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Christmas 2016

Hello, friends. Sharing some pictures from 2016 fall photo session.

Valentina's Corner 2016

I love receiving mail in December! We love to see how all of our friends’ kids charge over the year, and we keep our cards up all year long, does anyone else? Then I create a book with the cards in it.

P.S. I often get e-mails asking for our mailing address. We’d LOVE to see the families that are a part of our blogging world:

Valentina’s Corner

P.O. Box 29

Middlebranch, OH  44652

This guy is my rock!. He loves me for who I am, unconditionally (even when I am a stinker and kind of hard to love).

Thank you, Heavenly Father for such a wonderful gift.

Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway

We celebrated 14 years together November 30th. How crazy is that?

Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway
Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway

The ladies of the family.

Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway

The men.

Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway

And the baby.

Valentina's Corner 2016 - Christmas Giveaway


Our littlest peanut, Abigail. Look at our family pic from 2014, her hair back then! Oh my.

HUGE thank you to my sisters Jessica and Alla for taking the pictures.

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170 Comments

  1. Valentina,
    thank you so much for sharing your beatuful family with us. They are all so adorable. I love everything about your blog. Honestly though, I think your personal posts are the best. I have learned so much from you. Things I took and started doing in my marriage and it was really helpful and hubby even noticed, so he really liked your blog too, lol.
    God bless you and your family. Wishing His protection over your family and cannot wait to see all the great stuff you come up with in New Year.. Merry Christmas. <3

    1. Elisiya,
      Thank you for you lovely comment. I am so glad you enjoy our family’s blog. Feeling very humbled to hear this.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family. Wishing you a wonderful 2017 filled with lots of memories.

  2. Hi valya, thank you so much for running this blog for all of us! I have tried and loved many of ur recipes. Your family/marriage posts have been a big blessing to me and I hope u continue to post more blogs about that topic in the future! May your beautifull family be blessed this Christmas!!!

    1. Galina,
      I am so glad you found something useful on our blog. Thank you for the encouragement, it means a ton! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones as well. Blessings in the upcoming year.

  3. Hi Valentina,
    Fav from your blog is Goluptsi, best ever!
    Your kiddos are all so good looking. We really miss you posting their video recipes. Our kids watch them over and over:)..
    Thank you for the address. I would love to send you a blessing since you’ve done so much for us all year long.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family. God’s blessing in the New Year..

    1. Alisha,
      Yaay, you tried the goluptsi. Though I am a bit embarrassed, those pictures really need updated, like yesterday.
      Awwwww. So glad you guys look forward to those. I cannot wait to do more videos in the upcoming year. We have so much fun doing those.
      You’re so kind, I cannot wait to see what you send. XOXO. Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

  4. Hello! My favorite recipe from your blog is rogaliki, I make the cookies very often my kids and hubby love them. Thank you for sharing your recipes. Merry Christmas!

    1. Luda,
      That’s awesome. I must admit, my mother-in-law’s Rogaliki truly are the BEST! They are so addictive though, sigh. The struggle is real, hehe.
      Merry Christmas to you, your hubby and kiddos. Wishing many blessings upon your family.

  5. Love everything about your blog. Would love to see more of simple dinner ideas 🙂 We are expecting our second child next year and maybe you could include posts on what has helped you make the transitions with each additional child in your family. Thank you and God bless your wonderful family! Sending many blessings your way!

    Merry Christmas,
    Angie

    1. Angie,
      Thank you for the warm comment. Congrats on the second child, what a blessing. Children and such a blessing, and so much work!
      Thanks for the ideas for 2017, wrote that down.
      Wishing you a speedy delivery and recovery. Enjoy them while they are little, they grow up way too fast.
      Happy New Year and a blessed Christmas Celebration.

  6. I love your recipes – especially the desserts! I am actually looking forward to trying your chocolate chip with cream cheese cake bars this weekend to bring to a family Christmas party! (Wish me luck!) 🙂

    Merry Christmas!

    1. Gladys,
      Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Oooo, good choice, those bars are soo delicious. How’s that video to go along with them, so cute;). Hoping your family enjoys them as much as we do.
      Thank you for visiting our family’s blog.

    1. Olya,
      Merry Christmas to you as well. Wishing you a wonderful celebration and prosperous New Year.
      Thank you for visiting.

  7. Valentina,
    My favorite recipe from your blog is the chocolate birds milk jello. Please post more of the testimonies, I’m always looking out for those. Also, I would love to see more family posts, for ex how do you keep the kids busy during summer break, what activities do you do with them, how do you plan your day and get everything done, etc.
    Merry Christmas to your beautiful family, and blessings in the new year!

    1. Thank you so much Nelya, glad you like that jello.
      That’s awesome, I’m so happy you enjoy those testimonies. They are such a blessing to me as well.
      Hhhhh, thank you for the ideas for future posts. I will definitely work on something like that. Plus, other people can comment and give their ideas as well, we can all learn something. Love it, thank you.
      Happy a very Blessed Christmas and a blessed New Year filled with tons and tons of memories.

    1. Awesome! Thank you Masha. I agree, those are fantastic kind of meals. Definitely adding to my “create a recipe” list.
      Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

  8. I love the testimonies you have been posting, I can’t wait for more! Also, we are all short on time so more slow cooker recipes would be great. Oh and your family photos are gorgeous!! Everyone is so photogenic… You dress everyone so nicely, such a perfect pallete of colors!

    1. Aaaaawwww Katy, you’re so sweet. Thank you. So glad they semi-like getting their pictures taken. Not sure how much longer that will last, our oldest is a teenager this year. So, I’m enjoying snapping pictures as long as they will let me, ha!
      That’s so good to hear you enjoy those. It really took forever for me to finally decide that. It’s been on my heart for a REALLY long time.
      Adding slow cooker to the list, thank you. Seems like people are becoming busier and busier, easy meals for the win. 🙂
      Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Wishing you a really wonderful and blessed new year.

