Preparing for Winter

Kitchenbunny

NualaBuala wrote: »

Now that is very thrifty, reclaiming wool from a £1 scarf! :T I like the sound of the neckwarmer - I have something like that, a Buff headband made of finely knit wool that you can wear in several different ways. Last winter I wore it around my neck and lifted it up to cover my nose and face. Cost a lot more than £1 though! :eek:

Nuala - mine did too. I have two of them as we ride bikes and it can get pretty breezy between neck and lid. I'm going to take the older one of mine and stitch a piece of fleece to the lining so I can have it as a thermal one. You can buy them like that, but as I've got a spare and feel crafty that's what I'm going to do.

Re: Slow cooker recipes. I've been using mine quite a bit in the summer but I loooove winter recipes. I think mine shall be on quite a bit during the winter so I need to try and find the link to the slow cooker recipe index. At the moment I'm trying to find RTC packs of stewing meat to freeze until I get some amazing recipes.

I really like the idea of the yaktrax but I think I'll just invest in some stout wellies with good grips and work on my balance. I managed in trainers for the most of last winter but something waterproof would be ace.

KBxx

NualaBuala

Excellent frugal idea KitchenBunny, I've seen those fleece-lined ones and they're pretty expensive! Will keep you well-toasty!

Winchelsea

Must make myself a neckwarmer now I know how - thanks folks!

And, I must get my duffel coat dry cleaned. Would have managed with just a sponge down, but we've had a plague of clothes moths here this summer, so think the dry clean will sort the little blighters out. I love my duffel - it's a thick heavy one, pure wool, very warm, and was my treat to myself a couple of years ago, one of those offers in the newspaper (reduced from VERY expensive to expensive!) On really cold days, when my face is so cold I can hardly speak, I still feel toasty inside the coat.

Preparations I've made already are new thick curtains for the living room, and a new gas fire (fitted today)! The gas fire cost quite a bit, but at least it was on a summer reduction, and hopefully it will save money in the long term, as on milder days in the winter I shouldn't need the central heating on.

Berni888

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

Re: Slow cooker recipes. I've been using mine quite a bit in the summer but I loooove winter recipes. I think mine shall be on quite a bit during the winter so I need to try and find the link to the slow cooker recipe index. At the moment I'm trying to find RTC packs of stewing meat to freeze until I get some amazing recipes.

KBxx

In My Slow Cooker Today

The Recipe Collection

Complete Slow Cooker Collection

http://mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/slow-cooker-soups/carroty-lentil-soup-with-bacon/

http://southernfood.about.com/library/crock/blcpidx.htm

http://frugal-cooking.co.uk/category/recipe/slow-cooking

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=143541

Steamed Christmas Pudding

funkymonkey849

Kitchenbunny wrote: »

I'm going to take the older one of mine and stitch a piece of fleece to the lining so I can have it as a thermal one. You can buy them like that, but as I've got a spare and feel crafty that's what I'm going to do.

That's what I'm gonna do when it's finished! I have an old fleece scarf so I'm gonna use that, should have some leftover to line the wristwarmers.

Am I right in thinking you don't have to hem fleece cos it doesn't fray?

funkymonkey849

Oh and I just wanted to share my absolutle shock and horror with you, my friend was round last night and told me that they've been having the heating on at nights this week because it's been cold :eek:

Can you imagine!!!!

Heating on in July!!!!!

I think my face actually looked like that :eek:

Truly shocked. I don't even have the heating on during the night in winter!!!!!!

Fellow OSers please bring me a strong brandy

NualaBuala

funkymonkey849 wrote: »

Oh and I just wanted to share my absolutle shock and horror with you, my friend was round last night and told me that they've been having the heating on at nights this week because it's been cold :eek:

Can you imagine!!!!

Heating on in July!!!!!

I think my face actually looked like that :eek:

Truly shocked. I don't even have the heating on during the night in winter!!!!!!

Fellow OSers please bring me a strong brandy

Brandy?! :eek: Remember you're in frugal-land now! How about some homemade hedgerow wine?! :beer::rotfl:
Crikey, and I bet your friend isn't the only one! Did anyone here read the "Is your heating on or off?" thread last year? I found it helpful in encouraging me to keep mine off. I lasted till November 10th last year - am hoping to last as long as I can this year thanks to a lot of rugs, cardis, fluffy socks etc.

ginnyknit

Its a bit cool here in Manchester this morning and Im off to put another layer on, theres no flipping chance of putting the heating on, I would be a rambling nutter if the meter went round faster at the mo!:eek:

funkymonkey849

NualaBuala wrote: »

Brandy?! :eek: Remember you're in frugal-land now! How about some homemade hedgerow wine?! :beer:

Haha is that good for shock? Actually homebrews can be quite potent so it might be just the stuff

It does get on my wick though, people are welcome to waste as much of their own money as they like but it's not very environmentally aware just to slap the heating on instead of using a blanket or putting a jumper on. Makes me think why do I bother to try and save a bit of energy, use the car less etc when people are putting the heating on in JULY!!!!!!!!

Anyway rant over, back onto the original topic

Think I need a lie down in a darkened room

NualaBuala

You're so right about the environmental side funkymonkey. I think a lot of people don't care at all and only cut back because heating is expensive.

It's a lovely morning here in Dublin ... but a little bit nippy so am wearing a cardi and have a fleece rug between me and the laptop! Will probably get too warm after a while but I do feel snuggly.:)