This November has been a month of contrasts. Warm weather marked the beginning of the month and ended the month with colder than normal temperatures.
Autumn Glory
I think you will see some definite contrast in some of the photos captured this month. The leaves are beginning to fade away as compared to the glorious autumn colors of last month’s photo gallery. November brings us a time to reflect on our blessings.
November Beauty
My joy this year has been found in finding Blessings in the simple things we have in our lives, like capturing a sunrise moment. Each day brings unique moments and experiences.
Glimmering Sunrise
May you be blessed this holiday season with Thanksgiving in your heart each & every day. Happy Holidays!
First Light
First Fire of the season! About month later than usual. Glorious Beauty: this old, majestic and mature tree is one of the last ones to lose leaves in our neighborhood. Golden Hour: I must admit I’m not a fan of the time change but the Sunsets have been glorious at Wilkes County Hardware this month.Stealing The Rainbow Morning Love Story Blooming Beauties Hard to believe that flowers were still blooming in early NovemberJack Frost: Heavy frosts set in finally in later November, the sun quickly melts it awaySunshine Seeker: Joy enjoys a nap in the morning sunHometown Holidays: November kicks off the holiday season with Light Up Downtown.
Acorns are in abundance this year, according to experts were having a Mast year.
Daylight Saving Time has come to a close for the year. Our clocks turned back one hour this weekend. With this shift in time, we gain an extra hour of sleep, and gradually see those beautiful evening sunsets around 6pm. Darkness will find us earlier and the shift is often hard if you’re not prepared for it.
The “Fall Back” sunsets at Wilkes County Hardware are often spectacular!
That being said, It’s time to think about a few things that should be done around the time change of “Falling Back”, making the shift much more manageable. Sharing a few maintenance tips on the blog today for the “Fall Back” time change.
Around the House (Interior Maintenance)
Check and Change all of your batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors. Time changes are the best time to check these devices to make sure they are functioning properly.
It’s also good to Note: Smoke Detectors should be replaced EVERY 10 years!!!
2. Review your house and car key inventory. Make sure you have extra keys for yourself and those who need them. This is a simple one BUT, no one ever wants to be locked out of the house on a cold and wet wintry day. 😬
All types of keys are made daily inside Wilkes County Hardware… house, car, motorcycle, boat, RV, ATV keys and more!
3. Evaluate all of your light fixtures and replace any light bulbs that need replacing (indoor and outdoor) Nightfall comes much more quickly with the Fall time shift.
Lights! These are a wonderful addition to your emergency prep list!!! Addtimers to your lamps for extra safety if you arrive home after darkness has settled in for the day
4. Find your flashlights and replace batteries as needed. Prep your winter emergency kit.
Great selection of flashlights and emergency lighting at WCHGreat for emergency lighting source
5. Replace furnace filter. Ask us to help you find your size.
An abundant supply of furnace filter sizes are available at Wilkes County Hardware.
6. Do a quick maintenance walk around your windows. Look for visual signs that windows have gaps or cracks that could impact your heating system this winter. Use caulk, gap/crack filler as a barrier to prevent cold air from penetrating into your home. Replace any broken windows or screens.
Brr!!! No one wants to be caught in the cold! 🥶WCH does window screen repair!
7. Fall is a good time to tackle the dryer venting system. A clean out is in order! If you haven’t cleaned out your dryer vent system in a while, now is the time to do it!
8. As cooler weather approaches, don’t forget to reverse the direction of your ceiling fans and replace batteries in your fan remote if needed. Clean fan blades.
Need a new pull chain for your ceiling fan??? We have those too!!
9. As the holidays will be approaching soon, your stove and refrigerator will appreciate a good cleaning. A total clean out of your refrigerator BEFORE the holiday season begins, the easiest way to begin the holiday cooking season! Check water filter systems on your refrigerator and replace if necessary.
Large variety of cleaning products in stock at Wilkes County HardwareOnly $3.99 for the pack!!! Great for cleaning 🧽 Works great as a stove cleaner…without heating up your oven
10. Check the function of every toilet in your home. Do you need to replace a handle, flapper or do a complete overhaul of the “guts” of the toilet???? Now is the perfect time to replace these ahead the holidays… no one wants to be plunging into that messy job with company in house.
