Preparing for winter II

NualaBuala

rosieben wrote: »

the religious festival of christmas doesn't hold any meaning for me, but I love the midwinter celebration, its an uplifting time in the middle of the dark dreary days

Good point Rosie. Anything to brighten things up!

Eenymeeny wrote: »

Hi NualaBuala that thread was on the 'In my home' forum, I moved house during the summer and was trying to save money by using others experiences it was very helpful....https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2502601 (I didn't know if I was allowed to self-promote:o)
For those with sad memories at this time of year. I lost my mother between Christmas and New Year 10 years ago and can I tell you that it does get easier, of couse we all miss her but she would have been that last one to want us to sit around with sad faces. We decided to enjoy the feative season as a kind of tribute to her. I have mentioned before that we keep a candle burning all Christmas day to remind us of absent friends that can't be with us for some reason on the day. I find that it helps a lot.:grouphug:

Thanks for the linkie EenyMeeny (really wanted to add mineymo there!:D) I will bookmark that as I know it will come in useful some day.
Sorry to hear you lost your Mum too ((())). Thank you for sharing, your idea of lighting a candle is a beauitful one. :A


ParsonsWife .. it looks like your table cake has gone .... but I guess by the sounds of these forecasts it might be back soon!

Frugal, you are so good to think of the birds. I minded them during the last snow and they continued coming since then. But I just realised my seed feeder needs refilling - I will put out water, fat and seeds for them in the morning. I gave my neighbours a laugh as the first day of the snow I was out in my PJs, dressing gown and wellies feeding the birds - they thought I was mad! Hope you are better soon. x

Just realised why I am struggling to warm up since I came in ... apparently it is -6C! :eek: Have heating on and fleece rugs so will be all cosy soon. Edit - it is now -7C outside! Mega-brrrr!

sb44

mrsr wrote: »

I saw a nice one a couple weeks ago, when we have some spare cash i'm going to get one.Poor things i feel really sorry for them.

I bought one of these below from B & Q and the birds love it as it keeps the rain and the snow off them.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10548091&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatal!!!1%2fen_GB&fh_search=bird+table&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1292712801784&isSearch=true

mrsr

sb44 wrote: »

I bought one of these below from B & Q and the birds love it as it keeps the rain and the snow off them.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10548091&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatal!!!1%2fen_GB&fh_search=bird+table&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1292712801784&isSearch=true

Thanks for that we got a B & Q near us ,right price as well i know what oh will be doing tomorrow:D

Hippeechiq

NualaBuala wrote: »

Aw that sounds lovely Mar. I love the idea of your Mum adding her own percussion to your Dad's playing.:D

We used to have first footing here, I remember everyone going out on the street and into each other's houses as a chld - don't think it happens any more though.

As a Southerner - can you elaborate on first footing please? I've never heard of it

Eenymeeny wrote: »

I have mentioned before that we keep a candle burning all Christmas day to remind us of absent friends that can't be with us for some reason on the day. I find that it helps a lot.:grouphug:

What a really lovely idea Eenymeeny. I lost my Mum 20 years ago. Her ashes are with my Dad 250 miles away, so on Birthday/Mothers Day and the anniversary of her death I always feel at a bit of a loss what to do, and I think this is a wonderful way to remember her. Thank you

Frugal wrote: »

Despite being really poorly still, I have just made birdcakes with the kids - just various fats, oats and seeds and put them outside along with some warmish water so hopefully that will keep them going until morning.

Are you using Lard/Marge/Butter Frugal? and if so, do you melt it and then let it set before putting it out? Or are you using oil?

sb44

mrsr wrote: »

Thanks for that we got a B & Q near us ,right price as well i know what oh will be doing tomorrow:D

It isn't very tall, only about 4' but it is very sturdy and the birds love it, as does a squirrel that I saw jumping off it a few months ago!

You do have to put it up from scratch, there are no pre drilled holes in it or anything.

I put did it myself whilst my husband was at work, he is useless with anything like that anyway.

The only thing I did wrong because I didn't read the instructions properly was to forget to leave a small gap between the beading in each corner on the table. There is meant to be a gap in each corner so that the rain can drain off.

I screwed a cup hook in each end of the roof and have hung feeders from them which seems to work.

NualaBuala

Hippeechiq wrote: »

As a Southerner - can you elaborate on first footing please? I've never heard of it

Well I am not sure Hippeechiq as I was a child and was supposed to be in bed! But there was something to do with people crossing your threshold bearing a lump of coal, kissing any women in the house and then you would give them loads of food and booze. Mainly booze from what I can remember!
How is your daughter doing? Hope things are ok for both of you? x

psso

Read about first footing here.

http://www.scotsman.com/hogmanay/A-guide-to-first-footing.4825618.jp

twiglet98

Hippeechiq wrote: »

Are you using Lard/Marge/Butter Frugal? and if so, do you melt it and then let it set before putting it out? Or are you using oil?

Forgive me jumping in on this, but someone from the RSPB was on our local radio during the week saying PLEASE don't use oil or runny fat (such as that left over from roast turkey!). The birds get too much on their feathers and in their nostrils rather than into their tummies, and they can't clean it off, getting very distressed in the process. The best fats are beef suet or lard, melted and mixed with seeds, currants, porridge oats etc, then allowed to go solid again before giving it to the birds. The fat needs to be hard so they peck and swallow it without getting in a greasy mess.

I pack some of the mixture into half a coconut shell with a hole drilled at the top for a bit of string, with the rest going into shallow plastic (eg takeaway) dishes that can be put on the bird table or the ground. They all go into the fridge until set, unless it's cold enough in the back lobby for them to set on the trolley in there!

bluebag

Was noticing on the goggle box they recommended a nice winter treat for the birdies is a broken up mince pie.

[Deleted User]

we used to be taken down to the corner (liiverpool 50s-60s) and sing auld lang syne. Then we would be covered in sloppy kisses and hugs by loads of strangers ugh, no wonder me and my younger siblings hated it. Pervs smelling of whiskey, we were pretty young girls. I stayed at home as soon as I was old enough to stay on my own

christmas has no meaning for me either, I lost all that many many years ago. I am going to find out more about yule too. I can see the reason to have some brightness in the dark month and I often have the words `in the bleak mid winter` come into my head lately. I am a cheerful body though and am looking forward to lengthening days in just 2 days time. 3 minutes a day I believe

I am glad I bought a weather station a couple of months ago. It fits in with my `addiction` to weather sites. - 10.9 in the night last night :eek:

seeing all those frustrated travellers on tv is getting to me too. Honestly can`t these people read and understand. The bad weather has been forcast for weeks. Personally I would give up my winter 7 day `holiday` and stay at home where at least I have a nice warm bed. I say this as dd and her young family have set off this morning, via a regional airport for 7 days skiing. I keep my mouuth tight shut but no way on earth would I put a 14 month old and a 3 year old at risk. I would rather lose the money