Tag Archives: mountain photography

Summer Photos 2026

Summer of 2026 is quickly coming to a close as Fall makes an appearance tomorrow.

This past summer has been a bit different for me as I have transitioned from active cancer treatment to a new medication phase for the next 5 years. As a result of that transition, this new medication has impacted my body systems in ways I never anticipated.

My focus shifted significantly earlier this summer, towards finding solutions to these new ongoing issues, keeping the road well travelled to Winston Salem in the Summer of 2026.

The good news… Progress has been made in regard to finding a new day to day normal for me. Sleep has resumed to a more normal, stable condition. I’m extremely thankful for small, but necessary changes in the Summer of 2026.

Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me 💕.

I feel like I have devoted less time capturing the day to day photos of summer. As you view these shared 2026 Summer Memories, I hope you will enjoy them and find a bit of inspiration in the ordinary things that we often take for granted. Finding Joy in the Ordinary Things.

I’m finding my ordinary life, extraordinary these days. Taking time to enjoy the simplicity of my daily routine and being simply being home. Here’s to the Summer of finding Joy in the ordinary days.

After the Rain

Rain refreshes the Earth from the dry, humid days of a Southern summer… Offering a pause to the intense heat. Rain brings growth to a garden. A Summer ordinary event made extraordinary by its own creation.

Summer Blues

The first glimpse of the mountains from 421 from two different trips… always looks uniquely different based on the weather

The colors of summer seem to hit a bit differently. The beautiful hues of blue dominate our skies each day. The hues of blue along the Blue Ridge Mountains, are a staple of our daily existence looming off in the not so far distance, offering an extraordinary view which is seemingly ordinary to us.

Sunrises and Sunsets of Summer: Ordinary Days at Home

I often step out on my back porch each morning to catch the first glimpse of the new, beginning day. An ordinary daily routine, with extraordinary results, captivated by a new sunrise each morning.

In the Garden

Purple sweet potatoes growing, a fantastic cancer fighting food!
Watermelon growing…
Angel Trumpet blooms in morning sunlight

In the Blue Zones, gardening is a way that people grow necessities, and it creates gentle, daily movements that have allowed them to live healthier, longer lives. Ordinary people completing a daily routine task, with an extraordinary outcome, longevity.

Hot Summer Days

Movie fun in the summertime… popcorn 🍿 is a must!

The heat of summer can be experienced in different ways. Visually you can see the heat from the morning sunrises or viewing the full moon in midst of a humid night. So how do you balance the summer heat? Find a cool place to be, it could be watching a movie 🍿 with friends or family. OR sitting and enjoying the cool breeze of an open doorway. Ordinary living becomes extraordinary in the heat of summertime.

Footnote from me… As October approaches, Ladies, don’t forget to schedule your yearly mammogram appointment IF you haven’t already scheduled it yet. My breast cancer was found during a routine mammogram last November. Sadly, more friends are being diagnosed each day. Pray for them as they fight to resume their ordinary days in a new, profoundly different way.

Everyone included, not just ladies here, know your cancer risk factors and advocate for your health! Do not be afraid to ask questions and go seek answers from your health care team.

I’m currently scheduled for my next round of scans in early November. Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me💕.

Spring

Spring… a time of rebirth in nature and renewal. In 2026, Spring has been symbolically filled and personally inspiringly beautiful as I have come full circle with completion of my active cancer treatment in March.

Spring is also a time of transition, the weather can be unpredictable. In North Carolina we can find ourselves wearing shorts one day then the next day bundled up wearing sweatshirts and gloves.

This unpredictably is actually where I find myself after cancer treatment, practicing patience and allowing grace to lead the way.

I have cherished each lovely Spring photographic moment with this new chapter in 2026…Spring is here!

As you view this blog, I hope that you will also feel the Spring vibrancy. Each snapshot, capturing the beauty of nature and renewal, symbolizing my journey of healing and growth.

Tiptoe through the Tulips

Treasured Tulip
Color Abounds
A Unique Find
Dark Beauties
Vibrant Reds
Gathering Basket
Lunchtime

Easter Day Memories… Florals and Feeding the Turtles 🐢

Azaleas
Spring Blossoms
Coming out for a little snack
Turtle Time

Watching the Spring Growth…

Sunshine peaking through the Magnolia
Light
Magnolia
New growth
Photosynthesis
Star Jasmine
Contrast of shadows
“A Big Dill” … these are almost head high this year!

