Preparing for winter II

krustylouise

Personally I would take out the portion the night before and leave in the fridge overnight to defroct before heating through in the microwave. Make sure it is piping hot throughout though. I'm always very conscious of stuff like that and waste alot of food. I'm fine advising but following through is hard for me lol x

lizzyb1812

Thanks again Jammy - got 2 pairs of Aldi thermal trousers and one set of the underwear today. Had never been so early on Sunday before - it was packed and the specials were flying out the door. I've tried them on and they were fine and I'm impressed with the quality including the adjustable elastic in the waistband as well as having a proper zip.

Doesn't look like they will be needed anytime soon though. I have a max/min thermometer I bought for my greenhouse. This week I reset it on Monday morning and put it near my computer desk - cos I obviously spend a lot of time there :rotfl:Max temp 21.8C, min 18.2C - no heating on and that includes night-time readings. Looks like lining curtains and doing a bit of draught-proofing has really paid off

New pupstar arrived today a week early - too early really but no choice - so it's a good job winter prep is done because there'll be no shopping being done for a while now . I wouldn't be surprised if Kittie's forecaster is right and we get a bit of an Indian Summer in October here - it's about par for the course here and although the early mornings and evenings can be a bit chilly the days are generally sunny and nice and keeping that nice stable temperature in the house.

lizzyb1812

Blue Elephant - I have thermostatic valves on the radiators and a universal thermostat. I leave the bathroom, kitchen and dining/living room rads on (ie everything downstairs in my house) and use the universal thermostat to set the temp I want - if I go out in the evening I just turn the universal thermostat down to about 12C then back up when I come home.

To be honest as long as your heating is on for a bit each day you are unlikely to have frozen/burst pipes in the heating - hasn't happened to me in over 20 years in the same house, with the same, now rather ancient, heating system

thegirlintheattic

Radiators: Set thermostat to 10 degrees and have it on for a good few hours in the morning and evening. I always put the radiators onto the frost mode, if I'm going to be away.

Food: I've kept things in the freezer for over a year but apparently 5-6 months is pushing it. Lasanga, spag bol sauce, cottage pie, stew, soups, chill con carny, golash - all batch cook and freeze well. I did stews with sausages as it was easier to cook. I defrosted them all in the microwave for a few minutes just to make it quicker to cook them. Then I would just buy some rice, pasta, cos cos and smash. Pretty much what I lived off at uni.

darkrev

I'm Aj, (39) in Cumbria, tho i'm originally a Glaswegian. 2 cats 5 fish and about to have a civil partnership next month to the woman of my dreams. i'm almost qualified as a nurse but had to take a 2 year break due to ill health. still fighting to get any benefits for this so no income and my partner just handed her notice in at work after 2 yrs of hell so things gonna get tricky and its very scary as we have no savings. I love winter. I was born in winter and its my fav. I have a degree in world religions and alternative beliefs. Love nature, real people and real food, martial arts and eclectic things. Spending more time online as restricted as to going ut at the moment but your all good compay so lovin it!

tugrin

Gosh I really hope thy still have some of those trousers in my Aldi tomorrow - dont get paid until midnight (that might not be true ...but you know what I mean). I have continued to try and de-smell house throughout the day except for a visit to friend for some (FREE) jerusalem artichoke plants (she very earthily calls them fartichokes but Im not sure if they are really that gassy???) I was going to but some so I feel very grateful to her for finding them for us in the village.
I am seriously thinking about the wall hanging idea for my chilly outside wall - my bed is right up against it, maybe my first move should be to move the flippin' bed????? Its just a bit of a squeeze with all my (probably superfluous) furniture.
Its lovely to find out about you guys - whats a sticky by the way? WOuld that give a list of all of us so we know who we re talking to???? Im scared about revealing things about myself (wuss I know) so pm'd Kathy!

pollys

Just stewed some bramleys and they are now in the freezer along with the blackberries collected a couple of weeks ago. Hope it is a good October as I am planning on doing a lot of prepping during October half term. Apart from one shower it has been a lovely early autumn day, lots of washing dried on the line. I love this time of year and our topic at school this term is "woodlands" I'm happy!

Pollys x

jem132

I would love to know a little more about all of you. Would it be impolite to ask everyone their ages, location, interests and professions?

I'll start-- i'm Kathy, 55, married, 3 adult children, 2 grandchildren (not nearby). I teach nursing at a local university. I like to read, cook, watch TV and chat on the computer. I have 2 dogs (springer spaniels), one cat (calico). I plan to retire in 6.5 years. OH is retired at 58-- lost his last job, can't find another-- so now he runs the household (yes ladies, he cleans, does laundry and can start supper!)[/QUOTE]

Hi i am jema 30 in Leeds, a mum of 3 boys aged 11,7,5 my bf has just moved in so its all a bit up in the air at the min in the home lol . I love cooking ,cleaning and gardening and been a mummy , I run the school gardening club and love all things crafty .

Rummer

I need a light weight waterproof jacket as I am finding my current outdoor jacket too warm at the moment, does anyone know where I could get a reasonably priced one?

frugalfrancesca

darkrev wrote: »

I'm Aj, (39) in Cumbria, tho i'm originally a Glaswegian. 2 cats 5 fish and about to have a civil partnership next month to the woman of my dreams. i'm almost qualified as a nurse but had to take a 2 year break due to ill health. still fighting to get any benefits for this so no income and my partner just handed her notice in at work after 2 yrs of hell so things gonna get tricky and its very scary as we have no savings. I love winter. I was born in winter and its my fav. I have a degree in world religions and alternative beliefs. Love nature, real people and real food, martial arts and eclectic things. Spending more time online as restricted as to going ut at the moment but your all good compay so lovin it!

im in cumbria too