Snow Day!

So, Oliver and I have had some cabin fever recently. Here is what we did today with our snow day! I realize I appear to be imitating Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window with all the peeping that was done out my windows!!

Jolly Elephint Preview Post

I've been going through an identity crisis lately to say the least. Going from an engineer, to a retail crafter, to a mom and just a mom has taken a toll on who I am. To make this better/worse/whatever, I'm turning *hold my breathe* 30 this year. I'm not sure why, but it bothers the crap out of me. Anyways, what to do about it... Well, like most people that have watched Julie and Julia, blogging came to mind. There are thousands of blogs, but oh well, I will feel like I'm contributing to something other than my household!
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So, enter Jolly Elephint... A blog of craftiness, cooking yumminess, with the occasional fun kiddy thing here and there by three (and sometimes more) transplant Syracuse residents that are making their time here as fun as possible.

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Crafty Sundays... A way for us to work on our huge craft to-do list and focus on ourselves. (Until one of the kiddos has the death clutch on our leg.)
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This particular Crafty Sunday, we taught Julie how to sew, Julie & Judith made yoga pants out of t-shirts, we noshed on delish quinoa & shrimp ala Julie, and I sewed some overalls for Oliver.
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I should not say "we" talk Julie how to sew... Judith is a teacher. JUDITH taught Julie how to sew. I just interjecked some tips, gave her some scrap fabric to practice and that was my contribution.




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Jordyn checking out her momma's first successful seam!





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While I went to a craft retreat back in... 2006? put on by Crafty Planet, one of our projects was to upcycle some old t-shirts into yoga cropped pants. I mentioned this as a possible project & the gals loved the idea. I found the tutorial here and a video here.
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Here, Julie is learning how to pin!










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Everything was going great! Between the two links, it was easy for Judith to navigate through the project. Until we hit the waistband. The tutorial's waistband instructions are what we went with. With many craft projects, by the end of the day, your brain is done. The imaginary wall was approaching. We pressed the waistband in half, but basting the waist band would be our handy suggestion.









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Judith, amidst a wall and the decision of how to pin the waistband to the pants... Well, we screwed it up! That is okay, though. No harm done! .
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It just gave Julie the opportunity to learn how to use a seam ripper!
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In between the yoga crops project, Julie busted out her amazing cooking skills. It was my first time having quinoa and if you haven't tried it, you should! It is a great, healthy alternative to rice, with much more fiber!











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Julie's Shrimp & Quinoa
2 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. shrimp (scallops have been tested and approved as well!)
1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 can canellini beans
flat parsley
1 serving quinoa
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Make quinoa according to directions. While quinoa is cooking, continue below in seperate pan.
Saute garlic in olive oil, for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add shrimp and saute over medium heat until shrimp are slightly opaque. Add beans with liquid and lemon juice. When shrimp is cooked thoroughly and sauce slightly thickened, add coursely chopped parsley to taste.
Serve over warmed quinoa.
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Yumminess that didn't make me feel like I had to run a marathon afterwards.



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.My project has been sitting in my craft room since August. I cut it out back when my parents were last visiting. It was time to finish it to say the least. It was a Jackie Clark baby overalls pattern and the fabric you can grab here. It is hard to come across cute handmade boy clothing patterns. I snapped this pattern up as soon as I saw it! The project is easy aside from the application of the snap tape. The other thing I would change is the legs. I would turn the seams in at 1/4" twice, so you would have a nice finished edge around the snap tape. I have to thank my mom for that suggestion. We discovered it the first time we made these.
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Here is my babe modeling his new traffic jam overalls. SO CUTE!


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So, what do you think? Would you like to see more step-by-step crafting fun, recipes, with a dash of some paper crafting? I know I want to find a different blog site other than blogger. I hate having to use a bagillion periods to keep the damn thing formatted correctly!

Wow, sorry for the delay!

It's been awhile... This kid has more energy these days, it is crazy! Our schedule during the week is jammed packed: Monday: swimming lessons at the Y, Tuesday: Music Together class, Wednesday: My Gym, Thursday: rest, Friday: Free play at My Gym & repeat. I think I am more tired out than Oliver is!


