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This Spud is for You!

October 29, 2025 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

A basket of potatoes, prepped and ready to cook. What’s your favorite potato 🥔 recipe???

The Morning Drive

As I started my car and headed towards work, a conversation on a morning radio show ensued about all the ways in which a potato could be made and eaten… from baked, mashed, to French fries. On that ride into work that morning to the hardware store, I was pleasantly impressed with all of the phone-in callers who were discussing their favorite ways to make their favorite potato dish.

Which, in turn, got me to thinking about the topic itself… yes, the potato is a versatile ingredient.

The humble potato… so much can be done with the potato when it comes to meal prep. Sometimes the “rut” of meal preparation can be daunting and the same old foods are seemingly always on the menu. My hope is that this “spud fest” will be an assist or inspiration to you in future meal planning or thinking about holiday cooking.

What potato dish will complement your holiday feast this year??? 🧐

A Slice of Spud History

Potatoes come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. From the traditional Russet baking potato, fingerlings, red, purple, Yukon gold, white, bite size potatoes, and sweet potatoes, just to name a few!!! Each potato variety also holds a unique starch profile… adding to the complexity and flavor of the spud. The Potato is a global staple in the diets of many cultures across the world. Potatoes are grown in most states in the US!!!

North Carolina hosts a Potato Festival each year in Elizabeth City… did you know that NC ranks FIRST in production of sweet potatoes???

The Spanish Conquistadors brought the humble potato back into Europe after their explorations into the New World. Who would have thought that the potato would ultimately end up becoming the first vegetable planted in space and also the same plant that led to a famine crisis centuries ago in Ireland???

Chunking It Down: Why the Potato??

Potatoes are nutrient dense and a high quality carbohydrate food source . The humble spud is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and potassium. The potato has a much potassium as a medium size banana!!! Plus, they’re a good source of niacin, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, and copper. The potato skin holds a whopping 55% of total iron, 34% of calcium, and 17% of zinc. While the flesh of the potato has most of the Vitamin C (30 % of daily requirement) and potassium. The potato offers a boost of energy, a good source of fiber, and a sense fullness and satisfaction from eating the “spud” may serve you well.

Ready to “Dish It Out”

Beautiful handmade dishes to serve up a scoop of your favorite potato dishes available at WCH

Ready to “slice into the world of potatoes”??? Grab a napkin to savor the flavors of the potato and let’s read about a few favorite potatoes that I came up with after that thought provoking conversation from the radio about the humble spud. Enjoy!!

“Soupy” or Stewed Potatoes

These chunks are the perfect size for soupy potatoes… you can take skin off if you prefer

Growing up I will admit my favorite way to have a potato on my plate with vegetables, was stewed or what I called “soupy” potatoes. Mom always scooped them right out of the pot placed them onto my plate before she used the potato masher and made mashed potatoes. That sweet, simple gesture was always appreciated by me. A special little gift to me each time she made potatoes. 😊Much to my dismay, my husband was unfamiliar with this “style” of potatoes! What!!! How on earth could he have never had “soupy” potatoes???? Now, we traditionally have them on New Year’s Day to accompany our pork, cooked cabbage, and black eyed peas Unfamiliar with this style of potatoes??? The Potatoes are peeled, cubed, cooked down perfectly, softened, buttered well, and seasoned with salt and pepper. “Soupy potatoes” alongside a chunk of cornbread, black-eyed peas, or fresh green beans, made the meal complete and hearty. A must try!!!

Garden Potatoes: New Potatoes

These enamel dishpans are perfect for garden chores, canning prep or many other uses!!! Stop by WCH to pick one up

As a girl growing up at home, I didn’t fully appreciate or understand why I had to help with harvesting vegetables in the garden. As a young kid, working outside never appealed to me. I would rather be inside watching my favorite cartoons or Scooby Doo episodes. But my parents insisted that we all pitch into help with the garden harvest, so my sister and I did. I can remember that Dad and Mom always did the heavy lifting in the garden (like digging out potatoes) as we were too young and maybe a bit unmotivated to do much… because our dear little hearts were still wrapped around those Saturday cartoons. But, I helped to pick fresh green beans off the vines, harvested squash, cucumbers, green peppers, and tomatoes.

Whether you need tools to dig or harvest in the garden, WCH has what you need

The garden haul of freshly dug “new potatoes” were quickly rinsed off with the water hose and carried inside. The smell of those new potatoes, mingled with dirt and earth is one smell I won’t forget. I do remember the love of the cooking of the garden feast… fresh greens beans prepared with those smallest “new potatoes” dug from the garden a true treat each summer!

The classic green garden hose is always available at WCH

Baked Potatoes: Using Russet Potatoes

In the Crock Pot… Baked potatoes in crockpot??? Try it if you haven’t done that before. Yes, save electricity by using your crockpot and cook on high for 2-3 hours (increase your time with the size of potato) instead of using your oven. I brush mine with olive oil, silt each side of the potato with a knife, and salt pepper and cover it and walk away for a few hours.. dinner success!

Traditional Oven Method… Preheat oven to 450. Use knife to cut slits into baking potatoes, I place mine onto my Lodge skillet and don’t wrap them in aluminum foil. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to exterior. Bake potatoes for about 1 hour. For larger baked potatoes, a bit longer baking time might be needed.

I often use my large Lodge skillet to bake my potatoes 🥔. It works really well!!

Lodge skillets are always available for purchase at Wilkes County Hardware.

Side note Ok… I’ve viewed and tried the new trend of cutting baked potatoes in half and I do realize that it reduces the amount of time to bake… my take… I’m just not a fan of this method using a roasting pan. It changes the texture of your baked potatoes in the end. Want a different texture of a baked potato??? Try doing a Hasselback potato. This is another great variation.

Want to add more protein to your meal??? Serve up a baked potato with a hearty meat chili .

Chili Beans Recipe: For Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 lb. Browned ground hamburger

1 can (15.5 ounce) light red kidney beans

1 can (15.5 ounce) pinto beans

1 can (15.5 ounce) cannellini beans

2 cans (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Dash cayenne pepper

Making it…Chili Beans

1. Brown hamburger, while hamburger is cooking combine spices in a small bowl and mix well.

2. Add chili spice blend into hamburger, stir well.

3. Add beans (drain well) and tomato sauce into the chili/hamburger mixture.

4. Cook on low heat until beans have softened for at least 20-25 minutes.

5. Top baked potato with chili

Mashed Potatoes: Using Yukon Gold Potatoes

Potatoes are not a high calorie food in themselves, what WE ADD into the potato makes them a higher caloric source and less nutritional… sorry, this recipe is decadent and rich with butter, heavy cream, and cheese. This is a definite, delicious special treat when I make this side dish.

Recipe for Cheesy Mashed Potatoes:

Ingredients:

Peeled Yukon Gold potatoes -cubed (small chunks of potatoes will cook faster)

Heavy cream/or whole milk

1 stick softened unsalted butter

Salt and pepper

Cheeses: Parmesan, cheddar, Gruyère, whatever you prefer or have on hand

Making it: Mashed Potatoes

1. Begin with peeled and cubed potatoes in cold AND salted water in pot. Beginning with salted water will lock in the flavor of the salt. Cook on stovetop until potatoes are fork tender.

2. Drain potatoes after potatoes have soften in texture.

3. Cube up softened butter and add to potatoes, add black pepper potatoes to season to your liking.

4. Add a very small amount of milk or cream to begin with. You can always add more cream/milk … it is harder to take away the liquid without losing flavor!

5. Using hand mixer or stand mixer, mix the butter/milk mixture until smooth and creamy adding small amounts of milk/cream as you go.

Sometimes I’ll do a quick chop to make mixing potatoes a bit easier, especially if I’m making a bigger batch… these are a staple at WCH year round!

6. Once potatoes are creamy, add cheese (1/4 cup each) stir into potato mixture.

7. Serve immediately OR Keep potatoes warm by placing into a well buttered casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Mashed potatoes can also be a “topping complement” to a Shepherd’s pie!!!!

Using your Potato Leftovers

My Granny never wasted a bit of food. Growing up in the Depression, she always would save the smallest amount of food from any meal. These leftovers were always used in creative ways…add ins for soups, stews, or served up at the next meal of the day. Potatoes that are leftover can be used in creative ways from making Twice Baked Potatoes, Fried Potato Cakes, to Creamy Potato Soup!

Leftover Mashed Potatoes: Potato Soup

Ingredients:

Leftover Mashed potatoes.. no leftovers… 1 container of Bob Evans mashed potatoes works well

1 stick of unsalted Butter

Heavy Cream or Whole Milk

Cubed and diced potatoes (russet or Yukon gold)- potato skin off

Salt/pepper

See note below for extra ingredients to add as a toppings for finished soup

Making it: Potato Soup

1. Cook the cubed potatoes in well salted cold water in a large stock pot. Drain 3/4 of water once potatoes are softened.

2. Add black pepper, butter to pot. Slicing butter into small chunks will allow butter to distribute evenly into soup and melt faster. Do not stir to keep your potatoes intact.

3. Add milk or cream to pot. Filling above the potatoes. I like to do a combination of these ingredients (half/half)

4. Stir in the leftover mashed potatoes the more you have, the creaminess level will add to your soup!

5. Let soup simmer on low heat for at least 15-20 minutes.

6. Add ins… chopped crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, or serve along side with hot cornbread!

Cornbread is ready to go into the oven!!!

The Humble Potato… The Casserole Side Dish:

Thanksgiving isn’t complete without the sweet potato for most. I know my dad always loves sweet potatoes for holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sweet potatoes can be baked, served up with a bit of even more sweetness with melted marshmallows on top of them, or served up as a casserole.

Not a sweet potato fan??? Well, truth being told, I’m not a fan of the sweet potato. But serve up a potato au gratin in a casserole dish! I’m all in!!!

Au Gratin Potatoes are different from the scalloped potato… the main difference is that a scalloped potato is absent of cheese while Au Gratin potatoes have cream base and cheese. Need a potato dish in a hurry??? Try the option of using shredded hash browns instead with the cream, herbs and cheese layered into your Lodge skillet or casserole dish.

Recently made the layered hash browns with cheese and cream, it was delicious! Will continue to develop this recipe… so stay posted!

The Hot Dish: A Nod to Minnesota

Ever heard of this???? A Hot Dish??? Southerners may not necessarily recognize this staple but after reading about this potato dish you may want to incorporate this spud into your fall recipe lineup. According to my very good friend Barbara, who grew up Minnesota, the hot dish appears at every church potluck just like the typical potato casserole dish or infamous potato salad would be served at any Southern gathering. The traditional hot dish is topped with tater tots. Those of you who love tots, you will love this dish!!! The base of the hot dish is usually hamburger, mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and cheesy. I made a few last Fall and winter. I’m a fan!

My first Hot Dish Attempt… needed more tots on top!!! The base was hamburger and mushrooms with taco seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese. It was great comfort meal food!!! A must try!!!

Easy Potato Sides

These dishes would be perfect for picnic lunch!!! Found at your local hardware store… Wilkes County Hardware

A picnic, covered dish luncheon, or cookout isn’t complete without at least one bowl of potato salad. Weeknight meals are sometimes served with the frozen varieties of the humble spud… fries, or tater tots. I love a good crisp tater tot to add to a grilled cheeseburger for a quick evening meal. My favorite way to add a bit of variety to the weekly menu selection is to do Oven Roasted potatoes, fried potatoes, or Steamed Potatoes. Fingerling, small baby red potatoes, or small new potatoes work well with this recipe below.

Steamed Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 bag of Fingerling potatoes, red, or new potatoes

4T unsalted butter

Spices: Italian seasoning, dried onion, salt, pepper to taste . Add your favorite ingredients to make this dish work for you!

Non stick Covered pot: Need lid for steaming (I use a Le Crueset casserole dish or a covered Lodge would work)

Making It: Steamed Potatoes

1. Allow butter to melt slowly in bottom of pot.

2. Add small potatoes, I do cut my potatoes in half if they are on larger size to allow for even cooking of the smaller ones.

3. Add spices. Add extra butter if potatoes are not fully saturated with butter. You do not want them to stick to bottom of pot! Add lid. Turn burner heat to a medium low.

4. Potatoes will sizzle as they steam. I shake/slide back and forth the steaming potato pot every 8-10 minutes to prevent them from sticking.

5. Allow potatoes to steam on low heat for at least 45 minutes. Smaller sizes potatoes will steam faster… open pot, use a fork to test for doneness. Fork should slide easily into done potatoes.

The Addictive Potato Chip

Ahhh the potato chip… You can’t eat just one

A little trivia tidbit… North Carolina potato growers also grow more than just the good ole sweet potato. About 70 percent of the potatoes grown in North Carolina are used in the production of potato chips!!! No wonder I love me a bag of potato chips so much!!! Leave me with a bag of potato chips and I can eat the whole bag😬. “Betcha you can’t eat just one… “ the old slogan from many years ago from Lays potato chips. Yes, I think I could eat the whole dang bag!!! Crushed Potato chips do make a wonderful topping for casseroles, and can be added as a topping for proteins like chicken or even fish! Oh, for unique twist, try Potato Chip Cookies!!! Yum!!! A Huge Thanks to Uncle David and Kimberly for sharing the recipe!!! This is always a favorite cookie shared during the Christmas holiday season but would be a nice treat anytime of the year.

Potato Chip Cookies: A Delicious Twist on the Potato

Ingredients:

1 C Butter

1/2 C Sugar

1 t Vanilla

2 C white Flour

1/2 C potato chips (Utz brand works great) crushed

1/2 C chopped pecans

Making it: Potato Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 350. Mix and cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour, crushed potato chips and pecans. Drop by teaspoon onto a cookie sheet placing each cookie about 2 inches apart from each other. Flatten each cookie by using a glass cup, coated with sugar to enhance flavors. Bake 10-12 minutes on 350 degree oven. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Last, but not the least “Holly Taters”

The Holly Farms poultry industry has been rooted in Wilkes since the 1950’s. In the late 1960’s, Holly Farms branched out into the restaurant industry. I can remember the good ol’ days of The Holly Farms Restaurants. We had one right in Wilkesboro which was always busy! Holly Farms Restaurant became known for two key foods… fried chicken and Holly Farms Tater Wedges. Many people have tried to replicate the potato wedges recipe, some finding success with a similar flavor profile. Below is a revised recipe for Tater Wedges that have been a staple for me. Thanks to my friend Susie for sharing her delicious recipe several years ago.

Holly Farms Tater Wedges

Ingredients:

1 c self rising flour

1 c Parmesan cheese (grated is best)

1 stick butter (unsalted)

Chicken Seasoning

Black Pepper

Freshly cut Russet potato wedges (uncooked)

Making it:

Preheat oven to 400. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut potatoes into wedges, wash well. I usually place wedges into a bowl of salted cold water while I’m prepping. Roll/toss potatoes into flour/cheese mixture. Line the tossed potato wedges onto baking sheet. Don’t crowd wedges. Use extra baking sheet if needed for even cooking. Sprinkle seasonings- chicken and black pepper. Cut butter into small chunks, dispersing along the baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes or until fork tender. Turn once during baking cycle.

So that’s it. Time to get off the “couch potato” and go make your favorite potato recipes! Hope y’all enjoyed this “mash up” about the potato.

blogging, Blue Ridge Mountains, Creating an emergency kit, Hardware Store Life, Life experiences, Life In Wilkes, memories, Natural World, NC Mountains, old school hardware store, seaonal change, Severe weather, winter

Sky Watch

September 23, 2025 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

Are you a Sky Watcher? Do you find inspiration or joy each day by the watching the bright blue skies? Ever find yourself looking up for the storm clouds that are forming around the edges of the skyline? The Sky is a magnificent canvas that “paints” our daily world. The Sky “canvas” changes from day to day, as well as our weather.

Storm clouds rolling in Summer of 2025 near WCH

It was another ordinary teaching workday. By October in the “teacher world” we are fully engaged into our curriculum and integrating every single factual nugget into any conversation. I’ll admit that Seventh grade science and Social Studies provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about our weather. We routinely followed storms in the Atlantic, all the while, honing our Social Studies skills of mapping, and plotting latitude and longitude coordinates. This wasn’t a unit that we completed and left behind in the Fall, we continued to discuss it as the year progressed as the seasons changed. But let me get back to the subject here…

Graphic notes were a standard form of learning in my classroom to help students piece information together in a new unique meaningful way.

It truly was a typical day, a Monday. Normally, I would stay and work and prep for the next school day, until around 5pm. There was always plenty to do, papers to grade, grades to put into computer after grading, run copies, set up graphics for the next day, the list was long. But at 4:00 pm on Monday October 23, 2017, I decided to go home. Actually, something told me internally to go home, so I did. I’m very thankful that I chose to go home.

My drive home from work averaged about 20 minutes, by the time I arrived there, the weather was changing rapidly. I’m not really sure that I was noticing the dramatic weather changes from the skyward view.

My son was already home from school, snacking, doing homework. We both quickly realized that a significant thunderstorm storm was approaching. The sky was painting up a stormy forecast. Gathering up the pups and ourselves, we sheltered in place in the bathroom, this was a first for us.

We had 3 sweet pups at that time…Bella, Elvis,and Gigi

I had gotten a text message from my brother in law who said a tornado warning had been issued for our area. This was significant news for me because he works for the National Weather Service in another nearby state. Shelter in place was necessary. Meanwhile…. Richard was trying to get closed up at the hardware store, but the storm came up way too quickly and he had to wait it out. The storm rolled through our area and caused significant damage in our local communities.

In the aftermath of the storm, Richard had a difficult time finding a way around the storm chaos, broken tree limbs, downed trees were scattered across most major avenues.

These items are always in demand after a big storm

If you are local, you probably remember this storm, because it did cause significant damage to our community and the National Weather Service surveyed our area and found that an EF-1 tornado touchdown had occurred.

Sadly, another tornado touchdown was confirmed in April 2024 in Wilkes. Hurricane Helene hit our surrounding communities in September 2024. Severe Weather can leave a defined impact upon our communities.

That’s thing about Severe Weather… it can occur anywhere and seemingly anytime under the right conditions. What is classified as Severe Weather??? Thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, extreme temperatures (hot or cold), and winter storms (ice/snow).

A heavy downpour can quickly wreak havoc. A large, powerful thunderstorm cell can unload a large amount of rainfall in an area in a short period of time. We have personally experienced the power of water. A very short, severe thunderstorm brought flash flooding into our hardware store in August of 2020.

Several inches of water infiltrated our hardware store 5 years ago, in an unexpected and very heavy rain storm

Water is a powerful force, you can’t physically stop the flow of that water. Think about the power of water flowing in a river and going against that flow to stop it. Yes, not happening.

Severe weather happens. Is it happening more frequently??? Last September, our mountain neighbors, witnessed devastation with Hurricane Helene. For our mountain neighbors, it will be a long recovery timeline.

I know my storm experiences aren’t unique by any stretch. Living life today, we all probably have personal stories of how storms have impacted our daily lives. Trees land in precarious places, power outages occur, bursting water pipes from extreme temperatures, technology failures happen, shortages of needed supplies, the list is long!!

Folding pruning blade would come in handy to quickly trim up any smaller branches from a downed tree after severe weather

But, how can we be always ready for impactful weather, whenever it happens? Now, is a perfect time to gather together any needed essentials as 2025 Hurricane season is churning up OR even before the cooler “BER” days begin.

Keeping a few essential items on hand for such emergencies will help eliminate the stress of locating needed supplies after a impactful storm. Severe weather can occur in any season: winter snow/ice storms, thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, or temperature extremes.

Begin by building OR refreshing your Emergency Kit:

When the lights go out… you will need batteries, flashlight, oil lanterns, lamp oil, matches, battery powered lightbulbs, and think about how will you power up your devices during an extended outage… like a power bank.

**WCH Recommends:** Portable, multi purpose power bank to charge your devices, can be used as an air compressor, and jump start.

**WCH Recommends:** Keep your batteries well stocked!

**WCH Recommends:** These absolutely work beautifully during a power outage!!!

Wear this headlamp after the power goes out… you can clearly map out an area in your view

Pop up lanterns are great for a power outage, place them around the house

Brrr… it’s cold!!!

Power is out, and it’s freezing outside, do you have an alternate heating source? Make sure that your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly as well!

Kerosene heaters offer an excellent alternative for heating during an extended power outage. WCH services these heaters each season for our customers.

Plasma lighter would be perfect inside your emergency kit or for camping trips

Need a quick warm up??? These logs will work great, burn for 3 hours.

**WCH Recommends:** Protect outdoor faucets before frigid temperatures are forecasted.

Helpful tools- quick repairs might be needed during a severe weather event like having to turn off the water, taking care of fallen branches, securing items down, etc. Here’s a quick list of some basic tools that might be helpful: multi-tool, tarp, rope/ paracord, gloves, folding pruning saw, chain saw, duct tape, hammer, wrench, pliers, shovel, whistle, dust masks… just to name a few!

Hand tools are always readily available at WCH

Tarps and rope… severe weather essentials

Food: Planning for this can be tricky during a power outage : Refrigerator and freezers need to stay closed in a short temporary power outage. Food will spoil quickly in a matter of a few days without adequate cooling. It is Always good to keep bottled water, a manual can opener, and non perishable food on hand. It is also good to have extra paper products on hand (plates, cups, paper towels, trash bags)

An old fashioned hand held can opener always a kitchen staple… two styles available at WCH

Good for cleaning up around the house or after severe weather events

Thinking about food preparation– do you have a way to warm food safely without power? Camping size grill??? Gas grill??? Camping stoves???

Lodge makes a Cast Iron Grill… a great camping essential or great for power outages

These always sell out during power outages, storm season

Pets: don’t forget to include your pets into the food equation!

Jethro says to keep all medications ready to go as well as food

First Aid kit and Personal Care: in addition to the basic first aid kit, make sure needed prescriptions are included, alongside the daily essentials like toothpaste, shampoo, etc

Documents: In case of an emergency evacuation, have your important documents AND an extra set of keys ready to go!

**WCH Recommends:** Having an extra set of keys… house and cars… or other important keys you might need access to kept with your most valuable documents.

WCH can order a fire safe box for all of your documents… ask us about that soon if that’s something you need!

Coming soon to WCH… Fire Safe Chest 14x11x6

Coming soon to WCH!!! This document bag will stand up to basic fire and water resistance standards

**WCH Recommends:** Milwaukee Marker… writes on sawdust, wet or almost any surface!!!

Stay Connected: Emergency information is available for many types of situations at Ready.Gov or stay tuned to the ever changing weather conditions locally OR use the National Weather Service as a resource. Free apps to download: American Red Cross, FEMA just to name a few. A weather radio is always a great way to learn more about fast approaching storm fronts when the traditional outlets (internet, radio, tv, etc) are not available.

***Lastly, don’t forget the fun… board games, puzzles , legos, card games… things your kids don’t always have the opportunity to enjoy everyday when the power is out.***

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“Grounding and Grafting” into The Hardware Life

August 1, 2025 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

The world of flight and aviation offers a unique experience, viewing our world in a very different and special way. Air flight offers one the opportunity to be “in the clouds”flying through and above the clouds. Being in and above the clouds presents the possibility to witness a place where our humanity is not truly visible everyday, a new and unique experience.

When I have the opportunity to fly, I always reserve a window seat so I can watch the clouds, and the sky. Graciously, my husband always grants me the courtesy of the window seat. My mind always soars with excitement once the plane begins to reach elevations above the clouds. From the safety of my window seat, I’m able to enjoy the beautiful sight of mountains, river valleys, oceans, and the cloud line below.

