This past weekend was a good one. The wife and I, with the help of the kids, spent most of our time ‘improving the fighting position‘ a.k.a spring cleaning. I think I say this for every season, but this is my favorite time of the year. Windows open, buttercups blooming, the promise of Spring. Number 4 had a couple lacrosse games this weekend, and unfortunately for her, they did not end as well as the others. This year is going to be a challenge of perseverance and growth because she is on a 6th-grade team playing against Middle School teams, which are mixed 6-8 grades. There is a maturity and skill gap that is noticeable on the field. She did score her first goal, though! Also, the wife made Red Beans and Rice last night, it is definitely shareworthy!
Cajun Rice and Beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 12 oz fully cooked smoked Beef Sausage Link, cut into ¼ inch slices.
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 bell pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning (Cajun 2-Step)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes to taste or Hot sauce on the side (this is what we did)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 cup long-grain rice, I used Jasmine
- 15.5 oz red kidney beans drained
- Fresh chopped green onions for garnish
- Add salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet (you need a lid) on medium-high heat and add the olive oil and butter. Add in the sausage and saute for about 5 minutes.
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Add in the onion, bell pepper, and celery, and cook 3-5 minutes just until soft. Add in the minced garlic and cook another minute.
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Sprinkle in the cajun seasoning, and mix until coated.
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Add in the chicken broth, tomatoes, beans, and rice. Turn up the heat and bring it to a simmer for 2-3 minutes, and stir, scraping the bottom for any browned bits.
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Reduce the heat to a low temperature. Place the lid on the skillet and cook for 20 minutes , then turn the heat off and let it sit for 5-10 minutes without lifting the lid.
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Remove the lid and garnish with fresh chopped green onions.
As a reminder, Lunch Box Quotes are notes I include in the kids’ lunches every day. Number 1 gets a text, but 2-4 get handwritten napkins.
Visual credits to: @CowboyGospeler
Quotes: @constantinvonh @HermannHessed @fraveris
Quotes:
1. “America is best described by one word, freedom.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower (Hat tip, Keith Olsen)
2. “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” – Robert Frost
3. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain
4. “The appearance of things changes according to the emotions, and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves.” – Khalil Gibran
Bonus quote: “Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Source:
“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.”
— Robert Frost pic.twitter.com/3mkURhPZZQ
— Multipolar Press / Constantin von Hoffmeister (@constantinvonh) March 7, 2026
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
―Mark Twain pic.twitter.com/npSxUUw90R
— Hesse Philosophy (@HermannHessed) March 8, 2026
“The appearance of things changes according to the emotions, and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves.”
— Khalil Gibran
Ernesto Arrisueno Peruvian painter pic.twitter.com/tqIfnKv7sN
— Francisco Ribeiro (@fraveris) March 8, 2026
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.
⏤ 1 Thessalonians 5:6 pic.twitter.com/QwoDJ5PKKm— Cowboy Gospeler (@CowboyGospeler) March 8, 2026