Preparing for Winter

mumoftwo

sandraroffey wrote: »

thought i would share this information with any one who lives in, or near,devizes. i ws there last week with my daughter in law, and i couldnt believe the market!! it was a proper, old fashioned market. so much really cheap fruit and veg of which we bought loads to make stuff and sqirrel away. BUT also, the handicrafts stall had HUGE bags of odd wool balls for a pound!!! wonderful for making blankets and throws etc. for the winter. i am not over that way often, but next time i am, it will be several bags of the wool and chance that i can get them back on the train!!! think i may ask y D-I-L to get a couple a week when she goes to devizes, and they can bring them over next time they come to me. so cheap just couldnt believe it.

cheap fleeces to wear and fleece blankets as well. and really snuggly fluffy slippers. havent seen a market like that in a long time!!!

I am jealous! I am originally from Holland and grew up with Saturday markets, all that fruit and veg and fish and all sorts of other stuff, I still miss it after 18 years.

angelkissingdevil

angelkissingdevil wrote: »

Hi guy's please forgive me if this has been posted already as I've not had a chance to read all the way through yet.

But if I remember rightly a friend of mine contacted her local council and they do a scheme for insulating your loft and it costs a tiny amount, I believe she called it a grant and all she had to pay was £100 and they come and install it for you too. Trust me if you were to insulate it yourself with the thick stuff it costs a lot more than £100.00

Not sure all councils do it but it's worth a try.

Hope this helps x

Sarah

Just a quick update, I've found the website if that helps www.freeinsulation.co.uk and they offer you a reduction of 50% up to 70% off the charge, another friend of mine has contacted them and they're sending round a guy to give him a quote.

Also
FREE INSULATION is available to households where:
Anyone is aged 70 or over OR
Anyone is in receipt of certain benefits,
tax credits or allowances

Hope this helps

Sarah

sandraroffey

i have always saved the veggie stalks for soup, they have the best flavour. my daughter in law thought i was mad, but she does it now too!!

Gabriella_2

I have been harnessing the power of the sun the last couple of days to heat my lounge - chilly outside but clear blue skies and unbroken sunshine........I have huge picture windows and have pulled the blinds right back and it is streaming in and warming the whole room and I haven`t needed any heat at all during the evening.


Picked up a good recipe from Nigella`s TV show last week................celery and green pea soup (just saute a whole head of chopped celery for about 10 minutes, then add a couple of handfuls of frozen peas and simmer for another 5 minutes, then blitz and add a tablespoon of green pesto. Amazing flavour and I am doing what she did..............fill a flask with it and drink it anytime you feel chilly.............instantly warms and nutritious too !!

bellybabe_2

Wish we could harness sun power but most rooms are norh facing. Managed to harness power of sun yesterday by sitting on beach in just a t-shirt though :j.

Re stalks - I've done this for a long time because I heard somewhere there's more fibre in broccoli/cauli stalks than in the florets so they're actually better for you.

Feeling the benefits of all our winter prep - inspired by this thread and you guys! My brother stayed last week and did lots of little jobs for us too that will make a difference.

And I'm sitting here with my fingerless gloves on, a big scarf, and a hot water bottle inside my hoodie lol! I look a good few stone heavier :rotfl:...but I'm warm enough!

BB

la_farfallina

In case this helps anybody.....Wilkinsons have fleecy mattress protectors, £6 for a double and £5 for a single.
The 99p store has "magic" gloves that are also arm warmers - they look like stripy socks for your arms. I have bought some and they are lovely and warm.

Farf x

nicki_2

I've just been out and bought a load of veg to turn into stew for the week and instead of throwing away the scraps I'll be turning them into soup and see how it goes

sandraroffey

no stock or liquid in that soup??

sandraroffey

was in devizes last week and in the 'scope' charity shop they have really nice ladies white wool gloves for one pound!! they are new, not previously loved, so i bought a couple of pairs. always losing one!! for £2 you got the scarf as well!!

Guapa1

sarerb18 wrote: »

An A4 plastic folder insert with a magazine inside drawing pinned to a wooden door above the letter box works brilliantly against drafts.

Recovering from surgery, in case you're wondering why I'm up at this hour.
Just a thought, don't throw cauliflower or similar stumps away as they make fabulous soup.
:hello:

Broccoli stumps are also fab in stirfrys.