First, the Argument:

In my email yesterday, I received a 20% discount coupon from a well known sporting goods company. I clicked on the coupon and entered their site.  I ended up placing an order that was over $100.  Then it hit me.  SHOOT! I forgot to add the coupon.

Upon receipt of the confirmation of my order, I responded, kindly asking if they would apply the discount.

I received a response that said the coupon expired on December 8th.  WHAT?! I JUST received it in my email on the 17th.  I picked up the phone and had a somewhat steamy conversation with “Ron” on the other end.  Grrrrr!

I cited the importance of new customers.  I reminded him that if the discount was offered at one time, they could certainly afford to offer it again.  “Ron” claimed that a company was collecting expired coupon offers and sending them to peoples emails in order to generate site activity.  Now that didn’t make sense to me since when clicking on the coupon it went to “Ron’s” site NOT the company that generated the email. 

“Ron” pulled the “Just think, if you owned a company.…” trick, for which I responded “ I DO own a company and, considering how important our customers are to us, ESPECIALLY NEW CUSTOMERS, I would honor the discount!“.    The result:   Joanne received a 20% discount on goods purchased. 

Score one for the Kipper!  laughing  

Second, Exercise:

The outside thermometer read 1 degree when I went downstairs this morning.  Shane was eager to leave the house. I wasn’t.  I put my snow pants on.  I had a workout bra, a winter running shirt with a hood, a thermal zip jacket, and my winter jacket.  I made sure to put on my winter socks.  I pulled the hoodie up on my shirt.  I put a full face mask on top of the hoodie then a hat on top of all that.  My best traction sneakers.  A pair of mittens (gloves don’t keep my hands warm).  I was ready to go.  

You bet I didnt’ feel one degree of cold.  I even worked up a sweat. Of course running was impossible under all that clothing but we did engage in a very brisk walk and actually ran in 3 places, where the roads were clear.

Shane loved it.  He didn’t suffer “slushy foot” since it was dry and the cold snow wasn’t able to collect in his paw hairs. We went 3.75 miles.  Friday is an official rest day before our Saturday run.  We were pleased with our walking accomplishment on such a cold day.  Do you get some form of aerobic exercise on your day off?  Or can you take it easy and relax?

Now, the Food:

 One of our employees brought in the biggest box of tomato pie from Holland Farms Bakery  Deli

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The ladies also received a totally delicious box of really special chocolates.

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 Here is the hero of the day…

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Hello. My name is John. I work at C-Flex and love my job“.  Okay, so I put some words in John’s mouth. I don’t think he reads my blog any way…   🙂

But thanks for the food John!

Party Prep:

 In preparation for our party, we made two tapenade recipes sent to us from Mezzetta. 

In these recipes we used their Artichokes and their sun dried tomatoes. 

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Artichoke and Green Olive Tapenade (The green olives are from our own batch of marinated olives. See this post: Italian Homemade Green Olives.)

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  • 1 cup Green Olives, pitted
  • 1 cup Mezzetta Artichoke Hearts, drained
  • 1 cup Mixed Almonds and Pecans
  • 1/2 cup Parsley
  • 4 anchovies
  • 1 clove garlic – minced
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the above except the olive oil in a food processor.  Pulse for one minute.  Gradually drizzle in the olive oil and pulse another 2 – 3 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade

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  • 3 cups Mezzetta sun dried tomatoes, including oil from the jar
  • 4 oz pitted green olives
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 TBS Mezzetta Pepper Rings

Combine all of the above in a food processor and process until blended. 2-3 minutes.

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Serve both of the above tapenades with crackers or crostini. 

Another way to use tapenade is to spread it on top of fish or other protein.

Joanne

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