How to Winterize Your Home and Family

It’s that time of year again, time to winterize your home and family!

Even before the turkey was on the table, my mind was thinking about all that needed to get done on this long holiday weekend.

Barns need cleaned, tractor tires needed repaired and on the list went in terms of outdoor chores.

As the chill begins to set in deeper each week, however, Mom needs to pull out and inventory all of what makes my family cozy on cold, winter days and nights.

Flannel sheets are one of the world’s best inventions, in my opinion.  It’s absolutely amazing how warm and toasty they keep you, while allowing you to turn that thermostat down a little further to save money.

If you don’t have enough flannel sheets to cover all of the beds in your home, don’t fret.  Keep your eyes out for sales.  I found most of mine when Target had a great sale a couple of years ago, $16 for any twin sized flannel.

I must admit that I absolutely dread the constant search and rescue of coats, hats and gloves.  Summer is so freeing, isn’t it?  Just dress the kids in a shirt, shorts, flip flops and you’re good to go.

Not so in the winter months.  Despite numerous attempts to organize hats and gloves with the correct coat and child, none have been foolproof.

All weekend, I drug out every single coat, glove and hat from the closet and conducted a ruthless inventory.  If I couldn’t find two gloves that matched, I threw the single one in the Goodwill bag.

There were several little hats that Epherem can no longer wear, into the Goodwill bag they went.  Once I had a good inventory taken, I could see who needed what.

I was able to wash everything and reassemble it in our “not real big” coat closet.  I stuffed hats and gloves down the inner sleeves of the coats, as this seems to work much better than when the kids put their hats and mittens in their coat pockets.

Once Christmas is here, all of the children (and husband) will have a new, custom-fit wool blend hat from me that matches their coats.  I’m pretty excited about that.

Learning the fabric arts, everything from sewing, crocheting and knitting, is so important in this self-sustaining life!  Have you ever thought about how you would keep your family warm if for some reason you couldn’t buy these items from the store?  Knowing how to make these vital winter basics is critical.

Winter is one of the best times to perfect these crafts and/or learn a new one.  Mine has been knitting and although I seem to have two left hands, I’m getting it done.  Below is my first knitted scarf….

I hope to continue to perfect my stitches, so that I can make more scarves, mittens and wrist warmers!

This weekend, I purchased a pattern and an on-line video class from Craftsy.com.   What  a great way to learn these skills in your own home, when looking at a book just isn’t enough.  Check them out!

The down coat that kept me comfortable in the suburbs and when going to the grocery and church seems to be all but worthless when out in the wind and cold working with the animals!

I made a promise to myself last year, as I thought I might freeze to death some mornings, that I would spend the money to get the proper outerwear for this winter.

Carhartt is a must, ladies.  I indulged in the plum jacket and overalls for myself and I’m not nearly as afraid of the cold now!

Boots are another “must have” when working outside all winter long!

I haven’t quite made up my mind as to which pair of boots I’ll invest in, but I’ll tell you this much…they will be warm and very sturdy!

It’s a very different world “out here” in the winter time.  It seems that if it snows an inch in town, it’s 4 inches out here, with blowing and drifting.

I’ll be more prepared than last year, that’s for sure!

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How do YOU prepare your family for winter?  Your home?

Are there brands that you love?

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