  9. I love love love your blog! I tried so many recipes and they all turned out fantastic! I have a picky eater as a husband. He approved of all so far! Thank you so much for sharing these recipes! I have two favorite recipes so far. The tilapia that I tried a while ago and it became a family favorite. Second one is the crab stuffed salmon. I made it for guest and it was a hit! I would love to see in 2017 is more fast to make meals and more personal post. I feel like I learn so much from those! Again thanks for your blog so much! Merry Christmas!!

    1. Tanya,
      Aww, so loved reading your comment. I can relate about the picky eater, my dad is like that. If he ever really likes a recipe, that’s like double points, haha. Mmm, love that tilapia, actually making that tomorrow. I REALLY need to update the pics on it. It’s rather embarrassing, sigh.
      Love hearing what you’d like to see in 2017, THANKS for the ideas. I learn so much from peoples comments on the personal posts. They are a blessing to me as well.
      Thank you for visiting our family’s blog. Blessings on the upcoming New Year.

  10. I LOVE the layered cake with almonds and coconut ? So delicious. I love that your blog is God centered. Keep up the good work mama!!!’n

    1. Luda, Thanks bunches for the sweet comment. Oh that cake is a favorite of my hubby’s, he really likes it, a lot.
      Thank you for visiting our family’s blog and trying our recipes. We are so happy to have you.

    1. Hi Isabella, I absolutely LOVE your name. So so beautiful.
      Thank you for trying our recipe, that salad is a personal favorite. It never gets old.
      Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

  11. I love your chicken and vegetable one pan meal! Would love to see some tasty slow cooker meals! My sister in law and sister are having baby’s in the beggining of 2017 and I’m so excited for them! You have a beautiful family. God Bless you and your family in the new 2017 year.

    1. Nadia,
      How exciting! Babies are such a blessing. I love babies so much. Always have baby fever when I go visit newborns, then I come home and realize how hard it is to raise them and baby fever disappears, haha.
      Mmm, love that pan meal. We have it a lot, it’s so easy to throw together and is so versatile.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family. Blessings on the upcoming New Year.

  12. Happy Holidays to you! May God abundantly bless your family:)
    I can’t say I have a favorite recipe because I like how all your recipes are simple but delicious. The layered salad is great though; love it! I would like to read more testimonies on your blog. It’s very refreshing to read a blog that’s more christian based. These days there are so many bad websites that don’t let us grow spiritually. I admire your Godly family, and that your are not ashamed to be a Christian . Being a young christian mom I love to read stories like yours. God bless you and help you spread His word through your website. Merry Christmas to your family:) you have beautiful kids!

    1. Thank you Ilona for the beautiful comment. I am so grateful that you enjoy the testimonies. They are such a blessing to me as well.
      I love hearing that young mom enjoy reading our blog. That’s just wonderful and makes me oh so happy.
      Blessing upon your family. May God give you wisdom as a mother and even more importantly, a wife. May all those around you be blessed because they know you. Merry Christmas.

  13. I really enjoy reading blogs and by far yours is always refreshing! I love reading the testimonies and I really enjoy all the baked goods, easy to follow. Thank you for keeping it up. And 2016 has been a very blessed year for our family, through all our hardships God has always been there and has blessed us with a baby coming 2017:) we are so excited!!! So freezer meals is something I’m looking into.

    1. Anna,
      Yaay, Congrats on the baby, how exciting! I agree, in the ups and downs, He is very faithful. Though it’s hard for us to comprehend His ways sometimes.
      Wishing many, many blessings upon your family.

  14. Hi Valentina,
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Im a mother of 4 kids and they are all 5 and under and they keep me busy. I love that your recipes are easy to follow, don’t take too much time and affordable ingredients. Thank you!!

    1. Hi Karina,
      Oh you sure are a busy mamma. I only have one more than you, but they are older and help out a ton and it’s still very difficult.
      Wishing you a very blessed upcoming New Year and a Merry Christmas. May God give you wisdom and patience to raise you kiddos and your hubby be your rock and support.

  15. Valentina! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! May the Lord bless you even more in the upcoming new year and always! I enjoy reading your blog and trying out new recipes. Piroshki recipe is one of my favorites:) Even more so, I enjoy reading the posts under the “This and That” category, and I’d love to see more of those in 2017.
    In January it’ll be 3 years since I’ve been married, and we have two little boys (almost 16 months and 3.5 months). Your blog has been inspiring me to try new recipes and become more organized (meal planning and such). Keep it up! <3

    1. Lesia,
      Welcome to our Blog. Thank you so much for your blessings and support, it’s so appreciated.
      So happy to know you have explored our “This and That” Tab, the one I get most nervous to post in.
      Wishing you and your hubby many wonderful memories in the upcoming year. May your two munchkins bring you tons and tons of joy.

  16. Your recipes so easy to follow, step by step by step instructions are handy for teaching my little helpers being in the kitchen more (6 y.o. and 4 y.o.) they love watching videos of your kids baking and they want to be “chef” when they grow up (at least that’s what they are telling their teacher). Truly, they love being in the kitchen with me, and 2016 was a very blessed year for us as God blessed us with Son who was born in September 2016. (Now family of 5). Being on maternity leave gives me more time to spend in the kitchen with my girls cooking/testing majority of your recipes and just watching my girls preparing meals brings me joy. Would like to see more kids recepies if possible.
    God bless your family and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    1. Hi Lyuda,
      Congrats on the baby. I bet your girls absolutely love him. What a fun age to have a baby.
      You are doing a good job, mama, having them start young in the kitchen. Our kiddos love being in the kitchen too. I think the work that takes twice as long but worth every ounce of trouble, right?
      Blessings in the upcoming New Year.

  17. Hi Valya,
    Merry Christmas to you and your family! I like reading the testimonies. I would also like to see more one pot meals.

    1. Julie,
      So very happy to hear you enjoy those. Just makes my heart sing.
      Thanks for the vote for one pot meals.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you have a very blessed day celebrating and gathering with loved ones.

  18. Valentina, Merry Christmas!
    I like to read your blog posts and your recipes are really yammy.
    I would like to see some crockpot recipes.
    Thank you for all you do!

    1. Thank you so much Galina for visiting our blog and for your sweet comment. We appreciate it.
      Thanks for the vote for more crock pot recipes. I love hearing your ideas. Definitely will be seeing more of those.
      Blessings to you and your family.

  19. I would love to see more of your fast and easy, one pan, family meals in 2017!!!!
    Merry Christmas to your beautiful family❤️

    1. Thank you for visiting Ruthie. I love your name. Was actually a name we were thinking of for our little munchkin.
      Fast, easy and family friendly meals it is! Thanks for the input.
      Merry Christmas.

  20. Merry Christmas to your family! Enjoy the salad recipes you post, will be making your broccoli salad for Christmas lunch. Also keep posting more of the testimonies, very encouraging!

    1. Alesia,
      Yaay, so glad to hear our recipe will be a part of your Christmas lunch, kind of makes it feel like I was a part of your meal, which is very special. 🙂
      So encouraged that you are enjoying the testimonies. That’s just so wonderful.. THANK YOU..
      Merry Christmas, have a blessed time together with your loved ones.

  21. Thank you Valentina for your Amazing Blog. I absolutely love it. I really like that it’s not only recipes, even though they are so yummy.. Hoping to see more raising kids posts in 2017. I love your posts on family.
    Btw, we named our last daughter after your Abigail. We couldn’t decide on a name and I remembered hearing you name your daughter Abigail and loved it:)..
    Many, many blessings to your beautiful family.

    1. Olenka,
      That is so cool, oh my.. I’m so glad our little Abigail helped you decide on a name – that’s just so awesome.
      I appreciate your supporting our blog. Many times I doubt myself and not sure what to post and what would be a blessing to others, I am so grateful you enjoy it. Thank you, thank you. 🙂

  22. I would love to see more posts on raising children. I have a very difficult 4 year old son, a lot of times I’m at a loss of what to do. I loved loved loved the few posts you did on marriage/family.

    1. Thank you for visiting Natasha. I get you. Our first three were such wonderful children, so obedient and easy. However, our third child was a really strong-willed child and it was tough – really tough. I read so many books and asked people for so much advice, sigh. Have you read the book Have a New Kid by Friday? It was such a blessing to me. Helped me really think outside of the box with disciplining and creative parenting. I really, really enjoyed that book.
      I will also work on a post with ideas that helped us and what we tried. Other advise people gave us that we tried and helped. 🙂
      Merry Christmas 🙂

  23. Thank you SO much for starting up this blog and sticking to it; even posting whenever you have a chance. Please don’t ever stop blogging! Please! Those testimonies that you started posting are such an encouragement!! Your blog is perfect just the way it is. Right now, our favorite from your blog is the Chicken Alfredo. Thank YOU for all that you do, Valentina. May God dearly bless you and your family!!!

    1. I got all teary-eyed from your comment, Victoria. It’s so sweet, encouraging, thoughtful and SO appreciated. I am actually going to print it and put it into my Bible journal for encouragement when I have a not-such-a-wonderful day and stress level is a bit higher than normal, hehe. 🙂
      I am so encouraged that so many people are blessed by the testimonies, very surprised, actually. I will be honest, it was something God put on my heart a while back. I was so scared and unsure whether I should go ahead and do that. He kept nudging and nudging. So glad I finally started that, they have been such a blessing to me as well.

    1. VJ,
      What a WONDERFUL idea for wellness remedies! I LOVE it. Definitely will have to start writing down all the things we use and create a post like that.
      Appreciate your feedback so much.
      Have a wonderful time celebrating with your loved ones. <3

  24. Hi Valentina,
    I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! I love your blog and all your recipes. One of my favorites would have to be the korzinki with cream. So good!!:) I have tried many of your dessert recipes and all of them are delicious! I would like to see more crockpot recipes and video recipes:) Also more testimonies and personal post, those are always soo encouraging. May God bless you!!

    1. Anna,
      Drum roll, please! I found a fellow Korzinki lover. Oh how I love those, like serious love, like no self-control love. Haha.
      Thank you for all the ideas and feedback. Oh how I appreciate all of your support, we truly have the nicest friends (readers).
      I’m so happy you enjoy the kids’ videos. Those are probably my favorite to do, just wish they weren’t so time-consuming. My Mr. is going away on a mission trip for two weeks and kids are asking to do a few recipes while daddy is away.
      Thank you for visiting our blog – we are happy to have you.

  25. Thank you for all that you do. I’ve tried many of your recipes and they have become family favorites. In 2017, It would be nice to see more one pot meals. I have 4 little ones, so less cleaning is always a plus. 🙂 Merry Christmas

    1. Hello Lana,
      I head ya, mamma. The easier the clean-up the better. We will definitely focus on easy one-pot meals and slow cooker meals.
      Thank you so much for the feedback and for visiting, we are humbled to have you try our simple recipes.

  26. Thank you so much for your website. Your family is so beautiful.I love seeing your video recipes with your kids. I have a 3 year old and shes always is in the kitchen with me, hopefully one day she will help out instead of make mess. I would love to see more family dinner recipes and tutorials. Be blessed wishing your family peace love and success. Happy New Years.

    1. Thank you Natasha for the ideas. Cannot wait to tell my kiddos their videos are enjoyed. Oh how I know what you mean about the kids’ “help” in the kitchen. Some days, seriously, takes three times as long. That’s the only way they will learn and they grow up so fast. Before we know it, the will outgrow those days of wanting to help.
      Many blessings to you and your family in the upcoming year as well.

  27. Dear Valentina,
    What a wonderful family you have! Merry Christmas!! May God bless your family abundantly in 2017!
    Thank you so much for your website! I have tried many of your recepies, golubtsi is one of my family favorite from your site! I am a busy mama of three little ones ! I would love to see more testimonies on your blog, I love to read them! Be blessed!

