03/23/2025
So, why “Gertie?”
Growing up, I always felt very connected to my Swiss heritage and I LOVED hearing stories about how my great-great-grandmother, Rosa Aebi, became more and more anxious, with each child she bore. She worried over her husband, Rudolph, a mountain climber in the middle of the Swiss Alps.
So, they packed up their 8 children and boarded a ship to come to America to start a new life sometime around the turn of the century into the 1900s. They chose Iowa…no mountains in site 😊 They went on to have 11 children total, but I grew up admiring this photo of the family of 10, taken right around the same time of their journey.
Even tho I came down the line via Rose Aebi, I was always drawn to her older sister’s photo, Gertrude. If I ever met “Aunt Gertie” (as she was refered to), I have no recollection but I LOVED her just from this photo and I always wanted a daughter I could name “Gertie.” Well, I have FOUR daughters, and through no fault of my own, I didn’t get to name any of them (different story for a different time lol).
When I started my sourdough journey, and saw the trend or tradition of giving your starter a name, it wasn’t even a 2nd thought. She was “Gertie” from day 1 and she has thrived ever since!!
Tonight, Gertie has just been fed and ready for her big dough day tomorrow in preparation of our big announcement of where you’ll find us this week!!
Photo included below:
Red Star: my great-grandma, Rose
Blue Star: her sister, Gertie
Also pictured with Rudolph and Rosa are Elizabeth, Hannah, Margarite, Hettie, Rudolph, and I can’t remember the baby boy’s name but I’m sure my mom or siblings may pipe in if they see this post. Maybe George? 😊
