A warm hello to all of you!
Y’all may have already heard about the Ground Hog, a few days back, he saw his shadow and “they” say that means six more weeks of winter……????
At any rate we could still have some more really cold days here before spring!
We have had a very cold winter here so far, lower temps than usual for this time of year and for our area! We are so grateful for our wonderful wood cookstove and our seasoned dry wood, which gives us a very warm home, lots of hot teas and warm meals hot water and more!
It's a wonderful time of the year to get many projects done that get put on the back burner in the spring and summer.
Durning the past few weeks we were able to make lip balms, enough for ourselves and a few for gifts. Lip balms are so nice this time of year when our lips are chapped from the wind and cold, we love making our own because it’s very thrifty and we only use pure ingredients so it’s also healthier!
Since the beeswax is out we are now in the middle of making candles! So far we've made a few poured candles using recycled jars and those cute little 4oz. jelly jars.
Next we’ll make our beeswax tapers, this time 5 inch, instead of the 7 inch tapered candles we made on our Homestead Blessings The Art of Candle Making DVD- if you all need a good winter project you can check out our instructional candle making video here.
Y’all may have already heard about the Ground Hog, a few days back, he saw his shadow and “they” say that means six more weeks of winter……????
At any rate we could still have some more really cold days here before spring!
We have had a very cold winter here so far, lower temps than usual for this time of year and for our area! We are so grateful for our wonderful wood cookstove and our seasoned dry wood, which gives us a very warm home, lots of hot teas and warm meals hot water and more!
It's a wonderful time of the year to get many projects done that get put on the back burner in the spring and summer.
Durning the past few weeks we were able to make lip balms, enough for ourselves and a few for gifts. Lip balms are so nice this time of year when our lips are chapped from the wind and cold, we love making our own because it’s very thrifty and we only use pure ingredients so it’s also healthier!
Since the beeswax is out we are now in the middle of making candles! So far we've made a few poured candles using recycled jars and those cute little 4oz. jelly jars.
Next we’ll make our beeswax tapers, this time 5 inch, instead of the 7 inch tapered candles we made on our Homestead Blessings The Art of Candle Making DVD- if you all need a good winter project you can check out our instructional candle making video here.
So while the winter months are lingering, we thought we’d share these tips on what we do to stay warm during our outside chores, and ways to keep cozy indoors!
Many of the ideas are very old fashion, (of course you may know by now we love a lot of old fashion things) but they still work great!
Hot Water Bottles…yep, good old fashion hot water bottles!
You can find these at a drug store or order on line. Fill them with hot water and you have hours of extra warmth where you need it. My girls have loved to put hot water bottles at their feet on real cold nights since they were little.
A few years back I sewed up a hot water bottle cover from a cast off wool vest, with the sweetest flowers embroidered on it, for Cecilia and it turned out so nice! Yesterday I made another one from the other side of the vest for Hannah, the covers are cozy, pretty and they let the warmth come through.
Many of the ideas are very old fashion, (of course you may know by now we love a lot of old fashion things) but they still work great!
Hot Water Bottles…yep, good old fashion hot water bottles!
You can find these at a drug store or order on line. Fill them with hot water and you have hours of extra warmth where you need it. My girls have loved to put hot water bottles at their feet on real cold nights since they were little.
A few years back I sewed up a hot water bottle cover from a cast off wool vest, with the sweetest flowers embroidered on it, for Cecilia and it turned out so nice! Yesterday I made another one from the other side of the vest for Hannah, the covers are cozy, pretty and they let the warmth come through.
Flannel Window Curtains:
Easy to make yourself-nice for drafty windows or rooms that can use a bit of extra barrier! They help keep the warm air in and cold air out. You can make them in the colors you wish, (I liked to use off white or tan to let light in).
Bubble Wrap:
I know this sounds so funny (and not a thing old fashion about it ) but we discovered this fast, efficient, simple and frugal way to cover drafty windows when we were in the RV between farms. You can apply the wrap by moistening the window with a little spray of water-and placing the bubble wrap against the window it sticks up very nicely, thus giving a wonderful block from the cold and being clear, it allows light to come in! We have plenty of bubble wrap on hand for shipping out our orders, but you can find bubble wrap at an office supply store, post office and or on line. I love bubble wrap! Hope to make soap and use it to line my mold- it will look like honey comb!
Flannel Sheets and Pillow cases:
They are soooo warm, once again you could make these or buy them, they are worth the price! They last for years!
Flannel Nightgowns (or flannel PJ’s for the boys)
Love my flannel night gown! Of corse you can buy these easy enough but you can also sew them up! It's so worth the effort!
Flannel Slips:
We have been making these and wearing them for years! They are so warm!
Long Johns, tights and legging, boot socks (we make these from sweater cuffs and sleeves!)
Coveralls:
My girls love these insulated overalls in cold weather for certain chores on the farm when it’s cold. You might be able to find these at a thrift store but they get grabbed up quick. When we got gift cards to Tractor Supply we used them to buy coverall on sale, definitely worth the money!
