For years, Sandy Holthaus, who grew up in Schroeder, has made the readers of the Cook County News-Herald and the Annandale Advocate gasp in surprise, giggle with delight, and occasionally shed a tear. Along the way our food columnist has enticed us to try a new recipe or two. For years, readers have encouraged Holthaus to collect those recipes and memories in a book. She has done just that with a book published this spring, Sandyisms – Stories, Recipes & More from the North Shore.
Since her first column in 2006—appropriately also the first column in the book— Holthaus has shared her follies and foibles, as well as her triumphs and tears with readers. She also writes about her family, her childhood friends and her current neighbors. No one is safe from becoming a Sandy story, especially if the tale fits the column theme— such as that first column in which Holthaus shares the pleasure of homemade ice cream, ending with several of her favorite ice cream topping recipes. That column, I enjoy dessert first, could sum up much of the playful philosophy of the book.
There are stories of an apple-eating deer along with delicious apple recipes. The tale of a battle with a boss over bananas followed by an assortment of banana recipes. There are sweet tales of her longlived Norwegian grandmother topped off with traditional Norwegian recipes and the story of her husband’s wonderful proposal and their wedding, accompanied by recipes “…for the first year of marriage, to keep it sweet.”
There are other fun and silly reasons that recipes fit the stories, such as How Many is Too Many? about all the rabbits around the Holthaus farm followed by recipes for cookies that will be eaten “as quick as a bunny.” There is the story of best friends and boyfriends, and bacon called A Perfect Winter Day. How do boyfriends and bacon mix? You’ll have to read Sandyisms – Stories, Recipes & More from the North Shore to find out.
And you’ll find so much more. Have you ever wanted to make pancakes for 100? You’ll find a recipe at the end of Working at Rosie’s Café—along with a memory shared by hundreds of West End youths, of working at Rosie’s at Lutsen Mountain Ski Hill.
Want some wild and crazy ideas for keeping your kids busy over summer vacation? Check out Lovin’ Summer for some fabulous non-food recipes.
Curious about sour dough starters—and how to ship them? Holthaus has it covered in Pancakes Anyone?
Looking for a way to get best use of the proliferation of zucchini in your garden? Despite her distaste for the vegetable, Holthaus shares recipes in two columns—Gulp, It’s Zucchini Season—Lock your cars! and Long Live the Queen.
In the dedication of Sandyisms – Stories, Recipes & More from the North Shore, author Sandy Holthaus thanks the many people who have helped her create the book— such as Linda Lamb, who shared the beautiful cover photo of the rock cairn at the mouth of the Cross River, her husband, her children, her parents and friends. She writes, “The fact that you are reading this is such a gift to me.”
Sandyisms – Stories, Recipes & More from the North Shore is not just a gift Holthaus gave herself. With its heartwarming stories and deeply satisfying recipes, it’s a treat for all of us.
Book Signings with Sandy Holthaus
Lake Superior
Trading Post
Saturday, June 30
10 a.m. – noon
Cross River
Heritage Center
Saturday, June 30
1 – 3 p.m.
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