Momathon Blog

Happy Thoughts from Winnie-the-Pooh

This Winnie-the-Pooh quote was selected for my son as he goes off on another big adventure.

Whether you are going on an adventure today or staying close to home, hope all of you are having a lovely day. And if you have a bedtime story to read tonight—read something wise and wonderful by A.A. Milne with my favorite little bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. xo

 

Image: Wisdom by Winnie-the-Pooh. Art by me, Chris Olson. The role of Pooh played by the handmade and much-loved Honey Bear. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

My Ski Bum Mum Map for Kids {Keystone}

I just finished an awesome SkillShare class, "Map Design: Learn to Communicate Places Beautifully," taught by the awesome Anne Ditmeyer at Prêt à Voyager. My final map making project for class was inspired by all the days on the mountain I've spent with kids under the age of 5. Let me say that skiing with little ones will test a parent's sanity and requires patience and LOTS of chocolate! Over the years, I've found a few tricks to make the skiing more fun. My map shows the easy way up and down the mountain with little ones at Keystone.

While creating this map I pulled ideas from my years as a former racing instructor trying to teach kids how to navigate the gates—including such odd skills as operating a stopwatch with mittens at sub-zero temps, defrosting tiny goggles and hands, and keeping track of adventurous kids that take an "alternate" route down the mountain.

Before tackling this route on the map, I think a ski class or two with a professional instructor is the best way to get kids ready to tackle the mountain. Once a kid has mastered the basics, a parent can safely take a her up and down the mountain following this simple map. (Note: The map does not include the more advanced runs.)

Happy skiing!

Images: Illustration featured above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

Why I Like This Space

The first thing I noticed about this space was the wonderful natural light that streams in the windows combined with the warmth of the stained wood floors. The Minneapolis home by SALA Architects combines modern and traditional elements. The dark contemporary table contrasts nicely with the wood flooring. The fabulous wall of windows brings the indoors inside. The stacking bookshelf on the blue wall reminds me of a piece of art. And who could resist relaxing in that Eames chair? I'll just go grab a book from the shelf and sit here all afternoon.

IMAGE: The graphic above is by me and features photography by Troy Thies Photography of a lovely home by SALA Architects in Minneapolis.  

Be Silly

Having fun and laughing came so easily when I was a kid. I think all the giggling was contagious. And even though I didn't know it then—laughter is a great stress reliever too.

Do you remember that childhood friend that made you laugh so hard with a silly story during lunch that milk would burst out your nose? Or the pal who could turn a frustrating situation completely around with a goofy face. We don't make many funny faces as adults. I'm thinking maybe we should. I'm going to start out with at least three today. I'll try to post a few silly "selfies" all week. And I'll let you know if all the silliness helps me feel less stressed :)

IMAGE: The funny face photo above by me was inspired by an awesome Alt Summit class with the always fun and sassy Alison Faulkner, blogger at The Alison Show. Her blog is guaranteed to make you smile! 

Looking for more silliness? Check out my laugh more post here.

Oscars 2013 {I'm Tired of the Bullying on Twitter}

I started working on this post with a sketch of Anne Hathaway on the red carpet. I planned on writing about the gorgeous dresses at the Oscars. But after seeing all the negative commentary about Anne on Twitter I decided to change my focus here. 

On Sunday night during the Oscars the negative comments about Anne began building. Some comments were about hating her dress. Then even more tweets chimed in saying she is annoying because she acts too "perfect." And others made snarky comments about her face... Really? 

Of course, I could just ignore the mean stuff being said online, but I'm a mom. And maybe some of you will think I sound a little too preachy here, but that is what moms do some of the time. 

In a culture where young girls (and boys) are bullied daily for how they look and act, I think it is time for the grown-ups to set a better example online.

I know in the US we take pride in the fact we have the right to express opinions. Even opinions that are very controversial. Social media has made it very easy—maybe too easy—to criticize people publicly. Eventually all the hate from strangers online starts snowballing to the point the criticism takes on a life of its own. And in this case, I think the online commentary of hate is not so much about Anne, but just about bashing someone—as if this person were a thing. 

I'm not the only person who thinks all this online "Hathahater" negativity is growing old and even becoming baseless. Check out Samantha Escobar's comments on the The Gloss and Ann Friedman's piece on The Cut and Daniel D'Addario on Salon.

I don't know Anne. Her public persona—the one so many are criticizing for being too perfect—may be very different from the "real" Anne. I do know that I admire her for supporting the anti-violence organization One Billion Rising. Her eagerness to look poised and gracious on camera doesn't annoy me because that is her professional persona—I don't imagine she acts perfect all the time. She may not act like the self-effacing and funny celebs we wish we had as best friends. But those same celebs probably work to portray that persona too. In other words, what we see and so easily judge about celebs is not the whole story. We are all just people. And hearing cruel words hurt us even when no one thinks we are listening.

I love the line in the movie Notting Hill, when Julia Roberts playing the movie star character Anna Scott says:

"I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

I'm hoping a Twitter trend around liking people—even loving people—will gain momentum. 

Well, I've talked long enough today. If I go on and on I know my kids' eyes will start to glaze over. Thanks for listening. xo Chris

 

Images: Illustrations featured above by me, Chris Olson. 

Ski House

You might say I'm kind of obsessed with skiing. I grew up skiing nearly every day December through March because I lived only a block away from a ski area in Minnesota. Now I live in the foothills in Colorado—a short drive over the pass to premier mountain skiing and amazing slopeside homes. 

What makes the perfect ski house? I have a few ideas for a dreamy ski retreat...

1) Let's start with ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes.

2) Sweeping views of the mountains. A big fireplace that opens up to the kitchen and living room. Plus a living room large enough living area to handle all the friends that drop by.

3) A fireplace in the bedroom would be nice. I love the white walls that remind me of my snow-loving Scandinavian heritage.

4) Skiers often talk about getting in the hot tub after a long day on the slopes. But in my book nothing compares to warming up in a sauna. I love the glass doors on this one and the two-tiered seating for those who want to really feel the heat.

5) As a mom I appreciate a snow and mud proof space for the family to take off the ski boots and unload their gear at the end of the day. Love the bench seat and handy cubbies for gloves, hats, and more. And the tile floor is perfect!

