Preparing for Winter V

Uniscots97

I used to love candles but now having little one I don't have them out. I kept them though in case of power cuts. Washed and re-waterproofed my winter jacket a few weeks ago in the good weather and will do a stock take through my cupboards and freezer and replenish any shortages. Washed all the throws and blankets I have in the living room to use when it's chilly. But I'm still opening the windows slightly in the morning for a while to get rid of condensation 

Laura_Elsewhere

nannygladys said:

I have an electric blanket and thick winter duvet on my bed and they have been on for the last few weeks!!! But I haven't had the ch on yet. I did put it on for an hour the other day to make sure it's OK as I'm still saving up to get it serviced and it worked fine.

The winter curtains are all up and drawn every night to keep any heat in and door sausages are in use. The blankets for cuddling in have been put in a basket (all clean and smelling nice) in the front room and thicker fleeces put on the settees to make them warmer.

So I'm getting there, I've checked the medicine box, gloves, hats, scarves, boots etc as well and the only thing I'm missing is a waterproof jacket/kagoule, I have a shower proof jacket but I could do with something better. The freezer has three full shelves of home grown veg and fruit and the store cupboard is about fully stocked (there's only me) including toiletries so just a few treats for Xmas to get. I'm nearly there ....
Nannyg

@nannygladys that sounds really cosy and inviting! 

Our little block of flats (3 floors, 2 on each) has a deceased door-buzzer-intercom so we are having to keep the window open as we are expecting a delivery and have left a note telling them to shout or whistle! 
Since it has to be open, we're getting on with the massive task of cleaning the three window-sections, two opening, central one not, both inside and outside, which latter involves uncoupling the hinges and sliding the hinge-edge along a few inches, just enough to squeeze your arm through between hinge-edge and wall - it's a weird system and a bit painful as neither of us is skinny (!), but it works and we will have cleaned windows for the winter, which is always nice! 

Primrose

I think batch cooking of meals is going to become even more important now wherever possible given the much higher fuel bills everybody will be facing.  Two or more meals cooked at the same time is going to mean less power used later when just heating up is required. 

I suspect jumbo casserole pots are going to become in increased demand.  My giant Le Creuset pan will have to last longer even though the inner enamel  lining has become pitted with age  in a couple of places.   And huge pans of homemade soup will be regularly featuring on our winter menus again.  With beans or potatoes  added, it's a meal  which can be prepared using one hob burner only which is a more economic fuel use than a meal of meat and two veg. 

Laura_Elsewhere

Primrose said:

I think batch cooking of meals is going to become even more important now wherever possible given the much higher fuel bills everybody will be facing.  Two or more meals cooked at the same time is going to mean less power used later when just heating up is required. 

I suspect jumbo casserole pots are going to become in increased demand.  My giant Le Creuset pan will have to last longer even though the inner enamel  lining has become pitted with age  in a couple of places.   And huge pans of homemade soup will be regularly featuring on our winter menus again.  With beans or potatoes  added, it's a meal  which can be prepared using one hob burner only which is a more economic fuel use than a meal of meat and two veg. 

 We freeze lots - an entire drawer of our little fridge-freezer is for homemade ready-meals - including homemade pasta meals - people don't seem to know you can freeze cooked pasta - so we have home-cooked, nutritious pasta and sauce with lots of vegetables, which just needs pinged in the microwave... 

Fiona236

Si_Clist said:

Fiona236

Nice to see animal supporters here x

Yes, but this thread is supposed to be about preparing for winter ...

Oh I see it's like that is it? Unfriendly. OK, I'll toddle off. 

nannygladys

Don't go Fiona, it's important to keep our animals warm and safe during the winter months as well, so any tips welcome especially as I'm looking after dds puppy for the next few weeks, only got him this morning and already taken him on a walk and now he's snuggled up next to me on the settee, lovely way to keep warm!!!

Today had some more leek and potato soup, nice and warming and tonight will be leftovers, unfortunately I don't have any room in my freezer and I can't fit another one inside and don't have a shed/garage outside either, so whilst it's so full l have to eat anything I make over 2/3 days.

Found my winter gloves this morning when I wasn't looking for them, so they will be in the next wash to freshen them up, they are that thick you can hardly bend your fingers .but they're lovely and warm!
Nannyg

prepareathome

Preparing for winter lists should include items for pets if you have them - so definitely a place for any animals be they 2.3.4.6 or more legged or no legged.

Ensuring if weather is bad, you have enough food to last say for a month, if no more.  Water stocks for them not just for us - (or ensuring tanks of fish don't need changing during the worst of the winter in case of problems).  Alternatives for heating for those animals that need extra heat 24/7 or need water kept warm.   

A emergency first aid kit is useful all year round but extra important during winter in case weather so bad you cannot leave the house - items like bandages, charcoal tablets (in case they ate something they shouldn't) and all the usual first aid items you have for humans that you can use for animals - would cleaning solution is handy again if no water in the taps and don't then need to use drinking stocks.   Dressings, tape scissors, disposable gloves, antihistamine, pet version of Dioralyte  - mind gone blank for animal version and cannot get downstairs to check at moment, for rehydration.   

If your animals are on medication or special diets ensure you have at least a month's supply of these in.  Either buy or print out basic animal first aid in case again any delays in getting not just to vet but in touch with them.  Ask your vet for any advice on what would be good to have in.  Obviously warm coats, extra blankets in case house gets cold for them not just you - although most cats, dogs and rabbits would just snuggle with you if it was really cold indoors, even the most indifferent cat will want to be warm and if that means having to sit on their humans when it's not time for them to do so (their timing not yours of course ) .

Oh of course plenty of cat litter for cat - cats that prefer to use outdoors for toilet matters might decide if very cold not to go out plus of course it's perfect for emergency toilet for humans.  Plenty of poo bags as you should never flush dog poo down toilet anyway but if water goes out or major power outage that affects water treatment then water will not be pumped to the house and if really cold going outside to put Poo bags in the bin will mean you will need more fuel to heat your home ( if you are not having power outage) so double or triple bagging might be needed to stop smell escaping until you can put them out of house.  

Treats of course - yes if not getting exercise they could put on weight but like us when stuck at home they need something to cheer them up - not a time though to buy new treats to try, have in known favourites. 

All just basics but important part of our winter preps 

C_J

I’ve collected my freshly-cleaned duvet from the laundry, and it’s like a brand new one! Sparkling white, as fluffy and soft as a giant marshmallow (can you tell I’m pleased??)  

Elisheba

That's really interesting @prepareathome, I hadn't thought about a lot of that. At the moment it would probably take some sort of act of God to keep me snowed in and away from the vets if necessary (I live in a town, 5 mins walk from my vets). However, if I do get to live in my cottage in the country then it will be a very different story and I'll need to make sure I am prepared as I have a dog and two cats.

slm6002

Elisheba we have to remember the vets themselves may not live 5 mins away from work, and might not be able to make it in, so always better to be safe than sorry.