Woolnuts

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T13:17:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a day filled with love and joy!

Hugs and kisses-

Mr. Taylor

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Tasty Tour

2012-01-31T11:59:00.001-05:00

A long ride is not a bad thing, providing you have a few essential stops along the way. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of riding shotgun with Heidi to Ohio’s Amish country. It’s way out in the country, for sure. www.oacountry.com/

We drove and drove for a long time, and finally we arrived at our destination, the Setler’s place. The Setler Family are Amish basket makers. Heidi has designed a Rug Hooker’s Basket for our store, and commissioned the Setlers to weave the baskets.

We drove down that long buggy path. It was blessedly frozen.

Sometimes it isn’t frozen, and it might be too muddy for the car to get through. It that case, you have to hoof it all the way. Ha! Hoof it! See the hoof prints and buggy tracks?

I had to stay in the car so that I didn’t scare any horses or chickens. I wouldn’t, of course, but Heidi says, “Better safe than sorry.” I actually believe that she thinks a horse would scare me. Hummph!

The baskets are beautiful. They have compartments for hooks, scissors, snippets and wool. Each one is signed and dated by the artist. You can read more about them on our website.

www.woolnuts.net

Now, for the important part of the trip: We made a stop at Heini’s Cheese Chalet

- for cheese, of course.

On a Monday, Heini’s was quiet, but on the weekend, you’ll wait in line to buy your cheeses. They even have Moon Cheese!

It is green.

Heini’s has samples of all of their cheese set out in the walk-by coolers.

You can graze your way around the giant room, and watch the workers in the glass-walled cheese making room. Well, you can…no dogs are allowed inside, but you can be assured that I had a nibble of cheese when Heidi returned to the car. http://heinis.com/ In the back, you can see the milk cans that are picked up at Amish farms, for use in Heini's cheese.

Then, it was off to Berlin, for a stop at Country Craft Cupboard.

CCC is a great shop full of fabrics and crafty things. They have a room packed with woolens and hooking patterns….however, no snacks. www.countrycraftcupboard.com/

The next stop was Ashery’s Country Store. Ashery’s sells bulk food items.

Heidi bought three kinds of flour, yeast, flax seed and spices. (There is some bread rising in the kitchen as I write!) She also had some Troyer’s Trail Bologna in that bag. Now, Trail Bologna isn’t named for a sausage that you take out on the trail, although I highly recommend it for that. It is made in Trail, Ohio…hence the title. It is a tasty bologna ring. Meaty and lightly spiced, it’s enough to make a guy go crazy in that car.

Oh yeah, I managed to savor a morsel of tastiness. www.asherycountrystore.com/

We needed a quick stop at the incredible Lehman's Hardware Store, for another white enamel pot. Evidently, you cannot have too much wool dyeing on the stove at one time.

www.lehmans.com/

On the way home, the most scrumptious stop of all was at Troyer’s Home Pantry, in Apple Creek. http://www.troyershomepantry.com/ Not to be confused with the bologna makers, Troyer’s bakery creates the most fabulous pies, cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls and donuts. Our purpose there was for one reason only….to acquire that one item that Troyer’s does better than anyone else in the world….the Oatmeal Pie. You heard me – Oatmeal Pie.

Its heritage lies somewhere between custard and pecan pie, with a bit of oatmeal

in the filling and a chewy coconut top.

Best. Pie. Ever.

Because of the oatmeal, it qualifies as breakfast food, along with a good cup of coffee, right?

Back to the sofa to sleep it off…..

Hookin' Up a Storm

2012-01-16T11:33:00.000-05:00

Snow has finally stuck to the ground for more than one day this winter. It is cold, but sunny, so I believe that a walk in the park is in order today….. providing I can drag Heidi away from the hooking.

There has been a hurricane of hooking here this past weekend. Heidi cranked out this
8” x 11” sheep pattern in less than in a day.

It is a prototype for her friend Andrea Wargo, who will teach a hooking class at an upcoming fiber fair. Andrea owns Brighton Wool Gatherings at That’ll Do Farm, in Grafton, Ohio. Brighton Wool Gatherings is the teaching arm of this sustainable fiber farm that raises alpacas, angora goats, and heritage breed chickens. Andrea is a talented rug hooker as well as a Master Gardener, attending to the farm’s organic crops, and the chief goat herder at the farm. Heidi and my buddy Jane Schofield go to the farm monthly for “Sit and Hook” night. Read Andrea’s blog, found in the right-hand column of this page under “My Blog List”. Learn more about That’ll Do Farm and Brighton Wool Gatherings by clicking here: http://thatlldofarm.com/

Heidi will also use this sheep pattern when a few friends come by this Tuesday for a “Learn to Hook” session. We will have brand new hookers in the house for the next three Tuesdays at they learn to hook and finish their mats. I can’t wait! We made up some kits with the pattern, wool, hooks and quilt hoops. We also have some extra frames so the girls can try out gripper strips.

Heidi did a bit of work on “Charlotte” this weekend, as well. She’s not happy with the “yin yang” look of the leaves near the top, so those will get reworked today.

There are a few mistakes that need to be fixed. Sometimes, Heidi doesn’t see mistakes until she takes a photo of a rug…then they magically appear.

I see them.

On Sunday, some Easter patterns appeared on our website. The fanciful “Elliot and the Egg” is available in three versions: “Fun Floral”; “Paisley and Swirls”; and “As You Like It”, where you can design you own Easter egg. Heidi hopes to get busy hooking the Fun Flowers version of Elliot and the Egg this week.

You can get your very own Elliot pattern by clicking here: http://www.woolnuts.net/category_2/Patterns.htm

I wish you a pleasant day, full of a blizzard of hooking. For me, for now, it's back to the sofa....

Ups and Downs

2012-01-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

A New Year. A New Look!

Winter in northern Ohio is usually viewed across a gray, gloomy, frozen landscape. So far, most days this winter have been bright and cheery, and not altogether cold.

Yesterday was downright balmy, and it’s still 46 degrees right now.

This is a January heat-wave.