Images: ski house exterior | living room | master suite | sauna | mudroom

I Want To {Laugh More}

 

Do you have a silly side? My goal this year is to nurture that silly side of me. And to do this the whole family is unplugging their tech more often—especially during meals. Who knows what fun things will develop... Maybe even Mr. Napkin Head will stop by. 

•  •  •  •  •

Okay, I know I just talked about unplugging more, but I have to give a quick shout out to two apps that helped me create the image above:

1) I used the new Flickr app for my iPhone to create the purple-ish effect on Mr. Napkin Head (my husband) using the Chinchilla filter. This app has a set of photo filters similar to Instagram.

2) I used the Over app to add the stylish text next. (Want to see what this app can do?  On Twitter check out @madewithOver and follow the hashtag #madewithOver.)

IMAGE: Photo and design by me.

Be a Good One

On Presidents' Day and every day, this quote is the best advice.

IMAGE: Graphic above featuring the quote by our 16th President is by me.

A Room with a View {Kitchens}

I love sunlight streaming in through the windows—especially in the kitchen. And nothing compares to the beauty of sunlight coming through the trees. Imagine these views at your house...

Which one is your favorite?

Images via here / here / here

Favorite Romantic Movie Quotes

Since it's Valentine's Day week, I'm sharing a few favorite romantic quotes from movies. Screenwriter Richard Curtis tops my list for the sweetest quotes.

Nora Ephron's films include some of the best modern romantic comedies. I've watched When Harry Met Sally so many times, I can recite many of the lines. Even the guys in her films are romantic...

Here is another quote about love, it's not so much romantic as it is heartwarming. A lovely snippet I like to remember when love seems not so obvious.

Check back through out the day. I will be adding more.

 

 

Images: All graphics above are by me, Chris Olson and feature my photos. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Valentine's Day Printable: Sweetheart Cards

Hello, friends. Today I'm offering free printable PDF for Valentine's Day. The digital file includes 6 cards—perfect for classroom use. Finished cards have printing on one side and are blank on the reverse side for you to write on. Link to download this Valentine printable below. 

To use this printable, you will need:

• Computer and Printer
• 8.5" x 11" card stock paper
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Optional: Attach the cards to Valentine candy (See example below).
• Adobe Reader (If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can download it for free at get.adobe.com/reader)

Here is the link to download the cards. NOTE: If you have issues downloading try right-clicking on the download link above ('Option' and click for the mac) and saving directly to your computer.

Conditions of Use

The downloadable printables content across my site is property of CHRIS OLSON, editor at MOMATHON BLOG. The printables are free for PERSONAL use only. They are strictly not for commercial use. You may not make any direct or indirect profit from the use of my downloads. If you would like to incorporate any of my designs in your own personal projects, please credit Chris Olson and MomathonBlog.com and include a link to this web site. Please do not distribute any of my downloadable files. If you are kind enough to blog about the printables, please feel free to use my photos as long as they are clearly accompanied with a credit and link back to this blog post and website. As a courtesy please do not link directly to the downloadable file but rather link to the post containing the download.

Any other use not stated above requires permission obtained from Chris Olson.

All images by Chris Olson.

Blogger Challenge {Join Me to Help Shelter Dogs Find Forever Homes}

 

As you know, I have a passion for helping shelter dogs find forever homes. I work with a local shelter as an adoption counselor. That's how I found out how rescue dogs can benefit from social media shout outs including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blogs and Pinterest.

Facebook and Twitter were key to helping Benny the Chihuahua-mix pictured above find a forever home. Just by adding key hashtag information (eg., the name of the dog shelter, breed of dog, etc) helps potential adopters find the dogs on social media.

I used a basic photo editor on my iPhone (check out Phonto and InstaText apps) to add the name of the adoption organization to the photo of Betsy above and Amber at the top of this post. 

Please join me and promote truly amazing dogs who desperately need to have a voice. If we work together we can help these dogs find homes.

It's easy.
It's fun
 And if you do,
I promise you will have a warm feeling
in your heart all day long!

 

Here's what you can do. Pictures get noticed. That's why I recommend sharing the dog photos via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Flickr. Just make sure to include a link to the source and a hashtag explaining the photo. See the Instagram tips below.

1) If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by an adoption fair or go to your local animal shelter. (Adoption fairs are often held on Saturday afternoons at dog supply stores such as Wag n Wash, PetCo, and PetsSmart.)

2) Talk to the adoption counselors and snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs—you can use Instagram or Flickr to enhance the photos if you want.

3) Post the photos on Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest or on your blog with a link to the animal shelter.

4) Include a search-able hashtag with the folowing information. Capitalizing the first letter of each word in your hashtags is critical for readability.

• breed of dog (eg., #Llab or #Dachshund)
• #AdoptDogs or #DogAdoption or #ShelterDogsAreTheBest
• name of the adoption organization (eg., #NationalMillDogRescue)
• if you want me to find your tweets or instagram photos, just add the hashtag #IHeartShelterDogs

 

Three ways to find RESCUE DOGS dogs to promote via social media about:

1. You can visit adoption fairs, talk to the adoption counselors and take photos of dogs you want to help.
2. Go to the shelter dog national listing at Petfinder.com. On this site you can search for dogs to promote on social media and get descriptions of the dogs, plus photos to include in your tweets and posts.
3. Go online and visit the site of your local Humane Society or another reputable adoption organized. The groups that are fully accredited with a nonprofit status are the ones to promote. Check for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

I am sharing special mommy hugs to all of you who help out. If you want, send me an email and I'll be sure to RT/LIKE your shout outs to help homeless dogs on social media.Thank you! xo Chris

 

Images: All photos are Instagram images by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

My Motto for the Month {Dream Big}

What keeps you going when life goes kinda crazy? For me, slowing down for even just a moment and giving myself permission to mentally make a list of what IS working in my life. Remembering what I CAN do always results in a positive boost in my outlook on life.

xo, Chris

 

Images: Illustration above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Teaching Your Dog Manners {The "Focus" Command}

Did you know your dog likes to learn new tricks? Learning to FOCUS is a basic lesson all dogs can learn and once they have mastered the skill you'll be impressed!

