Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. Our Christmas tree is up and we’ve decked the halls. It’s party time! I love having friends over during the holidays, but I want to enjoy them too. It’s no fun to be stuck in the kitchen the whole time. Lots of fun, simple appetizers are a great way to go.

This year really WOW everybody with a homemade cheese ball! Read How to Make My Holiday Seafood Cheese Ball. It’s just something that seems fancy, looks beautiful, and you can make it ahead. I just have to serve seafood during the holidays and this is a great way to do it on a budget.

Speaking of seafood, we LOVE shrimp cocktail! It’s a must during the holidays! My Beer Boiled Shrimp with my Seriously Good Cocktail Sauce is always a special treat this time of year! It’s a party favorite. Boiling your own shrimp always make such a difference. Making your own cocktail sauce too! Everybody loves it, so make plenty because it will be gone before you know it.

My Simply Great Stuffed Mushrooms are always a WINNER! Best stuffed mushrooms ever. Nobody needs to know how easy they were to make. Just 5 ingredients!

My Party Meatballs in the Slow Cooker are another one of my favorites. I mean who doesn’t love meatballs?

I always keep a few wheels of brie cheese in my fridge during the holidays. That way when last minute guests stop by it's no big deal. I can whip up my Apple Walnut Brie in less than ten minutes. Looks so fancy on a pretty plate surrounded by slices of French bread or crackers. Make this over the holidays and I’m telling you, you will look like a total rock star!

I think it’s always a good idea to have a mixture of both hot and cold appetizers at your holiday get together. My Hot Bacon, Swiss and Roast Beef Sliders are AMAZING. The perfect party food!

My Party Pinwheels are another one of my go-to's. I can have them all made ahead of time and because they are wraps they don’t get soggy. LOVE that!

Click Appetizers, Sandwiches and Slow Cooker for more of my favorite recipes.

Looking for a fresh festive holiday side dish? This morning I’m on TV in Milwaukee making my fresh Green Beans with Red Pepper and Almonds. It goes with whatever you are serving this holiday season! So pretty too.

For dessert, it’s fudge making time. I love giving gifts from my kitchen! My Five Pounds of Fantastic Fudge makes a big batch, perfect to put in pretty tins or wrap up on a holiday plate.

Speaking of homemade gifts. Click Gift Mixes in a Jar to read my blog post filled with all sorts of delicious money saving ideas and recipes that you can give as gifts.

Gift Yourself the Gift of Travel! Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany in September 2022!

Besides cooking I love to travel. I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! To find out why my trips are so special check out my blog post Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime!

If you are interested in joining me in Italy in fall 2022, now is your chance! There was a waitlist but we just were able to get 3 more rooms for that trip to Tuscany! Read Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany for details. These rooms can accommodate 2 people. 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!

Time is Running Out! 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!

Back in June, 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 [email protected] to book your spot!

BOOK NOW AND SAVE! Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

I’m all about a good deal! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! PLUS, if you book now you can save big! 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! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more!

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! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 to take advantage of special offers on this cruise only for a limited time! Special rates for single travelers too!

Future Trips!

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 [email protected]!

Order Amy's Cookbooks for the Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make welcome gifts too! 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.

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! My TV spot on Fox 6 Wakeup in Milwaukee is coming up soon. You can always see what I'm up to on Instagram and Facebook. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

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

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom