Born and raised in South Dakota, Alice Klopstad stayed for college and the start of her corporate career. Then Alaska captured her heart and now she calls it home.

Join me as Alice tells her adventurous and inspiring story of moving to a place where she’s embraced the outdoor lifestyle—hiking, snow machining, fishing, foraging, and filling an entire freezer with fresh-caught halibut and salmon. 

When she’s not exploring Alaska, Alice is baking sourdough bread, sewing and quilting, cozying up with books from the Anchorage Public Library, planning her next international travel adventure, visiting family, or responding to “moose down” texts from friends, summoning her to help when their hunt is successful. 

In 2024, Alice squeezed in reading 39,862 pages in 110 books! Find her on Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/52706555-alice.

Alice shares three of her favorite recipes and the stories behind them: roasted shrimp enchiladas, her Grandma Joyce’s Danish butter cookies, and a comforting classic from her friend Jill—potatoes Romanoff.  

Alice also shares what tattoo she has in honor of her grandma. And grab a couple of Kleenex for her introduction to her beloved dog, Rambo. May he rest in beautiful peace. 

View this episode’s photos and recipes on my website randomsweets.com.

Staci Mergenthal, Host and Producer

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook: Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Facebook Random Sweets

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Email: [email protected]

Step into the warm and inviting kitchen of Minnesota native Leah Rodriguez, where baking isn’t just a pastime for her, it’s a way to honor tradition, celebrate family, and embrace joy and faith even in life’s hardest seasons. 

Get ready to laugh and cry in this episode as Leah shares what she puts in her pumpkin bars that make them extra special, a recipe for funeral hot dish with an Asian flare, and how growing up in a family of 11 kids played a part in raising six children alongside her Juan & Only husband.

She also explains how her magical oven got its nickname, and she takes us on a flavorful journey of her favorite bakeries near New Richmond, Wisconsin where she lives, including a Mexican bakery and restaurant in Chaska, Minnesota. 

Photos of Leah, her magical oven, goodies, and recipes for banana bread, pumpkin bars, funeral hot dish, and Crisco chocolate chip cookies are on my blog for you randomsweets.com.

In this episode:

Keys Café & Bakery 9 locations in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area and Hudson WI.

Knoke’s Chocolates & Nuts

El Paisano Bakery, 117 W. 4th St., Chaska, MN, 952-361-9337

Staci Mergenthal, host and producer

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook: Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

Today, I’m introducing you to Stacy Brallier, a South Dakota mom, grandma, and keeper of family food traditions. Stacy shares recipes that hold a special place in her heart, including Funfetti cookies, her mom’s peanut butter whirlygigs cookies, and her great-grandma Elsie Edgecomb’s watermelon pickles, and a co-worker’s more updated recipe for watermelon pickles—each one tied to cherished memories. 

For Stacy, food isn't just about flavor; it's about the people and moments that make life sweet, in all seasons of life. Whether it's making Elsie’s watermelon pickles or baking cookies with her own grandchildren, these recipes celebrate the joy of family and connect generations to come.

Get Stacy's recipe at randomsweets.com.

Staci Mergenthal

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook: Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

Today’s guest is Amanda Runia, a busy mom, South Dakota business owner of In-House Ally, and self-proclaimed non-cook who has still managed to gather an abundance of beloved Midwest comfort food recipes from her family.

Drawing from the kitchens of her mother-in-law, grandmother, and mom, Amanda shares her approach to keeping mealtime manageable and delicious, plus her go-to resources for recipes that bring a little warmth and nostalgia to the table—even though she doesn’t inherently love cooking.

See photos and get the recipes and links on my website randomsweets.com.

Amanda shared recipes for chicken divan, a few versions of goulash, rhubarb juice, Grandma Jo’s casserole, baked oatmeal, hamburger rice skillet, beef taco skillet, and her alfredo sauce that has ruined it for all other alfredo sauces when dining out, plus a few more.

 Amanda Runia

In-House Ally (Amanda's business website)

Instagram: @inhouseally

Instagram: @amanda.runia  

Goodreads

LinkedIn

Facebook

Substack

Mentioned in this Episode

Mother-in-law's hash brown baked potatoes

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Mel's Kitchen Cafe baked oatmeal recipe

Mel's Kitchen Cafe chocolate pots de creme recipe

The Lazy Genius

The Lazy Genius change your life chicken podcast episode

The Lazy Genius change your life chicken recipe

Instagram @thelazygenius

Canoe Bay 

Bri McCoy The Cooks Book

The I Hate to Cook Book

The Ettlin's Cafe (Harry Potter flights)

The Nook

Rabbit Den's Gaming

Author John Mark Comer

Author Stuart Turton

Staci Mergenthal

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook: Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

You don’t need walking shoes for the Lake Campbell Lutheran Church Cookie Walk. Just an appetite for homemade, tried-and-true Midwestern treats and a giving heart to support local non-profits. 

This year's bake sale is on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 9a.m. Be there early to get in line! They run out of cookies quickly. The church address is 46610 219th Street, Volga, South Dakota. Cash or check only.

Three big-hearted women, the organizers behind the church’s 22nd annual cookie walk, gathered around a table in their fellowship hall with our steaming cups of Lutheran coffee to talk about how it all works.

You’ll learn what kinds of goodies sell best, the most important piece of a successful cookie walk, and why it’s always a good idea to sample your home baked goods before donating them to a bake sale.

Open to the public and held at this charming 154-year-old country church south of Brookings South Dakota, the bake sale is a celebration of community, fellowship, and giving back. 

You’ll hear about some of the treats like raspberry almond shortbread thumbprints, lemon bonbons, pecan tarts and delights, maple pecan thumbprints, and caramels, and of course what you’d find at any self-respecting bake sale of Nordic heritage—lefse, krumkake and rosettes. 

Visitors are invited to sip coffee, enjoy freshly baked cinnamon and caramel rolls, and connect with one another after picking out an assortment of homemade goodies generously donated by church members and the community. 

How does a church bake sale get even better? Well, one hundred percent of the proceeds from this festivity are donated to local charities, they average about $3,000 each year, making the cookie walk a true gift that keeps on giving.

Let's meet Inga Trygstad, Ginny Jensen, and Glenda Derdall and learn how cookies, coffee, sweet rolls and a little holiday cheer can make a big impact. 

Go to randomsweets.com to get the four recipes they share in this episode: pecan tarts, pecan delights, maple pecan thumbprints and raspberry almond shortbread thumbprints.

Lake Campbell Lutheran Church on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SinaiandLakeCampbellLutheran

Staci Mergenthal, Host and Producer

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Facebook Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

Krueger's Christmas Tree Farm has been more than just a place to pick your own perfect tree—it's been at the heart of holiday traditions for families in the Lake Elmo and Twin Cities Minnesota area for 70 years and counting. 

Spanning four generations, the Krueger family has cultivated not just evergreens but cherished memories, as they continue to welcome visitors with the warmth and magic of the Christmas season. From the fresh scent of pine, the warmth of a crackling fire and hot cider, to the timeless ritual of cutting the perfect tree and pulling it on a sled through the snow, Krueger’s has become a beloved part of holiday celebrations.

So get cozy, as Neil, Deb and John Krueger takes us from the accidental start to selling Christmas trees in 1954, to the traditions, Tootsie Rolls, and the stories behind this family-run farm that’s been keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and families returning for seven decades.

In this episode, Neil talks about the varieties of trees and which ones are most popular for their needles and which ones people like best for that fresh pine scent. And they share tips for how to keep your evergreen looking its best all Christmas season with water and spritzing. Who knew the sap would seal the bottom and not absorb water anymore if we let the water run out?

For the 2024 season, Krueger's has Fir—Balsam, Canaan,  Fraser, Korean and Siberian—and White Pine and Norway Pine trees. Plus, you'll find gorgeous, handmade wreaths, swags, spruce tops, garland, roping and tree stands. Reservations (⁠on their website⁠) are required for pre-cut and cut-your-own.

Krueger's is a full-service experience. If you want to cut your own tree, they'll provide you with a saw and a sled to move it. Make holiday memories sipping free hot cider and getting cozy around the blazing bonfire. Before you head home, Krueger's staff will shake the tree to remove dust, old needles, grass, etc., wrap it with a tree baler and secure it to your car. You'll also receive a gift—Krueger's custom annualized tree ornament.

To reserve your tree time slot, see photos, and learn more about experiencing the farm, browse their website https://kruegerschristmastrees.com. See more photos on randomsweets.com.

Krueger's Christmas Tree Farm

ENTRANCE & EXIT:
10920 43rd Street North
Lake Elmo, MN 55042

651-350-4545

https://kruegerschristmastrees.com

Instagram: @kruegerschristmastreefarm

Facebook: Kruegers Christmas Tree Farm

⁠Frequently Asked Questions ⁠

Staci Mergenthal, Host and Producer

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Facebook Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

If you like meat or stories about family businesses that connect producers directly to their customers, you’re going to love this episode with Bruce and Jodie Drager, Allie and Michael Drager, and Mackenzie Drager, half of the Minnesota family of farmers and food enthusiasts behind The Meatery MN.

While sharing meals together on vacation in Oregon, the Drager family dreamed up an ecommerce business that connects the producers of premium, USDA certified meat directly with consumers who appreciate fine food and knowing where it came from.

Founded in 2022, The Meatery MN has been creating a community of meathusiasts across the U.S. by creating an online platform for consumers to purchase high-quality beef, poultry and pork and have it shipped to them directly from the farm families who raised the animals. 

As a gift from The Meatery MN this holiday season, use code Mittens15 at checkout to get 15% off an additional order. This code is active until December 31, 2024 and can be shared with friends and family. (Each new customer who orders automatically gets a $15 coupon off their first order. That is why the code Mittens15 is off an additional order.)

Use the code to purchase meats like Waygu ribeye, dry-aged burger, smoked rib steak, beef sticks, chicken breasts, smoked ham, tomahawk chops, pork shoulder roast, raspberry chipotle bacon, and charcuterie boxes, just to name a few. 

To learn more, browse themeateryMN.com. Photos and recipes for garlic butter instant pot short ribs and smashburgers are on randomsweets.com.