You’ve witnessed the pandemonium. With the TV blaring in the background, cell phones ringing, and one of the kids practicing the trombone, no one is going to listen to you until you get their attention first. Teaching your dog to “focus” on you is the first step to training your dog. When your dog learns to FOCUS on you, then you can begin to introduce dog manners including waiting when you open a door or set down their dog bowl. I'll cover the advanced skills of WAIT and STAY in another post.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Before you start training, grab some training treats. The treats should be on the small size—one-bite size. Dog-training treats are small easy-to-digest treats that come in a variety of flavors. Some brands to check out are: 

• Newman's Own Organics Chicken and Vegetable Dog Training Treats 
• Zukes Mini Naturals Training Treats
• One-bite size kibble—use your dog's favorite dry dog food

I like to keep a dozen or so small training treats in a snack baggie in my pocket so they are always ready when I need them. Just make sure you don't put them in a container so they rattle in your pocket—this often gets your dog overly excited about the treat and not the lesson.

Click on the audio player link below to listen to How to Teach Your Dog to FOCUS:

 > • > • > AUDIO LINK:  Teaching Your Dog to FOCUS

Step-by-step written instructions for how to teach your dog to FOCUS below.

Words Seem Powerless

At a time of intense grieving for lives lost in such a tragedy, words seem powerless. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The image I created above lists the names of the littlest victims, I also pray for the six remarkable adults—Dawn Hocksprung, Mary Sherlach, Vicki Soto, Lauren Russeau, Rachel Davino and Anne Marie Murphy—working at the school who died also. 

 

IMAGE: The image above includes an excerpt from President Obama’s speech at the prayer vigil for Newtown shooting victims

 

Hurricane Sandy and Pet Safety

Chances are if you are in the path of Hurricane Sandy, then your pets are feeling very anxious. I've got some tips to keep your pets safe, ideas to reduce pet stress, and guidelines for packing hurricane supplies to have ready for your dog and cat in case you have to evacuate.

1) If the weather permits, when you go outside keep dogs on a leash
Dogs can sense when threatening weather approaches and they will sometimes hide. Make sure you keep track of your pet as the storm approaches. When you take a dog outside, use a leash. Never assume that a dog trained to be safe off leash in normal situations will stay with you during a storm. Even though your dog looks calm, the advancing storm my cause your pet to try to run away outside to flee the situation. 

2) Follow social media updates on Twitter and Facebook
If you are not safe to stay in your home during a hurricane, then your pet is not safe either. The best advice to pet owners in the path of a hurricane may be to evacuate early. Remember to share your evacuation plans with relatives and friends. Many shelters are accepting pets with their families. Here are a few Twitter users to follow because they provide updates on shelters accepting pets in your area: @ASPCA and @HumaneSociety. Also you can follow the hashtag #sandypets. The ASPCA's Disaster Preparedness Checklist is a great resource. The Humane Society of the United States has helpful information via this link: Disaster Preparedness for Pets. If you live in NYC, information regarding the storm is available via Office of Emergency Management. 

3) Check your pet's collar for an ID tag
It seems obvious, but if you change collars you might not remember to have the correct pet ID tags on the collars. (Also, remember to place proper identification and vaccination identification in your pet's  "Go Bag" explained below) 

4) Tips to help calm your dog

• During times of stress for dogs, telling your dog to be quiet if he or she is whining or barking will not be helpful. Your dog is actually trying to warn you about what they perceive to be a dangerous situation. Instead, try to get your pet involved in a new activity and praise them when they participate. 
• If your dog is obsessively licking his fur or barking or whining because of the storm, give your dog an alternative activity to do such as providing a "project toy" like a Kong filled with dog treats. 
• If your dog or cat likes to be groomed with a brush or comb, here's the perfect time to calm them down and give them the spa treatment. 
• If your dog likes to snuggle under a blanket, try wrapping the two of you together and snuggle up. You can even get the kids involved and construct a makeshift tent with chairs and blankets and make a cozy space to relax inside—and be aware some pets don't like to be in confined spaces and stop this game if it is making your dog more anxious.
• Have you ever noticed if your dog or cat likes to sit by your side while you read a book outloud to your kids? This can be a very calming activity. Get your kids involved to read to your pet too.
• If your dog has a good nose, try the hide a treat under a cup game. This is a fun game that challenges your dog to sniff out a dog treat reward. Find three plastic cups or small bowls and some dog kibble pieces. Sit on the floor with your dog and turn the cups upside down and "Hide" a treat under one cup. Move the cups around on the floor. Now ask your dog to "find the treat." Cheer your dog along until he finds the correct cup. You can help him out if needed. Repeat the game with a new treat. After you repeat this game a few times all of the cups will eventually have the scent of the treat inside, your dog will probably still have fun playing because you both are playing together.
• Keeo your dog busy and focused on you instead of the storm by teaching your dog a new simple trick. If your dog knows how to shake, practice that. You can add a step and teach your dog to give you a canine high five instead. Or try teaching your dog to roll over—have your dog lay down, say "Roll Over" and gently help your dog roll to one hip. To help complete the roll, hold a dog treat above his head with one hand and with the other hand gently help your dog finish the roll so he is on his tummy again. Praise your dog and reward with a dog treat. 

5) What to supplies to pack for your pets—tips for making a pet "Go Bag" 
Place the following in a pet "go bag" and have it ready:

• proper backup identification of your pet: proof of ownership, copy of vaccine records, dog license, etc.
• special medical instructions written out now, in case you have to leave your pet at an animal shelter temporarily
• photo of your pet and OWNER 
• list of identifying marks or features of your pet
• 2 leashes 
• extra pet collar or pet harness
• pet food (7-day supply if possible and canned pet food helps pets stay hydrated)
• jugs of water or water bottles (7-day supply)
• pet bowls (lightweight and portable types are best)
• pet medicine and pet first aid kit (first aid kit tips here)
• 2 pet blankets and a few favorite toys 
• cat litter and cat litter box
• pet crate or a pet travelling case for your pet
• lightweight blanket or sheet to cover the pet travel case and calm down your pet if needed 
• Top 10 Pet Emergency Kit Items | petMD
• If your pet is microchipped, have a copy of the microchip information 

 

6) If you are looking for a pet-friendly hotel, check out these pet-friendly hotel locators

Bringfido.com
Dogfriendly.com
Doginmysuitcase.com
Pet-friendly-hotels.net
Pets-allowed-hotels.com
Petswelcome.com
Tripswithpets.com

7) Stay safe after the storm
You probably have heard all the warnings about avoiding dangerous powerlines, tree branches, debris, and flooded areas. Unforutnately your dog is naturally curious and will find these things interesting. Keep your dog on a leash to avoid getting hurt by live power lines or even getting tangled and stuck in tree branches on the ground. Also, some wild animals in the region might have wandered into your neighborhood due to the storm, so watch out for unusual wildlife.