I grew up in Wilkes County, where our daily view includes the Blue Ridge Mountains. Simply, as one steps out the back door step, those mountains are sending a glorious daily greeting. I must admit, these mountains “ground” me as I continue to age. Even in the mundane activities of the day, like running errands, or maybe even if you’re headed off to work …those mountains are not far from our view. The mountains “grounded” in nature without the need to explore air travel in order to experience our surrounding beauty.

*Watching a Sunset in our Mountains is simply the best view in the world*

Our home county of Wilkes is rich in local history. Here in Wilkes, Brushy Mountain orchards are bursting with many different varieties of apples and peaches that are harvested each season, bringing the only the best fruits to market and our local festivals. Trees that are typically successfully grafted are fruit trees. Grafting a tree in its absolute simplest form, occurs when two different parts of the tree are joined together as ONE over a period of time.

Beautiful Parker Orchard local peaches in a handcrafted wooden bowl by Keegan Watson

Several months ago I wrote a blog post about being “Rooted in Wilkes” and how “Grafting” has taken place over time in my own life. I’ve been taking time to reflect, and as we head into year TEN in our hardware store ownership, that journey exemplifies grafting. I still can’t believe we are beginning year number TEN in August of 2025.

*Our old historic building was home originally to a local poultry processing plant, our logo is nod back to those times . Check out the link* The Chicken Hat

Who would have thought that the girl who spent her summers running in the grass, barefoot, with a view of the Blue Ridge in the distance, and loved chasing lightning bugs, would “graft” and be firmly “grounded” into the hardware life?

“The Hardware Life”, started TEN years ago, as Richard and I began our new journey into hardware store ownership inside the 1904 era vintage, historic building that still exists on 10th Street in Downtown North Wilkesboro.

It was an exciting, challenging, scary, and ultimately life altering, a full-fledged “grafting” experience. We were going to have to find our “footing” in this new adventure. The thick fog and clouds were looming. We were flying into those unknown/unfamiliar clouds of business ownership. Initially, it was a total cloud fog. Would the skies eventually become clearer???

For us, navigating the thick cloud bank, of hardware store ownership for the first time caused a bit of anxiety. But, I’ll reference a flight analogy, with the sure and steady handiwork of an “experienced flight crew”, the heavy cloud bank was easily navigable. As the aircraft began cruising at higher altitudes, our “clouds” disappearing from view. Yes, we have experience turbulence over the last TEN years. It has been a bit of bumpy ride navigating this new Hardware Life.

To those who helped us navigate through the first stages of hardware store operations and ownership, we are extremely grateful. Thank you for helping us navigate to higher altitudes and enabling us able to gain some “grounded” confidence in our new normal in The Hardware Life.

With this new lesson in being “grounded” in hardware store ownership underway, Richard and I have somehow managed to survive this ever changing economic climate by continuing to adapt to our customers needs and wants.

Just because our building is old, doesn’t mean that we are the keepers of everything of times past. Don’t get me wrong, we treasure those legendary stories of our old 1904 era building and the rustic hardware store. But, holding onto and keeping the “dusty old items” on the shelf that no one is purchasing or needs anymore, will not help us make our bottom line. We have worked hard to build an updated inventory of hardware store essentials. All the while, building a unique hardware community. Richard and I have formed many new friendships with so many great people. We are truly thankful, grateful, and blessed.

*Our building dates back to 1904… look back* If These Walls Could Talk…

When we began this new business venture, Richard was excited about beginning a new career path, and exploring the opportunities to learn more about the inner workings of the hardware industry. He had always been around it, as he worked for a major paint manufacturer for over 20 years. Richard pushed hard for the first few years without me at Wilkes County Hardware.

*Key Making is an Integral Part of our Day to Day Business inside Wilkes County Hardware here’s a quick myth buster guide to keys* Myth Busters: Test Your Knowledge… MYTH v. FACT… Dispelling MYTHS about Common Key Problems

In those first few years of business ownership, I continued to work full time as an educator. My main initial contribution was setting up the social media platforms for our hardware store. Those platforms were maintained and updated regularly by me and I also helped out on weekends and summers as I could. We reset the hardware store to be more accessible to shoppers so merchandise was easier to find. Slowly over time, we have steadily grown a loyal audience on Facebook and Instagram, our hardware community has expanded.

In 2018, I began a blog, The Hardware Life Wife, to share stories about our business and our products. As a novice writer, my blog pieces were fairly short and mostly without pictures. Initially, in early days of blogging, I honestly couldn’t devote much time to focusing on the blog. It was mostly a “summertime project” and I worked on blog posts between planning school lessons while teaching full time.

But, after a few years of consistent blogging, it became a goal of mine to add as many authentic pictures as I could to help break up my longer content pieces that I was now beginning to write.

My blog was changing and grafting into a new direction. I had found that my photography was providing a visual experience for the reader, adding an extra dimension, or as I could say “branch” to the story that was needed. This visual graft, a realistic view, and a liaison to my personal experience, an offering from me to others as a shared experience.

*The Blue Ridge Mountains… where the clouds meet the horizon*

Surprisingly, my personal photos were well received. I was stunned. This new finding was giving me the confidence and the opportunity to share more of my personal photography for which, I’m thankful and extremely grateful. I enjoy sharing snapshots of my daily life. In the last few years, my photography has been featured in the annual Blue Ridge Photography Overview at Wilkes Art Gallery. Local amateur photographers from all over our surrounding area bring their best work to our local gallery to display in this juried exhibition.

Now, in 2025, my blog is a creative outlet for me as well as a way to share with others about our hardware store ownership journey. I am continuing to grow my audience and readership slowly and steadily “grafting” our daily lives into our hardware store business.

As life would have it, after those first few years of business ownership, it was becoming apparent, to both of us, that we needed to grow our business or simply move on. Richard and I decided to be firmly committed and “grounded” in our hardware store business and “graft” together. I launched into early retirement, leaving my 26 years in educational world behind.

How would two very different people manage to work together and still be harmonious? We now had the basics of hardware store ownership “grounded” into our reality. It took a bit of time to adjust to our new daily normal. “Grafting” together our skill sets, combining our strengths and weaknesses, utilizing them to bring the best hardware store experience possible our customers. Grafting at its core definition.

