Preparing for winter IV

WantAnOrange

We're going BlackBerrying this afternoon too! Definitely feels more like September now but I guess summer was early this year and really hot so can't complain. I actually much prefer autumn/winter.

craigywv

All house coats/dressing gowns washed and dried today also any slippers that could be, oh has leather ones with sheepskin so his was anti bacced and dried outside.

frugirl

Made two heat pads for my knees, this afternoon. They will flare up come the colder days. Only filled with basic rice but it works.

We are in the process of installing shelving in the kitchen. This will enable us to store much more in the way of staple food items.

[Deleted User]

We've been out this afternoon picking elderberries which are perfectly ripe down here now and I've simmered them with some cloves and cinnamon which will go through the jelly bag overnight ready to make elderberry cordial tomorrow. It's the very best thing I know for having as a hot drink if you get a cold, the flu or a sore throat. It's old fashioned, but free and easy to make and really effective.

Fruball

I am sure it is this thread that makes autumn something to look forward to for me rather than the miserable onset of winter that it used to feel like. All this busying around making sure everything is ready for winter is really comforting I love reading everybody's preps and it makes me feel all snuggly and warm!

Not too much for us to do re winter preps as we have been doing it for a number of years now but I would like a couple more fleecey blankets for the sofas, probably of a nordic type design, lots of red/white patterns etc so that they look good for Christmas. I need to get some coal delivered and will also need someone to come and cut up a load of logs I have from a tree that was felled. I don't think I will be able to use them this year which is a shame.

Kids both have new slippers but my ones from last year are fine. I would like a rug of some description for the kitchen but it is a weird shape and I always forget to take measurements out with me!

Lawn will need a couple more cuts and I need to cut the hedges once they have finished flowering.

I def need new PJs and a new long dressing gown. My short one is ok but I dislike the other one. My PJs are ancient so I think I will bin them all and replace with a couple of nice new pairs from Primani

I am hoping to have a new living room carpet before Xmas too but am putting off ordering one as I know there will be so much furniture and stuff to move which means emptying drawers and cupboards etc Going to be a horrid job but well worth it once it has been done!

BTW we were down to 4c here last night and there was a frost up the road... We are in the south so this does not bode well...

suzybloo

There you go Fruball, your needing a rug for your kitchen and getting rid of your old pyjamas, would they be suitable to make a gorgeous rag rug!

[Deleted User]

115K wrote: »

I'm going to make a batch of vegetable and bean soup today and freeze portions.

I did the same today. A squash from the allotment, it was ripe, plus green lentils with dried chilli and fennel seeds. Lovely recipe (but not for little ones). From the riverford recipe site.

Mrs LW do you keep the elderberry syrup in the fridge? I am going to send dh out to get more elderberries tomorrow and then he can go blackberrying the rest of the week, while I teach two grandchildren how to spin

We also keep cotton cellular blankets at the end of the beds, they are really good at adding that extra layer of warmth https://www.kingofcotton.co.uk/product.php/268/contemporary_waffle_pure_cotton_blanket_bedspread
King of cotton had them on sale a while ago

moments_of_sanity

I recently bought 2 Sanderson blinds from John Lewis for £5 down from £35 and have put one up in our hallway window behind the heavy tapestry curtain. Hoping this will help keep the heat from escaping straight out the window, i will put the other one up in our downstairs toilet window tomorrow.

I am sure I read somewhere that blinds help stop the heat escaping?

[Deleted User]

I just ordered 2 de longhi oil filled radiators. I had been dithering but better safe than sorry at our age and with dh and his afflictions. I got the ones with thermostats and timers, so can make sure that lounge and bedroom are sufficiently warm if we have a severe freeze this winter. Doh, though that is yet more stuff to store, something else will have to go but what? I need it all

sillyinthepast

Well I picked up some medicines from the £ shop yesterday so hopefully I have enough of those now.

I also got to the market as the fruit and veg man was packing up. I got 4 carriers full of fruit and veg for £4. Today I have made lots of soup and lots of stewed fruit all in the freezer for the cold days.

I am after a new pair of boots. They need to be smart as well as practical so I am looking around for those at the moment.

I got a new winter coat from e**y for £3.67. It arrived yesterday and its like brand new so I am very pleased.

I am reading little house on the prarie - the long winter. I have read it lots of times and it always makes me want to batten down the hatches lol.

I also made 9 blackberry cobblers with all of the fruit around. I am becoming slightly obsessed with storing food for winter. I hate leaving the house when it's raining/snowing so I am stocking up as much as I can.