Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful week! I'm on my way home from my European Christmas Market Trip!  What an AMAZING trip!

I had such a wonderful group of people on this trip!

This is just part of my fun group.  We visited some of the best and most beautiful Christmas markets in the world!  We started in Munich, Germany.   Then after a few fun days there, we went to some smaller charming Christmas markets in the German cities of Regensberg,  Nuremberg  and Dresden.  We loved them all! Our last stop was Prague! What a gorgeous city filled with so much history and charm!  It was incredible! Who's in for next year! I'll be announcing details of my Christmas trip next year very soon! I posted lots of pictures from the trip on  Instagram and Facebook and I'll post more when I get home.  Find out what makes my trips so special and  Get on the list to get all my new trip announcements! I hope you join me for trips of a lifetime! 

It's always hard to say goodbye.   Our group was so special!  There were tears shed at our farewell dinner in Prague and at the airport

but I'm excited to get home to see my husband Hoyt and our dog Arlo! I'm excited to see our Christmas tree too.   We decked the halls before I left for the trip.  When I get home I can't wait to make some of my holiday favorites! This Hot Artichoke Crab Dip is one of them!  It's so good and so festive for the holidays! I decorate the top with chopped red peppers and parsley or green onions to make it festive.

I put all my BEST and favorite holiday recipes in one place on my website so they are easy to find.  Just click HOLIDAYS for more! 

We have had the most delicious smoked ham in Europe.   I'm on a mission to get some great ham when I get home.  This weekend I'm going to make my hot Ham and Cheese Sliders.  They are Hoyt's favorite!  If you're having people over these sliders are ALWAYS a winner! These bite size sandwiches are super tasty! You can assemble them in the morning or even the night before.  Then brush the buttery goodness on top and bake them when you are ready.  Warm out of the oven they are heavenly.  They are perfect for holiday parties, game day and even a holiday brunch! 

I love to serve a mix of hot and cold appetizers at my party.  I always want to make sure to serve something fresh, colorful and healthy. Veggies and dip is a MUST at holiday get togethers!  My homemade Dill Dip is one of my most popular recipes.   It's THE BEST VEGGIE DIP EVER!  This is a secret recipe I got from the head chef at Lambeau Field decades ago. They used to serve this dip in the luxury boxes on game day.  It's so good and so easy! Sometimes I double the recipe!  Click Appetizers and Sandwiches  for more great holiday recipes. 

You know me.  I love a good casserole! My Sausage and Gorgonzola Cheese Pasta Bake is THE PERFECT holiday hot dish!  Even people who don't like bleu cheese love this casserole.  The sauce is more like a cheesy Alfredo sauce.  I love to serve it with a big salad and garlic bread.   Click Casseroles and Dinner for more great recipes your gang will love. 

'Tis the season for holiday baking and candy making.  My 

Five Pounds Fudge is a special recipe I make every Christmas.   It makes a huge batch and it's great to have on hand for the holidays.  It also makes a great gift on a pretty Christmas plate.  Click Desserts for more easy breezy sweat treats for the holidays. 

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! I've got some AMAZING trips planned for next year and I'm planning even more trips! I want to know where you want to go!  Contact me and let me know! 

I hope you'll join me for SUPER SPECIAL trips of a lifetime!