Snow, Purim and winnowing sub

 I woke early because the room was bright, and I got up to this

At last, enough snow for a picture. Today will be up to the 50s f, so it won't last long.

Yesterday's winnowing was replaced by a bit of cleaning, same principle, improving my surroundings. I noticed my ancient refrigerator, still working, was depositing condensation down the inside back wall. 

So I took out and washed the bottom  drawers and the floor under them and put everything back, much better now. Nothing actually left the house but I think this is a good substitute.  Cleaners don't usually clean inside items, or behind them, so there's usually a few things to do, even when you have cleaners. 

On winnowing,  today I'll turn ny attention to art materials, mainly frames.

Speaking of art, last night I dreamed about the current ArtShaped piece and how to do the next stage, very helpful. I also dreamed I was doing the work outdoors in a town square, with friends and blogistas and passers-by looking on and commenting.

I've done tapestry and other fiber art work  this way, in a library, public free to come and ask questions and tell me their European grandmothers used to do these things. But I don't think that's what will happen with this piece.

I do have some good ideas now for today's work on the head, and need to gather materials to start the torso. Dreams as studio assistants work a treat. 

Meanwhile a green powerhouse soup happened yesterday.

 

Vegetable stock simmering first, before spinach, chard, broccoli, scallions and yellow potatoes get involved, with cappellini in the last couple of minutes.

Then here's the chorus of spices. Baharat, black pepper, basil salt I mixed ages ago and finally remembered to use, za'atar.

Sprig of Thai basil, aromatic. Served with a half pita filled with sharp cheddar and toasted.

I also baked a batch of dried cranberry/ walnut muffins

 And here's one toasted for this morning's breakfast

If I'd remembered the day

I'd have made my favorite hamantaschen

Next time I bake, maybe. Happy day if you celebrate it, well happy season, really.

And now, more than ever

Empty the freezer soup

I'll be reordering Misfits  this afternoon, so made soup with all the vegetables left in the freezer.

Onions cooking gently while I chop garlic and get ready to tip in the remaining cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and scallions.

Green Powerhouse soup, seasoned with salt, Old Bay, Bill Veach curry recipe, lemon juice.

All the freezer bags are now washed and draining ready for next Friday's Misfits delivery.

Meanwhile knitting is clicking away and I find I'm a bit allergic to the black merino wool. 

My eyes are irritated. Might be the wool fibers, might be the dye, since I find occasionally that black dye causes me a bit of trouble.  

Anyway I'll do the socks, already knitting heels and toes in a cotton mix and maybe I'll also do the cuffs that way, too. That way the socks will still be warm to wear while I minimize my exposure. 

The day would not be complete without a bit of whining. I ordered the gov Covid test kits the very day the portal opened, way back in January. Also ordered a set for Handsome Son, different address. 

So, different households, same last name, same zip code, exact same date of ordering, separate order forms, mine officially numbered one digit ahead of his. His arrived a week ago. I'm happy he has them. However, no sign of mine. 

I know this is up to date because I checked this morning for yesterday's mail, after starting my car to keep the battery happy. I left the engine  running while I went to the mailbox. 

What about me, Joe? Have a word with DeJoy, please. 

Handsome Son reminded me same happened with the relief checks, received weeks apart.

Which reminds me that I had a letter a couple of days ago, from the IRS, telling me they owed me a large round sum, but hadn't received last year's (2020) return. 

Which I sent early last February. It contained a payment check which they presented five days from mailing. Which pretty much proves they did receive the return 

Sooooo they said if I had in fact filed, please copy and resend all forms and enclosures, sign the copy again and return immediately. Limited window to pay me. Huh? My money and a limited window?

Anyway I did all that, cranked up the printer and scanner and sent back the lot, with a copy of their own letter in case they forgot why I'm writing to them. So we'll see.

I just hope the new mailing gets attended to better than the last. I may be driven to electronic filing next time. I've filled out but not yet mailed this year. I really don't want the complication of online filing, though I do it with a lot of other paperwork. But the IRS is a last bastion.  And it worked fine until the former guy trashed the agency.

Oh well, happy day anyway!