    1. Lena,
      Thank you for visiting, we are so happy to have you visit.
      I am just so happy that you enjoy the testimonies, that’s like music to my ears. They are especially wonderful to read when it’s a rough day and you realize, hey, things aren’t so bad after all.
      Yay, you’ve tried our goluptsi, that’s awesome.
      Mamma, wishing you Lord’s wisdom as you are raising your kiddos. May He give you guidance and patience and you are raising the next generation of God-fearing adults. May your hubby love and adore you and be the rock and support a women so needs.

  28. Merry Christmas to your family! Honestly your blog is my go to for many recipes! There are so many good ones that its hard to say which is my favorite! But I definitely love all of the salad recipes, its always to have a new side that not everyone has tried yet;) For next year I would like to see if you can make presiki! They are one of our favorite desserts and it would be nice to see a new recipe for it! This year we married off our baby of the family and I had the honor of being her wedding planner and made her wedding cake! It was quite an experience! Also your testimonies are AMAZING!! I have read each and everyone of them. They are uplififting and very needed for the soul. Don’t stop doing what you’re doing because your blog is one of a kind. Many blessings to you guys:)

    1. Oksana, I think I re-read your comment like 5 times. Some days being a stay at home mamma is so exhausting. Feels like I talk to normal adults so rare and it’s so good to hear from another woman and her happenings.
      How exciting that you got to be the wedding planner! I LOVE that kind of stuff. Am an interior designer and have a really creative side to me. I bet that was so fun! Did you have a large family? We have 11 siblings total, only three left at home with my parents, I cannot imagine what it will be like for them to have the last one leave the home.
      Hhhh, presiki, I am going to dig through my mamma’s recipe book. I am not sure I’ve even had them. Maybe we had a different name for them. Thank you for the idea, I’ve got myself a mission.

  29. I would love to see more posts about the testimonies, there so encouraging and uplifting ! They serve as a blessing to me ! May GOD BLESS you all this upcoming New Years! wow praise GOD HE has been gracious and we were able to live up to this day !

    1. Svetlana,
      Thank you so much for the comment. So glad you are encouraged by the testimonies. That just makes me grin from ear to ear.
      Wishing you a blessed time celebrating Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Thank you for visiting.

  30. Happy holidays to you and your family! Your recipe for crab-stuffed salmon is a favorite of mine. I love seafood recipes, and this is one of the best I’ve come across. I’d love to see more seafood recipes in the future!

    1. Jordan,
      Welcome to our Blog! We are really happy to have you.
      Oh that’s a great one, I love that recipe, so glad you enjoy it as well. Thank you for the idea for future posts, seafood recipes it is.
      Have a wonderful 2017.

  31. I absolutely love your chocolate timurs cake! I’ve been looking for a cake like that for the longest time and all the recipes I’ve seen are nothing that I was looking for. And then I came across your blog and recipes and found THE CAKE!!! my family loves it, my relatives love it and it’s one of my favorites! And definitely not hard to make! Thank you for posting all them yummy recipes. I love to try out something new and expand my recipe book! God bless you and your family! P.s. Your kids are adorable!

    1. Luba, that’s just so awesome. I love that you enjoy that cake, isn’t my hubby’s ultimate favorite so it’s dear to my heart as well. I was actually thinking of playing around with it and making mini bite-size pieces. How cool would that be?
      That’s for the cute kids comment. So glad they took after dad in the looks department, hehe.
      Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

  32. One of my favorite recipes from your website is your raspberry roulade. It’s my go to recipe. Always turns out great. Thank you!

    1. Liliya,
      Was hoping someone would mention that Roulade. It’s a favorite of mine.
      Thank you for trying our recipe and for visiting our blog. Have a blessed upcoming Year.

  33. Merry Christmas to your family!!!
    Some of the things I’d like to see are slow cooked recipes. And just simple weekday dinner ideas.
    Thanks!

    1. Thank Lily for the input. I think slow cooker meals are definitely winning:). Love simple and easy meals and will really focus more on those.
      Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

  34. I’ve made quite a few of your recipes. My husband and in laws really like the one pan chicken thigh, potatoes and veggies dish. Today I’ve made your pastry pies which my family loves! I would like to see more of the testimony posts. The last post you had I’ve sent to a few close friends and even read to my husband. Such a powerful testimony! God bless you and your family in everything!

    1. Angie,
      Mmm, love both of those recipes. So easy with clean up. Less clean up is always a winner.
      Just so amazed how many of you enjoy those testimonies, just so awesome. So encouraged and inspired to keep posting those. I am hoping more and more readers/friends will be willing to share their story. Truly appreciate the feedback.
      Have a BLESSED Christmas and prosperous New Year!

    1. Thanks so much for trying our recipe, Anastasiya. We are glad to have you visit our humble blog.
      Merry Christmas to you as well. Hoping 2017 brings you many wonderful memories.

  35. Hello, I really enjoy your website and the amazing recipes you post. One thing I always love reading and wish to see more of is the testimonies. I enjoy reading how God changes people’s lives. Thank you for sharing your Godly character and for being an example and light to many readers. May The Lord bless you and your beautiful family!

    1. Anastasiya, My cheeks are blazing red with heat from such a comment. However, I promise I am no different than the rest and have more flaws that I can count, sigh. Thanks for the sweet comment about the kiddos God has given them. We are so blessed they are ours.
      Testimonies it is. Truly appreciate you commenting about those. I’m so inspired that so many of you enjoy reading those. To Him be the Glory who makes all things beautiful.

  36. Valentina,
    First of all, thank you for having such a amazing and versatile blog! It’s officially my favorite. You post the most delicious foods (my favorites are the chicken alfredo and the raspberry layered cake) with such simple and easy steps anyone could follow. The testimonies always warm my heart and pictures of your beautiful family make me soo happy! I love keeping up with your life and the goings on of your journey! Merry Christmas, wish you all the success and blessings in the world!!

