Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I’m waking up in beautiful Bayfield, Wisconsin this morning. Have you ever been? It’s my first time here and so far I’m lovin’ it! I’m here with my two kiddos. It’s my son Riley’s birthday today! We thought we’d celebrate with a weekend getaway. Our plan is to take some long hikes, and tomorrow we’re going on an 8-hour kayak adventure. YIKES! LOL! I promise to post pictures of our weekend on Instagram. If you have any favorite places here, please share!

We brought a cooler filled with food and my small Weber Smokey Joe. I plan to get my grill on this weekend. One of my favorite things to make in the summer is my Ginger Soy Flank Steak! I’m a meat and potatoes kind of gal! The marinade is so quick and easy, and it gives whatever steak you are grilling so much flavor! Makes it super tender and juicy too! You just gotta try it!

I brought along some chicken to grill too. My Best Ever Lemon Chicken is a family FAVE! I do it on the grill in a foil pan. It really is AMAZING! Click Dinner for more delicious main course recipes.

Why not keep it all outside on the grill this summer, even the sides? My Grilled Potato Wedges and Fancy Baked Potatoes on the grill are perfect summer sides!

I also love to serve baked beans at my summer cookouts. Get out your slow cooker and make my Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker. When it's hot outside, they are perfect because there's no need to turn on the oven. Plus, they serve a crowd and they go great with whatever you are grilling! Click Slow Cooker and Sides for more of my favorite summer recipes.

Summer is all about salads! I make a Wonderful Wedge Salad with the Best Ever Bleu Cheese Dressing. It goes great with whatever you are grilling, too! Want to do something a little lighter? My Strawberry Spinach Salad is a real winner! Click Salads and Nice 'n Lite for more sensational salads and healthy recipes.

For dessert, my son Riley LOVES loves chocolate! Okay, we all do. My Death By Chocolate Cake with fresh berries in the center is just gorgeous and always a hit!

No time to bake? No big deal. Make my Strawberry Cream Puff Kabobs. How cute are these? Super easy breezy to make! Click Desserts for more fun sweet treats.

GIVEWAY ALERT! Follow The Cooking Mom on Instagram to Win!

I’m giving more stuff away! Congrats to Tracy Schmitt of Menominee Falls, WI. She was the big winner this week. I’ve teamed up with my friends at Nesco to give away their famous roasters, slow cookers and electric skillets. They are the ABSOLUTE best! I use them all the time. You could win too! It's EASY. Just click on Instagram and look for the Nesco Giveaway post for more details. And hey, if you need a new Nesco Roaster, Slow Cooker or Electric Skillet, now’s a great time to order one. Click Shop to get 20% off.

Looking for New Recipes? Why Not Order My Cookbooks?

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. Lots of secrets, tips and fun stories, too! Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Gotta run! The kids and I are going to explore Bayfield and Madeline Island today!

You can always see what I’m up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’ve got lots of recipe 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

Strawberry Cream Puff Kabobs

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