Preparing for winter II

NualaBuala

Minxy_Bella wrote: »

I would just say be very careful with the Kvartal rails - we tried to put £80 quids worth into two bay windows in our 1930s semi and couldn't get the curtains to pull round :eek:

We ended up using a £5 plasticy strip from B&Q which worked beautifully :T

:eek: That's good to know - I always thought they looked great, would have been a big waste of money!

Winged_one wrote: »

And my wellies live in the boot too so I can use them on the allotment - must get a fresh pair of thick socks though.

You sound super-organised!:T In case you're interested Aldi have cosy-looking boot socks in today's offers. I think I will get some to wear with my wellies. http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_13974.htm
I must check out those Muji torches next time I'm in town.

hmc

what would be the best way to heat a livingroom during the day so as not to have the heating on while child at school? well,cheapest way really!
im clueless about panel heaters or convector heater electric useage so any help id be very grateful
im also going to get a slanket but undecided on whether buying an imitation is false economy

calleyw

I know that a lot of people use candles in the colder weather.

Just one thing candles do deplete the oxygen in a room. So do make sure that you have adequate air supply and don't fill all the gaps up.

Yours

Calley

EstherH

What's a slanket?

Those boot socks look good in Aldi. Might see if I can get to one. They are a bit out of the way here so don't go on a regular basis.

Fruball

Winged_one wrote: »

The street have already planned on the "snowed in survival BBQ" being held again this year, whether it snows or not (5 houses shared hot dogs and burgers, coffee, hot wine and coca on the green around a BBQ one Saturday last Jan when we were JUST about snowy enough to say "snowed in" - we got SOME looks from the few who did risk driving out, but it was great craic and the kids had a ball too!)

What a fab idea!!! Wish we could do something like that - When I was a child we used to have 'street parties' which was sort of the same but in summer. Then us kids would all be put to bed and our parents would be out in the street [STRIKE]tidying[/STRIKE] drinking til the wee hours!! It was a once a year occasion


Sorry, can't remember who asked about FREEZING MILK... I just freeze it in the container it comes in - I generally only freeze 1pint sizes unless 2pt is on offer. I don't think you can freeze whole (blue top) milk but semi or skimmed is fine.

NualaBuala

EstherH wrote: »

What's a slanket?

Those boot socks look good in Aldi. Might see if I can get to one. They are a bit out of the way here so don't go on a regular basis.

Hi Esther :wave: slankets are a sort of blanket with sleeves http://www.theslanket.com/ They're quite dear I think so some folks make their own version. I'd be afraid of tripping over myself so I knitted a poncho with a high neck which kept my top half warm, esp while on the computer (I had it draped over my arms and hands) and use cheapy fleece rugs over my lap and legs.

My link to the sock was for the Irish Aldi but I think the offers are probably the same in the UK (only cheaper!).

Bitsy_Beans

unixgirluk wrote: »

Sorry for interupting, I might be able to help with the cold stairs problem. I posted on the old thread in response to Mardatha (I think) with regard to heating a stone cottage but decided last night to investigate why my hall and stairs are so cold compared to the rooms. Here's what I found:-

- Is your front door metal or lots of glass? Tick for this one for me, I plan to put a curtain up as the door was freezing! and the letterbox won't help.
- Do you have a loft hatch? I replaced my nasty plastic one a few years ago with a wooden one so its not as bad (coldness wise) but have put a seal of clear silicone round the edge of it to help the cold stay out. Was thinking if this winter is really cold I'll pin (drawing pins) an old towel or something over it.
- hall ceiling cold? Took a tip from my parents on this one. I plan to paint my hall ceiling (the one with the loft the other side of it) with that polyfilla paint stuff, not sure what you call it but the stuff that fills in little cracks.
- windows in the hall? Curtains or blinds or as it said in my old post a layer of clear perspex! (weren't allowed to put in double glazing)


just a few thoughts if I think of more I'll post them

Thanks for those ideas. Thing is it's not just cold it's a draught that blows down the stairs. The loft hatch isn't the source and all the windows are double glazed. I can only assume it's the design of the house and how the air flows - as there is a large window next to the stairs (also double glazed and can't be opened) that chills the air as it passes down to the living room.
I have some admittedly thin curtains up so I guess I need to try investing in a blackout blind or similar to try and keep the heat in.

Bitsy_Beans

ChocClare wrote: »

I just freeze milk as is in the plastic bottles they come in. I've never had a problem.

Just make sure you loosen the lid as the milk will expand upwards are it freezes

EstherH

NualaBuala wrote: »

Hi Esther :wave: slankets are a sort of blanket with sleeves http://www.theslanket.com/ They're quite dear I think so some folks make their own version. I'd be afraid of tripping over myself so I knitted a poncho with a high neck which kept my top half warm, esp while on the computer (I had it draped over my arms and hands) and use cheapy fleece rugs over my lap and legs.

My link to the sock was for the Irish Aldi but I think the offers are probably the same in the UK (only cheaper!).

Thanks. So is it like a snuggy? I got one fromt the JML stand at Asda last year. It is alright for sitting on the settee with but I have to take it off to move or hold it up and it falls off my shoulders.

I noticed the socks were priced in euros but didn't connect it with being Ireland, just thought they had used that sound instead of £ - I can be dim at times.

Just looked at the link and it is like a snuggy.

EstherH

About freezing milk - I have just discovered Tescos value blue top milk, the 75p for 3litres one. And I have frozen a few bottles of that without any problems.