    1. Jessica,
      You’re so sweet. Thank you for visiting. Thank you for all of your support. You know I would not be able to run this blog without you in my life.
      Love you sis! <3 <3 <3

  37. Thanks for all your hard work on such a great blog! All recipes that I have tried are a keeper and I don’t even know which would be a favorite. All posts are great, so keep them coming! 🙂 Every year is a memorable year and there’s always something that comes up to remind us how mighty our God is! Have had some health issues before and received healing. Praise God!

    1. Sveta,
      Thank you for visiting and trying our recipes.
      Agree with you, our God is amazing. I’d love to hear your testimony! Would you like to share in on our blog for readers? If so, send me as e-mail to [email protected] :).

  38. Dearest Valentina
    I really enjoy your blog and all the tasty recipes. I especially loved the snickers cake-delicious! I have been reading your testimonies, they are very touching. May God bless you and your lovely family throughout the new 2017 year. And hope that this Christmas will put a song of joy and fill your hearts with peace for the wonderful Bethlehem message-the birth of our Saviour. I have been looking for a recipe called “cherepaha” it is a cake I’ve heard about since childhood but haven’t seen any bloggers posting it yet. Thank you for all your hard work and may the Lord sen more success in what ever you do for us and your family:)

    1. Angela,
      Snickers cake – good choice. Love that recipe.
      Oh thank you for the idea, cherepaha, I’ve never heard of it but definitely will dig through my mamma’s recipe books. Can’t wait to post it. 🙂
      So glad you enjoy the testimonies. Just makes me oh so happy.
      Have a blessed New Year and stop back to visit.

    1. Alla,
      Thanks so much for the vote for testimonies, LOVE it!
      School lunches idea, awesome. We will definitely need to do that. Thank you for the idea. 🙂

  39. Hi Valentina,
    I love your cakes and desserts, especially the timur’s chocolate cake. I would like to continue seeing more desserts and also more personal post and testimonies. May God bless you and you family!!

    1. Yana,
      Yaay, a Timur’s Cake lover.. Makes my heart skip a beat. It’s my hubby’s ultimate favorite so it’s so dear tomy heart. 🙂
      Thank you for the ideas for the upcoming year. I loved hearing your input.
      Many, many blessings upon your family. Wishing you all health and love. May there always be peace in your home :)..

  40. Hi Valentina,
    I love your cakes and desserts, especially the timur’s chocolate cake. I would like to continue seeing more desserts and also more personal post and testimonies. May God bless you and you family!!

  41. I don’t even know where to start with my favorite recipes of your blog, I love everything I try, the salmon recipe, no bake Spartak it’s tastes just like any other Spartak, pizza recipe, omelet and so much more! I’m planning to try no bake dessert with nilla waffers and strawberry instead of blueberry, I also love the testimonials and all your personal posts, keep it all coming in this coming new year. Your blog became my favorite of all the other ones 🙂 thank you so much for what you do!

    1. Natasha,
      I loved your comment. Seriously made me smile BIG. So appreciate readers like you. Your comment truly keep me going, especially on days when I feel like this whole blogging thing isn’t really necessary. THANK you so much.
      I will be printing your comment for encouragement.
      Wishing you and your family so much happiness and wonderful memories in the upcoming 2017 year.

    1. Love that one. You know what I do, I chop up the crab meat and shrimp and put it in little freezer Ziploc baggies and when I’m in the mood for one, I don’t need to run out to the store since everything else is usually on hand.

  42. Love your yummy recipes! The baked salmon and shrimps, aspruguss. Mm so good. Would love to see more soups recipes. As my family loves soups!

    1. Yaay Viktoriya,
      I was truly hoping someone would comment on the baked salmon. Oh how I love that recipe. Whenever we have that for dinner, I feel like we are at an expensive restaurant – minus the $$ I would of spent.
      Writing down soups. Thank you for visiting.

  43. I like reading your family posts. I’ve enjoyed making most of your recipes as they remind me of my mom’s cooking. ? I would love to see more dessert recipes. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

    1. Gina,
      Thank you so much. I LOOOVEEEE hearing that the recipes remind you of mom’s cooking. That’s seriously the biggest compliment a blogger can receive. Mom’s cooking is the best.
      Thanks for your dessert vote.
      Many, many blessings to you and your family in 2017. Wishing you loads of wonderful memories made.

  44. I don’t think you can pick a specific recipie from your website because all your recipies are fantastic. Your dessert recipies make a way to my table much more often than i would like them to ?They’re just irresistable! I would love to see more of super fast dinner/lunch recipies that as a mom of three little ones I could do. Thanks for all your hard work!!

    1. Tina,
      Awww, you are so sweet. Thank you (cheeks pink from such a sweet comment).
      Easy recipes it is. I love that idea, we will definitely focus on easy meals and crock pot recipes. Quick prep-time and easy clean-up is a winner for moms with small children.
      Wishing your family many blessing in 2017. May God grant you patience and wisdom in raising your kiddos and being a wonderful helpmate to you hubby.

  45. I love all the recipes. My favorite would be the raspberry roulette. I love baking. And I’m excited for 2017 to see what other baking recipes you will share with us. Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear

    1. Karina,
      Thank you for visiting our family’s blog and Welcome.
      Baking is therapy for me as well so I get you. So glad you enjoy that raspberry roulade. It’s a personal favorite of mine as well.
      Many blessings in the upcoming Year and stop back and visit.

  46. okay so I can’t pick a favorite recipe because I like all the ones I’ve tried. But I won’t confess to how many times I’ve made that bacon avacado sandwich for breakfast or the strawberry mousse (my toddlers favorite for sure) and next is your tomato soup ?

    I think I wou like to see more soup recipes using barely and stuff.

