Momathon Blog

Imagine Finding this Valentine in Your Yard

A friend of mine has the sweetest tree in her yard. I might have to try to do this next year.

Images: All photos above are by me, Chris Olson .

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! 

 

 

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

I Heart Some Flower Drama: Gerbera Daisies

Back in June I had to evacuate my house for a week due to a devastating forest fire. This little lovely on my deck survived a week of 100 degree temps without water. Now, that's real flower drama.

I am so grateful that the AWESOME firefighters saved my house. Every day when I look at the torched mountainside above my home, I thank God that so many homes were saved.

Image: I HEART SOME FLOWER DRAMA photo graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 >•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

 More FLOWER DRAMA images here:

I Heart Some Flower Drama: Roses

I Heart Some Flower Drama: London Gardens

My Garden Is My Therapy

Lovely Links from the Garden

I Heart Some Flower Drama: Roses

This little lovely is a favorite on my deck. Can you believe the blossom variety on one rose bush? I heart some flower drama :)

Image: I HEART SOME FLOWER DRAMA photo graphic above are by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 >•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

 

I Heart Some Flower Drama: London

An evening walk after a work day is always made better by a little flower drama. These lovelies in London smell as wonderful as they look. 

Photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 >•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

 

Life Is a Balance

 

My artsy side meets my inner geek when I play around with my photos to give them a vintage look. The hand-tinted photo of a flower on my deck was created by me, Chris Olson, and combined with a favorite message. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Momathon is on Facebook. 

My Garden Is My Therapy

My garden is not in my yard. My backyard is home to rabbits and deer that wander through daily and munch on the native plants. To keep a garden in my neighborhood, you need a container garden elevated above the roaming wildlife. I keep my garden on my back deck. I have three dogs that are very protective of my plants and keep tabs on the buds and veggies growing here. Fortunately they all know the rules—no grazing allowed.

Hope you can enjoy a garden of your own. I think tending the plants is my personal therapy. Each morning I go out and water them and even talk to them. Whenever I can during the day, I step out on the deck and spend a few minutes just hanging out in my garden. You can follow the story of my garden here on the blog as well as on MomathonBlog on Instagram and Facebook. I also have a Pinterest board on Instagram tips and trends.

Image: My dog Giz was recently promoted to chief of garden security. Photos above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

>•< Connect on Facebook >•<

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.

 

Lupine Flowers and Lovely Links

 
Flowers are springing up so early in my neighborhood. I love the deep purple blooms of the perennial lupine that covers the terraced garden in front of my house. Their floral stocks remind me of sweet peas. Lupine like to "plant themselves" and rarely do well when transplanted because they have very long tap roots. If you want to add lupine plants, the try harvesting the seeds from existing plants—directions below.

Lupine Seed Saving Directions:
After the lupine plant is done blooming, the seed pods turn yellow. You can hear the seeds "rattle" inside the pods when the seeds are ripe. To catch the seeds to use later, just place pods in a box where they can explode naturally and then gather the seed. Right before you want to plant the seeds, try placing them in a baggie with a moist paper towel. Set the seed baggie in the refrigerator for about a week. The cool temps encourage germination. Seeds treated in this manner can be planted during the growing season (June—August).

 

• • • Lovely Links • • •

What are you grateful for? I'm grateful for Gabrielle Blair at DesignMom.com. Today she has a post similar to my post about kindness. Her post is all about gratitude, check it out here.

I like making printables for my blog and the always clever Nicole Balch over at the design blog Making it Lovely has created an adorable set of 10 printable Rainbow Birthday Party Invitations. They're free and fantastic!

What makes a great bookstore for kids? The moms at Red Tricycle share the best independent bookstores in the SF Bay Area here.

If you are on LinkedIn and use an iPad, the new app just for the iPad launched this week. Find out more here.

Do you have any lovely links to share? Share your thoughts in the comments, or on MomathonBlog on Facebook.

xo Chris

Image by Chris Olson.

Fresh Picks: For the Garden

 

Time to get outside and play in the garden. Thanks to the inspiration from my dear friend and garden guru, Kathy, here are a few of my fresh picks to get my garden in shape.

1) Protect your hands and your manicure with the leather Monogrammable Gardening Gloves from Red Envelope.
2) The versatile heather plant is a multi-tasker—perfect as foundation plants, ground cover, in borders, or in rock gardens. 
3) The ergonomic Felco Pruners work hard in the garden without hurting your hands. I love the fact Felco has pruners for lefties too!
4. Perfect upgrade to your garden trowel, the Japanese Hori Hori knife at Terrain.
5. Gotta love the price on these cute LANTSTÄLLE plant pots by IKEA.
6. And don't forget to take a break and admire your work on the Arched Back Bench from Terrain.

Image above by me, Chris Olson. 

Wordless Wednesday Bouquet

Hello Wednesday! Woke up a bit tired today even though I know I got more sleep than yesterday. I think a little tiara bling would be a very nice way to start the day. Or better yet, a nice purple bouquet.

(Image above by me, Chris Olson with photography by the amazing D Sharon Pruitt.) 

Green design: The LowLine Project aims to build an underground park in NYC

 
Imagine skylights that could allow plants and even an entire park to grow underground. In a crowded city like NYC, an urban underground park more than a dream thanks to the technology developed by architect Dan Barasch and his partner James Ramsey. Their Delancey Underground Project aims to convert an unused trolley terminal that extends for about three blocks right below Delancey Street (between Essex Street and the entrance to the Williamsburg Bridge) and turn this cavernous space into an extraordinary subterranean public park– nicknamed the “LowLine” after the successful elevated "High Line" park on the West Side of Manhattan.

James Ramsey and Dan Barasch

The Low Line might be the next urban frontier according to Salon.com: 

Dan Barasch and his partner James Ramsey are the co-designers of a wild new public-park concept cast in the mold of the city’s acclaimed High Line — except that instead of hoisting their park into the sky, they want to sink it into the mud. Envisioning a verdant cave filled with grass and trees.

Bararsch and Ramsey are seeking financing through "a combination of donations, grant money, public money and revenue from a limited number of shops inside the space could cover construction and maintenance" according to NYTimes.com. This ambitious project will only be funded if at least $100,000 is pledged by Friday, April 6th. You can make a pledge at Kickstarter here and watch their video below. 

Important links:

• If you are interested in funding this green initiative, go to LowLine: An Underground Park on NYC's Lower East Side by Dan Barasch on Kickstarter.
• Follow the LowLine on Twitter
• Like the LowLine project on Facebook: Delancey Underground
• Of course, more details about this project on their website, Delancey underground - The Project (delanceyunderground.org)

 

Photos via LowLine on Kickstarter.

Yippee! This blog post was selected to be featured on BlogHer.com to promote green design on March 9th. 

 

 

Thinking about my garden

 

 

Today is cloudy with temps hovering around freezing. I am wishing for spring with cheery flowers in pots on my deck and a row of daffodils in my garden. One of my favorite parts of gardening is planning. I have always had a fondness for dark flowers. That's why I started playing with my paints and sketching a black flower. Who knows... Maybe it will end up in my garden too.

Flower art by me, Chris Olson.

Grand gardens in small spaces

Gardens have a magic all their own. Inspiring, relaxing, and healing me on my daily walks. When I take my daily walks, stopping to admire the colors, scents, and shade near an urban garden is a welcome resting point for me and my children--and my dogs!

More garden photos on the following link:

Farmer's Market

Fresh from a garden, so many delicious treats here. No one leaves a farmer's market empty handed.

More farmer's market photos on the following link:

Holiday safety tips for pets

Holiday decorations and food and even new holiday toys are very tempting chew toys for pets just like they are for children. And we tend to put the holiday items in places dogs and other pets can reach easily. We might remember to baby-proof our house if we have young children, but we also can use the same concept for dog-proofing the house for the holidays. 

Toys (and holiday decorations) that are not designed for dogs are not safe for pets. Small parts--even the squeaky part inside a child's or dog's toy--can spell trouble if your pup chews up the toy and swallows the choking hazard. Instead give your dog indestructible toys to keep him occupied like a "Kong" dog toy filled with dog treats. 

Some types of "people food" can be toxic to your dog. I know it's hard to resist giving your pooch a snack from the dinner table. Especially during the holidays. Unfortunately some foods that people love--even healthy foods such as grapes or raisins--can harm or kill your pet. 

We know chocolate and candy is bad for Fido, but did you know that meatloaf with onions is very harmful because of the onions? When my Rhodesian Ridgeback got pancreatitis after eating the turkey meat with the skin on it, I found out how quickly a healthy dog can become gravely ill from greasy foods. Also, you should avoid any candy or other item sweetened with xylitol. See my list below for foods to avoid. Plus, for more information on pet safety during the holidays, check out the ASPCA Holiday Safety Tips.