Stay safe, friends. For more information of hurricane preparedness check out check out NOAA general information on safety.

Pinterest Halloween {Party Food and Decorations}

Pinterest is a wonderful place to find Halloween treats! Check out some of my faves for party food and decorations below.

Sibylle, blogger at Funkytime, always has original ideas. Love her ombre twist on DIY pumpkins. 

Source: fun.kyti.me via Chris on Pinterest

 

Creating a pumpkin design freehand can be tricky—that why Chelsey at  The Paper Mama has a free printable you can use to make this dreamy Welcome pumpkin. Pumpkin is featured on BHG Style Spotters. 

Source: thepapermama.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

Over at Nikkis' Nacs, I found this cute Herringbone Pumpkin.

Source: nikkisnacs.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

Imagine a s'mores and apple combo. Yum. Country Living has a delicious recipe for Triple Dipped S'mores Apples.

Source: countryliving.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

 

Weekend Playlist {Singing in the Kitchen}

Happy weekend! Here's my pick for a perfect handcrafted playlist for baking cookies, eating lots of pie, or doing dishes. Go ahead, pour a glass of pinot grigio and dance around the kitchen—it's the weekend! 

xo 

Chris

In the Kitchen from takesome_time on 8tracks Radio.

Image: WE MUST HAVE PIE graphic by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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A Pinterest Halloween {Part 1}

Hello, friends! I hope you are having a fabulous Thursday. Are you pinning Halloween ideas on Pinterest? Today's post is PART ONE of my favorite Halloween boards (and pins!) on Pinterest—I truly can't pick a favorite so I listed the boards in random order. I will have more links and Pinterest tips on Sunday. If you are looking for more ideas, check out my post earlier this week featuring Etsy ideas for a handmade Halloween. 

On my Party Ideas board, I have ideas for parties throughout the year.

Source: blogs.babble.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

 

And that lovely decorating pin above makes me think of all the gorgeous and family-friendly ideas for planning a Happy Halloween! on Pinterest via the editors at Babble.

Some of my favorite oh-my-so-wonderful costumes for Halloween on Pinterest can be found thanks to Jordan Ferney at Oh Happy Day! 

Source: ohhappyday.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

 

Party planning guru Kelly Lanza at Studio DIY has loads of ideas at her Happy Halloween boardon Pinterest. If you have taken an Alt Design Summit class, then I'm sure you have met Kelly—she's amazing!

Source: studiodiy.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

 

My party planner and decorator friend Kathy has a tip for preserving pumpkins and gourds on her Fall in Love board, plus some lovely window displays. And if you are hungry, check out her Boo! board.

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Kathy on Pinterest

 

 

Looking for pumpkin carving and decorating ideas? Check out Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins! via Better Homes and Garden. They even have a stencil gallery!

Source: bhg.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

Looking for invite ideas or printables? Sweet party ideas at Halloween and some lovely Printable Paper Goods via Kristen Magee at Paper Crave.

Source: kbecca.com via Chris on Pinterest

 

 

 

Your Vote Matters {Presidential Debate Is Tonight}

If you watch tv or listen to the radio then you've heard the campaign ads. You know it's crunch time for President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Only 33 days to go until until election day on Tuesday, November 6th.

So what are the candidates talking about? Have your political questions regarding the next four years been answered?

If you want to hear more than prepared speeches, listen in to the debate tonight. In many ways the debate is a like a job interview for the candidates—and the questions in the debate tonight might be tough. According to CNN, half of the debate tonight will be focused on the economy. Other topics open for discussion include health care and the role of government. One of the hot topics that might not get discussed is climate change. Groups including @Sierra_Club are lobbying to have this topic included.

Watch the debate with your family

If you have kids—especially kids in middle school or above—I encourage you to sit down and watch the debate together. What topics are most important to your kids and your family as a whole?

The debate will be a live broadcast starting at 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, October 3rd. PBS NewsHour's Jim Lehrer will be moderating the presidential debate.

Social media and the election
Of course you can follow the debate and the election on social media. Check out these Twitter accounts:

• @BarackObama
• @VP (VP Biden account on Twitter)
• @MittRomney, 
• @PaulRyanVP

Looking for more news on the campaign to follow? Try searching on Twitter using these hashtags: #election2012 or #debate. Although it would be impossible for me to find a nonpartisan list, here are a few people or organizations to follow on Twitter: 

• @NewsHour, 
• @pewresearch, 
• @nytdavidbrooks, 
• @cbellantoni, 
• @AnnCurry, 
• @JudyWoodruff, 
• @nprpolitics, 
• @David_Gergen, 
• @AC360 (Anderson Cooper 360°).

Keeping the facts straight

Are you interested in how factual the information given during a campaign is? Check out @politifact on Twitter or at PolitiFact.com. Another resource is Vote 2012 at PBS NewsHour.

Women and the election

Are you interested in women's issues regarding the campaign? Check out 

• @BlogHerNews
• @iVillage
• @HuffPostWomen

Presidential Debate Schedule

• 1st debate: October 3rd, 2012, University of Denver
• 2nd debate: October 16th, 2012, Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York
• 3rd debate: October 22nd, 2012, Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida

 

VP Debate:

• October 11, 2012, Centre College in Danville, Kentucky

Images: VOTE image by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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You might enjoy this post also:

 Your Ballot, Please

 

Hello, October!

The sunflowers are bold. The apples are crisp. The pumpkins are perfect. October is the month to soak in all the delicious beauty of fall harvest time. Check out the farmers market in your neighborhood and stock up on all the lovely colors of fall! 

 

 

If you are looking for a farmers market in your neighborhood, check out these links for local listings of family farms, organic food growers and farmers markets: Local Harvest; USDA National Farmers Market Directory; FarmersMarket.com.

 

 

Image: Graphic by me, Chris Olson, and features the lovely photo by D. Sharon Pruit. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

 

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Love These Sweet Little Things {Zara for Baby}

Adorable, right?! I found these lovely things for baby girls at ZARA here. The irresistible pale shade of pink is what caught my eye. I like the way Zara picks soft cozy fabrics with a kid-friendly cut so baby can move freely. 

More ideas for baby...

