Chocolate Covered Bacon

I've seen numerous recipes for and raves of chocolate-covered bacon. I like to try unusual recipes, so thought I'd finally try it.

Guess what chocolate covered bacon tastes like?

Bacon dipped in chocolate!

It's not as repulsive as some of the members of the family feared it might be...but it's nothing special either. Good thing I only made a few pieces to try! Obvioulsy, others love it...but I'll continue searching for a fun, unusual recipe to make for Cody's graduation party.

Sponsor Spotlight

I appreciate the businesses that sponsor the Nebraska Family Times! When a person or business is a “sponsor,” they receive 10 (or more) copies of the paper every month to share with customers, patients (in a dentist, chiropractor, or doctor office), members of the church congregation, co-workers, or friends. (A sponsorship of 10 papers/month is $10/month; sponsors are recognized on paper racks or holders, and in the paper.) A sponsorship is a way for the sponsor to assure distribution of the Nebraska Family Times to people, and meet the mission of the paper, “To Inspire, Encourage, and Motivate You on Your Christian Walk.”

To thank businesses for being sponsors, about a year ago I started the Sponsor Spotlight. An article about the featured sponsor appears on the Play Room pages in the Nebraska Family Times. It’s been interesting to hear “the story” behind how a business was started, and what the owners enjoy about their business.

The May Sponsor Spotlight will feature Main Street Apothecary of Laurel, NE.

Would you like your business featured in the Sponsor Spotlight? Contact me at shelly@shellyburke.net or by phone at (402) 993-2467 or (402) 750-3496 and we’ll set up a time for an interview (or I’ll e-mail you interview questions.)

I appreciate Nebraska Family Times sponsors and hope to hear from you!

Graduation

Graduation is Coming!

Cody graduates from high school on May 16, 2010. In some ways it seems like just yesterday that I walked him to his first day of school…

I have mixed feelings about him graduating and leaving home (he’s planning to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, next year). I’m so happy he has plans and goals, but also sad that he won’t be a part of our everyday life anymore.

I know it’s God’s plan that our children leave us and start their own lives, and I pray that Tim and I have helped him to develop a good foundation of faith and that he will continue to grow in faith, wherever he is.

We’re busy making plans for Cody’s graduation party. It’s fun to plan, and he’s not picky about exactly what we do—he’s most concerned with seeing friends who have been a part of his life. I made basic plans a few months ago, but now it’s time to get down to the details—exactly what we’ll have for food (lots of cheesecakes for dessert!), how the room will set up, what the decorations will be.

It will be a busy few weeks until the party—I have another issue of the paper to put out as well! J Don’t worry—It’s all coming together nicely.

Editor's Letter April 2010

Spring is springing!
I was so happy to get in the vehicle this morning and have to look for my sunglasses; it seems the sun hasn’t been out for a long time. Although things are brown right now, soon we’ll be seeing green (and I have a friendly bet with my mother-in-law that we will see one more snow before winter is completely gone…but snow in April will not last long). What a joy to see God’s hand in the re-birth of the earth every spring and be reminded on Easter of our ultimate re-birth in Heaven.

Speaking of birth…one of our donkeys had a baby! His name is Stormy, and he was the first donkey ever born on the ranch. He’s doing well and we think another of the donkeys might be pregnant, so another donkey baby may be arriving soon.

Another sign of spring is the arrival of cows and their calves in “my” pasture—the pasture right outside of our house. It’s so fun to look out the window and see the cows and their babies running around. About 100 calves have been born, and there are about 100 left to be born.

On a sad note, my Grandpa, Edward Geil, died in this world and was born into heaven on March 11th. Our sadness for our loss is mixed with joy for his gain; he believed in Christ and had been looking forward to joining Grandma, who died in 2002, in heaven. We know he is in heaven, out of pain, with her and with Jesus…and we know that we will see both Grandma and Grandpa again. All who knew Grandpa were blessed to know him. His faith showed in all he said and did and I will never forget his encouragement and love.

Two hours after we got home from the funeral, Morgan was doing chores and got hit in the head with a gate, so we visited the Emergency Room for stitches. We are so thankful her injury wasn’t worse! The stitches are already out and she’s rather proud of her “battle scar.” Cody has been counting the days until graduation…the spring is just flying by with cattle shows, calving, and enjoying being outside.

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I hope you enjoy this issue of the paper! Since I’m working on “spring cleaning” (in preparation for Cody’s upcoming graduation party), I’ve included hints and tips for organizing and cleaning, along with a review of my favorite housekeeping/organization book.

I’ve also printed an article about giving to charity when you’re on a tight budget (“Charity on a Shoestring”) and “Talking About Healthy Relationships” (with your kids). I hope that “Celebrating Mother’s Day Without Mother” will be comforting and encouraging to readers who are doing just that. If you find an article that would be perfect for a friend, please consider cutting it out and sharing it. If you don’t want to cut up your issue of the paper, contact me and I’ll send them a complimentary copy with a note that indicates the article that may be of interest.

Please let me know what articles and features you enjoy, and what topics you’d like to see more of. You can reach me at (402) 750-3496 or (402) 993-2467, or by e-mail at shelly@shellyburke.net. I enjoy hearing from readers!

God bless you and your families as you celebrate Easter and enjoy spring!

Shelly