Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I’ve got some news to share! I’m super excited to announce my next group culinary trip! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me in France on a river cruise through Burgundy and Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! In April 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers. It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included! Gratuity too! Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the tantalizing details, dates and more. This truly will be the trip of a lifetime!

Speaking of trips, on Labor Day we took a road trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan for a few days. Arlo, the dog came too. It was downright chilly on the island this week. We had to buy sweatshirts to keep warm. We still managed to have loads of fun. Plus, we scouted out some new places for my group trip to Mackinac Island next summer!

No matter what the weather, I’m pretty excited for the start of football season. My Green Bay Packers take on the New Orleans Saints on the road Sunday. It should be a great game!

I’ve got a date with a friend, my TV and my couch. Even though it will just be two of us eating I’m still planning a fun and delicious game day party to kick off the season!

You gotta have a few good dips when you're watching football. My Texas Caviar filled with corn, beans, peppers and tomatoes is a great way to use up those garden veggies! It makes a big batch and is perfect for Packers parties. It’s so yummy! Plus, you can make it ahead. Dip away because it’s healthy too!

My Lemon Garlic Hummus is fresh and easy. Or in a pinch just pick some hummus up from the store. Spoon it into small jars or even plastic cups with fresh veggies standing up inside. How cute are these? Plus, everybody gets their own dip! So go ahead. Double dip all you want! Click Appetizers for more delicious dip and appetizer recipes.

You can't go wrong with brats on game day. I have a secret way to make brats even better in my Brat Tub with beer, butter and kraut. BEST BRATS EVER!

If you are thinking brats this weekend, why not change things up a bit? Turn ordinary brats into something a little fancy! My Brat Kabobs with onions and peppers are a game day FAVE! The apple juice and soy sauce marinade makes them extra special.

On the side, got tomatoes? Use them to make my Best Ever Layered Salad. It’s loaded with bacon and cheese and sorts of good stuff! It’s one of my favorites! Super easy too and you can make it ahead. LOVE THAT - and the bacon too!

If you are a bacon lover my Broccoli Bacon Salad is ALWAYS a WINNER! Goes great with whatever you are grilling’!

It’s slow cooker season! What not make my Baked Beans in the Slow Cooker this weekend? They are DELISH! You can easily cut the recipe in half or freeze the leftovers.

Did you know you can do Mac ’n Cheese in your slow cooker? You don’t even have to boil the macaroni. Click Slow Cooker Mac ’n Cheese for the recipe. Who knew it could be that easy and cheesy? Here’s an idea! For game day why not set up a mac ’n cheese bar? Put out fun fixin's like bacon, sliced smoked sausage, green onions, hot sauce and of course extra shredded cheese. Everybody can pile on toppings to create their own mac ’n cheese masterpiece. Now that's fun! Click Slow Cooker and Sides for more fun ideas and recipes.

For dessert, help kick off the season with my Cookies and Cream Cheese Ball. How cute is this? It’s so easy to shape it into a football. Have the kids help decorate it! Not only is it an easy no-bake dessert but it serves as a centerpiece for your game day spread too. Gotta love it! Click Desserts for more decadent but easy breezy desserts.

Join The Cooking Mom for a Vacation of a Lifetime in 2022!

Besides cooking I LOVE to travel and I’m now hosting culinary trips! My trips are different from the rest. We’ll stay in the very best hotels and go in search of delicious food! My trips are a stress-free, fun way to travel! I’ve got 4 amazing trips planned for 2022 and 1 for 2023!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Escape Winter and Join me in Puerto Vallarta in January 2022!

Fall is right around the corner and then comes winter. Let’s beat the winter blues and spend a week in one of my favorite cities, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! This is gonna be one heck of a trip! We’ve got a SUPER FUN group going. Join us! We’ll stay in a small (just 70 rooms), 4-diamond luxury beach front resort. All of your gourmet food and wine and top shelf cocktails at the resort are included! We’ll also join local foodies in search of Puerto Vallarta’s freshly made warm tortillas, the ultimate street tacos, tamales, amazing fresh seafood, and fabulous cocktails too. It will be whale watching season during this trip. We are currently offering a discount of $140 per person! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel TODAY to take advantage of this offer 920-725-2880. Click Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta to see pictures and get lots more details.

Just a Few Rooms Left for Ireland in April 2022

I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland! Let’s experience it together. This trip is almost booked up! We just have a few rooms left. From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, Irish cheese, and Jameson whiskey tasting! We’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in two real castles! 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!

Mackinac Island for Lilac Fest in June 2022!

Earlier this summer I hosted a trip to one of my favorite places, beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was amazing! I LOVE this island? Have you ever been? If not you need to go! There’s no place like it! Join me next summer because I’m going back. We are staying at my favorite resort on the island. It’s fabulous! We’ve even added an extra night so there will be more time on this trip to sightsee, shop or just relax! This trip is already filling up. We can only take a limited number of people. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get all the details. We’ll be there next June during lilac season. It’s absolutely gorgeous that time of year! I hope you’ll join me! This trip will fill up quick so call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com to book your spot!

Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

I’ve always dreamed of going on a river cruise. Plus, going to France has been on my bucket list. This trip has it all! Plus, it’s a great value! In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers. It’s first class all the and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included! Gratuity too! You’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise so we can see the Eiffel Tower and eat our way around experience Paris ! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates, pricing and tantalizing details. This truly will be the trip of a lifetime!

To find why my trips are so special check out my blog post by clicking on Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

I'm starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023! I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com!

Order Amy's 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.

Please Invite Me!

Now that life is getting more back to normal, I’m excited to start doing live cooking demos again! I'd love to come to your town and meet you! Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

I hope you have a great weekend. You can always see what I'm up to on Instagram. Follow me! I'm also on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom