Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a good week! It’s been a bit of a tough one for me. I put my son, Riley on a flight to Japan. He’ll be teaching English there. He’s been there twice and just loves it! It was so hard to say goodbye, especially because I’m not sure when I’ll be able to see him again. But, I’m happy to report he got there safely and he is happy. He’s been sending me pictures of the amazing food he’s been enjoying! I’m so excited for him. Hoping I can go visit some day. Thank you for all the kindness you've shown me online! I so appreciate all the love and support!

Speaking of big trips. I’m so excited to be going on my very first river cruise in Europe! (This trip's not a group tour.) We’ll fly into Germany next week and we will be cruising down the Danube River. I hear river cruising in THE ULTIMATE way to see Europe. I promise to post lots of pictures on Facebook and Instagram. Let me know if you’re interested in taking a river cruise with me some day! I’m planning lots of special culinary vacations for 2023 and 2024, including a river cruise through southern France and then Paris next spring. Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to read all about it!

Because this week has been a bit emotional with Riley gone, I’ve been trying to stay busy. I’ve been cooking up a storm. I’m looking forward to a weekend with no major plans. Gotta love those kind of weekends. My mom is still here visiting from Arizona. It’s been so fun to have her here. She’s never been to beautiful Door County, Wisconsin. I think we may take a drive up there. It's cherry season there. I want to get my hands on some!

Got cherries? I've got some "cherry good" recipes you've just got to try. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. LOL!

I love the combination of cherries and almond. Why not treat the family to a super special breakfast or brunch this weekend? My Cherry Almond French Toast is SCRUMPTIOUS! It looks so fancy but you got this. It’s easier than you think and so delicious! Serve it with my quick and easy Brown Sugar Bacon and talk about one wonderful weekend breakfast.

Click Breakfast & Brunch for more delicious breakfast and brunch recipes.

My mom LOVES chicken salad. Me too! Especially in the summer. For lunch pick up some dried cherries and make my Door County Cherry Chicken Salad Sandwiches. They're so good and so easy. Perfect for picnics. My FAVE in the summer!

Want to really WOW your family this weekend? My Cheeseburger Sliders will be a HUGE hit! Super fun and easy breezy, but a bit messy. Make sure you’ve got lots of napkins handy. I’m all about flavorful messy sandwiches!

Click Sandwiches for more sensational summer sandwich recipes.

For dinner, my Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breasts are a family favorite! These are simple to make, but they are DELICIOUS. You just gotta try them!

On the side my Mushroom Couscous is perfect for summer. It’s so nice and light! Throw in some fresh herbs to make it extra delicious.

We always start off dinner with a big beautiful salad. My Spinach Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing is always a HUGE hit. It goes with anything you are grillin’!

Click Salads, Dinner and Sides for more of my favorite summer recipes.

For dessert, nothing beats a warm out-of-the-oven fruit crisp with cold vanilla ice cream on top. My Cherry Almond Crisp is scrumptious!

Click Desserts for more super summer dessert recipes.

Please Invite Me!

I'm 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!

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.

The Cooking Mom Vacations! I’m Planning AMAZING Trips for 2023 and 2024 Now!

Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta in January 2023!

With summer in full swing, I’m sure you don’t even want to think about winter. But, now is the time to plan your escape from the cold and snow! I’ve planned the ULTIMATE winter getaway. Beat the winter blues and join me in beautiful Puerto Vallarta! It’s one of my favorite cities in Mexico. It’s got history, charm, beautiful beaches, and an incredible food scene. I took a group there last winter and it was over the top FANTASTIC! We had perfect weather with sunshine every day. Great news. We were even able to negotiate a better rate on this trip than last year. YIPPEE!

We’ll fly out January 15 and stay 7 nights at the most beautiful small boutique 4-diamond luxury resort right on the beach. This trip is also a really great value because ALL of your meals at the resort, fine wines, beer and even top shelf cocktails will be included. You’ll have the options to join me for an authentic Mexican cooking class, personalized food tours, tequila tastings and even whale watching! Or, you can just sit on the beach and relax. Either way it’s going to be fabulous! We can only take a limited number of people. Time is running out to book this trip! Click The Cooking Mom’s Culinary Trip to Puerto Vallarta to get the full itinerary and pricing information. You can also call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel (920)725-2880 for more details or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com for more details.

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

Have you ever dreamed of going on a river cruise? It’s the ULTIMATE way to see Europe! 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. 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!

Great news! You can still save BIG on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. The pay-in-full sale has just been extended through September! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates and details. This trip is going to be so wonderful. Join me! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel at (920)725-2880 for more!

Planning New Trips for 2023 and 2024!

I’m so excited to be hosting group culinary vacations! In June, I hosted a wonderful trip to gorgeous Mackinac Island for the Lilac Festival. Have you ever been? If not, you need to go! Let me know if you are interested in going with me back to the island next summer. Email me at info@thecookingmom.com. In April, I hosted an incredible group trip to Ireland! Would you be interested in joining me on another trip to Ireland in the future? I’m definitely going back. Maybe to Scotland too! I’m planning my trips for 2023 and 2024 right now. Stay tuned!

I LOVE Nashville! I know all the secret spots. Let me know if you’d be interested in a trip to Nashville next spring. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com!

To find out more about my trips and what makes them so unique click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

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

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

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom