Preparing for Winter

muffin_man_7

be careful when getting fleeces from mr A i got some last xmas 2 for £3 was not happy when i got home they were so much thinner compared to the ones i got at begining of 2009

sandy2_2

psso wrote: »

As well as collecting cones from the nearby wood, I take an empty cardboard loo roll tube and shove 3-4 other tubes inside it. Have a basket almost full in the bottom of the bathroom cupboard ready to put out in the shed. They make good firelighters too, and cost nothing at all.

I do something similar but stuff tubes with any flyers, old cereal boxes cut into strips and stuffed in the tubes, envelopes etc etc
Sandy

psso

sandy2 wrote: »

I do something similar but stuff tubes with any flyers, old cereal boxes cut into strips and stuffed in the tubes, envelopes etc etc
Sandy

:doh:Never thought of that one, bumf usually goes straight in the recycle bag when it come through the letterbox -thanks for the suggestion.

BigMummaF

I wondered if you could use shredded confidential papers stuffed in loo tubes, to light the barbie this time of the year & we don't have access to an open fire.

mardatha

Might not do BMF, you'd have to try it. Barbecues I think work on charcoal (not sure, never had one ) That is liek smokeless fuel and thats very hard to light unless you have firelighters.

annie123

bargain at homebase, down to £4.99 for paper brick maker if anyone wants to make them for winter fires.
Best to make them now as they dry quicker

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=538508&Trail=searchtext>FURTHER+REDUCTIONS

maryb

I've been looking for one of those, thanks Annie

Plus I've got a 15% off voucher for Homebase which I was planning on using tomorrow so even better

Winged_one

Oooh thanks Annie, I have been looking out for one of those for a couple of years. Will pop into HB when visiting ILs at teh weekend!!

I am also hoping that, as we should have a reasonably empty boot coming back, I can grab a bunch of hedgerow stuff to preserve during the week. The wild strawbs might just still be going, and I might find a few other bits and pieces (I might even find the old PYO farm, if I get a chance, on Sat and graba load of rasps and strawbs and balckcurrants!! oOOH YUM!!).

gailey_2

Blimey everyones organised but i been thinking winter too.

mainly xmas time

as want to buy presents in advance at carboots, ebay and sales.
make lots of presnets for people too.
Most of plan plans have foccused around food.
so far got

2tubs of strawberries in freezer-due to go farm pick lots more
7tubs of cherries amounts quite overwhelming reckon I could end up with 20+ 1lite tubs but have huge chest freezer.

Been trying to work out what to do with them all.

cherry vodka-presents
cherry brandy-presents
tarts and crumbles for us maybe close family
jams for us and presents
possibly might try icecream.

So overwehlmed with cherries havent started on picking blackberries/rasberries yet
later on sept/oct hazlenuts and chesnuts.

so even more jams
thinking pates as they can be frozen
chesnut and berry stuffing maybe.
homemade mincemeat in advance for mince pies
maybe even an xmas fruit cake this year.

making chutneys too as made delias xmas chutney last year.

I love cooking and being in kitchen no hardship for me.

plan is to make lots of festive luxury products we tend to buy at xmas so our december grocery bill not stupidly high.

Plus be sorted if it snows.

brought one daughters halloween costume at carboot other day.

my nan made a draught excluder was weird snake thing.
do need to use heating less as oujr bills stupid from last winter but did have small baby at time.

Will need to stock up on
candles
batteries
bulbs ect

Cant think of anything else maybe new scarf and glovesnew.
new snowsuit for baby
already contemplating winter coats for me and daughter as she starts primary in sept.

mardatha

O stoppit woman You're making me feel guilty sat here on the couch taking it easy ...!