June 11th!

On June 11th we will be hosting the Grand Opening of our HOME DECOR ROOM!

Please stop in and sign up for prizes, have a cup of home-made ice-cream and snack on a bag of hot Kettle Corn. Check out what our store has to offer, you just might be surprised at the extent of our inventory. And don't forget we can order any of 40,000 items out of our warehouse WITH free shipping.

We are really proud of the advances our store is making in taking a dark, dirty hole and turning into a sparkling new room. It is chock full of cabinets, appliances, light fixtures and more.

Look at, touch, and enjoy our granite counter tops, open and close those cabinets and run an eye over our flooring displays. Talk to our Decor lady Theresa and our appliance specialist Becky, about ordering yourself a new kitchen. Just bring in the measurements and they'll work up a plan to renew and refresh your home.

So mark your calendar for JUNE 11th! We are looking forward to seeing you.

How to grow vegetables in pots - Sunset.com

How to grow vegetables in pots - Sunset.com

How to build a raised bed for your garden - Sunset.com

How to build a raised bed for your garden - Sunset.com

Spring....

"Rise and put on your foliage, and be seen

To come forth, like the springtime fresh and green."

"Slowly time shifts, the earth revolves and snow melts. Spring is coming and with it the planting season, earth deep brown, waiting to be enriched with manure and tended by loving hands pulling from it the weeds and rocks. Tilled ridges lift thirsty faces to the sky waiting to be fed by seeds and water."

Whether you are concerned with the rising food prices, looking to eat things grown in your own ground or just love to garden now is the time to start thinking about it. Our winters stretch out for what seems like years, but in a split second your garden plot will spring into life and weeds two feet tall will close in and bunker down.

At least that is what happened in our garden last year, but this spring I have an idea that might prevent this scenario. I'm going to stretch out lumber wrap, and place rocks on it (after the two feet of snow are gone) to prevent them weeds from getting a head start. I'll pull it off right before planting commences. We shall see if this helps, I hope it does, as last spring many a bitter word was spoken by my sister and I as we slaved in the sun pulling weeds.

Also, if you are going to leave your ground to rest for the year, it is a good idea to plant a cover crop to keep the weeds in check and provide green manure. They also help retain the soil, lessen erosion, and decrease the impact pf precipitation on the garden by slowing the runoff of water. Some of the traditional cover crops are rye, hairy vetch, buckwheat, millet, mustard and sweet clover. It does depend some on whether you are planting in the spring or winter, so do a little research to discover the cover crop that will give you the most benefit. After the cover crop is grown, you need to cut it back (before it goes to seed) and till in the left over green bits. This will put nutrients back into the soil.

However IF you are going to use the ground this season, there are some simple things that will help enrich your soil. First take a soil test (we sell kits that can help you with this or you can take dirt sample to your local extension office) to check the pH levels. Now, most food crops prefer a neutral (pH 7) or slightly acidic soil (between pH 3.o or 5.0) however some (potatoes and strawberries) prefer a more acidic, or alkaline soil.

Once you know where your pH levels stand you will be able to make changes to it if need be, it would be best to read up on it as there are different ways to adjust the levels. Hydrated lime, manure, wood ash, sulfur and compost are all options in this area. It is best to start this process in early spring or the fall.

Also if you only have a small plot of land, a raised bed, or window boxes you can still grow food. I'm going to link a couple of articles from Sunset magazine that are very interesting and helpful for this style of gardening.

Please stop in and check out our potting soils, manures and seed starters. Also we have seeds, trays, pots and everything you need to begin the gardening season. Happy Gardening to you and may your crop be HUGE!

Have you ever?

Been interested in rocks? No? Yes? Maybe?

Perhaps you are enchanted (yes I am a girl and I use words like "enchanted") by diamonds, rubies, emeralds and the like. From their polished and cut surfaces light bounces, glitters and entices one to fall in love. People have killed to own certain jewels, lost fortunes and died scrabbling through mountains after elusive gems. But if you were to find one just laying on the ground out in the no-where, it wouldn't necessarily jump out at you as a precious stone. Most likely it would just look like....a rock...

Encased in the earth there are many beautiful things but it takes an eye, a skill and knowledge to release the beauty which lies hidden. And not all beautiful things come in small packages to be strung around a neck or clasped on an arm. Some of the most painfully lovely and pulchritudinous earth treasures come in packages of tons instead of carets.

If you are interested in seeing a sample of what the earth has to offer in the way of beauty, stop in and look at the granite counter tops. It just might astonish you to see what is buried right here in Boundary County, we have on display a island created out a local stone, it is creamy white swirled with black and grays. Also there is a Washington state green granite that is breathtaking! And if you are interested in something edgy check out that vanity in the picture above. It comes right out of the ground like that and is imported from Italy, it isn't epoxied together, even if it looks like it might be.

Coming soon!

We will be welcoming into our Pro X Home Center world a new Home Decore Room!