    I am a Christ follower. Married for 4 years and expecting baby #2 in June. Love trying new recipes and seeing my family enjoy them. ☺️
    Love your blog and excited for more recipes in the new year. Merry Christmas to your family ⛪️

    1. Roxy,
      Can’t wait for you to try that Tomato Soup and seeing how quick it is to make and AMAZING in flavor. It’ll become a favorite. It’s one of my go-to soups when I am lazy to cook (yes, I have those days).
      CONGRATS on the baby. That is so wonderful. Hoping you have a wonderful remaining pregnancy and easy delivery.
      Have a blessed upcoming New Year.

  47. Hi Valentina, One of my favorite recipes would have to be the no bake desserts, so simple and yet so good:) I would like to see more testimonies being posted. Keep on doing what you’re doing and God bless you!!! Your blog is amazing!!:)

    1. Irina,
      Yes, I love no-bake desserts as well. How can you go wrong with those, right?
      Thank you for enjoying testimonies. I am just so happy to hear that
      Many blessing on you and your family in the upcoming year. Wishing you loads of happiness.

  48. Hello! I Would love to see more quick and easy meals. Also I’ve been making your buffalo chicken dip for a few of my parties and everyone really likes it!

    1. Tanya,
      Buffalo Chicken Dip is a winner. Thanks for visiting our family’s blog.
      Quick and easy meals it is.
      Wishing many, many blessings upon you and your family.

  49. Valentina you are amazing I absolutely love reading your testimonies and looking through your blog for recipes especially the sweets .. my most favorite one was the cherry cheesecake buns and In the coming new year I would love to read more testimonies because they are so encouraging and uplifting ! Thank you for all your time and effort you put into your blog for all of us .. God bless you and your family and Merry Christmas!!

    1. Marina,
      I am so so glad to hear you enjoy the testimonies – just so wonderful.
      Oh, yes! Those Cherry Cheesecake Buns are wow. Thank you for visiting our family’s blog. We are so glad to have you a part of our blog family.

  50. Valentina I love reading through your blog posts especially the testimonies and the sweets … my favorite one was the cherry cheesecake buns
    In the upcoming year I would like to read more of testimonies and more sweets recipes… Merry Christmas!!! And thank you for all the time and effort you put into your blog for us all to read 🙂

  51. I would love to see more slow cooker recipes or instant pot/pressure cooker recipes. It seems we’re busier every year and no matter how I try it’s difficult getting home made food on the table each night. Merry Christmas!

    1. Kitti,
      I agree, slow cooker and easy meals are the best. We are really going to focus on those in the upcoming year.
      Thank you for visiting our family’s blog and being a part of our blog family.
      Many blessings in the upcoming year.

  52. Valentina, I absolutely love your blog and trying out your new recipes. I tried many of your recipes and they turned out great! My favorite will have to be layered chocolate cake. Thank you for all that you do. I love reading your personal testimonys, they are so uplifting encouraging to me. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and may this year bring you many more blessings. Take care and God bless!

    1. Yana,
      Thank you so much for being a part of our blog family. We’re so humbled to have you visit.
      Very touched you enjoy the personal posts and testimonies. Just so happy. To Him be the glory.
      Many, many blessings in the upcoming year.

  53. Hi Valentina,
    My name is also Valentina ? and I love your blog. I made the cofee roll from here and it is delicious ! Also love all the testimonies, would like to see some more in the future, they’re very encouraging and inspiring ! I am a mama to 4 beautiful children, we have a 3 week baby girl that we named Abigail, I see your little one’s name is Abigail too?? you have a beautiful family may God continue blessing you and your family !

    1. Hi Valentina, you have a beautiful name, hehe.
      Awww. Congrats on the baby. What a blessing. Yes, we have an Abigail too. I bet your other kiddos love her.
      That coffee roll is awesome, thanks for trying our recipe.
      Testimonies, just so amazed how many of you enjoy those. Just makes my heart sing.
      Many, many blessings upon your family.

  54. HI Valentina, I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I love going thru your recipes and trying out new things, my absolute favorite that I cooked was the chicken cheese and potatoe in puff pastry, my family loved it. It even tasted better the next day. Your recipes never disappoint me and my picky family. I would love to see more slow cooker recipes, I am a Busy mama with three kids and two already in school and it would be wonderful to save time on cooking dinner. I am excited to see what recipes you will be posting. Have a blessed day

    1. Nadia,
      Definitely will add slow cooker recipes for the upcoming year. We could all use easy meals, right. Excited to see what we will come up with in 2017.
      Wishing you and your family a most wonderful upcoming year. May God give you wisdom in all you do.

  55. Hello there…I love seeing all the new and exciting recipes on your blog…I have WAY to many favorites but one I will write about are the seafood bite appetizers…YUM.
    Many blessings to you and your family this holiday season…I look forward to see all of your new posts!!!!

    1. Stephanie,
      Thank you so much for being a part of our blog family, we’re so happy to have you.
      Wishing you many of God’s blessings.
      (P.S. Love the seafood bite appetizers.)

  56. Hello there, Valentina!
    You have many scrumptious recipes on your blog. Me and my family really like your “Juicy Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Lime”. Mmm… so good and flavorful! I really love your blog. Keep up the great work. I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! May God bless you and your family abundantly! ❤?

    1. Angella,
      Oh I’m so so happy you tried the Grilled Juicy Chicken Kebabs. Those are SO GOOD!
      We are happy to have you a part of our blogging family.
      Wishing you and your family so much happiness in the upcoming year.

  57. Hi Valya,
    Beautiful family pictures! Congrats on 14 year wedding anniversary! Thanks for being so down to earth and open about your personal life and giving us some tips on life. I like the testimony posts! My favorite recipes will have to be the tiramisu cake and your cheese cream buns! Making them today :).

    Thank you for putting your time and effort to share with us the step by step recipes as well as blogs on just life. Your children are all so beautiful and are great photo posers!

    Have a very bright and merry Christmas, celebration of our Savior’s birth….to ultimately pay the price on the cross for our salvation!

    And have a blessed and prosperous, productive, safe and joyful New Year!

