Preparing for winter III

Rainy-Days

Dustykitten - we do not have a specific "do not touch" area, it's more about rotation of stock for us. The only thing that we have marked out for emergencies is the 4 pints of semi skimmed milk in the freezer and that is to be used in the event we cannot get any. We live in a village so for us it's more about if we can get out and onto the main road. In the event that we couldn't - and I couldn't last year for several days as the road was blocked and DH's requirement of our 4x4 was greater (much greater than mine as he is blue light emergency service staff) than mine.

For me personally it's about knowing what we have in and being able to meal plan for that. I did the butchers shop on Tuesday so we have four months supply of meat, the rest is kind of frozen veg just in case we cannot get fresh which is what happened last year and I still made some fab meals using frozen veg.

nursey3

Ok...so the internal thermometer says that the sitting room is 17 degrees..and I'm all wrapped up, got socks on, got a jumper on, even got a blanket on the sofa. But darnit my feet are COLD!! Darling OH is out at work til silly o'clock of the early hours, so my usual foot warmer is MIA..the dog is sleeping/sulking cos OH is out and apparently no amounts of treats are going to tempt him from his bed (the dog not my OH! lol). So am feeling a bit low. Am contemplating the curative and warming effects that a chinese takeaway might have on my cold feet...and how the effect might be amplified by some wine tonight, before I start my next set of nights tomorrow. ATM I'm just being stubborn re refusing to put on the heating cos its really only my feet that are cold! Hope everyone else is a bit warmer.

Nursey

his_missus

Nursey3, have you thought about putting a hot water bottle on your feet? :-)

nursey3

his missus...I must confess I hadn't thought about using a hot water bottle. Your suggestion is both eminently sensible and practical and one I really should have thought of! A stroke of genius..thank you!

I might still have to have chinese tho

VJsmum

kit wrote: »

No idea what the temp is here but am in a Tshirt and am not cold at all. I knew there was a reason why I moved to Devon :j

Have just heard there is snow in Birmingham .... can anyone confirm this??

I'm not far from Brum and there's no snow here.

his_missus wrote: »

Nursey3, have you thought about putting a hot water bottle on your feet? :-)

Best place for a hot water bottle is between your thighs :cool: or on your chest - gets to the blood quicker to warm it and then warms your feet quicker.

My Yak Traks arrived today :T- now to tackle the rest of the list

thriftykitty

Hi, lurked here for a little while now so thought I should post!

Luckily not much problem for me heating-wise. On the top floor of a block so get everybody else's heat and rarely turn mine on! Only usually to dry washing. Unlikely that we will get power cuts so not really needed to stock up on candles yet.

Been stockpiling food essentials though as last year shops didn't get their deliveries, and being in a city, everyone panic bought bread and milk! Also made plenty of meal portions, soup and baking for the freezer.

Sorted out cold/flu meds and others today so when I, inevitably catch something I'm all set!

Just need some more thick socks for my walking boots to keep my tootsies warm when the snow comes and I'll be on my way!

Thanks for all the great tips on here! Certainly given me a good few ideas and some to pass on to friends and family, too! :A

Ellidee

Dustykitten wrote: »

We don't really struggle here too much with snow, we're in a town and have a corner shop in walking distance so can usually get what we need, I just wondered how you all operate your supplies.

Dustykitten - just a thought- you might be able to get to your corner shop when the weather is bad BUT the delivery vehicles may not be able to get to the shop.

rising_from_the_ashes

Dustykitten wrote: »

I have a store cupboard question. Do you all have a separate area you keep for emergencies/not to be used?

I have managed to clear a double cupboard in my sideboard which is now chokka full of "emergency" food etc.

If it's not needed, it will move into the kitchen cupboards at the end of winter to be used up next year (hoping this will happen & grocery bill will be reduced:)).

Ellidee wrote: »

Dustykitten - just a thought- you might be able to get to your corner shop when the weather is bad BUT the delivery vehicles may not be able to get to the shop.

We have a small local Co*op about a mile away - they couldn't get deliveries for a good 2 weeks either last winter:( so I wouldn't want to rely on it.

Rainy-Days

I am now officially in Tiswaz mode!

Good friend rang and said they had, had a power outage and that when it came back on the power has blown her chest freezer up in the garage! Now my freezer is chuffing well stacked to the rafters. DF says that she has rang the insurance company and they have said they will stand the claim providing that the grid confirm by letter to them that the power outage happened and on that day! She said she may have to throw some of the food out because her mum cannot get it all in her freezer! Her DH went to the tip this afternoon to see if they have got any temp salavageable freezers in but typically nothing. I have got no room and now I am thinking what the flipping heck....

I know some of you on here have said today about loss of power, what the question is, is this possible, I mean could a loss of power completely take out appliances?? It's just the thought of all that preparation and food and everything and we would be right up the creek!

tugrin

Sorry this is totally off topic but can anyone tell me how to minimise or move these ads on the right as I cant read the end words of peoples posts!!!!!!!!!!!