I've Moved.

Blue Hydrangea started as a personal blog and the name has a very special sentimental value to me.
I've moved my blog in order to be more in line with my desire to live a more sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle.
Please feel free to visit me here anytime. I'm not sure how often I will blog here, but when I do, it will be more about Bri and family stuff.
So come on over and join me at Frugal. Sustainable. Home.  It's a work in progress, but I'm looking forward to sharing what I learn (and the things I mess up) along the way. I'm a total novice, but I have big ideas and hope you are willing to take the journey with me. See you there! :)

Ramblings and Longings

For the last few years, I've felt a longing. A deep, unrelenting pull, a desire to live a more self-reliant lifestyle. I've pushed it down, covered it up, and denied its existence. I have to wonder if this is the feeling the squirrel feels as it stores its food for the winter or what the bear experiences as it prepares for a long winter's nap. I think humans have long stifled our natural inclinations to listen to nature and what it tells us to do. Heck, we even alter the time to meet our needs. We have homes that are always the same temperature, our vehicles take us most anywhere we want to go, and the same foods are available year-round in the grocery store. Nothing wrong with this, really, but we are determined that nature is under our control. We want to take what we want from the Earth, alter it to meet our wants, pollute it with the plastic-y and non-biodegradable crap we create, and expect it to behave just like we want it to. 

 

I find it frustrating when I hear politicians talk about how we aren't creating as many consumer goods and that is why our economy is stagnant. Or how it is such a shame that, because of money, that yet another mall could not be built. It seems so contrary to those who beat their chests about climate change and how we are destroying the planet by drilling for oil. But they are reporting this, with their belittling attitudes, from Times Square, which is full of man-made, totally unnecessary, certainly un-recyclable, energy hogging crap. How can you decry the destruction of our planet and then suggest consumers need to buy more? 

 

I know we need a healthy economy, we need jobs, we need stuff, and goodness knows how much plastic goes into keeping my daughter alive. But isn't there a point where it is just too much? When we need to stop buying so much and use what we already have? When the Earth will refuse to give us anymore if we just continue to abuse it? When we lose control of what we have created in the name of progress and find that it now controls us?

For me, I need to find a place where I can do more for myself and for my family. Where if I want pickles, I go to the pantry to choose from those I grew and canned. And if I want eggs, I go outside to the coop. Don't get me wrong, I still want to put that little plastic feeding tube in the belly of my precious daughter, and I want to flip a switch to turn on a light. But I want a balance. To feel that the piece of ground I stand upon is better for my presence and not worse. To know that if someone hungry crossed my path, that I could feed him. To wrap my little girl in a quilt that I made from recycled fabrics and to know that I can keep her warm if the lights go out. I want to look out my window and see the beauty of nature and know that I have nurtured the Earth in the same way that it has always provided for me.

Progress is Being Made

I know that the lighting is just terrible, but I couldn't wait to post a pic of her progress. I can't believe how much better she looks already. Brown was just *so* not her color.

Crikey Time Flies! And My Poor Little Neglected Blog.

I am surprised. Well, mortified really. I am so embarrassed by my lack of commitment to my pretty little blog. I got her all gussied up and then walked away. But I'm back and determined to woo her love again. I will make sure she is updated and full of really interesting stuff. Ok, as interesting as life gets around here anyway. But I shall try. And try hard.

All that being said, you haven't missed much. I haven't been able to do much (any) furniture, but I do have one piece I am working on now. 

 Her name is Francesca. Fitting, don't you think? She is kind of exotic and interesting with a touch of playfulness. And she isn't far from done! I can't wait to show her off. She will also be looking for a new home, so if she piques your interest, be sure and let me know. :)
 

My Pretty Little Princess

In the past, I haven't had lots of success finding things I like at Goodwill. Either things are a little pricey for a used item, or the only thing there is junky. But I do still like to go just in case. After lunch today, we decided to go and take a look. And then I saw her, wedged between two dreary pieces of furniture and just waiting for someone to come along who would see her true beauty. I am just gaga for those curvy legs and adorable little wheels. And the decorative accents will look amazing when glazed.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, her name is Sylvia. She is a true beauty, but doesn't really know it. She has had a bit of a hard life. Had a few hard knocks and made some bad choices along the way. But she always found her way back and, despite her past, she still loves with her whole heart. She is a tad rough around the edges and has a few bumps and bruises, but she cleans up good. She is a real stunner when she is all decked out. She is also pretty sure of herself and has already decided how she wants to be done. Can't wait to get started on her. :)

My New Gal

This new gal is Chloe. Yes, she told me so. I saw her yesterday at a thrift store and, as soon as I got home, had severe non-buyer's remorse. So I called the store and begged asked them nicely to hold her for me until I could come back today. I've been so in love with all the waterfall desks I've seen on different blogs that I was just tickled pink (or turquoise) when I saw this waterfall chest of drawers. I just wasn't sure I *needed* to bring home anymore furniture right now.