I hope that you experienced a lovely Christmas holiday, as well as an opportunity to ring in the New Year with joy and anticipation of great things to come. We had a grand Christmas, shared with family and friends. I received an awesome stocking full of treats, as well as a new harness. I have to admit, the harness thing doesn’t thrill me, but Heidi says it is to keep me safe (and slow!) when we are out strolling.

Our family was overjoyed with the news that Alex proposed to his beautiful girlfriend Jenn, on Christmas Eve.

We had a party to celebrate with the happy couple, and to get a look at the

stunning engagement ring.

Good boy, Alex!

My best friends, Bartl (Alex’s dachshund) and Bunny (Jenn’s beagle) were here to make merry with me. Everyone was so caught up in the theme of love, that I took my chances and gave Bunny a little hug.

Alas, our celebrations were short-lived, as Alex returned to his Army duties. Jenn will have to stay here in Cleveland and dream of her upcoming wedding, while Alex

continues his deployment to

Afghanistan

The past few weeks have seen Heidi and Les, and most of the family, battling colds and other viruses.

Even I couldn’t escape a little ill health. I have a tumor, thought to be benign, on my ear.

It looks super-ugly, but it doesn’t hurt. I’m undergoing some treatment. I may have to get it removed, which might leave me with a pierced ear.

Perhaps I could get a gold pirate-earring and a parrot.

The semblance of gift-giving still remains as boxes and boxes of wool are delivered to our door. I imagine Heidi is well enough to get back to work tomorrow and heat up those dye pots.

I’ll supervise from my sunny spot on the kitchen floor.

I predict some pretty wool ahead.

Happy Wool Year!

Peace on Earth

2011-12-25T06:53:00.000-05:00

Oh, come let us adore Him!

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the

Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone

around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe

wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude

of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Wishing you all of the joy and blessings

that the promise of Christmas brings.

Shake, Shake, Shake

2011-12-23T10:02:00.000-05:00

We’ve been preparing for the holidays.

Today, I’ll lend a paw with the gift wrapping....

.......and help to bake brownies and rum cake.

Ah, happiness!

Bust out your Bundt pan and try this super-easy recipe:

Bacardi Rum Cake

Batter Ingredients:

1 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped

1 (18 oz.) package of yellow cake

1 (3 ¾ oz.) package of Jell-O, instant vanilla pudding mix

4 large eggs

½ cup cold water

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup Bacardi rum, 80 proof.

Glaze Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter

¼ cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup Bacardi rum, light or dark. Live dangerously.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F). Prepare your Bundt pan with Bakers Joy, or generously grease the pan with shortening and dust with flour.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the bottom of the pan.
Treat yourself to a shot of rum

Batter

In a large bowl of an electric mixer , combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and rum; beat until thoroughly mixed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula , and blend evenly. Gently pour the batter over the nuts in the pan.
Another shot won't hurt ya.

Bake

Bake 1 hour or until a cake tester or thin knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Approximately 1 hour.
Wake up and remove the pan from oven. Place the pan on a wire cooling rack for 10 or 15 minutes. Prepare the glaze as the cake cools. (Recipe below.) Invert the cake onto a serving platter that has a raised edge. Using a long toothpick or skinny skewer, poke a lot of small holes in the top of the cake.
Spoon some of the warm glaze over the top of the cake and allow it to soak in. Repeat until you use up the entire pan of glaze. Pour yourself some of that rum and add a splash of Coke (to make it look like you’re not a lush), because this glazing will take a little time….just chill out.
Serve your fabulous cake with lightly-sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. If you’re old-school and have a Hard Sauce recipe, go for it.

Glaze Recipe

In a medium, heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in water and sugar; turn the heat up a bit and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep it boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so mixture does not burn. Turn burner off and remove pan from heat. Stir in the rum. It will bubble up when you add the rum, so don’t burn yourself! Because….well….you’ve been drinking.

Old Dog, New Tricks:

Pina Colada Cake: Add 2 Tbl. Shredded coconut to the nuts; replace the yellow cake mix with pineapple cake mix (No pineapple cake? Use the juice from large can of pineapple in place of the water). Replace the rum in the cake and glaze with Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Coconut Rum. Stick those little paper parasols in the cake before serving.

Fuzzy Navel Cake: Remember the 80’s? Substitute orange cake mix for the yellow cake. Use ¼ cup lemonade, and ¼ cup peach schnapps in place of the rum in the cake. Substitute ½ cup of peach schnapps for rum in the glaze. Pop some K C and the Sunshine Band in the tape deck and shake your booty while that thing bakes.

SoCo Down Home Cake: Replace the rum in the cake and glaze with Southern Comfort. Snuggle up with a coonhound, and play Vince Gill’s Christmas album. Just let the tears flow.

Spice It Up Cake: Try using spice cake mix, with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, and wear your sexiest apron and 5-inch killer-platforms. Set the timer so that you don’t burn the cake.

Happy Holidays!

Hooks and Hearts

2011-12-18T19:48:00.000-05:00

We had our first real snow of the winter on Saturday. That’s a bit late for Cleveland, but no one is complaining…..except maybe the snow plow drivers.

It was surely a day to stay inside, as the white stuff was coming down heavily.
My dear Eden came over to play with me and watch some Disney movies with her Poppy.

Heidi was busy hooking. She actually finished a rug! Daisy’s dragonfly is finally done after six months of hooking wool in, pulling wool out, hooking wool in, pulling wool out, and so on; all of that on a 12 inch square. Gee whiz.

Heidi says she won’t touch it again. It has been steamed and is standing by for whipping.

Another “rug” got started and finished in one day. It is actually an ATC, or Artist’s Trading Card. It measures 3 x 4 inches. This one is a gift for Alex, who is heading overseas very soon. The ATC is meant to go with him, in a pocket, as a reminder of a mother’s love for her son.

The motif consists of the moon; which is one thing Heidi and Alex can share each day, even if he's half way around the world; a heart; and a hug.
I might feel a tear running
down my muzzle on that one.

Eden and I watched the snow fall for a bit, and had a little heart-to-heart cozy time.

Eden loves to try her hand at hooking. Every time a rug is on the frame, she asks to help with the hooking. That girl gets so excited when you give her a piece of wool.
(Well, who doesn’t?)

For the past two years she has asked to learn how to hook, and Heidi has tried to teach her. While Eden held a hook just fine, she couldn’t really get the hang of what her left hand was doing under the frame. Lo and behold – a Christmas miracle! For the first, time Eden picked up a hook and went to town with it.

Her loops were pretty consistent;
in the correct holes (mostly);
and flat on the underside.
Heidi says that, for a five year-old,
it was good work.

I don’t know who is more excited - Eden for finally “getting it”, or Heidi for being able to share what is in her heart with her granddaughter.

All I know is that I wish someone would make me a rug this winter.

Maybe I would get off the sofa…..

Growth Chart

2011-12-11T11:19:00.002-05:00

We’ve been diligently cultivating a few things, throughout a whirlwind of activity.

Heidi has been at work on the new website, and has already received orders in the new store. It grows a little bit more every day. A big “thanks” to our friend Deb for placing the very first order from the new site! You can reach the new website by clicking on the

link at the top of this page.

Heidi and I baby sit a few days a week for her granddaughters. It is one of my favorite assignments. I love kids, and I can’t get enough of these two; Eden is five, and Elle is one.

Courtesy of Lizzie Monroe Photography

They live very close to us, so I see them nearly every day, however it

appears as though they grow by the minute.

Eden spends most of her time singing, drawing and bouncing off the walls.

Elle spends much of her time eating….

lucky girl!

They keep me in constant motion, starting the minute they walk in the door.

We have great fun, big hugs, and a few sloppy kisses.

I’ve been helping to decorate the Christmas tree, but I was specifically told not to water it. As if I would. It’s fake, anyway.

A bit of hooking has been happening around here. Heidi has been working on “Charlotte”, one of her own patterns. She admits to a little “reverse hooking”, but believe me, that’s nothing new in this house. There is always some opposite growth in the hooking department. I know for a fact that the chartreuse circles will be torn out today.

I have no say in the matter.

We’ve also opened up our “studio” (that would be the kitchen, dining room and living room) by appointment, for shopping. All you have to do is e-mail or call to make sure we’ll be here when you want to visit. Check the website for contact details.

I love it! I get to meet more rug hookers, therefore expanding my social growth.

Happy Holidays from my sofa, where visions of sugar plums dance in my head…..

Progress

2011-12-01T16:17:00.000-05:00

Our website is moving, but the address stays the same. You will still be able to find our site at www.woolnuts.net. Please be patient while we set-up pages and what-not. If you don't see the site for a day or so, have no fear, we shall return.

You will continue to come right here for your canine interface. This blog stays in the very same place.

The new website will allow us to have a proper store for wool, patterns, supplies and hamsters. (I’m just checking to see if you are paying attention.)

I’ll keep you posted on progress.

Currently, I am progressing out of this silly box and onto the sofa…..

Southern Comfort

2011-11-30T06:52:00.002-05:00

A girl e-mailed me. I didn’t even join one of those on-line dating things.

She said she read my blog. If I had known I could meet girls this way,

I would have started blogging a long time ago.

Eleanor lives in Atlanta. She is a Georgia Peach, and a super-cutie. I know this for a fact because she sent me photos. Adorable, right?

Eleanor also invited me to visit her in Atlanta.
Look, she's waiting for me!

I would like to share some information that beautiful Eleanor sent to me.

Maybe we could all go to Atlanta to see some gorgeous hooked rugs!

For more information and registration:

http://www.gwinnettehc.org/museum/future/april-2012-off-the-hook.html

In honor of Eleanor and Suzanne, who helps Eleanor with her e-mails, I have asked Heidi to share one of our favorite recipes from the South. It is comfort-on-a-plate, and a perfect way to thwart the rain and cold we have in Ohio today.

A Northerner’s Southern Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients

Four (4) servings of regular grits; prepared according to package directions. Regular grits are preferred, but make the instant if you must. (Quaker Grits are about the only brand of grits we can find in Cleveland, OH)

2 Tbl. butter

1 cup grated, sharp cheddar cheese

5 slices bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces

1 pound fresh, peeled and deveined, medium shrimp; rinsed and dried

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbl. Flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 cup scallions, sliced (use the white and green parts)

2 t. fresh lemon juice

Directions

In a medium saucepan, cook the grits according to package direction. As soon as they are done, stir in the butter and cheese. Set aside and keep warm.

In a skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet. To the fat, add the garlic and shrimp. Cook while stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the scallions, parsley and lemon juice. Continue cooking for about 1- 2 minutes, or until shrimp is opaque and cooked through. Add reserved bacon.

Spoon the grits onto a plate, and top with the shrimp mixture. Be sure to get all of the juicy, bacon-y goodness from the pan.

Serves four; or two, and one beefy dog.

Eleanor, gee I think you’re swell!

Come to Me

2011-11-25T14:58:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, and while it would be peachy if you came by our studio to shop, there is a much more important reason to visit; you see, I've had a bath,

and I'm ready for petting.

This is my "irresistible" look.

Oh, I'm a bit damp and fluffy right now, but it will all smooth out by tomorrow,

and you can run your hands through my soft fur....you know you want to.

Plus, you can come to hook. Maybe Heidi will be inspired to finish something if you bring your beautiful project along. Come if you can. I'd love to meet you.

Happy Weekend!

I'll be waiting, on the sofa....

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:17:00.000-05:00

Wishing you peace and blessings on this day, and always.

With love-
Mr. Taylor

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-23T07:10:00.000-05:00

Please support Small Business Saturday.

November 26th, the day after Black Friday, is the Second Annual Small Business Saturday.

I hope you will support your local entrepreneurs by "shopping small".

So get ready...it's almost here.

Video and logo courtesy of: http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/

Give your local economy the boost it needs.

Woolnuts Studio will be open for shopping and hooking on

Saturday, Nov. 26, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m

Stop in to see our wool and patterns, or bring your project and hook for a while.

Woolnuts

16603 Lucille Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44111

(Off of Rocky River Drive)

Call for directions: 216-387-2241

I'll be here to greet you!

This Saturday: shop handmade, hand grown, and from handsome guys like me.

I'm Here, But I Was There

2011-11-19T07:01:00.001-05:00

“Mr. Taylor, where have you been?”

