No, I'm not skipping seasons here, but with the hint of fall soon approaching, I am thinking ahead to winter some. Right on the heels of the pantry post, I'm making mental lists of items that need to be restocked before the fall baking begins, not to mention the crazy Christmas baking we all do! It's time to watch those sale ads closely and stock up on staples that can be kept in the freezer like flours, oats, and most powered supplies. Coffee has gone up almost a dollar for the brand/kind we use so I'm trying the cheaper stuff and am very satisfied with Cains coffee, we usually drink Folgers Half Caff, easy on my tummy but so far Cains is a happy substitute! Sugar is high also, and thank goodness I don't use a whole lot of it but I still cringe when I have to buy it. No fake stuff for me, I don't trust it and will take my chances with the real, right from the cane sweetness!
Heating bills are a major concern, with winter being the longest season here, it's always a worry. If you burn wood, and I envy you if you go, start cutting it now and every chance you get so you keep a steady supply of green and seasoned wood. I sure do miss having wood heat, and one day, I will figure out a way to have it! lol We heat with propane, and I'm afraid to see what the price is now, it will only go up!
Being prepared starts now, so make those lists of supplies that you will need to get through the up coming months and with each grocery shopping trip, pick something up for the pantry that can be crossed off these lists, stock up on paper products whenever on sale, canned goods too. Remember that ice storm that came out of no where last winter, use that thought to inspire you to start thinking ahead now! Make room in the pantry and pass me some popcorn, can't forget the popcorn!
I told my husband I would love to build a house with a cellar to keep canned goods in. It could also double as a storm shelter. Right now I barely have enough cbinet and freezer space for the essentials. My kitchen is way too small!
ReplyDeleteWe had an "insulated blanket" put on our roof before we had the new steel put on this year. We have stuffed other insulation & caulked just about everything we can. We are in the process of putting on 2 new storm doors & with the new furnace & replacement windows last year we have done just about all we can.
ReplyDeleteFuel oil & propane prices are a sin..... We shell out nearly $3000 a year for heat. The only thing left to do is move the house to a southern location....LOL!! (Hey... Ya' Gotta' Laugh!!)
Marilyn
I adore your blog,, i found it from Farmhouse. I live in Ca we have very mild, no snow winters but I do feel for those of you who have long cold winters. THanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood post Sue and great timing. It's never too late to start thinking about winter. We are working on wood right now and I have been canning and squirreling things away for the pantry.
ReplyDeleteMissy,
We live in a small home and I store alot of my canned goods under the beds :) Whatever works!
If anyone can afford it, an on-demand water heater will help you save money. We have propane and switched to an on-demand water heater. Our propane costs are WAY down, really the unit paid for itself in about a year.
Thanks Sue and have a great evening!
Sharon
Great advice! It is definitely the time to be preparing for winter, even as far away as it may seem.
ReplyDeleteLots of good ideas Sue. It will be 105 today. I want your fall weather!! We are installing an on demand whole house water heater too. They save a tremendous amount of propane and electric. When we lived in Germany 30 plus years ago there was an electric water heater over the kitchen sink. Water heats fast and no wasted fuel. We have access to free fire wood now, cutting it on family property. Lots of caulking to do before it gets cold. Great post.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Your post just gave me a chill, Sue! Brought back memories of living in DC through the blistering cold winters. Fortunately we live in FL where it's summer (translate=sweaty) nearly every day of the year. Instead of planning for cold, we're bracing for hurricane Eileen ~ she's supposed to hit us this weekend. Yikes!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
Wonderful thoughts....I prefer being prepared. We replaced windows and door this summer, so I am anticipating a much cheaper heating bill...Just this past winter, I made the comment to my husband that we needed to purchase several canned food items that I knew would be going up....Sure enough....they are!
ReplyDeleteHave a good day and thanks for the good post
shug
Like the winter picture! We have been getting ready for winter around here. Made a list of things needed for the pantry and have started to stock up. Also canning and freezing from the garden. We are also switching from LP to natural gas, when doing the figures gas is a lot cheaper here than LP. Miss heating with wood.
ReplyDeleteMy home has forced air heating that uses propane, but I also have a woodstove in the main part of my house. I don't use the heater much. I primarily heat my home with the woodstove in winter. They are pretty easy to install and not all that expensive.
ReplyDeleteIt's still summer and 90 degrees here, but I did just order 5 pounds of organic popcorn from our local food co-op yesterday. Thinking ahead to Fall and Winter snacking.
Great tips! Thank you so much for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your website,, i discovered it from Farmhouse. I stay in Ca we have very slight, no ideal winter months but I do experience for those of you who have lengthy freezing winter months. Thanks for giving.
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