Artistic expression of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina across from the convention center where the Spring Orgill Hardware Show was hosted.
New Orleans… A culturally rich city filled with fantastic food! What more could you ask for in a host city for a hardware show??? We first experienced New Orleans in August 2015, at our first hardware show, and 10 years later, we have returned again for another visit to this wonderful city.
We have found that getting to show early helps us navigate the day (less crowded) and we can explore the city later in the afternoon .Early morning at Orgill Hardware Show… the exhibition floor is full of people getting ready to take it all in…Fun with friends! Eric and Chelsea explored the Orgill Hardware Show with us the first day of the show. Always lots to see!!! Million square feet of space in 2 days… We go in with a definite plan now at each show, finding those vendors we need to reach out to, make orders, then we can “shop” for new products that our customers will enjoy. Richard is checking out a new key machine at the show. We ordered a key machine and it will arrive sometime in April. Our Orgill Representative, Steve Foster is set to retire later this year. He has helped us navigate our first show as newbies, and we were thankful to have his expertise in year 10. We will miss him tremendously.
The 2025 Orgill hardware show marked our third trip to New Orleans. We accomplished a lot on our to do list! Now it was time to explore the city a bit. A few constants remain from each trip… beignets at Cafe DuMonde, Mardi Gras celebrations in February, and rich, vibrant culture exemplified everywhere you go, along with the AMAZING food. Sharing my unique photo journey from our recent travels, enjoy y’all!
Hot beignets, just can’t be beat!Always a sweet treat with music on the street Beignets are everywhere!
Mardi Gras celebrations were in full swing in late February. Homes were decorated with colorful Mardi Gras trees, colorful lights, and outdoor fence areas were lined with decorations to mark the celebrations.
Beads and a Bird Outdoor Fences were adorned with beads , a visual reminder of Mardi Gras in progress A Colorful Walk
A Somber Reminder along Bourbon Street…
This makeshift memorial on the corner of Bourbon Street was moved just two days after we arrived to a permanent museum location.
Security along the Mardi Gras parade path was noticeably tighter…
Heavy equipment trucks moving into place prior to the arrival of one of the Mardi Gras parades.
Mardi Gras Parade Highlights…
I loved all the colors!!!
We walked to many places during our trip, even though the cold weather and wind was significant… I quickly noticed that city sidewalks were a treasure trove of design… “judging a block by its cover”, literally by the manhole covers and drain covers. Here are just a few captures from New Orleans…
Can’t you just see the history in these old Church Doors??? Blockbuster And Wall Inspired Art
Good food always can be found in New Orleans, some places never disappoint us when we are there in New Orleans and we always make plans to return.
A new wonderful addition to our New Orleans lineup this year! We will go back! Turtle soup to start… Blackened fish with crabmeat sauce Chocolate flourless cakeThe line was out the door to wait for lunch!!! Menu boasts Sandwiches and unique salad options… best French fries in town!!! Sorry, no picture, I ate them all!!! 😂Our order reminder.., just too cute! Grand Isle… Our favorite place in New Orleans!!!! Never disappoints!!!Pan roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and mushrooms Cheesecake for dessert Wood fired gulf fish with creamy grits
Thanks for the memories!! Hope to see you again New Orleans!
FYI: New product arrivals from our shopping days at the New Orleans Hardware show are beginning to arrive! Stop by and shop today at Wilkes County Hardware.
Beginning in early 2024, I wrote these opening lines: “I have decided to take this year and document and capture memories… from our everyday life activities. Everything isn’t glamorous, we work long hours, 6 days a week, but Richard and I find time to share and unwind. I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite collected moments via photography.”
What a journey it has been! Here’s a look at a few of my photo favorites from each month in 2024. Below each photograph, I will include the original link to each month from 2024, in case you missed it or would like to see more photos from each month.
A brief dusting of snow began December 2024, making me long for a bit more.
December marks the beginnings of the winter season. Winter… a time of perseverance and optimism for spring will come.
December, Christmas is near.
A Light DustingSnowy Morning SurpriseSnowy Stack At DuskWinter Solstice SunriseWaiting on SunriseDecember 31st… That Touch of Pink
Random Happenings
You never know what you will find in the middle of a grocery store parking lot! Parking lot golf????
Christmasat Home 2024
Fresh Mistletoe for Christmas! Thanks to Kim Reid for the adventure!New additions this year to my green plants to add a festive flare, pine cones and berries for the holiday season Our Christmas clock is a family favoriteBobbles and Santa Handmade Christmas Handmade Christmas Handmade ChristmasThis Christmas was the first year we put our inflatable back out in several years. Our sweet little neighbor has enjoyed it so much this year. Our original “Snowy” the polar bear was injured by heavy rain earlier this month. Santa was our quick find as a replacement.Cookie watching over her neighborhood
Thank you to everyone who has followed along my year long photographic journey in 2024 exploring the everyday life of #thehardwarelife. I’m excited about new opportunities in 2025! Coming soon, the Favorites of 2024 revisited. Stay posted on the blog.
This November has been a month of contrasts. Warm weather marked the beginning of the month and ended the month with colder than normal temperatures.
Autumn Glory
I think you will see some definite contrast in some of the photos captured this month. The leaves are beginning to fade away as compared to the glorious autumn colors of last month’s photo gallery. November brings us a time to reflect on our blessings.
November Beauty
My joy this year has been found in finding Blessings in the simple things we have in our lives, like capturing a sunrise moment. Each day brings unique moments and experiences.
Glimmering Sunrise
May you be blessed this holiday season with Thanksgiving in your heart each & every day. Happy Holidays!
First Light
First Fire of the season! About month later than usual. Glorious Beauty: this old, majestic and mature tree is one of the last ones to lose leaves in our neighborhood. Golden Hour: I must admit I’m not a fan of the time change but the Sunsets have been glorious at Wilkes County Hardware this month.Stealing The Rainbow Morning Love Story Blooming Beauties Hard to believe that flowers were still blooming in early NovemberJack Frost: Heavy frosts set in finally in later November, the sun quickly melts it awaySunshine Seeker: Joy enjoys a nap in the morning sunHometown Holidays: November kicks off the holiday season with Light Up Downtown.
Morning fogs, and vibrant colors… the best way to introduce my photography finds for October. The colors of Autumn are majestic, melding together as a kaleidoscope for the camera lens.
Foggy Mornings
Awakening to Fog Sun peaking through the fog Valley Fog
Northern Lights: Aurora Borealis
The unique colors are determined by the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, the altitude of the collision of the gases, and the amount of energy in the particles… different colors are created. Just a few pictures of what I witnessed during this rare capture this month.
Pink/purple: Produced by nitrogen particles
Green: One of the most common colors at the lowest levels of the atmosphere, interaction of oxygen molecules
Red: Oxygen molecules interact at a higher level in the atmosphere.
Hello Indy!
Waiting for my nephews band to arrive to begin their routine uniform pickup before their performance in Bands of America competition. They placed 5th out of 91 bands in this super regional competition!!! So very proud!!! Go Wando!!! Early morning flight…
The Colors of Autumn
“Nature’s first green is gold. Her hardest hue to hold.” – Robert Frost Vibrant Reds Autumnal Gold and Copper A walk in the woods…Peaking in towards the mountain Colorful Woods Buck Mountain never disappoints 💕Kaleidoscope of Color Melding of Autumn Perfection of Autumn
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 