The Meatery MN

https://themeaterymn.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 507-479-1367

Facebook: The Meatery MN

Instagram: @themeaterymn

YouTube: The Meatery MN

TikTok: The Meatery MN

Staci Mergenthal, Host and Producer

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Facebook Funeral Potatoes & Wool Mittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

If you drink South Dakota-made wine or beer, Jim Schade and Eldon Nygaard are the guys to thank. Because prior to the South Dakota 1996 Farm Winery Act legalized commercial production of wine in South Dakota, you couldn’t make an alcoholic beverage in South Dakota and sell it since Prohibition. 

So, Eldon came up with the idea to start a legal license for making and selling wine, wrote the legislation and Jim took it to the legislators at the state capital in Pierre. The bill passed.

Eldon got the first license and began the state’s first winery, Valiant Vineyards of Vermillion.

Four years after the bill passed, Jim and his wife, Nancy, founded Schadé Vineyard and Winery west of Volga. In this amusing episode, Jim shares where they first fell in love with the wine industry and why he quit his job in Pierre before he applied for the third winery license in South Dakota. Plus, you’ll learn why they hosted inventory reduction parties at their house, which two fruits don’t work well for winemaking, the funny story about how their winery got its name, how they became sponsors of The Iditarod, and how caller I.D. killed their original approach to picking grapes. 

Jim has handed the vineyard reins over to Dillon Ringling, even though Dillon broke all three of Jim’s rules and now hosts weddings and events at the vineyard with the most beautiful sunsets as a backdrop. 

Jim is still pretty involved with the business. And having been on the ground floor of South Dakota wine since the late 90s, Jim admits that what he loves most about the winery hasn’t been the wine, is has been the people and relationships behind the pours. 

Schadé Vineyard & Winery 

21095 463rd Avenue, Volga, SD

https://schadevineyard.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schadevineyard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchadeVineyardandWinery

Airbnb listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50269250?guests=1&adults=2&s=67&unique_share_id=9d8fa87b-13ed-42d5-9c18-be1aac27f316

Staci Mergenthal

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]

Today’s story is a reminder that not all kids have the luxury of celebrating their birthday with a fun cake, but it’s also a reminder that just one small act of kindness, and a little frosting and sprinkles, can light up a child’s special day, showing them that people care about them and they are not forgotten. 

Meet ⁠For Goodness Cakes Twin Cities⁠ co-chapter leads Carolyn McGovern and Katie Lipe, plus five sprinkle squad volunteer bakers—Audrey Hyatt, Kenzie Taylor, Tiffane Gayle, Tom McGovern, and Emily Beckmann, and Chris Bernard from Jeremiah Program and Melissa Westphal from Missions Inc.'s Home Free Shelter, two agencies served by the nonprofit.

⁠For Goodness Cakes⁠ is a nationwide non-profit organization that gives underprivileged youth the chance to have a birthday celebration by matching volunteers to bake special cakes just for them. To date, there are nearly 30 U.S. chapters and they have hand-delivered more than 32,000 cakes.

View photos and links at https://randomsweets.com/for-goodness-cakes-twin-cities-chapter/

For Goodness Cakes® is an officially recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Tax ID # 81-10383832118 Wilshire Blvd #826Santa Monica, CA 90403

⁠⁠https://www.forgoodnesscakes.org⁠⁠

Email Carolyn McGovern and Katie Lipe from the Twin Cities chapter at [email protected].

Instagram: @forgoodnesscakestwincities

Jeremiah Program ⁠https://jeremiahprogram.org⁠

Home Free Shelter, Missions Inc. ⁠https://www.missionsinc.org⁠

Lynn’s Cake, Candy & Chocolate Supplies, ⁠https://lynnscakeandcandy.com⁠  

Kenzie Taylor on Instagram ⁠⁠@kenziespastries⁠⁠

Host, Staci Mergenthal

⁠RandomSweets.com⁠

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website ⁠randomsweets.com⁠

Instagram ⁠@potatoesandmittens⁠

Instagram ⁠@randomsweets⁠

Facebook ⁠Random Sweets⁠

Pinterest ⁠@staciperry⁠

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This is a classic story of two Midwesterners becoming friends over a grandma's handed-down rhubarb muffin recipe.

Growing up in New Richmond, Wisconsin, Shannon's grandmothers, aunts and mom were great Midwestern cooks. Even so, she didn't watch or pay attention to how they worked their culinary magic in the kitchen or with recipes. Her job was to set the table and clean up after dinner.

Eventually, they rubbed off on her.

Get the recipes, photos and links https://randomsweets.com

What we talk about in this episode:

Shannon lives on an acreage near Prescott, Wisconsin and works just across the Mississippi River in Minnesota as the Director of Sales at ⁠Visit Roseville⁠. 

Connect with Shannon:

Instagram: @shanphotos17

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonthomasser/

Staci Mergenthal

RandomSweets.com

#ourSweetMidwestLife

Website randomsweets.com

Instagram @potatoesandmittens

Instagram @randomsweets

Facebook Random Sweets

Pinterest @staciperry

Email: [email protected]