Well, lookie here. It’s freezing once again.

Just when ya get your closets reorganized from all the winter clothes, you’ve got to go dig for something warm to wear once again.

I guess this is our usual pre-Easter freeze. I must say the petunias, marigolds and azaleas are all looking wonderful!

I just love the natural colors of Spring. Easter is upon us once again and I have such fond memories eating tons of food on Easter!

You just can’t have an Easter dinner without a ham. Here is one of my favorites and you’ll want to begin this fresh ham recipe a day in advance:

1 fresh ham, about 5 pounds

whole cloves

1 large bay leaf

dash crushed red pepper, or 1 small red pepper pod

1 small cinnamon stick

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

dash garlic powder

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

Place ham in a large pot and cover with boiling water. Add 4 whole cloves, the bay leaf, red pepper and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 3 hours. Cool and refrigerate in broth overnight.

Remove ham rind.

Combine mustard and horseradish and rub over the ham. Bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours. Score fat with a knife and insert whole cloves evenly, about every two to three inches. Sprinkle ham with brown sugar and bake for 1 hour longer. This will serve about eight people.

If you love mac and cheese like I do, try this one:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni

9 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup shredded Muenster cheese

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 and 1/2 cups half-and-half

8 ounces cubed processed cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, drain well and return to cooking pot.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt eight tablespoons butter and stir into the macaroni.

In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheeses and mix well.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Add the half and half, and 1 and 1/2 cups of cheese mixture, cubed processed cheese and eggs to macaroni. Mix together and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a lightly greased deep 2 and 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese mixture and 1 tablespoon of butter.

Bake for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges.

Happy Easter!