The blueberries are ripe and ready up at my parents house in the mountains and they needed some extra hands to pick the berries, so they wouldn’t go to waste. So, my sister and I (and her 2 dogs) headed up for a day of blueberry picking last week. We both brought some home to freeze too and they will come in handy during the winter months when berries are not readily available. I’m so glad my dad loves to garden with veggies and fruits. All the bounty is a part of our growing up years and it’s been so nice to have all of it around. We know that this bounty will not last forever and if we want to grow our own, we will have to learn to do it ourselves.
But, for hopefully a few more seasons, we will pick blueberries and enjoy them. I’ve shared my parents mountain home several times in the last 6 years, but I’ll do another recap for you here.
My dad built this house about 30 years ago in the Murphy, NC area and they originally planned to retire up here permanently, but when their granddaughter, Lauren, came along, those plans changed. They wanted to be close to see her often and they did. She spent a lot of time with them in her young years in Marietta and up here at the mountain house.
In fact, her name made it on the name plaque outside the front door. Renee and I are missing, but not Lauren! 
 They love that girl.
We’ve been coming to this house for so many summers and it is such good memories for all of us. My dad’s imprint is all over the house and everywhere I look, he’s there.
So, this trip was just for blueberry picking, but it was raining when we got there, so we sat on the porch as we do every trip and talked and watched the rain drip off the leaves. My dad knows that they will not be able to take care of both houses for too many more years and we talked about that too. It will be a sad, sad day when the house has to be sold. It’s been such a part of our family’s lives for so long. But, we girls really do not love the mountains as much as our parents do and so wouldn’t want to take on the upkeep of this house too, which means the house will have to eventually be sold. They have done so well to still be able to take care of 2 houses all these years, but time is catching up with them.
We have enjoyed many family times on this porch over the years. Buster is a lap dog and will gladly hop in anyone’s lap who will let him.
Buster the Boston.
During the summer months, tomatoes are always bountiful. This year, the abundance of rain has kept his crops to a minimum. There is such a thing as too much rain on a garden.
I love the lacy ferns growing wild up in the North Carolina mountains.
I took my camera and did a little photoshoot while I was sitting on the porch.
Mountain laurel is abundant in these mountains and they bloom in the spring. So pretty and peaceful up here.
One of our highlights on the porch is watching the hummingbirds come to the feeder that my mom keeps filled up with sweet nectar. I always try to catch them with my camera and succeeded this time.
They are so fast with their fluttery wings but I snapped quickly too.
They are fun to watch and are so fiercely protective of their feeders, fighting among themselves.
I caught one little guy on the tip of a branch.
Dad and Buster.
Birdbath hidden among the ferns.
Dad is trendy and doesn’t even know it.
Mom fixed a completely vegetable meal for lunch. This kitchen has seen many a meal over the years and she has cooked up scrumptious food for many family members out of this kitchen too.
She still cans her tomatoes when they all start coming in.
She fried up some green tomatoes for us, cause she knows we like them.
Peas, fried okra, fresh creamed corn and tomatoes and cornbread. It was a meal!
The rain finally stopped and the sun came out, just in time for our blueberry picking.
Dad built these steps down to the creek many years ago too. It goes over the creek and into the flat area below.
The creek is as full as I’ve ever seen it with all the rain this summer.
Here’s the huge blueberries bushes that have been growing here for years. We’ve enjoyed this fruit for a long, long time too and it’s a treat when they get ripe.
Dad’s garden is winding down for this year.
Blueberries waiting for us to pick.
A few more shots of greenery around the creek.
I love the mossy lichen growing on the trees. There’s nothing like the North Carolina mountains for beauty.
The 3 of us picked, me, my dad, and sister and filled up this pan with blueberries in about an hour or so. Picking goes a lot faster with 3 people.
Our beautiful bounty of berries.
Dad is very proud of his blueberry bushes. He planted some cherry trees up there last year and is waiting for those to produce too.
In the meantime, mom likes to pick out the bad berries and stems before they go in the freezer. We freeze these berries to use later on.
I took a good amount home to use myself and here’s how we freeze them. I do not wash them first (and mom doesn’t either). I didn’t take time to de-stem mine either, but you can do that as you use them. Spread them all out single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze in the freezer. Then put them in freezer bags. They will freeze like little marbles and not stick together if you freeze them like this.
That was our day in the mountains picking blueberries. Hope you enjoyed going along with us. It’s a special family place for us.
So I have been thinking of moving to the North Carolina mountains and now that I know I could grow my own blueberry stash I’m sold. On another note, it’s clear that resourcefulness and hard work definitely run in your family. I continue to be amazed at all the living you guys fit into each day. So inspiring.
What a great post. I would give much to live in that wonderful mountain retreat. Just fabulous. And I wonder how Mom gets such a nice breading on her okra.
Great blog Rhoda…your parents remind me of my grandparents…good people! Thanks for sharing them.
Cheryl Ann
Your parent’s mountain home is lovely! I know you have had so many wonderful times there! I love it that Lauren’s name made the cut- too cute! All the food looks yummy! You’re making me hungry! What a great story about a home that is filled with love!
What a beautiful home! I love all the greenery! You can’t beat freshly picked blueberries and those fried green tomatoes look yummy too. Thanks for sharing.
This was like a lovely trip to the mountains for me. Thank you!
Rhoda, loved this post about your parents mountain home. They are so great, do you think they could adopt me and you would have another sister? Well one can only dream.
HI, Joan, awww thanks for saying that, so cute!
Your posts about your parents are always my favourite. Your dad looks like the type of person who takes pride in the work he does and cherishes his family above all. The berries & canned maters look amazing!
My dad is also 85 and spending time with him is always a treat. We are leaving today for a trip to Australia!
They absolutely do not make ’em like your mama and daddy anymore. At least not many. I LOVE reading about them and seeing the photos. The mountain house is a wonderful getaway, but not necessarily a “vacation” for Mr. and Mrs. Vickers….they WORK wherever they go! I’m so tickled for you all.
HI, Lynne, no they do not make ’em like this anymore. My parents outwork me most days and my mom is the hardest working woman I know. She doesn’t sit down very often at all, but keeps busy doing things around the house. I know that is why they keep on going like they do.
I loved everything about this post, Rhoda … the greenery, hummingbirds, stairway and, of course, that wonderful veggie dinner! Hope you and your sister can hold onto the home that holds so many special memories for all of you as long as you can. I’m sure your parents would enjoy being able to sit and recall all the special times … even when vegetable gardening can no longer be a part of those visits.
Diane
I love my NC mountains! I’m much more of a mountain gal than a beach one, but my family outvotes me. Your parents are such an amazing gift of sacrifice and unselfishness. I’m so glad you share their lives on the blog!
I love reading about your parents, Rhoda. They remind me of my sweet mother, who was from Franklin, NC, as she liked to remind us–“in the heart of the Great Smokies” and I don’t think too far from Murphy. The mountains of North Carolina are so beautiful. Spending a rainy day sitting on a porch in the mountains brought back many sweet memories of doing that as a child. I haven’t been back in a few years–makes me want to make that 8 hour trek from Richmond! Thanks for sharing your parents with us.
Rhoda, as everyone does i loved this post. You come from a rich heritage and what a blessing that is for you.i love what i could see of the house im sad though that i missed previous post in the past about it. it truly looks like a serene place to go and gather your thoughts.wow your dad did a beautiful job with what i saw not frue frue just extremely comforting.i can imagine being there and watching a beautiful snowfall all cozy inside with a great cup of hot tea while a big pot of soup cooked.I would love this place!!
You’re creating precious, precious memories!!
Why not pass the mountain home to Lauren and her future children? I’d hate to see so much family history and love not passed on to future generations! I’d do everything I could to keep it in my family. My grandparents were part of the dust bowl and left everything to move west so sadly, our family doesn’t have anything to pass down to future generations.
HI, RJ, the problem with that is that Lauren is married and living in New Orleans, a long ways from NC. It would be hard to keep up a house there, so I don’t think that will happen. All of us girls are beach lovers so a mountain house isn’t our dream, like it was for our parents.
I really enjoyed this cozy post and hearing about more of your parents life, thank you for sharing. Looks like a wonderful place to go for a relaxing weekend. Your parents are so gifted, I can see where you get it!
Rhoda, I can almost smell that mountain air. What a peaceful place. Your folks make the most out of the life God has given them. I love all the post about them.
Your parents remind me of my grandparents. My grandmother used to cook just like that all the time. They had a huge garden every year and I couldn’t wait for all the good meals that would come out of it. I am from NC and love the mountains here. Thank you for sharing this post.
My hubby and I are looking for a mountain cabin! Can you send me info if and when they sell?
HI, Tara, it will be a few years before they sell, we hope!
Well I will listen out! In the meantime enjoy!
I am so touched by your parents. They seem to enjoy the simple beauties of life without being caught up in what the world offers. There is something so touching about them and what they value in life. It is obvious in your photographs and descriptions of them.