Monthly column chronicling life on a small farm. Monthly recipe for March: Smoked Sausage Skillet

we are fighting this. With the estimates ranging from $20-30,000 – it’s hardly in our budget. All I can say, is make sure you get the type of insurance that will replace a building at today’s rates.

I started a GoFundMe - to help defray costs, if you would like to share it, that would be so helpful. I know many people are in need these days and I thank all who have already donated.

So we have devised a new plan. We will bring in a nice Amish made run-in shed and have it placed in our back pasture. We will tear down the roof of the barn, and use the stable sides by adding a half roof for hay storage, and for equipment. On the other wall we will build a tack and feed room. It will be a lot of work, but it will be easier to take care of and the horses will be safe and happy – AND home. Believe it or not, these shelters are very warm.

So that’s it from this very eventful month here at the farm. Not too long after our weather issues, the southern states got hit with record setting cold and snow. I was heartbroken to see so many without power, heat or water. Even though we have this type of winter for about four months every year, these states aren’t used to it, and I only wished there was more I could do for everyone. Stay safe everyone. As for reading, with all going on, my reading time was completely lackluster, and I read less last month than I have ever done. As for TV watching, I have welcomed back the Chicago One TV shows, Chicago Med, Fire and P.D. It’s nice to finally have some new episodes with all the delays. If I have to tell you it’s a favorite large city, I’ve been to several, but Chicago is my favorite. Only for visits, mind you. I also did some streaming with Discovery+ mostly getting caught up

with Crikey! It’s the Irwins and Chip and Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper, which has been one of my favorite home shows and am glad they are back on the air. Do you believe they still don’t own a TV in their house? Impressive.

I’ve also watched a couple pretty good movies, The Midnight Sky with George Clooney is an apocalyptic look at what climate change causes. It’s a good movie, but it’s a bit slow. The other one I liked even better was Outside the Wire – Anthony Mackie & Damson Idris star in this one, and this one completely tossed me off at

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the end, and it’s good to see Mackie spread his acting skills after Marvel. Both of these movies you’ll find on Netflix. Mackie will spread his falcon wings again in Falcon and the Winter Soldier – coming in March to Disney+, and you will not keep me away

from that one considering the Winter Soldier is my favorite Marvel superhero.

My recipe this month is a very easy – all in one skillet dinner I call Smoked Sausage Skillet dinner. If you give it a try, let me know how you liked it!

©Copyright 2021 Cyrene Olson www.uncagedbooks.com Cyrene@UncagedBooks.com

Smoked Sausage Skillet

Ingredients: 2 lbs. smoked sausage - cut into chunks 3 bell peppers - seeded and sliced. Use multiple colors, I normally always use a red, green and yellow, it will work with any of them 1 medium onion, cut in chunks

2, 15 oz cans of stewed tomatoes with juice

3 cloves garlic - minced 2 green onions - chopped

2 TB cooking oil Paprika Parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 TB sugar Cornstarch Cooked long grain rice

1) Add the sliced peppers, onions and garlic to a skillet with the oil. Saute until the onions and peppers are softened. simmer. Add tomatoes and simmer until well mixed, about 10 minutes. Add the sugar and the salt and pepper to taste.

3)Add the chunks of smoked sausage, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

4) Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch in about a 1/4 cup of water and add to the mix. Simmer with the lid off until the juices thicken.

5) Sprinkle with parsley and the green onions and serve over a bed of rice.

This recipe feeds 4 easily, so if you aren’t feeding as many, you can easily cut this recipe in half. If you are adventurous, you can add a can of pineapple chunks when you add the meat. Let me know if you try it!

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Timothy Gene Sojka writes for enjoyment, paddleboards for stress relief, and runs so he can eat Tex-Mex. He has a passion for plot twists and pushing the “philosophically pure” to the point of hypocrisy. Tim enjoys time with his wife Lori, hanging out with his daughter Abigail and playing 42 Dominoes with his mother and grandmother.