Meet Sara
Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm Sara, a bit of an extroverted introvert, happily married for over two decades to my hometown sweetheart, Josh. We have two amazing kiddos (Dane, 17 and Cora, 14) and a water-loving golden retriever, Belle, who turn our days into a whirlwind of joy-filled chaos!
What You'll Find On Bitz & Giggles
I'll admit it was a bit difficult to pinpoint exactly where I wanted to focus early on - with options like travel, cleaning, kids activities and recipes, the possibilities were endless. But one thing I knew for certain was that I wanted my little corner of the Internet to be colorful, happy and fun. So, the name Bitz & Giggles felt like the perfect fit.
As the blog evolved (and now over 10 years later), I've found quick and easy recipes (with a love for desserts) to be my sweet spot with some cleaning tips and DIY sprinkled in. And let's not forget the homemade dog treats that add that extra bit of tail-wagging happiness!
I never put a recipe on my blog that I don't personally love. In fact, for me, this blog has become a bit of a family recipe book featuring my all-time favorite Wisconsin-inspired dishes - a genuine celebration of treasured memories and (mostly) homemade goodness.
In each recipe, you'll find helpful step-by-step instructions and photos to guarantee success in recreating each dish. And just know this - I'm all for taking the easy route, so you'll see a fair amount of shortcuts here and, yes, even recipes that call for condensed soups (gasp). The key is creating delicious dishes without any fuss. That's what we're all about here.
My Inspiration
I grew up cooking and baking alongside my mom and grandma. In fact, my mom and I still refer back to my grandma's little black recipe book every so often. Its lack of super detailed instructions and exact measurements in those handwritten pages is kind of charming. It's like she meant to write it that way as a sweet reminder of her. A reminder that no matter how hard we try, we can never quite recreate the dish exactly the way she made it. We love you, Grandma.
And I love food. I always have. My curiosity and love to travel take me on journeys to explore new places and try new things. Yet, the irresistible pull of my beautiful home state and the flavors of Wisconsin always beckon me back home. From cozy Sunday meals after church with the family to fish frys, potlucks, and hearty Saturday suppers at the farm - these are the moments that have shaped not just my meals but also the very essence of who I am.
My love for old church cookbooks is real-they're like little time capsules preserving the heart and soul of the families in our communities. Flipping through those worn-out pages, I discover the best recipes that families cherished and generously shared.
Picture this: me, floating on the boat in the middle of the lake, breezy pages turning. I pick out the recipes that spark childhood memories, thinking about how I'll recreate those dishes in my own kitchen. It's like taking a trip down memory lane, mixing the past with the present and bringing a bit of that tradition into my cooking.
I love hitting up supper clubs all over Wisconsin, analyzing their menus and doing my own little taste tests of Poorman's Lobster and Prime Rib recipes. And you know what's even better than that? Seeking out the yummiest after-dinner drinks (AKA ice cream with booze). I've got a soft spot for Grasshoppers and Pink Squirrels and I've become quite the connoisseur over the years.
Visiting as many supper clubs as I can around the state is like a foodie treasure hunt, exploring the unique flavors and traditions each spot has to offer.
Getting Around The Site
- Check out the Recipe Index to explore a variety of recipes from appetizers and main courses to salads and desserts. Or get into the festive spirit with holiday recipes for every celebration!
- Dive into dedicated sections for Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi recipes.
- Discover a special corner reserved for homemade dog treats and pet tips to pamper your furry friends.
- Explore a treasure trove of clever cleaning tips and tricks to keep your spaces sparkling.
- Poke around the DIY section of the site to find beauty and health tips, ideas for family fun and a collection of free printables.
Random Bitz About Me
- Being a lifelong Wisconsinite, my heart beats for milk, cheese and ice cream. Growing up surrounded by family, each known for their signature dishes, I now cherish recreating them in my own kitchen to share with all of you.
- Give me audio books and podcasts any day! They're my companions during drives, cleaning sessions, and walks with the pup.
- My happy place? Our lake cabin in Northern Wisconsin. There's nothing like long days playing in the water and healing walks in the woods! Follow along on my adventures on Instagram!
- I adore scents-candles, diffusers, perfumes, oils. There's something about fragrance that sets the mood wherever you are. Bonus: All my favorite scents have a hint of vanilla, adding that perfect hint of warmth and coziness.
- Not a huge fan of movies (sitting still is a challenge), but I'm all in for shows like "Lakefront Luxury" and "Island Hunters," and any dose of reality TV.
- Wisconsin supper clubs are my jam. My plan? To travel around the state and experience as many as I can.
- Call me crazy, but I absolutely love to clean! There's something incredibly rewarding about transforming a space into a sparkly haven.
- Trip planning is my obsession. Creating an amazing itinerary that caters to each friend or family member's likes is my secret talent.
- Golden retrievers hold a special place in my heart-I truly believe they were sent straight from heaven with unlimited love to give!
And don't forget to check out all of the free air fryer and Ninja Foodi recipes here on the site if you own an air fryer, Instant Pot or pressure cooker!
Our Accolades
Nothing makes me happier than hearing from readers who have shared my recipes with their own families. Since 2013, my team and I have been cooked up over 1,000 recipes (and counting) to share here on the blog and all across social platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
I've had the honor of collaborating with brands like Hershey's, IAMS, Kraft, Clorox, Johnsonville, Sargento, Hoover and more. My online content has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Redbook, Woman's World, House Beautiful, HuffPost, Buzzfeed, Tiny House Nation, Relish, Melissa & Doug and many others.
