Lordy-mercy, are ya’ll about to die from this heat wave we’ve got going on? We are sweltering and if this isn’t dog days of summer, I don’t know what is.
No yardsales for me this weekend, but don’t worry, we’ll still have the party!
How’s your mamernem? 🙂 Mine’s just fine, thank you. 🙂 Did you interpret that one?
We spent the last 4 days up in Murphy, NC, where my parents have a 2nd home. I’ve shared this with you before here and here, but it’s always worth talking about again. If you’ve been with me on this journey before, you will know that we eat ourselves silly when we’re all together up in the mountains. All those fresh veggies and just ripe blueberries are such a treat. My sweet mama, at 82, still cooks up a storm and we all benefit from her cooking prowess, as you will see.
I am one blessed woman to have grown up with the parents I have. They truly are one of a kind, precious parents and I’m so glad we still have them. What a blessing they are to us! I took lots of pics this time, so I hope you don’t mind. It was fun documenting our few days and playing around with my camera. I’ve got so many pics, I’ll have to do another post. As much as I love decorating and DIY projects, I’m really glad that when I started this blog, I decided to add family, recipes, travel, etc. to the mix, because all of that is a big part of who I am too.
My parents have had this house for about 25 years and it’s been a fun retreat for our family. We literally eat, sleep and relax on the porch when we’re here, with an occasional walk for good measure. This year, the heat was the worst we can all remember and the house is not air conditioned, so it was a bit brutal. But, it was fun once again to be together.
It’s certainly not a fancy place, but it’s homey and well loved. And I had fun playing camera bug, shooting lots of pretty scenery, so thank you for indulging me. 🙂 Stairs going across the creek go up to the house. And this pretty creek runs through the frontyard. I love the rocks in this creek. The mountain laurel have already bloomed or this might be a wild rhododendrun, not sure. They have both. The veggies are plentiful. My parents always grow an abundance of tomatoes and we bring home plenty. This year it was Better Boys and big fat Romas. There will be salsa in our immediate future.
Sitting on the porch is a favorite past-time for my dad. This swing is his favorite spot. I love the wild ferns growing on their bank behind the house. Pretty delicate lacy ferns.
Back down the stairs to the lower part of their property. Crossing the tinkling creek again. These huge blueberry bushes sit out in the sun in the open field. Soaking up the sun and rain and yielding plenty of blueberries this time of year. We picked about 2 gallons to bring home, so I will be making use of that blueberry cookbook real soon. Dad had to add fencing around his garden a few years ago when the deer population got so huge. They were eating him out of his garden, so that wouldn’t do. This fence seems to do the trick. Dad and mom have raised a garden for as long as I can remember. My sister and I took it for granted for so long, but we sure do enjoy the bounty. And bounty it is. It’s about 1/2 an acre here in NC and they have another smaller garden back home in Georgia too. How they do it, I don’t know! The corn is just coming in and they will be putting up corn in August. Back from picking some ears of corn for our supper. And while we’re at it, take a look at the crop of Roma tomatoes. They are beautiful and large, clustered on the vines. Corn looking up to the blue sky. The silk says it’s ready to pick. My dad’s tractor equipment sitting in the field. And the tractor that makes that garden possible. At 83, my dad still loves his garden and I truly believe it keeps him and my mom young and in shape. They are such hard workers, I could not keep up with them if I tried. Our 4 ears of Silver King corn ready for cooking. Along with fried okra.
Just for fun, I did a little 30 sec. video with my mama cooking okra, so you can get a good look at it. For some reason, it is turned sideways, but you can still see what’s going on. We were talking about corn on the cob when I turned on the camera and then you can see the fried okra. WE love fried okra!
She found a new recipe in Southern Living (June, I think) and tried it out. She left out a couple of ingredients, but it was simple: Cut up the okra and pour buttermilk over it. Put out some cornmeal (with a little salt) in a bowl and roll the okra in the cornmeal and fry it up in canola oil. That’s it! It was simple and delish and the buttermilk seemed to make it crispier.
Cooking in the Mountains from Rhoda on Vimeo.
My mother could have opened a restaurant. Everyone loves her cooking!
Big fat Better Boy tomatoes ready for slicing. Here’s what mom does with the extras. Here’s our supper for the evening! I know, you’re probably getting hungry about now. That’s what happens to us when we visit the mountains. Eat, eat, eat. All the time. My gosh, how can you pass up food like this: corn on the cobb, black eyed peas, fried okra, tomatoes, squash, and a little bit of meat.
This was my plate. And no, I don’t eat like this all the time, just when I visit my mama and daddy. Just can’t help myself, when the food is this good, you have to eat it. We even had room for blueberry pie after all that. Are you dying yet? 🙂
My mom has this pic hanging in the hallway. Circa somewhere around 1988, my sister (back when she was still a brunette), niece (who’s about to turn 28 in Aug.), and me. Back when big-hair ruled. I didn’t have any problem pulling that one off. If it comes back again, I’ll be in business. And since this is a yardsale party, I’ll share this little treasure from my family. My dad’s dad, my grandpa, added the cowhide seat to this chair and my dad has 2 of them. He said the squirrels got to this one, but he has another one just like it back at their Georgia house. And he said I could have them both! Now, where to put them? That’s the question. I told him how popular this color is again right now and he just laughed. They were probably painted this color back in the 1920’s, that’s how old they are. The original cane seat wore out and his daddy added on the cowhide in the 30’s. Now where in the world will I put 2 chairs like this??