Olivers favorite new past times are running & tormenting the animals. He has waged quite the war with Java & let me tell you, Java is taking no prisioners! The current score is Java: 3, Oliver 0. (Scores entitle using your teeth to bite &/or break the skin's surface producing blood.) Now, before you start thinking, "OH MY GOD, they need to get rid of that cat!!" I'll have you know, Ollie deserves it. The poor cat is grabbed by the tail and then lifted off the ground like some pesky rodent. After sounding like a broken record of "NO OLIVER! GENTLE OLIVER! AH, STOP IT OLIVER!" I've let nature run its course. He also enjoys trying to co-habitat with Porter. Porter's anxiety level can be physically seen rise at the sight of Oliver climbing in the kennel with him. Actually, Porter doesn't even have to be near it & he will get nervous. (I made those bibs Oliver is wearing. *pat myself on my back*)

Running... lots and lots of running... I'm thankful for My Gym. It's like a huge padded room that there are like 2 things he could maybe bust his head open. Odds in my favor!

And finally, some proof that the wild man does rest. As much as I talk about his hyperactivity, the O-man has become quite a snuggle buddy. It makes me smile when he comes up for a big hug after his naps. He also loves to sit on laps while watching his mind numbing tv. :)

Recent Activity

Poor Oliver Schulz, in the lonely living room, not know what time his next snack will come, all because he can't read! He can't get through his board books, so he chews them out of anger and frustration.

He does get rewarded by getting to help in the finer things in life like cleaning the floor. He doesn't need to read for that! *This post brought to you in part by Auntie Missy who got Oliver this shirt from a rummage sale.

Kazoo You!

Music is typically streaming out of the Schulz household. Ollie's new instrument of choice, the kazoo! Enjoy his "skills!"

Holiday Recap

Well, its 2010 and I haven't blogged in a while. We had a... um... well... interesting holiday. It was 13 days, 40 + hours in the car, and about 7 different beds all rolled into holiday cheer. Throw in Oliver infesting at least 7 people with the flu, a car dvd player that didn't work, a freezing rain storm, a typical lake effect snow white out, and you can call it our Christmas adventures. But, that is all the crazy stuff! We had a great time seeing all the family and a few friends during our time in the Midwest! And, luckily there is a whole year in between so I can try and forget how hectic it was.

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Butte Des Morts, WI: We discovered Ollie LOVES the sled. Grandma & Grandpa Schulz got the appropriate present!

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This is right before Ollie gave Bill quite the Christmas Eve gift. (puke right down his shirt)

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Grafton: WI: This was at the Schulz Family Christmas, four generations of Schulz gentlemen. Wilmer-the-Great trying to keep Ollie in line.

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Almena, WI: The Krecker Family Christmas: GG Ede & Gordon-the-Great with all their grandkids. And then Santa appeared out of no where! Ollie was clinging to his Yo Gabba Gabba DVD & his nuk since his blankie was out of reach.

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Duluth, MN: A small present opening session with the Natales. Oliver got a little help from his cousins and discovered a Yo Gabba Gabba boom box. It came in real handy in the car ride on the way back to NY!

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Aurora, MN: Grandpa Jon had to bring Ollie out on the MULE even if it was pretty frigid out. By the look of it, Bill had a good time too.

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The Schulz's go to a Hanukkah Party

Ah, the holiday season is in full swing! Being from the north, the only real different religions we were really exposed to were varying degrees of Christianity. Since we've moved here to NY, out of the tight-knit three amigos, I'm the tolkien Christian! It is so interesting to learn about Judaism. Last night was the second night of Hanukkah. We were lucky enough to be invited to our first Hanukkah party at the Wilkofsky residence.

The party was a delicious feast! Julie's mom, who is lovingly refered to as, Grandma Emily, was in town to help. The menu for Hanukkah is highly revolved around oil and frying. Yum!! :) Grandma Emily had been frying food since Friday!! Chicken cutlets and potato latkes were the highlights. Here, you see me supervising Judith as she giving Emily a break in the latke department.

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Here, we are in full swing co-mothering. Judith is already getting the 3 amigos food distributed before I even have Ollie down. Julie is ready to get some pictures of Jordyn's first Hanukkah party.















I was personally touched when Judith asked Oliver and I to light Phin's menorah. I was very attentive when I was getting my menorah lighting lesson from Judith. Isn't the puppy menorah the cutest!? It was a beautiful thing to be a part of and witness for the first time. The Hebrew blessings that they were singing were enchanting. I could have listened to them all night.






















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After the lighting of the menorahs, we got to relax and enjoy great company. Oliver, Jordyn, and Phineas flocked to Grandma Emily. They have grandma radar! We like to joke that when Julie had Jordyn, Emily didn't realize that she got triplets! When it comes to the three amigos, if you like one, you must like them all! :)

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In all, it was a great first Hanukkah experience. I always apologize for my lack of knowledge on Judaism. They have been more than nice to teach me! Thanks ladies!!