Preparing for Winter V

nicki_2 · 19 July 2019 at 3:21PM

I've just ordered some C0mmand hooks so I can put a material blind on my kitchen door window, and I'm going to be looking at putting a net/new blind up at the window as well as our 'new' neighbours have a kids trampoline (which based on the past 2 weeks they'll be out playing on in hail rain sleet or snow) so although we didn't have total privacy we have even less now and I hate being watched while trying to wash up etc.

Talking material, I'm doing lots of sewing projects atm. Primarily I'm making blankets/American style quilts to go on the beds for that horrible "too cold without, but too hot with a quilt" stage out of old clothing

But I'm also going to be lining DS's new curtains as you can see through them atm, switching my curtains out to his old ones (just got to sew some new curtain tape on - it had vintage single row stuff which meant I lost about 3" of material to a frill thing. Not my taste at all), turn some black netting I got on clearance (and in a sale :money:) into a net for his bedroom so he can have more privacy, and all the off cuts I'm producing which are too small to use in a scrap quilt is being kept and will be turned into draught excluder's, and stuffing for door stops etc. I'm also going to look into making a rag rug or two for the kitchen to stand on while washing up and cooking. To buy a washable one to fit would be about £36 (kitchen is so small, two separate door mat style ones would look stupid) so I'm going to have a go making one :rotfl:

Landlady is still trying to find someone to do our bathroom. :mad: I need to chase the latest builder who came out to give a quote, and I also need to chase the man who is supposed to be fitting our new front door :mad: Both blokes have said (to me at least) they can't understand the landlady when she speaks (she's Chinese) so she's started giving me the numbers to chase them up. Not fun when my anxiety means that some days I just can't use the phone.

Frith · 20 July 2019 at 12:16AM

Work on the “new” wood burning stove continues. I’m buying the parts (chimney, register plate etc) as and when I can afford them.

The new stove was a replacement Morso squirrel as the old one had cracked down the back after 30+ years. The new one was £180 off EBay.

[Deleted User] · 20 July 2019 at 5:34PM

We've the sweep coming on Friday next to sweep our chimney from the new wood burner for the first time, this is when we see if we're running it properly! We're gradually bringing up the tail end of last years wood from the bin downstairs to the bigger bin upstairs which will then be full and we'll order in at least one load of logs to sit and dry for the next burning season.

The charity shop I volunteer in is having a stock sort and putting out winter weight coats and woollies for very small prices as they've been taking up room we desperately need on the rails in the stock room for too long so I'm going to keep an eye open for a long heavy coat and some good heavy over jumpers , big baggy ones to be the top layer in the really cold weather and keep me warm enough to possibly run the stove later in the day than we currently have been. We only run the central heating to heat the water anyway so I'm used to a cooler house but an extra layer to snuggle in will be very nice and help lots.

silverwhistle · 20 July 2019 at 7:01PM

Thanks for reminding me of getting the sweep in. In 4 visits he's only had to sweep once, and that was more a precaution as I burn dry and never slumber. Probably a good idea if I have another precautionary sweep this year even if it looks good.

Down the bottom of the garden I must have about 3 year's supply: a store full of splits ready for this winter, a covered stack which needs splitting next spring and a head high pile in a corner. I thought there was no space but someone offered two carloads of ash..

I just need to get a few pallets in to start my kindling store going. Last year I only used about 1000kWh of gas so it's nice to have such small bills, and all the wood is scrounged. Whilst the weather is nice I'll also sit in the sun and sharpen my chains for the saw.

Pooky · 21 July 2019 at 6:25AM

To those of you with log burners, how have you had your fire opening finished? I'm not keen on the painted plaster finish (does it get mucky behind the stove and need repainting often?) not sure if tiles are worth the investment (although easy to wipe down), I like the look of a brick finish but know that might not be possible (unless we go for slips, anyone tried them?) and what about the hearth, what's easiest to clean? I'd appreciate some suggestions.

greenbee · 21 July 2019 at 9:04AM

I have lime render around my burner, in an off-white colour. It's fine - the odd dirty mark doesn't show, and it's pretty close to the paint colour of the rest of the room.

My last hearth was slate, which marked badly. This one is marble (old wash stand top!) and also marks, but it was free and I like the colour. Terracotta tiles worked well, and my brother has limestone which is good once sealed. Round here it's difficult to get anything other than black slate or black granite as those seem to be the current fashion.

I have friends who have patterned ceramic tiles in the opening which look very dramatic, but it all depends on your decorating style.

Frith · 21 July 2019 at 12:22PM

Pooky - I have an old cottage so it’s just a bare brick finish. It’s a long but not very deep inglenook.

Frith · 21 July 2019 at 12:23PM

Should have said the red quarry tile floor in the living room just carries on under the stove.

maryb · 21 July 2019 at 2:22PM

Painted white alcove and black granite hearth. We don't put logs beside the stove so the walls stay clean. The hearth is smooth and easy to sweep and I just wipe it over with a damp cloth before dipping the cloth in the ash to clean the stove glass

maryb · 21 July 2019 at 2:27PM

It seems odd to talk about preparing for winter when we are about to have a heatwave. I bought a wool duvet last year and I just adore it. It seems to be self regulating as regards temperature and we kept the winter weight one on the bed quite happily. But I think it will be just a bit too hot in a heatwave so I might splurge on a lightweight one. They will see me out so I see it as an investment purchase. Then I can hang the winter one out to air in the sunshine

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Preparing for Winter V

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