ADD POTATOES TO A SAUCEPAN AND COOK UNTIL FORK TENDER. STRAIN THE POTATOES AND RETURN THEM TO THE POT.
ADD THE BUTTER AND SALT TO THE POT.
MASH THE POTATOES UNTIL SMOOTH.
ADD THE MILK A 1/4 CUP AT A TIME, STIRRING UNTIL INCORPORATED UNTIL YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESIRED CONSISTENCY. ADD THE PEPPER AND CHIVES AND STIR.