Fruit farmers often graft their fruit trees to create a new variety. The act of grafting… taking one plant cutting and merging with another, creating a unique union and the growth of a new species. Together, we grafted a new hardware reality working together to meet our customers needs, while continuing expanding our hardware store knowledge base.

*Our shelves are fully stocked with customer favorites and needed items*

Working together, Richard and I have slowly made changes inside our historic hardware store walls, such as resetting our shelves and changing the flow of customer traffic. Other avenues we have explored included adding a vast new variety of hardware products into our existing lineup, “Grounding and Grafting” our way through the hardware life.

But probably the most distinctive aspect that we are becoming known for, is finding and curating locally sourced handmade goods. All of these changes, within our small town hardware store “grafted” or combined together, we have tried to create a unique shopping experience for all who visit our old-fashioned hardware store in Downtown North Wilkesboro, locals and visitors alike.

As “grafted and now more grounded” business owners, we know the positive impact of being active within our community. In the last few years, Richard and I have worked alongside other Downtown Merchants, to form The Downtown North Wilkesboro Merchants Association. We both actively participate in this group and we are excited to see this group grow. You may recognize this organization, as we have collectively worked to create, The Spooktacular Festival for our community when the Greenway Trail of Treats was cancelled several years ago and The Spooktacular would serve as an alternative event.

In closing, as we begin year TEN, our Hardware Life story is simple. We thrive on interaction with our customers and our greater community. Without that, we would not exist. That’s how we stay connected and grounded. We have heard too many stories over the last ten years about how old, vintage, authentic hardware stores are just not around anymore. Richard and I are very thankful that our community still supports our local hardware store. Thanks for the opportunity to keep us firmly “grounded” in our community!

*Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to “graft” and grow over the last ten years.* ABC’s of Wilkes County Hardware…

blogging, community, Cornbread, dessert, family, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, June, Life experiences, Life In Wilkes, memories, NC Mountains, old hardware stores, old school hardware store, southern cooking, Southern food, southern living, Southern Phrases, Summer, supper, Western North Carolina

I’m Just Sayin’

June 22, 2025 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

The Southern vernacular is distinct. Case in point, Buggy. If you are from the South, you know this IS your grocery store shopping cart. Those common Southern phrases that are used in everyday language makes total sense to the user, but, for someone who has never heard that phrase… it can be a definite learning experience.

The Southern dialect is deeply rooted in our colonial past with the integral interaction of various immigrant cultures. Likewise, other regions of the US developed similarly with native dialects and spoken vernacular.

A Southerner can speak to a “non native” of the South in welcoming, hospitable terms… because that’s what we do. We welcome folks here to our corner of the world. But don’t underestimate that “sugary, sweet tea tone” nor the intelligence of the Southern speaker. A true Southern knows that “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar” with the power of words and actions… AND because those same words can leave you “wondering if your cornbread ain’t done in the middle”. That’s right, I surely reckon a well versed Southern can easily complement you and “Bless your heart” all in the same sentence. 😬

*Cornbread and buttermilk crumbled together… a snack or a meal????*

As a hardware store owner, I have had the opportunity to converse with our customers each day. We have have had the pleasure to meet and talk with people from all over the globe. That’s right, from literally every corner of the world in our small, Southern town, inside our hardware store.

As conversation would have it, we have been able to learn a few “new”Southern phrases over the last ten years and even shared a few iconic phrases with non-native Southerners to take back home with them to their corner of the world.

A powerful conversation starter for us at the hardware store most days is the status of the weather. Whether it is freezing cold, pouring rain, or a beautiful sunny day, Southerners say it perfectly, as we often experience the ever changing weather conditions within the same day/week.

I’m Just Sayin’… Southern Phrases and the Weather

It’s Hotter than blue blazes! meaning it’s hot outside and the blue part of flame is the hottest!
That rain was a Gully washer! short heavy rain storm
Boy, that was a Frog strangler… a big rain storm
It’s RAW outside today… meaning it’s cold and wet/moisture in the air
It’s hog killing weather. Very Cold Weather
It’s cold as all get out! Brr…
Looks like it might be blowin up a storm out there.

8. It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity

9. This is front porch sittin weather- mild weather, nice weather

10. Too hot to heat up the oven in this weather…

I’m Just Sayin… The Southern Greetings and the Long Goodbye

The Southern hello or greeting can take you back home… even though your Southern roots/home might be hundreds of miles away. It’s a way Southerners“visit with each other”. Likewise, the long Southern goodbye, makes total sense if you ever grew up in the South, and spent 30 minutes in a parking lot trying to leave somewhere saying “Let me let you go…” or watched your Mama try to get off the rotary phone with a friend, that’s in essence, the long Southern goodbye. Here’s a few of my favorites from this category:

*Many Southern conversations take place inside our vintage walls at Wilkes County Hardware*

Hey, not hi!
Howdy, how y’all doin?
I’ll holler at you later! I’ll call you later
You good? Do you need anything? How are you?
I guess I’d better Skedaddle– get out of here, it’s time to go
I haven’t seen you in a Month of Sundays– it’s been long time since we’ve seen each other
How’s your Mama and them? How’s the family doing
How you been doing? I’m upright and taking nourishment… meaning doing ok
How are you doing?? Fair to middlin’ Doing ok
How are you doing? I’m finer than Frogs Hair! Doing great! Couldn’t be better
Boy, you are a sight for sore eyes! Good to see you!
So, who is your mama and daddy??? Meaning, you meet another person for the first time and they ask… who are your people… making connections and learning about who you are
I’ve known her since she was knee high to a grasshopper- know her since she was a young child
As part of that long Southern goodbye, you might possibly hear this phrase, Lord willing and the creek doesn’t rise!
Finally, finishing off the long Southern goodbye with this final phrase, We’d better hurry up, we’re burning daylight!

I’m Just Sayin…The Southern Meal

Dinner and Supper are the terms Southerners use to describe the afternoon and evening meals. Supper doesn’t have to be a formal affair. It can be a casual family meal where everyone gathers to eat a simple meal. The Southern table is no exception to amazing food and fellowship. You probably have heard of a few of these phrases as you have entered the Southern kitchen to help prepare a meal or gathered at the Southern table.

“*Mess of green beans with new potatoes”, this gorgeous white enamel bowl is available for purchase at WCH… great for all kitchen or gardening tasks!*

Many hands make light work. Working together we can get it done quickly
Sop– soak up … like a biscuit soaking up the last bit of gravy from your plate
You didn’t eat enough to keep a bird alive… meaning you didn’t eat enough
I just need a smidge more of this… a little bit more
I got a Hankering… craving for
I’m so full, I’m about to bust my britches!!! Or I’m full as a tick!
Grab me a pack of Nabs… Lance peanut butter crackers, can be eaten for a snack, substitute for dinner/lunch when you are on the run…

*Pack of Nabs to go…always available for purchase at WCH*

8. Don’t throw out that bacon grease, put it in my mason jar. It’ll keep.

9. That’s Good potlikker… when cooking up a mess of collards or mustard greens, the remaining liquid gold is the potlikker.

10. Stringing up a “Mess” of green beans and “new potatoes”. A mess of green beans, not enough to run a full canner, but enough to feed the family… new potatoes, smallish potatoes just dug from garden and cooked with green beans usually. Now that’s summer cookin’.

11. Sit down and “fix you a plate”, meaning… make yourself at home, grab a plate, and load up on the good food!

*These enamel plates are new, at WCH!!!*

12. Sonker, nope, that is actually a dessert! Read more about it here using the link… Sonker Summers

13. Mater sandwich– tomato sandwich 🍅

*Summer “maters” means a good sandwich is on the way…*

I’m Just Sayin…Strong Soul-Stirring Southern Phrases

These phrases are iconic and unforgettable… I’m just sayin’

Well, I’ll Be… a form of exasperation
Heavens to Besty! Similar to the phrase, oh my goodness!!
Lord, just kiss them up to Heaven! only the Good Lord can help them now… I’m at my wits end
Bless! Or Bless Your Little Ol’ Heart…
Aren’t you just precious! Listen for the user tone with this one
I’m just worn slap out, Plumb tired – exhausted
Look at you… all gussied up! All dressed up
It’s all cattywampus … all out of sorts, not quite right
If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me! It was right there under my sight, just couldn’t see it!
Take your own sweet time
Boy, that really “got my goose”…got the best of me, stumped me
You’re just cute as button! Pumpkin or Sweet Pea… terms of endearment
Smack Dab– in the middle of doing something
“I’ll get to it dreckly”, meaning I’ll do it soon
Mash that button for me, like in an elevator you don’t push a button, you mash it.
I’m just gonna “Hunker” down over yonder … I’m staying home , not moving around, staying put
Fixin to… getting ready to do something

I’m Just Sayin…Phrases A Southern Kid Never Wanted to Hear

If your Southern Mama or Daddy used these phrases in conversation with YOU growing up, you might have been a bit of trouble or needed to rethink your current situation… just sayin

“You weren’t raised in a barn”shut that door please!
Mind your manners/ Act like you have been to town before… meaning behave yourself in public places
Don’t make me tan your hide! Warning… trouble ahead 😬 if you don’t straighten up!
Y’all quit that wrasslin, or I’ll come over there and jerk a knot in you.
Hold your britches, I’m comin!
Piddlin… messing around, not doing much or Lollygaggin, “movin slower than molasses”
Who is making all that ruckus? Who is making all that noise
Over there havin a hissy fit, all tore up over it, or don’t fly off the handle!
Quit being ugly– stop acting out
We need to have a come to Jesus meeting… we need to have a talk and come to terms about this situation
Let me put some Saave on it… the A sound is long… Salve- a cream or ointment put onto skin to soothe or heal
That’s not cutting the mustard, in other words, you probably need to redo what you’re working on, not meeting expectations
Quit making a mountain outta that molehill… it’s really not that big of a deal as you think it is
OR as a kid if you ever said this to your Mama or Daddy before school… I just got Bus left… meaning you missed the school bus and you need a ride to school!!!! 🚌

I feel confident that there are a ton more Southern phrases that are very commonplace within our Southern community. But I’ll stop while I’m behind… 😂😬

I’ll close with one that Wayne, who worked many years at our hardware store used everyday as his daily farewell. This phrase maybe unfamiliar to you, but it is too good not to share his classic farewell with you today for my closing… “If you need me, I’ll call you”-Wayne Matherly

blogging, community, Discovering Roots, Hardware Store Life, historical building, legacy, Life In Wilkes, memories, old hardware stores, old school hardware store, southern living

If These Walls Could Talk…

May 16, 2025 hardwarelifewife Leave a comment

From the exterior view of Wilkes County Hardware most would just visually see an old, vintage hardware store. But these old walls within this building holds many stories. If you never wander inside, that’s probably all you would ever see. But once inside the hardware store, you are transported back into an earlier time, the gravitational pull of the inquisitive forces takes hold. The questions may begin and the walls reveal its past through the stories that Richard and I have come to know and love about 324 10th Street.

When you walk into Wilkes County Hardware, it is a step back into time… concrete floors that are authentic, wood stove for heat, all natural AC… doors open letting the wind blow in from front to back door.

Some stories are legends of sorts, while others are definitely true. Tall tales have been spun as folks have gathered in our space, sitting around the wood stove, and life events have unfolded inside this old hardware store. After all, the building dates back to the earliest years of 1900. These aging walls hold all the tales of our past.

Our historic hardware store is often a comfortable place for sharing and relating stories. Richard and I have been the keepers of these stories for ten years now. As a wise soul said recently, “nothing ruins a good story like the truth”, but truly these walls need to reveal a few of these stories. It is my hope that you will learn something new about our business on 324 10th Street that you didn’t really know until now…letting the pictures and captions tell the stories.

