Preparing for Winter V

Rummer

It is really cold tonight and with the weather being so miserable it is really turning my thoughts to winter. So when I did my shop today I stocked up on tinned beans and lentils as well as a few extra dried bit for the cupboard.

BritishBibliophile

I moved back to Hertfordshire two weeks ago, got the train in to London yesterday and it was lovely to see all the fields ready for harvesting. Also seen more tractors in the past 2 weeks than I did in the entire 4 years I was living in London (which means I've definitely returned to the right place).

It's been very warm here in Herts this weekend, I need to go blackberry picking with one of my sisters but haven't won't be able to go until September so they'll probably be all gone by then :rotfl:

bossymoo

It's actually felt like summer here in Yorkshire for the last few days! DS was so hot last night he couldn't sleep. He ended up laid on my bed in front of the fan...

Plenty of time in the garden with the kiddies, think we need to water our plants, they look thirsty!

Bit blustery today, but very bright. Going to hang out my laundry!!!

dawn_rose

Hiya all,

Cripes reading all these posts makes me feel so behind. I got kids winter tights today for school and shoes for one DD, just got find shoes to fit 2 more DD now. Winter coats have arrived for kids.

Freezer still needs defrosing and I need a bathroom radiator fitting.

Eeeeeek

[Deleted User]

just popping in to remind people about maintenance. Leaves from gutter etc. Two days ago I did the rain harvester filters and today am busy maintaining the windows and doors. Mine are triple glazed wood, so a quick (ish) hoover and wd40 into all the right spots and there are many as they are tilt and turn. Going to start a sheet to go in the house file as oiling around doors and windows needs doing every year in my house and I lose track. Check house insurance requirements for chimney/flue cleaning. Mine e mailed me to say that I had to have an annual certificate from a registered cleaner or if there is a fire, even if the stove is not being used, then insurance will not be validated. Off now, only done 2 doors and 2 windows, loads more to do.

[Deleted User]

I've just got back from a trip to Ikea and they have their POLARVIDE throws which are single bed sized and very warm indeed reduced to £2 each. I've invested in two dark grey ones for on the back of the sofa to snuggle up in this winter but there were other colours too.

Cheapskate

Well, neither of my apples trees has a single fruit, the plum tree has 2 on, but the brambles are heaving, albeit with quite small berries, rather disappointing. We've just transplanted 2 beetroot plants DS got free from school, have sown spring onions, rocket, broccoli micro greens and baby round carrots, and the parsley and basil I sowed a few weeks ago is coming up nicely. Not much, but the micro greens, onions and herbs will keep going for a while, and I'm soaking some ancient peas (3 years OOD!) to see if they'll provide pea shoots. Also have some winter radish to put in tomorrow, so we should still have a few healthy things to add to meals this autumn/winter! :T

Thanks for heads up re !kea, Lyn, might get one for the cat, will be much cheaper than a new specifically-for-your-cat blanket! We have enough fleeces, but I'm making crochet blankets, partly for Christmas presents, partly because I've discovered another useful craft that I enjoy and find surprisingly easy! I'm going to re-purpose 2 ancient towels to become draught excluders at the external doors - rain comes in under the gaps, so I can just chuck the towels in the machine now and then.

The children will need new winter pyjamas or onesies and dressing gowns, and wellies/thick socks for me and DH. Have ordered new fleece tops for the children, too, then that's all they need.

Each time I shop, I'm adding some sort of ambient/tinned/dried food or toiletries - an extra couple of quid each time is not noticed as much as buying all at once.

A xo

[Deleted User]

That's what I call 'buying in futures' CHEAPY, if I have a small amount of housekeeping left at the end of the week I'll go and buy in something useful that will store like tinned food, toiletries, meds like paracetamol but only the things I know I'll actually use. It's surprising just how quickly you build up a useful little store if you do that every week isn't it? and it is easier to do it as part of the weekly shop rather than going specifically to get store cupboard goods, I always get carried away by good offers if I'm looking to buy specially for storage, not good!!!

Lucy5781

Looks like we're in for soaking Thursday and Friday, even if it's still quite warm.... Looking forward to seeing some lightning

Cheapskate

Exactly, Lyn, I've always done it, but have fallen off the wagon somewhat over the last 6-12 months (MSE wagon, that is, nothing more sinister! ), so time to get back into the habit every time I g, not just in preparation for winter.

I love being a squirrel at this time of year! :rotfl:

A xo