April 2026 End of Month Reflection

April Reflections: Art, Wellness, and Big Wins

April has been a whirlwind of creativity, professional growth, and family traditions. From the classroom to the art studio, here is a look back at a truly fulfilling month.

Family Traditions & Flavorful Wins

This month, I leaned into my German roots with some kitchen therapy.

• Maultaschen Made Easy: We continued our tradition of making Maultaschen, a true family favorite.

• Hefezopf Success: My husband Ed and I teamed up to bake Hefezopf (braided sweet bread); it was so good he even took some to share with his colleagues.

Classroom & Career Milestones

It has been a rewarding season for my work in education and coaching.

• Teacher of the Week: I was incredibly honored to be named "Teacher of the Week" on April 22nd.

• Professional Presentations: I had the opportunity to present at a CNA meeting, sharing insights with my peers.

• Wellness Expansion: I am officially moving forward with Piece by Peace Art Wellness Life Coach, establishing a new logo and business cards to better serve my community.

Creative Pursuits & New Hobbies

Finding peace through art and nature remains a top priority.

• The Underwater World: Our new 35-gallon freshwater tank is thriving! Watching the Blue Tiger Parrot Cichlid and Guppies, has become a favorite way to unwind.

• Beta Test Launch: Preparation is in full swing for my virtual art wellness beta group starting in June—I can't wait to dive into this creative journey with my first 6-8 participants.

Personal Brags

• Academic Excellence: A huge congratulations to my son, who was named Valedictorian for his Nurse Aide program!

• Beagle Besties: The dogs have been enjoying the sunny Texas weather just as much as I have.

What was the highlight of your April? Whether it was a new recipe or a professional win, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Comments

Fidget Blanket (Fummeldecke) Ideas

This will be my first time ever making a fidget blanket- I was so happy to have the opportunity today to gift my Oma a fidget blanket. I love her with all my heart, it just makes me so sad that not much can be done for her while struggling through dementia. She told me it was beautiful and she appeared to like it. I showed her each square and what she can do with it. The first thing she noticed was the wording; „Mit Liebe Gemacht“ which translates to „Made with love“. Oma Hildegard is German and I wanted to make sure she would recognize things and always remember that we love her. What is a Fidget Blanket? Fidget blankets are therapeutic small lap quilts to which different kinds of things are sewn or added on. These items offer sensory stimulation that can have a calming effect on patient who struggle with memory loss. The Fidget blankets help them stay busy avoiding boredom. It provides a means of performing repetitive behaviors that are often reassuring and calming. ...

Healthy Recipes

Cauliflower Chili Zucchini Sliders Zucchini Sliders Links: Chicken Wrap Chicken Parmesan More Recipes More Healthy Food (Free Recipes) Facebook Health Group for Women Tried & True Recipes

The Low Oxalate Diet

A low-oxalate diet is a diet that is low in oxalates. Oxalate is a chemical found mostly in plant foods. A low oxalate diet can help prevent future kidney stones. The most common type of kidney stone is calcium and oxalate. The following are low oxalate foods Meat: All fresh and frozen meats: beef, pork, chicken, turkey; fish and seafood such as flounder, salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallops; and eggs. (Avoid cured meats.) Dairy: Dairy products made with cow’s and goat’s milk, including buttermilk, skim milk, 1% and 2% milk, whole milk; butter; all cheeses, including cheddar, feta, farmer, goat, mozzarella, Parmesan; sour cream, whipping cream, half & half; yogurt, plain, or with low oxalate fruit. Fruits: Apples, avocados, cherries, cranberries, bananas, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), seedless grapes (red and green), peaches, plums. Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers; iceberg and Romaine lettuc...

Simply Stefanie Stuff

Search This Blog