Category Archives: memories

blogging, Dog Days of Summer, finding inspiration, flowers, garden, gardening, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, Home, June, memories, Natural World, old hardware stores, photography favorites, pools, seashells, Shop Local, southern living, Summer, summer garden, Summer Photography, Summer Watering Tips, sunrise photography

June Memories Photographed

June 27, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

The month of June is the gateway to Summer. Here’s a glimpse of summer so far in the hardware life.

A bit of sunshine and color… totem pole is complete! A huge Thank You going out to Kim Reid for her patience and expertise, this came together beautifully! And yes, your local hardware store can help you with this project! More to come on this later!!

The Mountains are calling and I must go….

**Good morning Blue Ridge Mountains Sunrise in progress**

Other June Favorites

An Overview of Hardware Store Happenings in June

**New summer t-shirts are selling fast!**

**Anyone ready for some homemade ice cream???** Southern Summer… Making Homemade Ice Cream

**Restock of Goat Milk Soap! This product is an amazing seller!!!**

**Blue Door Houses and more, by Kim Reid… these are selling quickly!**

**Mid June brought drought like conditions…** Summer Watering Tips

**Ready for canning season??? We got y’all covered!**

**Reset complete! Wow!!! What a job that was… moving cleaning, canning, outdoor grilling… but well worth it!!!**

**Pools are big part of summer season inside Wilkes County Hardware** Family Splashing Fun-Pool Days of Summer

Saturday morning bunny visitor. He had escaped from his cage from his home nearby the pool that we do daily maintenance for. After a few uncertain hours, we found his home! Thanks to all who reached out to help him get back home safely!

**This month has been a busy month in the garden/yard! Thanks for stopping by to pick up weed control, pest control options… and much more! Thanks for shopping local!**

almanac gardening, blogging, finding inspiration, flowers, garden, gardening, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, Home, May, memories, Natural World, photography favorites, Plant Lady, southern living, Spring Gardening, Spring photography, Works in Progress

May Days are Gardening Days… Garden Reflections

May 31, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

May is a prime gardening month. May flowers are in bloom, the vibrant colors are abundant. For me, the month of May means spending time in the garden preparing for the beautiful blooms of summer and waiting for the growth of each young tender plant.

I must confess and fully admit that my garden is always a work in progress… flowers coupled with growing weeds amongst them. This time of the year, the challenge is to keep up with the pace of weed growth, I usually fail miserably. But, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. The memories and the sweat equity of what has been accomplished so far in the garden.

**Dill is springing up everywhere in one of my favorite flower beds and I’m absolutely loving it!**

My style of gardening is a rustic cottage charm. The cottage garden style is less structured and not as formalized. The plantings flow seamlessly together. This style allows for a diverse mix of plants that I love. Viewing from a distance, the pattern of my gardening style is probably not evident to anyone but me.

The ultimate story behind the gardener and garden itself is revealed walking amongst each flower variety, enjoying the blooms, connecting each flower with its own unique story and legacy.

**This pot came from my Mother in law’s home. It is a cherished planter that I look forward to growing beautiful plants inside each year**

The garden story is each flower itself. I have a garden of true memories passed down from generation to generation. My personal connections to my garden flowers and what I have planted is deeply rooted and linked to my personal life experiences and memories of those who I love. So each May I work to bring the garden story back to life, creating a garden full of beautiful memories and vibrant blooms. Nothing could be better!

All this being said, I do have a few plant friends that I love to plant each year. The striking colors, the scents, the aesthetics, and durability(long lasting nature) of the plant definitely impacts my decisions to continue to place these into my garden. But, many of the reasons why I pick the same type of flowers each year is due to my associated memories with these flowers… past celebrations, or memories of strolling through family gardens so many years ago.

**Red Geraniums are a must have in my garden every year, they bring wonderful memories of my two Great Aunts who always had them in their front flower boxes each year.**

So here’s to celebrating this month with a few beautiful blooms. Enjoy the bounty of the blooms that are amongst you at the close of May 2024.

**These perennials were transplanted many years ago from my granny’s flower garden. She often shared her beautiful garden flowers with everyone who loved flowers as much as she did.**

**Thyme is growing and beginning to flower**

**This planter is an oldie Goldie… passed down to me from my mom several years ago. My strawberries are happily growing**

**New handbuilding project completed, a bright red poppy flower added into one of my flower pots**

**Yarrow, gifted seed packet from a dear friend**

Gardening Challenges this month:

1. Critters crawlers… snakes and lizards 😳 stories and more!!! Read more about them in the latest blog post, find the link below.

**Pest control issues are tough on plants, be proactive and stop by Wilkes County Hardware for best options for your garden**

2. Rapid weed growth- May showers have brought an abundance of weeds! Yikes! Time to get out there and get some weeds pulled and sprayed!

**Several types of weed control options are available at WCH**

3. Excessive Rainfall- My peonies and roses took a beating this month with all the rainfall. It was time to deadhead rose bushes after the rainfall, and I have cut back my peonies after they finished flowering.

4. Deer and rabbits oh my! – I have been extremely lucky this spring and little activity has been noted around my garden, but the nibbles have begun by the end of May😬! Time to grab the granular and the spray!

**Options for deer control are available at WCH**

Gardening Successes:

1. New garden plants finds!

2. Garden totem pole in progress

**These are loosely stacked for now waiting on other pieces to be finished and finalized before the pole is placed into the garden. I hope to finish my first project soon.**

3. Planting on the “good garden days”

Yes, I have read up on my almanac for the BEST days in May… find the link below for May Planting BEST Days. June best days are coming out soon on the blog!

4. Beautiful Blooms!

**Updates to my window to the world (view outside my kitchen window) are constantly changing during the flowering season.**

Hanging baskets on the back porch are beginning to fill in with color

Petunias have been constantly showing off in May

5. Tomatoes are coming soon!

I hope your month of May gardening has brought you joy, and great memories. No matter what state your garden finds itself in, Just get growing!

blogging, clover, family, finding inspiration, gardening, Hardware Store Life, Home, luck, March, memories, Natural World, photography favorites, Spring, Spring photography, St. Patrick’s Day

Finding Clover

March 17, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

Many people consider clover as an invasive weed in their lawn. I believe it is now a LUCKY task for the finder… no matter if you find a 🍀 four leaf clover, all are lucky!

Why do you suggest it is a lucky task???? Clover spreads and often can take over in your grass. Is that lucky??? Well maybe not if you love a perfectly manicured lawn. But for those who continue to read this story maybe you find a bit of inspiration in finding clover today.

I found this green patch of clover flourishing several years ago in my grandparents yard. It was a thick patch of clover that was overtaking an area in their lawn near the driveway.

It was a beautiful capture for me as a photographer, and I cherish it as a sweet memory of my grandparents yard and flower garden.

Time has passed and I recently found this quote concerning clover that is too good not to share today as we are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and it provided me a bit confirmation of what I already knew.

Legend says that each leaf of the clover has a meaning: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and, if you can find a 4-leaf clover, the fourth leaf represents luck.” —Jean LeGrand

I never found a four-leaf clover 🍀 in that small patch of clover at my grandparents house, but I was definitely LUCKY. My grandparents gave and showed me all three of those characteristics…hope, faith and love. So I consider myself to be the luckiest person alive. Here’s to you finding a beautiful patch of clover today.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

blogging, clover, finding inspiration, flowers, Forsythia, gardening, Hardware Store Life, Home, March, memories, Natural World, photography favorites, seaonal change, southern cooking, Southern food, southern living, Spring, Spring photography, sunrise photography, Transitions in Life

March Photo Favorites

March 3, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

Scripture for March :

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

I took a series of photos on the morning of March 1st during this spectacular sunrise. I posted a few of these directly on my Facebook page without edits. My mom and dad noticed the eagle in the background in a few of the pictures from the series of shots. She had texted me about the pictures I had posted and told me to go look for it… A few other Facebook friends commented on the eagle as well… It was a very sweet surprise for me and maybe a message that It’s Time to Soar in the Month of March.

