Appleton Dance

by Linda Theil Who knew that a beautifully designed cross-body bag could be important occupational-therapy equipment for anyone with only one functional arm! When my cousin broke her arm and reached out for suggestions about how to navigate daily life with only one hand, the first thing I found on the Internet was advice to use a cross-body bag instead of a handbag, allowing your body to act as carrier and stabilizer instead of a nonfunctional hand/arm. What a great idea! The advice seems obvious since the main benefit of a cross-body bag is to allow  hands free while shopping, but it never occurred to me that a cross-body bag could be invaluable to anyone with limited use or mobility of one arm. That's a lot of people! Diane Spencer Ogg's "Amplector" cross-body pattern is perfect for this use. She designed the bag specifically to be small, light, unobtrusive, and super-comfortable to wear.  Now that I know how useful they can be, I think cross-body bags should be st...

 by Linda Theil I started school in 1953 in Miss Stump's morning kindergarten class at Neville School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was ashamed of my knobby knees, scared of the Bad Chair, and delighted in making silver bells with foil that sealed the pint bottles of our daily milk ration.  Every year my mom bought me a new pencil box to start the school year. I loved my pencil box with its specialized compartments and equipment. Although I never understood the purpose of the colored plastic protractor with its tiny gradations, I delighted in the #2 Eberhard Fabers, Prismacolor pencils, Crayolas, Westcott ruler, Pink Pearl eraser, pencil sharpener, and compass. I was ready for school! That's why I was so happy when the local intermediate school district began their  "Backpacks for Kids" project -- giving Livingston County, MI students backpacks full of school supplies. Robin Schutz of Great Start Livingston said: "LESA staff started this project in 2002 with ju...

by Linda Theil This blast from the past is for Claire S., my dentist at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, who loves to bake! I notice all the press releases say my commemorative plate is gold -- I wonder if that is just a figure of speech. I wonder where I put it. Fudgie: the best chocolate cake in Michigan AAA/Zehnders recipe contest 1991 winner: Linda Theil Cake: 2 cups flour 2/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa 1 tsp baking soda 3/4 cup unsalted butter 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1-1/2 cups buttermilk 2 tsp vanilla Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour with cocoa three 8-inch cake pans. In small bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, and baking soda. In large electric-mixer bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add dry ingredient mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beating well after each addition. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until center springs back when touched. Cool slightly. Remove from pans. Cool completely. Fudg...

by Linda Theil Here is my hilarious un-boxing video featuring commentary on a recent order from Missouri Star Quilt Co.  All items are listed below with prices and links to Missouri Star Quilt Co.  Items featured in "Fabric un-boxing" video: Missouri Star Half-heart template $8 (regularly discount from $9) daily deal $0.64 https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/missouri-star-half-heart-template Tea with Bea fat quarter bundle $70 (regularly discount from $78) https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/tea-with-bea-fat-quarter-bundle Quilt back, delicate vines super pale 108-inch wide back, $15 per yard (sale discount from $18) two yards ordered $30 https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/quilt-backs-delicate-vines-super-pale-108-wide-backing   Missouri Star colorful quilting clips, 12 pack $6 (regular discount from $8) free https://www.missouriquiltco.com/products/missouri-star-colorful-quilting-clips-pack-of-12 Plus 20-percent special celebration discount June 11, 2021 ...