The Peppered Vine

12/01/2025

Yes, you’ve seen that right….The Peppered Vine is STILL in BLOOM ❄️🌸❤️🪴🌶️🌸❄️

I’ve taken a nice break from the public, from social media, and all of the additional stressors in entrepreneurship. 😵‍💫😩😳😔

Story time for another time, but I want to thank all of my beautiful customers for lifting me up, supporting me, and loving me this past month. They just wouldn’t let me close. ❤️❤️❤️ No, I haven’t stopped cooking…😉….I’ve been here behind the scenes, cooking for my regular customers, my OG’s, my true supporters this past month….as I try to heal emotionally and physically. Yes, true entrepreneurial burnout is a REAL thing….and it’s entirely different from being ‘exhausted’. Like, a bazillion times harder. 😵‍💫😩😵‍💫 but little by little, I’ve started finding moments of JOY again, something I hadn’t felt in a very long time…and starting to see little teeny tiny parts of my old ‘self’ resurface, which feels amazing 🌟❤️🪴🌶️🌟

This has given me the reset that I’ve been so desperately needing. It has given me more time with my children and in my home. And it’s given me the strength, courage, and confidence to go back to my original business model….the one I never got to do (because I first needed to gain a loyal audience and clientele). 🌟🌟❤️🌟🌟

Everything is now by PRE-ORDER ONLY and catering orders ONLY…..and it’s working beautifully. I won’t be changing that anytime soon. I have much more peace….and can get a LOT more done in the kitchen without constant interruption. Don’t expect to stop by for a last minute sandwich….🥪😉….as my doors are locked. 🔐 😉🌟Weekly pre-order menu/offerings and pickup days/times are sent out weekly with cut-off times. Still working on all of the technology, making everything work….so DM me with name, phone number, and email to be added to my weekly text/email list! Looking forward to reconnecting with you soon! Until then, I’ll keep blooming. 🌸❤️🪴🌶️🌸

10/31/2025

After much thought, tears, and heartbreak, I’m deeply saddened to announce that The Peppered Vine is closing. 💔

This journey was a ginormous effort — fueled by love, purpose, and the hope of creating something beautiful for my community and my children. I’m proud of what was built, and grateful beyond words for those who believed in me.

Together, we proved that beautiful food made with love, care, and real ingredients CAN be done. ❤️

But it’s a hard world out there. Expectations are higher than ever, while costs of food, rent, utilities, and labor keep climbing. As a small business owner, I’ve given everything — every ounce of energy, every dollar, every late night — trying to make it work.

I’ve fought the good fight for nearly two years. We stood tall with ⭐️4.9 stars⭐️ on both Google and Yelp — that takes heart, perfection, and persistence. But even the strongest momma eventually runs out of gas. And this momma is tired. 😔

It’s time for me to choose my children first. They’ve sacrificed so much, and now it’s my turn to be there for them — fully. I started this for them, and now I’m closing it for them. ❤️🌟

To my customers and friends who’ve shown me love, grace, and compassion — thank you. You’ve been my village, my encouragement, and my reason to keep showing up. Maybe one day, The Peppered Vine will bloom again in another life. 🌿

My last day of business will be Saturday, November 1st.
Place your online orders early if you’d like one last delicious sandwich or creation — limited quantities until supplies last.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for every hug, kind word, and bit of love you’ve shared on this journey.

Eat Well. Live Purposefully. Love More. ❤️🪴🌶️
— Renee

10/14/2025

10/14/2025

Hi Everyone 💛 Big Changes Ahead!

Starting tomorrow (Oct 14), I’m pivoting and returning to my original vision — your ultimate gourmet take-and-go eatery — now PRE-ORDERS ONLY. (Hours & details in the next post!)

Thank you for giving me a moment to pause, breathe, and focus on my family. 🙏 Transparency has always been my thing — and while it comes with judgment, it also brings kindness. To those who’ve shown me compassion, I’m endlessly grateful. 💛

The Peppered Vine is my heart and soul. I’ve poured everything into it — often at the expense of my health, sanity, and time with my three beautiful boys (ages 4, 11 & 18). 💔 Long days, no paycheck, endless sacrifice — all to keep this dream alive.

