Where’s Your Warm Place?

 Back inside now.

Time to consider where it's warmest and comfiest as the weather begins to change. Here's just two ideas about warm places..

Month 10 - Bite 12

Where's your warm place indoors?

For me it's either got to be the bedroom or the garden room. As I can't spend all day in bed to keep warm (!) I'll have to settle on the garden room. Even in the depths of winter all the glass means that any sunshine warms the room and makes it a light and pleasant place to be. As it's also got one of the best views in the place it's got to be my favourite.

It's become one of our most used rooms because it's so comfortable. It does mean that we can be a bit choosy about heating. I'm not saying we turn all the heating off everywhere else, but there is some sense in heating a particular space at certain times of the day while keeping the other rooms cooler and saving on energy costs. Thankfully all the radiators have their own thermostatic regulators so they don't need to be on much more than a frost setting unless there's a reason - going to bed or having a shower tend to prompt them being turned up.

The next job on the list for me is to begin to check what these radiators are turned to each day in order to make the most of the heating we are using.

Month 10 - Bite 13

Now where's your warm place outdoors (well out of the house anyway)?

One of my favourites used to be our local bookshop with its lovely upstairs cafe. Sadly, it's about to close so the hunt is on for another place. Fortunately, there's plenty of coffee shops round here - one of the bonuses of a seaside town needing to provide for holidaymakers!

I know it costs cash to sit and drink (usually chocolate in my case) in a cafe, but often when I'm planning or trying to write something I find moving location away from home and the temptation to 'just' put some washing on or make a phone call or clean the bathroom calls to my best procrastination instincts. Some time in a different 'office space' with hot drinks at the ready seems to solve the work block and I can get on - and the energy costs are all included with my hot chocolate.

The other warm place for me is the library. It's got the added advantage of peace and quiet and books for research - never something to be sniffed at...

So, where's your warm place?

Clean and Tidy

Now onto a few tasks I find boring, but quite pleased when they are done! It's a bit more maintenance and tidying which doesn't sound like it's greatly financially rewarding. However, with these jobs off the list it means that a whole host of bits and pieces are put to bed for the winter in a way that means they won't need replacing next year - and that can only be a real life saving!

Month 10 - Bite 8

Driving home yesterday and noticing that one of the running light bulbs is out reminded me that a proper winter check is due. Not the drive-it-into-a-main-agent just to hear a whole load of expensive 'you-ought-tos'. A simple checking over at home so... I need to test all the lights (including the fog lights that I so rarely use) and pop out to replace any that are needed. A search for the ice cover, scraper, screen wash and so on are on the list so they are ready and waiting when the time comes. Then an oil check and washer bottle top up and I should be good to go.

Month 10 - Bite 9

 

The garage is today's port of call. 

Since we've now finished the decorating all those tools and materials can be safely cleaned up and stashed away. I know there's a growing pile of paint cans, but I've got a plan for those in next month's round up so it's just a matter of storing them away along with a collection of sheets, towels and tennis balls. Sounds an odd selection but bear with me on this one.

The garden chairs, ladders, outside table and lawn mower can be cleaned and put in their hibernation locations - although I know the mower will be called into action again before the final winter slowdown in growth.

Month 10 - Bite 10

Now onto the shed while I'm in an outside tidying mood!

There's still a number of gardening tasks to be done, but I'm getting started on checking and cleaning the tools and equipment, sorting out the bamboo canes, that kind of thing. As I mentioned earlier, keeping what we already have in good condition is always going to be cheaper than having to go out and buy new because it's rusted or blocked or whatever. I'm not talking about replacing worn out stuff, just making sure that what we've got lasts as long as possible in good condition.

By hanging much of our stuff on hooks it doesn't rest on the floor and has good airflow around each item to keep off the mould, damp and wet - it is a shed after all.

The secateurs, shears, etc. need attention today for sharpening and then we know they'll be ready for action in the spring.

Month 10 - Bite 11

Finally, in this section, it's the cuttings. The plants we saved last year meant that we didn't have to spend out to fill all our pots. They are far too large to save this year by bringing them inside - the shed isn't that big! So, as I've mentioned previously, cuttings have been struck and planted. 

