Prepping for winter 2023/24

[Diversion]

Despite the heat which I hate but will no doubt be moaning about the cold in winter I have just ordered a load of logs for winter. We have some wood left over from last year and lots of free pallets which we need to cut when it cools down (and is not raining). I also need to order a load of oil which we did not use so much of last year due to having the log burners and the cost but it is always cheaper in summer. Also stocking up on OTC meds, toiletries and household items each month and adding to the food stores a little. We are not rich by any means but hoping that our winter preps will help if the cost of living keeps rising or we have an unexpected expense. Had a clear out of the first aid kit too and will restock any gaps.

I will be stocking up a few extra tins and dry stuff but as I live in a small flat I do not have the storage capacity for too much stuff. I tend to stick to lower tech so will get an extra hot water bottle. I have two already but know they do perish over time so a £5 new one from a supermarket will be a smart investment. I have plenty of fleece blankets to snuggle under while watching TV. Not feeling as anxious as I was last year.

Just bought a knock off oodie, and the first load of logs is stacked.

We already have an air source heat pump and solar panels, so the heating isn't all that expensive over the year, so I have been overpaying this Summer to ensure I have enough in the kitty to have the heating on whenever I need it. Both DH and I have heart conditions that mean we don't cope well in the cold.

I'm planning on doing a proper clear out and inventory of the pantry this weekend.

I was about to buy wood for the stove this weekend - but instead I may leave that to DH as he uses it a lot less than me and I need to review my "prepping in an apartment" thread as a sudden change in a different job (but int he same place) means I am moving overseas at short notice so will need a whole different set of preps....

Dunelm have well priced portiere rods at the moment so I’ve bought one for the back door. I already have a thick interlined curtain we can use there.

need to make Roman blinds for the landing since the curtains there are thin and not lined.

oil needs ordering. I was hoping the price would reduce but it won’t now.

Seasoned wood needs bringing closer to the house.

I’ve also just cleared out the dcs clothes. The stuff that is no good for the charity shop will be used to stuff draught excluders at the weekend. They make a massive difference in our 1950s house.

Oil and and a good supply of wood and kindling sorted now. Renewed the gas bottle for the camping stove so now we have 2 in case of power cuts and have various other types of camping stoves as we are all electric here. We have warm sleeping bags and blankets and extra wool blankets if needed and a good supply of lanterns and torches and spare and rechargeable batteries plus a big and several small power banks. Mostly OK for first aid including OTC meds and vitamins but need to add a couple of bottles of cough stuff and lozenges. Had a good sort out of the food preps too so everything is finally tidied up and just need to add some more herbs and spices, flour and dried yeast. We tend not to use too much bottled water but always have some. We also have some which is quite out of date which would be used for washing, flushing toilets etc if that became an issue. Need to replenish the jerry cans of diesel as 2 are empty at the moment and stock up on de-icer for the vehicles.

I just ordered a door curtain from dunelm. They've a few designs starting from £17.50. Will pick it up tomorrow and get it hung in the porch. I've already got a spare wooden curtain pole, so not a bad price to keep the heat in the hall as the weather turns.

Great tip on the door curtains. Been meaning to get one for the main door. I’ve just written up a big list - already ordered oil but need wood, coal, kindling etc. also need to sort through and wash hats, coats, scarves. And must remember to bring the snow shovel closer to the house: it was stuck at the bottom of the garden in the shed when we had early snow, entirely unhelpful.

DH put up the portiere rod and back door curtain yesterday. It should make a big difference. I’m also going to put the draught excluders on hooks so they move back into place with the door.

DH also caulked around the downstairs windows.

Quite a nice day here yesterday so I got out all the cosy throws and washed and dried them on the line. Now nicely piled up in a basket and on the arms of sofas. There’s definitely a nip in the air once the sun goes down.

I've managed to get a couple of extra vests but unfortunately due to personal growth (of the wrong kind) and moths finding my older merino thermal legs, I need more of those. So on the hunt for large size thermal legs at the minute. And some gloves as I know I'll be facing more weather than usual (slightly different, colder, location and changing to walking rather than car to public transport commuting).

I also need to get logs for DH and DD staying at home. I remembered last night to add some of the multitude of throws to my packing.

But I can't make proper plans yet as I know I will have temp accom until I get a permanent rental (for 3 years) and hunting for the permanent one can't really happen until I land there in 6 weeks.

For me, I made a lot of the investments last year.

This year I’ve checked my heated throw is clean and works fine. Also dug out my heat holder socks, as i find them great.

i’ve got other throws and blankets.

I could do with a couple more sweaters, but will keep an eye on vinted.

ive realised that using the tumble dryer is worth it to me - for some things. so I will be strategic in how i wash - so tumble loads get washed together and non tumble (mostly my own clothes!) get washed on dry weather days to maximise line dry time.

i have a couple of those radiator airers and make use of them too.

without the energy payment i expect to feel the costs a lot more this winter.

Just bought new thermal curtain for behind the front door. Need to find all the plugs and leads for heated throws. DS room needs curtains but its a bay window right up to the ceiling and I cant figure out how to do it.

Brought in all the outdoor throws today and washed them ready to store for the winter (or use indoors if it gets very cold). Felt like the end of summer.

Also had a sort out of the hats and gloves. We have loads of singles and no pairs!

The weather forecast around here says it's going to be dipping near freezing this weekend. We are testing our heating today!

After being caught out by not being dressed appropriately yesterday, the big coat got an outing here in Fife this morning. A lovely cold autumnal day.

@Justmuddlingalong is it cold enough to launch The Big Coat already?! Goodness.

Yip, definitely. 🧣

Collected my big coat from the dry cleaners last week, not had an outing as yet. But I am in the South West, so I imagine Scotland is a fair bit colder already.

Defrosted the freezer in the summerhouse and stocked it up. Bought some stuff to seal the draughty windows. Must buy some de icer for car.

Time to put a set of spare coats in the car along with the blankets, I think.

I sealed all the draughty windows this week. That should improve things.

Do you put the coats and blankets in a bag or anything?
I know that might sound like a silly question but when I leave coats in the car they always feel cold if that makes sense

Refilled two of our three Jerry cans with diesel as I like to have some emergency supplies. Our local garage had several pumps out of action so glad we got it. Made sure that our big emergency power bank still has charge along with the smaller power banks and will continue to keep checking these and charging them as required. They would not run any household appliances but would mean that we could charge our phones and eCigs and run some basic lighting.

I always have winter kit in the car from end of October through to February because of where we live. Personally I don’t put them in anything. I have coats plus a sleeping bag and gloves, hats, socks and sensible boots (among other things)