Happy Friday! I'm waking up on beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan this morning.   I've got a group of 40 here for my annual Cooking Mom Vacation for Lilac Fest.  The whole island is covered in 250 different varieties of lilacs in shades of pinks, purples, and white.  It's spectacular and smells heavenly! Stay tuned for details on next year's trip to the island.   I hope to announce that trip very soon! I'd love you to join me! 

We've spent 4 magical nights here on Mackinac Island and today it's time to pack up and head home.  It's always hard to leave this beautiful place but I'm excited to see our dog Arlo.  Plus, this weekend is Father's Day.  I can't wait to celebrate my guy Hoyt!  He's a wonderful dad! My Dad passed away a few years ago but he's always in my heart! My dad was famous for his homemade vanilla ice cream.  I still have his old electric ice cream maker.  I break it out every summer. Have you ever made homemade ice cream.  My dad's recipe is so easy and simple and yummy! Why not it make this summer! What fun!

Why not treat dad to a steak dinner this weekend! My Ginger Soy Flank Steak is my all time favorite! The marinade gives the steak so much flavor and keeps it nice and juicy! I love a good flank steak because it's easy on the wallet.  Slice it into thin trips against the grain and one big steak can serve 4 to 6 people.  LOVE THAT!  

If dad likes seafood, (mine sure did) why not do surf and turf. My Bacon Wrapped Shrimp ALWAYS gets the party started.  These make the perfect summer appetizer or they are great served along side a steak!  Shrimp on the barbie is a must in summer!  You gotta try these! 

Why not keep it all outside! If you're grillin' why not grill the potatoes too! Make ordinary potatoes special.  These are what we call Fancy Baked Potatoes.  You can bake them in the oven too.  Either way they are a WINNER! 

Let's Travel Together!

Have you heard I'm hosting group vacations? 

The Cooking Mom Vacations are filled with delicious food, sightseeing, and tons of fun! 

We’ll stay in the VERY best hotels and may even take a cooking class or two.  I'm planning BRAND NEW trips for 2024 and 2025 right now! DETAILS COMING SOON! 

It's still not to late! Join me on on these SUPER FUN trips! We've got just a few spots left! 

• Join The Cooking Mom on a European Christmas Market Tour!  This trip is filling up FAST! Don't wait to book! 
• Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta in January 2024. This trip ALWAYS sells out! 

Get on the LIST! Click The Cooking Mom Vacations to learn all about what makes my trips unique from the rest. 

Happy Father's Day to all you AMAZING Dads! Have a great weekend! Cook up some memories! 

All my love,

Amy