Preparing for Winter V

Living_proof

Winter duvet and electric blanket going on today. The summer duvet is washed and drying on the line. The dehydrator is going full pelt with courgettes and cherry tomatoes in and next week on the warmer days I am hoping to pick elderberries and rosehips for preserving. The heating is still off but only just, and I am lighting a candle or two every night which does just take the chill off the air and adds that extra touch of warmth. Last year's pointsettia was saved from certain death and has been pampered in the greenhouse and will be going under its' dark cover, like a canary, for 14 hours a day so that it will emerge in December resplendent in red bracts. I may do some ironing this evening just to keep warm!

shoei

Well it's a blooming horrid, blustery day here. It's not that cold outside but inside our stone cottage it is freezing.

I'm sat here under a blanket whilst I work from home.

I'm wanting to make some draught excludes. I find that fabric ones don't really jam the draught and was considering filling one with cat litter? What does everyone think?

Primrose

I think the only problem with cat litter is that you will find eventually that the dust from it may come theough the fabric. Could you try finnelling iit, or fine sand into large sealed fizzy pop bottles which would contain it and then slide them into the fabric tube ? Or perhaps first seal the weighting material into thick polythene bags to keep it contained.

shoei

I was wondering about making it out of old oil cloth and then having a washable cover.

Living_proof

It has been a horribly blustery morning which I found quite threatening. I understand from the Press that tomorrow will be even worse, which is really annoying as I have three separate appointments to attend.

Having had my duvet washed at the laundrette very recently I think I should issue a WARNING to thoroughly air the item preferably outdoors to get rid of the chemically smell of whatever they use in the washing process. I have been afflicted badly with an allergic reaction and have had two nights of constant sneezing leading to a runny nose throughout the day. It took me a while to work out the culprit, initially assuming it was from some fine dust which blew back at me when I was emptying the Dyson into the bin. But once I had fully aired the duvet the peppery smell had diminished and the sneezing has ceased. It's probably affected me so much because I use very little powder in the home wash and only use fabric conditioner occasionally so it felt like an assault!

RebeccaAnn

The second-hand curtain is now over the door . It is amazingly thick and heavy, the people said they cost 300 for both pairs new and sold them to me for 20 as they were changing colour scheme. As they are such good quality I hung the shorter set over the other problem window and fingers crossed it helps to stop any draughts as we haven't been able to plug all the gaps.
I also managed to pick up a bnib electric blanket for £5 so that is on the bed ready for when it gets really cold.
We have picked up quite a few bargains off fb selling sites now. I can't believe how little people sell things for that have hardly been used or they don't like anymore because of the colour.
Living proof what kind of candles do you use? I was looking at stocking up but I am really unsure of what works out cheapest and from experience, the burn time varies from what is on the packaging.

katiepants

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind but I'm going to follow along with this thread. I really, really hate winter: feeling cold all the time, going to work and coming home in the dark (think I get a bit of S.A.D), constant colds and chest infections. Just can't bear it!

This year in particular I'm dreading it. The glorious summer has definitely turned to Autumn now and I'm not ready

I think I need a plan in place to help me cope a bit better.

falcieri

Living_proof wrote: »

I have dug up several plants on my allotment and then hung them by the roots from a wire in the greenhouse. There are dozens of green fruit on them so I hope I can manage to ripen some of them. A few loose ones in boxes in the shed too.

Green tomato soup was one of the tastiest things I ever made when I had a short summer one year and nothing ripened. I remember adding canneloni beans and cream but look for simple green soup recipes and you won't be disappointed. Don't let them go to waste!

falcieri

katiepants wrote: »

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind but I'm going to follow along with this thread. I really, really hate winter: feeling cold all the time, going to work and coming home in the dark (think I get a bit of S.A.D), constant colds and chest infections. Just can't bear it!

This year in particular I'm dreading it. The glorious summer has definitely turned to Autumn now and I'm not ready

I think I need a plan in place to help me cope a bit better.

The SAD lamps are great. My mum swears by hers and has been using them for probably 15 years. They extend the light hours each day as the nights draw in and give you that extra boost. Give it a go if you can and if you're suffering really badly.

Living_proof

wrote:

Living proof[/COLOR] what kind of candles do you use? I was looking at stocking up but I am really unsure of what works out cheapest and from experience, the burn time varies from what is on the packaging.

I have collected candles from car boots and charity shops for many years. When I lived in Scotland they were a necessity as there were regular power cuts, but now they are more for effect. I try and get the most candle for my money and that usually would be a pillar or church type and it's important with these to light them and keep them lit for at least three hours on the first occasion you use them so that they burn evenly. I often have them in the big glass holders so that drafts don't effect them as much, not that I have many these days. I think if you go to a couple of car boots you will find lots but avoid the cheap novelty ones made of paraffin wax as they can leave a sooty mark above where you are burning them. They were all the rage at one time about 15 years ago and it seems a lot of them were never used and maybe given as gifts. My son bought me some Joe Malone ones for Christmas but they will wait for a special occasion!