My sweet daddy turned 87 on the 14th of July. We had a party last year, but this year it was more low key and mom fixed a nice meal of his favorite fresh veggies from the garden and my sister and I came over to celebrate with them. I had just finished Haven, my sister went to the beach last week and my parents had been up at their mountain house, so we all hadn’t seen each other in a week or so.
The fresh vegetables are all pouring in now, especially the tomatoes, so I knew you all would love to see an update on my dad and mom. When I go too long without sharing about them, I always have someone ask about them. Y’all are so good to be concerned about them, I so appreciate that.
Last year, I shared a long post about my dad’s birthday and shared a sweet video of him at the end, so if you missed that, go back and check it out. He’s a funny guy!
Dad at 87, still going strong. He’s still out tending his 2 gardens.  This is the look I get when I tell him to pose for a pic.
Mom is always by his side, doing what needs to be done. I am so blessed to still have them.  She is a sweet mama!
Dad’s garden here in Marietta is doing good, he’s bringing in lots of tomatoes and other things.
The tomatoes are abundant and I brought home a nice sized bag of them. I’ll be eating tomato sandwiches a lot this week.
The Silver Queen corn is in too and I forgot to get some. I’ll just have to go back, won’t I?
Eggplant is ready too.
This bucket of tomatoes is less ripe than the big bunch they have inside. They have a ton of tomatoes right now. Of course, we all enjoy them.
Lunch was delish, as usual with stuffed peppers.
Cream corn with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
Update:Â For those who wanted to know how my mom makes her creamed corn, this is straight from her:
Creamed Corn, Iris Style
Cut off corn from cob and scrape into a bowl that can go in microwave. Enough for a meal.
Add salt to taste and cook in microwave for 3 minutes.
Remove, add butter and cook 2 more minutes. Stir and add a little milk and cook for 1 more minute.
That’s it! That’s how she makes cream corn. Of course, it’s wonderful right out of the garden. She said that when she tries to cook it on the stovetop that it sticks so bad, so she figured out how to do it in the microwave.
Fried eggplant and green tomatoes, field peas, steamed okra rounded out the table. It was yummy, of course!
The tomatoes are rolling in and we will be gorging ourselves for a few weeks. They don’t last long enough so you have to take advantage while they’re here.
You can bet I’ll be eating LOTS of tomato sandwiches the next few weeks. Love this special summer treat!
Thank you for sharing in the beauty of my parents. They are special people and I love that my readers have fallen in love with them too. I so wanted to get them down to the Haven Conference this year, but it didn’t work out. My sister was at the beach and I didn’t have anyone that I could ask to bring them down, but next year, I’m going to make sure they come down and see it in person. My dad always asks me about it and how it all went. I was happy to tell him all about it and what a great success it was again this year!
My mom has passed and dad turning 80 next month. You are blessed and also blessed that you appreciate them so much. I love love love the south and love to see you embrace who you are. If you lived close, we would be friends!
…..count me in, as the 3rd friend. Your parents remind me so much of mine and how I was raised……on lots of love and fresh veggies from their garden! My Father passed away 18 years ago, but Mother is 90 and still going strong, too!
Love your posts about your parents. They are adorable and that garden is amazing!
Wishing you Dad many more Happy Birthdays! Love the sweet picture of your parents.
That food, those veggies, and family! Can’t beat it!
What a wonderful lunch, enjoying the beautiful fruits of your dad’s labour. Wishing your Dad God’s blessings for many more wonderful years. It is so good to read of their exemplary life, you are blessed indeed to still have your folks around. Enjoy your time together
Oh my! That garden! What memories this brings to mind. My daddy was an amazing gardener and he and my mother often had dueling gardens…who could produce more? All in good fun. Some of my fondest memories are of time in the garden with my dad…pulling up radishes, dusting them off on our sleeves, and munching away. 🙂 And the tomatoes…nothing like them! Looks like you need to make some salsa!
Thank you for sharing your mama and dad. I miss my mamma and papa — they were so sweet and self-sacrificing. I hope your parents have a wonderful coming year and I’d love to meet them — perhaps next year.
Oh Rhoda , I noticed the sweet pretty table cloth. You don’t see them as much anymore mostly table runners or place mats today . I guess I’m rather old fashion however because I still love to see a pretty little cloth spread across a table. It’s how I was raised and still think it’s pretty to see. They are sweet folks and yes you are blessed. I’m always blessed when I see your pics of them as it is a reminder that there are sweet people in this world still ,, thank you for that and have a nice day
Happy Birthday to your sweet Daddy Rhoda!! Loved all the pictures and I must say, Fried Okra, Cream Corn and Tomatoes fresh from the garden cannot be beat!! Hello to your Mom too…
Rhoda, my parents are gone. My Daddy was an amazing gardener like your Daddy and I miss going over for the silver queen corn, tons of tomatoes and field peas. Enjoy some for me! P.S. – how do you make your tomatoe sandwiches? I ADORE tomato sandwiches. And tomato gravy with biscuits. Thank you for sharing your parents with us.
Hi, Paulette, I just use whatever bread I have on hand with mayo, sliced tomatoes and salt and pepper. That’s it!
Happy Birthday to your sweet Daddy.
I love eating all of those yummy vegetables. Your Mother has always been so gracious to allow me to eat with ya’ll. I feel blessed to know all of you.
My Mother and Daddy are gone, but my Son Dwayne got that gardening gene from them. He put up 21 dozen ears of corn one evening last week. I love that he shares those vegies with his Mamma and Daddy.
Hugs to you!
The veggies look so yummy. How does your mom do her cream corn. I have been looking for a recipe but cant find a good one. Your mom’s looks good.. Do you think you could give me the recipe on how she does it.? Thanks..
HI, Kim, I’ll ask her. I think it’s pretty simple.
OK, I’ve added in my mom’s cream corn recipe!
Your dad would be a huge attraction at Haven!! He is so cute and so is your mom. Both my mom and dad are gone … I miss them and seeing yours has fond memories of mine come flooding back. XO
Happy Birthday to your sweet dad! He and your mom are just adorable. I love when you post about them. Their garden (as are they) are amazing! Enjoy!
That menu is exactly what I would have at my grandparent’s house straight from the garden! It brought tears to my eyes as the memories flooded back. I’m not a huge cook but last year I was blessed with lots of tomatoes from my aunt’s garden and learned how to make tomato pie. It’s now one of my favorites!!
Happy Birthday to your Daddy! How did I miss that cute video last year? Both of your parents are sweet. Gee for some of those fabulous tomatoes, I would have driven from Memphis to pick up your Dad to bring to the conference! Lol.
Happy birthday to your dad…love seeing him and your mom on the blog.
How blessed you are to still have them! My dad passed almost 17 years ago but my mom is still going strong at age 77. The garden looks wonderful and aren’t you lucky to get all those fresh vegetables? You just can’t beat that for a great summertime meal. I’m hoping to start up a small garden when I retire and have tomatoes and fresh lettuce at least. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us.
You know I love both of your parents. I think your mom should teach a “southern” cooking class! Get her to get those recipes on paper a.s.a.p!