Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens Staci Perry Mergenthal
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Welcome to Funeral Potatoes and Wool Mittens, a show for people who embrace the warm and cozy spirit of everyday living in the northern Midwest. Whether you cook, bake, or have food delivery on speed dial, everyone has a comforting recipe or story to share. We bake cookies for our kids’ hockey teams and bring cheesy hash browns to funerals. Lefse and krumkake are in our DNA. Candy bars and apples make a salad. We'll ditch work for a lake day, drive an hour for an old-fashioned bakery, and don wool mittens at 20 below. A food podcast for all. Tune in with Staci from Random Sweets in Minnesota. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support
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Will Read for Pizza: Apps, Sides and Books with Christianne Beringer
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: staci@randomsweets.com
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Sausage Wontons and Crafting a Creative Life with Bobbi Lynn Gaukel
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: bobbi@pieinthesky.co
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: staci@randomsweets.com
#graphicartist #graphicdesigner #southdakota #midwest #midwesterner #oursweetmidwestlife #podcast #foodpodcast #siouxfalls #creativelife #entrepreneur
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Back to Grandma’s Basics and Handwritten Recipes with Wendy Doornink
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: staci@randomsweets.com
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Buttery Caramels and Fancy Dishes with Liz Murphy of Betty’s Antiques
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: staci@randomsweets.com
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Flock to Fork: Eggstravaganza and Deviled Eggs with Iowa Egg Council
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: staci@randomsweets.com
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Fish Fry Friday Feeds the Soul with Ron Faiola
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: staci@randomsweets.com
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message
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Customer Reviews
Love the Midwest focus!
Thanks for a relatable, relaxing, interesting, and wide-ranging set of conversations about all things great food!
#1 Podcast!!💕
Whether you are a cook or not, tune into this fun, easy listening, sometimes entertaining, full of life Midwestern Soul! Planning to hit the road for a drive, or buckling up in a plane. This is a great podcast to have on your favorites list. Even my nontechy hubby enjoys Random Sweets and Funeral Potatoes and Wool Mittens!!
Fun podcast!!!
I enjoy listening to Staci’s podcast and usually take away a new recipe idea to try.