That is the theme of several e-mails I’ve received in the past few days. People seem to think I’ve fallen off the edge of the Earth. Not so - I’ve just been super busy, and I’ll fill you in over the next few posts, but everyone has asked about my trip to the ATHA Biennial.

I haven’t mentioned my visit, and it’s not because I didn’t have a great time…it’s just that we hit the ground running when we returned home, and this is the first chance I’ve had to share with you. I was hoping that I could show you many fabulous photos of my visit; however, we took two cameras and both of them broke! When Heidi and I arrived home after the great Biennial weekend, there was a brand-new camera waiting for us, courtesy of Les. Unfortunately, I don’t have many photos of the biennial, and sadly, none of them are of rugs.

Upon check-in at the hotel in Lancaster, I was given my own “Eden Resort” dog bowl, treats and poopy bags. How clever! The hotel was gorgeous, and the staff was so very kind…..well, except for that one employee. As I strolled down the hall to our room, one of the housekeepers said, “Oh! Look at that fat dog!” Really? Is that any way to treat a guest? Heidi said she was just glad the woman was focused on me, and not her retreating fanny. I would call the woman a bi-atch, but some of my best friends are.…well, you know…..

I was a little sad about the whole encounter, but my buddy Jane Schofield made me feel better by sneaking me some pizza as she shared dinner with us in our room. The weekend improved from there on.

Heidi brought a pattern and a ton of wool with her, yet she didn’t hook a single loop all weekend. We were too busy meeting people.

I made the acquaintance of so many fabulous rug hookers. They are probably the kindest people I’ve ever encountered. I spent some time visiting with folks in the lobby - and if I do say so myself, I’m a chick magnet. I’ve never been petted by so many women, so much! Oh, there were some guys too. I’m an equal-opportunity-companion-pet. I was lucky enough to meet Gene Shepherd and Ken Carpenter – two gentlemen hookers that I really admire. I met rug hookers from all over the country, and even some from other countries. I meandered through the incredible rug show, and visited with the vendors.

Here I am with Donna Bennett from

Crows on the Ledge. http://www.crowsontheledge.com/index.html

I also stopped by to greet Gail Dufresne from Goat Hill Designs.

http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/goathilldesigns/

At the Biennial, Heidi took the “Teacher Training Class”, taught by Gail and Cynthia Norwood. I got to go to doggie daycare while Heidi was in class on Friday. I was fortunate enough to visit the beautiful Gochenauer Kennels in Lancaster, where I had a fun day of play and pampering.

On Friday evening, I went to out dinner with some of the ladies (uh....well, I sat in the car). After dinner the “Cleveland Contingent” met in one of the suites for some girl-talk, wine sipping and hysterical laughter. Not being very proficient at girl-talk, I was pretty much passed out by 9 p.m., despite the guffaws.

The Biennial was a wonderful experience for me. Heidi says the planning and operation of the event was top-rate. She hopes to go to the next ATHA Biennial, in Long Beach, California. I will assume that I am invited. Mark your calendars for September 25 -28, 2013. Fundraising has already begun. Please visit the ATHA eBay page for great rug hooking items. Many of the auction items are from the estate of beloved rug hooker, Jane Olson.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/athabiennial2013/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

I wish to thank Jane Schofield, for sharing her photos with me.

Back to the sofa…..

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T07:02:00.000-04:00

Hallelujah!

2011-10-20T09:17:00.001-04:00

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the biggest thing
in rug hooking happening this week.

The ATHA Biennial, in Lancaster, PA.

You know how I never get to go to these things, right?

Well, not this time my friends! I'm headed to the Biennial!

This time it's for real!

I'm packed, I've had a bath, and I brushed my teeth. I can't wait to see everyone at the Eden Resort. I'll be available for rug-hooker-cuddling all weekend

Yay!

When Called, We Respond With Ready Units!

2011-10-18T18:49:00.001-04:00

It was an emotional weekend here - pride and melancholy all in one. Heidi and Les were off to western Ohio, to attend the “Call to Duty” ceremony for their son, Alex, a member of the Ohio National Guard. Alex will be deployed to Afghanistan before long.

Alex has been in the military since he graduated from high school, at the age of 17.

He first enlisted with the 82^nd Airborne Division, and served as a combat engineer. He has completed tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a matter of fact, when I first came to live with my family, Alex was deployed to Afghanistan. I truly believe that part of the reason Heidi brought me home, was because I was meant to serve as distraction for her during those anxious 15 months. I was happy to oblige in my role as comforter.

I didn’t even meet Alex until I had been living with my family for nearly a year.

I remember our first meeting. Alex walked in the back door, all done up in his Army uniform. I had no idea who he was, just walking in our home that way. I went ballistic. Heidi had to assure me that everything was cool. Alex and I are best buddies now, and his dog, Bartl, is my very best friend.

Soon, Alex will return to his duties overseas. Heidi and Les are so very proud of all that he has accomplished in his young life, at age 26. Alex is a sergeant; a respected leader in his company. He plans to complete his deployment with the National Guard, and then return to active duty with his former unit in the 82^nd Airborne. He feels that this is his true calling and will serve our country for many years to come.

Although filled with pride, Heidi and Les can’t help but feel the sadness that accompanies a deployment. There is always a sense of fear, knowing that their boy
will be facing danger on a daily basis.

So please, remember our troops who serve all over the world.
Keep them in your prayers, and be proud of them.

I plan to serve as the “morale booster”.

Back to the sofa……..

Camping With Bertie

2011-10-13T13:29:00.000-04:00

We had a lovely time camping last weekend, at Punderson State Park. Some of you will recognize Punderson as the home of Ohio Rug Camp. The rug camp is held in the beautiful Tudor-style lodge, but we set up our home-away-from-home in the campground on the other side of the lake.

The weather was beautiful. The trees have started their transformation to oranges, yellows and reds.

I suppose Heidi was inspired by the beauty of the season, or she just found some time in the extra-long, Columbus Day weekend, but she actually began a new rug and finished it in less than a week.

Much of “Bertie” got hooked at the campsite; and he was completed

shortly after we returned home.

Of course, he’s not whipped yet, but since he’s small, the finishing will go fast. Heidi says he was very fun to hook. For the first time ever, she color-planned a rug from the start, and didn’t veer from the plan. That helps to move things along.

