cheaper by the dozen (or 1/4 of a dozen, anyway)

I tend to record most TV shows that I watch and fast forward through the commercials. This isn't always possible - the DVR is currently full, and TV shows on demand don't allow fast forwarding.  I had seen a anti-Jeanne Shaheen ad (she's running to keep her NH senate seat) that is supposed to be a spelling bee with the kid spelling Shaheen and asking for a definition.  The definition is basically lots of negative stuff.  My parents have the TV on most of the time, and they don't mute the commercials (I dive for the remote as often as I can, but then my father thinks either the TV or his hearing aid is malfunctioning, so one can't win). I noticed an almost identical ad opposed to Kay Hagan (running to keep her seat as senator from NC).  I looked more closely, and saw that it was sponsored by Crossroads GPS, which is a SuperPac that tries to be opposed to anybody who might think the President is doing an OK job, as far as I can tell. The actors and scenario were the same, but the senate candidate and state names were changed.  I just went to youtube and by typing in crossroads gps  spelling bee got another matching ad, this time against Pryor in AR. There may be more, but that's enough to illustrate my point.   Even if you're spending hundreds of millions trying to take over the senate, some thought can be given to saving money.

But I followed the recipe, she whines

Except for the part about removing the bay leaves before putting the soup into the blender.  I remembered after it was too late.  Is this poisonous or anything?

Also, I followed the timing instructions for using the slow cooker, but the onion bits are still cruncy, after three hours.  So I'm about to leave to go to a potluck without anything
to offer, because the soup is just too weird.