Preparing for Winter

rosieben

lollyred1 wrote: »

What is everyone stocking up with food wise? Decided today that id best start getting ready for it:o

Why not try writing down what you would use in a week (or however long you want to stock up for) - I mean write down the meals you eat and then write the 'shopping list' for those meals. Or work out a menu for a week, using regular favourite meals, and then shop for those. Dont forget breakfasts and snacks.

I'm stocked up on flour (for bm and baking), rice, pasta, dried lentils and pulses, couscous, long life milk, dried yeast and dried milk (for BM), sugar, tea, coffee, breakfast cereals, clover, cheese (grate before freezing), tinned and frozen veg, bacon and a few packs of sausages (to freeze).

I always have a little stock of herbs, spices, chutneys, pickles and preserves, and tins soup, tuna, salmon, spam (love it! )

I know I can rustle up 3 meals a day for a week or so. We have powercuts autumn through to spring and without a car winter travelling can be difficult. This way I dont worry if I cant get to the shops for a week or more.

It sounds a lot, but in effect I freeze 1lb cheese, 1 pack each clover, bacon, as I know that would be enough for me. You dont have to spend huge amounts if you work out what would suit you best

HTH

kal25

rosieben wrote: »

It sounds a lot, but in effect I freeze 1lb cheese, 1 pack each clover, bacon, as I know that would be enough for me. You dont have to spend huge amounts if you work out what would suit you best HTH

You can freeze cheese?? Does it not go mouldy when defrosting?? That would be great for us we tend to buy the big pack as works out cheaper but sometimes some of it ends up in bin as not been used before starting to mould.

cheerfulness4

I always freeze our cheese and its fine. Sometimes it may be a little more crumbly, not always, and if I get a make that I know does this I just grate it before I freeze. Easy peasy.

rosieben

yes, it freezes well, sometimes its crumbly as cheerfullness says, thats why I prefer to grate it.

I used to buy the big blocks from the market, grate it all (thank goodness for food processor!) and freeze in in small amounts; its great for baking/cooking/sandwishes.

Not worth me buying a big block for myself now, but I do like to have a small reserve

annie123

Suzy_M wrote: »

The North wind today has reminded me to:

2) Check the powercut box is still stocked in case anything has been borrowed and NOT replaced.

.

what is in your box incase I have missed anything!

I have candles, matches/lighter, torch and a small radio

Fruball

Ooooooh loving this thread ! :beer:

It makes winter seem so comforting !!!

Can anyone help with my problem...
I have a conservatory which is boiling in summer and freezing in winter - also, its open to the lounge (no doors) so it makes the lounge cold too. I have put up curtains, normal thin lining, but wondered what else I could do to make it warmer in there or at least prevent the cold coming in the lounge. I can't afford to put doors in. Its quite a big room with hard flooring and no radiators. I use a dehumidifier in there to stop it getting full of condensation and I think that helps it not feel quite so cold but I need more tips !

I was thinking about putting up an extra set of linings inside the existing curtains - can I do that with cheap fleece blankets ? Not sure about the duvet idea plus they are big patio door size curtains ?

OR would it look weird if I put up another set of curtains on the conservatory side (at the moment I have curtains on the lounge side) so create an airspace in between - I'm thinking cavity wall curtains :rotfl:

Any ideas welcomed

I am going to get draft excluding tape for the kitchen window (upvc but air leaky on one side)
Bought fabric and thermal blackout lining to make blinds for my bedroom then will do kitchen and bathroom as they only have venetian blinds so not very warm.

Second problem is house only has heating on ground floor so my twin babies room gets really cold - they are in cots so must be pretty chilly underneath them at night - what can I do to make them warmer without overheating them ? (i doubt that is possible tho its so freezing in there midwinter !!!)

I am going to enjoy reading this thread

Suzy_M

annie123 wrote: »

what is in your box incase I have missed anything!

I have candles, matches/lighter, torch and a small radio

Like you candles - and SECURE AND STABLE holders, matches and/or lighter, a couple of small oil lamps (not filled until needed). Also a small gas camping stove and spare cartridge plus a suitable kettle and saucepan. - We keep the lamp oil in a shed so we just make sure it's safely and easily accessible. And hot water bottles.

We also only use naked flames in the kitchen !!! family room during a power cut as this contains the least flammable material and water is handy if needed.

Most importantly we keep a small fire extinguisher handy.

And we keep vacuum flasks handy so if we get any warning of a power cut (power fluctuations etc) we fill with boiled water ready for a hot drink at least.

Torches - we already keep these all over the house anyway.

Suzy_M

Suzy_M wrote: »

The North wind today has reminded me to:

4) Get the "Winter Driving" bag out of the attic (has mittens, thick socks, wooly hat, vaccuum flask, a "nightlight stove", waterproof clothing, boots etc. etc.) and put in car together with an extra blanket. Also get the car sun shades out - (reflective ones put on the wrong way round helps reduce heat loss out of the window). - Yep been there done that.

Forgot some important items - drinking water, hot water in a flask and the makings for hot drinks, and some food such as biscuits.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - high energy food aka CHOCOLATE :j - may not need it but great for comfort eating when you're really fed up and the novelty of gloating over your ill-prepared roadside neighbours has worn off (only kidding!)

jamanda

I'm getting there! I've put the winter quilt on the bed tonight and found an old one out for the dog. Going to Wilkinsons tomorrow to find some of the window film for the porch.

Got a list of about 15 things to do. The above weren't on it though.

Oh, and am looking for cheap hot water bottles tomorrow too.

Not worrying about food. I tend to have a siege mentality anyway so plenty in probably to feed everyone on this thread.

J

rosieben

Frugal wrote: »

Can anyone help with my problem...
I have a conservatory which is boiling in summer and freezing in winter - also, its open to the lounge (no doors) so it makes the lounge cold too. I have put up curtains, normal thin lining ...
…
Second problem is house only has heating on ground floor so my twin babies room gets really cold - they are in cots so must be pretty chilly underneath them at night - what can I do to make them warmer without overheating them ? (i doubt that is possible tho its so freezing in there midwinter !!!)

cavity wall curtaining is a great idea! :rotfl: that’s how double glazing works isnt it? and put something warmer (fleece/quilt) inside for extra insulation then you could just use cheapy curtains on the conservatory side, or even use plain sheets. Make sure your curtain rail/pole is strong enough to take the weight of the fleece/duvet(s).

re the babes – I’m sure lots of mums will be along with suggestions, but I was wondering whether a mattress topper would help? There's a suggestion on this thread about using a single duvet as a mattress topper for a double bed. Something on those lines? But I’m out of touch now with all the safety advice they give for babes so……..


edited to say - best if the doorway curtains puddle a little to stop draughts