Preparing for Winter

kingshir

missychrissy wrote: »

I've just set off 5 galls of plum wine from 21 lbs of plums a work colleague gave me. Why don't you join us on the Homebrewland thread. I'm finding it a bit sluggish over there and some additional input would be welcome.

I didn't even know there was a homebrewing thread, will definately have a look.:beer:

I've made plum wine in the past but found it was a bit 'thin' but it improved no end when I added a (cheap) carton of grape or pear juice to the fermentation mix. Do you add anything?

Gigervamp

Adventures in homebrewland.

mardatha

We read the meter every night, it should be around 7-8 units and if its more than 9 then somebody dies....

jamanda

Up to yet I have:

relined bedroom curtains with thermal linings (anniversary present from parents)
Put up thick bathroom curtains
Bought single quilt for under bottom sheet
Made loads of pickles and jams for store cupboard - now struggling with glut of plums and dearth of non-pickle smelling jars
Got a few extra fleeces while they were in sales
DH collecting wood for fire like a little beaver

Radiator foil, fleecy blankets and pajamas etc. still OK from last year, and still have unused camping cooker, kettle and gas for emergencies. Also have wind up torches and lantern. Plenty of candles I think, unless I find some really cheap ones.

To do:

Replace film on one porch window. It went tatty so I had to chuck it away. I think I've got enough left somewhere in loft if I can find it.

Get some coal stocks in when I can afford it.

Get another wind up lantern for my Dad because he got caught admiring and playing with mine.

There is more to do but my brain has packed up.

Oh yes - I'm counting down to October for the chestnuts. Squirrels here I come!

KatieKins

Molly41 wrote: »

How do people keep their outdoor pets warm especially if it is such a bad winter?

I don't know about other pets, but I had guinea pigs when I was younger and when it started to get cold aside from a few more layers of paper and a lot more hay, we had a big piece of foam cut to the shape of the back of the hutch and put against the back of it (outside, so the foam was between the fence and the hutch).

We also used to put a bit thick blanket on top of the roof of the hutch (the hutch was under a covered in area outside so it didnt get wet. If you don't have a cover over them you would need to put a plastic one on top of that so it didn't make the hutch cold or damp).

We also used to put a plasticy style blanket (a bit like plastic floor runner you get from carpet shops) resting down over the front of the grill. This meant no wind/rain could blow in when the weather was bad, but also it was curved cos of the shape it made being plastic, so they still had lots of air etc.

Oh and an old thick sock or 2 over their water bottle so they didn't get cold drinking their water!

ginnyknit

We have 4 guinea pigs and 2 rabbits - all rescues and luckily they are all in the shed but it still gets very cold. I use straw and shredded paper in the hutches, old blankets over the top and sheets of polystyrene between the shed walls and hutches. If its really bad sometimes I burn a nightlite candle to take the chill off. They are technically D.D's but as she gets married soon and Sil to be is in the army I guess I will keep them!

Got a nice fleece blanket to line curtains today from Mr T's less than 2 quid, also got slippers from DD, the fleecy indoor ones, 2 pairs for 3 quid. Just need more jumpers now. The main problem is going to be keeping DH warm in his wheelchair as we can't bear to be housebound and as he isnt a wrinkly (quite) don't want an old mans blanket so will have to look for a funky fleece maybe spiderman or such haha

nicki_2

Well I've been through the winter clothing today. All DD's jumper from last year that are too small are put to one side ready to go on Freecycle, all the hats gloves etc are now in a huge washbasket waiting to be freshened up. I've also put a double quilt over the back of the sofa and DD is currently snuggled under it :rolleyes:

Still to do:

• Grit/salt for the yard when its icy
• Remove all the sticky tape around the door/window from last years glazing film
• Replace glazing film on the back of the front door.
• Repair tears in backdoor film
• Make Draft excluders
• Buy curtains for front & back doors
• Make inbetween room curtains
• Recover the dining chairs (not strictly winter prep, but its going to be the same material as the curtains )
• Rug for the dining area of the livingroom

Wardrobe wise :

• DD Fleecy PJ's, boots
• Me PJ bottoms & boots

And at some point I need to buy a new Christmas Tree :rotfl::rotfl:

oldMcDonald

kingshir wrote: »

Someone PM'd me for my coffee wine recipe and I've stupidly cleared the message BEFORE taking a note of the name:o I think it was Pooky, well I hope it was as I've sent a PM to you! If I've got it wrong would the proper person contact me again - honestly I'm so rubbish!!:D

Going to butt in here and ask if you would mind PMimg the coffee wine recipe to me too please, kingshir. Hope you don't mind, but I've not tried this before

Patchwork_Quilt

We never have enough umbrellas. DD loses them all. We've gone through ten this year! Needless to say, I need to buy in a bulk order of cheap ones. With Woollies gone, I'm not sure where to go. Any ideas?

nickynoo08

Hiya all, I've been geting a few bits n bobs sorted for xmas too, got loads of fleece blankets, cardigans jumpers for us all etc, sorted out linings for curtains that need it but i'm stuck with one large problem. I have wooden french doors in my dining room and they let through one helluva draft. Ideally i'd love to replace them but i cant afford to till next year now so i need to draft proof them but not quite sure were to start. The main problem is down the middle where the doors meet and at the bottom. I've got some old fleece and pillows to make draft excluder but what to i do down the middle of the doors them selves? I dont think an extra lining would help much. Any ideas?