Preparing for Winter V

Primrose

A shock when our central heating automatically clicked in early this morning for the first time 
me this summer.  Indoor  temperature must have dropped considerably with bedroom windows open overnight for ventilation.   Realising that autumn preps may have to start earlier than planned.   Thankfully we currently generously  in credit with our energy supplier.

Primrose

Wednesday
i think you,re right to prioritise  your  physicical wellbeing. Medical conditions only get worse when you,re battling them in a continually  cold environment.  A good supply of thermal underwear at all bodily levels may help, especially when it,s not easy to keep continually active to help stay warm.  Extremities like head, feet and hands are especially important to take care of.

Wednesday2000

Yes, I agree Primrose. I was feeling very creaky in my hands this morning with it being chilly and raining all day yesterday. I just ordered myself some mittens as I read they were superior to gloves in terms of warmth and some more chewable vitamin D. I think I will look for some thermal socks in the next few weeks.

I put all my vitamins on the kitchen counter so I remember to take them. I bought turmeric tablets which is supposed to help with inflammation, but it doesn't help if I don't take it! My brother was saying that I should be eligible for medical cannabis with my conditions so I am going to look into that too.

Floss

Wednesday2000 said:

... I just ordered myself some mittens as I read they were superior to gloves in terms of warmth...

Mittens are warmer as the heat is trapped in one place, with less surface area to get cold (your fingers are not separated as they are in gloves).

weenancyinAmerica

Might even consider wearing mittens over the gloves, so when you need to you can take the mittens off for a few minutes to do things and then put them back on.

Primrose

Must try the mittens but they,re very frustrating when reading a book and trying to turn pages regularly.  Have got a pair of thick Thinsulate fingerless gloves for this whixh work well.

Jellytotts

My winter preps are underway! We've just moved North so I'm trying to think ahead.  We have a log burner being installed next weekend and I've found a local saw mill that delivers logs (will get those ordered at the end of the month). Having new flooring put down next week that is thermal backed so will hopefully be warmer underfoot than the old laminate it's replacing.  Not got a lot of kitchen storage space but will start replenishing some store cupboard staples that were all used up before we moved.

I've got a rucksack for the car with spare hooded coats/scarves/gloves/hi-vis vests and a torch but need to add some water and snack to it.  We did have some of the foil blankets but they got used for some sort of science project so need to replace them.

Need to stock up on candles as I've not bought any for a few years and the stocks are low.  I did pick up some lighter fluid the other day so will refill all the candle/fire lighters.

I've got new winter boots (used birthday money and the pavers sale to get something sensible) and DH's boots from last year will be fine. We both need slippers/indoor shoes/boots so they're on the list.  I could do with a new snood/scarf but I've got plenty of wool to make one, same with wrist warmers which I wear all day come autumn, I've got 4 pairs but could do with a few more and i'lol have a look for some mitten patterns and see what I can come up with, my hands do suffer in the cold.

We've got a huge rhubarb plant in the garden, I'm not a fan but will happily cook it up for DH, must look and see what's best in terms of harvesting times and cutting back for winter...not a clue!

Floss

Jellytotts said:

....  We have a log burner being installed next weekend and I've found a local saw mill that delivers logs (will get those ordered at the end of the month)...

Bear in mind you won't be able to burn fresh wood, you will need to have a stock of seasoned dried logs for this winter while your new ones dry out for next winter.

YoungBlueEyes

Jellytotts said:

We've got a huge rhubarb plant in the garden, I'm not a fan but will happily cook it up for DH, must look and see what's best in terms of harvesting times and cutting back for winter...not a clue!

There's a website called Eat The Seasons which is good. Tells you what's good to eat now, a bit about it, and a few recipes

http://eattheseasons.co.uk/Articles/rhubarb.php

Laura_Elsewhere

Jellytotts said:

We've got a huge rhubarb plant in the garden, I'm not a fan but will happily cook it up for DH, must look and see what's best in terms of harvesting times and cutting back for winter...not a clue!

You'll have missed most of the rhubarb-picking season for Britain - you pick it from when stalks first appear and are big enough through til late July or early August, so...! 
After that, you just leave it alone, no need to cut it back - the leaves will feed the roots so that you can pick it again next year. If you maybe try a few stalks now (don't cut them off, just hold them near the base and twist them til they come away) just so your DH knows how delicious it is, and then leave it alone... come spring, you can use a hand-fork to loosen the surface of the soil round it, scrabble in a bit of Growmore or similar multi-purpose feed granules, water it very very well (I usually fill a watering can, water it for a count of ten and then go and do something else, come back and water again, go off, come back, etc., so the water goes right down deep) and put down a wide flat ring of well-rotted manure, a couple of inches thick, the plant will thank you Keep the 'crown' clear and above the level of soil or manure or compost so it doesn't rot, and give it deep-watering once a week in dry weather, and you should just get loads of it