Preparing for Winter

poorbabe

Hi all

My winter prep is going well so far, despite having to watch the pennies. I've managed most of the things on my list:

1. kingsize quilts (collected rom Argos 19/8)
2. flannelette sheets
3. tights (knee-highs 30/8)
4. leather shoes/boots? (if current ones are too worn for repair as they a number of years old)
5. fleeces for curtains (bought 30/8)
6. long socks (as fleeces)
7. pyjamas (as fleeces)
8. candles

I might see if I can make a trip to Ikea to source the candles and have a look at their fleeces, even though they are a little more expensive than Primark. I'll have to leave the flannelette sheets for end September/early October when I get paid.

Is it me or has Primark gone up in price for some things? The pyjamas I bought today were a whole £1 more than the last time I bought some (about 2/3 years ago) :rotfl:

helyg

Have bought my daughter 3 cord skirts from Tesco whilst on holiday, found them in the exact same colours as the cardis I am/have been knitting for her, plus some long sleeved t-shirts in co-ordinating colours... with some thick tights and her half price boots from Clarks she will be lovely and warm this winter!

Frugaldom

I just got a couple of pairs of those wooly toe socks to go with my legwarmers - I'm going to look so glam this winter!

Pantry filling up with homemade jams, jellies and chutneys, freezer filling up with prepared meals, veggies, fruit crumbles and soups - making most of these with garden grown veggies, foraged berries and supermarket reduced produce, so a big saving all round. Stocking up on flour for breadmaking, cordials for hot drinks and another lot of homemade wine has been started. I'm planning on makinmg some elderberry and rosehip cordials/syrup for winter cold remedies. Next up, suitable window coverings needed. I'm starting to see the appeal of Autum with all these preparations.

poorbabe

So tonight I'm 'testing' my central heating. Toasty and warm.

Well it was a bit nippy earlier and the system wasn't tested when the boiler was serviced so..................

mrssnowy_2

Still haven't got the heating on and its a bit chilly out,DH has agreed to another jumper:rotfl:,it is still August.
I have a fancy to knit a pair of socks,think I am going more dotty!
Does anyone have an easy pattern?
I used to be able to knit quite well and can use 4 needles-hate to try 5.
House fairly warm,CH OK,loft lagged and had cavity wall insulation last year.New carpet and flooring downstairs which has really made a difference.
Wine helps,not too much tho!
Mind cooking loads soon warms the house,saves money,stocks pantry/freezer.... until the locusts descend again(commonly known as offspring)

mrss

poorbabe

mrssnowy, I have to admit I thought about adding more layers but decided the test would be better. Normal layering will resume from tomorrow. Last year I think I managed to leave the heating off til the end of September, but I know others managed into November, somehow!!

mrssnowy_2

We certainly won't last till November,we live in Mid Wales.

valk_scot

mrssnowy wrote: »

I have a fancy to knit a pair of socks,think I am going more dotty!
Does anyone have an easy pattern?
I used to be able to knit quite well and can use 4 needles-hate to try 5.

This is the dead easy one I use. You just plug in the size you want and it spits out the pattern. It is for four needles. I do like more ribbing than she gives so I knit more rows of that and correspondingly less of the plain stitch.

Hobbycraft have started stocking sock yarn, btw.

mrssnowy_2

Thank you valk_scot,just printed a pattern off.
Going on hols soon and like to have a 'project' to take -how sad,but it helps the wine to go down!!

mrss

surfsister

Hapless wrote: »

Ok...so I know it's still August, but it won't be long until winter arrives.

So are you preparing? Whether it's a mild wet winter with flooding or a long cold winter with snow..
What we have done so far is....

1. Sweep the Chimneys and clean out the grates fully, repairing any cracks with fire cement.
2. Sort out the snuggly duvets ready to go to the cleaners.
3. Check the winter wardrobes, who needs what in the way of coats, jumpers, boots, slippers, wooly socks etc.
4. Ordered a generator so when we get the inevitable power cuts we can at least keep the freezer going.

Hiya do you repair the fire back yourself? I have to repair mine as it has cracks and wonder if you have any tips (or nayone else)? I have the cement ready mixed in a tub. Ta