I never knew what northern mommas (or at least more north than Florida mommas) go through to get their families ready for winter. Today we met the one neighbor that we had not yet met. He is our next door neighbor but our properties are divided by a nice thick line of trees and so we had not even seen his house from here yet. I was in the back, spray painting our old white board with chalkboard paint to use it our schoolroom when I heard a chainsaw in the woods behind our house. Curious and worried that there might be a stranger back there helping himself to our trees, I took a little hike with the boys to investigate. We found out that our land does not go straight back from our house and that it in fact goes back in somewhat of an angle. Our very sweet neighbor took us for a walk around back there to show us lots of cool things including our boundary lines though we told him they meant nothing to us and that he was welcome to walk on any of our paths. He mentioned that we would be expecting the first real snow tomorrow or the day after which then reminded me that there were two baskets full of woolens that still needed to be laundered. I already got the other two hand washed, dried and put away but had not had the time to get to the last of our thrifty purchases.
It took about a week of going out but I managed to get everyone outfitted for the coming cold days and somehow we were able to get everything that will be worn against their skin in natural fibers. It may seem like a small thing but we try to keep everyone in natural fibers. It is important to me that my babes wear breathable fabrics and because wool naturally takes perspiration and water and repels it from the body, for cold weather silk and wool really can’t be beat. Even if we don’t live as North as some, we will be dealing with a winter unlike any we have been used to and the idea that my little loves will be out there playing and as comfortable as I can make them makes my momma’s heart happy.
I lucked out and got my hands on two silk/wool garments which I will use as fabric to make undergarments for Matthew and Olivia. The older kids can handle many layers but for the smaller ones I will have to most likely battle them so warm undergarments are the order of the day. As for the rest of the sweaters and garments, they are all heavy cotton flannel, silky bamboo cotton blends, merino wool, cashmere and angora. So much yumminess to be had out there and the prices can’t be beat 😉
Once we did our final shopping run, we pulled out all of our purchases and took a survey. There was much more than pictured here as many of the items were already washed and put away but I promised to share so here ya go. That night, completely exhausted by a day of errands, the little boys and I ground some cornmeal and made some delicious cornmeal pancakes with local maple syrup which was gifted to us. With full bellies we lit the woodstove and all sat back knowing that we are now ready for winter, come what may.
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Winter clothes and pancakes are looks sound wonderful and as far as i can see from above pictures it seems to me really well. Thanks 🙂
Layering is key! Even for little I've found that a long sleeved shirt + button down or sweater, heavy weight pants and good socks do wonders inside.
I just found your blog, and I am delighted. As a mom to 10 kids, it's always fun when I come across other large, homeschooling families. We live in New England, and the weather has been a bit nippy here too. I pulled out the woolens the other day, along with the boots and winter coats. Having gone through the inventory, I found a will need to do a bit thrift shopping myself.
I agree, wool and silk combined make wonderfully warm underlayers.
Welcome Emily!!! Stay warm.
I can’t help but wonder why you think silk is warm in the winter??? Having lived through many Virginia winters and blizzards, and ice storms and power outages, I can tell you that silk is not very warm, and, actually will hold the coolness. It really is more of a summer fabric.
Brandi, Do a little Googling and you might be surprised. Natural fibers breathe and assist your skin in regulating your body temperature, they further thermal transpiration in both directions. Nothing beats natural fibres for comfort or performance. Wool is wonderfully warming, absorbant, and breathable. Silk is like a second skin, is calming, takes on the body's own temperature, and is light weight. When you combine them, they make the best underlayers for winter. Here is my favorite: http://www.floweringchild.com/philosophy.html. If I has the extra money I would buy some for all of my children but with all of the expenses from the move, I will make them this year and save up for next year 🙂
Sounds like your ready! One thing we do to keep the clutter a little less is that we mostly make do with rain boots and wool socks and plastic bags. Sounds a little red neck, but we have an old farm house with very little space, so anything I can do helps. The rain boots can be worn all year round and for snow play they put on wool socks, maybe double, then grocery bags over that and then down into the boots. No one ever sees the bags but us. 🙂
Nice tip!!!