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

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

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