Here’s to an Awesome Day!

While we no longer celebrate the Birthday of each branch of our awesome military separately but rather as one day – Armed Forces Day – it’s still nice to acknowledge the branches individually. Today is the actual “Birthday” of the US Air Force.

The Air Force has two unofficial days. The first was in August. The US Signal Corps was established on August 1, 1907. This branch would eventually evolve into the US Air Force, officially established on September 18, 1947 as a part of the National Security Act at the end of World War II.

Regardless of which date you want to acknowledge, the fact that we have such a prestigious group of men and women willing to serve in any branch of the military is to be admired. Their sense of duty allows us the freedom to act like a bunch of spoiled idiots on the world stage. This is a great country. You don’t need to agree with every political aspect or white wash our checkered past to appreciate just how awesome America is. People are far from perfect. And since countries, and the governments that run them are made up of imperfect people, there are bound to be some flaws. That’s okay – we are a work in progress. Happy US Air Force Day!

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Have I mentioned that my guys are big, big pizza lovers. Kiddo likes all kinds of pizza and toppings. Hubby’s more of your basic pizza eater. His favorite is Sausage and Mushrooms. Me? I’m not a fan of most pizzas, except the gourmet kind with the white sauce and artichoke hearts. So this Cowboy inspired pizza is right up my alley. Enjoy!

Cowboy Pizza
1 large prepared Pizza Crust (home-made or store bought)
Olive Oil as needed
Barbecue Sauce as needed
2 Jalapeño Peppers
2 Roma Tomatoes
1/4 Red Onion
1 lb Ground Beef
4 slices Bacon
1-1/2 cups Monterey or Pepper Jack Cheese

Heat oven to 425-degrees.

Brush the bottom of a large pizza crust with olive oil. Place on a pizza pan. Pour about a quarter cup or more as desired of the barbecue sauce in the center of the pizza. Brush the barbecue sauce out almost to the edge of the crust for a nice coating of sauce, set aside.

Stem and slice the Jalapeños into rounds. Slice tomatoes into thin rounds. Cut a quarter section from an onion. Peel and thinly slice onion into slivers. Set aside.

Cook ground been in a skillet, breaking into smaller pieces as it cooks. Remove meat from skillet, drain well and set aside. Wipe out the skillet.

Stack bacon, dice into smaller pieces. Scatter the bacon bits into the now empty skillet. Fry bacon until nicely browned. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels then add bacon to the ground beef. Scatter meat over the barbecue sauce.

Top meats with cheese. Top cheese with sliced peppers, tomatoes and onions. Place in the heated oven to bake. Bake until crust is crisp, the cheese has melted and the toppings are beginning to blister, about 15 minutes.

Let pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
prudent are all who live by it.
His praise endures forever.