When people walk into one of our productions, they see the finished product. They see castles, villages, forests, and entire worlds built inside a gymnasium. What they don't always see is the work that happens before the curtain rises.
For Belle, every backdrop began as a sketch. I spent weeks drawing the village both on a computer and onto the flats, the castles, and the details in the village that would eventually transform our gym into a storybook world. The vision was there, but turning marker lines into painted scenery would require an incredible amount of work.
Brianna and Keila stepped up in a big way.
The finished village consisted of two massive backdrop panels, each hand-painted by a team of volunteers led by Brianna and Keila. Together, they transformed a blank canvas into the heart of Belle's world.
They led the effort to bring the village to life, organizing supplies, coordinating volunteers, and spending countless hours painting. Many members of our community popped in to help along the way, but Brianna and Keila became the driving force behind the project. If paint was moving, chances are one of them was making it happen. When the village was finally complete, we all took a step back to admire the progress. Then we looked at the calendar and realized something terrifying.
We had one week left.
And two castles still needed to be painted.
At the beginning, all we had were stacks of white flats, a few sketches, and a lot of optimism. Every backdrop in the production started right here.
What followed was one of the most impressive displays of dedication I've seen at Cirque Athletics. Brianna and Keila showed up day after day, often staying late into the night. Those late nights occasionally became all-nighters as they worked to keep the project on schedule. Between paint-covered clothes, takeout dinners, and countless problem-solving sessions, they refused to let the deadline win.
The community rallied around them. Parents, athletes, staff, and volunteers all picked up brushes and contributed where they could. But Brianna and Keila remained the constant force pushing the project forward, carrying the responsibility of turning sketches into scenery before opening night arrived.
And somehow, they did it.
With only one week remaining before opening night, these two castles still existed only as outlines. Through late nights, all-nighters, and an incredible team effort, they were completed just in time for the curtain to rise.
The castles were finished. The audience never knew how close we came, and honestly, that's part of the magic. The best backstage work often goes unnoticed because when it's done well, all anyone sees is the final result.
But those castles represent far more than paint on canvas. They represent leadership, commitment, teamwork, and two people who refused to quit when the workload seemed impossible.
Brianna and Keila didn't just paint backdrops. They helped create a world. Their work lives on in every performance, every photo taken in front of those castles, and every audience member who was transported into the story.
Long after the paint dries, that kind of impact remains.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I don't really care what season it is, I'll eat this recipe year-round.
The Squash Father has become one of those dishes that quietly earns a permanent spot in the rotation. It's simple, tastes way better than a vegetable side dish has any right to, and somehow manages to win over people who normally wouldn't give butternut squash a second glance.
Whether you're looking for something to pair with your meal prep, trying to sneak a few more vegetables onto your plate, or just want an easy recipe that actually gets eaten, this one's worth saving.
Roasted butternut squash with sage and cranberries, a perfect gym-friendly side dish
The Boss of Side Dishes
Stephen and I aren't exactly known for our fine dining habits. Most weeks, if it isn't cooked on Sunday, it probably isn't getting cooked. Thursday is a bonus round if we're feeling ambitious. Around our house, meals live in Tupperware, which means every recipe has to earn its place in the rotation.
The Squash Father has done exactly that. The squash brings a natural sweetness, the sage gives it that cozy comfort-food feeling, and the cranberries add just enough tartness to keep things interesting.
More importantly, it survives meal prep, reheats beautifully, and gives us something to look forward to when we're digging into meal number four of the week. If you've ever opened your fridge, stared at a stack of containers, and wondered what you're eating for the next three days, this one's for you.
How to Bring the Squash Father to Your House
Like most recipes that survive in our kitchen, this one is simple, reliable, and doesn't require a culinary degree. Whether you're meal prepping for the week, feeding the family, or just looking for a side dish that punches above its weight class, The Squash Father gets the job done.
Ingredients
3 cups butternut squash, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 tablespoons Olive Oil or Avocado Oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
1 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1 cup sliced onions
¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
Caramelized onions and cranberries cooking in a skillet, adding depth to the squash dish
How to Prepare The Squash Father
Step 1: Give the Boss His Throne
Toss the butternut squash with 3 tablespoons of oil, fresh sage, maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Spread everything evenly on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Give it a stir halfway through so every piece gets its fair share of color and flavor.
Step 2: Build the Family
While the squash is roasting, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, cranberries, and remaining ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Cook until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Your kitchen should start smelling like you've got your life together.
Step 3: Bring Everyone to the Table
Add the roasted squash to the skillet and gently stir everything together. The sweet squash, savory onions, tart cranberries, and sage will do the rest. Serve warm and try not to eat half of it straight from the pan before dinner.
Make It Your Own
Need More Protein? - Add grilled chicken, steak, or chickpeas and turn this side dish into a complete meal.
Looking for a Little Heat? - A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika adds just enough kick without overpowering the dish.
Plant-Based Friendly - The recipe is already vegetarian and easily pairs with your favorite plant-based protein source.
Meal Prep Approved - Roast the squash and prepare the onion mixture ahead of time. Store separately or together in your favorite Tupperware container and reheat throughout the week. If it's good enough to survive four days in ours, it'll survive four days in yours.
Why We Like It
Let's be honest. We don't eat this because it's healthy. We eat it because it tastes good. The fact that it's packed with nutrients is just a bonus.
Butternut squash provides fiber, vitamins, and carbohydrates that help keep you feeling satisfied. The olive oil adds healthy fats, while the cranberries and sage bring flavor and a little extra nutritional value to the party.
Whether you're heading to the gym, chasing kids around all day, working long hours, or simply trying to make better food choices, this is the kind of recipe that makes eating well feel easy.
No gimmicks. No weird ingredients. Just real food that tastes great and happens to be good for you.
The Squash Father's Endorsement
Here's the funny part: Stephen will tell you he doesn't like squash. And yet, every time butternut squash appears on the grocery list, this is the recipe he asks for.
At this point, I've stopped arguing with him. The evidence is overwhelming.
Maybe it's the maple syrup. Maybe it's the sage. Maybe it's the fact that the cranberries somehow tie the whole thing together. Whatever the reason, this recipe has earned the rare distinction of making it into our regular meal prep rotation, which is about as close to a five-star review as a Pepski household recipe can get.
If you've convinced yourself you don't like squash, this might be the recipe that changes your mind. It certainly worked on Stephen.
Serving plate with roasted butternut squash, steak and asparagus.
