Preparing for Winter V

suki1964

Eeeek,winter is upon us, the second frost of the season this morning

Plus I lit the stove yesterday

So winter prep, I must now start

I've run down both freezers so I can get them defrosted and then hit the poultry factory to stock up. Found a game pie in one that I bought ys from M&S Boxing Day last year:eek: Was so cheap I just couldn't resist, only neither of us are sure we will like it so it just get bypassed lol

Winter sheets ( flannel) all washed and ironed and aired, ready to go on the beds when needed. Still have the summer duvet but DH is complaining he's waking up cold.

Got to do an inventory of tinned stocks and fill gaps. We rely more on the tins then the freezer as power cuts are common

Have to clear out the 'greenhouse' to move delicate plants into. It's been used as a nursery coop for the chickens. They are now in with the big girls. Will also mean we have room to start seedlings later on

Not decided yet if I'm going to get smokeless in this year or to stick with logs. I've very few logs left and not a lot of smokeless because last year oil was so much cheaper I didn't get my normal deliveries. Dried logs are around £80 a trailer and smokeless is £18 a sack :eek:

Going to read back a few pages and see what else I need to be doing

Keep warm xx

[Deleted User]

Best (and cheapest) ladies thermal vests I've found are in BON MARCHE, they did two styles last year, a thin strapped one and one more like a sleeveless top but both in creamy white colour. Definitely NOT a thing of beauty but they surely do keep you warm in the colder weather and as they are worn underneath other and prettier things they do the job they are designed for very well indeed.

elona

Now the boiler and other electrical items are working I feel much better prepared for winter. I have tealights, matches, lighters, candles, ikea solar lights and a kelly kettle as well as a gas hob in the kitchen that does not rely on electricity. There is a vacuum flask so I can keep water hot and I even found a kettle that can go on the hob.

I want to stock up on prescriptions so have ordered some online to pick up later and have a cupboard full of toilet rolls, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, shower gels and dish washer and laundry liquids as well as cleaning sprays. I even have hot water bottles.

Next time I go shopping I plan to stock up on tins of things like steak, meatballs etc as I already have tins of tomatoes and packs of pasta, noodles and rice.

I could also do with having onions, mushrooms, mixed peppers and stew veg in the freezer as they are so useful when I just want to throw something together quickly. DDs have been pushing me to consider online shopping so will have a browse round in a week or so.

Why is it that we only realise what we don't have when we suddenly don't have it? At least I have a small shop and post office just a street away but ideally I would like not to have to go out unless I actually want to.

Hugs to all

mardatha

Hot water bottles are an essential for me. Fuddle my dad always said your head and your feet need to be warm & dry in winter.

alice-mary

Hi All,
I finally got around to booking my local chimney sweep, so that will be sorted and ready to use from the middle of October :-)

I recently changed jobs, to a more local position and my plan is to start walking there and back everyday, once I have moved all of my work stuff into my new classroom. This means that I really do need to check out my footwear, gloves, scarf, hat and winter coat. I have my yaktrax for when things are icy but I'm not sure if my boots are still leak-proof.

With luck, I will have reclaimed my living room soon, as I am gradually clearing all the boxes and bags out of the house...then I can make it all snug instead of cluttered.

Keep posting everybody, I always pick up tips or reminders while I am lurking!

Alice
xx

fuddle

Thanks Lyn for the Bon Marche tip and you too Mar for the hot water bottle (cannot find ours I don't know where I've put them :eek: ) but I have decided to make use of the few summer vests I have and use them as underwear.

I do need to replace the girls vests and add to DH's work thermals - building a stock year by year.:rotfl:

The salt has been found and is in its winter place for easy access for a treacherous front step - the downstairs loo!

The bag 'o winter woolies has also been found from the back of the cupboard ready to be sorted, washed and dried. I have decided we will all be responsible for our woolies in our wardrobes but I will need some extra gloves as youngest will go through many.

Still crocheting my bed blanket. It's an arduous affair but now the nights are drawing in I hope to get cracking.

All in all DH and I are sleeping a lot better now there's a bit of a chill at night.

Gwendolyn

Yes Mardatha - hot water bottles. I am never without one - even today.


I do have an electric blanket but I don't think it's working brilliantly. Having said that it's an Intelli-heat one so I think it doesn't come on that high if it's already warm. I must check it out.


Alice-mary you have reminded me. I must get OH to sweep our chimneys - we have a full set of brushes. He does make a bit of mess mind but and his builder friend always seem to do a great job....often one gets on the roof and looks down! (Don't ask)

nanny_beach

Winter is NOT upon us, we have just stepped tentatively into Autumn, folks. Temp still in the 20s, no leaves turning. Boilers,electric blankets should have been serviced in the summer, and chimneys swept. in a lot of areas the Fire service will check your electric blanket for free. Miserable looking around the shops in July everything, black,grey,brown miserable, lets keep summer going. I have a looki liki Dimplex "wood burner" (no chimney) you can open the "fire" door, use just the flame effect, 2 settings fan heater, or it can be plumbed in to your "wet" central heating system, how clever is that.

Tink_04

It's starting to get chilly here - the thicker part of the quilt has been sent to the laundrette as the summer quilt will be coming off soon - I'll send the summer part off when we change then can attach them together when it starts to get really cold.

Both kids got new winter quilts last year but not ready for them yet - got lots of flannelette sheets last year in the sale too so ok for them. Might need some new pjs but hoping they can wait till Xmas - they have plenty of slipper socks to keep feet warm and both have a fleece blanket for the car and a snugly blanket for the sofa.

My kitchen cupboard needs sorting - we have loads of some stuff but I'll make a list of any thing else we need and what to top up on - got a bit bag of tesco value porridge which DD loves on a morning so will get another on my next shop. Still trying to run down the freezer so not going to fill it up yet but will get a big butchers pack when I do which is about £30.

Bleached the house from top to bottom today and gave everything a good scrub out (DS has impetigo) washed all the bedding and towels - going to do the curtains next week. I know everyone has a spring clean but I like to have an Autumn one so everything is fresh before we have to have the windows closed and heating on - I have a thing about smells!

Going to make a batch of broth soon too, just been waiting for it to get a bit colder as I love it on a night when it's wet and chilly outside & the dark nights are here.

Car box is coming along nicely and just need to put it in the car when I remember!

Love winter preps

fuddle

I see you're near the South coast nanny beach. Having spent a few year on the South coast myself I can say that autumn and winter down that end is nothing like autumn and winter North of the Pennines.

Our summer is long gone but yeah, I'm looking forward to the sun that is forecast on Sunday and I'll appreciate it with my coat on more than likely.