Check out all the stuff we got for Easter! My father-in-law arrived at our house on Easter Sunday with a shopping basket full of treats for our family. The best part was that, unlike all of the Easter goodies from egg hunts and other activities, this time, most of the treats were for me. Porridge, honey, preserves, lemon curd, gravy mix, mint sauce, mustard, flapjacks, a few types of tea and more, with just a little bit of candy thrown in for good measure.

Paddy was also kind enough to bring some cooked lamb, against my advice (I had told him we would have PLENTY of food - famous last words). I was glad he didn't listen because our small group was quick to devour all of the lamb along with an entire 3 pound Irish boiling bacon. It was the first Holiday in many years where we had no leftovers. It was also the first time that I prepared the Irish bacon from start to finish, although admittedly, there's nothing to it.

All you need to do is open the package, place the bacon in a large pot and cover it with cold water. I added bay leaves, peppercorns, garlic and a little sugar (per Paddy's instructions). Then you bring the water to a boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil, turn the heat down and simmer the bacon for about 40 minutes per pound. That's it. The best part, except for the deliciousness of the bacon, is that you don't need to turn on the oven. Or, in the case of a holiday, you can use your oven for roasting potatoes or warming up other sides.

I happen to know that cooked bacon travels well too.  The reason I've never made one before is because Paddy usually cooks one at his house and brings it over, still warm, wrapped in foil. — I happen to know that cooked bacon travels well too. The reason I've never made one before is because Paddy usually cooks one at his house and brings it over, still warm, wrapped in foil.

Emmett, who just turned 5, has finally started to come out of his toddler, picky-eating phase and declared that, although the bacon was his favorite part of the meal, he was excited by the discovery that he now also likes roasted potatoes and lemon cake! I know, I know, neither of those things are particularly nutritious, but I'm happy to see his recent willingness to try new things. I've been telling myself for years now that he will not live off carbs and sugar alone for the rest of his life. And, it may have been the potatoes and lemon cake that led him to try the soup last night which helped him to make the determination that he now likes carrots. It's like food-aversion dominoes at our house lately. I love it!