Simply Stefanie Stuff

 Planted some spinach seeds with my Jedi pepper plant because I read online that they are good companion plants. Looking forward to see how it works out.    Sometimes I grow plants and don’t remember what I planted. After cooking - I always save the seeds and try to grow plants from them. Sometimes, I actually have luck at it.  RIGHT NOW in August is the time to plan,  plant and start your Fall garden!  It’s too hot to plant cool weather crops but it’s the right time to start a lot of them indoors so they’ll be ready to plant in September when things (hopefully) cool down and the rains return.  This just in from Austin Organic Gardeners: We just passed the New Moon phase and are now approaching the First Quarter and are in Waxing Crescent. During the waxing of the moon (the period extending from the day the moon is new to the day it reaches its fullest point), the moon pulls moisture upwards. Seeds do well during this time because moisture is availabl...

Spent 9-10 days in Germany and had a great time introducing my husband to Germany and meeting family.  The day before we had Linner with Nicole in Dallas at Portillo’s.  Our first evening in Germany we walked to a outdoor eating area in Beilstein, Germany. 

What can be done with fabric scraps? Here is a list of a few things that can be made using scraps.  1. Make a scrap quilt or strip blocks  2. Make a doll house/ Barbie doll quilt 3. Use as fillers for dog bedding/ toys 4. Crumb Quilt  5. Pin cushion 6. Recycle  7. Make ornaments  (see picture below) 8. Fabric Shape  or paint with fabric 9. Use for junk journaling 10.  Make Quilt Magnets 11. place tiny scraps and threads in between 2 sheets of wash away stabilizer, then use decorative stitches to secure. Soak to melt and wash away. Voila!!! Pretty fabric for cards, ornaments, bookmarks, etc. 12. Turn into framed art (see picture below) 13. Make a fabric banner  14. Crumb Blocks 15. Donate to local Sewing Shop. They have many customers that do paper piecing/crumb piecing. I did call in advance to see if they would accept them.  16. Sell online 17. Pom Pom pen 18. Make your own string 19. Fabric Slashing If you are interested in some...

  Thread can be reused/ recycled many different ways. I'd seen somewhere where someone thinned down Elmers Glue and worked their threads into a solution then put it onto a Saran-wrap covered bowl to dry.  The finished product gave a colorful solid bowl.  I also saw on Pinterest people have made Easter eggs using balloons. Just pop the balloons once the thread and glue have dried.  Do you know any backpackers? Or people who like to camp?  Cotton thread is awesome fire starter material! Save your empty  toilet rolls , dryer lint and fill them with thread.  Make a heart and stuff the inside of the heart with the thread. Then you have stuffing for the heart and can put it in a stuffed animal, or use it for stuffing along with little scraps of material. I’ve been using mine to stuff a homemade pin cushion. I've sandwiched the clippings between a piece of fabric and something sheer like toile, hoop it then using a stippling pattern. It makes interesting blo...

One of my adopted sharks is Chum a scalloped hammerhead shark. Updated July 25th, 2024 Read more about scalloped hammerheads “ here ”. Help protect the scalloped hammerhead shark “ here ”.  Links: Shark Tracker Fahlo

  We love dressing up for Shark Week! Some years we go all out :) Links: My Style

Next batch I have better luck growing my radish indoors using the Aerogarden than outdoors in the Texas heat.  Last year I didn’t do so well with radishes, but this year it’s going much smoother.  It is June, and I just planted some radish seeds in my Aerogarden.  Baked radishes in the oven for 25 minutes with butter and herbs.  Link: Radish Health Benefit

ok, the plant with the silvery spots is a satin pothos... the one with the silvery blue-green leaves is a Cebu Blue Pothos... and then just plain'ol regular pothos!

Morning Glories are beautiful, but the seeds are toxic to animals and humans if ingested.  The Morning Glory is an annual with huge, gorgeous flowers that bloom profusely on lush vines.  Takes 10-14 days to Germinate, grows about 3 - 4 feet tall. Matures in 50-80 days.  Garden Hint: To speed germination, nick seeds and soak overnight in warm water. Does not transplant well. 

What to pack for 10 days! „ Here “ Sunny days ranging between 60 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit                Basic colors                   Color palette                  Shoes            Accessories                          Bags   Pajamas July 9 (Wednesday): Travel  Day – Texas → Frankfurt 🚗 July 10 (Thu): Arrive in Frankfurt → Transfer to Beilstein /  Explore Beilstein Rental Car : Frankfurt → Beilstein (~2 hrs) 🏰 July 11 (Fri): Morning :Visit Heilbronn and eat a Döner Kebab, shop a little downtown.  Visited the local Burg 🚢 July 12 (Sat):  Visited family for coffee in the morning and dad at noon. Went to MIT Summer festival and bought a gingerbread heart.  Ate some delicious food. My had Maultaschen and Ed a burger.  ...