My parents house in NC (near Murphy) holds a lot of special memories for my family over the years. They live full-time in Atlanta, but have had this house for over 20 years now and spend most of the summer up there. Our family spent so much time in NC when we were growing up, that my parents decided to build themselves a mountain house all those years ago, a place to get away from the rat-race of Atlanta, traffic, pollution, and too many people. This is the perfect spot for that. I’m so blessed to still have my parents healthy and living life to the fullest. They are gardeners and have been my whole life. I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have fresh vegetables every summer, the fruit of their labor, not mine. In restrospect, I’ve done very little in that garden over the years, but I sure have enjoyed it. I appreciate it so much more now that I’m older and realize all the work that goes into it. My parents always share their harvest with me and my sister and anyone else that they come in contact with, when there is extra to share.
It’s not a fancy house, but a cozy and warm house filled with love. Our family enjoys gathering here whenever we can, especially this time of year when the garden’s bounty is coming in full force. Since I don’t live close enough anymore to drop by and pick up vegetables whenever I want, we had a great time filling the car up with fresh veggies from their garden to bring home with us to enjoy.
These were already picked and waiting on the porch when we got there. Me and my hubby, Peter and my sister and her hubby came up for a few days and really had a great time. You might remember from my post last year about this mountain house….we eat a lot! And boy, did we!
My sweet dad’s favorite place to sit on the porch is in his swing. That and his full length lounge chair. He has taken many naps on this porch over the years. The temperatures here are usually 10 degrees less than Atlanta during the summer.
This is the scenery surrounding their house, full of mountain laurel and rhododendrun. It’s beautiful in the spring too, as well as fall.
Coming around to the porch from the driveway, these steps lead up to the porch. 
Outside, this little creek runs in their frontyard. They’ve had such a drought this year that the creek is running the lowest EVER since they’ve been going up there. Hopefully the rains will increase and this little creek will be gushing again.
My dad is really a farmer and loves to raise his vegetables every year. I think this is what has kept them so active, healthy, and in shape over the years. Not to mention, it’s so healthy to raise and eat your own food. They are a testament to that. They have quite a spread and a wonderful garden spot. He had to put up a fence this year to keep out the deer. First time they’ve had such a problem with them, but he got really tired of them eating all his beans and corn, so up went the fence. I’ll show you more of the garden later.
They also have huge blueberry bushes that he planted when the house was built and they produce a ton of blueberries. It’s such a treat to go and pick them off the bushes. My hubby really enjoys picking berries.
They were afraid that the berries would be giving out by the time we got up there this year, but you can see that wasn’t a problem. They are oh-so-sweet too! These will be great on my raisin bran every morning and freeze well too. 
We picked this whole pan full to bring home.
More pretty scenery around their house, these native ferns are always so gorgeous and grow on the back hillside behind the house.
Another shot of the creek.
I think I mentioned that my family really, really likes to eat those fresh veggies. This is our meals while we were there. All of this is out of their garden. It just doesn’t get any better than this, people!
Man o man, was it delicious! We all ate like pigs. My mama is the BEST Southern cook and could seriously open her own restaurant. Of course, she has taken care of all of us forever and wouldn’t have time for that. You can see here from left, the black-eyed peas, pole beans, and zipper peas. Zipper peas are my absolute fave!
I got out one morning to a little area near them that has some antique stores and browsed around.
This little house is right down the road from them and we call it the rock house. Always have loved it.
A mama cat and kittens from next door have taken up with my parents. My mama is a soft touch and will feed them. They have another cat at home who adopted them too. He comes around for a good meal and can count on my mom to feed him.
Saturday’s breakfast was a hash brown quiche with blueberry pancakes and bacon.
Oh, and fresh fruit too. Can you say yum?! I know you are jealous about now. I don’t blame you, I would be too. 
Here’s my plate…go ahead and hate me now!
After breakfast, me and my sister and BIL took off across the road where they are building new mountain homes right on top of the mountain. Nice walk uphill to see this view.
And these mountain houses.
This one was situated very nicely with a gorgeous view.
My sister’s dog, Holly, was along for the walk and had a ball.
More pretty mountain scenes.
Nothing prettier than the mountains of NC.
Another huge house was going in. We got to walk in this one & it had a really nice view too.
This one was $300K. Not too shabby.
While we were walking, mom and dad and Peter picked in the garden.
We brought home one of these home grown watermelons, which were delish. My dad cut one open one day we were there.
If you’ve never had home grown tomatoes, I just can’t tell you what you are missing! Store bought doesn’t even taste like a real tomato. These are the absolute BEST tomatoes you will ever put in your mouth. Hello Better Boy!
Holly had a ball running through the rows.
Fresh Okra ready to come home and hop in the frying pan.
Dad picking
Mom picking zipper peas. My sister and I were talking about how our mama works circles around us and she’s 80. We can’t hold a candle to that woman!
Back inside their house, this is the greatroom. Dad builds a big fire in that stove in the winter to really heat the place up. And of course, he has to have his large TV up there for entertainment.
Many a family gathering has been had here in this greatroom. It’s nothing fancy either, but it’s home to us.
My mom doesn’t mind recycling at all. I had these lamps in my first apartment in 1978 (can that really be 30 years ago?!). Earth tones were all the rage then. Did I tell you she’s not into decorating? They work fine and look good in this mountain house, so she’ll probably get another 30 years out of them.
This kitchen has cooked many meals! We went in together one year and got her the dishwasher for the mountain house. She still doesn’t use the dishwasher all the time, just can’t get the hang of putting the dishes in there, filling it up and then washing them all later. She’s afraid she’ll need something that’s dirty. When we’re all up here though, she uses it.
This porch has held many visitors and family over the years and is a cool spot to relax on. Lots of conversations and laughter are heard on this porch. I perched on that lounger.
This is my family heritage….a profound faith in God. We weren’t rich, but we sure are rich in blessings with our parents. I couldn’t ask for better.
The vegetables are kept on the back porch for easy pickings.
This is the harvest that was picked just that one morning. We brought home some of all of this and I’ll be busy cooking up some fresh veggies this week. Hope you all enjoyed going along with us to the mountains of NC. It’s a pretty place and a slower pace of life, one that is needed often these days.
Hi Rhoda 🙂
What a wonderful place to gather… home grown food, comfy home, beauty all around you and the love of your family and that roaring fire to keep you warm. There is nothing in the world better than that 🙂
Hugs,
rue
Wow, what a place, and the food looks great!
Hi Rhoda,
I enjoyed this post. Your love for your family and the simple things in life is so evident in the photos and your writing. You all are so blessed to be able to spend time together in this beautiful setting.
The food looks so good! Has my mouth watering!
Tomorrow I’m going to post my first piece that I painted. If you have a chance, stop by and take a peek. I put a link to your directions in the post.
Have a great day,
Diane
Wow,what a great vacation home your parents have….everyhing is so beautiful! I can’t beleive all the wonderful veggies!
~Des
we have a new house in the NC Mtns. my wish is that it will in time come to mean as much to my family as your Mom and Dad’s means to yours.. you are so lucky to have such a great family.. it is clear that you love them a lot.. I have just discovered Southern Hospitality I will return
Oh,Rhoda, what a wonderful story. These are the kinds of memories I am wanting for my children. It’s the main reason we got out of the rat race and sold our nice new custom home to move to the country. My husband loves the gardening too.
Thank you for sharing your memories. I have been blessed.
I’m suddenly hungry for produce! Neat post.
That was awesome. Such a retreat!
I am so thankful for you that your parents are well and thriving.
Blessings!
Becky K.
My mother found your blog and passed it on to me. She loves your ideas and now I do too.
Just wanted you to know that I have now painted my Laundry room or I should say DH did because of your blog and I hung things up that you wouldn’t think would go in a laundry room. I also put a chandelier in there. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ahhhhhhhhh, what a wonderful post! Reminds me of my parents home here in East Tennessee. All the best.
Vanessa
Oh, have mercy! I gained 10 pounds just reading. YUMMY! Your fmaily and mine sound much alike. Love your home. You can tell through the pics and your words there is much love and good times in that home. I love stories like that!
A piece of Heaven is what that is.
and the pic of your dad on the swing, priceless.
Gosh I’m starving now, thanks! haha!! looks like a wonderful place – you’re so lucky.
JOni
A delicious post in EVERY WAY. From the glorious food to your beautiful parents to their perfect home – You ARE so blessed and I am so happy that you are. I loved the photo of your sweet dad on the swing!
xo,
Kim
Wow…what an abundant crop! just beautiful! Your parents are a marvel. How lucky you are. And boy oh boy would I love a tomato sandwich…right off the vine…on toasted wheat, a tad of butter and mayo and lots of fresh pepper. Oh!
I will live vicariously through you!
Well if this isn’t one of the lovliest tours I’ve seen. Those fesh veggies! That food!! Abodanza!
I’ve never even heard of zipper peas. Is it because I’m a Yankee? 😉
And…Your mom is 80?! I hope I look half as good.
GREAT post! Thanks for taking us all home with you!
Oh! I am all about blueberry pancakes and hash brown quiche, I will be right over! The mountain homes are beautiful. My husband and I are trying to decide where to retire and it is a toss up, in the mountains or down south near the ocean. At the moment, the mountains are winning (hurrican Gustav). Only 8 more years to go!
How do you stay so slim eating that beautiful food. Reminds me of Mom and daddys garden growing up.
How I miss those days. I saw those tomatoes and now I cannot wait until they are in season here, I will fry up a large batch first thing.