In the Nunes household pancakes are a staple. From an early age, I can remember helping my mom make the pancake batter. For a long time, pancakes have been one of my favorite breakfast foods (especially when topped with butter and powdered sugar). Below is a recipe for our homemade buttermilk pancakes. Buttermilk Pancakes 2 cups buttermilk 2 cups flour 2 eggs, separated 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) melted butter Instructions Add all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, except for egg whites and melted butter. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Use the electric mixer to combine other ingredients, make sure all dry ingredients are incorporated. Once combined, mix in melted butter. Fold in egg whites. Spoon onto hot, buttered griddle and turn once bubbles start to pop. Cook thoroughly. Top with butter, Wisconsin maple syrup, fruit with whipped cream, locally sourced jams, or whatever makes you happy! National Pancake Day is known to some as Shrove Tuesday, the traditional feast day before the start of the Christian religious observance of Lent, on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter. – was traditionally a time of fasting. Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients. Read more on this subject here. Learn more about National Pancake Day History

February is National Potato Lovers Month! Are you celebrating? Did you know that Wisconsin is one of the top potato producing states in the nation? We’re Number Three to be exact! In 2018 alone, our state produced more than 27 million pounds of potatoes. With more potassium than a banana, potatoes are an excellent choice for your dinner plate. Potatoes are high in fiber and packed full of energy to fuel your body and brain throughout the day. According to the national potato marketing and research organization, Potatoes USA, the majority of the nutrients in a potato are found within the potato itself, not just in the skin. The only nutrient significantly lost when the skin is removed is fiber. And the best part? There are countless ways to enjoy a potato! My favorites include hash browns with breakfast, red roasted potatoes with lunch, and baked potatoes with dinner. On my recent tour of Alsum Farms & Produce, I was able to get an insider view of how potatoes are harvested and packaged. In Wisconsin, potatoes are usually harvested from around late-August to mid-October, depending on weather and temperature. Alsum Farms & Produce grew 2,750 acres of potatoes in 2020, with approximately 90 percent of them being russet potatoes, six percent yellow potatoes, and the remaining three percent red potatoes. There are many varieties of potatoes and all are an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin B6. These vitamins help to strengthen our immune system and metabolize fats and proteins. Alsum Farms & Produce began over 45 years ago and pride themselves on sustainability and supporting local farmers. By partnering with family farms across the nation, Alsum provides a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocers in the Great Lakes region every day of the year. When you head to the store to shop for your next potato recipe, be sure to look for Alsum potatoes and choose Wisconsin. Buying Wisconsin products not only benefits farmers, but also Wisconsin businesses and communities. As a leading potato-producing state, Wisconsin is known for both the quantity and quality of our potatoes. Alsum Farms & Produce is also a member of the Healthy Grown® program. Healthy Grown brand potatoes are grown utilizing the best practices in integrated pest management and water conservation. Participating farmers work with ecologists, conservationists and university researchers to utilize and find better, less-invasive ways to manage pests, prevent erosion, and conserve quality water. Through this program, potatoes are grown with a “whole farm” approach, as farmers work to protect their land and the local wildlife. Potato growers all across the state of Wisconsin are enlisting progressive farming techniques to propel their farms into the future. Planting and harvesting equipment equipped with GPS technology helps growers optimize planting efficiency and fuel consumption. Computer-based irrigation scheduling conserves water, and variety rotation preserves soil nutrients. These sustainable techniques help farmers ensure their farmland will be viable for generations to come. Wisconsin is a potato powerhouse and a leader in the development of new potato varieties, sustainable growing practices, and produce traceability initiatives. On average, potatoes generate $352 million for our state’s economy annually! So the next time you are looking to power-up your day with a local food source, consider a Wisconsin potato. You can learn more about Wisconsin potatoes varieties, their health benefits, and recipes for healthy potato dishes at eatwisconsinpotatoes.com and learn more about Alsum Farms & Produce at alsum.com.

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Riley, and I am honored to be the 71st Alice in Dairyland. My first appearance on this blog was as an Alice in Dairyland Top Candidate going through the intensive interview process. That post helped get my foot in the door for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve always wanted to walk a year in Alice’s shoes. Now two weeks on the job, I am literally and figuratively getting my feet wet. In those first weeks, I’ve logged more than 1,500 miles in Maizey, a flex-fuel Ford Explored powered by ethanol. While on the road, storms poured rain on host farms that spent the past year carefully planning for June Dairy Month. Despite the conditions, flooded roads and saturated farmland did not dampen the spirit of any event. Volunteers arrived hours before breakfast was served to spread gravel, mulch and shavings. Communities worked together for new parking and shuttle plans to preserve farm fields. Guests wore rubber boots of many colors to get the full-farm experience which included stomping in the mud and muck. After having my dress shoe fall off while accidentally walking in a pile of mud over the weekend, I can’t help but smile and think I should have brought my barn boots from home. I was raised on one of the 96-percent of Wisconsin farms that are family-owned. My parents, Jody and Paulette Riley, raised my brother, Justin, and me with a love for agriculture. Although my brother and I left the farm after high school, the dairy industry played a key role in our careers. Justin became a licensed cheesemaker and now works for Foremost Farms, one of Wisconsin’s more than 200 dairy plants. I wanted to share the story of Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry, so I studied strategic communications and broadcast journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked as the farm news director for a radio station in Prairie du Chien, and later as a multimedia journalist in Eau Claire. After working away from home for more than two years, I knew I needed to reconnect with agriculture. I returned to Riley Farms where I managed calf and heifer care and worked side-by-side with my parents. Returning to the dairy as a full-time employee gave me a new appreciation for the work ethic of Wisconsin farmers. For my family, it is more than a job. It is part of our heritage, a family tradition. I am always honored when people take an interest in what we do because it reminds me of how special our tradition is. Although my shoes are dirty, and my feet have new blisters, my heart is full with the love and support of our agriculture industry that has driven Wisconsin’s economy for more than 175 years. I anxiously await learning about the farms of different types, sizes and production methods that bring success to our state during my short year as Alice. As June Dairy Month celebrations continue, there is endless cheese to taste, ice cream to enjoy and dairy traditions to try. I encourage you to pack your spare pair of rubber boots and join me in honoring our farmers. For events, recipes and videos, check out hooraywisconsindairy.com.

During the holiday season, I aim to find gifts for my family that are one-of-a-kind while supporting small businesses in my community. The Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has many options for unique gifts during the holiday. No matter how you plan to celebrate, you’re sure to find gifts that help make the holidays special, while also supporting local farmers and agribusinesses. Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carries a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 businesses participating in the SSfW program, there is something for everyone ranging from handmade cutting boards, cheese, snack foods, sweets, seasonings, and more. For the liquor connoisseur on your list, Barham Gardens Liquor is made with certified Organic Aronia berries and other ingredients sourced from Wisconsin agribusinesses. The berries are grown on a small homestead farm in Southern Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Learn more at BarhamGardens.wixsite.com/BarhamGardens. . If you’ve got a wine lover in your life, HaloVino reusable glasses are a great gift option. These shatterproof glasses snap together easily so you can enjoy your favorite wine anywhere. Unlike other plastic wine glasses, HaloVino is guaranteed to not warp or melt in your dishwasher. Find your favorite plastic glass option at HaloVino.com/. During such a busy and often tiring time of year, we could all use a boost once in a while. Give the gift of energy this holiday season with ginseng capsules or tea from Heil Harvest Ginseng. Ginseng enthusiasts claim that the plant can help to boost energy and help your immune system. Wisconsin leads the nation in the export of ginseng roots, and Heil Harvest Ginseng is a great place to get high-quality Wisconsin ginseng for yourself or a loved one. Learn more at HeilHarvest.com/. Last but not least: who doesn’t love candles? Candles by Renee offers natural, soy blend candles that will fill your home with wonderful fragrance. With a variety of scents like Peppermint and Apple Bourbon, there are options everyone on your list will love. Their wax melts would also make a great stocking stuffer. Shop Candles by Renee at CandlesByReneeShop.etsy.com These are only a few of the unique gift possibilities in the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program. By purchasing these products, you are not only supporting local Wisconsin businesses, you are keeping those dollars in your community. To find more local holiday gifting ideas, visit SomethingSpecialWI.com. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

