It’s almost summer, which means pool and lake parties, family reunions and picnics, camping, and smoking out the neighborhood with your backyard grilling. It’s also time to dig out your library card, visit your local indie bookstore, and pack your beach bag with books on your “want to read” list.  Today I’m bringing back my friend and book goals hero, Christianne Beringer. First, we are talking about easy appetizers and sides delicious enough for sharing, like creamy red pepper dip, Southwest dip with pepperoni, BLT dip, Clara's corn, and green beans with lemon and toasted almonds.   Then, Christianne catches us up on (and inspires us with) her reading goals, and she tells us about new authors and book series she’s been enjoying, including the one she likes so much she starting checking out two at a time from the library.   We also talk about the handy book recommendation and discovery website and app, Goodreads, which we use to keep track of books we want to read, books we’ve read, and to browse what’s on our friends’ bookshelves as well.    So if you are someone who likes simple recipes and celebrates the joy of finishing a good book, this episode is for you!   I posted the five recipes that Christianne shares on my website randomsweets.com. Christianne Beringer on Goodreads Staci Mergenthal on Goodreads Goodreads Libby App (free app for digital reading from your public library) Hoopla (borrow and enjoy books and media using your library card) Midwest Independent Booksellers Association Abe books Thrift books Also mentioned in this episode:  Tikka House at Historic City Market, Kansas City How to Freeze Green Beans to Enjoy And Time of Year, Good Housekeeping #amreading #reader #readinggoals #reading #library #books #appetizers #midwest #midwesterner #oursweetmidwestlife #podcast #foodpodcast #southdakota Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #OurSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected]   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

Living a life of curiosity and creativity means you will, at times, gracefully let go of things that no longer fuel your passion or serve you positively. This week's podcast guest, Bobbi Lynn Gaukel, and I agree—the earlier in life you learn this practice, the more open and freer you are to being curious and trying new things.  Throughout her life, Bobbi has weaved in creativity and learning, leaving a trail of beauty wherever she goes. In addition to her professional life as a graphic artist, she gardens, crochets, writes, takes captivating photos, thrifts, repurposes, bakes desserts, crafts and so much more. Her Grandma Elizabeth taught her to crochet, all while burning through soap operas together. She began her graphic design career without a computer. And she once threw away a paint-by-number because for her, the whole experience was awful.  She's the friend you give your funeral plants to when they start to die and you feel too guilty to throw them away.  The recipes Bobbi is sharing with you and photos are on my website, randomsweets.com—sausage wonton appetizers made with ranch seasoning and two kinds of cheese, crock pot apple butter, and Bobbi’s mom’s easy carrot cake with an inch of cream cheese frosting.  Just like Bobbi and I do when we meet for coffee, we visit here for a long time. So it’s OK to pause the episode when you need a break and resume when you’re ready for more. I hope after hearing from her, you’ll feel inspired to ask yourself the question, “what would happen if…”  Bobbi Lynn Gaukel, Pie in the Sky Co Website: pieinthesky.co Facebook: Pie in the Sky Co Instagram: @bobbilynngaukel Instagram: @ps_wedesignthings Email: [email protected] Bobbi's monthly article in etc. for her magazine. (In addition to the current issue, you can read her articles in the back issues too.) Watch: How to thrift your way to a beautiful, sustainable home with Bobbi Also mentioned in this episode:  Cindy Lindgren, artist, you may recognize her Midwest vibe http://www.cindylindgren.com Alissa's Flower Farm near Rock Valley and Hull, Iowa, alissasflowerfarm.com Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] #graphicartist #graphicdesigner #southdakota #midwest #midwesterner #oursweetmidwestlife #podcast #foodpodcast #siouxfalls #creativelife #entrepreneur --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

Have you thought about who you’ll pass down your handwritten recipes to? If you’re like Wendy Doornink and me, you have a mix of handwritten recipe cards from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and of course, yourself. This episode might make you think about who the next person might be to keep those cherished recipes in your family.  In our visit, Wendy shares recipes and sweet and fun stories from her grandmothers, and we talk about the correlation between the food basics and mental health. We’re kind of all over the place, there’s head cheese, raisins in the sheep pasture, and popcorn in the cookie box from grandma.  Wendy shares recipes for zucchini bread, pasties, pie crust, sweet yeast dough and caramel sauce for caramel rolls, and the coconut pie she uses as currency in her family. Those recipes and photos of Great Grandma Emma on a Farmall tractor and grandma Olga are on randomsweets.com. Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

