Frugal but happy in winter?

Onebrokelady

Mind if I join you please
I don't like winter but for the last few years have been making a real effort to embrace the season and look for the positives, I'm another who gets very down because of low light levels, I am being treated for long term depression and I normally feel worse in the winter,I am determined this year to try to look for the positives and take note when I need to hibernate for the day,I have found I'm not too bad if I can pootle around at home and not have to go out if I don't want to, I have to go to work but I try to plan days at home to do things in the warm such as crafts and reading
I am definitely planning very carfullynthis year because last year on one of the coldest days of the year in a snow storm I had to spend a whole day outside trying to sort out the condenser pipe to my boiler which had got blocked with ice,my chicken coop was in the way and I had to partially distmantle it to get to the pipe,I got sooooo cold and never want to experience that again,I checked my heating last week and lo and behold the room thermostat is broken so my heating isn't working,I'm so glad I checked it now and didn't wait until it was actually cold,I have an electrician pricing up a new one for me so it should be replaced soon

Onebrokelady

GreenQueen wrote: »

This thread makes me think about a book I bought about "hygge" - Scandinavian comfort in the winter months, lots of candles/references to nature/enjoying time with family, etc. Scandinavians have much harder/colder winters than us, so if it helps them to get through to spring, it's got to be good!

Like any of these things, it's worth reading/googling for ideas and taking the bits that you like.

GQ

I have a couple of books on Hygge and it was reading them that has encouraged me to learn to love the season,I must say I didn't feel as bad last year as I normally do apart from the day of the boiler breakdown in the snow,I even walked to work an hour away and home again in the snow and quite enjoyed myself,it was lovely and quiet walking along at 6.30 in the morning in the stillness that you only get with a blanket of snow,there was no one around and I was wrapped up warm

Lonire

Those sunrise alarm clocks are great for autumn winter!

I am hoping to have a quiet season as well and cut down on spending

natlie

Thank you for the posts on Hygge I've had a good look into it and have started to higgle my home, beginning with decluttering, I have a week off work so its a good time to prepare for the changes - though we may have a short heatwave in Sept.

Im going to go into the garage to look for paint to revamp bits of the house whilst i am off and i am going to buy new pads for my millions of cushion covers that are in the airing cupboard

Onebrokelady

natlie wrote: »

Thank you for the posts on Hygge I've had a good look into it and have started to higgle my home, beginning with decluttering, I have a week off work so its a good time to prepare for the changes - though we may have a short heatwave in Sept.

Im going to go into the garage to look for paint to revamp bits of the house whilst i am off and i am going to buy new pads for my millions of cushion covers that are in the airing cupboard

Sometimes just reading a book on Hygge makes me feel warm and cosy:)
My daughter knitted me a lovey arran style blanket for my birthday a couple of years ago and I love snuggling up under that with a book or magazine, I have candles to light as well so can make the room look cosy,also hot choclate and a nice piece of cake or a pastry always helps me feel snug and warm...oh and thick soft snuggly socks especially hand knitted ones:)
I have The little Book Of Hygge and another called Cosy,I can't remember the authors name but will have look in a bit

purpleybat

Lonire wrote: »

Those sunrise alarm clocks are great for autumn winter!

I am hoping to have a quiet season as well and cut down on spending

bah! my alrms start going off at 2.30 or 3.30 am.... its proper dark again now

zaxdog

Cold and misty here this morning then heavy rain so we were in full winter mode

Blankets and hot water bottles in the daytime and a dinner of roast chicken thighs with roast tatties, neeps, parsnips and carrots topped with lashings of gravy.

Deboned the thighs before I put them in the oven and bones, bendy carrot, onion and lots of homegrown herbs into the slow cooker. Stock now in a washed out milk jug in freezer :j

This week will be:

Starting a new crochet blanket
Sorting winter clothes and dying the more faded ones
Job interview for job closer to home

Frugal and happy :rotfl:

Onebrokelady

It's been lovely and sunny here today but there is a definite nip in the air and it smells like autumn,the leaves on my trees are still very green though so hopefully not ready to start falling quite yet
I tested my heating the other day and discovered the room thermostat is broken,I contacted someone to come and install a new one a week ago and he said he would phone me with a price ,he hadn't phoned up until today so I called him again,he said he would call me back later and let me know but didn't call,so I think I will have to find someone else,Im so glad I decided to test it because normally I would have just left it until I needed to turn the heating on when it would already have been cold,so at least I have time to sort it out.....if anyone actually gets back to me that is
I've been sorti g out my craft stash today to find things to keep me busy during the cold weather,I've sorted out a cross stitch to finish first then I might have a go at knitting some socks,I love hand knitted socks,they are so much nicer than shop bought ones,my daughter usually knits me some for Xmas,but I thought I would have a go myself this year

kboss2010

I’m trying to make use of the last few dry days as the wind is picking up for washing blankets & bedding to store.

My mum bought me a really soft, thick teddy bear blanket which I live in in winter & I have a stash of candles & tea.

Has anyone ever tried making one of those terracotta plant pot candle room heaters? Do they work?

fuddle

I'm in the process of making a granny square blanket for my bed. The reality is it's unlikely to be finished this winter but the act of crochet with the fire on, cup of tea by my side, is enough for me to feel relaxed and happy with my lot.