When I think about the holidays, I often ponder what to give my family and friends during this time of year. Are you looking for last-minute holiday gifts? The Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has many options that are perfect for the gifting season. No matter who is on your holiday gifting list, there are many ways to find something special, while also supporting our local farmers and agribusinesses. Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carries a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 businesses participating in the program, there is something for everyone ranging from handmade cutting boards, cheese, snack foods, sweets, seasonings, and more. Give the gift of Wisconsin ginseng. Ginseng Extract from Wisconsin Grown Ginseng LLC is an all-natural American ginseng root extract and is a great way to naturally boost energy, improve focus, and support healthy immune system function. Ginseng has many potential health benefits and Wisconsin Grown Ginseng has some great products to consider. Ginseng Root Extract can easily be added to beverages. With its unique bittersweet taste, it is best mixed with honey or some apple cider. Wisconsin Grown Ginseng LLC is located in Marathon County near Wausau. Learn more at WisconsinGrownGinseng.com/. Waupaca's Dancing Bear Apiary has offered pure, raw, unfiltered honey – straight from their own bees to your table – since 1976. They offer bottled raw honey, comb honey (which some say is the best tasting), Artisanal Crème Honey, and more. Honey can be used on its own, in tea, on cheese, and as a substitute for sugar. Find out how you can get your hands on some of this terrific Wisconsin honey at MainStreet-MarketPlace.com/collections. Do you have anyone on your holiday shopping list who loves tea? Urbal Tea, blended in Milwaukee, has tea flavor options for everyone. Urbal Tea focuses on functional medicine and is full of beneficial nutrients. Their tea is hand-blended in Wisconsin and packed inside organic plant-based tea bags. Find your next tea to try at UrbalHealth.com. Stuff stockings with chocolates from Driftless Chocolates made in Belleville, WI. These handmade delicacies come in a variety of flavors like sea salt honey caramels (made with Wisconsin honey) and pecan caramels. These are packaged with the perfect amount to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Browse the flavor selections at DriftlessChocolates.com. These are only a few of the unique gift possibilities in the Something Special from Wisconsin program. By purchasing these products, you are not only supporting local Wisconsin businesses, you are keeping those dollars in Wisconsin Communities. To find more local holiday gifting ideas, visit www.SomethingSpecialWI.com. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

When I think about the holidays, one of the first things to come to my mind is food. What new dishes are you bringing to the table this holiday season? The Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has many options to spice up your cuisine during the holiday and throughout the year. No matter how you plan to celebrate, there are many options for making the holidays special, while also supporting our local farmers and agribusinesses. Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carries a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 businesses participating in the SSfW special program, there is something for everyone ranging from handmade cutting boards, cheese, snack foods, sweets, seasonings, and more. One way to liven up your food is with CJ’s Premium Spices, made in Hartland. This family-owned company makes spice mixes that are craft-blended using organic, gluten-free, kosher-certified ingredients. CJ's Premium Spices also won a Specialty Food Association sofi™ award for their delicious Dill Dip Mix. They also have a fresh and easy potato salad mix that is easy to incorporate into your holiday celebrations. Find out more at www.CJsPremiumSpices.com. If you’re a garlic fan, Krebs Pleasant View Farms has you covered. The Krebs family grows seven different varieties of gourmet garlic using sustainable farming methods. Each variety has a unique flavor and strength. Krebs Pleasant View Farms offers culinary garlic and scapes, garlic powder, and seed stock. Learn my by visiting their website at www.KrebsPleasantView.com. Many Wisconsinites like to fire up the grill any time of the year. The Tailgate Foodie has great items for the “grill master” of your family. Their barbecue sauce tastes great, and their spice rub mixes come in unique flavors like Nashville Hot seasoning, Five Pepper Blend, and more. The Tailgate Foodie’s products can be found online at www.TheTailgateFoodie.com. All of these seasoning options are in the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program. By purchasing these products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are keeping those dollars in our local economy. To find more local flavors, visit www.SomethingSpecialWI.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