In this episode, you and I are going to meet Betty’s Antiques owner, Liz Murphy from St. Paul, Minnesota. She’s walking us through her charming vintage boutique on the historic corner of Selby and Snelling Avenues, plus she shares the sweet way her grandma Betty influenced how she dresses up a table, in a non-fussy sort of way, so that we can make our guests feel special—even in our everyday living—using touches like fresh flowers and table linens, to glassware and flatware, candles, and pretty dishes. We talk about an evening with Lawrence Welk, her manageable way to appreciate our fine china, what mindset we should be in when it’s time to wash the fancy dishes, plus, Liz tells us a couple of her favorite spots to each lunch and enjoy a treat near her shop, and we talk about the cookbook that her cousin put together that’s full of recipe and stories the family has of Grandma Betty—she even gives us Betty’s recipe for buttery smooth caramels, which you can get on my website randomsweets.com.  While you’re listening, take a look at Liz’s website and social media, which you can find on https://www.bettysantiques-stp.com. I hope this episode inspires you to use something fancy in your everyday living and for the holidays.  Thank you to Sarah Peterson from the blog Vintage Dish and Tell for introducing us. If you missed Sarah’s episode, it is S2 E9 on Dec. 1, 2023. Show Notes & Links Betty’s Antiques, Liz (Elizabeth) Murphy https://www.bettysantiques-stp.com Instagram: @bettys.antiques.stp Facebook: Betty’s Antiques Rose Street Patisserie Yum! Kitchen and Bakery (multiple locations) The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning #useyourfancydishes #bettysantiquesstpaul #StPaul #SelbyatSnelling #shopBettys Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

Welcome to the 50th episode! We’re heading to Iowa today to speak with Iowa Egg Council’s Board Chairman Bruce Dooyema, and Director of Marketing and Communications Melissa Alto-Kintigh about one powerhouse food—eggs.  IOWA IS THE #1 STATE IN EGG PRODUCTION First, we cover the basics, like how many eggs a chicken lays in a day, what determines the color of eggs, their nutritional value and health benefits, why we refrigerate our eggs in the U.S., and which fast-food restaurant still cracks a real egg for their breakfast sandwich. Then, Bruce, who is also known as the director of deviled eggs, shares a few of his tips and recipes, plus he tells me why he made deviled eggs on three continents in three days, and what his next bucket list wish is. You can get Bruce’s recipes for shrimp deviled eggs, smoked deviled eggs, sweet and/or sassy deviled eggs, avocado deviled eggs, and cheesy peasy deviled eggs on my website randomsweets.com. You'll also get my recipe for smoky deviled eggs there. I answered my own question about the expiration date on egg cartons here: https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-kind-of-dates-are-on-cartons-of-fresh-eggs #deviledeggs #foodpodcast #eggs Iowa Egg Council iowaegg.org Bruce Dooyema Bio Melissa Alto-Kintigh on LinkedIn Watch Bruce Dooyema on Hello Iowa Watch Bruce Dooyema make deviled eggs at home Instagram: @iowa_egg Facebook: Iowa Egg Council X: @IowaEggCouncil Pinterest: Iowa Egg Council LinkedIn: Iowa Egg Council YouTube: IowaEggCouncil Tik Tok: Iowa Egg Council Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

Batter up! You don’t have to be from the Midwest to feel like a part of the community we’re talking about today—that’s because our beloved Friday night fish fry welcomes people from around the world to sit across the table with each other at parish schools and fellowship halls, to supper clubs, taverns, and community centers to enjoy golden-fried or lightly baked fish alongside classic sides like coleslaw and potatoes. Who better to talk with me about this Lenten tradition than Ron Faiola? He’s a filmmaker, director, and author who, in addition to his movies and books about Wisconsin supper clubs, has produced two movies about fish frys in Wisconsin. All four of his films were licensed and broadcast on PBS for several years.  We’re covering everything from which side of Wisconsin serves rye bread at their fish frys, and how to know if you’re getting real lake perch, to how to find a fish fry in your community and why you want to skip the fork and eat fish with your fingers. Ron Faiola https://wisconsinsupperclubs.com Club List Movies Facebook: Wisconsin Supper Clubs Instagram: @wisconsin_supper_clubs Wisconsin Supper Clubs—Second Edition (2023) The Wisconsin Supper Clubs Story, An Illustrated History With Relish (2021) Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round (2016) Wisconsin Supper Clubs, An Old Fashioned Experience (2013)  It’s Lent. Do You Know Where Your Fish Fry Is? (Atlas Obscura article with Ron Faiola)  Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected]   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

