Preparing for Winter V

nicki_2

I invested in some new trainers yesterday, and while I was in sp0rts direct I also bought a pair of mens leather walking boots. They're black and shiny but I can't try them on just yet as I discovered last night that I've gotten rid of my footy and thermal socks. :wall: They're now on my shopping list for the next time. I was considering getting suede ones again, but I find they tend to go mouldy in this house and the waterproofing doesn't last. At least now I can keep these polished and in theory they should last me a long long long time. I bought my others about 8 years ago so I have high hopes for these lol

[Deleted User]

Oh I am so mentally looking forward to the turn of the seasons. I must be programmed close to the cosy animal world.

Still pottering, making sure that supplies are up to scratch and any wood outside is protected from mildew, rot and fungi. This morning I gave the benches two coats of clear preservative. It is clear and thin, like water and easy to spray on and gets absorbed quickly, cheaper to paint on but takes far longer to do. You only need to wait 40 minutes between coats on a windy dry day like today

I also want something to make me look forward to spring and it is bulbs. I started some planting yesterday but am trying to sit on my hands for a few more weeks, until the geraniums have given up. This hibernation thing I have is making me want to pull the straggly geraniums out and replace with bulbs, done and dusted but it is really too early, so logic wins for a change. It has been so worth the effort as last year and the year before I just sat and gazed at the flowers, it was a bad time for me and they were like soothing uplifting balm

I am trying not to over buy, must keep telling myself that I am not expecting an army and on most days, there is only me. I need tasty food that satisfies mouth hunger. Good tasty cheese can do it, so I must get some, grate and freeze. I am still looking back to those 6 weeks in 2010. That was a time and a half

fuddle

Me too Kittie (hello!!) I eagerly await the time when we can hunker down with the curtains closed. I think this season change in particular is the one where I have to plan, organise and accumulate useful stuff. That feeds my organisation desires and allows me to feel confident.

You probably haven't read on t'other threads but tomorrow I try out haybox thermal cooking. If I can suss it it will enable me to relax knowing I can somewhat feed my family well with little more than 20 mins on the portable gas stove if I need to. I came about it by accident but these things happen for a reason huh?

Nice to see you posting

katkin

I've been saving all year for new Windows. We need 9. Currently they are hardwood and beyond repair. I'm going to go for pvc type ones as the cost is considerably less. My neighbour replaced hers last winter with the same and they certainly look the same from outside. Add the insulation, less drafts and energy saving I think it'll be worth it.

Boy they're expensive though :-(

[Deleted User]

Aghh fuddle, I am so sorry to see that you have not been well but glad that you are mending and that the spark and zest in you continues . I think some of us are old souls and a relic of them days, when people cooked by candlelight and slept on rushes and knew how to cook in a haybox.

I am watching the moon sink lower at night and is now getting larger to become that harvest moon that signifies how the seasons come and go. Today it feels as though the earth here is calming as the sky gets darker. Very strange but I like being part of that tune

Katkin. eye boggling expensive but you will be smiling when it is all done

mardatha

Not very strange kittie, just very natural.

westcoastscot

Hi Guys,
Love the kitten in the hat Katkin. I much prefer winter, it suits me to be sitting watching the world rather than sitting feeling like I should be outside doing something! Going to put up my winter curtains this weekend as it's turned chilly here - we have gales forecast for this weekend. Be interested to hear how your haybox goes Fuddle?

[Deleted User]

I spread the pods from the climbing French beans in the sun on the table in the garden today to continue the drying process, I'm amazed at just how many we've got! and then the sun went in and we have cloud cover but it's very warm out there and we have a nice breeze so they'll keep drying anyway!!!

I've also been out this morning and harvested some lovely big blue hydrangea heads which have been de-leaved and are now hanging up to dry in the summerhouse. I have a very big earthenware jug that I like to fill with dry flowers, seed heads, etc. for the winter to cheer up the lounge, I'm always on the look out for nice things like teasels and branches of conifer, old mans beard and they really cheer up winter and are FREE!!!

parsniphead

That's a good idea Mrs Lurcherwalker. I have a hydrangea that needs sorting and I always feel sad when it goes over.

Tink_04

Bought some extra tins today for the cupboard- just need to sort out the medicine and car box out this year.

Think I'll get some more tins of stuff we use all the time and try to buy extra again each week to keep us topped up.