Preparing for Winter V

mardatha

I absolutely hate autumn. To me it's all about death - all my lovely plants and herbs dying, the leaves on the trees dying, bleugh. I quite like winter though, really short days and long cosy nights and a big fire going.

thriftwizard

Mardatha, couldn't you look at it that your plants are not dying, but going to sleep? For some that does mean the passing of individuals, and the growth of new seeds next Spring, but for most it's just a well-earned rest.

It's a glorious autumn at the moment down here in the far south; cool in the mornings & the evenings but warm & bright in the daytime, with fabulous colours in the leaves, the late summer flowers putting on the Ritz and a faint wood-smoky tang to the air. It's all due to change tomorrow but I'm going to make the most of today!

Currently making 3-layer quilted blinds for the upstairs windows that don't already have them. It's a leaky old house that we can't afford to do much to; if we double-glazed it'd have to be done in hardwood, matching the current sash windows, for example. Fitted carpets are a no-no as we have elderly cats who may be mistaken as to their purpose when they feel softness underfoot. Not to mention one son, who's almost a professional mud-racer & plays football about 5 times a week, which is not conducive to sparkling domestic cleanliness. So my preps are limited to having plenty of non-perishable food in store, lots of wool (and a constant battle against moths!) and making sure there's a good lot of fuel for the little stove that's our main winter back-up should anything untoward happen to the boiler.

Emm-in-a-pickle

I`ve definitely gone into `Autumn mode` too.
I retired in September, but going back part-time next week, so I`ve been making the most of the dry weather doing outside jobs:
cutting back privet so we don`t get soaked going through the gate when it`s wet,
cutting down chest-high nettles under apple trees and laying tarps down to catch windfalls,
picking the apples I can reach, and prepping some to freeze/making pies, and donating apples around the family/neighbours.
Yesterday I washed and put away the cotton floor rugs and brought out the white(-ish!) woolly ones, and I`ve put wine-red cheapie fleeces on sofa and chairs. I also got a tartan dog-bed that goes on the end of the sofa and looks good ( Littly dog and the cat have already got a timeshare arrangement!)

It does look a lot more cosy now, and feels warmer - it`s still too warm for log fire to get lit, but the log basket is full and looking seasonal by the fireplace.

I have also used some `Winter Spice` Zoflora when washing LR laminate floor and kitchen/back door area, and that does make it smell more autumnal - even a bit Christmassy!
Stash of fatballs, peanuts and nyger seed in caravan, birds will be hungrier soon, also have rooted out snow shovel and salt so I know where they are.

[Deleted User]

I love autumn, I am so mentally ready for the change in season, the winding down and being cozy. I did the last tidying stint on the allotment this morning, the garden is ready to sleep too. Lots of stores in, lots of fuel in, entertainment, chocolate. Shallots and garlic to be planted in two weeks and that is it. I can hibernate soon, just emerging to gather winter veg on a sunny day

I watched the bbc 4 programme on a year in the life of an oak tree, it was lovely and really brought home how seasons affect us living organisms. Some of us don`t have to get to work any more and it is oh so lovely to be able to go with the flow

Rummer

Kittie It sounds as if you are all organised (as usual) and on track for the changing seasons.

I have slowly been winning my OH round to the winter prepping and after the water success I found him adding long life milk to our weekly shop in preparation for the winter :j

Our prep is ticking along steadily. We always have a reasonably stocked cupboard and we have been adding to it bit by bit over the last few weeks. What I need though is a stash of chocolate and other tasty treats that we have for emergencies that I do not eat in the interim :rotfl:

toozie_2

Morning

It's thrashing down with rain and windy here, and the first morning I've felt a bit of a chill after getting up.
No heating on though.

I usually wear slip-on slippers which have a proper sole, so thought I'd put on my pull on bootie slippers, and now realise the sole is rubber but far thinner and the soles of my feet are cold on our wooden floors.

Any recommendations for slippers (small Ugg boot style) with a really good sole-for running to bin & washing line?

Thank you
x

greenbee

I like boots from Celtic & Co and their 'house boots' have a waffle type sole that doesn't pick up dirt as you nip in and out of the house, unlike normal outdoor boots. They're natural sheepskin, made in Cornwall from British sheepskin too.

nicki_2

Toozie - I've taken to wearing my trainers indoors with thermal socks! We have laminate downstairs over a quarry tile floor and then the kitchen is concrete with cushion floor down. I spend most of my time during the week sat at my desk so my feet get very cold very fast. I've tried rugs, I've tried slipper boots, I've tried multiple pairs of socks with slipper boots and rug but I still got cold :rotfl::rotfl: I've just learnt to accept that when its cold, and especially if its damp, I need to wear shoes inside

I'm already noticing a difference in the temperature of the house since the cannibis farm nextdoor was shut down. DD's bedroom was noticeably colder this past weekend. I think I'm going to have to dig out some fleece and line her curtains with it. The radiator is working fine in there with no cold sports, I checked. I expect this winter my gas bill will increase.

Eenymeeny

Emm-in-a-pickle wrote: »

I`ve definitely gone into `Autumn mode` too.
I retired in September, but going back part-time next week, so I`ve been making the most of the dry weather doing outside jobs:
cutting back privet so we don`t get soaked going through the gate when it`s wet,
cutting down chest-high nettles under apple trees and laying tarps down to catch windfalls,
picking the apples I can reach, and prepping some to freeze/making pies, and donating apples around the family/neighbours.
Yesterday I washed and put away the cotton floor rugs and brought out the white(-ish!) woolly ones, and I`ve put wine-red cheapie fleeces on sofa and chairs. I also got a tartan dog-bed that goes on the end of the sofa and looks good ( Littly dog and the cat have already got a timeshare arrangement!)

It does look a lot more cosy now, and feels warmer - it`s still too warm for log fire to get lit, but the log basket is full and looking seasonal by the fireplace.

I have also used some `Winter Spice` Zoflora when washing LR laminate floor and kitchen/back door area, and that does make it smell more autumnal - even a bit Christmassy!
Stash of fatballs, peanuts and nyger seed in caravan, birds will be hungrier soon, also have rooted out snow shovel and salt so I know where they are.

Thanks for the Zoflora Winter Spice tip I'll look out for that. (Might as well try to make cleaning a pleasant experience eh? )
I like all of the garden prep tips from everyone too. I love to be outside pottering in the garden, which is why I'm trying to make the move from summer to winter into a gradual one. Trouble is, I usually hang on as long as possible and end up scurrying round trying to get garden ornaments, parasols etc., under cover as a storm approaches!
Must bite the bullet and get on with it!:(

[Deleted User]

Our local 99p shop had the Zoflora Winter Spice a couple of weeks ago, might be worth looking if you have a 99p shop close by?