Our plumbing area is always busy at WCH!
11. Do a quick assessment on your heating system. Do you need a supplemental heating unit? What maintenance is necessary??? Many of our customers use this time of year to prepare for cooler temperatures. Kerosene heaters are brought in for repairs/new wicks. Replace aging stove pipe, and more!
Repairs are completed all season long! Cold weather essentials available year round at WCH
Now’s let get outside the home and enjoy the beautiful Fall weather and check out a few other things around the exterior of the property of your home.
Hope y’all can find time to unwind and relax and enjoy the beautiful Fall season!!
Around the House (Exterior Maintenance)
Add a faucet cover to your outdoor faucets. Water hoses should be stored for the winter.
A necessity before the freeze 🥶 sits in!!! Throw away old leaky water hoses. Plan ahead… Replace them at WCH and be ready for the next season!
2. Clean Gutters of all leaves and debris
3. Complete any remaining Fall Lawn Maintenance tasks… clear leaves, other debris, etc.
4. Put away and clean lawn hand tools for the winter months.
WD-40 works great after HAND tools are cleaned and dirt/grime removed , spray WD-40 onto surface, let sit for a few seconds, wipe again to clean. If you need to remove rust, let it sit for a while, and then use steel wool to clean surface. It is not recommended to use this cleaning method for power tools.
5. Clean the Grill- As the grilling season begins to come to an end, for some, Fall is a great time to get your hands dirty and get that grill clean before your store it away for the winter if you don’t grill much in the colder months.
WCH is an authorized Traeger Dealer
6. Be mindful of Pests! As the cooler months begin, rodents, spiders, stink bugs, and a host of others will look for ways to make way indoors. Keep debris away from house, seal gaps and cracks and be ready with pest control options if you see or hear them.
Bugs will look for places to come inside as the weather turns cold! Pest control made easy!
Car Maintenance
Tire pressure sensors often go off during the cooler months. Be ready, for those mornings to check your tire pressure with a new tire pressure gauge.
2. Be prepared and go ahead and do a Fluids check… oil, windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, etc
3. Frosty mornings will be here to stay! Check your car for a ice/snow scraper
4. Do you have a battery charger or charger cables in your vehicle? No one wants to be out in the cold with a nonfunctional car. 😬
Air compressor and battery charger in one!!!
5. Check and replace old windshield wiper blades!
Wilkes County Hardware now has Rainx
I hope that you find these tips useful as the next phase of time change occurs. What other things do you do to prepare for yourself for the time shift???
Please stop by Wilkes County Hardware for all of your hardware needs or questions. We will be glad to assist.
Wilkes County Hardware Store Hours 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm Saturday
Are you muddling through January??? The holidays are over, the Christmas lights and decorations are tucked away for another year. The chill of winter has set in. The blustery winter winds can take your breath away from the sudden surge of Arctic air. Brrr!!!! Many of us may just want to retreat inside our homes for a few months to hibernate like a bear.
The frost was hanging heavy on the trees January 12th
I feel like that in the winter months of January and February. Simply ready for Hibernation…. Often in the winter season, I’m driving to work in the dark each morning and then driving home as sun goes down. Ugh…. Yes, the sun concludes its day even earlier in the winter! At 6:00pm it feels like 10:00pm, my internal clock is askew … ready to hibernate for the entire evening at 7pm, struggling to stay awake. My inner bear is showing its sleepy little self.
If the seasons were reversed, that would be the opposite during the summer. Summer brings a burst of longer daylight and ongoing activity. So, my bear-like self becomes more like a busy little hummingbird …. A stroll into the garden after dinner, doing yard work, the list could go on and on… Yes, darkness can be a stronger force during the winter season.
Winter… less hours of daylight! Stop by to purchase this unique clock ⏰.
Maybe you are always a hummingbird all year long, but I know as I get older, my “bear instincts” are growing stronger as I feel the need to rest more in the winter months. Winter is a perfect time for a respite… Time to rest, reflect, and prepare yourself for another year.
January sunrises
Did y’all know that several years ago, the third January Monday was actually coined “Blue Monday”? I believe it was a travel gimmick to get people motivated to begin thinking about spring and summer travel. The goal of “Blue Monday” was to get folks motivated to plan and book their summer travel… not sure how all that worked out for the travel marketing industry but honestly, less hours of daylight does impact how we think and feel… science proven! Regardless of the original intent of this, it’s worth a discussion about the winter lull after the excitement of the holiday season.