    1. Larisa,
      Thanks for the Congrats, 14 years, I just cannot believe it.
      I am so glad to hear our simple and humble life is a blessing to others. To Him be the glory.
      Thank you for the beautiful comment. It’s very heartwarming and appreciated.
      Love, love the Cherry Cheesecake buns. Oh my, hold me back.

  58. Hello Valentina,
    All ur recipes are great! You have a variety of everything from sweets to savory. Im a big fan of sweets id love to see more of dessert recipes. Your blog is great, thank you for your time and all the posts you put it to make our life a bit easier. God bless!

    1. Thanks for the comment, Kristina.
      Thanks for the vote for desserts. 🙂 Those are truly my favorite to create, love, love desserts.
      Wishing you many blessings in the upcoming year and hoping you will come back and visit.

  59. Hi Valentina,
    Thank you so much for sharing your life with us! I love your blog. My favorite recipe is one pan chicken and veggies. I make it every other week and my husband and son never leave leftovers. Merry Christmas and may God continue blessing your family abundantly!

    1. Innka,
      Thanks for visiting our humble blog.
      That one pan is just awesome, so glad you tried that – a keeper for her.
      Hoping all of God’s blessings upon your family in the upcoming year.

  60. Hello!
    I love the dessert recipes! All of them! The cheesecake cherry buns are so delicious! In 2017 I would love for even more dessert recipes like cake rolls or frosting recipes.
    Thank you for all you do!

    1. Julia,
      Those Cherry Cheesecake Buns are sooo sooo good. It’s a favorite of ours!
      Thank you for being a part of our blogging family. We are so happy to have you.
      Many wonderful blessings in the upcoming year. <3

  61. Hi Valya,

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us! I have made a lot of your recipes and the most recent one was the Best Bread using the breadmaker! Everything turns out really good and my family likes. Thank you for taking the time to share your creations with us. The 2 recipes that I keep making again and again are Rugaliki and Banana Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bundt Cake (except I make it into mini-muffins – it’s easier to pack that way for school lunch). 🙂

    My most favorite posts are the Spiritual Recipes/ Testimonies that you and others share from their life. Thank you for that and that ‘s what I would like to see more of for myself. I hope you and your family have a blessed and happy Christmas and a New Year!!!!!!!!

    1. Tatyana,
      Oh I love the way you do the Bundt Cake, what a phenomenal idea. Just superb, thanks for sharing. I will add that in the notes on that recipe, love it.
      Glad you enjoy the personal posts, that’s so encouraging to know.
      Thank you for visiting and the support. Wishing you and your family a wonderful upcoming New Year.

  62. Hi Valentina,
    My favorite recipes are your dessert ones. They are all delicious!!!:) I would love to see more video recipes and personal/testimony posts. May God bless you in this upcoming new year and hope you have a great Christmas!!!:)

    1. Tanya,
      Awww, so glad you enjoy our video recipes. Cannot wait to share that with the kids. They will be so inspired.
      Thank you for reading our posts. That’s so wonderful to know and very encouraging and inspiring. I appreciate my blog family so much. I am so grateful all of your wonderful support.
      Many, many blessings in the upcoming year.

  63. Hi again Valentina! I messaged you last week but wanted to thank you for your sweet reply and also to enter your contest! As I mentioned earlier our favorite recipes from your site are your soups. We retire soon and will be moving in less than a year to the Landing area from the Detroit area where we are now. I told my husband I would like to get a freezer when we move and keep it stocked with mostly your soup recipes with a couple of my own that have been keepers over the years. (my heritage is hillbilly as my parents were from the south so things like pinto beans and chicken and dumplings would be my additions! ?) anyway I would love my freezer to become a soup minitry ready to share when needed. Its actually kind of started already…last week my elderly mother-in-law was delighted with your meatball soup. Our neighbor down the street lost her mom so we sent the family your simple Russian soup. My daughter just had surgery and a few days ago we took her your cheesy broccoli soup. What a comforting food to share! Perfect for winter in Michigan! Thanks for sharing your gift with us Valentine…you can’t know how far the ripple effect of your little cooking blog will go…
    Brenda

    1. Thank you so much Mrs. Monroe,
      We are so humbled to have someone as yourself visit our family’s blog.
      I absolutely LOVE your idea for the soup ministry. That’s just so beautiful. I love it, what a blessing you are to others.
      Wishing you and your family many blessings in the upcoming year. Hoping you will stop back and visit our blog.

  64. Hi Valentina!
    I’ve been keeping up with your blog since I discovered it several months ago. One of my most favorites is the chicken Alfredo. It’s always a big hit! I would love to see recipes that have a healthier twist to them in the upcoming year! 🙂
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    1. Tetyanal,
      Awww, I love hearing that you are new to our Blog. Big WELCOME from all of us!
      Thanks for the ideas for healthier recipes, we will definitely keep that in mind.
      Wishing you and your family a wonderful upcoming year.

  65. Hi, Valya! Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this blog. It’s really hard to choose a favorite recipe since there’s so many that I love, also I enjoy reading your testimonies, I hope to see more next year. Merry Christmas and God bless!

    1. Awwww, thank you Ludochka. I love, love hearing you are blessed with the testimonies. Just so wonderful.
      Wishing many, many blessings in the upcoming year and hoping you will visit again.

  66. Hi! I came across your blog probably this past year! I’ve tried a few of your recipes but my favorite is your PIROSHKI!! They come out PERFECT every time I make them!!! So grateful for it!
    I would like to see some easy meals? Like when you don’t have time to sit in the kitchen long, maybe some crock pot meals?
    This year has been the hardest year for me.. My mom passed away a year ago, very young! So a lot of ups and downs! But I’d say finding my church has been the highlight of this year for me! I know that God led me to where I am and all that they have helped me overcome and just been there like family has been priceless for me! I miss my mom very much but God has given me so many spiritual mamas and I’m so overwhelmed!
    You have a beautiful family and I really hope that your Christmas is BLESSED with lots of love! May God bless you and yours! Merry Christmas!