I’ve tried to be everything to everyone, but I’m falling short. The hats I wear have stacked so high I can’t carry them anymore. It’s stealing my joy, energy, and love. 🕯️

This industry is brutal — food costs, utilities, taxes, staffing… all rising while small businesses crumble. The truth? The busier I get, the more I lose. I haven’t taken a paycheck in two years, protecting my team and costs first. I’ve built something beautiful — but it’s not sustainable.

After tears, panic, and a lot of soul-searching, I’m drawing new boundaries. 🧭 I need to be present for my family again — to find love and joy in what I do.

So here’s the pivot:
✨ Shorter hours
✨ Pre-order only (no walk-ins or dine-in)
✨ Limited pickup slots
✨ Focus on catering & creativity

If you want a dine-in spot, I’m not your place. But if you crave scratch-made, love-filled food to enjoy at home (preferably in sweatpants 😉), I’ve got you covered.

Please grant me grace as I transition — I’m one woman giving it everything she’s got. 💪

Thank you for every kind word, order, and hug. You’ve kept me going when I thought I couldn’t. From my kitchen to your heart — thank you. ❤️🪴🌶️

Eat Well. Live Purposefully. Love More.

09/19/2025

Wedding cookies made for the most special couple yesterday 🤍💕🤍….It’s been a hot minute since we’ve had the chance to post anything….but this one is special and deserves major love ❤️🪴🌶️

A little behind the scenes as to what we get to do beyond our day-to-day making of beautiful food….❤️🌟❤️

When Jon and Sana asked me to make their weeding cookies over 15-16 months ago, my original thought (and fear) was ‘holy moly, will I even be able to keep this place alive in 15 months???’ But I knew that no matter what my future held, I’d make their cookies over a campfire 🔥 if I had to. And here we are, still here, and still doing big things ❤️

Jon and Sana, I love you both SOOO much. Thank you for coming into our lives. Thank you for being such an amazing example of kind, compassionate, sweet, supportive love….I love and adore you both so much. I’m sad I couldn’t be there yesterday to celebrate you, but thank you for allowing a piece of my heart to still be there for you and your guests to enjoy. ❤️🪴🌶️

May your union be forever blessed with love and prosperity 🤍💕🤍💕🤍

07/15/2025

🏡❤️🏡I finally had the time and energy to cook a little something at HOME. 🏡 ❤️🏡 Croque Madame, family-style, for the WIN! 🌟🌟🌟 One of my beautiful customers made and gifted me the most gorgeous loaf of sourdough. So, I kept it simple and fab….and I must say….it climbed to The Top 3 favorite things I make, according to my kiddos. ❤️🪴🌶️

07/03/2025

🌟🌟🌟It’s BAAAACK!! 🌟🌟🌟 It’s been since last summer since we’ve had it….but it’s here today!! Our Greek spinach and pasta salad with Mediterranean grilled chicken is back! If you tried it last summer, then you definitely KNOW! 🤩🌟❤️🪴🌶️🤩 This one won’t be available every day, but we’ll have it today and Saturday! 🌟

(We’ll be closed tomorrow to celebrate the 4th with our loved ones ❤️🇺🇸
❤️)

Our Greek salad is available on our online ordering, or give us a call to put your orders in. Don’t miss out!! See you soon! ❤️🪴🌶️

06/20/2025

🌟🌟🌟 I know, I know…..it’s been a good 1.5 to 2 months since I’ve made my Swedish meatballs…I’ve been depriving you all! 😳😉🙃😩…but they’re here today!! Woo hoo! 🥳🌟🤩🌟🥳

We only have 8 left before they are sold out 🤩, so be sure to place your online order now…or give us a call to reserve yours! See you soon for all of the scrumptiousness! 🌟❤️🪴🌶️🌟

