When author Julia Ibbotson and her husband first saw the old Victorian rectory in dire need of renovation, a mile out of the nearest village in the midst of the English moorlands, they fell in love with it and the lifestyle it represented, with its farmhouse kitchen range at its heart. This delightful memoir describes the trials and tribulations of their quest to make their vision come true. They hoped they could make the sad, neglected house glow again and that they could integrate themselves into the small traditional village, with its cottages, hall and outlying farms. The Old Rectory focuses on the centrality of the kitchen as the pulse of the family and home, and shows the importance of food and cooking throughout the changing seasons, history and moods of the countryside as the couple strive to live the dream. Award winning memoir, with five stars on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk Praise for The Old Rectory "the book is a wonderful blend of personal story (one so many of us can identify with), enchantingly told, with recipes...It all spreads happiness. Lovely!" Bel Mooney, author and journalist "destined to become a classic...I adored this book and think you will too..." Rebecca Johnson "what a jewel this book is...truly a delight...a great writer...a delightful read, all the way to the end...loved it!" Peggy Fellouris "a most talented writer...a charming story written by a writer with a wonderful voice" Nancy Mills "a beautiful tale ...delightful" Vicky DeCoster "an inspirational tale that offers many surprises..." Carol Hoenig