa gave Grandma a ride to Goodlings' on Sunday night.  I have no idea what kind of car the puddle jumper was.

An Iversen sighting

July 28, 1932 - Annie brought the car in this a.m.  Mrs. Davenport, Larry, and Valta Witte went with us.  Had our dinner at the Tourist Park, R.N.A. picnic.  I went down town with Eulalie Brugger in p.m.  Bought a new dress and shoes.  Had supper at a Tourist Park on South 13th Street.  Went wading in the Elkhorn River.
July 29, 1932 - Rainy and foggy all day.  Ray came in a few minutes this afternoon.  I slept and read.
July 30, 1932 - Cleaned house.  Alma L. came on the evening train.  We went to Carroll to the dance with Ray.  We were down town a few minutes before we went.  Alice Fleer, Ethel Lewis, Helen Iversen and another girl asked to go along.  We took them, but didn't have to bring them home.  Dorothy Jochens birthday.

No Howard, but little sis Helen makes an appearance in 1932.  I wonder when Grandpa will finally earn an entry in Grandma's diary.

The photo has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that I noticed Grandma's shoes.  All I ever remember her wearing were (sorry Grandma) old lady shoes.  I got to wear a pair of the black ones she used to favor in one of our high school plays.  They immediately added years to my age, which was good since I was playing a man-crazy old spinster.  By the end of the play my spinster married a character played by my real-life brother, Dale.  It got a chuckle out of the audience since they knew we were related.

Anyway, I like the pretty sandals Grandma is wearing.  Is that Little Grandma or maybe Aunt Clara in the photo with her -- Mom or Nancy?

Welcome to Post No. Four Hundred . . . One

"April 3, 2002:  Mary here at noon so I could shower.  Book Club meeting in evening.
April 4, 2002:  I called Myrtle in a.m.  Baked dilly bread.  Tom here for supper.  We played Rummikub.  Bill called -- he has made an appointment at Dental Clinic for me on April 17.  Tom took my laundry home.
April 5, 2002:  An uneventful day.  I called Raymond -- all okay with him."

I missed announcing the last post was Number 400.  But, the sun came up this morning, so it is all good.

Ah, Dilly Bread!  One of life's greatest pleasures in my book.  Especially lightly toasted with a bit of butter.  I was in a little shop some time back and the two ladies working there were talking with one another.  As it turns out, and as they shared with me, one of them is a big dill fan.  I asked if she had ever had Dilly Bread.  Not only had she not had the pleasure, she had never heard of it.  I promptly got the recipe from Mom and took it to her a few days later, much to her surprise.  The last time I checked, she had not made it yet but I will stop in again some time and check.  Of course, I have forgotten her name now but if I just ask for the Big Dill Fan, I should be okay.

Here's a great photo of some family picnic.  I know I wasn't there since I wasn't born yet, so I don't know if anyone brought Dilly Bread.  That's Aunt Margaret, Aunt Myrtle, Little Grandma, Aunt Kate (I think), and Aunt Clara in back.

Small world

"November 27, 2001:  At noon Mary took me to hair salon.
November 28, 2001:  Nancy came for supper.  While I went to Book Club she did the laundry.  After the meeting I showered -- the we played two games of Rummikub.
November 29, 2001:  Cloudy and cold.  Myrtle called for our regular Thursday visit.  Wayne L. installed the four-foot grab bar in the shower stall.  He said his dad knew Howard, that when his dad delivered feed in Winside he would come and visit Howard.  That must have been the guy we called Randolph Charlie.  Today was Grandma Iversen's birthday."

I picked Wayne to do the work in Grandma's unit -- he did a lot before she even moved in -- because I knew of him from my job.  I had no idea he knew Grandpa.  I knew he was from Randolph, but that was all.  He said his dad went to some kind of club house or man cave when he visited.  I informed him proudly that that was the Honda House.  And to further prove that Lincoln is really just a small town, Wayne and Dale's kids went to school together.

They may be better photos of the Honda House around, but I like this one.  Especially since I am anxious for spring to get here and am enjoying those peonies.

Lots of 'Cubing going on

"November 15, 2001:  Myrtle called in a.m.  Started reading new book.
November 16, 2001:  Nancy came for supper.  Then my shower and some Rummicube.
November 18, 2001:  Nancy came a little after 12:00.  Went shopping.  Went to Sears to get bathroom rugs.  Saw Kenneth Jaeger.  Had a real nice visit with him.  Ate at the Village Inn -- then home and played a game of Rummicube."

As previously mentioned, Grandma wanted the paint in the bedroom and living room of her new place to match the old place as closely as possible.  I was given free rein to pick the color for the bathroom.  Not that there was much wall space to paint, but I went with a light lavender.  I didn't think I could go wrong with that.  And now I can't remember what color rugs she got for in there.  Oh, well.

I looked just now at Amazon.com to see if it was Grandma or I who was spelling "Rummicube" right.  Turns out neither of us were; she consistently put Rummicub and I thought for sure that should have an "e" at the end, given the way we pronounce it.  In truth, it is Rummikub, so I'll endeavor to be correct from now on.  Interesting to note, but not enough for me to purchase, that there are miniature versions, Attache Rummikub and Travel Rummikub.  Both sound way too little to mess with, but in a pinch I guess all bets would be off.

Speaking of Aunt Myrtle, here's this great photo of (l. to r.) Aunt Margaret, Aunt Myrtle, Little Grandma , Aunt Clara and . . . Aunt Kate?

A day late, but that's okay with me

"June 8, 1995:  Rainy and cloudy all day.
June 9, 1995:  Ray & Aileen here in p.m.  Went back to Norfolk for supper and to a motel.  Verna (Louie's) B. on Thursday had a stroke -- was taken to Omaha.
June 10, 1995:  Tom, Bill, Nancy and Mitch came about 11:00.  Went to Legion Hall at noon for Brogren reunion.  Haroldean and son Gene stopped here about 10:00.  Haroldean hadn't been here for years and wanted to see if it had changed much.  Had a good turnout.  The Lincoln folks went back in evening."

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this the reunion where Mitch got all muddy and embarrassed?  I believe it was.  Of all the ones for me to miss, right?

I wanted to add this photo and clipping that relate more to yesterday's post than today's, since I couldn't pass on the Hagar cartoon yesterday.  Plus, today we have a mention of Uncle Ray, so the photo is appropriate in that way.  Happy, happy all around.

Cream pies!

"January 16, 1995:  Baked two cream pies -- one a birthday present for Lester.  Ted Wallingford called tonight that Dora was very sick.
January 17, 1995:  Tom called tonight.  They plan to come the 28th and 29th for my birthday.
January 18, 1995:  Went to Busy Bees Club at Ella Mae C.'s.

Every family has certain recipes that are "musts" for certain occasions.  I think cream pies would rank right up there near the top of the list with our family -- somewhere close to Omaha Potatoes.  I was an adult before I tasted cream pie, I believe.  Not that they doesn't look tasty, I just hadn't figured out what all the fuss was about and just left them for the obvious fanatics.

I had this post all ready to go yesterday, but thought I should delay until I could scan a photo of the known originator of the cream pie tradition, Maggie "Little Grandma" Iversen.  So, here she is.  I wish I could have known her.