05/27/2025

We know you’ve missed it and we know it’s a crowd favorite!! 🤩🥳😍 Our World’s Best Meatloaf is here today, to delight all your taste buds! 😋 If you’ve had it before, you know that with the Marsala Mushroom Cream Sauce, Renée takes a classic, homestyle dish to GOURMET status. You won’t want to miss it. 🌟🌟🌟Order yours now! See you soon! ❤️🪴🌶️

05/25/2025

🥳🙏🏼🎉❤️ Woo hoo!!! We made it through our first (partial) week back!! What a wild 4 days!! 🥳🙏🏼🎉❤️

I have SO many thank you’s to share, but there’s not enough room on here. Please know that every single text, phone call, message, and act of service has been beyond deeply appreciated. I have SO much gratitude and love ❤️🙏🏼❤️

Thank you, Carrin and Rayne, the Directors of Devlin’s Childhood Development…who care for my little one and have supported my business…for coming over to my messy home and helping me change my dressings on my hand and folding 55 loads of laundry. ❤️🙏🏼❤️

Thank you, to my dear friend Pat, Owner of Salon Dante and Day Spa, and Linda and all of the ladies, for not only supporting me over the past year, but for helping wash my hair and at least make my toes pretty (since my hands sure don’t look that way 🥴) ❤️🙏🏼❤️

Thank you, my dear friend Christopher, for doing so much for me on the IT side of things ever since I opened. Thank you for hearing the tears in my voice and for rushing over, pizza and flowers in hand, and keeping me company….And for staying in town to help me with all of the grocery shopping for the shop ❤️🙏🏼❤️

Thank you to my dear friend Lori, who started out as my accountant, and definitely got a lot more than she expected 😘🥴😘 Lori has heard and seen every pain, every tear, every problem….and is my greatest lifeline and cheerleader. She has not only sacrificed herself, resources, and her time for me….but has also called in all of the troops to help me. She has gone above and beyond to bring over meals, groceries, help me clean, organize care calendars and monetary support within the community. She has come over in a moment’s notice, and listened to me cry…ok, bawl…😭…sometimes laugh, and has heard ALL of my swear words on repeat. 🙃😳😉 She’s become the dearest friend and is a true blessing to myself and our community. I don’t have enough words to showcase how special she is. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

And thank you to all of my beautiful customers. Thank you for all of the hugs and for blessing me with your gorgeous faces, for your amazing support this week and for showing me that The Peppered Vine was missed. ❤️🪴🌶️

05/20/2025

📣Good news everyone! We will be open tomorrow! 🥳❤️🌟 We have been here today cooking and preparing all the yummy food so that we can be ready to bless your tummies the rest of the week!! 😋🍽️ We are moving at a bit slower pace than what we are all used to ❤️‍🩹, so we do ask and encourage everyone to preorder so that we can accomplish each interaction smoothly and intentionally. ❤️ (Online preordering is available now!)

We are so GRATEFUL for the outpouring💦 of love ❤️ and support from all of our customers and our customers who have become our dearest friends! Thank you everyone for reminding us that we can make it through even the most unexpected difficulties! ⛅️☀️

05/19/2025

Well friends, it just keeps getting better around here! 🥴❤️‍🩹😵‍💫🤯😵😤😩❤️‍🩹 More setbacks continue to happen, we can’t even make this stuff up. We walked in this morning to start prepping to try to get this place opened tomorrow….to….we kid you not….our entire walk-in fridge being down and at 63 degrees. 😩😵😵‍💫 Everything Renee just purchased over the weekend is spoiled 😩😩😩 and we can’t get a food delivery until tomorrow at the soonest. And then need to still prep everything to be able to open this place back up. The moon and stars are NOT aligning for us 😔😢😔

Maybe it’s a sign for Renée to get her rest… 🤕…she has been fighting for this nonstop for nearly 2 years. That little lady is tuckered out and feeling pretty defeated. 😔 We hope to be open on Wednesday at the earliest and will keep you all updated. Thank you for your continued support in in this crazy fight for our super special small business ❤️🪴🌶️