Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful week. We had some frigid weather in Wisconsin. I’m so excited to beat the winter blues and escape the cold. I’m hosting a trip to one of my favorite cities - sunny, beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We fly out this weekend!

There are about two dozen of us going on my culinary trip, including my daughter, my sister and my mom. Bring on the margaritas. We’re going in search of the best! We’re going to find great seafood and street tacos too. We’ll even be going to a Mexican market to shop and prepare an authentic meal. I can’t wait! I promise to post lots of picture and I’ll even check in LIVE from our resort next week! Watch for details and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for pictures and videos.

Click to read Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom to read all about what makes my group trips so unique from the rest. If you missed out on this trip, join me on the next one in Ireland this spring! I’m also planning new trips for 2023. Email me at [email protected] to let me know if you’re interested in going to Mexico or another warm weather beach vacation next winter.

Tonight, we’re staying in and packing for the trip. I love to travel but dread packing! LOL! For dinner, I think I’ll just use up some things in the fridge to make soup. January is National Soup month. Monday I was on TV in Chicago making a couple of my favorite soups to keep you warm this winter. Why not make some this weekend? Get out your slow cooker and make my Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup. It’s so easy and AMAZING! I serve it with lots of fun baked potato toppings so everybody can load up their bowl with their favorites. Load me up - I want them all! I never met a baked potato I didn’t want fully loaded.

If the kids like meatballs, make my Italian Wedding Soup! It’s my daughter’s favorite! Love the tiny pasta and those little meatballs (yes, you can use frozen ones) and all the fun hidden treasures is this soup!

Here’s another crazy easy soup recipe. It’s my Two Ingredient Creamy Tomato Soup. Just two ingredients and you won’t believe how good it is. You can dress it up with a little basil if you like. I love to serve it with my Amazing Cheese Bread for dunking and dipping - so good! Click Soups and Appetizers for more of my winter favorites.

For dinner, if you are craving comfort food, try my Smothered Pork Chops. They are a family favorite! Super quick and easy too with lots of yummy sauce to spoon on top of noodles, rice or mashed potatoes. Watch me make this dish LIVE later this morning on TV in Milwaukee on Fox 6 Wakeup!

On the side, I love my Bacon Brussel Sprouts! If you can’t find fresh, the frozen ones work. Click Dinner, Slow Cooker, Casseroles and Sides for more delicious comfort food recipes.

For breakfast, cold cereal just doesn’t cut it on a chilly winter morning. Why not WOW everybody with my Overnight Blueberry French Toast Bake? It’s so delicious and easy because you assemble it the day before. I serve this with sausage or Brown Sugar Bacon. Now, that's one delicious brunch! Click Breakfast & Brunch for more amazing recipes to start your day.

Looking for something nice ’n lite? Try my Slow Cooker Apple Oatmeal. You cook it overnight and wake up to one delicious smelling house. LOVE THAT! Click Nice 'n Lite for more healthy recipes for the New Year!

Craving dessert? My Coconut Peach Dump Cake is super simple but so delicious. It’s more like a cobbler or crisp than a cake. Warm out of the oven with vanilla ice cream it’s heavenly! Click Desserts and Drinks for more comforting treats.

Treat Yourself in 2022! Time Is Running Out! Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022!

Besides cooking I love to travel. I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime. Have you always dreamed of going to Ireland? Let’s experience it together! We just got AMAZING airfare for this trip! We’ll fly direct from Chicago to Dublin! Hurry if you want to get in on this trip! Time is running out! 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! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more. Don't wait! If you are interested, call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at [email protected] to make your reservation!

Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany in September 2022! We Have a Few More Rooms!

If you are interested in joining me in Italy in fall 2022, now is your chance! There was a waitlist but we were able to get a couple more rooms for my upcoming trip to Tuscany! This trip is going to be over the top amazing! From wine tastings, to truffle hunting, pasta making and finding the ultimate gelato. We’ll do it all! Plus, we’ll stay in a gorgeous Italian Villa resort! Read Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany for details. These rooms can accommodate 2 people. If you are interested call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at [email protected] to make your reservation!

Mackinac Island for Lilac Fest in June 2022!

Back in June 2021, 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.

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 so wonderful! Join me! Plus, there are special discounts if you book now. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880.

Future Trips!

I'm starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023 and 2024! I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at [email protected]!

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. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Gotta run! My TV spot on Fox 6 in Milwaukee is coming up soon! Then, I’ve got to start packing. I promise to share loads of pictures from my trip to Mexico so follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

Have a great weekend! Stay warm and healthy and cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom