This is my new Samsonite carry-on suitcase. I picked it up last week during Kohl’s super sale.
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I was so excited I posted the photo to my NOLA Facebook group. As I started keying in the description, the realization of why this suitcase is so important became clear.
At the store, I thought it was just a nice suitcase, in a nice color. But I didn’t really need it. It wasn’t really necessary.
But once I took Green home, it spoke to me. “I’m never empty. I’m always full of promise. Adventure. A future. Dreams. Success. Something Good. Trust me.””New,” it says. “Look forward, not behind,” it beckons. “Change is good,” it offers. “It’s okay to let go,” it comforts. “I’ll protect,” it promises. It was half price, and I had a 20%-off coupon, plus I received $20 back in Kohl’s Cash. This $240 suitcase cost me less than $90, and it’s already worth the investment.Because it’s an investment in me. In my dreams, hopes, excursions. It makes it okay to think about the future. It tells me there are places out there I’m going to, and it fills me with a sense of adventure. I’m going to soar, and Green is coming with me.
As I write this post, when I first shared the photo on Facebook and Instagram, when I wrapped my hand around the handle and took it off the store shelf, and all the times in between when I think of it, I hear Dr. Seuss telling me “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I didn’t know how much I needed the promise this suitcase could give. I can’t explain why I’m so full of gratitude and longing and thankfulness and excitement and anticipation and confidence. I just know I am. And it feels marvelous. There’s a world out there waiting for me to embrace it. And I’m on my way.
This is my suitcase. This is my green suitcase. This is the color of my company. My lucky bamboo. Frogs. My writing chair. Lizzie Cat’s eyes. My Narnia room.
In my job as an insurance agent, I talk to a lot of clients about their homes and yards. As you know, I’m always on the lookout for how to beautify my desert dirt lot. I have great tips on how (and what) to garden. I love hearing and seeing the different creatures Mother Nature nurtures.
Lately I’ve seen more butterflies. Who can forget this beautiful Hummingbird Moth I discovered at Lowe’s?
Hummingbird Moth
Or cute, tiny Fred?
A Lizard in the Hand
Two days ago I drove over to Mom’s for our morning coffee together. There was a rock in the driveway so I avoided it and any potential damage it might cause to my tires. As I exited Ursula (as I’ve affectionately named my car), Mom called me over with a twinge of excitement. “I want to show you something.”
She was watering her flowers and I thought perhaps a new butterfly or petals. Instead, she pointed to the rock and it was then I discovered it was no rock at all, but a stunning green and yellow Scarab beetle!
Scarab Beetle
Scarab in the Shade
Over an inch in length and content to be my model for the next five minutes, it reflected the peeking sun and dulled with the clouds. It’s a sight we’ve not seen in the desert. As I do with all things, I quickly named it. “Lucky”. For he (she? it?) is a wondrous shade of green highlighted with yellow undertones. It was impossible for me to not fall in love with this unique and magnificent creature.
The Scarab is an ancient Egyptian symbol of luck and wealth. It’s not lost on me that this Scarab should also be the color of money. And emeralds. And jade. All of which are considered lucky. All of which, coincidentally, are some of my favorite things in life.
Going beyond myth and legend, I have always been attracted to shades of green. I find them refreshing, soothing, invigorating, and energizing. My Narnia-inspired media room (or, Spar Oom, as it’s also known) is painted a peaceful Mountain Sage color.
The photos above don’t do it justice.
Shiny Scarab (the best photo!)
Look at the intricate detail of his glorious hard wings, large eyes, and all those legs and tendrils! Had I not needed my coffee and then to scoot off to work, I would have stayed for hours watching him. Just watching him as he watched me.
He must have known I had other things to soon steal my attentions, for he began to wander away. But not before I captured a short video of his journey.
Here’s the original video I captured:
But he must really be lucky. Because I decided to try my hand at video editing and after just a few hours, have something Lucky would be proud of. It’s rough, I’ll admit. I’m not a professional. And I don’t fully know what I’m doing yet. But I’m getting there. And Lucky? Well, he’s getting there, too… wherever “there” is for a green and yellow Scarab beetle.
I’ve heard people say things like “I don’t know how I ever got along without one for so long.” Or, “It’s so easy, so simple, so effortless.” And, “Delicious. Hearty. Healthy.”