The Life of Ro (Jethro)

Ro loves to ride!
Morning naps are the best!
My current favorite toy

Spring Mountain Retreat…

Filtered Rays of Sunshine
Hello my Old Friend
Hues of Pink
Spring Glowing Splendor
Mountain Laurel
Casting Shadows
Layered Beauty

Thank you for reading and sharing! I truly appreciate your support. I’m looking forward to capturing a few sweet memories this Summer.

Upcoming Oncology visits in the next few weeks, scans anticipated later on this summer… Prayers appreciated

Winter 2025- 2026 Photography

Winter of 2025-26 has been very eventful with my official breast cancer diagnosis in early December. Several of my December days were filled with appointments, making many trips to Winston Salem. Then came January… Surgery, recovery, and radiation all during the remaining winter months.

I did find time to snap a few pictures that I loved in this unique season of my life and compiled for a Winter memory album. Photography is an outlet for not only creativity, but the beauty that comes to my mind as I go about my daily activities, essential for hope and a great force in cancer recovery. All of these captures are from right here in our beautiful home, Wilkes County.

I hope you will enjoy these pictures as much as I have in a winter season filled with challenges, hope for healing and yet grace abounded in the winter season of 2025-2026.

I personally enjoy the winter season in regard to photography, the contrast of the starkness of barren trees with the vibrant colors of sunrise. I have organized this blog so that you can witness the evolution of the winter with a glimpse into each month of the winter season.

Thanks for supporting my blog and I deeply appreciate all of your prayers.

Clear December Skies
Hope Abounds…December morning sunrise taken about a week after my cancer diagnosis… I now view the pink skies as a beautiful sign of HOPE.
Perfection!!! Last Sunrise of 2025
Happy New Year!!! The First 2026 Sunrise
January Rainbow Sunrise
Snowy January Morning
The Hope of Spring
Evergreen Glory
January Sunset over the Mountains
A Rainbow of Colors in Evening Sky
Good Night Y’all
Good Morning Blue Ridge!
Foggy February Winter Morning
March Skies
March Morning Glow
Hope Reigns in the March Pink Skies
Muted March Skies
Blue Skies Ahead
Stormy March Morning… Thunder Rolls
March Storm Cloud Watch… Black and White
Good Morning!!
March Red Sky in Morning

March is in Bloom… The Hope of Spring

March Yellow Daffodils
Another cute little Buttercup
Lenten Rose beginning to blossom
Forsythia

Pup Interlude…

Cookie posing for the camera 📷
My little sunshine seeker… Joy
Jethro… morning nap time
Our sweet little crew of pups… Cookie, Joy and Jethro (Ro)

Fall Y’all

Last of the season flowers…

From the last of the summer blooms to the changing of the leaves… Fall is Here! The Fall season brings apple and pumpkin season, gentle breezes and the solitary tune of the wind chimes. Fall hints at cooler temperatures, the changing of the sun cycle bringing less daylight creating a colorful change in nature through leaves turning and falling, crunching under foot. The vibrant colors that light the morning and evening skies… Autumn has arrived. As we head into the holiday season, here’s to celebrating Fall ONE last time.

Apples are in Season!
Time for pumpkins!!

October Skies… Simply Amazing

Changing of the Leaves

Leafy Carpet
Blown Away
The Vibrancy of Fall
Light filtering through
Majestic Colors
Stumped
Look Up and Enjoy the View
A Sneak Peak of Fall
In Full Color
Autumn’s Glory
Fall Magic
The Glory Days of Autumn
Finding the Colors of Fall
A Walk in the Woods
Jethro is enjoying the Leaves everywhere
Where the Leaves Meet the Water
Peaceful Retreat
Fall Making a Splash
Fall Serenity
Rainy Autumn Days
Plentiful Acorns
Abundance of Berries
A Quiet Place

Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy another beautiful Fall season! 🍂🍁 Thank you for reading and sharing.

June Memories Photographed

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!!
Peeking through
Same view… different day 💕
Home sweet home sunrise

The Mountains are calling and I must go….

Sun peaking through the clouds
Golden hour approaches
Hello Blue Ridge!
Magical Sunset
Sunset over the Blue Ridge
Good morning Blue Ridge Mountains Sunrise in progress
Sunny Sunday
Evening storm rolling in

Other June Favorites

Hay There!
Sunflowers 🌻
Colorful Black-eyed Susan
A little bit of Fall colors in June
Oyster Shells

An Overview of Hardware Store Happenings in June

New summer t-shirts are selling fast!
New pottery by Lisa Pruitt!
Spicy sauce!
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!
New pieces by Keegan Watson
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!
Here’s to splashing into Summer!