What was a dark, drab (and quite frankly creepy) back corner has been turned it into a beautiful show room. With the help of many contractors from around the county, this space will never look the same again.

Complete with our very own Home Interior Specialist. Her name is Melissa Shobe and she will be assisting, one on one, customers looking for cabinets (kitchen and bathroom), flooring, paint and other home decore needs. Are you remodeling? Building new? Need cabinets? She will be using a computer program which will take the dimensions of your room and design cabinets to fit it. And to help make the process even easier, there are many displays to show you exactly how items will look. From the granite countertops to the lighting, from the doors to the sinks we want to give you the best possible chance of choosing the right things for your home.

Drop in, look around and perhaps you'll be inspired to tackle that remodel that you've been putting off!

Ladies' Night

By my standards Ladies' Night went really well.....I didn't faint as the first women came in the door! That may have had something to do with the first person being my older sister and she hasn't managed to make me faint yet so.....

The food seemed to go over well, but who wouldn't love specialty cheeses and home-made brownies!

The goal of the evening was really to see if the ladies in our community would even enjoy an evening of demos and food at the hardware store. Our pilot programme seemed to please the fifty or so ladies who attended and we have received some very nice compliments on the evening.

The point of the Ladies' Night isn't just to sell things (although we enjoy doing that) but we want to open up the vistas of what this store has to offer, especially to the women shopper. As well as providing a helpful source of information and hands-on workshops geared towards providing beneficial information. We are looking forward to planning more of them and hope that they will continue to refresh and inspire any who attend. Thank you to all who came, we appriciate your support.

Here is an email I recived from Jacque Tanner, which expresses what she thought of the evening.

"Just wanted to pass on to you how successful I thought the Ladies' Night Out was. Very delightful, fun and educational! I know it was a lot of work, but I am excited to know how to clean windows in an efficient and satisfactory manner-Sherry did an excellent job in her demonstrations! And it was very helpful to see the newest products available for hanging items without putting huge holes in the sheet rock!! But I say, (besides the great goodies-brownies and cheese!!!) the highlight was the painting demonstration. Wow, did I learn a lot!! LOVE the suede look-and the endless possibilities with the glazing leaves much room for creativity. Very inspiring. Maybe if there is another Ladies' Night Out you could give a demonstration on how to make more hours fit into a day so we have the opportunity to DO all these things!!! (Wouldn't THAT be nice!) Seriously, you did a great job-well worth our time. Thanks!"

Brownies....

Brownies = Chocolate = Tastebud Joy!

Here is the recipe for the brownies that were served at our Ladies Night. It is a lovely recipe as it is quick, easy and a crowd pleaser.

2 1/2 cups flour

3 cups sugar

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 cup Crisco

1/2 cup butter

6 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Stir the flour, salt and cocoa together in a small bowl and set aside.

In mixing bowl beat Crisco, butter, sugar and vanilla together until just smooth. Add eggs to the sugar mixture and beat till just blended. Now add dry ingredients and beat for 2 minutes. Spread batter in greased 9x13. Bake at 350 for 25 or 30 minutes or until barely done. Don't over bake, a toothpick should come out just barely clean when tested in the center of the pan. Cool on wire rack.

Grand Prize Winner

Congratulations Luci Haarstick! Thank you so much for shopping with us. We hope you are having a wonderful time using your new things, toys and tools alike!

Cold is the air and sharp to the nose.

Biting through wool and onto covered skin

Azure blue and gray steel

Withered arms of trees ripple against the sky

Dark and somber without the softening of leaves

But joyously dart the sparkles of sun

Bringing with them the silent tremble of thunder

The wonder of creation

Enfolded in the sounds of winter.

Ladies Night

Shhhhh....don't look now but Pro X Home Center is hosting a Ladies Night on January 18th at 6:30 in the evening.

Prizes!

Food & Drink........

Demos.

And an incredible paint sale on our top of the line paint!

We are still taking registrations so please stop by or give us a call (267-7561 ask for Liesl) and we'll sign you up.

We have fun...

....All the time. Thursday is stocking day and we have just about the best crew in the USA...And I'm not just saying that because two of the stockers are related to me.... Look he came out of his office....

But don't let Larry fool you...he isn't really working.

However Tivoli is....see the sweat just drip off her brow?

Teresa is a transplanted Cali...However she wasn't BORN a Cali and that makes alllll the difference.

North Idaho

Admit it! This is one of the most beautiful places on earth...and we are blessed to have the chance to live here.

You need it? We've got it.

For those who didn't grow up in the Northwest there is a vague understanding of the huckleberry. They don't understand the sense of anticipation that starts around mid July, the hands twitching as they limber up to grasp buckets; as the huckleberry pickers start getting out their camping things and heading to the hills to stake out favorite hunting grounds.

The magic is coming and you had better hurry to be a part of it. Perhaps this year (you transplants from other lesser-places) is the year you will come to a place of being one with the huckleberry. Get up get out and try for the mountains, climb those steep hights, slide down those ravines and step on that wasps nest. And as you gaze on your bucket brimming with purple-red berries peace will wash over your soul and the aching muscles will relaxe.

