'Maters, summer beauty, and stumped

In the south, we jokingly refer to home-grown tomatoes as "'maters".  :)  These beauties came from coworker Bobby's garden.  He's been bringing in a small basket every couple of days.  Those of us without gardens pounce on them as if they are gold.  My favorite is a 'mater sandwich, but these are probably going into some ratatouille.  I'm going to try Alice Waters's recipe.  

I love the little purple petunia that popped out among the Dragon Wing Begonias next to my front door.  I am leaving for work way earlier than I used to in the morning, and find that I love the time on the front porch, in the 5am hour, watering everything so they'll be good for the day, since it's been so hot.

I've posted a pic of this guy before - the "chair" carved from a stump at Mountain Park Park.  Now it's sporting mushrooms - spotted on a gloomy sky walk last Saturday.

It's been a very busy couple of weeks work-wise, so I've been a little tired from it.  I'll be around for blog visits though.  I missed you guys!

Misty river, purple mountains majesty and stylin'

I went to sit beside the Hiwassee river and read (and sleep) last weekend - so lovely that it was a long one.  This was my first sight when I got out of the car upon arrival on Friday evening and my blood pressure lowered immediately.

The most athletic I got was on Saturday morning, when I walked at nearby Chatuge Dam (and somehow dodged the rain). 

And I visited the plant nursery I like so much and loved this stylin' lady with Creeping Jenny growing out of her head.  :)

And it was back to the real world on Wednesday, but it's always good to be home, too.  Happy weekend, everyone!