    1. Vera,
      Your comment just melted my heart. I cannot imagine what it’s like to lose a mom. I’m 34 and that thought just makes my heart hurt. I am so sorry to hear that. What a testimony to hear how much the church body has been there for you. God bless those people that have stepped up and been the earthly hands of Jesus. So heartwarming.
      Well, I just want to say, I’m also here.
      So humbled to have you a part of our blog family. Wishing you all of God’s blessings in the upcoming year. May His comforting hand be upon you and your family. Hoping you will stop back and visit up.

  67. Valentina,
    You have a beautiful blessed family!
    In the year of 2017, I would love to see more dessert recipes. You do a great job of posting delicious recipes. Keep up the hard work. Merry Christmas to you and your family!?

    1. Thanks so much Angellika for visiting our little corner of the internet world. We are so happy to have you here.
      Desserts it is!
      Wishing you a blessed upcoming New Year.

  68. All recipes are delicious and turn out wonderful. My family loves the One pAn Chicken Potatoes & Vegetables. This year was another special year for us. We got to welcome another precious baby to our family. So for next year I would love to see recipes that don’t take a whole lot time but yet taste delicious.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    1. Laura,
      Yaay, love that one-pan meal. So easy and so delicious.
      Awww, Congrats on the baby! Kids are such a blessing. They are so much work but such a blessing. Wishing healthy over the baby.
      Hoping you will stop back and visit. God bless you and your growing family.

  69. Oh my, our favorite recipe… that’s a hard one cause everything we tried it was amazing. I love that it’s so easy to follow the recipe and it’s one of my favorite places to come to do my meal planning. If possible I would love to see some freezer meals/ crockpot. Thanks for your hard work, keep it up and God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas!!!

    1. Awww, thanks Oksana. We appreciate the support.
      Ooo I love the idea for a post for freezer-friendly meals. Great idea. Will definitely add that to 2017.
      Thanks for all the support and encouragement, it’s soo appreciated. Wishing you a BLESSED upcoming year.

  70. All of the recipes are delicious. But my Family really does love the Chicken Potatoes & Vegetables one alot. This year was another special year for us, as we got to welcome another precious child to our family. It truly is amazing and such a special gift given from God. For the next year I would love to see some recipes that don’t take alot of time but yet taste delicious.
    I wish you and your Family a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2017!

    1. Was hoping someone would mention the Cod recipe, Edye. Thank you.
      Hoping you have a blessed upcoming 2017 year.

    1. VB,
      Awww, thank you for the encouragement for more personal posts. It’s TRULY APPRECIATED! Truly, truly.

  71. 2016 was a year of many wonderful blessings, we were blessed with the fourth baby, bought our first home, and it has been a year of true faith-testing. God showed me His mighty hand and mercy, His unconditional love and grace so many times. I wish your family and everyone who turns to your blog for recipes and advice, Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

    1. Tatyana,
      What a variety of events for you in 2016. Congrats on the baby and new home. HOW EXCITING!
      So touching to hear how God has worked in your life. He is so good to us, all the time. If there is a situation that really stood out and you can share with the rest of us, I’d love to post it in our Testimonies.
      Hoping you will visit again. Many, many blessings and God’s protection for you in the upcoming year. May He guys you steps.

  72. Love the Baked salmon, shrimp and asparagus recipe!
    In the new year would love to see more of one pot recipes or slow cooker recipes:)

    1. Yelena,
      Will definitely be focusing on easy recipe! Think that took the win and I cannot wait to get started creating.
      Thank you for visiting and hoping you will stop back.

  73. Love the Baked salmon, shrimp and asparagus recipe!
    In the new year would love to see more of one pot recipes or slow cooker recipes:)

  74. My family has enjoyed every recipe that I have tried on your blog:)) thank you so much for your hard work that you put into this blog. My favorite recipe is potato and cheese puff pastry pies but I am new to your blog and still have not tried many. When I sit down to plan for the week ahead, I pick 2-3 sometimes more recipes from your blog. I love the simplicity of your recipes. I wish your family a very Joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year!!!!

    1. Lana, HUGE Welcome to our family from all of us!
      So glad you are enjoying the recipes you have tried. Hoping many more will become family favorites and repeats.
      Wishing you a really wonderful upcoming year full of happiness and memories. Blessings!

    1. Yana,
      Thank you for visiting. So happy to have you a part of our blog family.
      So looking to focusing on easy meals in upcoming year, thank you for you input.
      Blessings!

    1. Karolina,
      That’s a keeper! Thank you for trying it.
      Thanks for being a part of our blog’s family. We’re so happy to have you here.
      Wishing you all of God’s blessings in the upcoming year.

  75. Valentina,
    I know you already got your winners but I just wanted to say thank you for making the Blog so personal. I love that you always answer comments with so much niceness. I actually love reading those most.
    Hope you have a good New Year. Really excited to see what you come up with..

    1. Aww Oksana,
      You are so sweet. I’ll have to really watch what I say now that I know people actually read those comments – ha, teasing.
      I hope to keep this blog just that, one that is personal and people can relate to and feel real.
      Hope you have a really blessed New Year. Thanks for visiting.

  76. Valya! I am not writing to enter the contest, obviously. Just wanted to take another moment to thank you again for all you do and for the subtle shining light that shines Jesus Christ through you. It’s obvious that this isn’t just a blog for you. You put your heart and soul into every recipe, every reply you make. You have a beautiful family. May you all be blessed. I really enjoy the testimonies as well. My favorite recipe is the Timurs chocolate cake. Everyone always raves about it when I make it. Gets eaten to the last crumb. Thank you!!

    1. Thanks so much Yelena,
      Loved reading your comment. What a blessing to have such sweet readers (friends) visit us.
      Glad you enjoy that cake – it’s so dear to me.
      Thank you for visiting. Hope you will stick around.