But she is here with me now. She has told me her story and I think we have a plan for sprucing her up. I know it sounds silly, but I see a personality in each piece of furniture I buy. I think of all the hands and lives that have been involved with that piece. Chloe is an old soul. She has been around a while, but still has plenty of spunk. She is a bit of a homebody like me. She likes lace doilies and is a bit of a romantic. She still has a bit of an edge to her though. I hope the plan I have for her truly showcases the amazing gal she really is.

~Me :)

It's a Beautiful Color, But Not on Toes

So lets review what we've learned today. If you are spray painting something that has nooks and crannies that you can't *quite* get enough paint into, do not, I repeat DO NOT think to yourself, "Hmmm... I know! I will spray this paint into a plastic cup and use a brush to get into those areas." Apparently, it contains a solvent that eats plastic and the bottom will, quite literally, fall out. :)

I Heart Frogs

Look what I found in the garden this morning! It's froggy season!! :) Sorry it's blurry, but he wasn't interested in a retake.

Is It Worth It?

When doing a little bragging about my most recent coupon adventure, a friend asked me if couponing was *really* worth it. Were the savings really significant enough to offset the time spent clipping, organizing and shopping? My gut reaction was to say, "Well, of COURSE it is!"  I mean, I don't want to think that I am surrounded by BBQ sauce, whole wheat pasta, and tuna pouches just for the sake of it. But, I really decided I needed to give that some thought. Well, I did mull it over. I did some math. I considered the options. And the definitive answer is...... it depends.

I am a stockpiler. I buy things when they are on sale and only when they are on sale. I make sure I have enough on hand to last me until they go on sale again. And if I run out, I wait. Cause I'm just cheap like that. Ideally, I would like to have a pantry that is stocked with a year's worth of food. That is just me. It certainly isn't for everyone, and that is fine. It, for me, is like insurance. If something happens, I can feed myself and my family. And that "something" could be job loss, illness, natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstance. If it is not your thing, fine. We are all different.

Couponing is a stockpiling aid. If something goes on sale for $1.00, that is great. But if I also have a coupon, then I can save even more, thus making it possible for me to buy more than I would have been able to even at the sale price. Does it add up? You bet your bottom dollar it does.

Let's do some math, shall we? Recently, canned vegetables went on sale for $.50 a can. This is not a bad price since the price of vegetables has gone up recently. The regular price of these vegetables are $1.25 a can. However, by using a coupon clipping service, I was able to find coupons for $.50 off of two cans. My store doubles coupons making it $1.00 off of two cans. Well, as you can see, that made them FREE. After I paid for the clipping service, I paid approximately $.10 a can for these vegetables. Now, the selection was limited. We are talking green beans, corn, and sweet peas only. I happen to use all of those, so it was a fantastic deal for me.

Let's do a little more math, k? Let's say that I use five cans a week. That is a reasonable estimate. I paid a total of $.50 for those five cans. Over the length of a year that is  $26. If I had paid $.50 for each can that would be $2.50 per week and $130 for the year. On vegetables alone, that is a savings of $104. Is that "make you or break you" money? No, of course not. But if you save that much on only ten items you are talking over a grand a year. I don't know about you, but that is quite a bit of money to me. We won't even look at the regular price of $1.25 a can because I simply would never pay that. I can get most store brands for close to $.50.

Even though I don't have coupons for meat, lets look at how stockpiling in general can save you money. I like to have steak. I try for twice a month. That is one ribeye and one t-bone. I usually buy one pound of each. For this example I am going to use round numbers for ease of reading. At the grocery store, they are $10-14 per pound for each cut, depending on the sale. There is a store not very far from me that sells both of these cuts everyday for $7 a pound. The quality is amazing and I prefer their meat to the grocery store any day. Conservatively, that is a savings of $6 for that meal. Again, if that in a twice monthly thing, the yearly difference is $156.

Another meat that I use a lot of is boneless chicken breasts. I typically use two pounds at the time and cook it approximately three times per week. Again, using round numbers, if I pay $2 per pound on sale as opposed to $3.50 at full price, I will save $9 for that week and $468 for the year.

Just by stockpiling those three items, that is a yearly savings of $754. So is couponing worth it? For me it is, as a tool in my stockpiling. It is right for everyone? Not necessarily. There are always things to consider. Do you have the space for it? Do you want to invest the money in a freezer for meat and other perishables? Is your family picky about brands? And are there any dietary limitations that might affect the choice of food for your family?