Added to Sweet Shot Tuesdays with Darcy.
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The Berry Bible giveaway winner is lucky #5 Gabi with and Eye. Congrats, Gabi, I’ll send you an email on your win.
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SHERRY says
Thank you so much for sharing. Your post reminds me of my Grandmothers place in the Blue Ridge mts. of Virginia. It is no longer in the family, but I have such fond memories of going there and helping in the garden and watching her can. Her garden fresh meals are a lasting memory!!!
lexlocilori says
yum. I looovvvve fried okra. and I have to say it– that hair! you rocked it. your sister’s hair looks positively flat in comparison : )
Cherish says
Loved this post! All of the food looks amazing and it brought back so many great memories of my summers spent in NC growing up. Nothing beats homegrown, southern food! Thanks for the okra recipe, I just bought some at the farmer’s market this weekend but haven’t fried it up yet. I’m going to try this recipe. And your parents are absolutely adorable!
twiceasnice says
I love seeing pictures and hearing stories about your mama and daddy. They are too sweet. Loved the video of your mom. She’s just the cutest.
Jennifer says
That food looks so good!!! I will try that okra recipe!!! I love the picture of your mom and dad!!! They look way younger than what they are! I’m also lovin your big hair sista!!!!
Off to go find something to eat!!!! haha!
Jennifer
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
What a fantastic vacation. That garden is amazing and it looks like you ate well!!! I think you will be able to find some place for those amazing chairs! Thanks for hosting too!
Amy Nabors says
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! And I’m quite ready for Fall to arrive and usher out these unbelievably hot days.
Connie Huntington says
I adore eating fresh veggies from the garden! And I love that your mother ‘puts up’ what they produce. That’s a phrase that is used around our house from August until the end of October when the garden finally freezes. I can see why you like to spend time at their home. It looks very serene.
Kim says
Rhoda, thanks so much for taking us on this lovely visit at your parent’s place. That food you were having looks so good. Like the family dinners we have at my husband’s family get togethers. I did not grow up with good country cooking like that, but my husband grew up on a farm and he surely grew up with food like that. His dad worked hard in the garden too. Even after being burned from the waist down when the fire he started in the garden to burn it off got out of control and he didn’t realize he was on fire he still lived to be 96 and he was 86 when this horrible accident happened. I know that the hard life and hard work he endured helped him to be a very strong man and that is why he lived so long.
jennifer says
I have a idea for the chairs I have several that the seat is gone to I sit a hanging basket in it take off the hanger and it is beautiful in a flower bed or on your deck !!!!
Pam from S says
Hi Rhoda,
I always enjoy your posts when you visit your parents place in N.C. You took some great pictures. The food looks great as always. I can’t wait to see what you do with the chairs. Glad your parents are still able to enjoy working in the garden. It is truly what helps to keep them going.
Sue says
Rhoda, Thanks for sharing your family visit with us! You’re getting better and better with your camera, too. So what ARE you gonna do with those two chairs?! Can’t wait to see…..
🙂 Sue
Melinda says
Rhoda, my Mom cooks like that too. YUM!! It looks delicious! We were in the NC mountains this weekend too, for a wedding, but we were over near Boone. Not as cool up there either, which is unusual for the mountains. Glad you enjoyed your trip to visit your folks. They are so precious!! I loved the pictures of your sweet Dad and Mom. I’m gonna try your Mom’s new okra recipe and see how I like it. Great pictures, Rhoda. Your parents have a lovely place and a beautiful garden. Love & blessings from NC!
Sarah says
That is some garden! I enjoyed seeing all the wonderful photos. You could hang those chairs on a wall. They are dear!
~ Sarah
Shelley says
Great photos, Rhoda. Some day I hope I can venture to North Carolina, a state I’ve only read about in great novels like Margaret Maron’s. She provides great descriptions but your photos brought so much beauty to life. Thank you.
Rhonda says
Rhoda,
What a beautiful place to escape from the rat race! The garden there could have been my dad’s garden and the plate of yummy food could have been my mom’s cooking. They now are now both enjoying the bounty that heaven has. I miss them so much. They were good parents too.
It is so wonderful that your sweet mom and dad are strong and healthy and that you guys love so much. There is nothing like a good family.
I always preferred vacations to the Tenn/NC Smokies over the Florida beaches! This makes me want to make a reservation for a fall trip!
Rhonda
Stacy@TheProjectShoppe says
How wonderful! The beautiful garden and yummy looking food so reminded me of spending time with my Grandparents in their great big garden and the food looks just like what my Gran would have made! You are blessed!
Wanda P. says
Shhhhh don’t tell my mom BUT RHODA’S MOM IS THE BEST COOK IN THE WORLD!!!!! What I wouldn’t do for a big O’ plate of your mama’s cookin. Rhoda, I love it when you post about your mom and dad. I miss them.
DogsMom says
So very much to comment on this post. Such wonderful photos and a geat story behind it. My mom doesn’t cook, so I am envious of all of you well fed children. (She is 80, too late to change her now.) But she adores cookbooks! The fern closeup was one of my favorites. I have never seen corn silk that brilliant shade! I would find a use for it in my crafting.
My camera went on a trip this weekend, so I have no new pictures to share. (I stayed home.)
gail says
great post! I love family! It’s great to see your mom and dad doing what they love!
thanks for hosting!
gail