Knitting a Hoodie Popover for Baby

How to Create a Magnetic Chalkboard

 

Because I'm a doodler at heart, I love the decorating idea of adding chalkboard paint to a wall. This DIY idea makes the chalkboard portable, you can move the chalkboard you create around to different walls and different rooms. Easy peasy! I think the project is a fun accent for your child's bedroom or even the kitchen. This do-it-yourself paint project uses a Pottery Barn Kids frame and Benjamin Moore paints.

Magnetic Chalkboard

Supplies

• 18 x 18" piece of sheet metal (Or select any size to be cut to fit your picture frame)
• Household vinegar 
• Paint roller (small size, approx 6")
• Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer 
• Benjamin Moore Chalkboard Paint 
• 18" x 18" frame (Pottery Barn Kids frame is used in the video below)

Directions

1) Go to a metal supply shop and have them cut you a 18" x 18" piece of sheet metal—or any size that fits the picture frame you want to use.

2) Remove any grease on piece of sheet metal with ordinary household vinegar. Let the sheet dry.

3) Because sheet metal is a shiny and slick non-porous surface, you need to paint the metal with a primer like Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer because it will adhere to non-porous surfaces. 

4) After the primer dries, add a coat of chalkboard paint. Use long smooth strokes with a small paint roller. If you see any "lap lines" at the edges of your strokes of paint be sure to smooth the lines out with the roller.

5) Wait for the paint to dry and then add a second coat of chalkboard paint.

6) Let the painted metal dry thoroughly and then pop it into an 18" x 18" frame. Now it's ready to hang on the wall. 

You can watch a DIY video created by Pottery Barn here: How To: Create a Magnetic Chalkboard with Benjamin Moore Paint and a Pottery Barn Kids frame. 

IMAGES: Top image: Created by me, Chris Olson. 2nd image: Photo of chalkboard from Benjamin Moore paints and Pottery Barn Kids via here.

More chalkboard ideas here:

Painting DIY: How to Make a Chalkboard Wall

Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}

Taking photos of pets on Instagram is a great way to bring out the personality of your dog or cat. In this comparision of 9 Instagram filters I feature a shelter pup named Lady Belle at PalsForever.org. She is a Weimaraner with amazing eyes and the softest velvet gray coat. I like the results with all the filters I tried, but I think my fave is the Amaro filter. Share your favorite filter with Lady Belle the Weimaraner in the comments. (Belle is a rescue dog available for adoption at this animal rescue.)

Instagram Filters and Pets

By playing around with the Instagram filters you can enhance the color of your dog's fur and eyes. I like to try several options before picking the filter to use. Think about the mood the filter creates too. If you want to make the photo warmer try the Rise filter or the Earlybird filter. If you want to bring out the dreamy mood, try the Sierra Filter or the Sierra Filter.

Lady Bella the Weimaraner

The adorable dog mix featured above is Lady Belle. If she is still available for adoption, you can find her at this animal rescue and on Petfinder Adoptable Dog: Lady Belle, Weimaraner.

Your Ballot, Please

It's crunch time. No more excuses. Today's the perfect day to make sure you are registered to vote. On November 6, 2012, people in the U.S. will vote for the next president, as well as other state and local offices—including issues relating to school districts.

Are you unsure if you are registered to vote? The Can I Vote? nonpartisan web site created by state election officials helps eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote as well as help you determine if you are already registered to vote. You can also go online to the USA.gov web site Register to Vote and Voting for registration information and voting locations. 

If you need to cast an absentee ballot, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website for information on how to vote absentee. 

You can also register to vote via the nonpartisan organization Rock the Vote.

Why Do Leaves Change Colors in Fall?

I love this time of year. The air is crisp. The weather is a bit cooler. If only the days didn't keep getting shorter. But this is exactly why one of my favorite fall things happens...

 

Image: FALL COLORS INFOGRAPHIC by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

It's Going to Be Okay

It was over twelve years ago. I can still remember when I heard my pediatrician bring up the word disability... I didn't cry in the doctor's office. I didn't cry in the car on the way home. I don't know why, but I finally let myself cry while making dinner as the steam from the pasta noodles coated my face. If I only had known then, that things would be tough, but even during the most frustrating times, the new "normal" is going to be okay.

There were days—even weeks—when I felt so alone. Thank goodness for friends and family. If I could share one thing, don't go it alone. Asking for help is the best thing to do.

Having a little faith in your kids makes all the difference too. They are stronger, braver, and wiser than you ever thought possible. 

There is a community of moms and dads (and grandparents) out there going through many of the same emotions and struggles as you. Seek them out. These exceptional parents can hold your hand when words just don't say enough.

I first saw the video below about parenting a special needs child on Design Mom. The video was created by Elizabeth. I had to share it too. If you have a special needs child, you will want to see this video. 

 

Image: Photos from the video by Elizabeth.

Hello, September!

This time of year the warm sunshine during the day feels good on my shoulders and it's one of my favorite times to be outside. Perhaps it's because the sun is setting earlier and earlier each day and I feel like I have to savor every sunny moment outdoors. 

Do you like to hike with your family? We do and a favorite game we play outside while hiking is called the NAME FIVE THINGS game. I've included the rules of the game at the end of this post.

Fall is approaching. The days are getting shorter. At night when I walk my dogs I bring along my giant flashlight. In my neighborhood nestled at the base of a mountain, this is the time when the black bears begin stuffing themselves with berries before the snow falls. Walking around my neighborhood after the sun goes down is not recommended unless you bring along a flashlight so you can avoid running into a mama bear and her cubs foraging for food. 

The directions for playing the NAME FIVE THINGS game below.

Here Comes the Sun

 

I'm thinking of my friends in the path of the Hurricane Isaac today. Praying for the sunshine to come soon. xo Chris

Below are two music video versions of the song Here Comes the Sun—plus one more favorite sunny song by Zooey Deschanel -- She & Him.

Social Media Doodle App

Yesterday I mentioned a new app for doodle lovers. Doodle.ly for iPad is a sketchbook app that turns your iPad into a doodle canvas for sharing on Facebook and Twitter. You can see what Doodle.ly doodlers are creating here. If you like to doodle on paper, then this is a great app for you—and your kids. Check out my list of things I like about the app below. Plus I have some suggestions for ways get the most out of doodling using this app.