Finding the beauty in January… January can be stark, like the tree without leaves. But the beauty emerges when you stop to view the beauty of the tree itself. Allowing yourself to rest, reset, and reflect in January can be good for your mind, body, and spirit.
So we have already established that it’s hard for me to get energized on those wet, windy, nasty cold days. And this year, so far, without significant snow to bring a glimmer of winter bliss into our midst it has been tough for my inner “bear”.
As adults, we often don’t have the “childlike” mindset of the glorious event of a wonderful snowstorm… watching with wonder and excitement… viewing every snowflake fall by the window, snow days with no school, or gearing up for sledding.
Ahhh, the beautiful snowfall captured from a few years ago. This is a favorite photo of mine from the Greenway.
So how do we beat the winter “blues”? I would venture to guess that most of us can’t pack up and take an extended vacation until April. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!!! Yes, that’s not happening for 99 % of us reading this blog post. I also do realize that some folks do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and if that’s the case these simple tips may not be enough to keep your spirit strong… seek out medical professionals.
But, if the “ winter blues” are simply getting you down in the dumps, here’s a few tips from your favorite local hardware store blogger to help make the winter of 2023-2024 a bit cozier and warmer.
Winter… bring warmth and cozy comfort to your daily routine
Tips for Fighting the Winter “Blues”
1. Go Green! Yes, that’s right, invest in a few good house plants. We spend the majority of our time inside during the winter, so add some fresh green plants into your home. Stop by Wilkes County Hardware for a fresh bag of potting soil, or a new flower pot. Me, I love plants… so this one is a no brainer for me… But, what if you aren’t great with live plants… substitute in artificial greenery. Hmmm… I’m not an artificial plant or greenery person… buy a beautiful bouquet of flowers to use as a centerpiece for your kitchen table to add a boost of color to your surroundings.
2. Get outside!!! Take a walk… when the weather allows. Take in some much needed sunshine/ vitamin D on a sunny winter day. Plan a fun family event… Build a fire pit and eat s’mores with family.
Outdoor logs are available for purchase at Wilkes County Hardware
3. Eat Cozy … Make your favorite soup and stews. Winter is a time to make the most of the cold weather by enjoying your favorite comfort foods, soups and stews. I know we are enjoying several of our favorites this winter.
Need a new Dutch Oven… this red, Lodge style one is perfect for all of your winter meals!
4. Feed the birds… watch your bird feeders from the warmth of your home and enjoy nature. They need a boost of nutrients too.
The birds need you during the cold winter months to supplement their diet.
5. BeWarm at Home … Yes, home should be a warm place to retreat. So take time to evaluate those cold areas around windows or doors, etc and make minor repairs if needed. Another tip to be warm at home… is to build a fire in your fireplace, or add candles to your non-working fireplace to add a little extra cozy comfort.
This is Great Stuff… yes, I said it 😂
6. Bring in the light… Who say that all the Christmas lights must go up! This year leave out a set of twinkling lights after Christmas OR add accent lamps to a dark room, set a timer for them to come on before you arrive home at night. Add night lights to areas where darkness is common like a hallway. Need any of these items… stop by and pick up a new timer, night light, or light bulbs at Wilkes County Hardware.
7. Drink in the warmth … nothing is better than a hot cup of coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate on a cold winter day.
Need a few new mugs to get through the winter ???? Stop by Wilkes County Hardware for handmade mugs.
8. Add ambient light… Head over to Wilkes County Hardware for an oil lamp. Oil lamps offer a fragrance free ambient light that you often can’t get with a candle. The lamp oil that we stock on our shelves is also smokeless.
These are perfect to add a bit of cozy, and warmth into any room during the winter months. Perfect for power outages too! These strike anywhere matches are perfect for winter fires, candles, oil lamps and more!!!
9. Create Cozy… Rearrange a room to give it a fresh feel after the holidays by moving furniture etc, or do a small DIY to refresh your home.
Paint is an easy way to refresh a room, a well worn piece of furniture, or add a splash of color to cabinets.
