Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

TGIF! I hope you had a great week! We had some wonderful warm sunny days earlier in the week, but it looks like we’re in for a rainy cool weekend here in Wisconsin. I’m dreaming of summer! I’m so excited to travel!

My 3-day trip to beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan this summer is the perfect way to start traveling again. I just found out we were able to reserve a few more hotel rooms, meaning we still have a few spots left. We’ll be there in June when the lilacs are in full bloom. It’s going to be gorgeous! We’ll have the opportunity to see and do it all! From a sunset cocktail sail under the beautiful the Mackinac Bridge, to a carriage ride around the island, a gourmet wine dinner, a visit to the famous Grand Hotel and so much more. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get more details. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 today to get in on the fun and reserve your spot. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a blast!

I hope you all had a great Easter! We did. I still have some ham in the fridge that I need to use or freeze. If you didn’t do a ham, you might want to get one. They are on sale big time right now. I may even get one to freeze. They are great on the grill in the summer! This week I turned the leftover ham into several different meals, like my Elegant Ham and Swiss Casserole. I’ve been making it for years. I’m the QUEEN of CASSEROLES! Click Casseroles for more of my favorite recipes.

I’m a HUGE fan of one skillet wonders! They are quick and easy, and the best part is just one dish to wash. YES! My Skillet Tortellini with Ham seems fancy. Nobody needs to know how easy it was to throw together. Click Dinner for more fun and delicious recipes.

My Baked Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches are my FAVE! You wrap them in foil so they are super easy breezy in the oven or on the grill. The secret spread makes these the BEST EVER. You just gotta try them!

They are really tasty with my Quick Ham and Bean Soup.

Got eggs that need to be eaten up? I hear you! Then turn those eggs into my Excellent Egg Salad Sandwiches. They are simple and so good!

Try adding a bit of finely diced ham and make my Deviled Ham and Eggs. They are pretty AMAZING! Click Soups, Sandwiches and Appetizers for more spring recipes.

Speaking of spring, it’s asparagus time! The asparagus is gorgeous and on sale at the store right now. So how do you pick out the perfect bunch? How do you keep it fresh in your fridge? And what’s the best way to cook it? Click Asparagus 101 to check out my blog post for lots of great secrets, tricks, tips and recipes too!

This weekend I may have to make my Asparagus Potato Frittata. It’s is a great way to use that gorgeous asparagus and some of the other veggies in your veggie drawer that need to be eaten. I love this to serve it with a big fruit salad like my Layered Fruit Salad or Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. So pretty! Click Breakfast, Salads, and Sides for more super good and easy recipes.

Got bananas that need using? I always do! This is the perfect weekend to make my Blender Banana Bread. It’s the absolute best! Click Breakfast and Desserts for more tummy tickling recipes.

Mother's Day Is Coming! Order Amy's Cookbooks on Amazon!

If you need some new ideas and recipes to keep yourself and loved ones busy, why not treat yourself to my cookbooks? I have two cookbooks with lots of beautiful color pictures and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Four Fantastic Culinary Vacations Planned in 2021 and 2022

My trips are extra special and different from the rest!

LAST CHANCE! Join Me in June 2021 for an AMAZING Trip to Mackinac Island!

As I mentioned above, we just secured a few more hotel rooms for my trip to Mackinac Island in June! Hurry and reserve your spot! Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get more details.

River Cruise in Europe in September 2021

Join me for a river cruise through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A river cruise is the absolute best and stress-free way to see Europe. It’s a great value too because gourmet meals and wine, beer, and champagne are all included on the cruise! This trip is going to be spectacular!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in January 2022

If you’re dreaming of a beautiful beach vacation with amazing food this trip is for you! We’ll beat the winter blues and spend a week in one of my favorite cities, gorgeous Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! In January 2022, we’ll stay in a super small, just 80 rooms, 4-diamond luxury beach front resort. I worked really hard to make sure this trip is not only first class but really budget friendly too! All of your food and wine and top shelf cocktails at the resort are included. And it’s not your typical all-inclusive. The cuisine is gourmet, fresh and locally inspired! We’ll even have the option of a multi-course chef’s dinner overlooking the ocean.

Besides the fancy stuff we’ll go local! We’ll join local foodies in search of Puerto Vallarta’s freshly made warm tortillas, the ultimate tacos, tamales, amazing fresh seafood, and fabulous cocktails too. It will be whale watching season during this trip. Let’s go watch! It’s going to be AMAZING! Why not treat yourself to winter getaway you’ll never forget? Read my latest blog post Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta to see pictures and get lots more details. This trip is going to book up fast! Hope you're on board. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 for more. You can also email her at: brittany@bonvoyagebt.com

Ireland in April 2022

We're headed on an incredible trip to Ireland! This trip is also booking up quickly! From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, whiskey tasting, a VIP tour of Guinness, 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 get your reservation in soon! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more about this trip and find out how to reserve your spot!

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!

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

Cook up some memories this weekend!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom