Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! It’s been a gorgeous week. It’s supposed to get up to 70 degrees today here in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The leaves are starting to change color. I just love this time of year! This week I finally got around to buying mums. Now, I just need to pick up a few pumpkins to decorate our outdoors.

I bet the fall leaves are beautiful on Mackinac Island, Michigan right now! Last month, I went to spend a few spend days there. I can’t stop dreaming of going back. So, I thought that’s it! What a perfect place for one of my Culinary Vacations! I’m super excited to announce my trip in June, 2021 to gorgeous Mackinac Island. On the way there, we’ll stop to eat pasties, a specialty of the Upper Peninsula. We’ll learn how they make them too!

In St. Ignace, 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! This is going to fill up quickly. Click on Join The Cooking Mom on a Trip to Mackinac Island! to read my latest blog post with details and pictures of the trip. 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!

This weekend, I can’t wait to throw on my apron and do some baking. Nothing like a cozy weekend breakfast! My Pumpkin French Toast Bake is perfect for a special fall breakfast. Makes the house smell so good when it's baking. The best part is that I can put the whole thing together the night before and just throw it in the oven Sunday morning. LOVE THAT!

Or, what about baking my BEST EVER Pumpkin Bread? So moist and delicious! Click on Breakfast & Brunch for more great recipes.

For dinner my Dinner in a Pumpkin is one of my favorite things to make every fall! It’s a casserole or "hot dish" as you all call them in Minnesota. You bake it right in a pumpkin! It’s crazy good. Looks so cool when you bring it out to the table. You gotta make this!

I serve it with my Poached Pear Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing. That’s one delicious fall dinner! Click Salads, Casseroles and Dinner for lots more fall recipe ideas.

It’s Crock-tober! This weekend is the perfect time to get out your slow cooker and make my Green Chili Pork Roast. Just dump it all in the slow cooker. Eight hours later you have some amazing shredded pork. Pile it on tortillas with loads of fixings, like my Blender Salsa. Tastes just like the salsa you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Now shake up some margaritas and it’s gonna be one great night! Click Slow Cooker and Appetizers for more tempting recipes.

For dessert I’ve been craving Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. Pick up a big can of pumpkin and I’m betting you have everything else in your kitchen right now to make these! Click Desserts for more of my favorite fall treats.

Order My Cookbooks for The Holidays!

You might not be able to gather in big groups for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but you might want to give one of my cookbooks as a "miss you" gift. If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Both cookbooks are filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Gotta run. I want get out and enjoy this gorgeous fall weather!

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