But if in your hurry you run out to the woods unprepared don't worry Pro X is here. We have many of the things you need to carry out a successfull berry raid.

Buckets, Bug spray, Charcoal briquettes, Lighter fluid, Tarps, Rope, Matches, Wasp and Hornet spray. And the best of all? Metal screen sold by the foot. To make your very own berry cleaning slide!!

Sale?

Railroad ties are on sale at Pro X. REALLY on sale.

If you buy one whole unit of #2 railroad ties, they cost $8 each; two units, $7.50 each; three units, $7 each, and there are 20 pieces per unit. Sounds pretty good eh? But it gets even better, if you mention you're reading our blog and saw this post we'll knock ANOTHER .25 cents off!

So that would make the first unit $7.75, the second $7.25 and the third $6.75 a piece.

To put these prices in the proper perspective, normally you would pay $9.75 per tie.


Now perhaps you are thinking to yourself "I don't really NEED any railroad ties. I live in an apartment, what would I do with them?" But these are just confusing negative thoughts that you must let go of. Instead start thinking positive! Such as "Which garden fanatic's birthday is coming up? And wouldn't they just love a load of ties."


Or, possibly you've always been meaning to finish that dog house you started in 6th grade shop, and here is your chance. Then you can convince your wife this is fate opening the door for you to buy that mastif you've always wanted. Since now you'll have an appropriate sized dog house in which to keep him.

And just maybe, it's always been your dream to have a huge pile of ties to gloat over. This is it, now is the time to fullfill that dream.

And the winner is....

By sheer, dogged perseverances a triumphant Logan Reichart became Pro X Home Center's spring winner of a whopping $1000.00 dollars!

I say "with dogged perseverance" because every morning he diligently put his name in the box. Even when he might have been worn out, or the coffee hadn't hit yet, he never shirked his duty. But picked up that pen and paper, yet again, and wrote down his name. All at the formidable risk of contracting a raging case of carpel tunnel of the wrist too.
However, he came though unscathed and now is most likely jubilantly planning how best to use the prize. Congratulations Logan, we look forward to seeing you in the store.

Sorry Larry, you had to be in yet one more photo...

There are different types of gold at the end of the rainbow. Perhaps we have what you are looking for.

The world of building..

History repeats its self and not just in human actions, but in bulding supplies as well. Notably in the form of cement which has been fruit caking all over the planet since the begining of time or at least 6500 B.C. The Syrians used it to line fire pits and the like. Although it would apear that the Egyptians were some of the first profuse users of cement, and I can just about guaranty that the slaves who had to mix, pour and spread the stuff, hated it just as much as any builder of today does.

Although it was the Romans who saw the true protential for cements use and they went on to develope Roman concrete (also called Opus caementicium). It was the material used in construction during the whole history of the Roman Empire and many notible buildings are still standing today. Roman concrete was based on a hydraulic-setting cement with many material qualities similar to modern Portland cement. By the middle of the first century, the material was used frequently as brick-faced concrete, although variations in aggregate allowed different arrangements of materials. Further innovative developments in the material, coined the Concrete Revolution, contributed to structurally complicated forms, such as the Pantheon dome.

And just to the left there you can see and anciant Pro X store ------->

Most likely they're the ones that supplied the concrete for the building project.

So whether you are just planning a simple patio or a slightly more grandiose Roman style structure please remember that Pro X carries both Pre-mix concrete (80# bags, does 2/3rds of a cubic foot) and Portland (94#, does 1 cubic foot) and our yard guys just love loading it.

And yet again with the doors.

Door Gnome

Country of origin: Sweden, Poland, Germany, Finland.

Came over on the boat with other Europian immigrants

Job: Guardian of all things door.

In the old country known as a Tomte.

A brisk spring morning at the crack of dawn a sleepy door gnome stood up on his pins and began to expostulate on Plaspro/OrePac doors.

His audience looked like this....

...the coffee hadn't hit yet. ................................................................................

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However if the truth be told this meeting was just yet another attempt to get us girl gnomes....

....up and running on doors. And any guy attending the meeting was there almost entirely for the food.

Work

I have learned things since starting work at Pro X.

A: Guys do gossip, they just do it at the store while buying tools, or leaning against a truck.

B: If you sweep the store, for sure in two minutes a logger will come in with mud on his boots.

C: There are small yellow panic aliens that live in the YOX colorant, and they come out when things get rough.

D: At closing time someone will come in for either paint or plumbing.

E: I hate the screw and nail department, the most annoying things to look up in the computer.

F: You don't clean by "dusting" a hardware store, because that is just displacing it.

G: The overstocked plumbing parts get married and start having kids, if left alone in the back room.

H: Filing can be a soothing and comforting thing to do, it gives one a place to hide if one sold some guy the wrong things.

I: While waiting for the paint shaker to finish you can take a short nap or write a text.

J: The guys will grouch about cool coffee but not bad coffee....go figure.