Getting ready for winter…

We’ve had a little taste of cooler weather which has made me realize I need to quit pretending that summer is eternal. Despite my ongoing plans for decluttering my home, I do still think it is important to stock up on essential supplies for the winter. A few years ago we had a major ice storm which left us without electricity for a week. Part of that time we were unable to drive anywhere safely. I’ve never been one to allow my cupboards to get bare so we had plenty of food. But since that time I am more determined than ever to stay prepared for emergencies like that. Plus, if it is really yucky weather and I don’t want to go to the grocery store, it is really nice to know that I don’t have to.

Today while I am in town I plan to make a trip to Save-a-lot grocery store and stock up on a few things for the pantry. I normally prefer fresh veggies but still like to keep some canned ones on hand. They are quite handy for making vegetable soup. I also keep some Jiffy brand cornbread mixes on hand which along with a big bowl of soup will make a quick, easy and pretty tasty meal in a pinch.

Tomorrow I hope the weather will be nice and if it is I plan to clean out the chicken coop and get it all ready for winter. David needs to haul up another bale of hay for the horses and then I hope to convince him to clean out the fireplace and get it ready for the first fire of the season. We have plenty of firewood cut because we had to clear an area for a horse pasture early this summer. Now I just need to get the guys to haul up a load of it to the firewood holder thingy on the back patio.

We need to do a final mowing of some areas that started growing again with the recent rains, clean out flower beds and the garden area. Then David can winterize and put away all the mowers and other equipment.

I’m not at all fond of cold weather and dread winter but I must admit I sort of like this time of preparing for it. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction and security to know that my pantry is full, the outdoor work is basically done for a few months, and that we can look forward to cosy evenings by the fire. And fortunately we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to!