getting ready for winter

[anna021]

does anyone else start now getting ready for winter? By the end of august I like to have my fuel burner cleaned, tank filled with fuel,(although it won't be put used till at least November,hopefully) 20-25 bags of wood pellets, (we use these to take the chill out of the house before the burner is used and around the holidays) Now is also when I start stocking my pantry with flour, sugar, coffee, etc. when I see it on sale, we're also putting in the last of the new windows in our home this year. Took us 2 years to do 12 windows, but their brought and paid for yippee!

[baxjul]

I used to when I lived in PA. We used to burn wood, and would stock up all summer. Don't have to do that now, we hardly ever use any heat at all.

[mommy4ever]

We are, we primarily heat with wood. We collect all year round. Just recently some one tore down a garage and offered the wood. We took the joist, all hardwood! So we have about 1/2 winter supply from that, we are also working at regular wood too. The neighbor sometimes has cut offs for us from the construction sites.

I'm working at stocking up on baking stuff, warm blankets(old ones need replacing) and Christmas Gifts.

[Scattymum]

we have oil heating but in the winter we use the coal fire so i am starting to stockpile coal, briquettes, turf and wood to burn on that

[jinx]

This year I really want to prepare for winter better, since money is going to be tight. I need to change the filter in the furnace. We have a fireplace, but so far we havent used it much for heat, we will be doing it this year. We have some wood, but not enough. A friend of mine knows where to get cord wood on the cheap. So I have to call her. I will be hitting the farmers markets/stand to buy the seasonal veggies to freeze for use during the winter. The biggest thing is finding drapes for my windows. I have a small house and the way it sits on the lot you cant see in the windows from the street. The house also abutes woods on 2 sides and I love to look out at the yard and the changing seasons. So I never put drapes, shades or curtains on the windows. They can be drafty so this year there will be drapes to hold in the heat. Every penny counts this year.

[banana]

I live in PA. I llike to have my oil furance cleaned by Sept. I prepaid for 350 gallons of oil this year so that should last us I hope till at least Jan.

[Odilia]

We prepare for winter all summer long, too. We live out in the "boonies" and need to have alternate heating and cooking preps and a well-stocked larder. This really paid off for us this past winter when the ice storm knocked out grid power for almost 2 weeks. Our baby was just a couple weeks old, but we did fine thanks to wood and kerosene heat and cooking options and oil and kerosene lanterns, candles, and plenty of flashlights.

Even when we don't have power issues, there are long stretches of the winter when it's much preferable to stay home rather than drag 5 young children out on the roads. I make sure we could go all winter without the grocer's if needed.

We have to prepare for our livestock, too, so we put up hay, oats, and corn, as well as pet food, sweet feed (a treat for the milk cow while I milk), etc...

Congratulations on getting all those windows replaced! We've lived here 5 years, and we have just 1 window left to replace before winter.

[Mom23boys]

We don't really prepare for winter except putting plastic over the windows to keep the cold air out. We usually don't do that though until Nov. or Dec.

[momof2inpa]

I am! We are searching for a new propane provider before the fall sets in (I better get going on that again- darn that saving money for a big purchase!), I have to get plastic for the windows. I just cleaned my heavier curtains to put up- probably at the end of Spetember, I started pulling out the fall/winter clothes.

I also have a great start on Christmas- does that count?!

[sdrjeolsen]

I like to stock up and prepare before winter too. I've been feeling that urge lately. I've been collecting firewood all summer, stocking up the pantry, ect. Ijust like the feeling it creates knowing I'm prepared for a long stay home if the weather stinks.

[jlaporte]

yup. i have started my stockpiles now.making sure we have coats and all the must haves for winter.get my baking lists together. i liove the winter. i love being able to bundle up iside and look outside from my safe little home. getting all the routines back.

[jinx]

Oh I forgot to mention to go through everyones winter clothes to see what needs to be replaced, fixed, and mended. Also find all the hats, scarf, gloves that I put away last year and now cant remember where I put them.
My mil/fil gave us a snowblower last year when they sold their house. I want dh to make sure it is in working order before the snow flies.

[freyadog]

Oh yea. Id rather think about the winter than the heat that we are in. Stock piling wood for the wood stove. Lots of extra baking stuffs for those homey smells of breads in the oven. Vegetables for the soups and stews. And getting ready to get a 1/2 a grass-fed beef. I am so tired of this heat that I welcome the lists of things to do to prepare for the winter.

[Grayce]

I went through my son's winter clothes and took out everything that doesn't fit. I have bought him some pants for this winter (on sale). I have also bought 2 Christmas presents. later in the fall I bring in my patio furniture and reinforce the caulking/weatherstripping in the house.

[Mamaw]

Yes it is getting to that time of the year. I need to paint the windowsills in the house and stain the deck again. Then it is time to put plastic on the windows, the heater in the pond, cover the porch furniture, plant the fall bulbs in the garden and stock up the pantry. Oh....and I really need to get another wick for the oil lamp and batteries for the flashlights