Here’s our building in 2015, it was a bit of maze as you entered…shortly after we purchased the hardware store. Every surface was lined with merchandise

One of the first things that came from our home, initially, was a rocking chair that WE rocked our son in when he was a baby. Richard and I wanted to create a more “homey” /welcoming atmosphere inside our business.

Harry spent everyday at WCH and many hours in the rocking chair. Richard and I loved him dearly and considered him to be our family.

In memory of Harry💕, to read more about the rocking chair The Wooden Rocker

In 2015, a good chunk of the front windows were covered over with pegboard. They used this area for hanging long handle tools.

To make better use of our shelf space, Richard and I decided to uncover this area and use our space differently! My what a treasure we found!! These beautiful old doors!!! And MUCH needed light streaming in!!!

Wayne worked diligently to get the old, vintage door lock working again. During the hot months of summer, we now open these doors for extra air flow. And it helps tremendously!!! All natural AC!!!

This wood stove is a treat and a treasure during the winter months… keeping us warm. To learn more more about the history of the stove, use the link The Warmth & Sweetness of the Winter Chill

Many folks have gathered to warm by the stove or even to sit by the stove. We have been told that a handshake deal was made inside the hardware store to begin Vannoy and Lankford Plumbing 🪠 many years ago.

As good friends gather around the stove, ideas often emerge. Friday morning meetings are regularly held inside the hardware store now. Coffee, laughter, stories, and business matters are often central. It’s not just guys, I’m there quite often!🤪

Friday morning Small Business Advisory Council in full force… this Friday group of minds spearheaded the process of creating a Downtown Merchants Association and eventually, the festival known as Spooktacular.

This ladder spans the back wall of the hardware store… and yes, we use it every single day!

Still working on researching this little gem.., more stories to be told later.

One of the unique features of our “Old School Hardware Store” is the freight elevator. Secret being told, the remaining oral history that we have been given is a bit disjointed. So we have in earnest, started trying to track down some information about this elevator from the direct source… the company that built it, Park Elevator. Park Elevator is one of the oldest, independent elevator companies in the Southeast, dating back to 1898. Yes, the elevator still works!

This was the original wall of owners as we were told… **BUT**… the far left gentleman… well, that was not Mr. Eller…revealed to us by his descendants when they visited us a few years back.

This restored photograph arrived from Mr. EE Eller’s family. Now hangs in its rightful place on the owners wall. Read more here Mr. EE Eller, Chickens and Turkeys… Nothing but Clucking, Gobbling, and Plucking out the Truth

We always get lots of questions about why our picture isn’t up there, we feel it’s proper to wait until our time as hardware store owners is up to be up on the wall, keeping up and honoring the previous tradition. Pictured left to right ( Ellers, EE Eller Produce Company, Mr. Yates- began hardware store for his “friends” who were working in moonshine, Harvey Barlow hardware store/began locksmith business next door , Gerald Lankford continued Wilkes Hardware)

Due to the impact that Mr. Eller had upon our community, dating back to 1904… we decided to honor the building’s heritage, by using the chicken as the basis of our hardware store logo.

Words truly can’t express the agony… a summer storm brought immense rain into our building in 2020. Days of cleanup and a tremendous outpouring of love… thanks to a wonderful group of friends who spent long hours helping us clean up the mess.

Water entered the back door of our neighbors at the lock shop. Their front door was locked, and the water quickly piled up inside to knee deep…😬

Our key desk was originally close to the lock shop which held a connected door. In 2015, we decided to move the key desk to its current location, near the back door. Harvey owned both businesses for many years. The connecting lock shop door was a revolving door that folks moved in and out of often prior to 2020. After the onset of Covid, and the massive flood event, access was closed.

After the flooding event in the summer of 2020, Sandbags were placed under the connected lock shop door. We now use this area as needed retail space. We occasionally get folks in who wish to head towards that door… but they quickly find out, it is not accessible.

You may or may not notice differences in our brick at the back door, well, here’s the reason why… a runaway truck from the Lowe’s warehouse which sat up above us (looking out our back door)

Look up the next time you drop in… see if you can find the tell-tell signs of the runaway truck

And this happened on our D Street side several years later…

Can you notice any differences in the brick???

We updated the side of D Street with our logo chicken , thanks to Andrea Baldwin for her artwork!

A lot of people are confused about the location of the original Lowe’s. The common misconception is that it was in our building. Looking out our back door, you can view the home of the original Lowe’s.

This old safe, it’s not going anywhere fast!!! It’s a beast!!!

One of the stories that has been passed down to us … a downtown bank was unable to get the safe open to begin the banking day. The bank manager called down to Mr. Yates and asked for his assistance. Could he loan him the cash to open up the bank while they worked on opening the safe? Mr. Yates agreed to help. The bank sent two guards down and wheeled back the cash from the hardware store in a wheelbarrow. Problem solved!

The day we will never forget, the fire across the street at Goodwill. A Story in Pictures

This was a life altering experience. The uncertainty was very real, our neighbors down the street were worried about the fire spreading down the street to connected buildings. We were asked to vacate our building in a matter of an hour. What could we do??? Nothing, but pray and wait. We spent many long hours waiting across the street at Dom’s Bakery. Thankful for our neighbors and friends there. 💕

Our community of firefighters and rescue workers came from all over the county to help fight this fire and stayed all night. Every single fire company in Wilkes responded to this fire. Very thankful.

When we began in 2015, Richard and I knew only a small portion about this old hardware store. We have come to believe that this old hardware store building is like an onion, and we slowly peel a layer away at a time, learning a bit more each passing day and asking more questions about what we don’t know.

We sincerely appreciate and wish to say “Thank you” for sharing all of your stories about 324 10th Street. It has been an honor and privilege to gather these memories and stories, helping to keep this building and business alive long after we all are long gone, in hopes of creating a lasting legacy of intertwined experiences of Life in Wilkes… as our building history boasts the beginnings of the poultry industry in Wilkes, the legend of moonshine, and the hardware industry rooted right here in Wilkes.

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

Category Archives: old school hardware store

This Spud is for You!

Sky Watch

“Grounding and Grafting” into The Hardware Life

I’m Just Sayin’

If These Walls Could Talk…

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