Of course, I was extremely busy all weekend. What with guarding the wool and keeping an alert eye on our camp, it’s a wonder that I had time to enjoy myself.

Yeah, I have a Winnie the Pooh pink blanket. So what?

My feet hurt - probably from all of the walking....

Filling Your Soul

2011-10-02T13:59:00.000-04:00

Times are tough, so having a car that gets good gas mileage is a big deal; however, good mileage is the only "big" thing about a Kia Soul. It is a tiny car.

Where does all of the stuff go when you pack this little vehicle for an overnight trip to vend at a hook-in? Twelve wooden crates of wool; patterns; shopping bags; rug hooking supplies; extra goodies; signs and a banner; laptop; small table; tablecloths; lights; extension cords; business cards; bookkeeping items; clothing; hair and makeup stuff; as well as Heidi and Les, all have to fit inside that car.

Enter: the Space Bag. A miracle if I ever saw one. You know that I'm not a big fan of the vacuum cleaner, but you can put 60 yards of cut wool into three of these Space Bags, suck the air out with the wicked vacuum, and they'll only take up a small space.

Amazing.

Now all of that other stuff can be easily packed in the back of that little green auto.

Mission accomplished.

Okay.....what DON'T you see in that car? That is correct.....you don't see ME.

Once again, I've been left behind. I am lounging at Inn to Pets. Today, I'll have a pedicure and visit with the pretty girls. It's cool. However, one of these days,

someone will invite me to a hook-in.

I suppose there just wasn't room for me, what with all of the wool and new patterns. That's right.....I said "new patterns". Woolnuts introduced some new designs at the

Buckeye Rug Hooking Guild's Fall Hook-In.

"Gingerbread"

"Fiorente"

"Charlotte"

"Bertie"

I know that Heidi fills her own soul with joy by meeting new people and sharing her love of wool, rug hooking and art. I'm certain that she has accomplished that by

spending a great day with the Buckeye Guild.

I wish all of you abundant blessings, and a joyfully-filled soul, in the week ahead.

Maine Attraction

2011-09-18T11:52:00.000-04:00

Just a few more hours, and I'll be reunited with my people. This place is great, but I should have brought earplugs. Geeze, you think I bark alot, you have no idea......

I did receive a letter from Heidi today. Although they are having a great trip, I'm sure she and Les are ready to come home. They send news of a woolly visit to Maine, so I'll share my letter with you:

"Dear Mr. Taylor,

I can’t wait to see you! We have enjoyed our trip, but also look forward to returning home to our beloved family.

We had a great day-trip to Maine. Our enjoyable outing was highlighted by a stop at Camp Wool, in Lower Kennebunk.

We met Camp Wool's owner, Le Ann Hodgson. Her huge shop is incredible….truly a rug hooker’s retreat! Beautiful wools, in every imaginable color and texture, were everywhere we looked. The walls were lined with gorgeous finished rugs. Penny rugs, braided rugs and custom Camp Wool pottery decorated many of the display areas. Wonderful patterns and supplies were plentiful.

A step up to a large room revealed a teaching room with a huge table. On the other side of this room was a great big oval of cozy wing-chairs for hookers to gather. This is a must-see shop for any rug hooker traveling to New England. Ruggers will find LeAnn at Village Marketplace, Lower Village Kennebunk, 169 Port Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043. Or, they may visit the website at: http://www.campwool.net/

We had a delicious lobster lunch at Bartley’s Restaurant, right at the water's edge.

Les said it was the best $20 he ever spent; because I was so busy eating that I didn’t talk for about 45 minutes. (You know, sometimes, I sort of talk a lot.)

Mrs. Bartley, our charming hostess, even made her delicious, deep-dish, Maine blueberry pie. It was served to us with ginger ice cream for me, and strawberry ice cream for Les. Fabulous!

After lunch we had a wonderful visit with Jillian, at W. Cushing & Company; The Joan Moshimer Studio. This is a warm, beautiful space. I was amazed by the rows and rows of gorgeous hand-dyed woolens.

One wall held a large moving rug display with new patterns and hooked samples. Joan Moshimer’s rugs decorated every wall around the room. Cushing dyes, dye books and hooking-related books stood neatly displayed. Backings, hooks, frames and necessary supplies were available. It was a joy to witness. I hope some of our hooker friends have the opportunity to visit the Studio at 21 North Street, Kennebunkport, ME 04046. Our friends can stop by online at: http://www.wcushing.com/

It was a day filled with a little bit of shopping and a lot of inspiration - certainly fun for Les and me.

I’m sure you’ve been a very good boy during your stay at Inn to Pets. We are bringing you handmade dog treats from Fadden’s Sugar House in North Woodstock, NH. Our trip to the mountains is a story for another day, and I’ll share it with you when we are together …….very soon.

Love and kisses-

Heidi"

I'll soon return to my sofa, my yard and my loving family. I hear-tell that we have a hook-in coming up in a couple of weeks, so I imagine dye pots will hit the stove the minute we walk in the door. I expect to receive some cuddling between dye batches.

The Suite Life

2011-09-13T20:49:00.000-04:00

We’re vacationing…although, not together.

I’m at my yearly retreat in Westlake, OH.

Upon arrival, I attempted to check into the “Cat Spa”, thinking it might be pretty entertaining to be in a cat house, but I was re-directed to my suite in the “Canine Cabins”. Whatever.

I’m in a deluxe suite this year. No, Heidi didn’t spring for the luxury suite, with a bed and T.V. Nevertheless, I have a nice place to sleep, with my "security slipper" (I like sleeping with shoes, so what?) and a pillow from home. I enjoy playing with my friends. I receive some nice attention from the staff, and three squares a day. It’s great. However, I miss Heidi and Les, who are vacationing Down East. I got a letter from them today, and I’m happy to share it with you:

Dear Mr. Taylor,

We wish you were here in Sanbornton, New Hampshire with us. An 11 hour drive took us 21 hours, thanks to some flooding in New York and Vermont from Hurricane Lee, and previous damage from Hurricane Irene. Our condo is nice and big. We have a great view of the sunrise over Lake Winnisquam from our patio.

So far, this week, we've driven down to Plymouth, MA, for an event at the Mayflower Society House, and over to Vermont for some genealogy research.

Yesterday, we stopped in at Dorr Woolens, in Newport New Hampshire.

Mr. Taylor, you would have loved it. Wool, wool, and more wool, everywhere you turn. We had a nice chat with Terry Dorr and his staff.

Today we had a long journey on Lake Winnepesauke, aboard the M/S Mt. Washington. It’s a beautiful ship. The lake is calm, surrounded by mountains, with gorgeous views all along the way.

Our meals have been great - from quaint New England diners, to lobster on the waterfront.

Tonight, we cooked some steaks on the grill outside our door. We no sooner got them on the fire when a visitor stopped by. I didn’t catch his name.

Just as you often are, he seemed to be intrigued with our dinner plans.

Tomorrow we’ll be hiking. We’ll miss having you here with us as we wander through the mountains and forests; however, we’ll soon be back to our regular walks together.

We love you and miss you-

Heidi and Les

Well, I’d like to get back to my sofa, but alas, I don’t have one here.

Back to my “deluxe suite” it shall be.

A Heartbreaking Goodbye

2011-09-06T18:25:00.000-04:00

It is with the heaviest heart that I have said goodbye to my dear friend Gretchen.

I know that one day we will be together again at the Rainbow Bridge.

Gretchen turned 21 this year. She was the heart of this home, and will be dearly missed. Known to many as "The Gooch", Gretchen gave love and joy to our family every day.

I love you, girl.

Ode to The Gooch

A friend to all

Lounging on the sidewalk

Yearning to meet any passerby, be it human, canine or feline

Her salutation, an instant purr

Tabby stripe, red and white

Gaze into those golden eyes and view her gentle soul

A calm nature in any situation

Even when the rabbit, Hasenpfeffer, demonstrated his love to her

Always eager to be part of the fun

Following for walks around the block

Playing - whatever the game

Sociable at every occasion

Making the squirrels chirp
From her post at the base of their tree
Yet never harming a single one
Not a mouser, not a hunter, but a lover

Stuffing her body into any available basket or box

Nesting under the hosta and arborvitae

Sunning in the flowerbed, fast white-belly-up for a rub

Curling on your hand at the desk, the best couch-cuddler

Always a greeting

When young, the soft meow

Then, later in life, the frantic call

Feed me, please feed me

Ancient age; a score and more

Fortitude to come such a long way

Receiving love from the generations that she has comforted
Forever at our side

Farewell, dear girl

Sweet, loveable Gretchen

The darling of our home
Eternally in our hearts

Market Hooking

2011-08-29T07:26:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful Saturday at the farmer’s market.

The market is held on the grounds of Frostville Museum, in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.

The museum is a collection of 19th century buildings, laid out as a village. It’s a great place to spend the day.

Right across from our tent was Alyssa’s Cupcake Confections…oh, yes!

Down the lane was Chuck, from Murray Hill Farms.

He is the farmer that Heidi and Les get their weekly fruit and veggies from. (Zucchini again this week…how much zucchini can you humans eat?)

Jane and Heidi shared some of their rugs.

They talked about rug hooking and showed folks how it’s done.

We met a lot of wonderful people. So many of them are interested in learning how to hook rugs. Joy!

It was a beautiful day, weather-wise;

a beautiful day for meeting people;

and a beautiful day to spend time with good friends!

Now, back to the sofa.....

See the Hookers at Work

2011-08-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

Visit Woolnuts for a rug hooking demonstration at:

Frostville Farmer's Market

24101 Cedar Point Road

Cleveland Metroparks, Rocky River Reservation

Saturday, August 27, 2011

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Heidi and Jane will demonstrate rug hooking techniques, as well as penny rug stitchery.

Enjoy a free a mini-lesson!

The ladies will have some of their completed rugs on display.

I hope to see you there. The jury is currently out regarding my attendance; however my goal is to be there so that all can enjoy my canine-companionship.

Sauder Village Rug Show

2011-08-19T09:23:00.001-04:00

Since I'm packing my gear to go camping, I'll just leave you with some visual stimulation from Heidi and Jane's trip to the Sauder Village Rug Show.

The first eight photos are the work of Patty Yoder.
Heidi says this is her new favorite hooker!
The woman has a certain way with sheep.

On to the others......

Magdalena Briner

I hope you enjoyed a taste of the show. If you can, try to get over to Sauder Village before the show ends on Saturday, and see them for yourself. Heidi and Jane say there were fewer "primitive" rugs than ever. Color and contemporary themes are making a splash!

Oh, I didn't include photos of the Celebration winners,

because you should buy the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Hand-Hooked-Rugs-Hooking-Magazine/dp/1881982769/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313760345&sr=8-1

Wishing you, dear friends, a wonderful weekend ahead!

Mine will be spent devouring treats from Park Ranger Bob.

Dog Days of Summer

2011-08-16T19:54:00.001-04:00

Mid-August, and I thought we would be sweltering. However, the weather the past week has been magnificent! Warm but not hot; the humidity is down,

and the nights are cool. What more could a dog want? Well, abundant snacks,

but that goes without saying.

The garden looks happy, even if Heidi is ignoring the weeds for more pressing issues....like hooking, dyeing, and transferring patterns.

The lady's mantle got some rain;

the roses are blooming;

and the hens and chicks seem as happy as can be.

Color is still showing up in dahlias and blanket flowers.

I've spent many of the past few days on the front porch. It's where Heidi likes to plant herself for some outdoor hooking.

The porch floor is littered with snippets and worms. There has been some reverse hooking (ripping out loops) on the Daisy's Dragonfly pattern....but these things happen. (I knew Heidi wouldn't like that light green in there!)

I like to sit on the porch swing as it gives me a view of the street, and all of
the neighborhood happenings.

I keep an eye out for Bob, my neighbor, because he enjoys sharing. Bob is a food broker.....

a dog food broker. Need I say more?

When that all gets to be too much for me, I grab a cat nap on my old quilt, on the glider. Summer breeze makes me feel fine…..

Tomorrow, Heidi and Jane are heading to Sauder Village for Rug Hooking week. They’re just going for the day, to see the rug show, do a bit of shopping and stop for dinner on the way home. I’m sure they will take some nice photos for you.

I’ll be left behind, as usual.

You know how I feel about that.

How Do You Like It?

2011-08-05T10:57:00.001-04:00

It’s been a hooked rug, pattern-making-frenzy around here this past week. Not hooking them, just making them. According to some recent discussions that I've overheard, it seems that the majority of people don’t want to purchase patterns unless they see them already hooked by someone. It would appear that it doesn’t matter who hooks them;

folks just want to see a finished version.

Heidi thinks this is curious. I suppose she just doesn’t get it. She says that when she sees a pattern she knows how she’d like to approach it. Oh, sure she does occasionally ask for help. Everybody gets stuck now and again.

However, I’ve been witness to the fact that her go-it-alone approach doesn’t always work. There are some rather odd rugs around here, but we just smile and say, “Oh, isn’t that nice.” Heidi knows that they are a bit off. Sometimes she rips out and re-hooks; and sometimes she leaves it alone; considers it a learning experience. I don’t particularly care. I just like to sit close while the hooking is happening.

Yet, I occasionally feel a need to

have a peek.

I generally keep it to myself.

Don’t tell her.

I guess the questions are:

What is the motive to see a pattern finished before you hook it?

Do some people need to have color planning assistance from the start?

If so, why?

Does getting help with color planning make it “less your’s”?

Is seeing a hooked pattern merely inspiration? At any rate, we don’t often see two people hook the same pattern in the same way.

Does one need to see a finished pattern just to make sure it “hookable”?

That is, to see that all of the elements work as a hooked piece.

I would like to hear your comments on the subject.

Do you buy patterns without seeing a hooked version?

If so...why?

If not...why not?

Here are a few of the patterns we are working on. Oh heck, no…..I’m not helping to draw them. As always, I provide Heidi with moral support, as well as a nice walk after she’s been hunched over a drawing table all day.

"Fat Cat Floral"

"Liberty Angel"

"From the Ground, Up"

"Summer Sampler"

"Jane's Crows"

We are off to the campground for the weekend. It’s supposed to rain – of course. We’ll be in our cozy camper listening to the rhythm of the rain, followed by the cadence of the crickets.

I wish you a peaceful weekend, as well.

And the Winner Is.....

2011-08-01T09:15:00.000-04:00

The day you've been waiting for has arrived. Thanks to everyone who entered my Wool Giveaway. I really enjoyed hearing about all of the fabulous places where you fine folks would take me for a walk. I got to meet many new people, and dogs, and that makes me very happy.

I was given a bowl filled with pieces of folded paper bearing your names. Some of you had two pieces of paper if you entered here and on Facebook.

Heidi says, "Get it."

I did. I rummaged about and chose one.

Then she says, "Drop it."

I did, because unlike some of the dogs in this neighborhood,

I listen. However, I shall not go off on a tangent here, as all of you are waiting for the good news.

Okay, with a tiny amount of dog spit involved, the winner is:

Drum roll, please..........

We'll tell you after the commercial break.......

Just kidding.....

Congratulations to.........

Mary Bornhoeft!

Good for you, Mary. Heidi will contact you to get your address, and your pretty wool

will be shipped to you right away.

Or, you can e-mail her now at go.woolnuts@yahoo.com

Thanks for playing, everyone!

Wishing all of you a great week ahead.

I'm exhausted from all of the excitement.

Back to the sofa.

Mmmm....Stinky Sheep

2011-07-28T14:24:00.001-04:00

A local doctor called Heidi to ask if she would be interested in some sheep fleeces. This doctor owns a farm 35 miles away, and raises a few sheep. One of his nurses saw the "Woolnuts" sign on the back of Heidi's car, and passed along the information to him.

Heidi doesn't actually use raw fleece, so she made a few calls. I mean, the guy was giving them away for free, so why not. She found a couple of people who were interested in the fleeces, so she drove out to pick them up.

Heidi stuffed about eight gigantic trash bags full of fleeces in her tiny Kia Soul. She wasn't exactly prepared for the aroma that came with them, but she stepped on the gas and hightailed it home. Heidi made one stop at That'll Do Farm, and dropped some bags off for her friend Andrea. That'll Do is an Alpaca farm, and they have some resources for getting the fleeces processed.

Heidi, on the other hand, has no such resources and yet, she brought some of the sheep hair home. Heidi dumped the bags on our patio, put me outside, and she went inside to make some phone calls. Now, one man's stinky is another man's (or dog's) perfume. I was certainly intrigued by the scent and figured it would be okay to open one of the bags..

...which I did.

I got bunches of that fleece out and spread it around – then I took a nice roll in it. I soaked up some yummy, fragrant lanolin to beautify my coat.

Heidi did not appreciate the heady scent on my body. There were a few naughty words out of her mouth when she opened the back door. We have agreed to disagree on the subject of what smells good. I had a nice cool bath last night, and the sheep fleeces are now in the garage. We are going to attempt to process some of it by hand…and paw.

I’ll keep you posted.

Don’t forget to enter my Wool Giveaway. See the post(s) below. By the way, the contest is open until 11:59 pm on Sunday. I know I said 12 am, but that would be Monday. Hey, I’m a canine. If you expect me to understand a clock, you are barking up the wrong tree.

Five days left....

2011-07-26T16:13:00.000-04:00

Only five days left to enter my wool giveway!

Well, five-and-a-half at this very moment.

Don't forget to share it with your friends.

Pretty , pretty woolens for you.

Here is how you enter,

and the rules:

You must post a message in my blog comment section (below), and/or on our Facebook page (link is below in the rules), and answer this question:

If money were no object, where would you take ME for a walk? And, why there?

It can be anywhere in the universe. Use your imagination. I’ll bring the leash.

The rules:

The giveaway ends at midnight (12:00 am) on Sunday, July 31, 2012;
A random drawing on Monday, August 1, 2012, will determine the winner;
The contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. (That means you must have a mailing address there.) Postage is included, to get the wool to the lucky winner.
Please, no distasteful comments. I’d have to delete them, and then you wouldn’t have a chance to win;
No anonymous posts. How would I tell you that you’ve won?
Or, you may post a message (answering my query) on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Woolnuts/170527626324409

If you post both here AND on our Facebook page, you get two entries! You don’t have to post the same response in both sites, so you could pick two great places to take me for a walk.
A limit of two separate entries per person: one here, and one on Facebook, if you desire.
Questions? Ask me by e-mailing your question to go.woolnuts@yahoo.com

I've seen some great ideas for walking spots in these posts.