I believe couponing and stockpiling go hand-in-hand. It is a matter of personal preference and personal comfort as to how far you take it. If you choose to coupon, you can certainly rack up some serious savings. It all comes down to whether you consider the extra time and effort to be worth it for you.

Mares Eat Oats and Does Eat Oats and Little Lambs Eat.......

Well, around here lambs eat oats, too.
Each container of my artistically arranged oatmeal tower only set me back $.25. I see a lot of sinful cookies healthy granola in my future.

My Friend Spot

This is my little froggy friend, Spot. The love in this relationship is pretty one-sided. He peed on me right after I took this pic. But I still love him anyway. And yes, I washed my hands.

Why I Do the Crazy Things I Do: Or, Why I Own Sixty-Three Boxes of Pasta

My BBQ Sauce Run

It occurred to me today that the coupons I ordered this weekend would net me sixty cans of vegetables. It then occurred to me that I should probably find it odd that I am going to purchase sixty cans of vegetables in one week. Except this seems normal to me. Maybe I'm just used to being weird. :)

Someone asked me not long ago why I had 63 boxes of whole wheat pasta. Well, the short answer is that it was 15 cents a box. But that wasn't the real question. The real question was, "Why do you feel the need to keep 63 boxes of pasta on hand?" That one had to give some thought. While the questioner was satisfied with my original answer, I began to wonder why myself. Yes, I have saved quite a bit of money using coupons, but really, does that justify that much "stuff"? 

Perhaps it is my Granny's influence. She always stored food. She did lots of canning and preserving, too. Probably partially the result of growing up during the Great Depression. She knows what doing without is all about. And, of course, when the garden produced, it had to be put by for the winter. She understood that having some today didn't mean you would have any tomorrow. 

I think we believe there will always be "stuff" at the store. If we want ice cream, we just go to the store and get it. Easy peasy. There may be no obvious reason why that would change, but what if it did? What if there was a shortage of ice cream? Then how do you get your sugary satisfaction? Or what if the price sky rockets because the cows go on strike. Do you pay through the nose for it? Or go without? Or go to your freezer and dig out the extra container you bought to have "just in case".  

Or what if, Heaven forbid, you lost your job. Or there was an ice storm that lasted for weeks. Or some other catastrophic event befell your family. It happens. It is terrible, but it happens. 

I guess that is the answer: Just in case. I own 63 boxes of pasta just in case. No real reason really. I just feel drawn to provide in that way for my family. And anyone else's. I can remember as a single parent that tension as payday approached. All the things I needed to buy and pay, including a well-paid but awesome sitter for Bri. Of course, it never failed that grandma would buy a bag of diapers or something else we needed at just the right time. She has always had a knack for that. 

So I will continue to buy things and squirrel them away. I will keep canning peach preserves and cucumber pickles. I will keep an eye on my pasta inventory. And if you are ever in need, I will feed you. Pinky promise.

The Goldfish Named Fred

Several years ago when Brianna was about nine we had a small aquarium with a lone goldfish named Fred. Ok, truth be told, the fish never had an official name, but for the sake of this story his name was Fred. Brianna never really paid much attention to Fred. I wasn't even sure that she realized we had an aquarium. I'd hoped that would be something that would interest her, but she never really got into it. So, Fred spent his time in the dining room, doing what goldfish do. Best I can tell, that is nothing. However, overall, he was a darn good fish. 
Now this was the Fall of the year. Brianna had to be at school by 7:30 so I could be in class by 8. I was taking three classes every morning and then working until it was time for her to get out of school. Our morning schedule was tight to say the least. On that morning, I also had a huge presentation due for my Statistics class. Usually, we both got a shower and got dressed at the same time, and while I finished my hair and makeup, Brianna watched TV. She always sat in the recliner and was a pretty aggressive rocker. She sort of bounced on the end of the chair and it made a loud squeaky sound as she kept rhythm to whatever she was watching. When it got quiet, I looked in to see what she was taking apart doing. She was sitting back down in the recliner, and all seemed well. It was not uncommon for her to get up and get a toy or stuffed animal to rock in the chair with her. It was when I went back to putting on my makeup that it occurred to me that I thought I saw water dripping off the elbow of her shirt. There was never standing water of any sort since she loved to splash and would soak herself and immediate surroundings. I glanced back in the living room where she was bouncing like a wild woman gently on the end of her chair. She had her fists up toward her chest, which was typical for her, but on closer look, I saw a tiny orange tail. An ORANGE TAIL!! "Brianna!!" She bolted out of the living room, through the dining room, and almost made it out of the kitchen before I caught her, the fish still in her fist. We dropped him back in the aquarium and waited. He actually seemed ok. A bit shaken up, but not too bad. I changed her shirt and we went on about our day. Unfortunately, it had been too much for Fred and he died a couple of days later. That was the last of the goldfish. I knew that once she had rocked one goldfish, she would want to rock them all.