 

 

Common signs of poisoning include:

• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Drooling
• Redness of skin, ears, and eyes
• Swelling and bleeding

 

Foods to avoid

For a detailed look at poisonous foods and items for pets, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Here's a quick overview of just a few people foods dogs and other pets should not eat according to the ASPCA.

• Avocados
• Alcohol
• Greasy foods like turkey skin
• Nuts (especially macadamia nuts and walnuts)
• Chocolate
• Candy or anything containing the sweetener Xylitol
• Coffee and Caffeine
• Grapes or Raisins
• Onions, Garlic, Chives
• Human Medicine
• Yeast Dough
• Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
• Milk
• Salt

 

Plants to avoid

Many of your favorite household plants are poisonous to pets too. Check out the ASPCA: 17 Common Poisonous Plants

Here are 17 plants that are poisonous to pets:

• Lilies
• Marijuana
• Sago Palm
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Castor Bean 
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Yew
• Amaryllis 
• Autumn Crocus 
• Chrysanthemum 
• English Ivy 
• Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) 
• Pothos 
• Schefflera

 

Illustration by me, Chris Olson.

Photo image by digital_image_fan

(You might notice that a version of this post is familiar, you can read it also here.)

 

 

Daily doodle: Go get some Happy Friday flowers

 

No excuses... Today you have to treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of fall flowers. Happy Friday!

Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Chocoholic alert: Grow your own chocolate mint plant

 

Mmmm, chocolate. I love the taste. I love the aroma. In fact just breathing in the scent of a freshly baked chocolate cake or cookie sometimes gets me over the cravings--at least for a minute or two.

Thanks to the hardy chocolate mint plant, now you can have your own chocolate factory on a windowsill or front porch with partial sun. I love the peppermint patty flavor and scent. Use the plant to add flavoring to many drinks and foods--just add the washed leaves to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cakes, cookies, etc. I've even heard of cooks adding it as a secret ingredient in pesto. This versatile herb adds a zippy chocolate-peppermint flavor to icings for cakes and cookies. Even if you don't want to eat the leaves, the plant is a perfect all-natural aroma therapy herb.

The chocolate mint plant grows quickly and needs a large pot so it does not become root bound. Also, be careful not to burn the plant by exposing it to full sun. If you want to create new plants, the mint propagates easily from cuttings. 

For more gardening ideas, check out Momathon gardens.

Photo essay: Time to unwind

I love weekends because I can slow down enough to actually see the beautiful things all around. Enjoy these photos by talented photographers around the globe.

 

A lovely flower by Strife. (UK)

 

Girl dancing on the beach by mikebaird (CA,USA)

 

Bird by Marioawsm

 

Horses on the beach in Morro Bay CA by tbchris

Growing veggies in the back of a pickup

  

Documentary filmmakers Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis of Brooklyn did not let the fact they lacked land stop them from planting their own garden. 

Lettuce, arugula, herbs and tomatoes appear to be easy to grow almost anywhere--even in the back of a Dodge pickup. Ian and Curt planted rows of veggies to make a mobile garden featured in their new documentary film Truck Farm.

Plants + Friends = Community Gardens

Today is earth day. Seasoned gardeners and newbies across the U.S. are starting community gardens with the help of American Community Gardening Association. If you are interested in how to set up a community garden this association has plenty of tips. On the website you can download PDF files on organizing a garden committee, how to choose a site, preparing a site, insurance, and managing the garden.

 

 

Kids naturally like to dig in the dirt. And they like creepy crawly things like the garden slugs in the photo above. Gardening is a great family activity. Give a kid some ownership of the project and you will be amazed at how much kids love to plant, water, and even weed their own garden. The Community Gardening Assoc. offers great ideas in Ten tips for gardening with kids.

(Photos: Monica R: Boy with garden hose; D Sharon Pruitt, Child With Handful of Garden Slugs)

It's so Etsy: Plant a wildflower garden

 

 

In honor of earth week...

Spring is here. Something about digging in the dirt makes me smile. Gardening mixes therapy with sunshine! So grab some seeds and a shovel. 

One of the best parts of gardening is the fact you don't need a lot of space. A corner garden with some sunshine works. Or plant seeds in a container garden on your patio or deck.  Planting seeds is a fun activity for the whole family. My kids love to design their own gardens. Keeping the plants happy with regular watering teaches responsibility too.

The Thebearfootshaman shop on Etsy offers a beautiful Wildflower Garden Seed Mix to Attract Birds. The mix contains:

Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, Bachelor Buttons, Purple Prairie Clover, Mexican Hat, Rocky Mountain Beeplant, Sulphur Flower, Butterfly Plant, Indian Blanket, Goldenrod, Penstemon, Aster, Liatris, Cosmos, Daisy, Bee Balm, Blue Flax, Larkspur, Lupine, Sunflower, and Coreopsis. 

Go to this link to check out the Wildflower Garden Seed Mix. $3.29.

(Photo of wildflowers from the Etsy page of Thebearfootshaman)

I don't have a pumpkin yet...

 

(image by tinyfrogle)

Every year I do the same thing. I wait too long to buy my Halloween pumpkin. I tell myself (and my kids) that I am waiting till I see the right one. Plus, I don't like storing the pumpkin at home because no matter where I put it, the pumpkin eventually rots. Yuck. 

So when should I pick my pumpkin? According to the pumpkin experts on the internet, here's the scoop: 

Step 1

In cold weather areas, pumpkin pickers should wait until the first frost has killed the pumpkin vines. BUT harvest before a heavy frost. 

Okay, I have already blown it. We have had two snowstorms in September/October in my area. The heavy frost has arrived!

If you are lucky enough to find a pumpkin unaffected by frost, you are ready for step two.

Step 2

Let the pumpkin skin cure or harden by allowing the pumpkin to sit in the sun for about 10 days. (If you have less than 10 days till Halloween, don't sweat it. But pumpkin gurus warn against leaving the pumpkin inside for too long.)

Step 3

Never stack the pumpkin. Stacking causes bruising and rotting. 

This is a problem. Because I didn't pick a pumpkin at a pumpkin patch, I have to buy one at the grocery where they always STACK them in huge wooden crates.

Step 4

If you are lucky enough to find a pumpkin that was never stacked or exposed to a hard frost, then I must repeat myself: You are very lucky.

When you bring the lucky pumpkin home, the optimal temperature for storing the pumpkin is 50-60 degrees. This could be a problem for many of us because in October the temp is often below 50. Hint: If you can see your breath when you go out to pick up your newspaper in the morning, then it is probably too cold to keep it outside over night.

Step 5

If you have failed steps 1-4 like me, then don't despair. Jump in your minivan and go to Target or Michaels craft store and buy an artificial jack-o-lantern with lights in it. If you feel even the tiniest pangs of guilt over this, remind yourself that Halloween is all about having the house with the best candy and not pumpkins.  (Don't tell my kids I said that.)

A Hardy & Fragrant Groundcover

I live in a high desert region. Last year I decided to go green and add groundcover plants that do not need to be watered as often. Thyme plants thrive in sunny locations. I love the fact they rarely need water or fertilizing. They aren't picky about soil either--dry, gritty soil is fine. Thyme is hardy and some varieties can tolerate the snow and freezing temps we have in Colorado. The thyme plants vary in height. The one pictured here only grows to approximately 3-5 inches high and slowly spreads to 24 inches. This is the perfect height because I can walk through the garden without accidentally stepping near a rattlesnake or two! Best of all, the fragrant green carpet smells wonderful.

 

Garden Quilt

Flowers make me smile. This garden of pink peonies and giant red poppies reminds me of a colorful crazy quilt. I want to sit on my deck and wrap the flower quilt around me

Pet Safety: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

My dogs have always enjoyed sitting on my deck. Outdoors on a deck or near the garden might seem like a great place for pets, but their human friends need to make sure the plants nearby are not toxic. 

The ASPCA website has a great list with photos of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

You can also search the plant database using common or scientific names or even symptoms. The list includes categories for plants toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Remember the "common name" of a plant in one part of the country or world might refer to a completely different plant someplace else. Make sure to check the scientific name of the plant to get the most accurate plant information. Using the scientific name is important because some regional plants with common names might not appear on the poisonous plant list.

Please note that I am not a vet or an animal health expert. According to the ASPCA, the information contained on the ASPCA "plant list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants."

Concerned about a potential poisoning? 

If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, 

contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA 24-hour emergency poison hotline 

directly at 1-888-426-4435.

You might be surprised to find out that some of the plants you thought were safe are dangerous to pets. Did you know Aloe Vera is toxic to dogs and cats?

(Photo above: ASPCA website)

Use NonToxic Gardening Products

Keep your garden safe by also using nontoxic gardening products. Certain toxic products like slug and snail bait might seem tasty to pets but they can cause life-threatening side-effects within minutes! Always contact your vet or an animal emergency hotline poison hotline for the best advice to treat your pet. You need a vet's expertise because methods that work on humans are not meant to be used on pets.