With the holidays approaching, many of us are thinking about how we will celebrate this year. Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, and others are unable to be with their usual family and friends. Stay connected by sending a piece of Wisconsin to everyone on your shopping list this year. Look no further than the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program for all of your unique gifting needs. Since 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin (SSfW) program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). As you shop the aisles or your computer for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the yellow and red SSfW) sticker. All the companies apart of this program have at least half of their product ingredients, production, or processing activities sourced from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 companies participating in this special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. Here in Wisconsin, many people enjoy a celebratory Bloody Mary. Spark Spices, of Milton, offers a Bloody Mary spice mix and a variety of other spices for all your seasoning needs. They are handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality. With a wide variety of spice blends, there’s sure to be something to spark your taste buds. Their Zesty snap seasoning makes a popular holiday dip with cream cheese, sour cream, craisins, and two tablespoons of Zesty Snap. Turn ordinary tomato juice into a brilliant Bloody Mary with Stumpy’s Bloody Brilliant then vodka of your choice and garnish. Find more information and recipes at sparkspices.com. Add in Colonel Pabst Worcestershire Sauce to bring bold flavor to your Bloody Mary. The main ingredient in their sauce is beer from Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Their Worcestershire Sauce is small-batch brewed using an old Pabst family recipe and is great for seasoning all kinds of meat and seafood. For more recipes suggestions visit colonelpabst.com Don’t forget the cheese! Whether you are making a Bloody Mary or holiday snack board, cheese is always a good addition. Hoards Dairyman Farm Creamery has some delicious options for you. Their Belaire is a creamy semi-soft cheese that melts well and is made from Guernsey milk. The Sark cheese is a melt in your mouth creamy cheese that would complement a Bloody Mary well. Both of these cheeses taste good in just about anything. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, but you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are thinking about how we will celebrate this year. Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, and others are unable to be with their usual family and friends. Stay connected by sending a piece of Wisconsin to everyone on your shopping list this year. Look no further than the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program for all of your unique gifting needs. Since 1983, the (SSfW) program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). As you shop the aisles or your computer for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the yellow and red (SSfW) sticker. This sticker carries a very special meaning. When you see it you can be assured that at least half of the product ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here within our state. With nearly 450 companies participating in this special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. For your snacking or baking needs, Wisconsin has about 300 varieties of apples and the Wisconsin Apples Growers Association (WAGA) offers heirloom varieties that have been around for hundreds of years. The WAGA apple sampler box features three or four varieties of apples that are ripe now and shipped directly from the orchard. It’s a great gift for the apple lovers in your life or for those unable to visit an orchard. If you or someone you know is sensitive to nuts, Clasara Oil, based in De Pere, has options for you. They have different sunflower products including sunflower oil and sunflower butter that can be a great substitute for people with nut allergies. They cold-press the seeds for the beneficial oil, which can be used to prepare food. In my house, the holidays usually mean there will be plenty of pie and I like to top my pie with ice cream. Sassy Cow Creamery, located on a family farm in Columbus, offers ice cream and eggnog. These farm-fresh dairy products are a real treat and will make a great addition to your holiday celebrations. What do you usually do with pie and ice cream leftovers? Make a malt with CTL Foods Malted Milk Powder. Add two heaping tables spoons of malted milk powder into your favorite ice cream shake and make it a malt. Malts usually remind me of the county fair but an apple pie malt does sound pretty good. Want a secret ingredient in your baked goods? Just add malt! Visit ctlfoods.com to see recipes. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, but you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

What are you doing for the holidays this year? Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, including many who will be unable to be with their usual family and friends. No matter how you plan to celebrate, there’s one option for making the holidays special, while also supporting and giving thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses. Since 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Keep an eye out for products bearing the SSfW logo. The oval-shaped logo with a red background and white and yellow lettering carry a meaningful message: when you see it, you can be assured at least 50 percent of the item’s ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here in Wisconsin. With nearly 450 participating in the SSfW special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. One of my favorite things to do before, during, and after the holidays is snack on tasty foods that are made right here in Wisconsin. Slide Gourmet Potato Chips are not your average chip. These chips are deep-fried in canola oil, sprinkled with sea salt, and come in different flavors including dill pickle, spicy BBQ, ranch, curry garlic, and more. Slide Gourmet Potato Chips is a women-owned company and uses local Wisconsin grown potatoes. For more than four generations, Pine River, based in Newton, has been crafting award-winning cheese spreads that are perfect to go with chips or crackers. With flavors such as aged asiago, port wine, mango habanero, Pine River cheese dips make a great addition to any snack spread or gift box. Every year after getting our Christmas tree my family strings together popcorn and cranberries as a garland for the tree. We occasionally snack while doing it. Palo Popcorn, from Sheboygan Falls, is made with REAL cheese and pure coconut oil. Their popcorn comes in a wide variety of flavors including white cheddar cheese, bacon cheddar, and Mexican street corn. Keep the crew happy and snacking with this delicious, one of a kind popcorn from Palo Popcorn. If you are looking for the perfect snack stocking stuffer, Addicting Pretzels has your crunchy snack needs. Available in three different sizes and with flavors like cinnamon & sugar, chipotle, buffalo ranch, and caramel pumpkin there are options for everyone at your table or on your Christmas shopping list. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, but you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are thinking about how we will celebrate this year. Some people are looking for new ways to celebrate from home, and others are unable to be with their usual family and friends. Stay connected by sending a piece of Wisconsin to everyone on your shopping list this year. Look no further than the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program for all of your unique gifting needs. Since 1983, the SSfW program has been trademarked through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). As you shop the aisles or your computer for your holiday ingredients and gifts this year, keep an eye out for the yellow and red SSfW sticker. This sticker carries a very special meaning. When you see it you can be assured that at least half of the product ingredients, production, or processing has come from right here within our state. With nearly 450 companies participating in this special program, there is bound to be something for everyone. Many SSfW companies have prepared gift boxes perfect for sending in the mail. For the coffee lover in your circle of friends, consider Beans n Cream coffee from Sun Prairie. Beans n Cream coffee is ethically sourced and roasted in-house on an energy efficient roaster with zero emissions. Coffee beans are roasted and shipped to order to ensure the best tasting, freshest product is delivered in a beautiful seasonal box ready for gifting. The smell of this coffee alone will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Another SSfW gift option to send to family and friends is Poppin’ Z’s Gourmet Popcorn. With sweet and savory flavors everyone will want to get their hands on these. The boxes are beautifully packed with popcorn collections for any occasion including colors for your favorite team game day, popcorn buffet for events, and more. With over 50 flavors to choose from it will be hard to narrow down what variety to choose. There are only a few things I have trouble saying ‘no’ to and caramels are one of them. Cream City Caramels and Confections, based in Wauwatosa, are made with REAL butter and heavy cream! These delicious treats melt in your mouth and are finished with chunky salt to bring out all the flavor. Cream City Caramels also offer a Craft Beer Caramel Assortment box with five beer flavors: - Imperial stout, India pale ale, vanilla porter, Weiss bier, pumpkin ale, surprisingly delicious! By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

