"The Final Inspection"

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear..
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

"Hot Taco Rice"

Description:
Great Dish! I found this recipe in a magazine years ago and it ended up being one of our favorite dishes....

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground Beef (brown and drain fat)
1 Onion (chopped)
1 Green Bell Pepper (chopped)
1 Celery Stalk (chopped)
4 Roma or Plum Tomatoes, diced
1 - 8 oz. can Tomatoe Sauce
1 Chicken Boullion Cube
1-1/2 C. medium Salsa
2 cloves minced Garlic
Jalapeno Peppers to taste (chopped)

1 C. Rice, cooked to package directions.

Garnishes: sour cream, cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.

Note for rice: I like to cook my rice in chicken stock or boullion vs just water. I also add 2 cloved minced garlic near the end of its cooking time.

Directions:
Brown beef with onion, peppers and celery - drain fat. Add salsa, tomatoes, tomatoe sauce, boullion, garlic and jalapeno. Bring to full boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 min. Meanwhile prepare rice. Serve beef mixture over rice, top with garnishes

Number Of Servings: 4

Thank a Veteran today!

"Conversion"

Look, God, I have never spoken to you...
But now...I want to say, "How do you do."
You see, God, they told me you didn't exist...
And like a fool...I believed all of this.
Last night from a shell-hole I saw your sky...
I figured right then, they had told me a lie.
Had I taken time to see the things you made,
I'd know they weren't calling a spade a spade.
I wonder, God, if You'd shake my hand.
Somehow...I feel that you will understand.
Funny...I had to come to this hellish place,
Before I had the time to see your face.
Well I guess there isn't much more to say.
But I'm sure glad, God, I met you today.
I guess the "zero hour" will soon be here.
But I’m not afraid since I know You're near.
The signal!...Well, God,...I'll have to go.
I like you lots...This I want you to know.
Look, now...this will be a horrible fight...
Who knows...I may come to your house tonight.
Though I wasn't friendly with you before
I wonder, God...if you'd wait at Your door.
Look...I'm crying! Me!...Shedding tears!
I wish I'd known You these many years...
Well, I will have to go now, God...good-bye.
Strange...Since I met you...I'm not afraid to die...

Our Granddaughter :)

"Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge"

Description:
This is one of our most Favorite fudge recipes!

Ingredients:
4 C. White Sugar
1 C. Light Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Butter (or 1 stick)
1 (12 ounce) can Evaporated Milk
1 (7 ounce) jar Marshmallow Cream
1 (16 ounce) jar Peanut Butter
1 t. Vanilla

Directions:
Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a medium size sauce pan over medium heat, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; boil for 8-1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in marshmallow cream until well blended. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth; spread in prepared baking dish. Let cool, refrigerate, then cut into squares... Enjoy!

Note: I have found that this method is much easier!
Line the 13 x 9 dish with foil and then butter the foil... Pour fudge into prepared dish, let cool, refrigerate for several hours or over night. Then dump fudge out (upside down) onto large surface, peel off foil and cut fudge into pieces...

Number Of Servings: Many

"Sante Fe' Soup"

Description:
Yummo, easy & quick!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Hamburger (Brown & drain fat)
1/2 Onion (chopped)
1 can Black Beans (drain & rinse) (I used 2 cans)
1 can Kidney Beans (drain & rinse)
1 can Pinto Beans (drain & rinse)
1 can Whole Kernal Corn (do not drain)
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 can diced Tomatoes
1 can Rotel
2 - 2-1/2 c. Water (depending on how thick you want your soup)
2 T. "Franks" Red Hot sauce (optional) any kind of hot sauce will do if Franks cannot be found.

Directions:
Brown hamburger with onion, drain fat. In a large soup pot mix all other ingrediants together. Add hamburger & onion, bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes... Enjoy!

Number Of Servings: Many

Preparation Time: 30 minute prep, 45 minute simmer