Other resources:

Common Poisonous Plants | The Humane Society of the United States

Common Plants Are Toxic to Pets | NBC New York

Go Green: Grow Sweet Peppers

Cubanelle sweet peppers are easy to grow in a garden or a container pot. When the yellow, red, or green peppers are 4 to 6 inches long they are ripe. They are similar to banana peppers. Mild and sweet, the "Sweet Italian Frying Pepper" is more flavorful than Bell peppers. Because of their lower water content they are great for frying and cooking.

Fresh Strawberries

I can already taste the juicy red berries from this plant even though technically they haven't ripened yet. 

It's hard to be patient in the garden.

Go Green: Grow a Sweet Plant

This herb smells like a peppermint patty. My sweet Chocolate Mint plant flavors teas, adds a unique chocolate flavor to desserts or sweet breads, or makes a yummy potpourri.

An easy-to-grow plant, it grows well in an area with morning sun and shade after 2 p.m.  

Sidewalk Art

 

Often nature creates the most magical artwork. 

All we need to do is slow down and look around us. 

Why Buy Local?

The buy local movement is gaining popularity with moms across the country. Why is buying local important? Buying local usually means you are getting fresher food with higher nutrient levels. Plus, if you go to a farmer's market you meet the local growers in your area and they can introduce you to yummy new veggies and fruits that you might not have tried otherwise. Buying local means buying green too. When food or other products do not have to be shipped long distances, fewer barrels of oil are consumed in shipping. Using less oil helps the environment.

If you are interested in learning more about buying local, here are just a few online resources:

• The buy local terminology can be confusing. What is the difference between buying local and buying sustainable? Get the scoop on Sustainable Table.
• BuyLocal.net will help you find local organizations and support local businesses. 
• Looking for farmer's markets and family farms in your area? Check out this link Local Harvest. You can also follow Local Harvest on Twitter.
• Interested in finding food that is sustainably produced in North America? Check out Food Alliance.

Go Green: Eco-Friendly Pots for New Plants

Whenever I transplant new plants in my garden, I end up with a pile of discarded plastic pots the plants are sold in. Some of the temporary pots are recyclable, but many are not. 

This year I discovered  eco-friendly peat pots. Love them. Easy to plant. Better for your plants. My new herbs for the garden came in biodegradable Bonnie Peat Pots. The green peat pots make it super simple to garden with kids. Here's how: 

• remove the narrow band of  shrink wrap with planting instructions around the top edge of the pot
• tear away the top of the peat pot so that the rim is not exposed after planting
• remove the bottom half of the pot before planting to help roots
• compost any pieces of peat pot or turn them into the ground
• make a hole in the ground the size of the peat pot and place the plant in the hole
• the peat pot keeps the plant intact and makes the planting process great for kids

Six Easy Steps to Save 60 Gallons of Water a Day

It has been raining like crazy all month here and it's all too easy to forget about the fact we still need to conserve water.

According to Planet Green here are 6 easy things you can do to save big:

Take a 5-minute shower instead of a 10-minute shower (Savings: 12.5 gallons)

Put a bottle filled with gravel in your toilet tank (Savings: 7.5 gallons)

Turn off the water while brushing teeth and sharing (Savings: 8 gallons)

Filling your dishwasher to max capacity (Savings: 2 gallons)

Mulching your garden (Savings: 25 gallons)

Fix that leaky faucet (Savings: 5 gallons)

TOTAL Water Savings: 60 gallons

Don't forget to talk to your kids about the water saving tips. If you do, your family could save more than 60 gallons today. You can follow PlanetGreen.com on Twitter  

(Thanks for the tips Planet Green.)

Why Should We Love Our Bees?

If you like flowers and fruit and veggies, then you need to thank our busy bees for all the hard work they do. A third of the food we eat depends on bees for pollination, but the honeybees are disappearing fast. Why are they disappearing? The cause is still unknown, but scientists call this environmental issue Colony Collapse Disorder (CDC). Without the honeybees for pollination, the fruits, vegetables and flowers will disappear too. 

Burt's Bees recently made it a priority to educate the public about CCD. According to Burt's Bees:  "CCD is a mysterious disorder causing the disappearance of millions of honeybees that if left unsolved, could affect the availability of the food we eat." Häagen-Dazs - Help the Honey Bees also wants to "keep these little heroes buzzing" and get the word out.

The good news is you and your kids can work together to help save the bees too:

• Support your local organic farmer.
• Plant a seed a create a bee-friendly garden in your backyard, deck, or a neighborhood park.
• Make a donation to programs that support research into CCD. Pennsylvania State University and University of California at Davis have two of the world´s leading honey bee research facilities.  