Say Hello to My Little Wormy Friend

 While putting some veggies in one of the raised bed planters, I found this little guy. I'd thought about getting some worms to go in the beds this year, so finding him was exciting. I can't say that he really enjoyed the process, but I was happy. Worms do a great job of keeping the soil loose and they create castings that plants just love. I hope this is a sign that there are more little wormies hanging out in the beds making lots of baby worms and producing lots of castings. I will probably still introduce some purchased worms to get the population up. I hope to see a difference in my output this year with the help of my little friends.

Happy Happy Birthday to My Sweet "Little Girl"

 I simply cannot believe my little girl is nineteen. It's hard to type, and I'm certain I can't say it out loud. How did nineteen years just fly by? How is it that it seems just like yesterday when I held you in my arms for the first time and smelled that sweet baby smell? How did you grow up in the blink of an eye? Why didn't I get a say-so in this? I want that time back. I want to do it all over again. I want to see your first steps again. I want to hear, "Mama" for the first time again. I want a do-over. It's just not enough time. I want more.

Before you were conceived
I wanted you
Before you were born
I loved you
Before you were here an hour
I would give my life for you
This is the miracle of life. 

You were always such a fun loving, silly kind of girl. You loved to play, and you were fearless.

  
















From the beginning, time was going by way too fast. You loved everyone and had the best giggle ever.

 

And you always wanted to know how things worked. Especially things that go. You always wanted to be on the move.

  
















Nothing ever slowed you down. You never complained, you just kept going. 

 

You always seemed to have a special understanding of the world. You seemed to know things the rest of us could not know. 

 

And as you got sicker, you never complained. You still kept your spunk and that feisty personality.

I never thought we'd be where we are now. I never though you'd be this sick. I never thought that I could love anyone as much as I love you. You are my angel, my sweet baby girl, my cuddle bug and the one who steals my bed at night. You are the keeper of my heart and the reason that I breathe. You are my little girl.

Mmmm.....Piiiickles.

I always believed that I could eat cucumbers every day and never ever get tired of them. I was wrong. I've been blessed with a good crop of cucumbers this year. Unlike last year, I didn't kill my vegetable plants this year and even managed to get some yummy produce to boot. I used some of my surplus cukes to try my hand at refrigerator pickles. They are very easy to make and are ready to eat in days instead of weeks or months like traditional canned pickles. The recipe I used comes from Heritage Recipes.

A Walk on the Beach

I plan to post regular “Brianna Stories”. This is partly because her future is uncertain, and I don’t want to ever forget anything and partly because I have so many memories that begin with the phrase, “Let me tell you what she did today!”

Any time she has been to the beach she would walk to the edge, just a few inches from the small waves that were trying to lap at her toes, and she would stare out into the distance, beyond the people and the waves and out into the horizon. I always wondered what she was thinking about. She seemed to have a deep understanding. Of what I’m not sure. Perhaps she understood the ocean, the vastness of it, its power and its beauty in a way I could not see it. Or maybe it was her understanding of her God, her Creator, the Maker of the ocean that made her pause to appreciate the wonder of it. Either way, it was an experience I could not participate in. I could only stand back and watch and appreciate what an amazing moment I was witnessing.

SNOW!!!!

It snowed! In Georgia!! We don't get a lot of snow here. Very seldom. I really kinda like it that way. But, I will admit, it was quite beautiful. There is something mesmerizing about watching the flakes fall. The flakes were so fluffy and seemed to dance their way to the ground.

And then the power went off. It was to be expected really. In those weather conditions, it's not uncommon. I'll be browsing for a generator. It came back on just before midnight and before you know it, we were toasty warm again. It never got really cold, but I wasn't looking forward to an entire night without heat. I guess I bundled dd up quite well. She was kicking off all her covers in the wee hours of the morning.

Here are some more pictures of the beautiful snow.

I'm so excited to have entered the world of blogdom. I hope this will be a good outlet for all my thoughts, both quirky and intense. A place to come home to and feel safe in. I named my blog Blue Hydrangea because at my grandmother's house she had two blue hydrangeas, one on either side of the front porch. It was such a warm and inviting place where anyone was welcome at any time.