Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas. It got a bit chilly here in Wisconsin this week. We even had a little bit of snow!

It’s looking like I’ll have both the kids home for Christmas. We're keeping it safe so it will be just a few of us around the table this year but I’m planning to make it extra special!

My way of showing love is through cooking. I’m cooking up all my favorites this season! Now, that doesn’t mean I’m gonna be stuck in the kitchen the whole time. No way! LOL! I’m all about keeping things easy breezy!

I’m dreaming of my Ham and Cheese Sliders. They are so crazy easy and good. You need to make these. They are always a huge hit!

We also LOVE meatballs! They always get the party started. My Party Meatballs in the Slow Cooker are simple. You can make and bake the homemade meatballs a few days ahead. Then throw them along with the yummy sauce in the slow cooker when you are ready. Perfect for the big game!

Looking for a really delicious dip recipe? My Hot Swiss Almond Dip is AMAZING! Yes, you can make this ahead too. Then bake it up for happy hour. Trust me warm out of the oven it’ll make you and your family very happy! Click Appetizers for more of my favorite holiday dips and munchie recipes.

My grandmother’s Just Leave it Beef and Wine is a holiday tradition in our house. I can just picture her throwing it all together, and then setting the table, putting her lipstick on and getting ready for her party. I miss her so much, but she’s in my kitchen with me every time I make this dish. You can make it in the oven or your slow cooker. Either way it’s absolutely delicious.

We like to serve it with a big, pretty, festive salad like my Pomegranate Orange Salad with a delicious orange honey dressing. So fresh and good! Click Salads, Dinner, Slow Cooker and Sides for more of my best holiday recipes.

For dessert, it's a great weekend to throw on an apron and do some holiday baking. My homemade Cranberry Orange Cupcakes are so pretty! Nobody but you needs to know they start with a boxed cake mix. That will be our little secret. Look like a rock star and decorate them up with sprinkles and Sugared Cranberries. Click Desserts for a bunch of Christmas cookie, Fudge and LOTS of holiday dessert recipes.

Make Christmas morning extra special with my Bundt Streusel Coffee Cake. My kids beg me to make it every year. Click Breakfast & Brunch for more really delicious brunch time recipes.

If you are stressed about holidays gifts, don’t be! Why not give gifts from the kitchen and your heart this Christmas . Click Gift Mixes in a Jar to read my blog post. 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!

I just announced my next culinary trip. I’ve always dreamed of traveling to Ireland. Come with me in April of 2022! From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, whiskey tasting, a VIP tour of Guiness, and so much more. We’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in a real castle outside of Dublin! I can only take a small group so this trip is going to fill up quickly! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot.

I can't wait to start traveling again when it’s safe! We had such great news about vaccines for the virus! It sounds like it will be safe to travel again by next summer. I’ve got two other trips planned for later in 2021!

Join me for trips of a lifetime to Mackinac Island next summer and a river cruise through Germany, Austria and Switzerland next September. I’m working on two more AMAZING trips for 2022! Details still to come. Hint...pasta!

To find out more about my trips and what makes them so unique click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

If you want to get on the list for updates and details on all my trips 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 easily available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Watch Me Cook Live on TV and Facebook!

I’ll be home for the holidays! You’re invited to join me LIVE from my kitchen. I’ll be sharing lots of my easy breezy recipes LIVE on Facebook! Join me! You can even grab the ingredients and cook with me! What fun! Just follow me on Facebook for more details! Next Tuesday afternoon I’ll cook up a holiday brunch bake your family will love!

I’ll be on Fox 6 Wakeup in Milwaukee next week too! Hope you'll watch!

You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube, too. Follow me!

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

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom