Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. We just got back from Arizona. My niece, Keeley, got married. It was so magical! I’m originally from Scottsdale so it was so lovely to see family and friends. I miss them already! When we got off the plane I noticed the leaves are starting to change here in Wisconsin. I can’t believe it’s October already.

This morning I packed up and hit the road early. I’m excited to be cooking up some of my favorite kid-friendly recipes on WGN-TV in Chicago this morning. I’m making fun twists to Taco night.

I make salsa that tastes just like the stuff at your favorite Mexican restaurant. My Blender Salsa is amazing, and you can make it as mild or spicy as you like. You just gotta try it!

Plus, the kids will love my Taco Cups! You bake them in muffin tins. So cute. Super easy too!

For dessert get the kids in the kitchen to help make my Apple Pie Dip with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips. So yummy! Click Appetizers and Desserts for more fun, delicious recipes your family will love.

Speaking of apples, I can wait to go apple picking! Maybe this weekend.

Wondering what to make for dinner this weekend? Get out your slow cooker and make a big batch of sandwiches with my Slow Cooker Apple Bourbon Pulled Pork. It's DELICIOUS! Perfect for the big football game too! Click Slow Cooker and Sandwiches for more tasty recipes.

These sandwiches are yummy with my kids' favorite Southern Style Mac ’n Cheese and my Apple Slaw with toasted pecans. Talk about one scrumptious dinner!

Got apples? Use them to make my Waldorf Salad. It’s old school and in my book it never went out of style! This salad goes great with whatever you’re serving. Click Dinner, Casseroles, Salads, and Sides for more fall recipes ideas.

Every fall I make a big batch of apple sauce. It’s so easy! Once you make my Slow Cooker Apple Sauce you’ll never go back to the store bought stuff. Makes the house smell pretty wonderful too!

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.

Beat the Winter Blues! Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta in January 2022!

Besides cooking I love to travel! 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 and a super fun way to travel. I’ve got 5 amazing trips planned and more to come! Follow The Cooking Mom on Facebook and join me LIVE on Facebook next Thursday Oct. 7th at 6pm CST to get all the delicious details on my upcoming trips, including lots more on my trip to Mexico this winter!

It’s been a lovely fall so far, but winter will be here before you know it! 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! Join The Cooking Mom in 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!

Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! 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 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 dates, pricing and tantalizing details. This trip is going to be truly over the top and so wonderful! Join me! Plus, there are special discounts if you book now!

To find out why my trips are so special check out my blog post 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!

Gotta run so I can get ready for my TV spot later this morning in Chicago. If you are in the Windy City I hope you’ll watch!

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.

I hope you have a great weekend. Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom