Preparing for Winter

Pooky

Justamum - Hope your situation gets sorted soon - if you want a rant then we're here to listen.

You lot are very organised - I really must get my backside into gear...

We always used to put our summer duvets under the sheets - we've got foam mattress toppers this year though which are so snuggly and warm. All the curtains are lined already but could do with some draft exluders - will get DD's on to this during the week.

We don't eat a lot of pickles/jams/chutneys in this house so no point making them and none of us eat christmas cakes/puddings so again a pointless task (thank god as i'd not know where to start).

I've got a patchwork blanket on the go but it's not growing as fast as I'd like, must get stuck into that - made "quillos" last year - cut a kingsize duvet into 1/4's - made a cover for it and then you sew a pocket on the back that you can turn it all into to make a cushion - they're lovely over your lap in the evenings.

Need to get some wood and coal sorted - and need to get the chimney cleaned - that will be DH's jobs to organise whilst he's on holiday next week.

Got loads of candles, invested in a couple of wind up torches and a wind up radio just to be on the safe side.

Ohh I'm feeling all snug now - think I must be a squirrel at hear too.

rosieben

Pooky wrote: »

... made "quillos" last year - cut a kingsize duvet into 1/4's - made a cover for it and then you sew a pocket on the back that you can turn it all into to make a cushion - they're lovely over your lap in the evenings. ...

Great idea - is there a 'pattern'anywhere or do you just guess the sizes?

and yes, you are definitely a squirrel!!

Justamum - Hope your situation is resolved soon, keep chin up!

some really good ideas here, never thought of putting a duvet under my sheet; I'll be doing that this year, and its a good storage idea!

moanymoany

rachelleblondel wrote: »

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

I bought some elderberry jam in France, it was really lovely.

Pooky

rosieben wrote: »

Great idea - is there a 'pattern'anywhere or do you just guess the sizes?

!

To be honest I just cut it up and had a go - luckily I'd bought some curtain samples from the soft furnishing shop nearby - they were just the right size and lined so took the header tape off and sewed it up - stuffed the duvet in between the lining and fabric and ran a seem along the bottom. As for the pocket - fold the duvet up into as small a size as you can - have a rough measure and sew a bit of fabric on one side (make sure it's inside out as you'll be turning it in on it's self) I got the idea from Queenie - I'm not sure if she's posted any further instructions.

When you're using it it's handy to have the pocket side facing up - you can stash stuff in it that would normally end up down the side of the sofa - tv remote, a tissue, my small scissors if I'm sewing......my youngest cat likes to sneak in there too sometimes.

jcr16

wow a wintery thread already. wonderful

i'm no where near organised but i think i will print this off and then go through it and make a list suitable for our needs.

we are going to put a wood burner in , in our lounge. we are gonna get kitchen all finshed then start the lounge. at the mo we have a gas fire where u just pusha buttton for heat. but we never use it as hate it and it is open flame type. although when it on it is so snuggly. so our plan is to smashe old cracked tiles fireplace out, then inset a wood burning stove thingy in. we shall prob only use ti at weekends this year as haven't found anywehere yet to source wood from. but when we do i'd like to use it all the time in wonter and cut out using the ceatral heating.

jcr16

had i thought. i had made some sort of plans for winter as i plan to buy one of those fleecy things for the beds . was gonna get them just for children as they never keep the duvets on , but gonna get one for our bed as well.

seen them in morriosn for £4.99 for single and £6.99 for king thought that was a good price.

shelby161

jcr-they are lovely.We have them for all of our beds,really cosy.

gemmaj

I have never tried putting a duvet under the bottom sheet but I am tempted ... can I have an electric blanket as well? And if so would I put it on top of the duvet or underneath? Thanks!

jcr16

thanks for that shelby161 . i think i will buy them soon before it get's too cold. last when i wanted one when it was cold they only had doubles.
i might buy 1 a week when doing the food shopping then it won't seem like a huge chunck of money in one go.

i've got loads of blankets and duvets for kids beds and throws for our bed. i like layers on a bed so if get warm i can just throw it off.

i would really love and electric blanekt but hubbby won't even consider it.

Hapless_2

making plum jam and rhubarb and ginger jam this week, green tomato chutney if they don't ripen in a week or so.
Will probably make some whisky mincemeat to go with the brandy mincemeat.