Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. It was so nice to have both my kids home! We put up the Christmas tree and decked the halls. The house looks so festive! Every year I have my girlfriends over for a holiday dinner party. It’s always so much fun. No big parties this year but I still plan to celebrate the season. It’s my favorite time of year!

We’ve had Christmas music on full time. LOVE IT! Light a fire in the fireplace or light some candles, turn on the sparkling lights and why not plan some fun special dinners at home? Even if just for two! Thats my plan.

How ‘bout a dinner filled with fun, simple appetizers! I think that’s a great way to go. I live in Wisconsin. You know we love our cheese! I love a good cheese ball especially during the holidays! My Seafood Holiday Cheese Ball looks so fancy but it’s easy breezy. So delicious too! I just have to serve seafood during the holidays and this is a great way to do it on a budget. By the way, you can easily cut this recipe in half to make a smaller cheese ball.

My Simply Great Stuffed Mushrooms are always a hit. Best stuffed mushrooms ever! Nobody needs to know how easy they were to make. Just 5 ingredients! We love these!

Still got cranberry sauce leftover from Thanksgiving? I hear you. Me too! Why not use it this weekend? My Cranberry Meatballs are another one of my favorite appetizers. People go nuts over these! Super simple and perfect for the big game on Sunday too. Just throw it all in the slow cooker. It’s one of those dump-and-go recipes. Very festive!

I think it’s always a good idea to have a mix of both hot and cold appetizers this time of year. My Party Pinwheels are another one of my go-to's. I can have them all made ahead of time and because they are wraps they don’t get soggy. LOVE That!

Veggies and dip are also a must. This year don't buy the dip. Make it! My Dill Dip is delicious. It’s a recipe they used to serve in the luxury boxes at Lambeau Field during Packers games. Here again it’s a make-ahead. You can whip it up and have it in your refrigerator 3 or 4 days ahead. I always double the recipe. It’s that good!

My Beer Boiled Shrimp with my Seriously Good Cocktail Sauce is always a special treat during the holidays. Boiling your own shrimp always make such a difference. Making your own cocktail sauce too! Click Appetizers, Sandwiches, Slow Cooker and Dinner for more of my favorite recipes.

For dessert, it’s fudge making time. I love giving gifts from my kitchen! My Five Pounds of Fantastic Fudge makes a big batch, perfect to put in pretty tins or wrap up on a holiday plate. Click Desserts to find lots more holiday dessert recipes.

Speaking of homemade gifts, click here to read my blog Gift Mixes in a Jar. It’s filled with all sorts of delicious money saving ideas and recipes that you can give as gifts.

Give Yourself a Gift this Christmas! Join Me on a Culinary Trip Next Year!

We had such great news recently about vaccines for the virus. It sounds like it will be safe to travel again by next summer! I’m super excited for my next trip in June 2021 to gorgeous Mackinac Island, Michigan. We’ll catch the ferry over to the Island and then check into the absolute best hotel! The Mission Point Resort was even voted one of the best hotels in the Midwest! We’ll spend 3 nights. We’ll have plenty of time to experience it all. We can take a carriage ride around the island, rent bikes, and take a sunset cocktail cruise. We’ll learn how to make Mackinac Island fudge at one of the island's best fudge shops. If you like wine, you’ll want to enjoy a 5-course gourmet wine dinner! We’ll be there when the lilacs are in full bloom, too! It’s going to be magical! The trip is already booking up! Click on Join The Cooking Mom on a Trip to Mackinac Island to read my blog post with details, pictures and pricing for the trip.

In September 2021, if it’s safe to travel I’m planning another big trip! Have you always wanted to go on a river cruise through Europe? It’s been on my bucket list! We’ll take a trip to Germany for Oktoberfest and a top-of-the-line river cruise through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! In 2022, I’m working on trips to Ireland, Italy and more! To find out more about my other upcoming trips, click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. I’d also love to hear where you’d like to go, so email me at info@thecookingmom.com!

Order My Cookbooks for the Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make great gifts too! Both cookbooks are filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Gotta run. Arlo the dog is giving me that “I want to go out” look. LOL!

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I hope you all have wonderful weekend. Stay safe and cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom