OK, first off, the MacIvey's are fictional so this is not really their family cookbook, but you are invited to become honorary members of the family.

Gluttons for punishment that we are, we thought it would be fun to put together a collection of recipes that date back from the early settlers in Florida, on into the 1900's, along the theme of A Land Remembered. We plan to illustrate the book with scenes from A Land Remembered as well as photos and illustrations of the food. Perhaps we'll sprinkle some excerpts from the book in among the recipes. Our hope is to produce a cookbook that is educational and fun to browse, as well as a practical guide to early Florida recipes.

We're inviting the visitors to this website and fans of of A Land Remembered to send their old family recipes handed down from parents, grandparents and great grandparents, provided they support the theme of what the MacIveys might have eaten out there in the Florida scrub country.

This won't be truly authentic because it is difficult to get racoon meat and cabbage palm hearts, but we'll make allowances for modern ingredients. I'm planning on adding our own Patrick Smith family favorites (Granny's Coconut Cake - YUM!) and my sister's fried chicken, which I believe is passed down from a couple of generations.

Now it may not be be possible to use everybody's recipes, so please don't be too disappointed if yours isn't chosen. We can't have a dozen recipes for stew or anything like that. We'll do our best to get a balanced selection of entrees, appetizers (trail snacks?), desserts, beverages, etc.

You are welcome to send copies of old family photos and if your recipe is included maybe we can include a photo of your relatives with it. Please don't send your precious originals as we do not want to be responsible for them.

If your recipe is included, you'll be able to buy the cookbook at a significantly reduced price. You'll also get a credit in the book for your recipe. We'll even have a thank you page that cites everyone who contributed, whether your recipes are included or not.

You can email recipes to us here... Send Your Recipes By Email You are also welcome to send suggestions, family stories, etc.

If you wish to mail recipes and/or photos, send them to:

MacIvey Family Cookbook Project
c/o Panorama Studios
P.O. Box 343
Cambria, CA 93428

In an ideal world we'd like to get this finished in time for Christmas 2008, but depending on how many recipes we do or don't get and how many other projects we get into, that may change.

Thanks for thinking about it!

Rick Smith