Every single place sounds wonderful!

Best of luck to everyone!

Did You Enter Yet?

2011-07-24T09:16:00.000-04:00

I’m up to my ears in wool! Let’s move some of it outta here.

Don’t forget to enter my hot Wool Giveaway.

You have a one week left to enter.

Please share this post with your wool-loving friends.

You could win over one yard of beautiful wool for your stash.

Nine 1/8 yard pieces measuring approximately 13 x 16 each;

PLUS, five 1/16 yard pieces measuring 6 x 16 each.

New, As-Is and Hand-dyed Dorr and Heaven's to Betsy Woolens

Here is how you enter, and the rules:

You must post a message in my blog comment section (below), and/or on our Facebook page (link is below in the rules), and answer this question:

If money were no object, where would you take ME for a walk? And, why there?

It can be anywhere in the universe. Use your imagination. I’ll bring the leash.

The rules:

The giveaway ends at midnight (12:00 am) on Sunday, July 31, 2012;
A random drawing on Monday, August 1, 2012, will determine the winner;
The contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. (That means you must have a mailing address there.) Postage is included, to get the wool to the lucky winner.
Please, no distasteful comments. I’d have to delete them, and then you wouldn’t have a chance to win;
No anonymous posts. How would I tell you that you’ve won?
Or, you may post the same message (answering my query) on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Woolnuts/170527626324409

If you post both here AND on our Facebook page, you get two entries! You don’t have to post the same response in both sites, so you could pick two great places to take me for a walk.
A limit of two separate entries per person: one here, and one on Facebook, if you desire.
Questions? Ask me by e-mailing your question to go.woolnuts@yahoo.com

Ready, set, go!

It's still hot as the dickens, but I'm heading outside today to shake off some of this wool dust. Wishing all of you a blessed Sunday.

It's Time for a Giveaway!

2011-07-21T16:36:00.002-04:00

It’s hotter than….

….blue blazes, a Texas firecracker, a hen in a wool sack, a hunk of Hell, a lizard’s forehead, a Hollywood hooker, two goats in a pepper patch, Georgia asphalt

and anything else you can think up.

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”

Let me tell you, IT’S BOTH!

Why, it’s so hot out there, two trees were fighting over me!

In an effort to cool things down, I’m announcing a hot GIVEAWAY!

A WOOL giveaway! You could win over one yard of beautiful wool for your stash.

Nine 1/8 yard pieces measuring approximately 13 x 16 each;

PLUS, five 1/16 yard pieces measuring 6 x 16 each.

Pleeeeze share this post with your friends who are wool-lovers!

Here is how you enter:

You must post a message in my comment section (below) or on Facebook (see below for link), and answer this question:

If money were no object, where would you and I go for a walk? And, why there?

It can be anywhere in the universe. Use your imagination.

I’ll bring the leash.

The rules:

The giveaway ends at midnight (12:00 am) on Sunday, July 31, 2012;

A random drawing on Monday, August 1, 2012, will determine the winner;

The contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. (That means you must have a mailing address there.) Postage is included, to get the wool to the lucky winner.

Please, no distasteful comments. I’d have to delete them, and then you wouldn’t have a chance to win;

No anonymous posts. How would I tell you that you’ve won?

Or, you may post the same message (answering my query) on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Woolnuts/170527626324409
If you post both here AND on our Facebook page, you get two entries! You don’t have to post the same response in both sites, so you could pick two great places to take me for a walk.

A limit of two separate entries per person: one here, and one on Facebook, if you desire.

Questions? Ask me by e-mailing your question to go.woolnuts@yahoo.com

Ready, set, go!

I’ll be in the pool…..

Change Is Good

2011-07-12T15:55:00.000-04:00

It has been a busy summer, so far. The weather has finally changed to “all hot; all the time”. I’ve had my paws full of managing hikes, squelching squirrel infiltrations, and scouting cool napping locations. The cat found one… sort of.

Les has been very busy working. Besides being a police officer, he works for the Cleveland Indians (yep, he gets paid to watch baseball…sweet!), and he works at a shelter for homeless, mentally ill women. His schedule can change like the wind. The guy works like a dog! I need to give him some advice on how to scout a good napping location.

For over twenty years (way before my time), Heidi was a maintenance and cleaning contractor. Last December, she decided to retire and close the company. She knew that she wanted to change her life by doing something that involved her love of art and fiber. With Les’ support, Heidi was able to take the leap to a new full-time adventure. The hard work that Les puts in allows Heidi to pursue her dream of getting Woolnuts up and running smoothly. Isn’t he a swell guy? I know that Heidi loves Les, and appreciates his efforts to keep everything going while she focuses on the new business.

The retail practice is new to Heidi. She has certainly had to change her direction. Woolnuts is now seven months old, and there remains a lot of work to do around here. Heidi is keeping up with the supply of wool and patterns to her customers, while she works out space configurations, website woes and bookkeeping knowledge.

Oh, Heidi never had to manage the bookkeeping for her former business -

so that ought to be amusing.

I’m not so bad at math. Maybe I can help.

Here is one-tenth of what our home looks like right now. Wool. Wool. Everywhere.

Because of some problems with the “store” page on the Woolnuts website, a change has been made to place products at additional sites.

Wool and new patterns are now available at the Woolnuts eBay page.

http://myworld.ebay.com/gowoolnuts

An Etsy page will soon be offered, as well. Links to the pages can be found on the Woolnuts website, and right at the top of this page! Don't forget to click on "view all items" when you get to our eBay page.

We hope you will visit us in the new stores. The website will surely remain available for news and views, and I’ll continue to post on the blog.

I intend to spend the rest of the day contemplating how I might best be of service to the business. I believe that my most efficient thinking is done on the sofa….in front of an air conditioner….watching my “Turner and Hooch” DVD.