My family loves baking during the holidays. November 29th is National Lemon Cream Pie Day, the perfect opportunity to share one of our favorite recipes, Lemon Sour Cream Pie. Below is a list of ingredients and some easy-to-follow directions. I hope your family enjoys this pie, and don't forget to include Wisconsin dairy products in your holiday celebrations! Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 1/4 cups milk 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten 1 tsp. grated lemon zest 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup butter 1 cup sour cream 1 baked 9-inch pie shell whipped cream (heavy cream, vanilla extract, powdered sugar) Directions: Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk and stir with a whisk until smooth. Add egg yolks, lemon zest, and juice. Stir until smooth. Add butter. Cook slowly over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool. Fold in sour cream. Pour into baked pie shell. Chill. Serve with whipped cream and a large glass of milk! Enjoy!

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be looking for new and creative ways to celebrate. At my house, the holiday season means food and lots of baking. Glorious smells of cinnamon waft through the air as pies bake in the oven. Cookies fill the freezer in preparation for guests, and the struggle to find a spot in the fridge for anything gets more difficult every day. Although this year is looking a bit different and there are still so many ways to spice up your holiday celebrations with Wisconsin products. One thing my family always has on the table during the holidays (and throughout the year) is butter. Whether you put butter on a fresh warm roll or use it for baking, there are so many ways to use this delicious dairy product. One way to spice up your butter dish is by making flavored butter. Just by adding a few simple ingredients like honey and cranberry sauce can create a whole new sweet condiment. Looking for a more savory option? Try adding parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian spices and paprika. This savory butter is perfect on potatoes or for preparing meat and vegetables. They always say, everything is better with butter and there are so many ways to make your butter unique for the holidays. Link to Cranberry Honey Butter Recipe Link to Garlic Parmesan Butter Recipe The perfect butter to gift (or to keep for yourself), is LuAnn’s Homemade Butters, located in East Troy., Wisc.. LuAnn makes all her own butter with locally sourced ingredients. With a variety of flavors including cinnamon and traditional Honey Butter – who wouldn’t love this sweet and creamy gift? LuAnn’s Homemade Butters is also a member of the Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. When family comes together to celebrate the holidays, one of my favorite things to prepare is a cheese and meat platter. Here in Wisconsin we are known for our cheese, and with over 600 varieties to choose from there are options for everyone. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is also a member of SSfW and their cheeses are made right on the family farm in Waterloo, Crave Brothers fresh mozzarella has a fresh taste that easily pairs with many cheese board fixings, while their chocolate mascarpone is hard to pass up and is delicious on top of fruit or used to top a cake. On my cheese board I also like to include some slices cheeses to go with a cracker or apple slice. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars is a fourth generation owned and operated (SSfW) cheese operation, located in Theresa. Here they specialize in brick, Colby, and cheddar cheese handcrafted in small batches to produce high quality, delicious cheese. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars offers a variety of gift packages options great for gifting or snacking. Now that your brain is filled with cheese board pairing ideas, you’ll need something to display your plethora of cheeses. Jewell Hollow Woodcraft is a SSfW company that creates beautiful cutting boards for any reason or season. They offer unique customization options and can personalize your board with laser engraving. Jewell Hollow cutting boards are beautiful and make wonderful gifts, kitchen tools, or decorations. By purchasing Something Special from Wisconsin products, you are not only supporting local producers and processors, you are also supporting the Wisconsin way of life by keeping those dollars in the local economy. To find more local flavors, visit somethingspecialfromwi.com, and you can give thanks to our local farmers and agribusinesses all year long. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!