Meet Miss Clara, Recessionista Extraordinaire

My mom and I got the biggest kick out of Miss Clara and her wise advise for cooking and living on a budget--so timely for us right now, as it was for her back in the Great Depression. My grandparents lived through the Depression, but unfortunately, we did not capture all that wisdom before they were gone. I think Miss Clara's family has done a wonderful thing helping her put together her website, blog and videos. We should all make more of an effort to record and archive the wisdom of our elders for future generations to enjoy. My mom just completed "Grandmother Remembers" books for my two boys, both in their twenties, and they loved them. I have no doubt that, as they get older and perhaps have families of their own, these books will grow in sentimental value. 

Fire Defensibility

I'm learning things today that I have never had to think about before. The wind has been AWFUL here in Richmond (as have my allergies) and we've had some grass fires around Austin in the news lately.    The Firewise movement started as an effort to help homeowners protect their lives and property in the event of a wildfire. Even here in Texas, given the drought in some areas of the state and the high winds we sometimes experience, Firewise principles could save homes and lives. 

The house we are moving to in New Mexico is in an area that is rated very dangerous for wildfires. As I was looking for information on gardening in New Mexico, I began to learn that landscaping can save your house, and your butt, in areas that are subject to wildfires. The New Mexico State Forestry Division has a web page devoted to strategies for making your house more defensible in the event of a fire and provides lists of plants that are fire resistant. One of the first things we will have to do is establish a Zone 1 around our house. It has been empty for several years and the brush and dry grass have accumulated way to close to the house. We are on a hill, and fire loves to run uphill, so it will be particularly critical on the downhill side of the house. One more thing on my to-do list.

Having Thrifty Fun

I found a new website that looks promising. It has ideas and forums for sharing ways to live more economically. Thrifty Fun includes forums for coupon exchange, seed exchange, and sharing tips. I clicked through it and found several good ideas like this one for re-using/recycling glass jars.