One of the best, and most unexpected, parts of maintaining this blog is my interaction with all of you, dear readers. Back when I started VV, I never expected to gain such a wide readership! I thought maybe my mom and a few other family members and friends would enjoy my work here.

I love getting emails with questions, suggestions, and recipes from my readers. I am still methodically attempting to respond to each and every email that I get (bear with me!) because I am always touched, amazed, and intrigued by the input that I get from you all. My favorite emails are those from readers who want to share their own cherished family recipes with me. I had the chance to try one of these recipes out tonight, and it was such a hit!

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Over the past several months, I’ve become an avid canner. I just love being able to make my own delicious jams, sauces, and spreads using fresh, local produce while it’s at its peak of flavor. Right now is a great time to think about canning some delicious apple butter. I made this batch in the fall with apples brought to me from an orchard in southern Ohio. We opened one of the last jars left over the weekend and served it on some hot biscuits for a cozy breakfast.

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Warning – this bread is totally addictive. It is just mildly sweet, perfectly spiced, dense, moist, and nutty. We could not stop eating it this morning! My husband and I easily took care of half the loaf for breakfast. I hope you will try it, but don’t say I didn’t warn you…

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Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers!!

Here in the United States, we are celebrating Thanksgiving, the harvest, our families, delicious food, and life in general. This recipe celebrates all of those, fully and simultaneously.

Again, I’m afraid I have been holding out on you, dear readers. Don’t hold it against me – just know that I still have plenty of special family recipes up my sleeve… This is pretty much my mom’s family’s most prized, most loved, most famous and most delicious recipe. And here we are, over two years into this blogging adventure together, and I am finally handing over the goods!

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, dear readers!!

Is this recipe Irish?  Not really.  Is it hearty, warming, delicious, and cozy?  Yes.  Good enough for me!!!

These Apple-Oat-Walnut-Flaxseed Muffins are moist and tender, fluffy but chock full of good-for-you goodness!  They freeze well for a quick breakfast on the go.  And they’re packed with 5 grams of fiber per muffin!  So feel free to have seconds!

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