Laugh More

Laughter is a secret ingredient to living better and longer. According to a study done by Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana, laughter lowers levels of cortisol in the body and that helps the immune system work more efficiently. Laughing is even a form of exercise. You get approximately the same benefits from laughing 100 times a day, as you get from 10 minutes of using a rowing machine or riding a stationary bike for 15 minutes. And the more you laugh during the day, the more rested and refreshed you will feel. So go ahead, laugh long and you'll live longer.

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Image: LAUGH MORE graphic image by me, Chris Olson. The pretty pink color that pops through the lettering is from a flower photo by the awesome photographer D. Sharon Pruitt. Feel free to Pin my poster on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

 

DIY: 3 Steps to Create Ribbon Letters

If you like to scrapbook or add embellishments to note cards, then including styled hand lettering is a fun addition. One of the easiest lettering options to try is ribbon lettering. My mom first taught me the ribbon lettering technique when I was a kid. The OH HAPPY DAY letter art above started out just black and white, then I added the color. (I was was inspired by @jordanferney blog called OH HAPPY DAY.)

Want to try some lettering? First, don't worry about rules. Have fun! Play with letters, doodle a bit, and see what styles you like. The best part of ribbon lettering is you can make the letters as unique as you want. Plus you can try it with printing or cursive handwriting. Check out my tutorial below.

 

The graphic I created above gives the 3 basic steps to create each letter. One tip to make the lettering stand out is to make the foundation for each letter a bit wider than you normally write. The wider your letters, the more noticeable the ribbons will be. The narrower or tighter your letters, the smaller your ribbons will be.

When you get to step 3 above, you can draw the ribbon edge line on either the outside or the inside of each letter. If you draw the line on the outside of the edge of a letter you will need to add a little "bridge" to close the top and the bottom of the ribbon. Does that make sense? If you have any questions, just add them to the comment sections.

Have fun! And if you want, try this activity with your kids. That is how I learned to make interesting letters—with my mom. xo Chris O.

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Images: OH HAPPY DAY and 3 STEPS TO CREATE RIBBON LETTERS images are by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

DO YOU LIKE TO DO CRAFTS WITH YOUR KIDS?

You might be interested in the following "quiet time" craft activity to do with kids:

Fill in the Loop Doodles for Kids

A Few Things...

A few things I'm thinking about as summer winds down...

KITES

In Colorado the weather changes quickly. Plenty of sunshine is the norm, but the winds can kick up in the afternoon bringing in clouds and thunderstorms. And I won't complain because we need rain here. Is it windy near your house today? If it is, how about making a kite. Check out a great tutorial that shows you how here.

SIDEWALK PAINT

Creating chalk drawings outside on the sidewalk or a driveway is a favorite summer activity. Today feels like the perfect day to decorate the sidewalk. You can even make your own sidewalk paint—find my post on making the paint and other summer crafts with kids here. And if you want to get uber creative, try out some of the fancy chalk lettering ideas here by the talented Dana Tanamachi.

YOGA FOR KIDS

Nothing helps me calm down and feel better like yoga breathing exercises. I'm hoping my kids can take a few yoga class too. Here's the scoop on why yoga can be great for kids of all ages.

A PHOTO A DAY

Do you like to get outside and run? I love to go for a spin on my bike in the morning. Of course the exercise is wonderful, but getting outside is amazing for the mind too. Photographer and blogger Maura runs every morning and she shares some amazing things she sees on those runs on her Tumblr blog Found Thing.

Image: GIRLS RULE graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Nature Hike: Olympic Peninsula in Washington

Earlier this summer my family and I went on a hike to view the restoration of the Elwah River in the Olympic Peninsula. The entire valley was transformed last year after the removal of the Elwha dam. The enormous trees towering over the path filter the light in ways that remind me of The Forbidden Forest that borders the Hogwarts School in Harry Potter books.

Did you know that the old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest produce three times the biomass (living or once living material) of tropical rain forests? 

Image: IN THE WOODS graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Love These

If only these sweet little things came in my size... You can find these cozy ideas for your baby here:

1) Knotted beanie, J.Crew
2) Cotton pants, J.Crew
3) Striped booties, J.Crew
4) Mini Mirabella doll, BlaBla Kids
5) Oh Joy's Short Sleeve Baby Dress, Winter Water Factory
6) Handmade Moccasins - Gold with Neon Orange Stitching, Freshly Picked 

Image: SWEET LITTLE THINGS graphic above is by me, Chris Olson and features the products listed above. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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More ideas for babies and toddlers here:

Handmade goodness. Floral Mary Jane baby booties.

Get your camera ready! Soft and cuddly teddy bear ear hat for newborn.

Plant your baby's favorite books on a green grass bookshelf.

 

It's So Etsy: Kitty Karma

 

Kitty Karma is the theme of my It's So Etsy picks this week:

1) Safe Plants for Kitty Cats Archival art print by Rebekka Seale, $30

2) Cat Collars with Bow Tie or Flower by LearnedStitchworks, $18

3) Cat Bed Cat Cave Cat House Felted Wool by LoveCatCaves, £36.50 GBP, Approx. $59 USD

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Graphic above created by me and featuring photos via 1) Rebekka Seale, 2) LearnedStitchworks, 3) LoveCatCaves.

Hello, August!

Oh my! It's hard to believe August is here already! At my house, August signals a change in routine. The kids go back to school. Days at the pool are numbered. I'll be sure to savor the leisurely pace before homework and stuffy classrooms take over.

Do you have special plans for August?

Of course, I will be watching the Olympics. Missy Franklin is from my home state of Colorado so I absolutely have to read and watch everything about her. She rocks! And I am kinda addicted to London. You can read more about my fascination with London here: Flower Drama in London and London Calling and The Story of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" Poster—or on my Facebook page.

Many of my blogging friends--and Martha Stewart!--are at BlogHer12 this week in NYC. I wish I was there, but thanks to Laurie at BlogHer at Home you can hear the scoop on the conference and make new BlogHer connections right at home. So cool. Hang out with awesome bloggers via @BlogHerAtHome on Twitter. And you can grab a BlogHerAtHome badge here. (And maybe Martha will blog about BlogHer here.)

 

Image: HELLO, AUGUST! photo graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Remembering a Great Dog: Tuk

 

Yesterday an awesome big dog passed away. Tuk the Malamute had bone cancer. He was a beloved member of my in-law's family. He never met a stranger—he was always ready to share kisses. I think big dogs live a life too short for humans to accept. You never have enough days to hike with a big dog like Tuk. You always want to snuggle up against a fluffy canine pillow. It just never grows old. Let's face it, a day with a dog is just better somehow...

God bless Tuk. We miss you. xo

Pampered Pooch: On a Walk

When the temps soar, my little Peke likes to ride instead of walk. Her canine siblings think she is crazy, but why get sweaty if you don't need to?

The nifty Burley Tail Wagon Bike (and Walk) Trailer is on sale at REI.com right now. I like to use it while riding my bike or just push it on walks. Here are a few features:

• Removable mesh cover and mesh windows on all 4 sides circulate air to keep your pet cool; weatherproof cover rolls down to protect against rain and snow
• Carries 1 animal and gear up to 75 lbs. total; 3 inside mesh pockets hold leashes and doggie treats
• Convenient features include easily cleanable, removable flooring, removable wheels and an easily stored fold-down frame
• Durable, lightweight aluminum frame and an aerodynamic shape make the Tail Wagon easy to tow; bright colors enhance visibility

This is not a sponsored post. I just love the product as much as my dogs! Photo and graphic above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin the image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!  

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Family Dog: Teaching Fido Manners {podcast}

You’ve witnessed the pandemonium. With the TV blaring in the background, cell phones ringing, and one of the kids practicing the trombone, no one is going to listen to you until you get their attention first. Teaching your dog to “focus” on you is the first step to training your dog. When your dog learns to FOCUS on you, then you can begin to introduce dog manners including waiting when you open a door or set down their dog bowl. I'll cover the advanced skills of WAIt and STAY in another post.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Before you start training, grab some training treats. The treats should be on the small size—one-bite size. Dog-training treats are small easy-to-digest treats that come in a variety of flavors. Some brands to check out are: 

• Newman's Own Organics Chicken and Vegetable Dog Training Treats
• Zukes Mini Naturals Training Treats
• One-bite size kibble—use your dog's favorite dry dog food

I like to keep a dozen or so small training treats in a snack baggie in my pocket so they are always ready when I need them. Just make sure you don't put them in a container so they rattle in your pocket—this often gets your dog overly excited about the treat and not the lesson.

Click on the audio link here to listen to How to Teach Your Dog to FOCUS:

 > • > • > AUDIO LINK 

Teaching Your Dog to FOCUS

 For step-by-step instructions for how to teach your dog to FOCUS click on the link below.

Hooray for Dads! (And a Playlist for Dads)

My son put together an awesome & timeless playlist for all those dads out there. Check it out. My son tells me this playlist is:

"an upbeat fusion of classics with a modern edge and 21st century hits that would have been appreciated in any decade as well as a few sentiment-evoking favorites."

Playlist—You can preview and listen to each song by clicking on the album link and then clicking on the song:

1) Hold on I'm Coming by Sam and Dave
iTunes album link: Hold On, I'm Comin' by Sam & Dave

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2) Lisztomania by Phoenix
iTunes album link: Lisztomania by Phoenix

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3) Monkey Man by The Rolling Stones

iTunes album link: Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones

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4) Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen

iTunes album link: Born In the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

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5) Daylight by Matt & Kim

iTunes album link: Grand by Matt & Kim

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6) Lola Live by The Kinks

iTunes album link: One for the Road by The Kinks

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7) Paradise by Coldplay

iTunes album link:- Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

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8) All These Things I Have Done by the Killers

iTunes album link:  All These Things That I've Done by The Killers

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9) Victoria by The Kinks

iTunes album link: The Singles Collection by The Kinks

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10) Dirty Water by the Standells

iTunes album link: The Live Ones! by the Standells

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11) Back in the ussr  by the the Beatles

iTunes album link: The Beatles (White Album) by The Beatles

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12) Kids by MGMT

iTunes album link: Oracular Spectacular by MGMT

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13) Following the River by the Rolling Stones

iTunes album link: Exile On Main St by The Rolling Stones

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14) Revolution 1 by The Beatles

iTunes album link: The Beatles (White Album) by The Beatles

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15) Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

iTunes album link: Conditions by The Temper Trap

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16) Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie

iTunes album link: Classic Queen by Quee (& David Bowie)

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17) Naive by The Kooks

iTunes album link: Naïve - EP by The Kooks

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18) Pinball Wizard by The Who

iTunes album link: The Who: Greatest Hits by The Who

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19) Cat's in the Cradle, by Harry Chapin

iTunes album link: Verities & Balderdash by Harry Chapin

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20) Good Life by OneRepublic

iTunes album link:  Waking Up (Deluxe Version) by OneRepublic

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Image: Graphics above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

Raising a Dyslexic Teen

Imagine knowing only English and being asked to read a textbook in Italian or write a paragraph in Danish. That's what each day is like for my teenage daughter who has processing disorder and dyslexia, a neurologically based disorder that causes difficulties in language-related tasks.

Although Albert Einstein could not talk until the age of four and did not learn to read until he was nine, researchers are not convinced he had dyslexia. But his inspiring quote above does make me believe he understood the struggle to read that many dsylexics face.

My daughter— and others like her—has difficulty "decoding" words because she does not hear the sounds letters and syllables make—something most of us take for granted. She tends to rely on memorization of whole words because she can't sound out the words. In many ways she thinks visually and analyzes patterns.

New research in language-based learning disabilities identifies how the brain works when reading. English and other languages that use an alphabet based language use a different reading skill in the brain than character-based languages such as Chinese or Japanese. According to Unlocking Dyslexia in Japanese in the WSJ:

Researchers have long observed that some dyslexics have an easier time with languages like Japanese and Chinese, in which characters represent complete words or ideas, than they do with languages like English, which use separate letters and sounds to form words. 

Dyslexia even makes forming alphabet difficult for some people. In this article, a young boy with had difficulty writing in his native English, but in his Japanese studies class he was able to compose characters sharply and distinctly.

Lovely Links from the Garden

Sunny and warm here today, so I'm outside on my deck thinking about gardens and backyard parties. The hydrangea above is in a container on my deck—out of reach from the deer (and bears) that wander through my yard munching on everything. My neighborhood in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies has a "no fences" rule, so the only safe place for plants is container gardens on the decks. 

Here are a few of my favorite links for plants, backyards, and summer fun. 

• I am so ready for my first barbecue party of the summer after seeing Nicole's party plans. How about you?

• A true garden party needs a few retro aprons. I adore the dottie angel aprons, striped straws in lemonade, and cupcakes Melanie features in her post from Seattle today.

