Frances Mayes

Frances Mayes was a college professor when she decided to buy a house in Tuscany with her future husband, Ed. Frances was frightened at the idea of losing all her savings in this purchase, but the idea of having a permanent getaway in the country she had come to love was too much to pass up. Frances and Ed went through the rocky and often confusing process of buying the house and found themselves owners of a small farm that had been abandoned and left to the mercy of the elements for thirty years. The house would require a great deal of work, but both Ed and Frances were excited by the challenge.

Frances Mayes grew up in a family where food was the centerpiece of all family get togethers and celebrations. Frances loved food, and the idea of being in Italy, where food was traditionally simple...