Friday, September 18, 2015

Busy Doing Nothing. Staples, Elections,

This is what my life appears to be like right this moment.



I actually remember this song from Alice in Wonderland, but YouTube doesn't seem to have that version. Googling, it seems I was right.

Wednesday I was a tad annoyed to put it mildly. I had placed an order with Staples for what I thought was a deal on a box of paper and some envelopes and expected the delivery that day. Later in the afternoon a woman I know from the exercise class turned up with a box from Staples. The driver had called her apartment not mine. Apparently she had a relative staying who accepted the parcel not realising it wasn't for her hostess. Lucky she knew me. Then, when I opened the parcel, it turned out the paper wasn't what I thought. I am not paying close on $50 for a ream of paper, however special it might be. Maybe it was thin sheets of gold??? So now we have to go to Staples at some point to take it back. Looking at the packet, I don't know what's so special about this, apart from the price, anyway.

I registered to work at the elections too. I have done it two or three times before. So has Matt but he won't be doing it this year. It's a long day mind you, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and for the poll booth people it's even longer, probably midnight before they get away. Used to be 8 to 8 but they have changed it to align with the rest of the country. Considering the huge time differences from BC to Nova Scotia, I am not sure how they can do that, but..... One good thing our elections are called and over in a fairly short time not like the US which takes a full year of campaigning. Trump for president anyone??

I am not a bit apple fan, but I thought this recipe sounded good.

Apple-Pecan Chicken Salad

TasteBook

For a moister, tastier chicken salad, we use both light and dark meat (instead of just chicken breast), with crisp apples and crunchy pecans. If you’re pressed for time, a supermarket rotisserie chicken works great.
 Apple-Pecan Chicken Salad by TasteBook


Makes 6 servings


servings:
Makes 6

Ingredients

  • 1 package assorted chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks (about 3 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 1/2 cups cored, diced apples
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup diced celery
  • 3/4 cup diced onion
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise-type salad dressing
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Dash cayenne pepper

directions

  • 1 Place the chicken pieces and bay leaf in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently 30 minutes or until chicken pieces are cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center will read 165 degrees). Remove the chicken to a cutting board until it is cool enough to handle. Discard the skin and bones, and dice the chicken.
  • 2 Combine the chicken and remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well, taste again for salt and pepper, and serve chilled.


Have a great day
 

22 comments:

  1. Hi Jo. That election work seems long and hard. Hope you enjoy the insider view. I like anything with apples in. Nice and crunchy and cool on a hot day. :-)

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    1. It is actually quite fun to do Denise. It is a long day though.

      I thought it sounded good too.

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  2. Good for you for volunteering to work the election. It is not something I have ever considered doing even though I was an elected official for many years.

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    1. We do get paid Denise. No volunteering. It is a long day though.

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  3. That would be a really long day. I sure hope you guys get a decent Prime Minister. Harper's been a disaster.

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    1. It is, but it's quite fun to do JoJo. Politicians are politicians. Don't think much of any of them.

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  4. Don't pay for paper you don't really want.
    If Trump wins the primaries, it might be the first time I don't vote.

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    1. As it turns out Alex, I decided to complain about the wrong delivery. It seems they also delivered the wrong paper and they are going to pick it up and deliver the right paper next week. Not only that the right paper is on sale today so will cost less and she is going to give me 10% off my bill. Glad I phoned.

      At least Donald Trump knows how to make money - not a bad thing in the leader of a country.

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  5. I had an aunt who would work the elections in the San Diego area; you are right, it is a long day. My mom did it once, but she didn't like being gone from us for that long of a time. That salad looks delicious! Planning to make it sometime this weekend.

    betty

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    1. Well there's just Matt and I Betty and I plan to have him bring me coffee refills during the day so he won't be lonely LOL

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  6. Elections in the US used to take a lot less time, too. Now they have to go through a whole primary season that starts in the election year but the preseason starts as early as right after the inauguration of a new president. Like Mencken said, democracy is the belief that the people know what they want and deserve to get it, good and hard.

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    1. Well of course I wouldn't care John if we didn't end up getting all your campaign ads on the TV here. Particularly bad when we are having our own election too. Mencken knew what he was talking about

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  7. I've had returns picked up at my house. Usually I have to print a label from the computer or email and they come to me.

    Hopefully, yours can do that. Since it's their bad AND, they got the wrong address.

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    Replies
    1. Well, as it turns out Ivy, I phoned them and they were very apologetic. Then agreed that they had sent me the wrong thing and they would send me the box of paper I wanted which, today, happened to be even cheaper. They are also going to take 10% off my bill, so that suits me down to the ground.

      Delete
    2. Glad you guys reaached a happy middle ground. Cool beans.

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  8. I'm curious to find out what's special about that paper! Good luck with the elections. Definitely going to try that salad - it sounds delicious. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Nothing special Fil, they sent me the wrong thing, charged me the wrong price and anyway the paper wasn't that good.

      Delete
  9. I wonder if they are deliberately trying to up sell you with the paper. Good on you for volunteering. Apparently it's very good for your health to volunteer. Sounds like a tiring day though.

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    1. I ordered a case anyway Pinky, just got the wrong thing altogether as it turned out.

      They pay you here to work the elections. It is a tiring day.

      Delete
  10. OK Love this song-made me laugh because I think we can all relate to it. Gosh I just unsure who to vote for except Harper-I hope he will be out. Good for you to volunteer

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    1. I would like to have found the Alice in Wonderland version though. I don't know who to vote for either this time.

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