• You scream, I scream, we all scream for homemade ice cream!  Gotta try the yummy recipe via Erin and Bi-Rite Creamery.

• An upside-down tomato planter is on my to do list for June.

• One of my puppies will eat nearly every thing... So I love this handy Pet Poison Help app to determine which plants I should keep out of reach.

• For more gardening ideas, check out my garden posts and photos here, on Pinterest and Facebook.

Photo illustration above by me, Chris Olson and features plants in my garden—Instagram Valencia filter— and a lovely fence photographed by D Sharon Pruitt.

 

Happy Thoughts from Winnie-the-Pooh

"Some people care too much. I think it's called love," says Winnie-the-Pooh.

 

Image: Wisdom by Winnie the Pooh. Art by me, Chris Olson. The role of Pooh played by the handmade and much-loved Honey Bear. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Don't blink because kids grow up so fast

 

Watch baby Lotte grow up and age 12 years in 2 minutes, 45 seconds in this time lapse video by the proud dad and Dutch filmmaker Frans Hofmeester. Lotte's dad says, "I filmed my daughter every week, from birth up until she turned 12 years old and then made this time lapse edit in FCP."

The video, "Lotte Time Lapse: Birth to 12 years in 2 min. 45," reminds me how important it is to enjoy each and every day because our kids grow up so fast!

This adorable video of Lotte growing up makes me want to create a time lapse video. Have you ever made one?  For a tutorial video on making a time-lapse video, check out Rob Griffins' Macworld tutorial. As Rob explains, with a time-lapse video you convert hours and days of activity into minutes and seconds of video. In his tutorial, he says:

I explain two ways of creating such videos, one easy and free, the other more complicated and time consuming (guess which method I’ve been using).

Let me know if you create one.

Three Cheers for Homemade Ice Cream @ Sebastian Joe's

A neighborhood isn't complete unless it has an coffee shop and an ice cream store. Combine them into one and—well, do I need to explain—you have the perfect destination almost any hour of the day!

Every time I make the pilgrimage back to my home state of Minn-e-SO-tah, I have to go to Linden Hills because this neighborhood has it's very own lake, charming shops, and the best ice cream ever scooped in Minneapolis! After a walk around Lake Harriet just head one block east to the family-friendly Linden Hills, here you'll find Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream.

MENU
The menu is simple but delicious: bakery goods, fresh roasted coffee and espresso, and the most original ice cream flavors! My personal faves are Praline Home Companion (this is the home state of Garrison Keillor!) Nicollet Pot Hole, and Banana Chocolate Chip.

PERFECT PLACE TO CHILL OUT
And you might as well bring your laptop or iPad and stay awhile—there's free WiFi. If you want, pull up a chair by the cozy indoor/outdoor fireplace. 

 

Image: SEBASTIAN JOE'S graphic by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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Green Grass Bookshelf

The clever people at Boon Inc. have created an adorable book shelf that doubles as a piece of art. Kids and adults will love displaying their favorite books in the Turf, Front-facing Bookshelf. Great for all sizes of books. Books face forward for easy selection. Easy wall-mounting, hardware included. Dimensions: 4.75" x 15.75" x 10.25". BpA-free. Phthalate-free. PVC-Free.

Image above by me, Chris Olson.  Photos: Boon, Inc.

Happy 100th Birthday Oreo Cookie!

Today I will be twisting the top off Oreo cookies and celebrating the famous cookie's 100th birthday with a glass of milk. How will you celebrate the day?

It all began one hundred years ago in a Nabisco bakery in Manhattan. Bakers mixed flour with cocoa, sugar and oil to make the base cake and then added the special cream center to make the first Oreo cookie sandwiches. Yum! The Oreos were then sold in tins in stores in Hoboken, NJ. 

According to the Oreo experts, approximately half of us like to take apart an Oreo cookie sandwich before we have the first bite. That's how I eat them. Are you like me too?

Did you know Oreo has a channel on YouTube. My personal fave is the Oreo commercial from France with a little girl teaching her Dad the "right" way to eat an Oreo cookie. 

 

Celebrate Oreo's birthday:

• Send an Oreo Birthday Cookie Gram from  Nabisco for $3.99
• Follow Oreo Cookie on Twitter
• Like Oreo on Facebook.

(Images: Oreo cookie birthday image by me, Chris Olson. French Oreo commercial by Nabisco.)

 

Four Ways to Save on Your Vacation Airfare

As fuel prices rise, it is nice to know how you can cut your travel costs when you purchase your vacation flights. According to travel experts—FareCompare.com and others—the cheapest days to fly and best time to buy airline tickets are base on a few simple rules.

Another travel tip is to shop for only ONE passenger's airline ticket at a time to get lowest rates. Why? The airline reservations systems lump your tickets together and highest individual price in your group will determine the cost. 

More ways to save:

You can find more ways to save in my post about using airfare alerts. If you use technology to notify you when prices drop and comparison shop, try using travel sites like these:

• FareCompare
• Expedia.com
• Priceline.com
• KAYAK.com
• Orbitz.com
• Hotwire.com
• ShermansTravel.com

Image above created by me, Chris Olson with yellow flower image by D Sharon Pruitt.

Homework Helper: How to Write a Theme Statement in Three Easy Steps

I included the graphic above to show how to compose a theme statement using the three steps given here. I think this handy fill-in-the-blank format to writing a theme is almost fool-proof for kids in middle grades and above. 

3 Steps to Write a Theme Statement:

1) Select an important TOPIC the book includes. Topic ideas include: freedom, love, trust, death, forgiveness, and many others. (This topic is often called an abstract concept.)

2) Begin the theme statement by listing the book genre, the name of the book, and author. (See graphic above to help you begin the sentence.) 

3) Now finish the statement from above by adding what the author REVEALS about the topic. 

 

Are you looking for more homework help?

Here are a few more writing resources I created: 

How to Write a Concluding Sentence: Did you know the last sentence of a paragraph is key to keeping your reader's interested? I've got a foolproof and easy way to write a strong concluding sentence.

How to Write a Strong Paragraph: Composing a strong paragraph is key to writing effective reports and essays. I created the following handy guide to help you writean effective paragraph.

How to Edit an Essay: A helpful checklist to help you polish an essaybefore you turn in an assignment. 

 

 

Images: All infographic images in this post were created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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