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 Ms. Rhoda…Your wonderful post today just oozes love, peace, joy and contentment. That groaning board of fabulous food makes me hanker for an invite to your mom & dad's home…LOL 😉 Bo
Ooooh what a bounty! I couldn’t do without my fresh veggies. My parents always had a garden when we kids were at home too. Hubby and I have SMALL ones. Just tomatoes, cukes and peppers this year. Next year we plan to add beans and corn. You and Peter should do that – at least tomato plants! We have many, many veggie meals – along with a bit of cornbread! LOL
tina
OK, now I’m hungry!
What a great place. Your parents are so fortunate to live there.
I know what you mean about your workhorse of a mom. Mine is the same way!
I loved this. True Southern Hospitality….I loved looking at all the fresh veggies. I started my first garden this year and love it..almost addicting. I love this mountain home. So great. You should post the quiche recipe sometime for the inquiring minds….enjoy your day!
WOW! I can’t get over that garden! Everything looks so yummy. I’ll admit I hovered over those pancakes and quiche photos a lot longer than I should have! I love NC… how wonderful your parents have a home there!
It’s official–those are the best looking tomatoes I’ve seen in years. And I’m so jealous of the zipper peas–we’ve been buying them every week at the farmer’s market and there weren’t any this week!
My grandparents were big gardeners–I always say that my grandma didn’t do needlework or anything like that, so we don’t have any “stuff” from her, but the memory her love of the first tomato and her beautiful flowers is better than any “thing”. You are blessed.
After viewing this post I feel like I’ve just been on a family vacation myself! What a lovely family and such a beautiful place in the mountains to enjoy them. That garden is something else. Wow! Somebody works hard! I couldn’t help but notice that the green peppers are sitting in the same blue pans we used to use when I was a labor and delivery nurse. We put water and soap in them to wash women’s bottoms just prior to the baby being born. I had to chuckle when I saw their new use. Where did they get them?
What a wonderful trip and being from NC I must second your comments – the NC mountains are the best place for beautiful views and personal recharging.
The fresh veggies look delish too.
All the food and veggies looked yummy. Nothing better than getting together with family and I’ll bet that mountain air was fresh. The views were breath taking. So relaxing too. That’s what I call a weekend get away. Twin2
I enjoyed the trip, that is a beautiful spot there, isn’t it? I love your parents’ dinner plates, the brown and gold ones 🙂
When my parents left the big city for country life, I was surprised to see what great gardeners that they have become. And my stepdad makes it even prettier with these branch ‘cages’ he builds for the tomatoes. It’s really gorgeous, I need to take pics.
I wish I had all of that bounty on my table, you really have some yummy stuff there 🙂
Bella
Wow! What a bounty in many ways. So nice to read this…
Oh I just love the mountans of NC! We have some land in Sylva and one day plan to build something up there!
That food is making me hungry! Nothing like a homegrown tomato!
Oh my. What a wonderful retreat. I am envious of your parents garden. What a wonderful treat to be able to step out your back down and supply yourself with wonderful food.
I hope to have a garden started next year,though not one as beautiful as thiers 😉
Your parents looks awsome and I agree that hard work helps you stay young
Take Care
natasha
Wow, that is a dream place! Organic blueberries, watermelons and all of that yummy food! I’d be in heaven! Jen R
Oh my, what a wonderful garden!!!!! I would love to take a walk down those rows with a great big basket! I had never even heard of zipper peas until yesterday at church a sweet little lady was telling me about them. And now I read about them in your post. I may have to check those out!
Cyndy
All of those photos are so beautiful and restful…but my favorite one is of your dad on the porch swing. 🙂
-Carrie
OH MY GOODNESS~ that is some bounty. I must get me some tomatoes today~ becuase I know that I will be craving a tomatoe sandwich for the rest of the day. YUMMY
Rhoda~ this is wonderful. It brings back so many memories!
Southern Hospitality at it’s best!
A ‘mater sandwich is ambrosial, one step up from a Southerner’s beloved mayonnaise sandwich. lol Loved this tour of your family’s NC cabin, with the pictures of your sweet Mom and Dad. Thank you for the advice about my table. I will try the marine varnish and see how that works before the (inevitable) move. You’d asked about the zebra stool. I saw it at Big Lots a month ago. They had several. Also, they had some really gorgeous furniture, including a long, chocolate leather bench for $299–the bench looked like something out of Veranda, something that would cost twice that. I couldn’t get over the leather. I didn’t have a place for it anywhere, so I tried to get my brother to buy it, but he couldn’t wrap his head around the $299. Big Lots also had all of their garden stuff on sale, including a handsome black iron trellis and a wooden arbor. And outdoor rugs! They were on sale, too! Happy shopping, gollum
Oh, how lovely…and yummy! I adored the tour of your parents' mountain home. The creek, the garden, ferns and stones, berry bushes, scenes from meals…can I come next time?! 🙂 Faith & family–that's where true value lies. So glad you enjoyed a wonderful visit!
Blessings,
Stacey