Some people wake up to the sound of an alarm. I wake up to the sound of assignments. They don’t come in envelopes or emails, they show up as text messages, to-do lists scribbled on sticky notes, and the occasional “Mom, I forgot my…” from the doorway. They’re not grand, stage-worthy assignments. They’re small, ordinary, and somehow sacred.

I’m the wife of a paramedic, which means I’ve learned to answer phone calls at odd hours and keep the coffee pot full. I’m the mom to two young adult boys in the military, which means I know the ache of waiting for a message that simply says, I’m okay. I’m a high school mom to my daughter, the keeper of her favorite snacks and the secret holder of her eye-roll translations. I’m a stepmom to two more young adults, each with their own dreams and challenges. I’m a sister to a younger brother and a half-sister to an older sister; relationships that have taught me more about grace than any self-help book. I’m a cousin to a few, a grad student juggling deadlines, and a writer trying to keep up with her own ideas.

Some days these small assignments feel like a pantry I’ve opened a hundred times; a little of this, a little of that, nothing fancy, but somehow enough to make something good.

Which brings me to bacon.

How to Make, Store & Use Crumbled Bacon

Sometimes the smallest ingredient does the heaviest lifting, crumbled bacon is proof. It’s the salty, smoky, just-one-more-bite magic that turns the ordinary into something worth writing home about.

🔪 How to Make Crumbled Bacon

1. Start Cold: Partially freeze thawed bacon for 15–30 minutes to make slicing easier.
2. Cut: Slice into ¼–½ inch pieces using a sharp knife or kitchen shears.
3. Cook:
   • Skillet: Place bacon in a cold skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often until browned and crispy.
   • Oven: Bake at 425°F (220°C) on a parchment-lined sheet or rack for 10–20 minutes, stirring once or twice.
4. Drain: Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels.
5. Cool & Crumble: Once cool, crumble by hand or chop for a finer texture.

🧊 Storing Crumbled Bacon

• Refrigerator: Freshly cooked bacon crumbles keep for 4–5 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer: For best results, freeze bacon as soon as it cools. Use a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, pressing out extra air to prevent freezer burn. Optional: flash freeze first on a baking sheet to keep pieces separate.
• Before Using: Always check for freezer burn, off smells, or rubbery texture before adding to a dish.

🍳 Favorite Uses for Crumbled Bacon

• Salads: Caesar, spinach, potato, broccoli, or wedge salad.
• Egg Dishes: Scrambled eggs, omelets, deviled eggs, breakfast casseroles.
• Potatoes: Baked, mashed, or roasted — especially twice-baked.
• Soups & Stews: A smoky crunch for lentil, pea, tomato, celeriac, or creamy soups.
• Pasta Dishes: Stir into mac & cheese, carbonara, or any creamy noodle dish.
• Veggies: Sprinkle over roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, or fold into zucchini pie or quiche.
• Sandwiches & Burgers: Add to BLTs, clubs, grilled cheese, or burgers.
• Baked Goods: Yes, really try, it in chocolate chip cookies or maple bacon brownies for a sweet-savory twist.

That’s what these small assignments feel like, the crumbled bacon on the salad of life. They don’t make headlines. They don’t always get noticed. But they add richness, depth, and flavor to the whole dish. I used to think the big calling was the only thing that mattered. But I’m learning that the quiet roles: the middle-of-the-night phone answerer, the snack packer, the encourager, the listener … they’re the seasoning that makes the meal.

Ecclesiastes talks about a time for everything, but it doesn’t say they’re all grand gestures. Some seasons are made of small assignments. And maybe the real art is showing up for them with the same care we’d give to the big ones.
So, here’s the question for you: What are a few of the small assignments that have been given to you? And what would happen if you started treating them like the most important thing on your plate?

Gracefully yours,

Help keep the words flowing and the stories brewing.
Buy Me a Coffee

Reference
Niequist, S. (2024). Celebrate Every Day. Zondervan.