Preparing for winter II

MammaT

Chillout5892
Hope you don't mind me saying so but it sounds like you have really got yourself well on the road to sorted out - well done. It's so hard when you become ill and your income drops away to almost zilch even to keep on top of bills etc. I am blessed with three beautiful children (15, 13 and 8) who are so grounded and level-headed it takes my breath away. I spoke to them last night about the fact that we are going to have a very frugal Christmas (again) and they all said no worries it'll be fun making bits and curling up together. My 13 yr old daughter even said she has everything she needs!

We Mums love to be able to splurge on our children at Christmas buying things we think they need but maybe all they really need is a bit of the old style Christmas spirit - anyone know where I can get silver sixpences from these days for their stockings??:rotfl:

We'll be sewing, baking and making for pressies this year, DD has already started to knit scarves for her friends - and we'll have a great one.

annie123

HelenYorkshire wrote: »

I've not made it through the whole thread, but please tell me more about coping with sash windows! Last winter I duct-taped bubblewrap over them - it billowed like a sail when the wind blew; that's how big the gaps are! However this meant I couldn't mop up condensation
If it helps, only the bottom section of the window still moves, and they're both approx 5 foot by 5 foot....
One of them has a set of long, thin-but-overlapping curtains, the other only has those vertical blinds that you get in GPs and dentists.

My son has a bay window with 3 3'x9' tall sash windows and they may as well not be there for the wind chill he used to get.

Folded lengths of newspaper wedged into the sides until they don't move.
Spray water (with a little drop of washing up liquid) directly onto the glass and stick the bubble wrap, pockets to glass, directly onto it, cut to size. You shouldn't get any more condensation.

hth

edit: add a fleece too, can use drawing pins directly onto the wooden frame if needed.

NualaBuala

Athome1 wrote: »

Happy to oblige:) It's a Stovax Sheraton, model 7027. It was supplied and fitted by a small, independant guy who really knew what he was talking about. We had a quote from a big company but was put off by their lack of knowledge and they were so much more expensive! It is well worth shopping around, a friend of ours has just bought a second hand one and is helping the fitter with the chimney liner and general labouring and so has brought the cost right down. Good luck

I looked up that stove, it's lovely! Some day ...

For anyone thinking of buying a fleece mattress protector; if you have fleece blankets you don't need, they do the job just as well. One of my Ikea fleeces got stained so I lay it on the mattress and the fitted sheet holds it in place. Very cosy!

I made my first wheat bag using an old cotton pillowcase and made a cover using old brushed cotton pyjama bottoms. It's not very professional looking to say the least as I can't sew in a straight line! And the wheat smell takes a bit of getting used to (I forgot to add lavender). But it works just fine and it's a nice feeling to use something I made myself.

shegar

Cat72 wrote: »

Had a brainwave as my trousers got soaked in a rainshower yesterday, and remember how my trousers got soaked with the snow last year.
So have decided to buy waterproof over trousers, that I can pack and carry with me .
So far the best price seems to be £10 .
ALso looking for some comfy snowboots.

Went to asda to get the fleeces 2 for £3 but they were £2 each, so just left it at the moment as a bit tight for money and the colour selection was limited.
Noticed Wilksons have the fleece matress covers starting at £10 and also fleece shoe liners at £1.
HTH.

I notice on your post you say that Wilksons have fleece mattress covers, do you mean Wilkinsons.??.... thanks

marmiterulesok

NualaBuala wrote: »

For anyone thinking of buying a fleece mattress protector; if you have fleece blankets you don't need, they do the job just as well. One of my Ikea fleeces got stained so I lay it on the mattress and the fitted sheet holds it in place. Very cosy!

:j:j:j:j:j

Oh thanks,that's a great idea!I'll be trying this out this winter.I've got a fleece that'll do nicely.Such a simple idea but I'd never have thought of it.
The only problem is that my mattress is very thick and even putting on the fitted sheet has me muttering under my breath.
I'll give it a go,thanks so much.

MancMillyMolly

Another tick of the list in the winter preparations - flu jab was done this morning!! :j

rosieben

MammaT and anyone else planning home made things for christmas, there are some lovely ideas on the Victorian Farm Christmas website

I shall read the whole website again soon, really gets me in the christmas spirit :xmassmile

katholicos

rosieben wrote: »

MammaT and anyone else planning home made things for christmas, there are some lovely ideas on the Victorian Farm Christmas website

I shall read the whole website again soon, really gets me in the christmas spirit :xmassmile

I love that website, thanks for the reminder

midnightraven3

planning LOADS of homemade christmas things this year
i gave everyone a homemade hamper last year full of HM soaps, chutneys, relishes, bath bombs etc
and i sat back nervously awaiting the verdict as it was the 1st time i had done this

everyone wanted more, especially the sweetcorn relish
and i have had requests from people asking to buy them for them to give as gifts this year

making each of my 3 teens a fleecy backed patchwork quilt to go in their christmas eve hampers, well, its a sack (again HM)
along with jammies, slippers, new dressing gowns & socks, ladybugs you micro for heat, christmassy dvd etc (all bought in sales of course!)
shall make them a sock monkey and snowman soup

everyone else is getting a selection of HM goodies this year as well, some different from last year

so a very HM christmas here

Fruball

Scooooze my ignorance but what is snowman soup?