10. Get Organized… Are you ready to Clean, and Declutter???? Whether you are doing a deep closet cleaning or just polishing up that old piece of furniture, Wilkes County Hardware can help you find the perfect cleaning products and tools to get it done ✅.
Wilkes County Hardware offers a variety of cleaning supplies! Stop by to view our selection soon.
In closing, fighting the “winter blues” for me, is all about finding the balance of being content and keeping the weather in perspective.
I can make the months of January and February dark, dank, and gloomy in my mindset OR I could immerse myself into the beauty of the season by finding the perfect combination of rest, comfort and coziness to make my winter a peaceful experience. I choose the latter.
I’m choosing to live up my winter this year by making yummy soups, savoring my morning coffee, adding some greenery into my decor, creating a small to do list of DIY projects and yes, cleaning out those closets!!! Ugh, maybe I do need to hibernate 😂. Enjoy the winter season and stop by for some winter warmth when you can!
The perfect spot to be cozy and warm and beat the “ Winter Blues”.
True confession time, I love plants. Now that the truth is out, and I’ve officially said it, “I’m a plant lady”, my green little plant heart is “rooting” for you to get on board with me! I must admit the presence of green plants in my home makes me smile on the dreary, dank, bitterly cold days of winter. Simply put, my Plants bring me joy.
Here’s to Going Green!
October has arrived!
It’s a beautiful time of the year, but the reality for a “Plant Lady” living in western North Carolina, means a significant dip in nighttime outdoor temperatures. Nighttime temperatures can begin to dip into the 50’s some nights. The daytime temperatures are still quite gorgeous with ample, warm sunshine all day. Dare I say, the word FROST! But alas, Frost will be expected by the end of October, if not before. All that being said, my green, tender, warm-natured plants must find residence back inside, as they have enjoyed basking in the summer warmth on the back porch steps for the last few months.
Frosty Fall mornings will be coming soon!
For me, as a “plant mama” who enjoys her houseplants flourishing outdoors during the late spring and summer months, knows the time of change is arriving. I must prepare for the transition from the shaded back porch steps to life indoors for the late Fall and Winter months.
These beauties will be headed inside by the end of this week. Low temperatures are expected to be in the 40’s by Saturday night.
So how do I prep these “green little goddesses” for the adjustment indoors??? AND keep them “growing”all year long. Here’s my step by step guide that I have been using the last few years for moving my cherished plants back inside.
1. Evaluate each plant. Repot if necessary. I tend to repot plants before moving indoors and allow a few days of adjustment before moving inside.
This year, I’m in the process of repotting a few plants prior to moving them indoors.
2. Consult your almanac planting calendarand be a weather watcher!!!! Weather can change quickly and cooler nights are a given in October. Be proactive and begin working towards moving your plant babies back inside in late September or early October before the cold weather hits. I never transplant until it’s a good time to do so! I’m a firm believer in this step! Unsure how to use an almanac??? Click the link below to learn more!
3. Remove any damaged leaves, or dead areas of the plant. Take additional rootings if possible to begin new plants! “Get growing”! What type of plant lady would I be if I didn’t root my own plants 😂.
My kitchen window is my rooting station for my newest plants. The sunlight is perfect for them to root beautifully and flourish into a newly established plant. For plant roots that take a little bit of extra work… stocked inside Wilkes County Hardware
4. Spray each plant you plan to move indoors with insecticidal soap. This will help prevent bugs from making their way inside with your plants. I also spray the soil as well. Reapply as needed if pests appear during the fall or winter.
Insecticidal soap sold at Wilkes County Hardware For the DIYer… I’m sure you can find a homemade version of Insect soap on the internet. Spray bottles are a essential item stocked inside Wilkes County Hardware.
5. Clean pot to remove surface dirt prior to moving indoors.
6. Call in the “troops for assistance” if needed… to help move your plants inside. Make it a family project! Get everyone involved!
7. Find the sweet spots… where are these plants going to thrive and have the correct light requirements. Take note to keep plants away from heat registers, drafts to maximize the plants potential.
8. Find your joy in planting! I do have plants that I haven’t been able to get “growing”. But, I haven’t given up on all plants. Take the time to grow what you love and find your joy! Final plant motivation thoughts… “I beleaf” in you! Take a “leaf of faith”! You can do this! I’m “rooting” for you!
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 