Most of the time I chalk it up to hype. Someone, somewhere is exaggerating.
And then I bought my Aroma Houseware’s 6-Cup Rice Cooker. It’s small. Convenient. And on a day like today when the outside temperature reached over 100 degrees, I didn’t have to turn my oven or stove on to feed my family a healthy, hearty, warm meal.
The rice comes out moist and full every time. I’ve steamed vegetables, chicken, and fish as well. The steam basket is small, allowing for just two servings of either meat or vegetables. But for those times when Dot’s out with her friends, I’m able to make a serving of each for myself.
I love that this versatile cooker lets me cook rice and steam at the same time. Or I can opt to do just one task. I also like that I can make as little as 2 cups of rice or as much as 6 cups. What’s better than fresh rice under a steamed salmon or lemon peppered vegetables? Having more for later!
The cooker/steamer averages a 20 minute wait time. It depends on what you’re preparing. The Cooker has an inner spring that, once the cooking is done, gently pushes the inner pot off the heating coils. It can keep your food warm for up to 12 hours without scorching!
It’s incredibly easy to use, clean, and store. I don’t know how I ever got along without one for so long.
And I want you to have one, too. So much so that I contacted Aroma Housewares and they agreed to sponsor this giveaway. This is a big deal. A really big deal! Because who doesn’t love giveaways? Even if you have a rice cooker, you can always use another one for those smaller servings. Or maybe you know someone getting ready to go away to college or move out on their own. It’s also a big deal, because [super shout out to Chris at Aroma Housewares], this is my very first sponsored giveaway. I couldn’t be happier that it’s for a product I really believe in.
Aroma even let me use their Green Chili Chicken & Rice recipe (it comes both on the product box and in their instruction manual).
Can’t you just smell the steamy aroma of chilies, chicken and rice? My house smelled so delicious, and the flavor did not disappoint!
We served it up with a corn tortilla and a glass of my berry-infused water. What a refreshing meal!
[The opinions in this review are my own, and not affected by any sponsor, entity or other person. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy.]
And now we’ve come to the really fun part: The Giveaway!
1. MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post: What do you like to serve with rice? This entry is mandatory. If you don’t answer this question, all other entries are void.
2. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: You can earn up to four additional entries (for five entries total) by doing each of the following then leaving a comment here telling me you’ve done so. If you already do any of these things, that counts as an entry only if you post it in the comments. (Additional entries will be verified):
a. Follow me on Facebookand share this giveaway.
b. Follow me on twitterand tweet this giveaway.
c. Follow me on Pinterestand pin this giveaway.
d. Share this giveaway on your own blog and leave the link in the comments below. BONUS ENTRIES ONLY COUNT IF YOU LEAVE A COMMENT AND I VERIFY.
Here’s the fine print:
This giveaway is solely through Molly Jo and the blog Frankly, My Dear…. It is sponsored by Aroma Housewares. There are no other corporate sponsors. This giveaway is in no way endorsed by any other person, business or entity.
Relatives, employees or persons affiliated with Aroma Housewares, New Inklings Press, or Frankly, My Dear… are ineligible.
Only legal citizens of the United States aged 18 years and older are eligible to win.
This giveaway begins at 5:30 a.m. PST on Sunday, July 22, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.
Winner will be selected from all eligible comments on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 through Random.org.
Winner will be notified by email and will have 120 hours (five full days) from the time email is sent to respond. Should winner not respond in a timely manner, prize will subsequently be re-awarded to another Reader. Not more than three (3) subsequent winners will be picked. After that, prize will be forfeited and no winner will be chosen.
One prize pack [$20.00 value] consisting of Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Rice Cooker [Product No. ARC-743] will be given. No substitutions or transfers allowed.
Aroma Housewares, Molly Jo and Frankly, My Dear… are not responsible for any lost or misdirected shipments, or damages that may occur during shipping.
You may comment as much as you like, but any comment that does not meet the requirements will not be considered for this Giveaway.
By leaving your comment on this post, you agree to be bound by the rules of this giveaway in their entirety.
As I always like to say, Happy Eating!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sweeten my tea and share:
Buy NOLA, a romantic location mystery, by Molly Jo Realy
NOLA, by Molly Jo Realy
want more?
click the photo to subscribe to Frankly, My Dear . . .
