Preparing for Winter

littleowl

If you buy Doewe Egberts instant coffee the empty jars are great for jams and chutneys. They have a glass top with plastic liner so close well. Coffee is quite expensive at around £5.60 ish a jar but they are frequently 2 for 1 in Tesco or Morrisons - that's when I stock up. They also make great storage jars and look good too.
So I never need to buy Kilner or other jars.

dolly_day_dream

Wow I thought I was the only one who had started preparing early. DD is off to Finland and so wont be here for stir up Sunday (traditionally during autumn half term in this house) so we had it yesterday - now I have to cook a huge amount of Christmas puddings today!!

I have made up my jams and chutney's - does anyone else feel really good when they see them all lined up? Have made a list of presents that I need to make for the winter celebration and am starting on them. Will sort out the extra draft-proofing during the next couple of weeks and I have got my pile of quilting ready to keep me occupied during the winter evenings.

I also love the autumn, I associate it with cosiness, warm colours, and anticipation. Mind you in February I will be visiting DD in Finland and she assures me that I will really get to know what snow is like there. Better start hunting out the thermals.

dolly_day_dream

littleowl wrote: »

If you buy Doewe Egberts instant coffee the empty jars are great for jams and chutneys. They have a glass top with plastic liner so close well. Coffee is quite expensive at around £5.60 ish a jar but they are frequently 2 for 1 in Tesco or Morrisons - that's when I stock up. They also make great storage jars and look good too.
So I never need to buy Kilner or other jars.

I only ever used to use kilner type jars for bottling which I don't seem to have done for years. I use any type of jar I can get my hands on for jams and chutneys - I just use the nicest jars for presents. I have been using coffee jars for storage for 20+ years so can testify to their fitness for purpose.

dlb

I to always put a duvet under the sheets on the bed, it really works a treat.
After reading last years thread on using gas/elec last year i picked up loads of tips.
I already have all my fluffy throws and slipper socks sorted where they can be found quickly ( i love watch tv snuggled under throws with dh and kids knowing iv not got the heating on!!)
I too am going to try and leave the heating off as long as possible although i have been putting extra credit in the gas meter over the summer to build it up just in case.
I too love this time of year the build up to winter and my fav time of the year Xmas!!!

paddy's_mum

For really large jars to hold huge amounts of pickles, ask in your local fish and chip shop. They often throw away those huge jars that things like gherkins and pickled eggs come in.

We've just finished cutting up six tons of scrap wood and old pallets to keep our woodstove going throughout the winter. Like another poster, we too get frequent powercuts and when things are really bad, the woodstove provides space heating, a means to boil the kettle for hot drinks and a hot water bottle and I have been known to cook a pasta/corned beef hash on the top, when times have been really bad. If I had to nominate the best investment I ever made, it would be that woodburner.

FBThree

Oh God, I HATE winter!
1. Get out the SAD light and make sure it still works (have thought about using it this summer it's been so dire).
2. Finally decide on living room colour change and new, properly heat lined curtains for it covering window/door wall. Also curtains for kitchen.
3. Decide if we are installing curtains or curtain panels for the divide between the kitchen and living room. We pinned a curtain up there last year and it made the living room so much warmer!
4. Stuff foil panels behind radiators.
5. Ask OH to cut down perspex panel we use as interior double glazing on kitchen door around new cat flap shape.
6. Book end of Jan holiday to somewhere sunny.
7. If it ever dries up - paint the outside windows and doors which have flaky paint before they rot!

thriftlady_2

For big jars of pickles I just reuse olive or mayonnaise jars, but I'm trying to wean myself off Hellmanns'.

I've bought large le parfait type jars from a good kitchen shop

I sterilise jars for any sort of preserving by washing in soapy water and drying in an oven at 100c for about 30 mins.

Justamum

PHEW!!!!! You all make me feel useless. TBH I don't do any preparation for winter, though for years I've been meaning to make pickles and chutneys. We don't have a fire in our current house (though I do love a real fire, and love cleaning it out and re-laying it - am I strange?!) I'm going to try and make a Christmas pudding this year, but only a small one because the children don't like dried fruit (I love it and could eat it by the packet), so last year they had chocolate pudding. I didn't get round to make a cake last year either, but will endeavour to make one this year (no icing or marzipan though - yuck to both).

Our landlord is going through the courts to evict us at the moment because they want to sell up, and because we haven't found anywhere that is big enough for 5 which is actually affordable we haven't been able to move - a very worrying time for us so I can't really think of too much else at the moment - we have nowhere to go when we are evicted. I've even been put on anti-depressants because I was on the verge of a breakdown because of it. Anyway, not the place for unburdening myself I suppose - sorry.

elona

Elderberries on the bush at the end of the lane are changing colour so I want to make elderberry syrup for coughs and colds.

Also want to go to collect brambles so I can make jam from them.

Have a couple of wind up torches in case of power cuts and a kettle that can be put on the gas hob.

Bought some wool to knit scarves as presents during the winter and stashed it away.

We are hoping to sell our house and move into one that has a garden and more storage space with a wood burning stove but no idea when things will actually happen.

We could be moved before Christmas or else still be here!

rachelleblondel_2

Decided this week to drag out all the winter curtains & throws etc. A bit early but seen as winter has been here in North Yorkshire since the end of June seems like the right time!! Knitting frantically so we all have snuggly blackets to wrap ourselves in save on the oil which costs a fortune & only takes the chill off this drafty old house. lol

When does everyone else turn the heating on? We try to get at least to the 1st Oct longer if poss but hubby get up at 5.30am for work and its bleak in a freezing cold house if we dont turn on the heat!

Have a wonderful recipe for all those glossy black elderberries dripping from the trees

Elderberry Chutney
1lb elderberries, washed with stalks removed
1lb cooking apples
4oz dried fruit
8oz onions
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each of ginger, mixed spice
pinch of pepper
1/2 pt vinegar
12oz brown sugar

Peel, core & chop apples, place in pan with elderberries, dried fruit & onions. Stir in salt, spices, pepper & a little of the vinegar. Cook very gently for 1hour until the fruit is soft, stirring from time to time to prevent sticking & burning.
Turn off heat & + sugar & vinegar, when the sugar has dissolved bring to boil & simmer for 30-40mins until thic. Spoon into jars etc etc.

Rachelle