Preparing for winter IV

babyblooz

I've picked a pound of elderberries today to make some elderberry syrup. It's supposed to be very good for sore throats. It's just a syrup made with the berries and some sugar, with powdered cloves added and then when its cooled down you stir in some honey. You then add it to water to make a drink. There's lots of info on it if you google.

I can testify to the warming power of elderberry wine and we will be making this again this year, although it needs a year to mature so I thought syrup will have to do this year and then we can have wine next year.

I am also on with some blackberry jam, free from the hedgerows near us (the berries that is lol) That should keep us feeling comforted during the winter months. I have a feeling its going to be a bad one this year!

kezlou

Already preping here, on the look out for more wool blankets. Curtains to go up in front of the doors.

Need more jumpers for kids and wellies, hats etc
Hopefully will have will have money to replace threadbare carpets.
But slowly getting there.

Not as stressed as in the other house as we have a gas fire so regardless of power cuts we will still be warm

greenbee

My chest freezer is nearly full following a week of stewing apples and plums. And there are more plums waiting to be frozen (just washing up the tubs to freeze them in) and more on the tree (I may end up giving most of them away.

Most people here seem to have lots of rotten/wormy plums, so it isn't just me.

I only have 10 bottles of last year's apple juice in the freezer, so need to source some apples and start juicing some more ... this will also mean switching on the third freezer as two are now full...

The rest of my winter preps are dependent on workmen getting their stuff done on time. Windows are in (but two need the temporary glazing replacing with permanent, hopefully this weekend) and due to be painted. I should have a quote for the work on the roof (gulleys/lead work needs repairing) in the next day or so. Oil tank replacement is booked, as is the work to check all the underfloor pipework (then I can put the carpet I have scrounged down on the concrete floors).

Electricians are booked, and if I get all the work done in the attic that I need to, then that can have the insulation topped up. Once all the workmen have been I can sort out rugs upstairs and flooring for the hall.

The only thing I haven't yet sorted out is a log delivery of seasoned wood (no idea where I'd put it, as next year's logs from felled trees are taking up 6 metres of storage space) and stove companies to come and quote for removing the jetmaster and replacing it with a stove. I need to work out what size I need to heat the room (and ideally the rest of the house) before I get quotes.

WantAnOrange

Good tip about heated airers, thanks, are they expensive to run? I'm guessing they are a middle ground between TD and clothes horse...

I may just buy a set of Bambino Mio nappies and put away most others for simplicity sake.

My to do list today is to sort out the garden. It was blowing a gale here last night so I need to tidy toys and that up and organise shed before stuff gets damaged. Then I need to scrub the decking, it gets really slippery when wet with some kind of mould.

jlhmd666

kboss2010 wrote: »

My OH is currently staying in a flat with a drying room (!!!) It's AMAZING but sadly he's moving back home so we're back to using my clothes horse on the dining room table and stuff taking days to dry. I'm dreading winter for that reason alone. If it's as bad as it was last yr I'm tempted to make use of the laundrette down the road to tumble dry at least the jeans and jumpers.

I do make use of our launderette in winter for their tumble dryers as I hate wet washing hanging about. I have been thinking about this though and how I can minimise laundrette visits now, in one bathroom, we have a skylight with a fair bit of unused space between ceiling and the actual skylight so I am tempted to get one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Artis-Retractable-Mounted-Outdoor-Washing/dp/B00DVL13U6/ref=pd_sim_kh_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1F587HW29Z1XAX2JW1F6

The clothes will be out of sight then and the sun shining through the glass will help dry things hopefully.

pm2326

Morning

About to hang my washing outside, its sunny and windy so shouldn't take too long to dry.

Have just booked an engineers visit from BG to fix my room thermostat....booked it for 29 Sept as that's only time I'm off work. Bit of a wait but at least I know its going to be fixed before winter sets in.

Off to get my tea lights this morning and the torch from Argos.

Has anyone seen the blankets in Ald*...150 x 200 and soooo soft and cuddly! Ideal for snuggling under on the sofa.

krustylouise

pm2326 wrote: »

Morning

About to hang my washing outside, its sunny and windy so shouldn't take too long to dry.

Have just booked an engineers visit from BG to fix my room thermostat....booked it for 29 Sept as that's only time I'm off work. Bit of a wait but at least I know its going to be fixed before winter sets in.

Off to get my tea lights this morning and the torch from Argos.

Has anyone seen the blankets in Ald*...150 x 200 and soooo soft and cuddly! Ideal for snuggling under on the sofa.

How much we're the blankets please?

jim-jim

Morning everyone,
just spotted my first robin in the garden, nearly 3 weeks earlier than last year.

This year I have bought, snow shovels for the car, snow grips for shoes, long handle scraper brush things. Reduced 4.5 tog duvets £3.00 each for king size at Pr!mark.
Store cupboard coming along, aiming for at least 3 weeks of my normal shop in stock plus extra loo rolls, dog food.
Loads of candles, matches, everyone has a small led torch (with batteries in)

Hubby has replaced all the glass in the pvc windows, as the condensation on them was a real problem. Prices worked out at about £110.00 a window, so now we have a+ energy rated, self cleaning windows for a fraction of the cost of having new windows. Nothing wrong the frames.

I also got a very large rug from Ike@ for £40. lovely and thick.

Knowing my luck, with all this prepping we will have a heatwave this winter.
But if we don't I can proudly say to my DDs 21 +17 'I told you so!! that all this would come in handy, and I've not lost the plot!!':rotfl:

pm2326

krustylouise wrote: »

How much we're the blankets please?

hi they are £9.99

Fruball

Just treated myself to a new duvet and pillows! Snuggly winter for me then!