Wearing layers, layers, layers really help!
Wool sweaters (you can knit your self or find at the thrift store) a wonderful winter project.
Hats and scarves:
A scarf or layer on your head and or neck helps to keep in body heat! Keep something on your head when out doors ( the momma coming out in me!) I found a really warm, baby blue, scarf at little country store, I just love it and it is on my head (protecting my ears) once the cold winds begin to blow!
Wearing wool socks (wool keeps you warm even when it gets wet for some reason)
Warm gloves:
I’m not one to wear gloves, Jasmine on the other hand is crazy about them and has a whole collection, and is forever offering a pair of her warm gloves any time I walk out the door. The other morning I went to the barn to scoop out dog food from the galvanized tin can for our dog Fleck, and this particular morning it was freezing cold, I mean like 0 degrees or below! Wow, that tin can and metal scoop sure was cold! Gonna go for the gloves next time!
Indoor wood stove-or even better wood cook stove:
Wood heat is one of the warmest and money saving in the long run if you have a good wood source! And if you are splitting your own fire wood, it warms you twice! Well more than twice, cause of all the hauling and stacking too! HAHA!
Easy to make yourself-nice for drafty windows or rooms that can use a bit of extra barrier! They help keep the warm air in and cold air out. You can make them in the colors you wish, (I liked to use off white or tan to let light in).
Bubble Wrap:
I know this sounds so funny (and not a thing old fashion about it ) but we discovered this fast, efficient, simple and frugal way to cover drafty windows when we were in the RV between farms. You can apply the wrap by moistening the window with a little spray of water-and placing the bubble wrap against the window it sticks up very nicely, thus giving a wonderful block from the cold and being clear, it allows light to come in! We have plenty of bubble wrap on hand for shipping out our orders, but you can find bubble wrap at an office supply store, post office and or on line. I love bubble wrap! Hope to make soap and use it to line my mold- it will look like honey comb!
Flannel Sheets and Pillow cases:
They are soooo warm, once again you could make these or buy them, they are worth the price! They last for years!
Flannel Nightgowns (or flannel PJ’s for the boys)
Love my flannel night gown! Of corse you can buy these easy enough but you can also sew them up! It's so worth the effort!
Flannel Slips:
We have been making these and wearing them for years! They are so warm!
Long Johns, tights and legging, boot socks (we make these from sweater cuffs and sleeves!)
Coveralls:
My girls love these insulated overalls in cold weather for certain chores on the farm when it’s cold. You might be able to find these at a thrift store but they get grabbed up quick. When we got gift cards to Tractor Supply we used them to buy coverall on sale, definitely worth the money!
Wearing layers, layers, layers really help!
Wool sweaters (you can knit your self or find at the thrift store) a wonderful winter project.
Hats and scarves:
A scarf or layer on your head and or neck helps to keep in body heat! Keep something on your head when out doors ( the momma coming out in me!) I found a really warm, baby blue, scarf at little country store, I just love it and it is on my head (protecting my ears) once the cold winds begin to blow!
Wearing wool socks (wool keeps you warm even when it gets wet for some reason)
Warm gloves:
I’m not one to wear gloves, Jasmine on the other hand is crazy about them and has a whole collection, and is forever offering a pair of her warm gloves any time I walk out the door. The other morning I went to the barn to scoop out dog food from the galvanized tin can for our dog Fleck, and this particular morning it was freezing cold, I mean like 0 degrees or below! Wow, that tin can and metal scoop sure was cold! Gonna go for the gloves next time!
Indoor wood stove-or even better wood cook stove:
Wood heat is one of the warmest and money saving in the long run if you have a good wood source! And if you are splitting your own fire wood, it warms you twice! Well more than twice, cause of all the hauling and stacking too! HAHA!
Had to post this picture too! See the layers?
Warming foods and beverages:
Have plenty of warm soups, bone broth and hot teas and other foods like ginger, pepper, root vegetables, homemade breads etc.
And, I should include extra hay, straw, leaves or blankets for the animals and plants too!
( After you have completed these jobs you’ll be nice and warmed up.)
There are so many other simple things you can do to make a difference in keeping extra warm durning very cold days and nights. Y’all may know some of these ideas especially if you are more north than we are but these can be great tips and reminders for us southerners!
Have plenty of warm soups, bone broth and hot teas and other foods like ginger, pepper, root vegetables, homemade breads etc.
And, I should include extra hay, straw, leaves or blankets for the animals and plants too!
( After you have completed these jobs you’ll be nice and warmed up.)
There are so many other simple things you can do to make a difference in keeping extra warm durning very cold days and nights. Y’all may know some of these ideas especially if you are more north than we are but these can be great tips and reminders for us southerners!
Check out our Instagram if you haven’t already found us there for more Homestead inspiration!
Have a wonderful and very warm rest of the winter!
Many Blessings,
Vicki
Have a wonderful and very warm rest of the winter!
Many Blessings,
Vicki
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