Momathon Blog

Go Outside! The National Day of Unplugging Begins at Sundown

If you are like me, then you probably will have a hard time "unplugging" and living offline for 24 hours. The National Day of Unplugging runs from sundown today, Friday, March 23, to sundown, Saturday, March 24. It's a day to recharge without technology. Instead of connecting on Facebook, pinning or tweeting, we are challenged to connect with each other off screen. Here is how it all started according to the National Day of Unplugging Pledge on causes.com:

With roots in Jewish tradition, this modern day of rest was developed by Reboot as a way to bring some balance to our increasingly fast-paced way of life and reclaim time to connect with family, friends, the community and ourselves. Shut down your computer. Turn off your cell phone. Stop the constant emailing, texting, Tweeting and Facebooking to take time to notice the world around you. Connect with loved ones. Nurture your health. Get outside. Find silence. Avoid commerce. Give back. Eat Together. 

Ironically to find out more about the annual tech detox day you will have to go online... You can check out the National Day of Unplugging  pledge or go to National Day of Unplugging 2012 « Sabbath Manifesto or like the day on Facebook.

Here is my compromise. I know I can't go cold turkey and avoid all tech. Instead join me and spend more time outside—with friends. And why not. It's the first weekend of spring. That's a good enough reason to leave my laptop and iPad behind and enjoy the beautiful world outdoors.

That's me in the photo above enjoying a walk with one of my favorite four-legged friends. So go soak up some Vitamin D outdoors. Find a friend and take a walk. Enjoy!

Image above by me, Chris Olson. 

Spring Ahead: Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday

Daylight saving time begins this weekend. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 12, 2012. 

A bit of daylight saving time trivia

Leaving out the plural "s" on daylight saving time sounds strange, but according to the grammar experts at The Washington Post the term is not plural.

Daylight saving time is NOT observed in Hawaii and Arizona.

In case you were wondering... The clocks featured in the image above: Retro Turquoise 9 1/2" Square Wall Clock via LampsPlus.com, Black Wehrle German Commander Alarm Clock via Crate and Barrel, Dropped Numbers 23" Clock via CB2, Wooden Hedgehog Wall Clock via The Land of Nod, and Tangerine Creamsicle Modern Wall Clock (sold out) via Uncommon on Etsy.

Image by me, Chris Olson.

Brrr! It's cold outside

 

Time to  build a nest or play outdoors?

 

Photos by me, Chris Olson.

Winter blues (the happy kind)

Looking for a pop of color for a winter weekend getaway? Check out this fresh wave of blue via Ann Taylor (pointy flat), Talbots (knit jacket), Boden (mariner stripe sweater), Jason Wu for Target (blue dress), Garnet Hill (beach towel and swimsuit), Boden (blue floral dress), and Garnet Hill (retro sailor tee).

 

(Fashion mood board by me with images from Ann Taylor, Talbots, Boden, Jason Wu for Target, and Garnet Hill.)

161 Days Until Summer

 

Was it a warm day where you live? Today the temp hovered around 60 degrees in my neighborhood. The only evidence of previous snow storms are tiny drifts protected by the shade of trees. The calendar says it is January 10th, but it feels like summer. The countdown clock tells me 161 days remain until summer arrives on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Collage art by me, Chris Olson.

The last colorful splash of fall

The nights are getting colder and colder here in Colorado. We've already had our first snow. The black bears wandering the 'hood at night are feasting on crab apples and seeds in the bird feeders before the big freeze and hibernation begins.

Here are a few images of the last colorful splash of autumn in my backyard.

 Photos by me, Chris Olson 

Halloween at House 8810

House 8810 online store has loads of fun Halloween goodies. Check out two of my faves below:

Halloween towels

Halloween masks

Photos: House 8810 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Colors

 

Fall colors photos by me, Chris Olson

Sand between my toes

The summer heat wave is here. Time hit the beach, sit back, and relax.  

Doodle above by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Daily doodle: baby bird

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.  

~Chinese Proverb

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. Illustration by me, Chris Olson.

Valentine doodle: Love actually is all around

"If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around." 

~ The Prime Minister, the movie Love Actually

 

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

Postcards from winter: Goodbye January

Today is the last day of my Picture Winter class with photographer Tracey Clark. The month-long class has been a blast. Daily class prompts inspired me to get outside with my camera. I think this chilly month zipped by thanks in part to this wonderful class. 

Photos: Chris Olson © 2011.

Daily doodle: snow globe

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Snow day

Weather never takes a vacation, but it might give you a day off.

Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

The great Pup-kin

"On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises from his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys to all the children." --Linus

 

Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Love notes

Time to savor the remaining warm summer nights and do some star gazing.For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Feels almost like spring

 

When a warm March day tempts us to wear shorts and T-shirts, spring has to be right around the corner. Today is one of those days. Walking my dogs up the "big" hill by my house, my feet feel lighter than usual. No coat is needed. Sandals are almost appropriate. My dogs are smiling at the prospect of an extra-long journey to the ridge high above us and the view of the city below. I'm not sure they ever really marvel at the view. More likely it is the gentle breeze that is a constant up there and the fact this is the epicenter of all the sounds and scents in nature. At the top, the dogs lounge in the tired, brown grass from last summer. Together we survey our surroundings and consider where we might go next.

(Image above is © Chris Olson)