Donate to the Penn State Entomology - AG Science Haagen Dazs Honey Bee Project

Donate to the UC Davis Honeybee Research Fund

Digital Kid Syndrome: Are Your Kids Couch Potatoes?

I dream about a world--or maybe just a weekend--without a Wii, Xbox, or iPod. My kids would talk to me and other real people in real time. Their eyes would enjoy looking at real things like books, bicycles, broccoli, and basketball courts. Their arms and legs would move with real things like the vacuum cleaner!

Okay, it's just a dream. But what if you could convince your kids to step away from their digital worlds and go outside. Taking a class with their friends or with siblings is one way to develop new hobbies and talents that can last a lifetime. Imagine a teen who makes dinner. Or an 8-year-old who creates all your greeting cards. According to the clever editors at Oprah.com you have many wonderful choices including these ideas:

• Cooking classes (or teach them to cook at home with Recipes Your Kids Will Enjoy Making and Eating!)
• Music classes
• Photography class with mom or dad (check out these Photography Tips)
• Fitness class
• Sewing, knitting, or other craft classes
• Language class
• Dance class
• Magic lessons
• Volunteer (check out these tips on the Art of Giving Back)

In my personal experience, some affordable (and even free) classes that last a day or an afternoon can be great fun too. Group lessons are usually more affordable. Here are some to try:

• Horseback riding lessons (More affordable lessons might be offered to a group such as Girl Scouts, etc.)
• Writing or journaling classes (Some classes are offered for free at the library)
• Tennis lessons
• Golf Lessons 
• Scuba diving lessons
• Pottery or ceramics classes
• Mommy and kids craft classes at your library 
• Or create a co-op with your friends. Each mom (or dad) can sign up to teach a class in a hobby they enjoy

Have fun! I might sneak into one of the classes too!

Snow on the Yucca Plant

In the summer our yucca plants have beautiful bell-like flowers with blooms of greenish white to creamy white.

In the winter the plant stays green. A beautiful sight against the pristine winter snow.

The hundreds of spiky leaves are sharp. And unfortunately a huge temptation to sniff by my pup. She is growing smarter and avoided sniffing today.

Fall Snowfall

It isn't officially winter, but last night the snowing and the blowing gave my neighborhood an early taste of winter.

Photos © Chris Olson

Yard Party? Prepping the Yard for Fall

The leaves are turning golden. It's time to prep the yard for winter. My brothers and I used to sing crazy songs together as we worked in the yard. I'm not sure my parents appreciated our singing, but it just shows that you can turn working in the yard into a fun family activity. Just bring your iPod with speakers outdoors and crank up the music. Give your kids some garden gloves to prevent blisters as well as kid-sized rakes. You can turn raking into a game. My daughter likes to make it a contest and see who can make the biggest pile of leaves. Of course jumping into the pile is the best part.

Don't worry about raking up every last leaf on the yard. Leave a few leaves on the lawn and mulch them when you mow. When you add a winterizing fertilizer this will help the mulched leaves break down and they both will provide nutrients for your lawn. You can fertilize your lawn with a winterizing fertilizer such as "Scotts Winterizer Fall Lawn Fertilizer."  Winterizers strengthen the roots and help the grass to store more energy. A good fall fertilizer should provide the nitrogen and potassium your lawn nees during fall and winter.

The view from my backyard in the fall and a couple of frisky bucks.

Go Green: Self-Watering Systems for Houseplants

Plants make wonderful indoor companions. Of course they are pretty to look at, but they also offer health benefits by adding oxygen into the air. Remember how proud you were of your bean plant in a paper cup (or mini milk carton) that you grew from a seed way back in kindergarten? Houseplants can help kids learn about how to grow and care for living things. One of my favorite houseplant benefits is the fact you can grow herbs indoors too. How great is it to add some fresh spices from your very own garden to your salad or pasta dinner.

A variety of self-watering systems make caring for indoor plants stress-free. And these simple gadgets help make sure you don't over water the plant. Here are some of my self-watering faves:

(Photo: Drip-It Frog)

Drip-It Frog

The green frog (red squirrels also available) water your plants for up to 2 weeks. $10. 

www.drip-it-systems.com

Aqua Globes

Multi-colored handblown glass globes supply water to plants for up to 2 weeks. $15 each

www.buyaquaglobes.com

Watering Globes

Clear or colored glass globes water plants for about a week. $15

www.orchidlight.com