A HUGE thank you to all who continue to support my blog by reading and sharing. An even bigger blessing, my family and friends who are consistently the wind beneath my wings offering endless support, love and encouragement. Thank you.

I hope you enjoy the photos from my day to day activities in the month of March.

**Searching for Signs of Spring**… Piper and I always use this Willow tree as a reference for the arrival of spring along the Greenway. The first tiny leaves are forming as we walked on March 2nd.

March 5th! What a difference a few days make!

**All Damned Up…** a huge pile of brush and tree limbs are pushed up against this tree, beaver 🦫 busy at work or excessive rain????

**“Leafing Up**” By March 30th some trees have a good base of leaves

**Green Acres… well probably not like the tv show** 😂**. Planting in progress on the fields along the Greenway Trails**

**Hiding In the Mist**… a foggy Sunday morning March 3rd

**Drop In**… Rain has been fairly abundant in the month of March.

**Awakening**… March mornings often bring a crisp, cool feeling that brings you awake immediately after walking outdoors.

On the Home Front…

**Hello Buttercup…** My mother-in-law always called these yellow daffodils buttercups. These mini daffodils are in full bloom in early March in my front flower garden.

**Forcing branches of Forsythia bloomed almost immediately! Will definitely do this again next year!**

**In case you missed this earlier blog post…** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/06/forsythia-spring-is-here/

**Tomato, lentil and vegetable soup** (keeper recipe)

**First attempt at making a Burnt Cheesecake, no crust on bottom! Delicious and easy. Will definitely make again!**

**Reinventing the BLT… Bacon, spinach, avocado, tomatoes and ranch(out of mayo** 🤪**) I asked Benjamin if he wanted me to make him a sandwich, he said no… it had too many vegetables on it**😂

**Pineapple Casserole for Easter… Thank you Ashley Frazier for sharing your recipe for Pineapple Casserole! It was simply delicious!**

**Hey Bud! I**t’s a beautiful sight to see the our trees beginning to bud out

**Time to plant**… getting my hands dirty again and putting these in my planters in March

**Finding Clover** https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/03/17/finding-clover/

**Spring has replaced the winter gloom, with abundant blooms… Bradford Pears in full bloom everywhere!**

**The Pick of the Crop… Annual Tulip picking trip** 🌷

**Opening** **and closing act… once tulips fully bloom and open, the flower petals don’t last much longer**

**Cookie and Joy: These two always enjoy #Nationalpuppyday March 23rd**

**Bunny building…, it has been fun creating new Easter pieces for this Easter season**

What’s have we been streaming in March???

1. Apple TV: Finished Masters of Air, began Manhunt, and Palm Royale.

2. Max- The Great Pottery Throw Down, you don’t have to be a lover of all things pottery to enjoy this show, it’s a fantastic competition based show with amazing art in progress

3. Hulu Live: March Madness… basketball games! 🏀, The Food That Built America, Lady Bird Diaries, and also streaming our favorite weekly shows.

4. Netflix: The Gentlemen

At the Hardware Store…

**Chopping Wood still a necessity on the cooler days of March**

**Beautiful afternoons in March… front door open to let the fresh air and sunshine inside**

**Adding a bit of color to the ladder wall**

**Stacking out new merchandise for Spring and Summer**

**Count Me In! The jellybeans are counted and ready for your guess! Congrats to Jane Will for winning the hummingbird feeder!**

**Did you know that you can shop our shelves at Carolina Treasures on Main??? You can find me there checking on the shelves regularly**

**Who’s ready to dig into the dirt????**

Wayne announced his retirement on March 25, 2024.

Wayne Matherly has been an amazing asset to our business as well as a mentor to both of us for the last 8 1/2 years. It’s simply hard to imagine life without him at Wilkes County Hardware.

Richard and I have been blessed with Wayne’s leadership and presence, as he shared and we received a small part of his knowledge. He taught us both so much about various areas of the hardware store. His vast experience with locks and keys, plumbing,and Wayne’s knowledge of lawn and garden has not been wasted… we have soaked up all the time and experience we could with Wayne.

They say that “Age is a just number”but, I know when the numbers begin to grow in size, our bodies often tell us to slow down a bit. Wayne, we definitely honor your wishes to slow down.

So what do you do when a piece of your heart goes home??? I’m not sure… but we plan to celebrate this new milestone of retirement with Wayne soon, honoring his wishes on how he chooses to do so.

Congratulations to Wayne, on a long career in the hardware industry. You will surely be missed dearly by all of us and hoping that you know that you have left a legacy of hardware excellence behind. We love you always! 💕

**Wayne at work through the years… 2015-2024**

As our month of March concludes, Wayne is soaring into retirement and I’m drawn back to the scripture that I began the month with for strength and courage as we begin a new chapter in our business.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

blogging, February, Fighting The Winter Blues, Hand washing dishes, Hardware Store Life, heart health, Home, memories, Natural World, photography favorites, southern living, Spring photography, sunrise photography, TV streaming, winter, Winter Photography

February Photos

February 27, 2024 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

February… the shortest month of the year, and this year in 2024, Leap Year! February acts as a bridge month between the end of the winter season to the coming of Spring and time change.

I hope that your month of February was filled with sunshine, joy, love, and kindness. Onward to March and Spring! Here’s a few of my February favorites from 2024.

Favorite February Photo Captures

**Blue Skies**… dotted our path along the Greenway, the water was remarkably still in several places along our path.

**Trailing Behind**… Contrails marked the morning skies February 5th

**Between Two Trees** … Sunrise February 8th

**Touchdown!** Clouds reaching down towards the mountains on a rainy February Monday

**A New Beginning**… Fantastic Friday morning sunrise in February!

**Sunday Reset…**The weekend offers a chance to recharge, refresh and reset your energy levels. This Sunday evening sunset didn’t disappoint. I’m definitely enjoying the later sunset times… Spring will be coming soon!

**Pushing Up…** I almost walked right over this blooming beauty! This tiny little flower has found its space inside the concrete sidewalk.

**Blue Skies…** Late February has brought warmer temperatures in the afternoon and bright blue skies.

**Cat Walk …** as we walk on the Greenway we often spot the feral cats 🐈‍⬛. Here’s one enjoying the morning sunshine after trees have been cut down along the border of the Greenway near Smoot Park.

**Simply “Purrfect”** … this kitty found the perfect place to enjoy a bit of morning sunshine

Creating in February

**Making bread…** tackling another challenge and it was fun, and tasty!

**Glazing Success!!!** I created/made this acorn last fall. It was one of the first pieces that I made on my own at home. I had lots of help with the finishing touches from Kim Reid. After much discussion it went into the kiln for last firing in February. Thanks Kim!

**Bunny Building**… learning to create something new with one of my besties!

The Hardware Store… Favorite Photos from February

**All Keyed Up**… Key Contest fun inside Wilkes County Hardware this month… 353 keys inside the jar and yes, I counted them 🤪

Finding flowers inside the hardware store!

End cap switch out… right side was winter set

End cap switch out… getting ready for spring

Spring Refresh continues by adding a touch of green to the front.

I love this one with the bunny on top! What a great way to welcome Spring into your home!

Meanwhile back at the ranch…

My dishwasher died this month and hand washing the dishes has become a daily task until a replacement is found… here’s a few thoughts on the blog about hand washing dishes in case you missed it this monthhttps://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/02/12/all-washed-uphand-washing-dishes-a-chore-or-a-pleasant-dish-traction/

New dishwasher ordered and installed by my boys February 25th.

I make up the bed everyday and these two enjoy putting the pillows and blankets where they want them 🙄. It’s a “ruff 🐶 life.”

Framing up a few favorite photos this February

Bingo! Well, not this time, but we had fun playing with friends!

I’ve been reading and researching about the 5 pockets of Centenarians found across the globe… called the Blue Zones. Each of these groups share similar characteristics that have increased their longevity. Netflix also has a documentary on the subject. Fascinating topic!!!

Find the link to my last blog post which ties in nicely with the subject of Longevity and Heart Health… https://hardwarelifewife.com/2024/02/19/the-heart-of-the-matter/

The Hardware Life – A wife's journey into the hardware business