They are thriving well and growing strongly at the moment. Of course, they'll need protection as the weather gets colder and darker, so today's mission is to track down and organise the insulating materials used before. This comprises of wood or small crates to layer bubble wrap on to cover the cuttings without touching the leaves - and the bubble wrap itself of course. With that to hand the plants have a fighting chance of gracing the garden next year.

Warming up

So as the night's are drawing in and the bills are going up it's time to look at preserving the heat we've got!

Here's my next few attempts at doing just that...

Month 10 - Bite 3

Having got used to lowering blinds and drawing curtains in the daytime during the hot weather to keep the sun out and the rooms cool, now we'll be doing the same at the other end of the day! By using the sunlight during the daylight hours to heat our home, from now on the blinds and curtains need to be closed as the temperature drops in the evening to keep the warmth in.

Month 10 - Bite 4

We love the flexibility of the internet controlled thermostat and heating system that's been in for a year now, but have got used to switching the heating off when we're out to come into a cosy home. That's not going to happen this winter. As long as the property doesn't get too cold the heating won't get fired until we're in. The inconvenience of keeping outer layers on until we switch the thermostat up and the house warms to a reasonable temperature in minor compared to the savings it'll represent. So from today that's it, no driving back home and turning it all on half an hour from home.

Month 10 - Bite 5

Back to the wardrobe and drawers for me today. It's time to sort out my jumpers and cardigans. I've got some 'nice' ones I wear out and about and some 'comfy' items that are only for indoors. One or two I've spun from pure wool fleece are really warm and I rarely wear them. Why? Because it's always been so easy to turn on the heating and wander around in a t-shirt! This is a habit that's got to go too. Once I've got the woollies sorted today then it's out with the light gear, on with the cosy stuff and no to too much heating.

Month 10 - Bite 6

It takes a lot more energy to heat a room than it does a person so the task in hand to tackle next is the search for our warm-you-up items. Somewhere around this place we've got hot water bottles and oat filled cushions or pads that take little to heat up and keep warm for ages. Once I've tracked them down and double checked they have no leaks (!) they can be employed in the evenings to stave off putting the heating on.

Month 10 - Bite 7

While on the search I need to explore what's in the ottoman in the bedroom. It's a treasure trove of goodies that don't really have a place anywhere else. I'm sure there are some really warm blankets nestling in there so it's time they came out and went on the beds and in the lounge for snuggling into during the colder evenings.

I may even start making some from my wool stash rather like those I made a while ago....

Phew - with all that searching around I'll get quite a bit of heat up from the exercise too.....

So another month arrives!

 

Okay so there's two elephants for the price of one...

Well, the nights are drawing in so now we need to keep chirpy and cheerful - and what better way to start than to involve a few others?!

Month 10 - Bite 1

First up some necessary maintenance...

It may not be snazzy, exciting or sexy, but today's task is to book a boiler service. Last year when our regular man came by, he fixed a huge hole in the boiler and so saved us the cost of a new one. Once it's been serviced it runs better, quieter and more efficiently. Just what we need to start the month off as the nights draw in and the weather changes.

Month 10 - Bite 2

Following on from our recent spate of decorating and the fact that we're beginning to switch the heating on the central heating system needs some TLC too. Decorating means radiators being disconnected, drained and lifted off the walls so now they are back they need some attention. 

Bleeding the radiators is the first task for today. Making sure that there's water in the pipes and radiators rather than air is a much more economical way to run them!! Then the system needs balancing, and we can check out that everything is working as it should be.

Finally, a check on the thermostat setting on each radiator means that we don't inadvertently turn the system on and find we're heating rooms that don't need it!

A sign of the changing season

 Month 9 - Bite 28

Just recently there's been the usual round of fairs, goose fairs and carnivals that proliferate locally at this time of year. Many have ancient roots and most are only just making a comeback after the great lockdown and its aftermath.

I had a lovely time with my spinning group demonstrating at a local fair near to where we meet and it was good to get back to showing all comers how we convert fluffy, tangled stuff into useful items with wheels, looms, needles and so on.

It did make me think about a lot of the odds and ends I've still got stored in the loft that need using up so today I'm starting to make a list of how I can turn some of them into Christmas presents to save them going to waste and me spending money when I don't need to.

