Christmas Crazy in July

I spent the greater part of last week in Chicago for BlogHer's annual conference. It's a whirlwind of crazy fun every year, and I kicked things up a notch this year by speaking. I was part of a panel that discussed "UnMarketing," which was basically us yelling I AM NOT A BRAND! at the top of our lungs.

It was a great session that definitely left me with some things to ponder. If you're curious, the transcript is available over here.

If you happened to be in attendance (in which case, THANK YOU SO MUCH!) or if you read the transcript, then you know that I let a little kitty out of the bag and let it run around the room for a second.

Sometimes I work with brands. I'm not a brand and I don't consider this website to be a brand, but I will occasionally work with companies to help them promote their products and services ... but it has to be a mutually beneficial situation.

If you've been around here for any length of time, you know that I define "mutually beneficial" very loosely. I want there to be something for me in the situation, but I am truly happiest when that "something for me" means that someone else is benefiting.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER.

Last month I was contacted by Staples. They wanted to know if I would review a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and write about back to school. The whole thing got me thinking -- back to school is a nightmare for us because OMG ALL OF THE THINGS COST SO MUCH MONEY. But ... we're OK. We can make it all work out so that Alexis gets what she needs.

I remember what it's like for things to not be OK.

And then I remembered that the kids who are living in domestic violence shelters definitely know what it's like for things to not be OK.

So ... I'm giving away that Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, but there is a catch. It all has to lead to the kids who receive services from Center for Victims getting what they need for back to school. My review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is over here, as are the instructions for entering to win that tablet.

We're going to take care of some kids, y'all. It's going to be excellent.

(Y'all have a tradition of exceeding my expectations in situations like this. If that happens again, anything extra will be used towards the usual Christmas Crazy shenanigans. Santa season will be here before we know it, so maybe we'll have a jump start.)

Thanks, you guys. You make this whole blogging thing worthwhile.

Now go enter to win that tablet, will ya?

Cannellini Beans and Rice

Does anyone remember what my house looks like? Anyone?

I kind of forget.

Between teaching several photography classes, work, a trip to Chicago for the annual BlogHer conference, and OMG THE KID HAS SO MANY PLACES SHE HAS TO BE, I haven't been home to do anything other than sleep for a very long time. That pattern is going to continue for the next several weeks, so I've decided grocery shopping is for suckers. I ain't doing it.

You guys, there is nothing to eat in our house.

No matter, I've become a pro at throwing together the things we do always have and somehow ending up with an actual meal. I did exactly that earlier this week when I was home for a flash.

I am the weirdo who always has peppers and onions on hand, so I threw them in with some rice, frozen spinach, and canned cannellini beans.

It was a huge success. Thank goodness.

Cannellini Beans and Rice

1 cup white rice
2 cups water
pinch salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red pepper, cleaned and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup shredded romano, if desired

1. In a large nonstick pot, cook the rice with the water and salt. Just follow the directions on the rice package and everything will be OK.

2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Toss the red pepper in and cook it for about 2 minutes, or until it starts to soften.

3. Add in the onion. Keep stirring and sauté until the onion starts to soften.

4. Now add the garlic, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, spinach, basil, and oregano. Keep stirring and cooking. It's done when the red pepper is the way you want it -- not too soft or too crunchy.

5. Throw the rice in with the vegetables. Stir everything up.

6. Remove from heat. If you want to throw the cheese in there, now is your chance.

7. Give yourself a high-five for putting together some seriously good rice.

It has been a Great Summer So Far