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Front Porch Appeal - Our New Year Wishes for You
January 03, 2024


Hello, Porch Friend,

Welcome to Front Porch Appeal! January 2024 has arrived!

We hope you had some peaceful and fun times with the people you care about during the holiday rush. Dave and I got to share pre-holiday times with our local family, and then Christmas in Virginia with our other son's family.

The memories and caring are the best parts we hold onto.




Do you have your holiday decor down now? We usually have ours down by the first part of January.

Do you like to enjoy your decorations longer or are you happy to get everything cleaned up and put away immediately?

Even though we enjoy cleaning up more early than late, there's something comforting and magical to see pretty lights in January, too. Don't you think?




New Year: Our Wishes for You



As the New Year unfolds like a fresh blanket of snow, may we all reflect on the warmth and comfort of our cozy homes and porches.

For the two of us, we enjoy watching the birds out our side windows and the creatures that visit in the woods.

We hope you, too, have something to always look forward to each season of the year.






We send our warmest wishes for the coming year - in all ways that are meaningful to you. Whether that be time to enjoy your porch, a chance to reconnect with people in your life or the opportunity to heal and become healthy again.

May your porch be a haven for laughter, quiet reflection, and shared moments with loved ones.






This year, we hope your porch becomes a stage for many sunsets, a backdrop for cherished conversations, and a sanctuary where you can unwind after a long day.

May you find solace in the gentle creak of your porch swing and the comforting scent of freshly brewed tea.






Perhaps you don't have a porch, but your home has a happy front door that's full of welcoming spirit!

Long live the joy it brings to all who have the pleasure of visiting!






No matter your outdoor space, be it a pretty garden bench, a pleasant gazebo, or your front porch, may you have time to retreat, relax and refresh this year.






Let's look forward to happy times on the porch with fresh plants at our feet, birds in the trees and sunshine on our shoulders.






Wouldn't it be great if we could find something cool about every single day of this year? That, my friend, would be a marvelous blessing.

We hope your coming weeks and months are satisfying and warm your heart.

Happy New Year!




What's In Store for Your Porch This Year?



As we step into this new year, do you have plans to refresh or revitalize your porch? As with any room in our home, our porches need love and attention to keep them looking their best.

Here's a seasonal guide to keeping your porch in tip-top shape.

Winter TLC

- If applicable, clear any snow or debris promptly to prevent damage.
- Check for ice buildup. Use safe de-icing methods to avoid slips.
- Inspect for any winter weather damage, especially to wood components.
- Store or cover outdoor furniture.

Spring Refresh

- Sweep away dirt and clean surfaces.
- Check for signs of winter damage and correct.
- Clean outdoor furniture. Perhaps a new coat of paint or sealant is needed.
- Prune plants around your porch to prevent overgrowth.
- Add seasonal decor and plants to your liking - creates a most welcome statement.

Summer Time!

- Sweep and clean regularly to remove dust and debris.
- Check for signs of wear on furniture or porch surfaces and address as needed.
- Touch up paint or sealant.
- Take care of potted plants in the strong sun.
- Add comfortable seating and lighting for summer evenings.
- Put out your favorite decor, wall art and amenities.

Autumn Awesomeness

- Clear fallen leaves regularly to control staining and slipping.
- Clean gutters to prevent water damage.
- Check for any signs of wear or damage to the porch structure.
- Store outdoor furniture inside or use covers.
- Consider autumn decor - it's a wonderful and easy time of the year to decorate.

Yearly: Ongoing Maintenance

- Inspect your porch structure for signs of wear, rot, or insect damage.
- Clean light fixtures, windows, and other decorative elements regularly. (Note: last year we took down our light fixtures to re-paint them and found hornet nests in the wall, so be careful.)
- Replace or renew damaged or worn-out hardware.
- Consider a yearly deep cleaning for a thorough porch revival.


Be Beary Well This Year!



Each of our journeys is different from one another. May your journey be whatever you'd like it to be. Sending you a million blessings!




From Our Treasured Sponsors



Oh, to have a bed swing on the porch for a nice winter's nap. Imagine being here under a thick, warm blanket with a snuggly pillow. The Porch Store offers many custom options for your own bed swing.

And it's perfect because the back is adjustable - meaning it's comfortable for both sitting and napping.

Please visit our fine sponsor, The Porch Store, to see all their choices.


Instant Charm with This...



Beautiful photo courtesy of VintageWoodworks.com



Use exterior house trim to add immense charm to your porch this fall. It is a wonderful, memorable way to add curb appeal and give your porch and home a new, polished and charming appeal.

We are very proud of our sponsor, Vintage Woodworks, a leader in handcrafted house trim since 1978. They can assist you in choosing just the right design options for your home.




Screen Doors Connect the
Inside to the Outdoors



A very handsome black screen door from our sponsor PCA products




There's nothing quite like having a screen door to bring in those crisp cool breezes to pour over our homes.

Our fine sponsor, PCA Products, has worked out all the little irritants of typical screen doors such as sagging screens and corrosion.

Whether you are replacing an existing screen door or installing a new one on your home or screened porch, selecting a high-quality door that lasts a very long time is well worth the investment.

It's worth your time to see the quality of a PCA Products aluminum screen door today and open your home to fall.




Till Next Time...



We all live busy lives, so thank you for being in our porch family. We appreciate you.

May you enjoy this first month of the year and notice the blessings that are always available to us.

See you on the porch.

Our best always,

Mary and Dave

Mary and Dave



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