There's also a number of crocheted squares up there I know that will come in useful for one of my ideas for next month, so I need to track them down.

Month 9 - Bite 29

While concentrating on not wasting, recycling and such it occurred to me while I was emptying the bin that I'm wasting far too much time, effort, paper and printing ink when using the computer. I don't need most of the things I print off and even then I should be using both sides of the paper. For instance, I changed credit cards and renewed some insurance lately. I was about to click on print when I noticed one of the documents ran to 17 pages. It's been emailed to me so I can keep a digital copy, I've saved it to my portable hard drive too and I can access it through the company's website - so why was I printing it? Pause over the button time. We're pretty good about using scrap paper for notes and lists, but there's a lot still wasted so today's the day to track down where I don't need a hard copy and start the habit of not printing anything unless it's really necessary.

Month 9 - Bite 30

Time now to look at that revised spending list started at the beginning of this month. It needs to be compared with the one made at the beginning of this process. A number of the items just don't seem to appear now - through the season in some cases, but largely through the slimming down of spending that became a habit until I didn't miss them. One item that seems to have crept back in is the occasional hot drink out. I'm allowing myself to keep that though as it's a particular treat rather than a regular routine and I do enjoy it a lot. I also tend to use the 'sit down with a drink' time to plan or think things through and it's been truly valuable, especially when deciding on what to do next, including a new project for next year!

And so onto Month 10!

Recycling and Reusing

 

Month 9 - Bite 24

Having shortened the curtains to save buying new ones there was some fabric left.

Today was about using the offcuts to make some storage without it costing anything.

Thanks to the internet there are plenty of videos showing how to create items and so the ends of the curtains are now a fabric box and a bag to use in the bedroom to keep a certain someone's toys together!

Month 9 - Bite 25

One of nature's big pluses is that it regularly provides the opportunity for reusing and recycline, thus saving even more cash.

The next task on my list is to tidy up the garden as many of the plants are reaching the end of their season. By gathering the debris into a heap it can easily turn into compost over the winter. The ever growing pile of leaves that have been falling on the lawn and under the shrubs is being collected in a corner ready for its transformation into leaf mould - a great mulch for next year.

So, with very little effort the garden is crating its own produce from its cast-offs! 

Month 9 - Bite 26

Although the mint here will happily grow on throughout the winter there are other herbs that need a bit more care if we are to continue to make the most of their free bounty.

These - the basil especially - are about to be transferred in smaller pots onto a light windowsill where they can continue to grow on and provide ingredients at a fraction of the cost of buying them in the shops. The basil is a particular favourite as it helps to create very cheap pesto extremely quickly...

Month 9 - Bite 27

Some of the plastics haven't made it as far as the recycling bin.

The containers with holes are for planting seeds to grow on in the kitchen (think rocket or small sprouting greens). Those without holes are for trays to capture the water underneath the planted ones. Then some are put to use to cover the seeds and seedlings as min propagator/greenhouses.

Much better using these free materials rather than buying seed and drip trays - and when they're finished with they can be cleaned up and put in the weekly recycling collection too.

A Change of Scenery

 One of the reasons I’ve got a bit behind with posting is because we’re decorating! Not my most favourite of activities, but needs must...

Month 9 - Bite 22

We really need to do some decorating - fading paintwork, repairs to the wallpaper from moving sockets, all that sort of thing so it's an expense that can't be avoided.

However, wholesale decorating isn't the only way of changing things up and refreshing! 

At my niece's place they've been moving the furniture around. It's made me think about how a couple of our rooms are arranged and so that's the next step for me.

By moving some of the furniture we can change the look and feel of the rooms without actually spending a lot of time and money so that's the next job on the list.

While we're at it I've got some throws, rugs and cushion covers in the loft so I'm off up there to see if they'll complete the transformation. If not, buying some new ones won't break the bank and will be a lot cheaper and time saving than a wholesale redecorate!

Month 9 - Bite 23

While they were moving things in the children's bedroom my niece found that the curtains that she'd used from her previous house were too long for what she wanted. The curtains are still in good condition and look just right. They were just too long. So, out with the sewing machine and that's a new pair of curtains without spending any cash!