On today’s show, we’re expanding on last week’s theme of incorporating personality into your kitchen as we sit down with expert designer, Carissa Trygstad, about what she’s seeing in kitchen trends and the classics, plus the revival of the scullery, and how it differs from a butler’s pantry.  From cabinets to heated countertops, Carissa covers kitchen work zones, function and organization, floating shelves, appliances, cabinet hardware…everything including the kitchen sink, even a few tips for giving your kitchen a refresh without a remodel.  While you listen to this episode, I recommend you visit showplacedesigncenter.com and showplacecabinetry.com for all sorts of ideas for your dream kitchen. Showplace Cabinetry Design Center is where you will find Carissa working with clients, and incorporating brands you love, plus the company’s South Dakota-made cabinets. One thing I know for sure, no matter the style or age of our kitchen, the food is just as delicious, and family and friends are what make it the heart of our home.  Show Notes & Links Carissa Trygstad, Designer [email protected] Pinterest @carissaleight Showplace Cabinetry Design Center 804 S Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD Instagram @showplacedesigncentersd Showplace Cabinetry Instagram @showplacecabinets Pinterest @showplacecab Houzz @ Showplace Cabinetry Design Center Bamboo Drawer Knife Block, (affiliate link) Carissa talked about this in the episode, but please note the price has increased since she purchased them. Martha Stewart article about sculleries making a comeback Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

We're heading into the kitchen with Wendy Doornink, the color services manager at Hirshfield’s, a family-owned paint, wallcoverings and window fashions company headquarted in Minnesota.  Wendy has been painting since she could hold a paint brush, so when Jason and I started talking about painting our kitchen and possibly even our cabinets, I knew I needed professional help. Maybe you can relate. It's because I have a hard time choosing paint colors, for two main reasons—I’m worried I’ll choose a color that once it’s on the walls, I won’t like it. Second, as soon as I choose a color and like it, I find another I wish I would have used. We cover timeless and daring paint colors, how to incorporate personality into our kitchens, painting cabinets, and we even talk about wallpaper and a few fun places to use it. Show Notes & Links Hirshfields.com Blog Facebook Hirshfield’s Instagram @hirshfieldspaint Pinterest @hirshfields Hirshfield’s At Home Magazine Hirshfield’s Design Resource Showroom The Effects of Light on Color Color 101 Staci Mergenthal RandomSweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website randomsweets.com Instagram @potatoesandmittens Instagram @randomsweets Facebook Random Sweets Pinterest @staciperry Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

It’s hockey season and I live in Minnesota, the State of Hockey. And even though my kids played hockey in South Dakota where’s it’s not school-sanctioned, there’s one thing we have in common across the sport—once a hockey mom, always a hockey mom, even after our kids have shot their last puck as a high school player. We may not wear our player’s photo button on our puffy winter coats anymore, but we’ll always proudly wear the “hockey mom” title.  It’s been a few years since my guests, Kathy Lesnar and Julie Pederson and I screamed from the bleachers together, so I thought it would be fun to swap a few stories and share the recipes that our hockey players loved at team breakfasts and potluck dinners—like caramel rolls, biscuits and gravy, crockpot spaghetti at the hotel, egg bake, pancakes and butterscotch muffins, and it wouldn’t be the Midwest if we didn’t include Casey’s breakfast pizza on that menu.  From hotel hallway knee hockey, parent bonding over beer in the lobby, and driving to games in blizzards, lifelong friendships were formed on and off the ice—among players, parents, even grandparents. So whatever sport or team your kids are, or were, involved in, I think you’ll be able to relate to our amusing and heartwarming recollection of our time as Brookings Ranger Hockey Moms. Recipes and photos from this episode are on randomsweets.com. breakfast egg bake butterscotch muffins cake batter pancakes Staci Mergenthal: Randomsweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website: randomsweets.com  Instagram: @potatoesandmittens Instagram: @randomsweets Facebook: Random Sweets Email: [email protected] --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

We’re going back to school—to the school cafeteria, that is. And although I do ask about good ol’ square school lunch pizza, and the pairing of cinnamon rolls & chili, my guests, Karla Sawvell and Amanda Reilly are spilling the beans on how the Huron South Dakota School District is implementing Farm To School. In addition to being one of the very few public school nutrition programs that cooks from scratch AND bakes all of their own bread, they are striving to serve fresh and local foods to 2,200 students each day. You’ll come to the end of this episode knowing: 1.     How to champion your school district to cultivate a farm to school initiative if it isn’t already.  2.     If you’re a farmer, rancher or producer, you can help revolutionize school lunch in your area. 3.     How many pounds of cheese, and the secret mixture of cheeses they use, to make 132 commercial-sized sheet pans of pizza in one day. So grab your pencil box and sharpener, because it’s time to learn how local agriculture and school nutritionists are positively impacting student well-being and benefiting the community. The seasoned turnip fries with herb dipping sauce is on randomsweets.com. National Farm To School Network The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program Farm to School Planning Toolkit from USDA Find the network in your state https://www.farmtoschool.org/our-network Facebook: National Farm to School Network Contact Amanda Reilly, Nutrition Director or Karla Sawvell, Farm2School Coordinator: [email protected] and [email protected].  #agriculture #food #schoolnutrition #farming #FarmToSchool Staci Mergenthal: Randomsweets.com #ourSweetMidwestLife Website: randomsweets.com  Instagram: @potatoesandmittens Instagram: @randomsweets Facebook: Random Sweets --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support