During This Eastern Europe Extreme Cold Spell

To my readers who live in Eastern Europe,  Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, Hungary, Ukraine, currently experiencing the unusually cold weather this week:
1. Dress in layers.
Bundle up. Wear long underwear, sweaters, and even hats indoors. Remember the days of "sleeping caps"? They make sense when so much heat escapes from the head.  To avoid getting overheated inside, wear layers. I recommend a "wicking" polyester (or silk) undershirt next to your skin versus cotton.

The homeless use newspaper and cardboard which can also be shredded, balled up and stuffed into clothing to help insulate during the winter. I don't wish to think that anyone is in such dire circumstances, just thought I would include this in case you know anyone who just may need such assistance.  I once was told by an elderly woman who came from Hunterdon County, New Jersey that her grandmother taped newspaper over walls that had cracks in them back in the early 20th Century. Newspaper has a great insulating quality.

2. Keep Your Feet Warm

I highly recommend "house slippers" indoors. I know that it sounds a bit old-fashioned, but having the rubber sole really makes a difference.  You can also wear warm wool hunting socks. 

For the outdoors, it really helps to insert foam liners in your boots or hiking shoes to give your toes an extra layer of insulation.

3. Heat Up Your Bed

If you have 2 liter bottles as in soda/pop bottles.  Fill the empty bottle with very hot water(make sure the lid is on tight) place a couple in your bed just before you get in .   By the time you're ready for bed it's all nice and toasty. Believe it or not the water bottle stays warm all night long.  You can also use beans in a sock, tie it shut and warm it in a microwave.  

4. Harness the Sun

During the day, open the blinds and curtains on the south-facing windows—and let the Sun warm you. At night, close the blinds and curtains to better insulate your home.

5. Keep the Kitchen Cozy

Keep the kitchen cozy! Bake something in the oven, either dinner, dessert,  bake some bread..  Also, I always have a crock pot of  chili, or a pot soup going during the cold months.

6. Block Drafts

Beyond weather-stripping, which is difficult with old houses:
Hang blankets to close off the open stair well going to the second floor, since heat raises it keeps the warm air down stairs during non sleeping hours.
Don't forget to put something at the bottom of outside doors  when you can just feel the cold air pour in. You can buy a fancy roll or just use a blanket or towel.  Just like layers of clothing,  put layers at the windows. Between the window and the thermal-backed drapes place closed venetian blinds and a flannel-backed table cloth.  You can  hang a blanket over the entire exterior door because air doesn't just come in at the bottom. 

7. Stay Active

The Farmer's Almanac jokes that "one log can heat a house." Just run up the stairs with the log, throw it out the top window, and repeat three times. You'll be warm!
Keep active, this is a good time to clean out closets, garages, etc. Anything to keep active.



My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Please try and stay warm, and if you can,  stay in,  and off of the roads...stay safe!